[Blind Reaction] MLP:FiM - Best Gift Ever (Holiday Special) 

What did we leaned today? 1. R.I.P MarbleMac 2. Derpy! 3. PUDDING 4. Reindeers

I always liked the fact that Applejack was basically the mom of the mane 6.

25:47 That “oh yeah” was in perfect sync. Made it sound like you voiced Shining Armor there for a second

21:18 for pudding

26:11 Your tree was just as surprised as you were.

2:18 "Starlight, Trixie! They're heading out on the road!" To spend some quality time together. Just the two of them. Alone.

When Derpy talked I flipped my lid, and being someone who is mostly familiar with the early seasons... just made me feel really happy that Hasbro remembered all this stuff, and Applejack confirming that Bright Mac gave her the hat made my heart feel heavy. I really love this special

The Reindeer might draw inspiration from a couple of different mythologies: Both Greek myth (the Fates) and Norse mythology (The Norns) appear to have characters similar to the 3 Reindeer in this episode; One who has complete knowledge of everything that HAS happened, one with complete knowledge of everything that IS happening right now, and one with complete knowledge of everything that WILL happen in the future. They just flipped it around a bit and made Aurora, Bori and Alice's knowledge specific to the choosing of gifts.

I never thought about it before.... but did one of the other student 6 invite Gallus to their holiday celebration? Cuz Gallus told them about how he was always alone. Willing to bet it was Silverstream since she is the only one we don't see during the ending montage.

25:06 The fact that he had to reassure us that he isnt having a heart attack on camera speaks volumes about how adorable that Flurry Heart entrance was.

I legitimately just had a bad day in school today and i come home and see this Applegeek you just made my day THANK YOU

37:58 Cadance (fanning herself): "You're not so bad yourself." So, uh, Flurry... how would you feel about having a little brother or sister?

APPLEGEEK'S MADE IT THROUGH WITHOUT THE SPOILERREESS!!! SORRY!!! CONGRATULATIONS AG!! p.s. love the mlp Christmas tree tho ❤ lmfao

I also saw Marble and I felt for her too.

Every time I watch this episode I always think to myself that Discord has come a long way since "The Return of Harmony".

We now know Marble Pie had her heart set on Big Mac and it’s been established Limestone is lonely. With any luck; we will finally get an episode to focus on those two.

I like to think that Discord learned from being a Dungeon Master (Oubliette Overlord?) that it's important to give support characters (like Fluttershy) a chance to be the focus and save the day sometimes. I also love how Rarity and everyone assumed that the teapot cozy was just poorly made, when really it seems like it was made a little wonky on purpose to fit the tastes of who it was made for. It's so cute.

Ah, Derpy, the only Pony where the customer has to put on the Customer Service smile

PUDDDDINNGGGGG

The first time I saw Spike pull out the guitar I thought the guitar was for Rarity because of the episode where she plays Pinkie Pie’s guitar and starts playing rock music XD

"what the actual hay" I see Round Trip's rubbing off on you.

Let us all come together and press F to pay respects to Marble's broken heart

This episode was probably as much win as Slice of Life in my opinion. I actually cried at all that cuteness and sweetness! Wonderful reaction!

forget everything that has been up to now this is officially the best my litle pony episode ever

lemme put a list for all the cameos in this: 4:09 pigeon lady & kevin 4:12 charlie brown & the tree 4:14 BUDDY THE ELF & THE RACCOON! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

I honestly didn't know this was a thing until it popped up in the You Tube recommendation a few days ago! I don't follow on media sites and fan base forums. Just as a casual viewer of sorts so after season 8 ended I figured, okay just gotta wait until season 9 starts up. This was a nice surprise! That being said, this special was sensory overload. Had to watch it through twice to pick up all the references. The best Hearts Warming episode/special yet! Easy 5 stars.

16:45 "these faces" oh, you have no idea whats coming.

Great episode. Always nice to see the animators having fun with their job. I'm surprised Marble Pie was shown being sad at Big Mac's relationship, it's a little detail but one that they showed a bit of the pain that can come with relationships.

"We don't need stuff to make us happy. We need each other: friends, family, loved ones, that's what's truly important, not things." Great words of wisdom.

