My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (season 4)

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic season 4

DVD cover
Country of origin United States
Canada
No. of episodes 26
Release
Original network Hub Network
Original release November 23, 2013 (2013-11-23) – May 10, 2014 (2014-05-10)
Season chronology

The fourth season of the animated television series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, developed by Lauren Faust, originally aired on the Hub Network in the United States. The series is based on Hasbro's My Little Pony line of toys and animated works and is often referred by collectors to be the fourth generation or "G4" of the My Little Pony franchise. Season 4 of the series premiered on November 23, 2013, on the Hub Network, an American pay television channel partly owned by Hasbro.

The show follows Princess Twilight Sparkle, a studious alicorn pony, as her mentor Princess Celestia guides her to learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville. Twilight continues to learn with her close friends Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Each represents a different face of friendship, and Twilight discovers herself to be a key part of the magical artifacts, the "Elements of Harmony". The ponies share adventures and help out other residents of Ponyville, while working out the troublesome moments in their own friendships.

Development

Concept

Season 4 continues from the events of the third season finale, "Magical Mystery Cure", where Twilight, shown to have come to hone her magic skills while learning the value of friendship, has been crowned as Equestria's newest princess, becoming an alicorn in the process. Some elements of the season focus on Twilight coming to terms with her new status; lead writer Meghan McCarthy stated that "What we didn't want to do was change who [Twilight] is as a character, because she's certainly someone that everyone's proud to know and love",[1] while Tara Strong, the voice actress for Twilight, claimed that the episode is "a birth of a new era for Twilight, but not the end of what makes the show so wonderful".[2] In addition, with the directive of the letters to Princess Celestia no longer in force, the six main characters also resolve to keep a collective journal of their formative experiences for posterity's sake. According to a Twitter post from McCarthy, the season also includes a story arc[3] that features the ponies on the hunt to find keys to open a mysterious six locked chest.

Production

Investment documents for DHX Media's 2012 financial year indicate that production for a fourth season had been financed.[4] Before the season premiered, aspects of it were discussed by Meghan McCarthy, Tara Strong and other writers and voice actors at various fan conventions.[5][6] Hasbro's vice president for international distribution, Finn Arnesen, had stated that My Little Pony is a "top-priority" brand for the company and expects the series to continue beyond the fourth season.[7] The fourth season of the series premiered on November 23, 2013.[8] This season marks the first time storyboard artist Jim Miller will be co-directing alongside Jayson Thiessen.[9] This season also marks the first time to be executive produced by Thiessen and McCarthy.

Season synopsis

While the show otherwise employs a loose continuity between episodes, the fourth season featured a larger story told in the two-part season premiere "Princess Twilight Sparkle", five of the intermediate episodes ("Rarity Takes Manehattan", "Rainbow Falls", "Pinkie Pride", "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies" and "Leap of Faith"), and the two-part finale "Twilight's Kingdom".[10] In the premiere, Twilight is still struggling to understand her place as Equestria's newest member of royalty. She learns that the Elements of Harmony were originally taken from the Tree of Harmony, located under the ruins of the castle in the middle of Everfree Forest. When Equestria is threatened by a trick Discord played over a thousand years ago, Twilight and her friends sacrifice the Elements, leaving them otherwise defenseless, and return them to the Tree. The Tree is filled with magic that destroys the threat, and then reveals a box with six keyholes. Twilight begins to study the box but has no idea about the keys. Unknown to the main characters, each but Twilight are involved in a situation where their Element is tested (for example, Rarity's generosity is put to the test in "Rarity Takes Manehattan"), but they individually manage to stay true to themselves, and in return, inspire another in that same ideal. These other characters give the main character a memento of the experience as a gesture of kindness. They write down these stories, along with lessons learned from other adventures, in a journal inspired by what Princesses Celestia and Luna did when they were much younger.

The season culminates when Lord Tirek, a foe that Princess Celestia had imprisoned in Tartarus centuries ago, manages to escape and starts draining the power of ponies around him and getting stronger; the situation only gets worse when Tirek tricks Discord into joining him. Princesses Celestia, Luna and Cadance transfer their power to Twilight, knowing Tirek is currently unaware of her existence, before Tirek banishes them to Tartarus. Twilight is hinted by Discord to read their journal, and realizes that the adventures her friends had may be the key to opening the chest which she believes now has the power to stop Tirek. They gather the mementos, finding they turn into five of the six keys needed, but Twilight has yet to have a similar story to tell. Tirek eventually absorbs the power from Twilight's friends and then turns on Discord and drains his power. After a massive magic battle, Tirek realizes that their powers are equal and forces Twilight to turn over the magic to him to release her friends including Discord. As Tirek absorbs the power, Discord apologizes for turning on them, and gives Twilight a medallion that Tirek has given him, which turns out to be the sixth key. With the box opened, Twilight and her friends are infused with rainbow-like powers that are able to defeat Tirek, rescue the Princesses, and return all of Equestria's residents magic back to their original host. With Tirek sealed back in Tartarus, the box flies off and lands in the middle of Ponyville, becoming a crystalline castle, which Celestia declares is Twilight's as she has proven herself to be the new Princess of Friendship, a role to share with her friends.

