Common Ground

MLP FIM season 9 was not a good season. But there are some good episodes like this one. So this episode is about Quibble Pants who returns, wanting to bond with the daughter of his new special friend. The daughter is named Wind Spirit. While the mom is named Clear Skys. He asks for Rainbow Dash to help him because Wind Spirit is a sports pony.

I thought the story was pretty good. There are some funny moments, like when Quibble Pants tries to play Buckball but fails miserably. There are also some heartwarming moments, like when Quibble Pants finally connects with Wind Spirit. I also thought the moral was handled really well. You don't need to be something you are not. Just so your kid can like you.

The characters are also portrayed very well. Quibble wanting to be a good father feels genuine. Rainbow Dash is helpful to him. Wind Spirit acts distant at first but eventually warms up to him. While all the other characters are just find. Not bad or good.

Overall this is a good episode. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't say its one of my favourites. Which is why it gets an 8/10.

Edit March 8, 2021: I am now aware that this episode is based on the voice actor's (Patton Oswalt and Alice Oswalt) actual relationship. Their real relationship is very heartwarming. Which made me appreciate this episode more. I think this is the best season 9 episode. But it still gets a 8/10.

"Common Ground" conceptually was quite a unique one, having never been done before on 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. Namely because it is a very sensitive yet very true to life subject and had the potential problem of being too heavy. Had no doubt that the show would handle it well though, as it has dealt with difficult subjects before and tactfully each time. It was also interesting for seeing the return of the character of Quibble Pants.

Who was seen to memorable effect in the excellent "Stranger Than Fan Fiction". He was not a likeable character in that episode and anybody that was annoyed by him can't be blamed, but he is a perfect representation of what that episode was poking fun at and venting frustrations at, the toxic behaviour of competitive fans. It was very interesting and refreshing to see a softer and relatable side to him this time, and although it is rated lower than the previous episode "The Point of Return" to me this was the much better episode. Not an extraordinary outing, but a very good one.

It is quite light in the humour department and what there is is quite predictable and never my definition of hilarious.

However, there are so many great things about "Common Ground" that help make an episode that could easily have been too ordinary and safe something well worth watching and worth relating to. Quibble Pants is pretty much the complete opposite of how he was in "Stranger Than Fan Fiction", here he is a lot more sympathetic and down to earth and actually easy to identify with with a clear genuine love for his family. His family are lovely characters as well and well defined, not being too over sweet or anything, and the bond between them is genuine. Really liked Rainbow Dash here as well, here at her most sympathetic in a while and she proves to be very resourceful and helpful. The character writing and interaction in fact is spot on.

As is the voice acting. Ashleigh Ball brings edge and nuance to Rainbow Dash and Patton Oswalt's voice work is enthusiastic yet understated. Having members of his own family voicing Quibble Pants' family was an inspired and sweet touch. While "Common Ground" may be very light when it comes to the laughs, it is very high when it comes to the charm and emotional heart. The story is slight but extremely charming and tenderly told. The moral is very relatable and handled with honesty.

Moreover, the animation is beauifully detailed and vibrant. The music is dynamic and has infectious character and atmosphere. The dialogue is never simplistic or confused, and manages to be sweet without being saccharine and warm-hearted without being cheesy or too sentimental.

Overall, very pleasing episode. Not one of the season's very best but lightyears away from being one of the worst. Actually put it in the better half. 8/10.

This might be my favorite episode for the whole season. It's only because I can associate with it so well. It features Quibble Pants returning and revealed that he's raising a daughter with his wife. There goes all the shipping with him and Rainbow Dash! Anyway, this episode features him trying to connect with his daughter by wanting Rainbow Dash teach him to become an athlete. Patton Oswalt (his voice actor) actually got his own wife and daughter to voice them in this episode!

Oswalt's own daughter doesn't share the same interests as him, as he's into "My Little Pony" and he did this voice work to honor her! Oswalt himself had a dad who wanted him to be an athlete, but he was more into movies and pop culture. It's so wonderful that he did something that reflected his real life so much. I know what it's like as my brother is a basketball fanatic and I'm much more into pop culture. I was a member of a teeball team as a kid, but never enjoyed it. I'm talking to you, Mom! ****