Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Ponypalooza Party Mini Review

I just finished reading the book "My Little Pony Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Ponypalooza Party" (which has evidently also been released under the name "My Little Pony Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Pony Party") and since it's the first spot anywhere to specifically mention Maud, I figured I'd do a quick review on it.

The book takes place sometime after season three (Twilight's a princess in it), likely taking place before season four since it was published before that started airing. A big draw for me about the book was that the Pie family holds a significant role in it. Pinkie's father, mother, and two sisters Marble and Limestone visit Ponyville unannounced, and soon after spotting them, Pinkie says, "Hi, Mom! Hey there, Dad! How's it going, Marble? What's new, Limestone? Where's--?" and then her father cuts her off, saying, "Your older sister is keeping an eye on the farm," This "older sister" being that first reference to Maud I mentioned.

Speaking of Maud, I learned an unusual connection between her and Pinkie -- they both have pet rocks. Pinkie's is named Rockie, and she describes "him" as being gray and "a bit lumpy". At the end of the book, the Pies are actually accepting orders from Equestrian ponies for, among other things, pet rocks. Maybe it's even possible that sometime around then is when Maud got Boulder -- who knows? 

The book is definitely worth a read for any Pony fan as it feels just like an episode of the show and always had me visualizing the scenes as they'd look animated. Lots of funny moments are scattered throughout, like, for example, when Pinkie pulls something "seemingly out of nowhere" explaining, "It was almost like magic, but it wasn't -- it was just Pinkie Pie.". There's also the time when a crowd hears news about a farm closing that they didn't even know existed in the first place and all gasp because it "just seemed like the right response.". The only real complaints I have about the book are the real-world cultural nods, like with the band names "Nine Inch Tails" and "Coldhay" parodying "Nine Inch Nails" and "Coldplay", and the reason I dislike this is because I like to think that Equestria is a land better than our Earth, but when parallels are constantly drawn, it sorta ruins those hopes. Another issue I could also say about the book is that the Pie family mannerisms aren't done as well in this book as in later episode appearances in my opinion, but that's hardly the author's fault.

Episode 111 to Feature Maud

I made a post back in July about how I've seen it said that Maud would appear in another episode of season five, and though I almost never read any sort of news on upcoming upcoming episodes -- even promotional stuff -- I've been itching for some more news about the supposed new Maud appearance, and so, I gave in and read the basic wiki type blurbs. It appears I should have remained patient until next episode... two days from now. No big deal, but anyways, the episode (twentieth for the season and one hundred eleventh for the series) will be titled "Hearthbreakers", and will be about Applejack and her experience spending time with Pinkie Pie's family -- and thus Maud's family -- on Hearth's Warming Eve: a sort of holiday/celebration in Equestria seen in the episode of the same name.

I'm disappointed to see that Applejack will hold any sort of prominent position; I'm not the only one who realizes that Applejack and Rarity are severely overused, right? I mean, out of the nineteen episodes of season five so far alone, Fluttershy's hardly appeared with any significance, and when she almost does, she's overshadowed by Discord or someone else. Same with Twilight Sparkle and even Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash to some degree. It seems like since their introductions secondary characters like Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders (or whatever name they'll be going by now) always get more of the spotlight than Fluttershy if nopony else.

The writer of the new Maud-containing episode, Nick Confalone, reportedly made the statement that he hoped to make it feel like an episode from season one or two, which is great by me as I really dislike season five; The whole season so far's only had five good episodes compared to its seven mediocre/okay episodes, four bad episodes, and three downright horrible episodes, with even the "good" episodes having their bad parts, too. The earlier seasons made it feel like a show filled with the wonder and innocence of a kid's program that by chance had writers that took their job with unexpected seriousness. For the most part they seemed to understand that just because a show chooses to follow a moral code doesn't mean it has to be dumbed down and dull -- and worded from a different perspective, just because a show can be something an older crowd can find entertaining doesn't mean it has to be something garnering a PG-13 rating or conform to how other shows behave. This newest season, however, feels more like the people in charge said, "Hey! The show got popular! Let's usher in some of those hip, pop-culture referencing writers who won't write for everyone, but instead, will write for those 'bronies' and 'pegasisters!' " And then to put the nail in the coffin, they've started really pushing for an animation style more akin to... dare I say... SpongeBob SquarePants or something more of that ilk. I've been finding myself less and less excited about watching new installments along with reading new issues of the comic series, both of which used to be highlights in life when they came but have just gone downhill. Hopefully Nick Confalone can help turn this around -- I don't know if he's written any other Pony episodes, but if he has I hope they were memorable ones.

