Fame and Misfortune

Fame and Misfortune
Season №:	7
Season episode №:	14
Overall episode №:	157
Original airdate:	August 12, 2017
Written by:	M. A. Larson
Storyboard:	Cory Toomey and Thalia Tomlinson
Featured characters:	Toola Roola Coconut Cream
Song:	Flawless
See also
credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation
Episode guide
Previous The Perfect Pear	Next Triple Threat

Fame and Misfortune is the fourteenth episode of season seven of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and the one hundred and fifty-seventh overall.

When Twilight Sparkle publishes her and her friends' friendship journal, it has unintended consequences when ponies start to argue over who wrote the best lessons.

Development and production

Upon a May 23, 2016 Twitter question to Jim Miller, Ishi Rudell, and Tim Stuby of Toola Roola and Starsong "in FiM when?", Jim Miller replied, "When it's time."^[1]

This episode was initially scheduled to premiere on Canada's Treehouse TV channel on June 3, 2017,^[2] but was later replaced with a repeat of A Flurry of Emotions.

In response to the fan backlash this episode received, M. A. Larson revealed at BronyCAN 2017 that even he, himself, was not exactly enthused about the premise of this episode.^[3]

Summary

Prologue

While walking through Ponyville, Princess Twilight Sparkle gets caught in an argument between two friends-turned-enemies: Toola Roola and Coconut Cream. After putting an end to their ice cream and cupcake-flinging, Twilight helps them make amends, concluding with the lesson that "friendship isn't always easy, but there's no doubt it's worth fighting for". As Toola Roola and Coconut Cream make up, Twilight realizes her own lesson sounds familiar.

Returning to the Castle of Friendship, Twilight finds her and her friends' old friendship journal gathering dust on a bookshelf and shows it to Starlight Glimmer. She remembers the lesson she just gave to Toola Roola and Coconut Cream was the same lesson she herself learned when they first fought Discord. However, the journal has become old and worn due to its recent disuse.

Publishing the journal

Twilight and Starlight gather the rest of their friends in the castle throne room and show them the worn-out friendship journal. After Rainbow Dash comments on the journal's disorganized and at times hard-to-read contents, Starlight uses her magic to create fresh, crisp copies of the journal for each of the Mane Six. As the ponies reminisce about the many lessons they've learned together, Twilight comes up with the idea of making the journal available for everyone in Equestria to read so that they can also benefit from the lessons within. The other ponies are in full support of this idea.

Through Twilight's efforts, the journal is published and distributed to bookstores and newspaper stands in Cloudsdale, Canterlot, and Manehattan. As Twilight hands out copies of the journal to foals outside the Ponyville Schoolhouse, she overhears Toola Roola and Coconut Cream arguing again, and she encourages them to read some lessons in the journal for advice.

With the popularity that the journal is bringing them, the Cutie Mark Crusaders have even more applicants for their upcoming cutie mark summer camp. While Twilight is pleased that her and her friends' lessons are reaching so many ponies, she is discouraged by how the lessons are being applied and hopes that ponies are actually learning from them.

The wrong type of fans

While walking through town, Twilight and Starlight meet a group of fanatical ponies from Fillydelphia who ask Twilight to autograph their journal copies. When Twilight asks what their favorite lesson was, the ponies admit they haven't actually read the journal and plan to keep their copies as mere collector's items. Elsewhere in town, two ponies sitting at a cafe table comment on the journal's illumination into the Mane Six's lives but also remark that they wish Rarity's sections were excluded. Rarity, siting just a few feet away from them, is heartbroken and runs off in tears.

Twilight chases after Rarity to console her, but she is intercepted by Pinkie Pie, whose lessons have also brought her "giggly feedback". Pinkie is pleased that so many ponies think she's funny, but when they laugh at every single thing she says, it becomes unnerving. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash is harassed and followed around by little fillies—they ask her about the exploits she's written about while ignoring the lessons that the rest of the Mane Six wrote.

Elsewhere, a group of journal readers accost Fluttershy, claiming that she "keeps learning the same thing over and over again", and accuse her of not being assertive enough. Before Twilight and Starlight can stand up for her, Fluttershy stands up for herself, arguing to the ponies that her journey to assertiveness was a slow one, not an instant one.

"It feels like everypony in Equestria is missing the 'friendship' part of the friendship journals."

