Parental support is something that any child wishes to have but there are cases where support can cross the line into an uncomfortable territory where you wish your parents would back off and let you have some space. This is an idea presented in Parental Glideance, a not bad episode for Dash but its message is a bit mixed. This is something that we will explore more in-depth looking at the plot of this episode.
There are two angles that we have to consider with this episode as it both a Rainbow Dash and a Scootaloo episode. We learn in the show's final season that Scoots's parents are never around and that is why she is such a latchkey kid.
The Plot
To best understand this episode and Dash's grievances with her parents, I think that we should look at the middle when she lashes out at them.
Well, I'm tired of it! I've had enough of you two being so proud of every little ridiculous, insignificant thing I do!
Looking at this line shows Dash's side of the story and being supportive can cross a line. This is observed with this excerpt from Positive Parenting
new research shows that too much support might backfire.
I believe in many regards this is what happened with Dash and her parents as if we look at the story that she tells Scootaloo at the end of the episode, there is a clear and present understanding of how the well-intentioned support for a filly Dashie became too much to deal with. And that is part of the reason why Rainbow never told her parents that she was a Wonderbolt.
Okay, but you might wanna hold onto your wings because this could rock you to your very core. Believe it or not, there was a time when I wasn't the best at everything. See this picture? It looks like I won something awesome, but actually...
Granted, I was the youngest pony in the senior competitive circuit. Most other ponies my age were still in the Junior Flappers' Club. I thought it was utterly mortifying having my parents cheer me on even when I lost!
Being the best came with consequences. Very loud, very embarrassing consequences.
Having talks and understanding situations such as Bow Hoof (Dash's Dad) and Windy Whistles (Dash's Mom) put her through speaks to an important understanding of something that these well-meaning parents may not understand, even when you love your child and want them to succeed, they need space and being overexcited about the smallest thing such as hanging up a towel does not give them any kind of space. And with these two, it can also be seen how their style of support was somewhat of a safety hazard and I don't just mean for Rainbow Dash's mental state.
Yeah, the Wonderbolts did not have fireworks planned for this routine and they were set off by Dash's parents. This is what I mean by the supporting becoming dangerous as something such as this is crossing a line and if this were not a kids cartoon, those two would have been removed from the premises.
However, there is something else that should be touched upon here in this episode, Boomers and Gen-Xers love to claim my generation invented the participation trophy when many of us Millennials have pointed out that it was the older generations handing them out. And I believe that this idea is perfectly exemplified when Scootaloo visits the house that Dash grew up in and we see her parents have what is essentially a shrine to her.
I can get wanting to keep some certain heirlooms from your child's youth to show that you are proud of them but this room once against crosses the territory into creepy and looks like something that you'd see on Hoarders. I mean for goodness sake going back to the idea of the participation trophy, Dash's parents kept the first apple that she took a bit out of and the diaper she was wearing when she said her first word.
I did mention that this was both a Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo episode and to understand the orange filly's perspective, I think that we should view her response to Dash's story.
Ya know, some ponies would dream of having parents like that.
It wouldn't be until two seasons after this episode aired when the show would introduce Scootaloo's parents (in the final season) and learning that they are adventures and never home for their daughter speaks to why Scootaloo thinks the way she does and why she views the support that Dash gets from her parents as a wonderful thing.
Everything we understand about Scoots is in a way wrapped up in this moment, she wishes to have support from older figures because her parents are never around. This is first seen in Sleepless in Ponyville when she wants Dash to take her on as a little sister (and we will see Dash being a cautious big sister in a future review).
And after seeing the love and support that Bow Hoof and Windy Whistle give Dash, it almost comes across as Scoots is projecting the type of relationship she wants/wanted onto the parents of her idol.
Therefore, it's completely understandable that Scootaloo doesn't like the way Rainbow Dash reacts negatively to her parents her over support and the episode is on the side of Scootaloo as feeling the need to teach Dash to appreciate the support from her parents. This isn't a bad lesson in of itself but it waits right until the credits roll to somewhat point out that her parents were going too far.
Characters
Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball
I understand that this episode was trying to show that we should be appreciative of the support from our parents. However, I do wish that this episode had given Dashie some leeway and not try to paint her in the wrong for being annoyed by the over supportive nature. Yes, the episode does let her say that it's embarrassing but it is still framed as a lesson that she needs to learn.
While looking up images for this review, I saw someone did an Equestria Girls redraw of a scene from this episode and part of me believes that this might have worked better in the EQG universe considering the girls are still teenagers there and you could have kept it the same but I imagine a teenage Dash such as the EQG one might be more dismissive/less annoyed by the over supportive nature.
Scootaloo voiced by Madeleine Peters
While I have umbrage with the episode not completing letting the audience being on Dash's side, I like how it lets us into Scootaloo's mindset and why she wishes she had parents like Dash's. Granted, the full context was not there at the time but there are enough clues in the script to speak to why Scoots feels the way that she does.
Windy Whistles and Bow Hoof voiced by Sarah Edmondson & Jason Deline
Do understand that while I have been critical of this episode, I do not hate these characters. Rather, they are well-meaning but can go too far. It is very clear that they love their daughter and that is very sweet but as I have tried to point out, there is a case where supportiveness can go too far and this episode did provide some examples of this.
My Final Thoughts
This is not a bad episode and rather enjoyable but it could have done to give Dash some leeway in letting the audience understand why she feels the way she does. As stated up top, parental support is a great thing to have and kids like Scootaloo would love the type of parental support that Dash doesn't want from her parents. Join me next time as we look at a Pinkie and Dash episode...
Secrets and Pies
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