Starting with the season 3 episode "Just for Sidekicks", a second smaller theme through its third and fourth seasons show various preparations for the upcoming Equestria Games, with Rainbow Dash helping to lead her relay team (consisting of Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps) to a modest performance, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders (Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo) being chosen to be Ponyville's flag-carrying team for the opening ceremonies.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Minor

Guest stars

  • Chiara Zanni as Daring Do/A.K. Yearling
  • Brian Drummond as Ahuizotl and Seabreeze
  • Michael Dobson as Dr. Caballeron and Bulk Biceps
  • Ellen Kennedy as the Mane-iac and the Chimera
  • Ashleigh Ball as Prim Hemline and Crystal Chalice Stand Pony
  • Tabitha St. Germain as Suri Polomare and Zipporwhill
  • Cathy Weseluck as Coco Pommel and Torch Song
    • Jerrica Santos as Torch Song (singing voice)
  • Peter New as Goldie Delicious and Zipporwhill's Father
  • Trevor Devall as Thunderlane
  • Kelly Metzger as Spitfire and Blossomforth[nb 1]
  • Matt Hill as Soarin
  • Andrea Libman as Fleetfoot
  • "Weird Al" Yankovic as Cheese Sandwich
  • Doron Bell as Trenderhoof
  • Alvin Sanders as Flutterguy
    • Marcus Mosley as Flutterguy (singing voice)
  • Danny Balkwill as Toe-Tapper
  • Graham Verchere as Pipsqueak
  • Ingrid Nilson as Maud Pie
  • Rena Anakwe as Sapphire Shores
  • The Flim Flam Brothers
  • Ian James Corlett as Silver Shill
  • Saffron Henderson as Daring Do Collector
  • Michael Daingerfield as Ancient Beast Dealer and Antique Chicken Stand Pony
  • Sylvain LeVasseur Portelance as Stellar Eclipse
  • Jay Brazeau as Claude the Puppeteer
  • Vincent Tong as Flash Sentry and Duke of Maretonia
  • Mark Acheson as Lord Tirek