Derpy speaking in this special IS the best gift ever.

AWSOME love your vids! You are one of my fave youtubers!

Thank you I'm not the only one who got the G. I.Joe reference

32:59 look at that cute look he gave his idol awww ❤️❤️❤️

Only thumbs up for you buddy: you always get me to smile, grin or laugh

I loved seeing Fluttershy troll RD there. I think she's been hanging out un Discord's dimension.

13:00 Dashie got Flutters the best gift ever.... DISCORD!

29:57 My initial response: "Cool, Ninjas...Oh shoot, that's Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes! YO JOE!" It's more fitting than you think; not only are both franchises from Hasbro, both shows also currently air on Discovery Family (at most six hours apart from each other).

I think that hasbro emphasizing how broken marblemac is, made the entire fandoms day.

i'm very glad the conflict of the whole episode wasn't everyone wanting to trade with everyone else

4:13 Missed a reference. The movie Elf when Buddy tried to hug the Racoon

39:08 buy our toys

22:02 LOL U actually scared ME there 4 a sec there Applegeek! XD

Merry Christmas Everyone!! :edit I mean nearly Christmas everyone :P

Flim and Flam are wayyyy underrated, They never force anypony to buy something from them, they're just very good at their job which is selling stuff, if you're very good at something, you diserve to be able to earn something on it

26:46 - OMG, don't tell the fundies, but Aurora, Bori and Alice are the Maiden, Mother and Crone!

I was just watching a lecture series about folklore, and it got to a part which talked about magical numbers like '3' and '7' happening across many stories. The reindeer go off the idea of past, present, and future. They don't really seem to resemble the three Fates of Greek and Norse mythology that closely, though that was the first thing I thought of. It really is interesting to note how the number '3' is continually used in our folklore, mythology, and religious examples. Silver Quill even mentioned it in his video on Luna's archetype. And while there are six element bearers now, there are rumors of a seventh. '3' also occurs repetitively in both human culture and in nature, even down to the atomic level (three states of matter, three strands of hair to braid, three legs on a stool, and subatomic particles coming in threes). Maybe it's just a number that tends to work well. And going back to the show, there are examples of '3,' such as the CMC and the Apple family. '7' is also important across folklore, and human culture has put great emphases on groups of '7' (seven dwarves, seven sister of Greek mythology, seven sins, seven wonders of the world, seven phone number digits, seven days in a week, etc.). This was even observed on a neurological level, where the brain sends information best when seven dendrites extend from the neurons. And while there are six element bearers in the show right now, there are rumors of a seventh. I don't know how much thought the show staff have put into this, nor to I think these systems are completely universal, but it's a fun idea. www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/a-childrens-guide-to-folklore-and-wonder-tales.html

I think this is my favorite My Little Pony episode i've seen yet! All of the little details they put into this one made it so special!

Working retail I am constantly surrounded by all the commercialism that has become so intertwined with this time of year over time. A large thing that makes me sad working retail is that thanksgiving gets skipped in favor of black friday, to those who live where it is celebrated please remember to remember to enjoy Thanksgiving with your families this year. I do love this episode and it has helped to put me in a more proper mindset for the upcoming holidays, between work and a few other life factors going on I have been in a bit of a light funk this year. Also I can really relate to Spike and Twilight here as I have always had a hard time picking out gifts for people and can easily forget it is the spirit of the gift that counts most of all.

Also I love how spike trays really hard to give his crush a nice present

I'm a simple person. I see Best Gift Ever, I click.

I like how flurry heart coos at the sight of the magic pudding ingredients at 34:16

I really love this special, it was actually a nice way to send us off on the hiatus. My experience with this episode was not short of entertaining through and through. The writing, references, characters highlights(like Derpy for example) and the songs were really great, that what I expected from this and they didn’t disappoint. As always, you’re reactions are very enjoyable and I look forward to more content from you. Until next time!

