The Ticket Master
Season №:	1
Season episode №:	3
Overall episode №:	3
Original airdate:	October 29, 2010
Written by:	Amy Keating Rogers & Lauren Faust
Storyboard:	Alex Basio & Kevin Schimdt[1]
Song(s):	Pinkie's Gala Fantasy Song The Ticket Song
See also
transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation
Episode guide
Previous Friendship is Magic, part 2	Next Applebuck Season

The Ticket Master is the third episode of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, season one. In this episode, Twilight Sparkle receives two tickets from Princess Celestia to the Grand Galloping Gala, an exclusive event hosted by Princess Celestia herself. This leads to arguments among Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy, who all want to go with Twilight's extra ticket. The ponies' reasons in this episode form the basis of the plot for the episode The Best Night Ever.

Contents 1 Production and merchandise 2 Summary 2.1 Twilight receives the tickets 2.2 Favors 2.3 Back in the library 3 Quotes 4 Gallery 5 References 6 Comments

Production and merchandiseEdit

Lauren Faust originally wrote this episode at 11 minutes long, before the show had been put in production by Hasbro. Amy Keating Rogers later came in and helped Faust flesh it out to a full 22 minutes, which is why both Rogers and Faust receive writing credit.^[2] The first My MLP season 1 scenes video features shots of Big McIntosh reacting happily to the new plow and subsequently pulling it through the field during Applejack's Gala fantasy, which aren't included in the final version of the episode. When asked about these shots on Twitter, Amy Keating Rogers stated that they weren't in the script and guessed that they were in the storyboard.^[3]

This episode appears in a DVD distributed by Hasbro in multiple countries. Consequently, many of the show's language dubs were introduced via The Ticket Master, instead of the first episode. Clips from this episode were also recycled and used out of context in the iOS app Twilight Sparkle: Teacher for a Day and its Ruckus Reader version Twilight Sparkle's Special Lesson. The clips used were the scene where Spike burps out the letter from Princess Celestia from the start of the episode, part of Rainbow Dash's Imagine Spot where she joins The Wonderbolts and flies with them (with Rainbow Dash airbrushed out of the clip), and the ending where Twilight returns the tickets.

SummaryEdit

Twilight receives the ticketsEdit

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack are walking back to the barn after a morning of harvesting apples. Spike is sitting on Twilight's back, looking for the perfect apple to eat. Through Spike, Twilight receives a letter from Princess Celestia. They read the letter and learn that the "Grand Galloping Gala" will be held in Canterlot on the 21st. Moments later, two tickets arrive from the Princess, one for Twilight and one for a guest of her choice and Twilight and Applejack react with excitement. Spike, however, shows little interest in the event, commenting that the gala was too "girly" for his tastes. Applejack, on the other hand, says she'd love to go, describing how she would sell apple products at the gala to raise money for the farm. She envisions refurbishing the rusty old barn roof, replacing Big McIntosh's rusty old plow with a new one, and buying a replacement hip for Granny Smith.

Twilight starts to ask Applejack if she'd like to go with her, but is interrupted by Rainbow Dash, who crashes in between them. Dash tells Twilight that The Wonderbolts perform at the Gala every year, and goes on describing how she will dazzle The Wonderbolts and the crowd with her own flying tricks hoping that they will scout her for the team. When she asks for the ticket, Applejack challenges her to a hoof-wrestle for the extra ticket until Twilight separates them, saying she will give the ticket to the pony who has the best reason. Applejack argues she could support her family, while Rainbow Dash wants to make her dream come true. Twilight, whose stomach is rumbling, promises to mull over it during lunch.

"Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!
Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!
'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever in the whole galaxy!"

— Pinkie's Gala Fantasy Song

When Twilight enters Ponyville, Pinkie Pie discovers the tickets and becomes excited, automatically assuming that the tickets are for her and Twilight. Rarity and Fluttershy soon learn about the tickets and also wish to attend. Rarity dreams of a Cinderella-style fantasy, ending with her picture-perfect marriage to Princess Celestia's "nephew". With some encouragement from her rabbit friend Angel, Fluttershy admits that she is not particularly interested in the party itself, but wants to visit the flower and wildlife-filled private gardens outside the castle.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack show up, and an argument commences over who should get the spare ticket. Twilight breaks it up, reminding them that because she is the one who was given the tickets, it is her decision, and promises that she will figure it out. Hoping it will be easier to think when she isn't hungry, Twilight and Spike leave the other five to get food.

