Fluttershy doesn't get as much exposure as the other ponies and that is a shame because she is a likeable character that is easy to identify with when having to face fearful situations. There are episodes centered around her that did so well characterising her, especially Season 1's "Dragonshy" and Season 3's "Hurricane Fluttershy". She has though has had a few instances where she has not been immune from negative traits being exaggerated, evident in Season 5's "Scare Master".
Season 7's "Fluttershy Leans In" is very like Season 6's "Flutter Brutter", in that the episode does a great job with her and her development yet the episode itself isn't as good. The basic reasoning is different between the two though, whereas that episode had an intolerable character that really sucked out the enjoyment "Fluttershy Leans In" in a nutshell suffered from being too simple and safe. Is it a bad episode? Absolutely not. Is it great? Not really, or at least to me.
There are definitely great things here. Once again the animation is great, loved the vibrant colours and how rich and varied the detail in the backgrounds was and in terms of settings this is one of the richest ones of the season. The facial expressions make a big impression. The music has both energy and atmosphere, the theme song is not for all. Personally like it a good deal as it's catchy, but the show has always done better with the songs written for the respective episodes. The voice acting is typically on point from all, with Andrea Libman giving Fluttershy not only vulnerability but also edge.
Enough of the writing is good natured and has heart, with some amusing humour. It has a good deal of charm and a great job is done making Fluttershy interesting and rootable, managing to make her more assertive while still keeping her in character (so her vulnerability is still intact) and without any changes in behaviour being out of the blue. Fluttershy's situation here is relatable and hit home with me, being someone who struggles to get my voice heard and stand up for myself. The moral also hit home and is sincerely delivered. Good to see a non-argumentative Big Daddy McColt as well.
Despite all those good things, "Fluttershy Leans In" is slightly bland. The story has a lot to like but is somewhat too simple and safe, and some of the episode feels on the padded, over-stretched side to make up for that there wasn't quite enough to fill just under half an hour. It could perhaps have done with more conflict as in comparison to a lot of episodes of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' this is quite polite.
If the whole characters in denial aspect of the story was delved into more and had more consequence, rather than being practically forgotten, that would have solved that and the episode would have had more impact. Although nobody is dull or annoying, only Fluttershy has much complexity or development.
Not a bad episode at all and Fluttershy's development and the show moving away from the perpetually timid personality was truly admirable, just slightly bland, too simple and not one of the show's most memorable. 6/10.
Season 7's "Fluttershy Leans In" is very like Season 6's "Flutter Brutter", in that the episode does a great job with her and her development yet the episode itself isn't as good. The basic reasoning is different between the two though, whereas that episode had an intolerable character that really sucked out the enjoyment "Fluttershy Leans In" in a nutshell suffered from being too simple and safe. Is it a bad episode? Absolutely not. Is it great? Not really, or at least to me.
There are definitely great things here. Once again the animation is great, loved the vibrant colours and how rich and varied the detail in the backgrounds was and in terms of settings this is one of the richest ones of the season. The facial expressions make a big impression. The music has both energy and atmosphere, the theme song is not for all. Personally like it a good deal as it's catchy, but the show has always done better with the songs written for the respective episodes. The voice acting is typically on point from all, with Andrea Libman giving Fluttershy not only vulnerability but also edge.
Enough of the writing is good natured and has heart, with some amusing humour. It has a good deal of charm and a great job is done making Fluttershy interesting and rootable, managing to make her more assertive while still keeping her in character (so her vulnerability is still intact) and without any changes in behaviour being out of the blue. Fluttershy's situation here is relatable and hit home with me, being someone who struggles to get my voice heard and stand up for myself. The moral also hit home and is sincerely delivered. Good to see a non-argumentative Big Daddy McColt as well.
Despite all those good things, "Fluttershy Leans In" is slightly bland. The story has a lot to like but is somewhat too simple and safe, and some of the episode feels on the padded, over-stretched side to make up for that there wasn't quite enough to fill just under half an hour. It could perhaps have done with more conflict as in comparison to a lot of episodes of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' this is quite polite.
If the whole characters in denial aspect of the story was delved into more and had more consequence, rather than being practically forgotten, that would have solved that and the episode would have had more impact. Although nobody is dull or annoying, only Fluttershy has much complexity or development.
Not a bad episode at all and Fluttershy's development and the show moving away from the perpetually timid personality was truly admirable, just slightly bland, too simple and not one of the show's most memorable. 6/10.