Here's to hoping that this episode will be truly awesome, though with Applejack, I doubt it will be. I really hope the episode gets Maud's personality right, she was just so amazing in episode 83. I'll more than likely do a review of the episode after it airs, so that'll probably be around shortly.

Maud Rock Pie MLP Collection Single Figure

For a few months now, a Maud doll/figure has been on the horizon while maintaining a mysterious status as to what it exactly was. Finally the news is out: she'll be part of Hasbro's "Friendship is Magic Collection" as a single pack. Others in the set will be Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Mr. Cake.

Maud comes with her dress (which is removable), along with a tiny little figure of Gummy. The inclusion of Gummy -- in a weird pose, too -- initially seems like an odd choice of accessory, but actually he's the answer to another question; A few posts ago, I was wondering what was up with that spike of hair by Maud's ears, and it's now clear that it's there so that Gummy can perch himself on Maud like he did in the "Maud Pie" episode right after Pinkie Pie so perfectly delivers the line, "Maud and I better get going, too! I want her to taste the rock candy we're gonna use for our best friends necklaces! Aw yeah!" It seems like the theme of these figures is to represent different scenes involving Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, with, as another example, unicorn Twilight Sparkle and her umbrella-hat representing the moment from episode 15 "Feeling Pinkie Keen".

The figures are expected to come out this November, and when I get my Maud I'm planning to go outside and grab a little pebble to act as Boulder.

All pictures from this post courtesy of mlpmerch.com

Row & Ride Swan Boat with Paper Maud

As part of their "Explore Equestria" line-thingy, Hasbro will be making a posable Pinkie Pie figure that comes with a "Row & Ride Swan Boat" expected to be out this November. As you can see in the photo, the package's paper/cardboard display includes a Maud Pie that can ride in the back of the boat.

This seems a little odd considering there still isn't a proper Maud figure made by Hasbro, so could this be a sign that they have plans to make one, possibly as a "posable pony"? Or is it Hasbro throwing in the towel and saying, "Here, this little standee is the best we can do"? Regardless, I sorta want the set just so I can have the little Maud, but I doubt that can justify the price.

All pictures from this post courtesy of mlpmerch.com

"Rockin' Pony Party" Book with Pinkie Pie Plush

Supposedly Maud's first specific mentioning was in a book titled "My Little Pony Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Ponypalooza Party!" (or sometimes, evidently, "My Little Pony Pinkie Pie and the Rockin' Pony Party") released originally back in 2013 (read my "Maud Pie's Earliest Mentions and Appearances" post for more information). In the UK, it appears that the book has been released again, this time along with a five inch Pinkie Pie plush. Speaking of which, I'm still waiting for a Maud plush. One, might I add, without unjustified glitter like so many other My Little Pony plush have.

All pictures from this post courtesy of mlpmerch.com

Funko Vinyl Collectible Figure Announced

When it was first heard that a Funko mini vinyl figure of Maud would be released, it was speculated that a larger version would also be made; That speculation has now been confirmed, complete with pictures.

Though it hasn't been released yet, it'll certainly be a must-buy for me. I admit I still haven't got the mini one yet since I can't quite bring myself to gamble on its blind-packaging, but luckily that's not an issue with this larger one.

All pictures from this post courtesy of mlpmerch.com