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My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic season 4

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My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic season 4
Season 4
Cover art for the season 4 DVD box set
No. of episodes26
Release
Original networkHub Network
Original releaseNovember 23, 2013 (2013-11-23) –
May 10, 2014 (2014-05-10)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 3
Next →
Season 5
List of episodes

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the end of what makes the show so wonderful".[2] In addition, with the directive of the letters to Princess Celestia no longer in force, the six main characters also resolve to keep a collective journal of their formative experiences for posterity's sake.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

See also: List of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic 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, the season consists of 26 episodes.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
661"Princess Twilight Sparkle" (Part 1)Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyNovember 23, 2013 (2013-11-23)0.73[11]
672"Princess Twilight Sparkle" (Part 2)Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyNovember 23, 2013 (2013-11-23)0.71[11]
683"Castle Mane-ia"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Josh HaberNovember 30, 2013 (2013-11-30)0.46[12]
694"Daring Don't"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyDecember 7, 2013 (2013-12-07)0.40[13]
705"Flight to the Finish"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Ed ValentineDecember 14, 2013 (2013-12-14)0.57[14]
716"Power Ponies"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthy,
Charlotte Fullerton, and Betsy McGowen		December 21, 2013 (2013-12-21)0.68[15]
727"Bats!"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Merriwether Williams[nb 2]December 28, 2013 (2013-12-28)0.53[17]
738"Rarity Takes Manehattan"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyJanuary 4, 2014 (2014-01-04)0.53[18]
749"Pinkie Apple Pie"[nb 3]Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Natasha LevingerJanuary 11, 2014 (2014-01-11)0.50[19]
7510"Rainbow Falls"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Corey PowellJanuary 18, 2014 (2014-01-18)0.51[20]
7611"Three's a Crowd"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthy and Ed ValentineJanuary 25, 2014 (2014-01-25)0.48[21]
7712"Pinkie Pride"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Jayson Thiessen (story)
Amy Keating Rogers (teleplay)		February 1, 2014 (2014-02-01)0.46[22]
7813"Simple Ways"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Josh HaberFebruary 8, 2014 (2014-02-08)0.55[23]
7914"Filli Vanilli"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Amy Keating RogersFebruary 15, 2014 (2014-02-15)0.58[24]
8015"Twilight Time"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyFebruary 22, 2014 (2014-02-22)0.47[25]
8116"It Ain't Easy Being Breezies"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Natasha LevingerMarch 1, 2014 (2014-03-01)0.64[26]
8217"Somepony to Watch Over Me"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Scott SonnebornMarch 8, 2014 (2014-03-08)0.63[27]
8319 by production order"Maud Pie"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Noelle BenvenutiMarch 15, 2014 (2014-03-15)0.52[28]
8420 by production order"For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyMarch 22, 2014 (2014-03-22)0.66[29]
8521 by production order"Leap of Faith"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Josh HaberMarch 29, 2014 (2014-03-29)0.55[30]
8622 by production order"Testing Testing 1, 2, 3"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Amy Keating RogersApril 5, 2014 (2014-04-05)0.58[31]
8718 by production order"Trade Ya!"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Scott SonnebornApril 19, 2014 (2014-04-19)0.51[32]
8823"Inspiration Manifestation"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Corey Powell and Meghan McCarthyApril 26, 2014 (2014-04-26)0.39[33]
8924"Equestria Games"Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Dave PolskyMay 3, 2014 (2014-05-03)0.41[34]
9025"Twilight's Kingdom" (Part 1)Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyMay 10, 2014 (2014-05-10)0.68[35]
9126"Twilight's Kingdom" (Part 2)Jayson Thiessen (and co-directed by Jim Miller)Meghan McCarthyMay 10, 2014 (2014-05-10)0.79[35]

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[a]
73 "Rarity Takes Manehattan" "Generosity" Daniel Ingram &
Dave Polsky 		Rarity, with Mane Six[a] 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; Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich (reprise)
"The Super Duper Party Pony" Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie
"Pinkie's Lament" Daniel Ingram Pinkie Pie
"The Goof Off" Pinkie Pie[a] and Cheese Sandwich
"Cheese Confesses" Daniel Ingram & Amy Keating Rogers Cheese Sandwich
"Make a Wish"[b] 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"[c][36] Amy Keating Rogers Pinkie Pie[a] and backup[d]
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. ^ a b c d 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 (2014-12-02)[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. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
  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. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
  10. ^ Crouse, Megan (2014-09-16). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and "Serious" Fantasy". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  11. ^ a b 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. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
  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. ^ a b 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. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
  37. ^ Miller, Jim (2014-04-05), "[Background rap singers confirmation]", (Self-published), Twitter, retrieved 2014-04-08. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
  38. ^ "My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Season Four". Amazon.com. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
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