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"A Hearth's Warming Tail" is the third Christmas episode of the animated series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, produced and aired in the show's sixth season. Its plot is based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It premiered on Discovery Family on May 14, 2016.

Synopsis[]

HearthsWarmingTail

The episode opens in Ponyville as all the ponies are decorating the town and Castle of Friendship for Hearth's Warming. Twilight Sparkle, in particular, is excited for the recently-reformed Starlight Glimmer to celebrate her first Hearth's Warming Eve in Ponyville. However, Starlight feels that she would rather skip the holiday, saying she considers it to "just [be] an excuse for silly songs and fun". When Twilight tries to explain the holiday's importance, Starlight says she already knows the story of how Earth ponies, Pegasi, and unicorns came together to vanquish the windigos (as elaborated upon in "Hearth's Warming Eve"). Therefore, Twilight instead decides to tell her favorite holiday story - A Hearth's Warming Tale.

The story is about Snowfall Frost (portrayed by Starlight Glimmer), a powerful, yet bitter, unicorn who hates Hearth's Warming Eve and values studying and magic above all else. Accompanied only by her assistant Snowdash (Rainbow Dash), she lives in her Canterlot home applying her knowledge to the betterment of Equestria. She views Hearth's Warming as a "menace" and doubts the holiday's origins and believes singing songs and being nice are a waste of time. After she unwittingly excuses Snowdash to leave early and enjoy the holiday with her friends, Snowfall voices her disgust and desire to skip Hearth's Warming altogether, so she gathers some ingredients and prepares a magic spell to erase the holiday from existence.

But before Snowfall can cast her spell, she gets a visit from the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past (Applejack), who takes her back in time, explaining that every choice one makes in life has its consequences, no matter how small. In the past, Snowfall sees her younger, happier self celebrating Hearth's Warming Eve. However, when her magic instructor, Professor Flintheart, finds her decorating the classroom, he voices his displeasure and tells her that she forget about ever having fun and focus entirely on hard work and studying. The younger Snowfall takes his advice to heart and changes her point of view, thus sowing the seeds that cause her to grow up to be the pony she is now.

Upon returning to her house, Snowfall then encounters the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents (Pinkie Pie), who takes her on a tour through present-day Canterlot and shows her all the joy that the present has to offer. At Snowdash's home, Snowfall sees a party being enjoyed by everyone in town, where she also overhears Snowdash and her friends talking about her behind her back. The spirit then tells Snowfall that this will be the last Hearth's Warming Eve party Equestria ever has and then vanishes before Snowfall can ask what she means.

Finally, Snowfall Frost encounters the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come (Princess Luna), who says to her that there are no more Hearth's Warming Eves to show, showing her a future where she succeeds in erasing Hearth's Warming Eve from existence. In this bleak vision, Equestria is in ruins, blanketed in deep snow, and plagued by windigos. Realizing the cold nightmare of a future, that she could potentially create, Snowfall finally understands the holiday's importance and pleads to the spirit to tell her if these events can be changed. Upon that, Snowfall is returned to her home and finds that there is indeed still time for her to make amends and change the future. She goes to Snowdash's party bearing gifts and a new appreciation for Hearth's Warming Eve, and the ponies openly welcome her.

Upon finishing the story, Twilight excuses herself to join the party downstairs and tells Starlight Glimmer that she can join if she wants to. A short while later, Starlight accepts Twilight's invitation and joins the party as well, learning to let go of the past and enjoy the present.

Songs[]

Trivia[]

  • Due to the condensed story, the roles of several Christmas Carol characters are combined: the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past fulfills Jacob Marley's role of foreshadowing the other spirits, and Snowdash (Bob Cratchit) attends a holiday party much like Fred.
    • An earlier draft of the episode called Discord to play the role of Marley, but the scene was cut for time.
  • Professor Flintheart resembles Harry Potter character Severus Snape, as portrayed by Alan Rickman in the film adaptations.
  • A Tiny Tim-esque character makes a brief, non-speaking appearance portrayed by Featherweight.

Availability[]

The episode was made available (along with the show's previous Christmas episode, "Hearthbreakers") on the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts DVD, released on October 3, 2017 by Shout! Factory. It was also included on the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: The Complete Season 6 DVD, released on November 7th.

