The Last Crusade (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)

Did You Know?

• The episode aired during PRIDE Week in the United States.
• Prior to its US airing, the episode aired in Europe.
• In Canada, it aired on Treehouse TV on June 23, 2019.

Plot

The Cutie Mark Crusaders—Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo—are at Scootaloo's house when she receives a postcard announcing that her parents, Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood, are coming home. Snap and Mane travel widely studying exotic wildlife, and Scootaloo is often cared for by her aunts Holiday and Lofty. Initially excited, Scootaloo becomes dismayed when her parents reveal plans to take her with them as they relocate to Shire Lanka. The Crusaders devise several strategies to keep Scootaloo in Ponyville: they create a fake beast for her parents to study, but Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle fall out of the costume; they try to show their inseparable bond through near-identical cutie marks, but Snap notices differences; they bind themselves with magic but find walking difficult; and they chain themselves to the house's "For Sale" sign, which is quickly moved. Eventually, the Crusaders take a train to Holiday and Lofty's houses, as a trip to Shire Lanka is available only once a month, meaning her parents must leave without her or miss the train. During the visit, they help Lofty overcome a creative block, inspiring a Crusaders-themed quilt. Upon returning, Scootaloo brings her parents to a town-wide celebration of the Crusaders. Snap and Mane allow Scootaloo to stay in Ponyville, recognizing her work with the group, and Holiday and Lofty decide to move to Ponyville to care for her.

Background

"The Last Crusade" holds the distinction of being the first episode of Friendship Is Magic to include openly homosexual characters, specifically the lesbian couple Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty. These two were originally introduced in the book Ponyville Mysteries: Riddle of the Rusty Horseshoe. Writer and producer Michael Vogel initially dismissed speculation that the characters were sisters, which led fans to view them as a romantic pair; he later described them as a "cute couple." The idea to bring a lesbian couple into the series came from Vogel and showrunner Nicole Dubuc, and Hasbro gave their approval. According to Hasbro's Julie Duffy, after showcasing diverse family structures throughout the show's nine seasons, the goal was to allow children and fans of all backgrounds to see themselves in the characters and learn from their experiences.

Reception

Yahoo! reported that many commended the show for its inclusivity. Romper listed Friendship Is Magic among "20 Amazing Shows With LGBTQ+ Characters To Watch With Your Kids" because of Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty. The Globe and Mail featured the show as a parents' pick in "family programs that showcase LGBTQ+ representation." Jackie Blackmore, who voices Aunt Holiday, said she received an "explosion of love" from fans, including artworks. Australian conservative political activist Lyle Shelton objected to the decision on Twitter, stating: "It's a brave new world folks & we need to push back while we can. Sitting outside politics is no longer an option for conservatives."