Random Thoughts: The Last Roundup

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Censorship, Rodeos, and Lucy Ball, oh my! Well, lets take a look at The Last Roundup!

Also Happy Applejack Apprication Day! Totally didn't plan this but it's great that it worked out like this!

Basic Plot: 

Good thing Rarity always keeps a selection of AJ pic on her at all times

Applejack is getting ready for a rodeo in Canterlot, planning on using her winnings in the competition to repair a severely damaged townhall.  After a week has past, The Apple Family and the rest of the Mane 6 eagerly await Applejack's return, only to get a telegram saying she's not coming home. Twilight and the gang then go on a quest to locate Applejack, finding out that she's traded apple for cherries and won't tell them why.  After much frustration and annoyance on Applejack's part, the Mane 6 are able to get her to tell them the truth, but Applejack bails before she has to.  Following the first car chase in MLP, the group, sans Rarity and Pinkie Pie, get Applejack to admit that she didn't win at the rodeo, but they tell Applejack they could care less and they just want their friend back. Applejack learns a lesson about pride and family while Rarity plots her revenge against Rainbow Dash!

What I liked:

Just try to say no to this face

• The Humor
• This episode is funny, from Derpy (more on her later) to piss jokes, to I Love Lucy references. I had a smile on my face the entire way threw. Favorite joke: Pinkie Pie knocking her and Rarity out of the cart.
• The Car(t) chase
• Nice bit of action in the third act. Interesting to see it's Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy who are the runners. Maybe Flutters is more of an athlete than we were lead to believe. Also nice use of pegauses wings.
• Applejack
• This episode was hers for season 2.  Nice way to introduce conflict in what is normally a very non-conflicted pony. And she has great interaction with the rest of the Mane 6. There's a reason she my second favorite pony.
• Resolution
• Not the highlight but definitely heartwarming and with a good message that winning isn't everything. Heck, it even got Rainbow Dash to get all teary-eyed.

What I didn't like:

Come on, you knew I had to use this one

• The Apple Family
• Just why exactly didn't Big Mac, Apple Bloom or any of the other Apple family members go with Twilight and co. in search of Applejack? Probably would have ended early if they had.
• I just don't know what went wrong
• Okay, let's talk about the Derpy scene. I don't like that they censored it, but then again I'm not the one raising a child.  Overall the reason to cut it has good intention but is more hand holding of children. There not stupid, they can recognize a joke when it's presented and know that the real world operates differently. I mean heck, Derpy's a pony! Should we change Rainbow Dash? I mean kids might think all blue winged horses act like her! But in all honest, the change is small and there are still plenty of ways to view the original, but don't be counting on Derpy getting a speaking role for the rest of time.

Overall:

I like Trains

This episode was just fun.  With great character interaction and humor, I highly Recommend this episode. The censorship issue and Pinkie Pie could be issues for some, but it doesn't stop this train ride! Now get the heck out of Dodge and to the comments with you, away!