11:26 After so many viewings, I'm convinced Fluttershy was messing with RD here

Plenty of people have said it already here and in other reviews, but I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this episode stands up as one of the best in the entire series, and I doubt it's going to lose that place any time soon. A couple of awesome songs, a nice take on the old Secret Santa idea, a lot of great character interactions, plenty of fun cameos, and a great combination of comedy and feels. Aside from that, while we probably won't see ABA again (at least not soon) given their roles, I really wouldn't mind seeing more reindeer and other new creatures in the series before it ends. It was also nice to see Discord interacting with someone other than Fluttershy, Starlight, or Twilight, who always seem to be the go-to characters to focus on when he shows up. Not that I don't love his interactions with them, but it's nice to see the authors remembering that - troublesome and focused on Fluttershy as he might be sometimes - he *is* still friends with the entire group. Anyway, another great reaction/review.

Yeah I agree I love this mlp Christmas special so much and it was very sweet of spike to do something special for his crush rarity that one part touched my heart*💗

Best mlp special ever.

I do not lie, I cried at the song at the end. It was especially the part where they're singing about how long they've been friends, and how far they've come, it just felt like a callback over the whole series. Also, this really does seem like the first time we've seen Spike really talk about how he feels towards Rarity since The Secret of my Excess.

"HAHA Book, have you met me? "😂😂😂

38:27 Scorpan isn't really foreshadowing, since he was also mentioned back in the end of season 4, yet, we've not seen him since. But don't get me wrong, I would love to see him in the show still.

Omg I absolutely LOVE your reactions! ^~^ This is actually one of my favorite episodes! It's just too damn adorable! >~< UGH MY HEART

"PUDIIIIIIN" X3 i was born to see that reaction from you xD

21:19 All in Favor of Twilight's "PUDDDINNGGGG," say PUDDINNGGGG LOL

26:43 The Gift Givers of the Grove sounds like a callback to the Keepers of the Grove from Return of Harmony (s2 premiere).

This is the crown in season 8. This was awsome. One season more and I just can't imaginate what will it bring to us.

32:25 yep the sweet sounds of a failed salesman HA

I was just about to go to sleep but why not I’ll watch your reaction to this it’s become one of my personal favorite holiday episode of the series

30:14 That was such a genuine squee of joy

18:47 Background ponies be like "You did _not_ just yell at Derpy"

Dang! Literally all of the character interactions in this special are ON POINT!

44:28 actually it's from fake it 'till you make it

That Twilight pudding face I cryed of laughter

13:08 finally, someone makes the reference, u have restored my faith in the community

7:20 Also, although not _terribly_ likely, there _is_ a chance you could draw your _own_ name. 18:00 Yeah. _technically_ Derpy didn't screw this up. She read it's "For Applejack" so off to SAA it goes. (moments later at 18:30) Oh wait. Never mind, she did screw up. 30:00 Except Snake Eyes can't speak. Whereas Discord can't shut the HELL UP! 36:44 (cue music) Nothing can stop The Pudding! (BAO BAO-BAO! BAO BAO-BAO! BAO BAO-BAO! BAO BAO-BAO!) 44:56 Missed Yona. 45:06 Carols! Carols! Carols! Carols! Carooooools!

40:50 AJ: "Pop said sometimes the hat chooses the pony, when he gave me this." I bet all the hats in that hats-and-bows closet belonged to Bright Mac. Keeping closetfuls of the same identical accessory probably runs in the family. :)

Hey Applegeek!! I think you're one of the funnest MY Little Pony reactors out there! Love how much you laugh at the hilarious moments! I love how you also nod your head to the songs!! This is my 5th favorite episode of the show!

I love the part when you said that Flim and Flam are the Ferengi!! I'm glad i wasn't the only one who made that connection!!