Episodes

The fourth season began on November 23, 2013 (with the two-part premiere "Princess Twilight Sparkle"), and ended on May 10, 2014 (with the two-part finale "Twilight's Kingdom"). Like every previous season, except the third, season four consists of 26 episodes.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
661"Princess Twilight Sparkle" (Part 1)Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyNovember 23, 2013 (2013-11-23)4010.73[11]
Twilight Sparkle struggles to adjust to her new wings and duties as a princess while she prepares for the Summer Sun Celebration away from her friends. Shortly after consoling Twilight that night, Princess Celestia is attacked by a black vine. Twilight awakens the next morning to find that Celestia and Luna have disappeared, leaving the sun and moon hanging in the sky, now split between day and night. In addition, the castle guards inform her of an overgrowth of black plants from the Everfree Forest near Ponyville. Returning to Ponyville to gather the Elements of Harmony, Twilight and her friends suspect Discord is responsible and summon him for answers, but he professes innocence. The ponies consult Zecora who, having abandoned the forest, gives Twilight a potion she says will help her learn what is causing the havoc. After drinking the potion, Twilight finds herself in an unfamiliar castle with Princess Luna, who transforms into Nightmare Moon.
672"Princess Twilight Sparkle" (Part 2)Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyNovember 23, 2013 (2013-11-23)4020.71[11]
Twilight realizes that Luna's transformation is a vision of the past caused by Zecora's potion. Further flashbacks allow her to witness Celestia and Luna's discovery of the Elements of Harmony at the mystical Tree of Harmony in the Everfree Forest. Twilight and her friends enter the forest with the Elements, believing the tree to be in danger. Twilight is soon sent away by her friends as they grow concerned for her safety, but rejoins them after Discord mocks her for putting herself before her friends. Finding the tree entangled by evil vines, Twilight deduces that it needs the Elements to survive and returns them to the tree, eradicating the plants and freeing the princesses. The tree then sprouts a flower containing a chest with six keyholes, mystifying the ponies. Back in Ponyville, Discord admits to sowing the evil plants shortly before his original defeat in a delayed plot to plunder the tree's magic; he claims to have deliberately withheld this so Twilight would learn how to be a proper leader. The Summer Sun Celebration then commences, with Twilight participating before her cheering friends.
683"Castle Mane-ia"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Josh HaberNovember 30, 2013 (2013-11-30)4030.46[12]
Twilight goes to Celestia and Luna's old castle to research the chest from the Tree of Harmony, finding a diary kept by the sisters that explains the workings of the castle. Meanwhile, Applejack and Rainbow Dash challenge each other to stay the night in the castle, which they believe is haunted by the Pony of Shadows, while Rarity takes Fluttershy along to the castle to look for old tapestries to repair. The four inadvertently get into several hijinks of traps and devices triggered by themselves, as well as an unknown pony playing on the castle's organ, thought to be the Pony of Shadows. Twilight finds the four in a state of panic and calms them down, and together they find the organ player to be Pinkie Pie, who had followed her friends to the castle, thinking there would be a party.
694"Daring Don't"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyDecember 7, 2013 (2013-12-07)4040.40[13]
Rainbow Dash learns that the next Daring Do book has been delayed, and insists she and her friends need to help author A.K. Yearling finish the book faster. Arriving at Yearling's cabin, the ponies witness the author fighting a group of thugs and discover her to be Daring Do herself. Rainbow Dash is eager to help Daring Do and follows her, but Daring Do insists she works alone and rebuffs her. In her excitement, Rainbow Dash inadvertently ruins Daring Do's plan to retrieve a mystical ring from the thugs. Daring Do is then caught by her nemesis Ahuizotl, who takes the ring to a nearby temple to activate a doomsday device. Rainbow Dash and her friends come to Daring Do's rescue, and together they destroy the temple and thwart Ahuizotl's plans. Daring Do appreciates Rainbow Dash's help, and writes her into her next book as thanks.
705"Flight to the Finish"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Ed ValentineDecember 14, 2013 (2013-12-14)4050.57[14]
The fillies and colts in Ponyville compete under Rainbow Dash's coaching to be the town's flag carrier for the upcoming Equestria Games. The Cutie Mark Crusaders put together an impressive routine that showcases how all three races of pony live harmoniously in Ponyville. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who are also vying, attempt to sabotage the event by pointing out Scootaloo's inability to fly at her age. Annoyed, Scootaloo changes the routine to focus more on her flying and spends all her time practicing, exhausting Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo eventually loses hope of ever flying and drops out. When Rainbow Dash finds out, she takes Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle back to Scootaloo's home, and re-enforces the idea that their presentation is not about her ability to fly, but the friendships between the three of them. Scootaloo rejoins her friends, and they win the competition.
716"Power Ponies"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthy,
Charlotte Fullerton, and Betsy McGowen		December 21, 2013 (2013-12-21)4060.68[15]
Spike finds himself unneeded while the ponies clean up the royal sisters' castle, so he goes off to read a Power Ponies superhero comic issue, unaware that it possesses magical powers. When he reaches the end and reads the cryptic text on the last page, he and the ponies are sucked into the comic book. In the comic, the ponies assume the personas of the Power Ponies, while Spike is their bumbling sidekick, Hum Drum, to his chagrin. The ponies learn they must defeat the supervillain Mane-iac to escape the comic, but their clumsiness with their newfound powers leaves all but Spike trapped. As the Mane-iac threatens them with her doomsday weapon, the ponies assert that Spike always comes through for them when they need him. Spike is able to use the distraction to trap the Mane-iac's henchmen and free the others, allowing them to stop the Mane-iac and safely return to Equestria.
727"Bats!"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Merriwether Williams[nb 2]December 28, 2013 (2013-12-28)4070.53[17]