Cast[]

Voice actor Character
Kelly Sheridan Starlight Glimmer / Snowfall Frost
Tara Strong Twilight Sparkle (speaking)
Ashleigh Ball Rainbow Dash / Snowdash
Applejack / Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past
Andrea Libman Pinkie Pie / Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents (speaking)
Fluttershy / Flutterholly
Tabitha St. Germain Princess Luna / Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come (speaking)
Rarity / Merry (speaking)
Cathy Weseluck Spike
William Samples Professor Flintheart
Kazumi Evans Rarity (singing)
Shannon Chan-Kent Pinkie Pie (singing)
Aloma Steele Princess Luna (singing)
Rebecca Shoichet Twilight Sparkle (singing)

See also[]

External links[]

WildBrain
WildBrain Spark "Christmas Tree" • "Twinkle's Wish" • A Holly Johnny Christmas • "Christmas" (Yo Gabba Gabba!) • "A Very Awesome Christmas" • Yo Gabba Gabba!: A Very Awesome Live Holiday Show! • "SheZon's Greetings" • Dorg and the Christmas Fairy • "Johnny's Holiday Light Fight" • "Christmas at Malory Towers"
Studio B Productions Snowden: Raggedy Ann & Andy's Adventure • "Joy to Yvon" • "Snow Biz" • The Legend of Frosty the SnowmanTis the Season for RevengeSecret Santa • "Jungle Bells" / "Goat of Christmas Presents" • "Sleighs of Hazard" • "Jingle Cans" • The Side Show Christmas • "Kid vs. Kat vs. Christmas" • "Fangs for the Memories" • "Hearth's Warming Eve" • "I Heard the Barks on Christmas Day" • "Christmas Evil" • "Hearthbreakers" • "Charles Dickens" • "A Hearth's Warming Tail" • "Robert Edwin Peary" • "The Hearth's Warming Club" • My Little Pony: Best Gift EverMy Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Holidays Unwrapped
CINAR / Cookie Jar Entertainment "The Dogs' Christmas" • Madeline's Christmas • "The Real Story of O Christmas Tree" • "Thomas' Snowsuit" • "50 Below Zero" • "A Gift of Munsch" • "The Night Before Christmas" • "The Perfect Christmas" • "The Best Christmas Present Ever" • "Abe and Babe's Christmas Lesson" • "Sally Cat's Christmas Dream" • "The Big Apple Christmas Caper" • "Santa Needs Help" • "All I Want for Christmouse" • "Christmas Star" • "Snowmobile to Panic" • Arthur's Perfect Christmas • "Caillou's Christmas" • Caillou's Holiday MovieGotta Catch Santa ClausThe Velveteen Rabbit • "A Holly Johnny Christmas" • "That's Swellaphant!" • "Caillou’s Perfect Christmas"
DiC Entertainment "Christmas Memories" • "North Pole Cat" • "Xmas Marks the Spot" • "There's No Such Thing as Stego-Claws" • "The Year Scroogenip Swiped Christmas" • "Koopa Klaus" • "Santa Claus is Coming to Flatbush" • "Merry Christmas, Mr. Carroll" • "Christmas in July" • "The Night Before Cave Christmas" • A Christmas Adventure • "Merry Christmas, Super Dave!" • Inspector Gadget Saves ChristmasA Hollywood Hounds Christmas • "Do Not Reboot 'Til Christmas" • "Kilo Is Coming to Town" • "It's a Gorganus Life" • "Madeline at the North Pole" • "Just Like Old Times" • Twas the Night Before BumpyJingle Bell RockSonic Christmas BlastThe Adventures of SnowdenA Christmas Carol • "Holiday on Ice" • "A Gadget Boy Christmas Around the World" • "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" • "Witchmas Carole" • "The Christmas Phantom" • "Across the Delaware" • "Berry Merry Christmas" • "Santa Claw" • "The Claw Who Stole Christmas"
Ragdoll Productions "Magical Lights" • "Christmas Tree" • "Making Christmas Cards" • "Crackers" • "Christmas Carols" • "The Perfect Tree"
Decode Entertainment "Santa Sword is Coming to Town" • "Secret Santa" • "Last Day of Christmas" • "A Very Sadie Christmas" • "His Master's Choice" • "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" • "The Nutcracker" • "The Happy Holidays Issue" • "How to Make a Christmas Miracle" • "Lobster Claus is Coming to Town"
Halifax Films "Bob's Broken Sleigh" • "A Wish World Christmas"
Iconix Brand Group A Charlie Brown Christmas • "The Play" • It's Christmastime Again, Charlie BrownCharlie Brown's Christmas Tales • "Berry Merry Christmas" • I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown • "Dear Santa Claus" • "Happy First Frost" • "Christmas is Coming" • "Christmas is on Its Way" • "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown" • "Berry Merry Melody" • "Lemon's Name in Lights" • "Happiness is the Gift of Giving" • "Mission Unfrostable" • "Happiness Is Holiday Traditions"
FilmFair "Paddington's Christmas" • "Paddington and the Christmas Shopping" • "Christmas in Fabuland" • "Huxley Pig's Cinderella"
Nerd Corps Entertainment "A Christmas Wish" • "Monster Machine Christmas" • Lego Friends: Holiday Special • "Happy Sniffmas" • "A Blazing Amazing Christmas"
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