“Starlight Glimmer is one of my favourite villains. She was so unsettling, and I loved the concept of her and her idea of a ‘utopia’.
 
Now for my thoughts on the super awesome season 5 premiere.
 
Spoilers for Season 5 premiere
 
Welp, I just watched Cutie Markless. It was pretty awesome; nice new take in the MLP universe.
 
This is kind of a reverse of ‘Return of Harmony’ isn’t it? But at the same time, it’s the same. The mane six ended up in a very similar position in both episodes, but with completely opposite circumstances. See what I’m talking about with the whole ‘You can’t have harmony without chaos?’ thing? This is exactly what I meant! ARE YOU LISTENING CELESTIA? But, yeah, while Discord was a threat to harmony, Starlight Glimmer was too much harmony. She’s the opposite of Discord, but she’s the same as Discord, too. She brought her own way, for she believed it was how things should be. It was just too much equality and harmony rather than chaos and disharmony.
 
Okay, so my favourite part of the episode, other than the change in tone, is Fluttershy. I was so excited when she decided to go and save the mane six by herself, it just goes to show her development throughout the show. In season 1, she wouldn’t dare do such a thing. Thank you, writers. Thank you for finally realizing she needed to do something else other than overcoming a fear. I love you. 10/10.
 
Seriously though, Fluttershy was at some of her best in this episode. It took a turn I really didn’t expect.
 
What else did I like about the episode? I really liked those side characters that were introduced. They were interesting and fun to watch. Also, that balloon pony is awesome.
 
I’m also quite surprised that the show staff would tackle a moral like this. It was a big step. But apparently S5 is going to be focusing more on friendship more than the previous seasons, so who knows what will come next?
 
Also, the animation was amazing. I loved how the mane six slightly lost their colour when they lost their cutie marks, but not in the way they did when Discord corrupted them. It was a nice touch, and added to the mood. And the shading was amazing, as well as the shots they showed us.
 
Critique for the episode? Uhh… well, I feel Rainbow Dash could’ve done more than just make remarks on what is and what isn’t happening. And maybe the transition with the town turning on Starlight could’ve taken more time. And for some reason, I feel the episode ended too quickly, and the mane six got their cutie marks a little too easily. I’ll have to watch the episode again to see any other problems, I was just too hyped up to care about any flaws. Also… did they really just kick Spike off like that? SERIOUSLY? Also… what was Starlight’s backstory? I’m really curious to where she came from and why she wanted to control them like she did. Was she bullied? Enslaved? Abused? WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?
 
And that song was something. Of course, it’s not This Day Aria, but it didn’t need to be. It did what it needed to to well, and that’s introducing the town. I found myself dancing along to it. The tune was just a nice change from the usual songs ^-
 
So… yeah. This is one of my favourite two parters. Not perfect, obviously, but really good with an interesting concept of what friendship can become.
 
Writing: 4/5
 
Story: 4/5
 
Visuals: 4.5/5
 
Moral: 4.5/5
 
17/20. Not bad ^-
 
So… what was everyone else’s opinion on this? Was it good? Disappointing?”