Applejack discovers that vampire fruit bats have infested Sweet Apple Acres, and rallies her friends to get rid of them before her orchard is destroyed. Fluttershy argues the long-term benefits posed by the bats' eating habits, but Applejack dismisses her. Fluttershy reluctantly helps her friends round up the bats, and uses her Stare to keep them in place while Twilight applies a spell that eradicates their appetite for apples. The next morning, Applejack finds that her crops are still being eaten despite Twilight's spell still being in effect. During a stakeout, she and her friends identify the culprit as Fluttershy, who has turned into a bat/pony hybrid as an unintended side-effect of the spell. Fluttershy's friends lure her to a mirror using Applejack's prized apple intended for a county fair as bait, immobilizing her with her own Stare and allowing Twilight to reverse the spell. Applejack builds a sanctuary for the bats per Fluttershy's suggestion, and apologizes for ignoring her.
738"Rarity Takes Manehattan"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyJanuary 4, 2014 (2014-01-04)4080.53[18]
Rarity participates in a fashion competition in the city of Manehattan, bringing her friends for support. She loans samples of her fabric to fellow competitor Suri Polomare out of generosity, only to find the next day that Suri and her aide Coco Pommel have used the fabric to recreate her entire line. Fearing she will be accused of copying Suri, Rarity pressures her friends into missing all their planned activities in order to help make another fashion line. Rarity's new line wins at the show, but she notices her friends' absence and remorsefully believes she has alienated them. She leaves and eventually finds her friends, who forgive her, while Suri lies that Rarity lost the show so as to keep the trophy for herself. Rarity later receives her trophy from Coco, who says that Rarity's generosity has inspired her to quit working for Suri; Coco also gives her a spool of rainbow-colored thread, and is offered a new job with one of Rarity's connections in return.
749"Pinkie Apple Pie"[nb 3]Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Natasha LevingerJanuary 11, 2014 (2014-01-11)4090.50[19]
Pinkie Pie finds a genealogy scroll that suggests she and the Apple family are related, but the text confirming it is smudged beyond legibility. Applejack suggests a trip to their relative Goldie Delicious to find out for sure, and cautions the rest of her immediate family to be on their best behavior for Pinkie. Though the trip starts out uneventful, complications arise once their wagon breaks down and forces them to travel down a river, where bickering between the Apples further stymies their travels until they are eventually redirected over a waterfall. The Apples and Pinkie nevertheless make it safely to Goldie's cabin, but find that the necessary text in her family record book is also scrubbed out. Despite Pinkie's disappointment, Applejack considers her to still be family for being able to put up with their fighting and, like her own immediate ones, work out their differences for the better.
7510"Rainbow Falls"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Corey PowellJanuary 18, 2014 (2014-01-18)4100.51[20]
Rainbow Dash leads the Ponyville team for a relay race to qualify for the Equestria Games. At the tryouts, she finds the Cloudsdale team is composed of the Wonderbolts Spitfire, Fleetfoot, and Soarin, and begins to doubt her less skilled teammates. After Soarin crashes and injures his wing, Spitfire and Fleetfoot goad Rainbow Dash into filling in for him. Rainbow secretly splits practice between her friends and the Wonderbolts, but Twilight soon discovers Rainbow Dash's two-timing and urges her to choose a team. Rainbow instead feigns injury to avoid making a decision, but learns while in the hospital that even though Soarin' has recovered, the Wonderbolts still want her as a replacement. Angered by their treatment of Soarin, she reasserts her loyalty to Ponyville and rejoins her friends while also getting Soarin back on his old team. Rainbow Dash qualifies Ponyville for the games, and Spitfire respectfully gives her a Wonderbolt pin.
7611"Three's a Crowd"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthy and Ed ValentineJanuary 25, 2014 (2014-01-25)4120.48[21]
Princess Cadance visits Ponyville to spend the day with Twilight, who anticipates quiet bonding time with her sister-in-law. To her dismay, they are approached by Discord, who appears to have come down sick with the "blue flu", and begs the two to care for him while Fluttershy is away. His list of increasingly outlandish demands grate on Twilight's nerves until he finally asks them to make a cure from a flower that grows at the edge of Equestria. The princesses recover the flower and fight off a giant Tatzlwurm guarding it, only to find upon returning that Discord faked his illness to test how far Twilight was willing to go for his well-being. Cadance injects, pointing out that she enjoyed their adventure as a change of pace from her boring royal duties. The Tatzlwurm then reappears and sneezes on Discord, causing him to actually fall sick.
7712"Pinkie Pride"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Jayson Thiessen (story)
Amy Keating Rogers (teleplay)		February 1, 2014 (2014-02-01)4110.46[22]
A party planner named Cheese Sandwich arrives in Ponyville on the same day Pinkie Pie is planning a "birth-iversary" party celebrating Rainbow Dash's birthday and anniversary of her move to Ponyville. The townsfolk, including Pinkie's friends, are entranced by Cheese's partying and allow him to plan the festivities instead, leaving Pinkie dejected. Refusing to be outdone, Pinkie challenges Cheese to a "goof-off" to determine who will headline the party. However, Pinkie soon notices the strain that her prideful behavior is putting on Rainbow, and forfeits the match. Pinkie's friends and Cheese apologize for making her feel neglected, with Cheese revealing it was Pinkie who first inspired him to become a party planner as a colt. Pinkie and Cheese work together to throw Rainbow a spectacular party before Cheese departs, leaving Pinkie his favorite rubber chicken as a parting gift.
7813"Simple Ways"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Josh HaberFebruary 8, 2014 (2014-02-08)4130.55[23]
Rarity is elected to host the Ponyville Days festival, which she hopes will attract the attention of Trenderhoof, a trend-setter whom she has been smitten by. Upon his arrival, Rarity takes Trenderhoof on a tour of Ponyville, but she becomes aghast when Trenderhoof falls for Applejack and her farming ways. Rarity forgoes her festival duties to help out on the farm in the hopes of attracting Trenderhoof's attention, but is unable to sway him. As a last ditch effort, Rarity changes her festival's elegant theme to a farming one, dressing and speaking like a farmer herself. Annoyed by her antics, Applejack impersonates Rarity in retaliation, causing Rarity to realize her own foolish behavior and return to her original theme in time for the festival.
