A Health of Information

Here's another fun episode that features Zecora getting sick. Well, there weren't other episodes that showed her getting sick. I'm sorry if I used that in the wrong context. Anyway, this episode was great because we learn more about some history. After getting sick, we learn about this pony known as Mare Meadowbrook who was able to find a cure for swamp fever. At first, I thought they were going to travel back in time to talk to her so I was a bit disappointed when they didn't. I was delightfully surprised to see that we do get to see flashbacks of her.

The doctor pony reappears and I love how that guy's hair looks like a muffin. He may not have a name but he does seem like he's becoming a recurring character. As usual, we get all the cuteness of this series with flashbacks of a squirrel being cured. We get a new moral that simply states we should all get sleep and rest. Not that unique, but it is something different for the show that hasn't been done there before. Fluttershy even looks cute with spots. ***1/2

The premise for "A Health of Information" sounded really interesting, and had heard a lot of good things about it prior to first watch from fellow fans offline. It was great that Fluttershy played a major role here, she has had some truly great (the best classic) episodes over 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' run and compared to when the show first started she has come on a long way as a character in a group full of strong (and stronger) personalities.

"A Health of Information" may not be one of her best episodes, it's no "Dragonshy" or "Hurricane Fluttershy", but it is a worthy episode for her in a scenario that allows for her to be more interesting and doesn't disgrace her at all. In fact on the most part, Season 7 did a much better job than previous seasons at keeping the Mane 6 likeable and in character (one of the few exceptions being Applejack in "Honest Apple") without any character flaws going over the top. The latter thankfully not happening in "A Health of Information", to me a very good episode with a lot of great things.

Not much here actually to dislike, though didn't buy Twilight being the only pony to not get sick despite being far from distanced from Zecora.

Did think that even more could have been done with the moral. It is a great, important moral that is not confused or heavy handed, but there was room for the episode to delve deeper into it.

On the other hand, the animation is vibrant, atmospheric and richly detailed as ever and the illness effects are both fun to watch and unsettling. The music has both atmosphere and groove, never being discordant with the action. The voice acting is great, with heartfelt work from Andrea Libman as Fluttershy.

Moreover, the script is always engaging and natural sounding, exploring the subject being dangerously ill very intelligently. The subject is a bold one and the execution is quite dark by the show's, well season's, standards because of it not holding back on how bad the situation can be. While also not going too far the other way that it becomes too disturbing. The characters are very well written, with Fluttershy carrying the episode in a way that's never bland and allows her to have more of a voice. Meadowbrook is intriguing.

In conclusion, liked it a lot. 8/10.