My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic ‘Spike at Your Service’ Review


It’s really amazing to think that there’s just four episodes left of this season, we’re coming to a close in a month. This week’s episode is an interesting one. It stars Applejack and Spike, a pretty unique combo. I was looking forward to it, mainly for Applejack. I’m not a huge Spike fan, his episodes are generally the weakest. (Dragon Quest specifically.) He’s a fine sidekick for Twilight, but when he takes center stage it’s usually more of a miss than hit. In this episode we see that he, along with all other dragons, have this special code of honor. Basically if someone saves their life, they are in debt to them forever. While this episode didn’t make me a Spike fan, it’s still one of the more enjoyable ones of the season. Not great and perhaps the weakest episode of the season, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Here’s the official episode description from The Hub:

After Applejack saved Spike, he insists on fulfilling the Nobel Dragon Code by repaying him with excessive help around the farm.

It starts out simply enough, with Twilight giving Spike the day off. He sets off to do a few things he’s been wanting to do. Soon he accidentally lets the hot air balloon fly away and follows it into the Everfree Forest. It’s there when he is attacked by Timberwolves, the dragon eating dogs. (They are admittedly some of the cooler creatures in the show.) Right before he becomes Spike soup, Applejack steps in and saves his life by taking out the Wolves. Now according to Spike, he now has to be fully in service to Applejack, thanks to the Dragon Code of Honor. A nice thing, but let’s just say he’s not exactly a farm dragon. What I like about this episode is how well it incorporates the rest of the Mane 6. It’s still Applejack and Spike-centered, but the rest of them gets some pretty cool roles. (Pinkie Pie being the best, more on that soon.) Spike is a great side-character to have around, but when he takes the stage, I’m always a little skeptical. He wasn’t bad here, not great, but not awful. He didn’t truly seem to be in the right mindset. Every time he helped Applejack a huge mess occurred, surely he must have realized that. This dragon code thing is interesting, but the way he told Applejack that he had to break the news to Twilight just seemed rather sudden. If this was Season One it would be okay, but three seasons in it just came off as rather sudden. The dialogue between him and Twilight does make up for it. Twilight is so distracted with reading that she doesn’t fully comprehend what he’s saying.

There are many nice moments sprinkled throughout. Like, near the beginning you can see Fluttershy walking Applejack’s dog, a cute little scene in the background. And who doesn’t like to see Applejack take on and completely beat up a few Timberwolves? These creatures are pretty cool, this time being done using 3D models. However, the best parts come from the fake Wolf trap. Pinkie Pie has a few appearances and they are awesome. When she says her plan about the hornets, at the end she says, “I’ll wear this mustache.” It just came as so natural that the viewer just laughs at how completely random and natural it came out. (Her second scene with the ‘stache is also great.) I will give props to writer Merriwether Williams for not going the easy way and having Spike not realize that the fake Timberwolf was well, fake. (Nice scene of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash sharing a high five when he comments on how spot-on the roar was.) The giant Timberwolf transformation scene was definitely cool to behold. The actual ‘battle’ and way it’s defeated was anti-climatic, but I can forgive it since all of this is being squeezed into 20 minutes.

Overall, I enjoyed Spike at Your Service more than I thought I would. It’s definitely the most enjoyable Spike-centered episode. Applejack gets some great scenes, and even the rest of the Ponies get some nice screen time. (Pinkie Pie being the best.) In the end, it’s an episode about friendship and that friends help each other without expecting anything in return, because that’s what friends do. (I was expecting a letter to Princes Celestia at the end, but oh well.) With an “awww” moment between Spike and Twilight at the end, this episode is definitely an enjoyable one. Weak, but pretty good.

3.5/5

@Destroyer_199