(Continued from my third comment.) 40:24-41:14 Everypony gathers to give their less than thrilling gifts. Also, there's pudding. 40:27-40:37 Pinkie points out how her gift and Twilight's compliment each other. 40:49 Rarity's face. 40:51-40:59 Applejack mentions how her father used to say "sometimes the hat chooses the pony" - as was the case when he gave AJ her's. Also, Applegeek's reaction. 40:59-41:02 Yes, something like that, AJ. 41:00-41:03 Applejack's face. 41:00-41:20 Discord destroys Spike and Rainbow Dash's presents, after seeing how much they dislike them. Also, Applegeek's reaction. 41:18-41:36 Fluttershy actually seems happy with her winterzilla gift. Also, her face. 41:32-42:05 Discord reveals he set up the whole winterzilla incident so Fluttershy could be the hero and save the day as her gift. Also, Rainbow Dash and Applegeek's reactions. 41:33-41:37 Fluttershy blushing. 41:38-41:34 Rainbow Dash's face. 42:05-42:08 It kind of was, AJ. 42:09-42:14 Cadence plays aeroplane with Flurry Heart's pudding. 42:21-43:13 Spike's gift is the episode's second song: The True Gifted of Gifting. He has a great singing voice. Applegeek is touched. 43:22 Rarity kisses Spike. 43:24-43:43 Twilight works out the Gift-Givers riddle. I know it's cliched and overused, but it's true: Friendship really IS the best gift ever :) 43:44-43:31 Twilight continues the song. 43:57-44:04 Hearth's Warming dolls. 44:10-44:15 Flurry Heart clapping her hooves. 44:22-44:31 Fluttershy gives Discord a present. It's an elephant tea-cosy from earlier in the season 44:28-44:31 That hug. 44:34-45:21 All the Mane 6 finish the song. 44:41-44:44 Starlight and Trixie enjoying Hearth's Warming cocoa together. 44:44-44:47 The Apples, Pies, Grand Pear and Sugarbelle enjoying Hearth's Warming on the Apple farm. It looks like Mud Briar has joined them, too. 44:47-44:50 Even Celestia and Luna are enjoying the holidays. 44:50-44:55 Butternut, Oaknut and Pistachio receive another gift: an Australian-styled acorn hat. 44:55-44:57 Yaks, including Yona, enjoying their 'smashing' festival. 44:58-45:01 Flim and Flam are the only ones not celebrating. 45:01-45:04 Ponies, including Mayor Mare and Derpy, leaving town hall. 45:05-45:09 The changlings - including Thorax, Pharynx and Ocellus - continuing their unusual celebration of Hearth's Warming. Also, Applegeek's reaction. 45:21-45:36 Closing narration from the reindeer. That was Alice's voice we heard in the beginning. 45:38-45:41 What are those? I'm sure you're going to tell us in your afterthoughts. 46:08-46:12 Applegeek makes a pretty big claim. 46:20-47:09 That's a very interesting point about Hasbro and this special. It just goes to show their best way of selling toys is to make their series a phenomenal. 48:00-48:11 So true. So very true. 52:57-53:34 Applegeek reprises The True Gift of Gifting and claims his own gift-giving is going to change a little bit this year. 54:30-54:37 She'll always be Derpy to me too. I've always called her that and always will. 54:12-54:19 I said it first, Applegeek. 57:08-59:03 I didn't realise that. Have things finally been settled between them? 1:02:08-1:02:30 It's true. He was meant to play a Jacob Marley like character. Overall, I really enjoyed this early Christmas present - even if it did air before Halloween. It's amazing how the plot managed to juggle six different stories without spending too much or too little time on any one of them - the additional runtime really helped out here. Also, there were plenty of treats to be found: we had two new Hearth's Warming carols; references to some of the best Christmas movies of all time; Discord, Minty and Derpy all made memorable appearances; reindeer in Equestria are now canon; Flurry Heart was adorable; Spike and Rarity's relationship developed; we learned an important lesson about gift-giving and friendship; and we now have an official name for Twilight's craziness, Twily-nanas. For the first MLP special that wasn't based off Equestria Girls, I'd say Hasbro did a pretty fine job. As Applegeek said, they were more focused on teaching us morals than selling their toys - which is saying a lot for a TOY company. Season 9 may be a long way off, but until then, this was a wonderful holiday treat. Happy early Christmas everybody!

This has to be my favorite hearths warming episode ever! The last two weren’t really my favorite but from the songs to discord I loved this episode!! Top 5 at least!

3:49 "Noooo, Marble!" C'mon, writers! We need to get that mare a new stud, stat!

As for Arora Bori and Alice, I think they're basically Santa's reindeer mashed together with The Fates from Greek Mythology (possibly inspired by the ones in Disney's Hercules that see "past, present, and future" respectively), although they also resemble the pagan idea of the "Triple Goddess" made up of the Crone, the Mother, and the Maid (Arora, Bori, Alice) representing the three stages of life, past present future, as well as the phases of the moon.

