The Times They are a Changeling review

Divided Loyalties

These reviews do contain spoilers

If you remember the ending of The Crystalling, you should know that we saw a Changeling flying towards the Crystal Empire. My guess originally, and possibly a lot of other people, thought that it was setup for the season six finale. However, it seems the show decides to throw us a curve ball and not go that route. Instead, they decide to make it about a Changeling who seems to want to defect and get away from Queen Chrysalis and the hive. So who will be the one to help this Changeling and make friends with it. I mean it's got to be somepony who would really fit for such a crucial conflict like this. So who takes center stage for this episode?

Spike.

Yeah, I got to be honest here. I really wasn't expecting this episode to be about Spike. I honestly thought with an episode like this, it would be about Twilight facing and trying to make peace with a foe who nearly took over Canterlot, or even maybe Starlight making a new friend. Never did I really think it would be a Spike based episode. Not that I'm complaining at all though. If anything, this made the episode far more interesting. Spike has always been one to always try to use mercy and give others a chance; which is something I admire about the character. Seeing him try to befriend a Changeling, which are considered Equestria's most hated creatures no doubt, makes for a very interesting premise for this episode.

Our last Spike episode was all kinds of awesome. It had a lot of epic moments for Spike as his character grew and he took part in an event known as the Gauntlet of Fire. We got to see the world of dragons done a lot better then in Dragon Quest. We were also introduced to one of the best new characters yet, Ember, and have some good interactions with her and Spike. Also, we got to learn more about dragon lore and because of Spike's actions, he has created an alliance between dragons and ponies. It was ultimate proof that there are indeed good Spike episodes, even though I could name a couple of good ones off the top of my head. So are we in for more of Spike being awesome? Will we have our first friendly Changeling? Does this have potential impact on the season finale?

Since Spike is such a huge celebrity in the Crystal Empire, it's only natural that everypony there is looking up to him to be the one to save the day yet again. I admit that I always enjoy seeing Spike being given the responsibility to save the day. He's always been one of the most resourceful characters who can work with what they are given, and find a way to save the day or resolve a problem. As much as I love hearing him be called "Brave and Glorious", I do admit it does kind of get tiring after a while with everypony calling him that; Spike himself included. I get the Crystal Ponies calling him that, but I kind of wish Spike wouldn't constantly call himself that. It makes him seem pretty damn egotistical and reminds me of a certain rainbow maned pony.

Spike himself is written pretty well by our two new writers, Kevin Burke and Chris Wyatt. He's not being selfish again and doing something for himself just like in Gauntlet of Fire. Instead, there's a pretty good conflict about what he should do instead. Should he live up to the Crystal Empire's expectations and defeat the Changeling, or try and give the defective Changeling a chance? It makes for a good conflict for Spike as he's known firsthand how bad Changelings can be. It also does a good job showcasing his strengths and weaknesses in this episode. He's really confident in what he can do, but yet has to face his fault of not being able to stand up for what is truly right. It's some really good character building for him.

The Changeling Spike does befriend, who's name is Thorax, is actually a pretty good character. They manage to have enough time to give him a backstory, including having him tied into the Canterlot invasion and have him see Twilight and the others fight off the hoard as friends. His interactions with Spike are really good and I do enjoy the interactions he and Spike share.

Some people may be turned off by Thorax because of his name or his voice. Even before this episode aired, people weren't too happy with him. I do have to admit though that I am not really a fan of the name. Thorax? That's not a name, that's a part of your body. I know they're bugs, but the name is really odd and could've been better. I guess Chrysalis got really lazy with the names. You would too if you had to raise over a thousand or so drones. The voice Thorax has doesn't bother me to be honest. Kyle Rideout, who plays Vinnie on Littlest Pet Shop, is our voice for him, and I didn't hate the voice at all. I found it to be pretty good, but I do admit it could've had some sort of insect like voice to it as well.

There's also a lot of continuity tied into this episode as well. From Equestria Games to way back to the Canterlot Wedding, there is a lot of continuity in this episode that follows it nicely. The way Shining Armor is acting really shows how much he despises Changelings after what happened to him. Some may find his attitude a turnoff, but I honestly didn't mind it at all. After all, he was brainwashed to follow Chrysalis and tricked into allowing an invasion to occur. It's only natural that he be this strict and harsh when it comes to talking about Changelings. All the continuity tie ins make this episode even stronger.

The story itself is a bit predictable, but nothing as predictable as the last two episodes we got. I honestly thought it'd be a story about Spike trying to convince the Empire the Changeling was nice, but the Changeling turns out to be evil and Spike gets upset and runs off. Then Thorax would've felt bad and stopped whatever evil plan he was helping with. Instead, it goes for a more character driven episode between Spike and Thorax. The ending does kind of end up being predictable, but it's nothing harmful or hurts the episode at all.

The pacing is also way better, and is a huge improvement over the last two episodes we got. Unlike the last two episodes where it had a slow buildup for the first two acts and a rushed ending, this episode takes the time to properly build up a story. There's enough time to build and develop these characters, but still have a story in it as well. It's good to see that trend was broken at last because bad pacing often leads some pretty bad episodes. Rarity Takes Manehatten comes immediately to mind.

However, this episode also gives Spike the chance to do something for the very first time; sing. I know he has sung as part of the chorus in the past and he sung during Equestria Games. However, I don't count the latter at all. That was a complete fluke. This is Spike's official first song on the show. So how does it hold up? Well, it is absolutely beautiful. Cathy Wesluck is known for singing, and it really shows here in this song. The way Spike sounds and how he sings is brilliantly well done. He sounds so wonderful in this episode and it sounded very gentle and sweet. The music played is also really good, and the lyrics are pretty good as well. I dare say that Spike is already within my top five favorite singers on the show. He's probably close to Twilight and Rarity in terms of singing. For Spike's first song, this shows he can sing and sound beautiful.

The moral itself is a bit predictable, but nothing too bad at all. Giving others, no matter what race they are, a proper chance does sound like something from Bridle Gossip, but I think the impact here was done better here. While the former episode was more about finding out the truth of others and not judging others by their covers, this episode goes for a different route about how no matter where you came from, you can make friends with anybody if you give them a chance. Even Twilight admits that Spike taught her a lesson about friendship, and considering she's Princess of Friendship, that's saying quite a lot.

There is honestly no doubt in my mind that after this episode, this season belongs to Spike. This is officially his season to shine and be on top. While it may not be as good as Gauntlet of Fire, this is still a very strong episode for Spike as a whole. The story is really good with a great conflict to it, and it does have buildup to it unlike the last two episodes. Thorax is an interesting character and I do like his backstory and the interactions with him and Spike. The song is brilliantly well done for Spike's first one, and shows he is capable of singing. It really lived up to its expectations.

While the whole "Brave and Glorious" thing can get a bit tiresome and Starlight Glimmer doing absolutely nothing (Seriously. What was the point of her in this episode?) may be annoying, it's nothing that's too bad at all. If this episode and the last Spike episode isn't enough proof there are good Spike episodes, I don't know what is then. It took us five seasons and while they hit Spike here and there in the past, it seems they're finally getting in stride with the character and doing more with him at last. After this episode, I honestly never want to hear anybody tell me there is no such thing as a good Spike episode ever again.

FINAL SCORE: 9 out of 10 (A-)