Looking back at My Little Pony, which first aired in 1986, I have fond memories of plastic pastel toys, suspenseful storylines, and a running joke with my Mom (one evil main character tells her witch daughters, “Don't call me MOTHER! Call me HYDIA!”). This 65-episode set from 1986-87 kicks off with the 10-part opener “The End of Flutter Valley,” which follows various residents of Ponyland, some of whom are traveling to Flutter Valley for a celebration. The bulk of the storyline stems from the bumbling hijinks of the villains (“Help! It's the witches from the Volcano of Gloom!”)—generally portrayed as slovenly or overweight—who engage in endless rounds of capturing and re-capturing the ponies. Featuring glittery songs with tortured lyrics (“We love watching flowers wilt…hey, watch out, the ketchup spilt”), a few helpful human characters from the other side of the rainbow, and cute baby-voiced creatures (voice superstars Russi Taylor, Tress MacNeille, and Nancy “Bart Simpson” Cartwright are notable here), the lame ‘80s-style animation is slightly better by the time the show reaches its two-part series finale, “Escape from Catrina” (featuring Tammy Grimes as the titular feline villainess). Although I was a big fan, I was also only 4-years-old (critical skills not yet fully developed). Deeply nostalgic viewers might appreciate this, but contemporary kids who watch current incarnations of My Little Pony likely will not. Optional. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)
My Little Pony—Classic TV Collection: The Complete Series
(1986) 4 discs. 720 min. DVD: $29.95. Shout! Factory (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 30, Issue 1
My Little Pony—Classic TV Collection: The Complete Series
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