Shadow Play - Part 2

While Part 1 of the "Shadow Play" two parter that concluded Season 7 had a lot of fantastic things and is worth watching, it was a bit disappointing at the same time. After such great potential, that was met in some areas and not in others, and considering that Season 7 was on the whole a solid one. 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' is not as consistent with their season finales than they are with their openers, and "Shadow Play" on the whole was not one of the best in my view.

"Shadow Play Part 2" is more eventful than the first part, with more going on in the plot and the pace is livelier. It also feels tighter, not difficult to manage as the first part for my taste was too exposition heavy even for setting things up. At the same time, a couple of the problems that were there in Part 1 are not really addressed here and that it was more eventful was not always a good thing in my mind. So again there are a lot of fantastic but great potential was not completely fullfilled.

The fantastic things will be started off with. The animation is colourful and full of atmosphere and meticulous detail. Also doing such a great job at immersing one into the setting and the lore. The music is the kind that will appeal to children, being current and not being too old, and should have a nostalgic feel for older viewers. The voice acting is excellent, Kelly Sheridan and Tara Strong both give deeply committed voice work. As does Chris Britton as Starswirl, shining particularly in his fury at Twilight and at the end.

Writing is an improvement here, it's leaner and there is more emotion to it too. Again a great job is done with the lore, everything with the Pillars continues to be fascinating. Starswirl is even more interesting than he was in Part 1 and his chemistry with Twilight was great. Both Twilight and Starlight, who has come on a long way as a character since Season 6, are very well written and their bond shines very bright. The climax is suitably suspenseful and the closing scene is very sweet.

Having said all of that, "Shadow Play Part 2" could have been better. Again, and even more so, the story feels over-stuffed and therefore at times a little too complicated. Too much information in too little time, too many characters with most underused (apart from Starlight, Twilight and Starswirl). This is a two parter that would have benefitted from being either three or four parts or a season's worth story arc.

Pony of Shadows is menacing, meaning that the conflict does convince, but part of me felt that he was not developed or used enough. With the amount that goes on, it means that we don't get to know too many of the characters and relationships are not delved into deeply enough.

On the whole though, a well above average finale but too short and needed less characters and less going on. 7/10.