7914"Filli Vanilli"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Amy Keating RogersFebruary 15, 2014 (2014-02-15)4140.58[24]
Big McIntosh loses his voice the day before he is to sing bass with the Pony Tones vocal quartet for a benefit concert. Despite her crippling stage fright, Fluttershy agrees to sing his part backstage while Big McIntosh lip-syncs, taking a Poison Joke brew made by Zecora to recreate her masculine "Flutterguy" voice. The concert goes on perfectly, and Fluttershy insists she continue singing for Big McIntosh out of sight as she enjoys being able to sing. After Big McIntosh recovers his voice, Fluttershy asks to perform one last time, but accidentally reveals herself during the concert. She runs off in embarrassment, but her friends convince her that facing her worst fear was not as bad as she had imagined because the audience loved her performance. Fluttershy agrees to perform privately for her friends with the Pony Tones, promising to permanently join the band once she fully overcomes her stage fright.
8015"Twilight Time"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyFebruary 22, 2014 (2014-02-22)4150.47[25]
The Cutie Mark Crusaders are taking lessons under Twilight's mentorship in a weekly event called "Twilight Time". The three decide to take Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon as guests to their next lesson, wanting to one-up Diamond Tiara's showmanship at school, though the two are more excited about meeting the princess. Soon, all of the Crusaders' classmates befriend the three, hoping to meet Twilight themselves. As the pressure mounts on the Crusaders, they are forced to bring them all to the next Twilight Time, where they realize that with all the attention they have received, they have forgotten to practice for their lessons. Twilight is disappointed to learn the Crusaders have taken advantage of her popularity and adjourns Twilight Time, but accepts the Crusaders' apologies and lets them continue their studies in secret from the other children.
8116"It Ain't Easy Being Breezies"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Natasha LevingerMarch 1, 2014 (2014-03-01)4160.64[26]
Fluttershy and her friends help a flock of fairy-like Breezies migrate through Ponyville by creating a breeze the Breezies need to fly on to reach their distant home before the portal to it closes in a few days' time. When a group inadvertently gets separated from the rest of the flock, Fluttershy takes them in for the short while they need to rest before setting out again. The other Breezies enjoy being in Fluttershy's care, and Fluttershy, not wanting to disappoint them, lengthens their stay. An abrasive Breezie named Seabreeze desperately takes off on his own and runs into trouble with a swarm of bees, but Fluttershy comes to his aid by talking sternly to the bees. Realizing the dangers Ponyville poses for the Breezies, Fluttershy firmly convinces them to depart. Finding the group too small to ride the breeze, Twilight uses a spell to transform her and her friends into Breezies, allowing the collective group to reach the Breezies' home in time. Seabreeze gives Fluttershy a flower and their thanks as the portal closes.
8217"Somepony to Watch Over Me"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Scott SonnebornMarch 8, 2014 (2014-03-08)4170.63[27]
Apple Bloom's family agrees that she is old enough to stay alone at the farm while the three of them go on various errands, including pie deliveries, across Equestria. Shortly after leaving, Applejack has second thoughts and returns home, her sudden appearance startling Apple Bloom into making an accidental mess. Believing Apple Bloom caused the mess on her own, Applejack remains home to incessantly surveil her and childproof the entire farm. Annoyed with Applejack's pampering, Apple Bloom gets Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to cover for her while she sneaks off and makes Applejack's pie deliveries for her to prove herself capable of being on her own. She encounters a hungry chimera in a swamp and does her best to protect herself and the pies until Applejack, upon discovering the ruse, arrives and rescues her. Surprised to see her sister managed to save the pies, Applejack stops babying Apple Bloom, and the two finish the delivery together.
8318"Maud Pie"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Noelle BenvenutiMarch 15, 2014 (2014-03-15)4190.52[28]
Pinkie Pie is eager for her friends to meet her visiting older sister Maud, whom she says has much in common with each of them. When Maud arrives, however, Pinkie's friends find her to be a dull pony with an unusual interest in rocks and, despite their best efforts, fail to find any common interest with her. Upset by her friends' inability to befriend Maud, Pinkie decides to help them by constructing an obstacle course that combines all of their interests, including a giant pile of rocks for Maud. While demonstrating the course, Pinkie is nearly crushed by a boulder, but Maud rescues her. Pinkie's friends realize that Maud cares for Pinkie as much as they do, and offer their friendship to Maud over their shared bond, which she accepts.
8419"For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyMarch 22, 2014 (2014-03-22)4200.66[29]
Sweetie Belle asks Rarity to help with her costumes for a stage play she put together herself. After the play, Sweetie Belle finds that Rarity's dresses garnered more praise than the play itself, and accuses Rarity of upstaging her on purpose. The night before Rarity is to deliver outfits to singer Sapphire Shores in Canterlot, Sweetie Belle spitefully sabotages one of the pieces. Later that night, Sweetie Belle is visited in her dreams by Princess Luna, who uses visions of the past, present, and future to show Rarity's pure intentions to Sweetie Belle, and the horrific downward spiral she will undergo if Sweetie Belle's sabotage goes unchecked. Awakening to find Rarity has left for Canterlot, Sweetie Belle rushes after her with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, and manages to repair the outfit with Luna's help before Rarity can present it. Sapphire is pleased with the dresses, and Sweetie Belle reconciles with Rarity.
8520"Leap of Faith"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Josh HaberMarch 29, 2014 (2014-03-29)4210.55[30]