— Twilight Sparkle

Admirers and detractors

Twilight and Starlight go to Carousel Boutique, where Rarity has taken to "stress sewing" as a way to work through her despair. Because of the negative reception of Rarity's lessons in the friendship journal, multiple ponies have cancelled their orders from her and are even boycotting her fashion designs.

Conversely, Applejack has become immensely popular because of her lessons, and dozens of ponies have flocked to Sweet Apple Acres to become members of the Apple family, calling themselves the "Sweet Apple Admirers". Unfortunately, this popularity has caused Applejack, Apple Bloom, Big McIntosh, and Granny Smith to run themselves ragged trying to provide them all with food and cider.

Twilight returns to the castle and confides in Starlight Glimmer, regretting ever publishing the journal in the first place. Starlight assures her that it isn't her fault, but Twilight is convinced that it is and that she's made her friends' lives miserable. The rest of the Mane Six soon arrive at the castle seeking refuge from both their overbearing fans and mudslinging critics. Twilight is even more convinced that this situation is her fault for publishing the journal, but Starlight says it's everyone else's fault for focusing on the wrong aspects of her friends' lessons. This gives Starlight an idea, and she teleports away.

We're not flawless

Twilight goes outside to try and calming the arguing ponies down. When asked by a reporter for the Canterlot Chronicle why she moved to Ponyville, she says it was to learn about friendship, which is why the friendship journal even exists. However, the reporter argues that Twilight's "character" would have been more interesting if she stayed in Canterlot. This comment annoys Twilight, who argues that she and her friends are real ponies, not characters in a book.

As the ponies continue to argue, Twilight and her friends interrupt with a song, singing that they are not flawless but their flaws make them special and their friendship possible. Unfortunately, this does nothing to appease the ponies, and they immediately go back to arguing.

When the Mane Six go back inside the castle, Starlight Glimmer returns with Toola Roola and Coconut Cream. The two fillies express their utmost gratitude to the ponies; after reading their lessons in the journal, their friendship is stronger than ever. Twilight and her friends are very pleased to know that someone learned from the lessons they published, and they come to the conclusion that "fads come and go, friendship is forever". When Applejack wonders what they're going to do about the ponies arguing outside, Twilight says they can wait a little longer and suggests enjoying the moment.

Quotes

For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.

Twilight Sparkle: ...So you see, friendship isn't always easy, but there's no doubt, it's worth fighting for.

Coconut Cream and Toola Roola: Awww! [laughing]

Twilight Sparkle: Hmmm. That sounds familiar.

Twilight Sparkle: This is the friendship journal my friends and I used to keep. It's filled with all the things we've learned, like: "Friendship isn't always easy, but there's no doubt, it's worth fighting for."

Rainbow Dash: I-I don't even know what this is.

Rarity: It is called calligraphy, darling. If you're going to make words, at least make them fabulous.

Apple Bloom: We were thinkin' of puttin' together a cutie mark summer camp. Now, everypony's definitely gonna sign up for it!

Twilight Sparkle: So, what did you think of the lessons?

Out of Town Pony: Oh, we haven't read them. These are keepsakes. We gotta keep them in mint condition.

Sassaflash: Hah! Classic Pinkie! Oh, she's even funnier in real life!

Pinkie Pie: You've known me for years!

"Lemon Chiffon": We wanna know why Fluttershy keeps learning the same thing over and over again! Be assertive already!

Fluttershy: Listen up! I am more assertive! And yes, it took me a while to get there. But can you honestly say that you could learn something one time and completely change who you are? [beat] I didn't think so.

Rainbow Dash: Uh, Rarity? What are you wearing?

Rarity: My emotions, darling! Stress couture!

Reporter Pony: I read this journal cover to cover, and I have to say your character would have been much more interesting if she'd stayed in Canterlot.

Twilight Sparkle: My character?! We are real ponies! This journal is a record of things that actually happened to us!

Pearly Stitch: Twilight was better before she got wings!

"Lemon Chiffon": Fluttershy is just so painfully shy, it's hard to relate! I mean, come on!

Toola Roola: We just wanted to say thank you. To all of you.

Coconut Cream: Yeah, our friendship? Well, we were having trouble until we read your journal. It showed us that friends can go through all sorts of tough times and come through stronger than before.

Toola Roola: It's made us better friends than we've ever been!

Twilight Sparkle: Really?

Coconut Cream and Toola Roola: Mm-hmm.

Applejack: Reckon we still have to deal with them, don't we?

