Father of the Bridlewood is the fourth episode in Chapter 5 of My Little Pony: Make Your Mark and the eighteenth episode overall.
Synopsis[]
Misty is over the lunar moon to be reunited with her father. But as they reconnect, she realizes there's a lot she doesn't remember about her past.
Plot[]
After the events of the previous episode, father and daughter Alphabittle and Misty are overjoyed to be reunited. Alphabittle shares many of Misty's childhood possessions he kept over the years, however, the latter admits that she can't remember anything from her fillyhood, and prefers to retire the old nickname "Misty-Wisty" in favour of simply "Misty." Alphabittle suggests they have the best father-daughter day ever doing all of Misty's favourite fillyhood activities to try and jog her memory.
Overhearing Misty stating the only time she remembers was helping Opaline develop plots to conquer Equestria, Zipp believes Misty possesses clues to Opaline's plans. Sunny then reminds Zipp how excessive she has been with Misty lately and suggests they let the latter catch up with her dad and investigate Opaline independently. Izzy then takes them to visit Elder Flower, a local unicorn historian.
Alphabittle takes Misty home and shows her old bedroom to her, untouched since the day she went missing. Around town, he prances around reintroducing her to the other unicorns. He even suggests playing on some of the foal rides at the playground. Misty is considerably uncomfortable with everything, not as Alphabittle remembered her being, but she hides it for his sake.
In the Crystal Tea Room, Misty no longer enjoys the tea Alphabittle named after her, or slam poetry, as she once did. When her discomfort grows too much for her to bear, she runs away back to her room. Alphabittle finds her in tears as she confesses that she does not know what she likes or who she is, and that so much has happened that she is not the same filly Alphabittle knew before she went missing.
The one thing Misty knows for certain is that she does not want to be alone and is eager to reconnect with her father, who apologizes to her for holding on to her past rather than appreciating the mare she has grown into. The two start over with an activity Misty wants to do, where she surprises him by revealing her inheritance of his tea blending talent.
In the B-plot, Izzy introduces Sunny and Zipp to Elder Flower, the oldest living unicorn in Bridlewood, who keeps many old stories and ponytales of Equestria. Izzy asks the unicorn elder to share some of her stories with Sunny and Zipp, and Elder Flower agrees provided they take her to see Zephyr Heights.
Upon their arrival in the big city, Elder Flower loses no time taking in the sights and lamenting at length over how much things have changed (or not changed) since she was a filly. This causes Sunny and Zipp some headaches as they repeatedly attempt to ask Elder Flower about Opaline, only for the elderly unicorn to get sidetracked by the city sights and act senile.
Sunny and Zipp have the idea to take Elder Flower to the old airship hangar, now revealed to have undergone restorations since A New Generation, hoping that the stained glass window murals will jog her memory. Unfortunately, Elder Flower continues to tell seemingly nonsensical tales about ancient Equestria. Despite this apparent dead end, Sunny and Zipp are still glad to have made Elder Flower happy.
Just as the three are about to board the Mare Stream and return to Bridlewood, Elder Flower remarks upon the tree Misty grew in Cutie Blossom Bash, referring to it as a "Together Tree." Elder Flower then explains that Together Trees grow from true friendship, and are powerful magical protectors which form a magical connection through their roots. The Wishing Tree in Bridlewood is one such tree. Sunny and Zipp are suddenly thrilled to have learned something new from the elderly unicorn.
Back in Bridlewood, Misty confesses to Alphabittle that she still does not truly fell at home in Bridlewood. Alphabittle then arranges for her to move in with her friends at the Crystal Brighthouse. The Mane 5, more than happy about this idea, set up a bedroom space for her and move some of her belongings in. Misty happily accepts the arrangement, along with the condition to regularly call her father, who has learned to be proud of the mare his daughter has grown into.
As the rest of the Mane 5 enjoys spending time with Misty and Alphabittle, Sunny, Zipp, and Elder Flower arrive, and the latter explains to them what she told Sunny and Zipp about Together Trees. In Zephyr Heights, a flower blooms on Misty's Together Tree.
Characters[]
- Sunny Starscout
- Izzy Moonbow
- Hitch Trailblazer
- Pipp Petals
- Zipp Storm
- Misty Brightdawn
- Sparky Sparkeroni
- Alphabittle Blossomforth
- Elder Flower
- Jasper
- Onyx
- Dapple
- Ferris (cameo)
- Queen Haven (cameo)
- Thunder Flap (cameo)
- Zoom Zephyrwing (cameo)
- Cloudpuff (cameo)
- Opaline Arcana (mentioned)
- Grandma Figgy (flashback)
- Shining Armor (pictured)
Trivia[]
- This was originally supposed to be the third episode of the sixth chapter.
- The title is a reference to the 1991 film Father of the Bride.
- When Alphabittle is going through the Misty memory box, the painting he holds up depicts Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle's older brother.
- When Izzy starts gathering grass to weave 'gift basket-baskets' for Elder Flower, she warns Sunny and Zipp about stinky weeds being in season, foreshadowing the next episode.