The Flim Flam brothers return to Ponyville, selling a "miracle curative tonic" they claim can relieve any pony's ailments. After seeing one pony named Silver Shill get better on the spot after taking the drink, Granny Smith buys a bottle and finds herself able to pursue her old swimming hobbies from her youth. Applejack investigates the brothers' stage to discover that the tonic is a placebo, and that Silver Shill is an actor and accomplice of the brothers. Flim and Flam guile her into keeping quiet in order to spare Granny Smith's newfound happiness, and use her reluctant approval to increase the tonic's popularity. After Granny Smith and Apple Bloom compete in a swim meet, Applejack saves Granny Smith from performing a dangerous high dive stunt. Realizing the harm her lies are causing, Applejack exposes the brothers' scheme, running them out of town. Silver Shill is touched by Applejack's honesty and gives her the single coin he earned while working for the brothers, promising to change his ways.
8621"Testing Testing 1, 2, 3"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Amy Keating RogersApril 5, 2014 (2014-04-05)4220.58[31]
Twilight worries that Rainbow Dash is unprepared for a test on the history of the Wonderbolts as part of her entrance exam to join the Wonderbolts Reserves. She tries to tutor Rainbow Dash using standard academic methods, but Rainbow proves too bored and restless to pay any attention. Their friends offer to help Rainbow Dash study through other unique means, only for Rainbow Dash to become overwhelmed by their clashing methods and arguing on whose method is best. While flying with her to try to cheer her up, Twilight discovers that Rainbow Dash is able to subconsciously memorize anything going on around her while she is airborne. Under Twilight's direction, everyone in Ponyville reenacts the Wonderbolts' history as Rainbow Dash obliviously flies over the town, allowing her to retain everything and ace the exam.
8722"Trade Ya!"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Scott SonnebornApril 19, 2014 (2014-04-19)4180.51[32]
The ponies attend the Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange, splitting off into pairs. Fluttershy helps Rainbow Dash acquire a rare Daring Do book through a lengthy series of trades, culminating with an exchange with an orthros for the book, but requiring Fluttershy to help housetrain the creature for an extended period. Regretting her eagerness in the trade, Rainbow Dash nullifies the exchange and trades the orthros for a bird whistle, which she gives to Fluttershy. Meanwhile, Rarity and Applejack pool their goods to trade, but begin fighting over specific items they each want that would require trading away their entire stash. The two eventually get each other more affordable items similar to what they want. Finally, Pinkie Pie tries to help Twilight trade off old books by making them out to be more valuable than they are, when Twilight decides to keep the books for their treasured memories. At the end of the day, the girls happily recount their tales on their way back home.
8823"Inspiration Manifestation"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Corey Powell and Meghan McCarthyApril 26, 2014 (2014-04-26)4230.39[33]
Rarity believes her creativity is lost when a puppet stage she designed is rejected by her customer. Spike, concerned for Rarity, finds an old book in the royal sisters' castle containing a spell that allows her to create anything she imagines on a whim. Rarity is slowly taken over by the book's magic and begins making troublesome glamorizations around Ponyville to suit her creative visions. Spike reluctantly supports Rarity, fearing he will lose her favor if he tries to stop her. Eventually, however, he takes the book away from her in the hopes of keeping her from using the spell, but she remains possessed by the book's dark magic. Finally, Spike musters the courage to tell Rarity what he truly feels about her behavior, which returns her to normal.
8924"Equestria Games"Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyMay 3, 2014 (2014-05-03)4240.41[34]
Spike is chosen as the torch lighter for the Equestria Games in recognition of his role in saving the Crystal Empire. At the opening ceremony, Spike succumbs to performance anxiety and is unable to ignite his fire breath. To save him from embarrassment, Twilight discreetly uses her magic to light the torch for him. When Twilight tells him the truth, he tries to find other ways to help in the ceremonies, but his failures make him feel even more humiliated. During an ice archery event, one arrow goes off its mark and into a cloud, creating a giant mass of ice that threatens to crush a section of the stadium. Spike jumps in and is able to melt the ice in time with his fire breath. Spike is hailed as a hero again and is allowed to perform the games' closing ceremony, restoring his self-confidence.
9025"Twilight's Kingdom" (Part 1)Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyMay 10, 2014 (2014-05-10)4250.68[35]
Twilight Sparkle laments her unfulfilling duties as a princess, but Celestia, Luna, and Cadance affirm that she will have a duty to serve. News arrives that Tirek, a powerful centaurian foe from Equestria's past, has escaped from Tartarus and is draining magic from ponies to grow stronger. Celestia sends Discord to capture Tirek, and Discord convinces Twilight to try to open the chest from the Tree of Harmony, which the ponies believe contains a means to defeat Tirek. In reviewing their shared journal, Twilight discovers her friends have each been challenged over their respective Elements of Harmony and rewarded with a gift from someone they inspired. These gifts turn out to be five of the six keys needed to open the box, but Twilight has yet to have a similar encounter. Meanwhile, Tirek convinces Discord to join forces with him, and together they plunder more of Equestria's magic.
9126"Twilight's Kingdom" (Part 2)Jayson Thiessen (co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyMay 10, 2014 (2014-05-10)4260.79[35]
As Tirek continues to drain ponies' magic, the princesses give Twilight their own magic so as to hide it from Tirek, who is unaware of Twilight's existence. Tirek captures the other princesses and, learning of Twilight, turns towards Ponyville. There he drains the power from Twilight's friends, and betrays Discord by stealing his magic as well. Twilight faces against Tirek in a destructive battle that ends in a draw. Tirek offers Twilight the freedom of her friends in exchange for her magic, to which she agrees, ordering Discord's release as well. Remorsefully, Discord gives her a medallion he had received from Tirek in mock alliance. The medallion becomes the final key needed for the chest, which opens to bestow Twilight and her friends with a new power that allows them to reimprison Tirek, free the princesses, and restore every other pony's magic. The chest then transforms into a new castle for Twilight to reign alongside her friends as the Princess of Friendship.