FavorsEdit

While Twilight agonizes over her decision, each of her friends begin doing favors for her, with varying degrees of subtlety, in an effort to make her decide in her favor. While eating at Ponyville's café, it begins to rain. However none of the rain seemed to be hitting her. She looks up to see that Rainbow Dash left a hole in the rainstorm cloud to keep her dry. Twilight refuses this favor and tells her to close it. Dash complies, drenching Twilight, Spike, and the lunch. Rarity then takes her in, giving her and Spike a makeover, which Twilight does not appreciate. After leaving the Carousel Boutique, Applejack tempts her with desserts. Twilight refuses in spite of her hunger and returns to the library, only to discover Fluttershy and her animal friends cleaning her house (the idea coming from her rabbit friend, Angel). When Twilight tries to force her friend to leave, Pinkie sings another song while tossing Twilight in the air. The starving unicorn refuses all their favors, insisting on making an unbiased decision.

The situation becomes chaotic when Pinkie inadvertently informs the whole town about the extra ticket. Practically everyone starts trying to do favors for Twilight. She and Spike run off and a chase ensues. Finally cornered by the mob, she inadvertently teleports both of them back to the library, leaving Spike slightly charred.

Back in the libraryEdit

Back in her library, Twilight discovers her friends already waiting there and breaks down, telling them she doesn't want to disappoint anyone. The five ponies apologize after realizing how much stress they put their friend through for a ticket. After every other pony forfeits their claim to the ticket, Rainbow Dash celebrates winning the ticket by default, but, after a glare from the others, gives it up as well.

Twilight, after relaying her report to Princess Celestia on how one's blessing can affect friendship, decides to return both the tickets, saying that she'd rather not go at all than leave out any of her friends. A swift reply from Celestia comes moments later, containing six tickets, saying Twilight should have just asked for more in the first place. All of the ponies are now happy to go together, instead of having to fight over just one vacancy. After they leave, an extra ticket is delivered to Spike, and he gleefully joins the ponies. He is slightly embarrassed when Applejack sees him, but she just chuckles and lets him go on his way.

QuotesEdit

For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.

Rarity: I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder: "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I'll cause such a sensation, that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself. And the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance, that she would introduce me... to him... her nephew! The most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet... Our hearts would melt... Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say... YES! We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess which is... what I would become upon marrying him... The stallion of my dreams! Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party... and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you?!

Twilight Sparkle: Quiiiet!

Pinkie Pie: And then I said "Oatmeal? Are you craz–"

Spike: Do you have any rubies? ...No? OK. I'll have the hay fries. Extra crispy!

Rarity: Twilight, it's raining.

Twilight Sparkle: No, really?

Rarity: We will be the belles of ball, you and I. Everyone will be clamoring for our attention. All eyes will be on us! And then everyone will finally know the most beautiful, most talented, the most sophisticated pony in all Equestria is Rarity the unicorn! ... And Twilight Sparkle, of course.

Applejack: I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumbles, annnd Apple Brown Betty! Uh, the dessert, not my auntie...

Fluttershy: Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you.

Twilight Sparkle: It's summer.

Fluttershy: Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea.

Twilight Sparkle: You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?

Fluttershy: Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right Angel? Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket.

Twilight Sparkle: PINKIEEEEEEEE!!!

Pinkie Pie: Yes, Twilight?

Twilight Sparkle: At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket.

GalleryEdit

The Ticket Master image gallery

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ Raven Molisee's deviantART journal (2012-02-23). Retrieved on 2012 February 23.
2. ↑ Amy Keating Rogers Interview. Retrieved on 2012 March 26.
3. ↑ Amy Keating Rogers on Twitter (2012-08-12). Retrieved on 2012 August 16.

v • e My Little Pony Friendship is Magic — episodes

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