[loud arguing]

Twilight Sparkle: Stay in the friendship moment, Applejack. They can wait a little longer.

Gallery

Fame and Misfortune image gallery

References

1. ↑ Jim Miller (2016-05-23). Big Jim on Twitter: "@EquestriaGuy @ishiH3Art @BaloneyBrony When it's time.". Twitter. Retrieved on 2017 July 22.
2. ↑ Sethisto (2017-05-02). Season 7 Episode 15 Revealed - Fame and Misfortune. Equestria Daily. Retrieved on 2017 May 2.
3. ↑ BronyCAN 2017 M A Larson panel part 1. YouTube (2017). Retrieved on 2017 October 13.

v • e Episodes, films, and animated shorts

Season one
Episode 1 Friendship is Magic, part 1	Episode 2 Friendship is Magic, part 2	Episode 3 The Ticket Master	Episode 4 Applebuck Season
Episode 5 Griffon the Brush Off	Episode 6 Boast Busters	Episode 7 Dragonshy	Episode 8 Look Before You Sleep
Episode 9 Bridle Gossip	Episode 10 Swarm of the Century	Episode 11 Winter Wrap Up	Episode 12 Call of the Cutie
Episode 13 Fall Weather Friends	Episode 14 Suited For Success	Episode 15 Feeling Pinkie Keen	Episode 16 Sonic Rainboom
Episode 17 Stare Master	Episode 18 The Show Stoppers	Episode 19 A Dog and Pony Show	Episode 20 Green Isn't Your Color
Episode 21 Over a Barrel	Episode 22 A Bird in the Hoof	Episode 23 The Cutie Mark Chronicles	Episode 24 Owl's Well That Ends Well
	Episode 25 Party of One	Episode 26 The Best Night Ever

Season two
Episode 1 The Return of Harmony Part 1	Episode 2 The Return of Harmony Part 2	Episode 3 Lesson Zero	Episode 4 Luna Eclipsed
Episode 5 Sisterhooves Social	Episode 6 The Cutie Pox	Episode 7 May the Best Pet Win!	Episode 8 The Mysterious Mare Do Well
Episode 9 Sweet and Elite	Episode 10 Secret of My Excess	Episode 11 Hearth's Warming Eve	Episode 12 Family Appreciation Day
Episode 13 Baby Cakes	Episode 14 The Last Roundup	Episode 15 The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000	Episode 16 Read It and Weep
Episode 17 Hearts and Hooves Day	Episode 18 A Friend in Deed	Episode 19 Putting Your Hoof Down	Episode 20 It's About Time
Episode 21 Dragon Quest	Episode 22 Hurricane Fluttershy	Episode 23 Ponyville Confidential	Episode 24 MMMystery on the Friendship Express
	Episode 25 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 1	Episode 26 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 2

Season three
Episode 1 The Crystal Empire - Part 1	Episode 2 The Crystal Empire - Part 2	Episode 3 Too Many Pinkie Pies	Episode 4 One Bad Apple
Episode 5 Magic Duel	Episode 6 Sleepless in Ponyville	Episode 7 Wonderbolts Academy	Episode 8 Apple Family Reunion
Episode 9 Spike at Your Service	Episode 10 Keep Calm and Flutter On	Episode 11 Just for Sidekicks	Episode 12 Games Ponies Play
Episode 13 Magical Mystery Cure

Season four
Episode 1 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 1	Episode 2 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 2	Episode 3 Castle Mane-ia	Episode 4 Daring Don't
Episode 5 Flight to the Finish	Episode 6 Power Ponies	Episode 7 Bats!	Episode 8 Rarity Takes Manehattan
Episode 9 Pinkie Apple Pie	Episode 10 Rainbow Falls	Episode 11 Three's A Crowd	Episode 12 Pinkie Pride
Episode 13 Simple Ways	Episode 14 Filli Vanilli	Episode 15 Twilight Time	Episode 16 It Ain't Easy Being Breezies
Episode 17 Somepony to Watch Over Me	Episode 18 Maud Pie	Episode 19 For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils	Episode 20 Leap of Faith
Episode 21 Testing Testing 1, 2, 3	Episode 22 Trade Ya!	Episode 23 Inspiration Manifestation	Episode 24 Equestria Games
	Episode 25 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 1	Episode 26 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 2