Songs

No. in
series 		Episode Song Lyrics by Sung by
70 "Flight to the Finish" "Hearts Strong as Horses" Daniel Ingram &
Ed Valentine		 Cutie Mark Crusaders
72 "Bats!" "Bats" Daniel Ingram &
Merriwether Williams		 Applejack and Fluttershy, with Mane Six[lower-alpha 1]
73 "Rarity Takes Manehattan" "Generosity" Daniel Ingram &
Dave Polsky		 Rarity, with Mane Six[lower-alpha 1] sans Twilight Sparkle; Rarity (reprise)
74 "Pinkie Apple Pie" "Apples to the Core" Daniel Ingram &
Natasha Levinger		 Applejack, Apple Bloom, Big McIntosh, Granny Smith, and Pinkie Pie
76 "Three's a Crowd" "Glass of Water" Ed Valentine Discord
77 "Pinkie Pride" "Pinkie the Party Planner" Daniel Ingram & Amy Keating Rogers Pinkie Pie, Mr. Cake, Mrs. Cake, Diamond Tiara, and crowd
"The Super Duper Party Pony" Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie
"Pinkie's Lament" Daniel Ingram Pinkie Pie
"The Goof Off" Pinkie Pie[lower-alpha 1] and Cheese Sandwich
"Cheese Confesses" Daniel Ingram & Amy Keating Rogers Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie
"Make a Wish"[lower-alpha 2] Daniel Ingram Pinkie Pie
79 "Filli Vanilli" "Music in the Treetops" Fluttershy; Fluttershy and the Pony Tones (reprise)
"Find the Music in You" The Pony Tones; Fluttershy and the Pony Tones (reprise)
85 "Leap of Faith" "Flim Flam Miracle Curative Tonic" Daniel Ingram & Josh Haber The Flim Flam Brothers, Silver Shill, and crowd
86 "Testing Testing 1, 2, 3" "History of the Wonderbolts"[lower-alpha 3][36] Amy Keating Rogers Pinkie Pie[lower-alpha 1] and backup[lower-alpha 4]
90 "Twilight's Kingdom" (Part 1) "You'll Play Your Part" Daniel Ingram & Meghan McCarthy Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance
91 "Twilight's Kingdom" (Part 2) "Let the Rainbow Remind You" Mane Six