Whoa! This is the first time I've seen an old man reacting to mlp and shouting like it would do something and laughing like a kettle

I get it because of real world problems they can't have John De Lancie voicing Discord for all the special events, but if we look in the perspective of the show, Discord has all the right to feel left out I mean, Heartswarming is the most special event to have all of your friends around, and the fact that no one has invited Discord to Twilight's castle for celebration is an understandable reason why he should feel left out. The fact that it was Rainbow Dash who invited him to join to the group for Heartswarming really shows that the rest of the name 6 starts to trust in Discord better, since let's be honest, Rainbow Dash is the only pony from the 6 who has the least trust in Discord. It shows that they are accepting him as their friend even more. Also, polar bear. The first time ever in the series we see an actual polar bear. Even though it seems like a minor detail, it's a really good one to notice. Gotta love the Sparity ship in this episode. Sparity ship is I believe the longest running cannon ship in the series. Sparity ship exists since the very first episode of the series, the pilot episode. Even though I wasn't much into the MarbleMac ship, I can see why Hasbro wanted to sink that ship, because MarbleMac was actually a forced ship, Pinkie Pie shipped them in the season 6 Heartswarming episode, Big Mac probably didn't get to know her that well. Or maybe they sunk it because they have planned to get Marble a boyfriend? Just like how they got one for Maud... That would be interesting. I'm also surprised by the fact that Hasbro, one of the hottest toy selling company actually made an effort to show that it's the intention behind the presents what matters not the present itself. Kudos for that. Bottom line, best special episode ever. This really makes me feel sad that there's only one season left from the series... But oh well everything great has to come to an end at some point.

3:51 I've been waiting for this since I first saw the special. 😂💔😘

8:59 SPIKE HAVE YOU REALIZED THE THING YOU'VE JUST UNLEASED!

That's song towards the end really got me emotional

28:49 "They _are_ the Ferengi." I guess the animators will never have to draw clothes for Flim and Flam's wives, then. ;)

Yes finally! This was such an awesome holiday special! Nice reaction, keep up the great work!

This was probably my favorite MLP holiday episode next to A Hearth's Warming Tail from Season 6

23:21 the voice actors of those ponies are the same as the ones who voice acted AJ's parents in a perfect pear

OMG! This one even made ME cry! Especially that sweet and humble song!

Soooooo awesome a episode. Yep They Called It Season 9 Episode 0. Awesome reaction Apple. It was EPIC. Thanx for sharing it with us.

FINALLY!!! Someone got the G.I. Joe and National Lampoon Christmas Vacation! Thank you! And best reaction of Derpy's talking scean.

Applegeek: twilight eat a snickers. Twilight: why? (Crazy frantic laugh)

Your laughs this time round Applegeek were PRICELESS! Then my Mum told me 2 turn it down cuz she could hear them from her room! LMFAO! XD

Huzzah! I have been awaiting this. This special is strangely charming, likeable, and even fairly critically acclaimed from what I’ve seen so far (story, character, pacing, etc). It’s such a feel-good episode that really puts you in the holiday spirit. ♥️ Glad to see you finally reacting to it haha. Now I’ll just wait for a reaction (hopefully!) to the new EQG specials. But hey, take your time!

i'm not sure how many viewings it took for me to realize Yoona is in the bottom corner at 44:56. Sure I'll notice that our favorite drunk pony Berry punch has a wrapped bottle of wine during the Derpy scene but not yoona lol.

13:19 While Discord never formally apologized, it looks like he's at least learned his lesson well enough. Good to see.

The flower ponies no horror this time, just holiday cheer -AppleGeek 2018

-You're reactions this time around were SO DELICIOUS!!! :) LOL!! -The three reindeer kind of remind me of the three fates of greek and norse mythology, but I know it's not really the same thing. -By the same token of what you mentioned, I sense that Hasbro was kind of roasting themselves on the toy sale angle. Two sides to all of it I guess. -Not sure why the pudding was fast at first and then slowed down.

You're the first real person I've seen who actually waves his hat around with joy, the only other times I've seen this is in cartoons and comedies X3