Season five
Episode 1 The Cutie Map - Part 1	Episode 2 The Cutie Map - Part 2	Episode 3 Castle Sweet Castle	Episode 4 Bloom & Gloom
Episode 5 Tanks for the Memories	Episode 6 Appleoosa's Most Wanted	Episode 7 Make New Friends but Keep Discord	Episode 8 The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone
Episode 9 Slice of Life	Episode 10 Princess Spike	Episode 11 Party Pooped	Episode 12 Amending Fences
Episode 13 Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?	Episode 14 Canterlot Boutique	Episode 15 Rarity Investigates!	Episode 16 Made in Manehattan
Episode 17 Brotherhooves Social	Episode 18 Crusaders of the Lost Mark	Episode 19 The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows	Episode 20 Hearthbreakers
Episode 21 Scare Master	Episode 22 What About Discord?	Episode 23 The Hooffields and McColts	Episode 24 The Mane Attraction
	Episode 25 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 1	Episode 26 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 2

Season six
Episode 1 The Crystalling - Part 1	Episode 2 The Crystalling - Part 2	Episode 3 The Gift of the Maud Pie	Episode 4 On Your Marks
Episode 5 Gauntlet of Fire	Episode 6 No Second Prances	Episode 7 Newbie Dash	Episode 8 A Hearth's Warming Tail
Episode 9 The Saddle Row Review	Episode 10 Applejack's "Day" Off	Episode 11 Flutter Brutter	Episode 12 Spice Up Your Life
Episode 13 Stranger Than Fan Fiction	Episode 14 The Cart Before the Ponies	Episode 15 28 Pranks Later	Episode 16 The Times They Are A Changeling
Episode 17 Dungeons & Discords	Episode 18 Buckball Season	Episode 19 The Fault in Our Cutie Marks	Episode 20 Viva Las Pegasus
Episode 21 Every Little Thing She Does	Episode 22 P.P.O.V. (Pony Point of View)	Episode 23 Where the Apple Lies	Episode 24 Top Bolt
	Episode 25 To Where and Back Again - Part 1	Episode 26 To Where and Back Again - Part 2

Season seven
Episode 1 Celestial Advice	Episode 2 All Bottled Up	Episode 3 A Flurry of Emotions	Episode 4 Rock Solid Friendship
Episode 5 Fluttershy Leans In	Episode 6 Forever Filly	Episode 7 Parental Glideance	Episode 8 Hard to Say Anything
Episode 9 Honest Apple	Episode 10 A Royal Problem	Episode 11 Not Asking for Trouble	Episode 12 Discordant Harmony
Episode 13 The Perfect Pear	Episode 14 Fame and Misfortune	Episode 15 Triple Threat	Episode 16 Campfire Tales
Episode 17 To Change a Changeling	Episode 18 Daring Done?	Episode 19 It Isn't the Mane Thing About You	Episode 20 A Health of Information
Episode 21 Marks and Recreation	Episode 22 Once Upon a Zeppelin	Episode 23 Secrets and Pies	Episode 24 Uncommon Bond
	Episode 25 Shadow Play - Part 1	Episode 26 Shadow Play - Part 2

Season eight
Episode 1 School Daze - Part 1	Episode 2 School Daze - Part 2	Episode 3 The Maud Couple	Episode 4 Fake It 'Til You Make It
Episode 5 Grannies Gone Wild	Episode 6 Surf and/or Turf	Episode 7 Horse Play	Episode 8 The Parent Map
Episode 9 Non-Compete Clause	Episode 10 The Break Up Break Down	Episode 11 Molt Down	Episode 12 Marks for Effort
Episode 13 The Mean 6	Episode 14 Yakity-Sax	Episode 15 The Hearth's Warming Club	Episode 16 Friendship University
Episode 17 The End in Friend	Episode 18	Episode 19	Episode 20
Episode 21	Episode 22	Episode 23	Episode 24
	Episode 25	Episode 26

Feature films
Equestria Girls	Rainbow Rocks	Friendship Games	Legend of Everfree
My Little Pony The Movie

Equestria Girls specials
Dance Magic	Movie Magic	Mirror Magic	Forgotten Friendship

Animated shorts
Rainbow Rocks shorts	Friendship Games shorts	Summertime Shorts	Equestria Girls: Better Together
Equestria Girls: Choose Your Own Ending	Equestria Girls Minis	Baby Flurry Heart's Heartfelt Scrapbook	Rarity's Peek Behind the Boutique
Fundamentals of Magic