Song notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Pinkie's singing voice by Andrea Libman.
  2. ↑ Song not orchestrated by Steffan Andrews.
  3. ↑ Music by William Anderson; not listed in the episode's closing credits.
  4. ↑ Background singers voiced by Jayson Thiessen and Jim Miller.[37]

DVD release

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Season Four
Set details Special features
  • 26 episodes
  • 4-disc set
  • 16:9 aspect ratio
  • Subtitles: English
  • 2014 San Diego Comic Con Panel
  • Sing-Alongs ("Bats", "Generosity", "Apples to the Core" and "Pinkie the Party Planner")
Release dates
Region 1
December 2, 2014[38]

Notes

  1. ↑ Not seen, but is credited in the closing credits of "Rainbow Falls"; Metzger voiced a similar-looking character.
  2. ↑ The episode miscredited Meghan McCarthy as the writer in initial airings,[16] but was later corrected in reruns.
  3. ↑ Within the episode, the title is spelled as "Pinky Apple Pie".

References

  1. ↑ Busis, Hillary (2013-01-29). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic exclusive: Twilight's becoming a princess!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
  2. ↑ Busis, Hillary (2013-02-15). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Exclusive clip from season 3's royal finale". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  3. ↑ McCarthy, Meghan (2013-11-23), "[Season-long story arc confirmation]", (Self-published), Twitter, retrieved 2013-11-24.
  4. ↑ "Management Discussion and Analysis" (PDF). Fiscal 2012 (Press release). DHX Media. 2012-06-30. p. 11. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  5. ↑ Watercutter, Angela (2013-02-15). "Exclusive: Watch a Clip from the Controversial My Little Pony Season 3 Finale". Wired.
  6. ↑ Busis, Hillary (2013-01-31). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: A Brony explains why fans say 'neigh' to Princess Twilight". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
  7. ↑ Christie, Brendan (February–March 2013). Lana, Castleman, ed. "Hasbro hits its stride" (PDF). Kidscreen: 33–34.
  8. ↑ Busis, Hillary (2013-07-25). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic exclusive: Season 4 premieres on...". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  9. ↑ Miller, Jim (2013-04-12), "[Co-director credit confirmation]", (Self-published), Twitter, retrieved 2013-04-12.
  10. ↑ Crouse, Megan (2014-09-16). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and "Serious" Fantasy". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  11. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (2013-11-29). "Hub Network Weekly Ratings Scorecard (November 18–24, 2013)". Son of the Bronx. Blogger. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  12. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-06). "Hub Network Weekly Ratings Scorecard (November 25 – December 1, 2013)". Son of the Bronx. Blogger. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  13. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-12). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 2–8, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  14. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-19). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 9–15, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  15. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-26). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 16–22, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  16. ↑ McCarthy, Meghan (2013-12-28), Writing confirmation following error in episode credits, Twitter.
  17. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-02). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 23–29, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  18. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-09). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 30, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  19. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-16). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 6, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-16.
  20. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-24). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 13, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  21. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-31). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 20, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  22. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-07). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 27, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  23. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-13). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 3, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  24. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-20). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 10, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  25. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-28). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 17, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  26. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-06). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 24, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  27. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-13). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 3, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  28. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-21). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 10, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
  29. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-28). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 17, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  30. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-04-04). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 24, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  31. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-04-10). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 31, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  32. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-04-25). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Apr. 14, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  33. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-05-03). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Apr. 21, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  34. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (2014-05-09). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Apr. 28, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  35. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (2014-05-16). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of May 5, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  36. ↑ Rogers, Amy (2014-04-05), "[Song title confirmation]", (Self-published), Twitter, retrieved 2014-05-19.
  37. ↑ Miller, Jim (2014-04-05), "[Background rap singers confirmation]", (Self-published), Twitter, retrieved 2014-04-08.
  38. ↑ "My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Season Four". Amazon.com. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
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