History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E9SweetAndElite

* AbsenteeActor: Spike is the only main character to not appear. This is {{lampshaded}} in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E21DragonQuest Dragon Quest]]", where we see a photograph taken, presumably, at the birthday party Twilight threw in this episode -- a cut-out of Spike is taped into an empty space.

** They liked Rarity’s hate, until it was revealed she made it. The fact that Canterlot Elite didn’t seem to care about the whole “saving the world” thing could suggest they value reputation among deeds. Thus, they wouldn’t care about any of Rainbow Dash’s accomplishments. They would however care if she was in a prestigious position like being the Wonderbolts Trainer.

* INeedAFreakingDrink: Rarity downs a [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar presumably nonalcoholic]] punch when her friends embarrass her at the fancy garden party.

* {{Adorkable}}:
** [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51Dppe1lXKk/Tt0yYSYEawI/AAAAAAAAWuw/477oAysUlyk/s1600/93908+-+adorkable+animated+dancing+twilight_sparkle.gif Twilight's dancing]].
** Also, Hayseed Turniptruck, as if his introduction didn't show it enough.
** Rarity in beatnik style!
** Derpy wearing a pearl necklace with her paper bag costume from Nightmare Night.
** Twilight wildly swinging a piñata stick around, far from any piñatas.

* GoLookAtTheDistraction: Used almost word for word by Rarity when she tries to prevent Fancypants from being told by Twilight that she made Twilight's dress.
-->'''Rarity:''' Fancy Pants! Come with me, I'd like to show you... uh, this thing that's over there, on the other side of the room.

** Canterlot society seems to require these, at least some of the time. Particularly noticeable during the horse racing event, where there is exactly one pony (out of dozens) that ''isn't'' wearing a hat. It could be an AffectionateParody of Triple Crown horse racing events, where ridiculously fancy [[NiceHat Nice Hats]] are a staple. Which adds to the VisualPun of Fancypants's cutie mark being three crowns. The scene also works as a shout out to the Ascot Opening Day scene in ''My Fair Lady''

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: The pink-maned unicorn mare (Fleur dis Lee) that hangs around Fancypants resembles Creator/BrigitteBardot. She even has a triple FleurDeLis cutie mark!

* FriendOrIdolDecision: Rarity has to decide whether to spend time with the upper-class ponies in Canterlot or make a dress for and attend Twilight's birthday party back home. She ends up choosing her friends, but things work out for her in both ways, keeping her connections in Canterlot thanks to Fancypants.

* ThreeDEffectsTwoDCartoon: When Rarity imagines herself sitting in the VIP box with Fancy Pants.

* AbnormalAmmo: Pinkie Pie's Party Cannon, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a cannon that shoots parties]].

* ConspicuousCG: When Rarity imagines herself sitting in the VIP box with Fancy Pants.

* HumblePie: Jet Set and Uppercrust get this thanks to Fancypants on two occasions. First by him taking Rarity into his reserved balcony seat at the races, right in front of them, and second, when he endorses Rarity and her friends, who'd they'd ''just spoke down to'', forcing them to suck it up and praise her.

* BowtiesAreCool: Fancypants wears one with his tailcoat throughout the episode.

* HilariousInHindsight: [[{{Jerkass}} Jet Set and Upper Crust]] laugh at the idea of Rarity's friends being "important ponies." A couple seasons later, one of those same friends will be ''[[spoiler: an allicorn princess]]'' and indisputably one of the most important ponies in Equestria.

* StealthPun: Rarity spends [[ADayAtTheRaces a day at the races]] and [[Film/ANightAtTheOpera a night at the opera]].

* GenreSavvy: Although she doesn't outright state it, Rainbow Dash immediately picks up on Rarity's two-timing, confronting her about her fancy attire and having the most blatant "oh really?" expressions when she behaves strangely. Rainbow probably suspected her from the moment the letter arrived about Opal.

* OrphanedPunchline: The ending of Rarity's story
-->'''Rarity:''' ...And then I said, "Puh-lease, that isn't a hat, darling, that's a natural disaster that somehow landed atop your head!"

'''Rarity:''' ''[while kissing Celestia's hooves]'' Oh, but it isn't nothing, it's everything! I, I just don't know what to say but thank you, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!\\

-> Written by Meghan [=McCarthy=]

The Mane Six proceed to the royal castle, as Princess Celestia has graciously loaned the main ballroom for Twilight's party. Fortunately for Rarity, the Garden Party is just outside, so she starts [[TwoTimerDate rapidly switching between the two events]]. After Rarity accidentally brings in a croquet mallet from outside, Twilight discovers that she's been sneaking out, then compliments Rarity for using the opportunity to sell her designs to the Canterlot elite. Not only do Rarity's friends let her go to the Garden Party…

[[OhCrap …but they invite themselves to come along.]]

!!Tropes present in this episode (YMMV tropes can be found [[YMMV/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E9SweetAndElite here]]):

* AbsenteeActor: Spike is the only main character to not appear. This is {{lampshaded}} in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E21DragonQuest Dragon Quest]]", where we see a photograph taken, presumably, at the birthday party Twilight threw in this episode - a cut-out of Spike is taped into an empty space.

* {{Adorkable}}

* AffectionateGestureToTheHead

* ButtMonkey

-->'''Pinkie:''' Swoosh! And right before she hit the ground, shoom! She... hi again!

-->'''Mane 5:''' ''[to Rarity]'' [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E1MareInTheMoon Surprise!]]

* GenreSavvy
** Although she doesn't outright state it, Rainbow Dash immediately picks up on Rarity's two-timing, confronting her about her fancy attire and having the most blatant "oh really?" expressions when she behaves strangely. Rainbow probably suspected her from the moment the letter arrived about Opal.

* INeedToGoIronMyDog

-->'''Rarity:''' ''[exasperated]'' I have to...to go to the--to the [[BuffySpeak thing with the stuff, you know...]]

* LiarRevealed: Averted. Rarity lies about Opal being sick, but no one ever finds out the truth.

* TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask: During the teaser, Princess Celestia clearly thinks that letting Rarity stay in the castle is no big deal, and looks severely uncomfortable when Rarity starts kissing her hooves. The two share an embarrassed smile at the end of the episode when the porter collapses under the weight of Rarity's luggage.

* NiceHat

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: The pink-maned unicorn mare (Fleur-De-Lis) that hangs around Fancypants resembles Creator/BrigitteBardot. She even has a triple Fleur-De-Lis cutie mark!

* OffModel: There is a 'blink-and-you'll-miss-it' moment where the earth pony Rarity is talking to suddenly gains a horn for the sake of a gag. It's during 'Becoming Popular' and Rarity is choosing the desserts.

-->Rarity: ...And then I said, "Puh-lease, that isn't a hat, darling, that's a natural disaster that somehow landed atop your head!"

* ParentalBonus: In the museum shot during the song, at least two of the paintings are inspired by real-world artists, Pablo Picasso and Creator/SalvadorDali (more specifically, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Persistence_of_Memory "The Persistence of Memory"]]). Rarity is also dressed like Music/{{Yoko Ono}}.

* ShoutOut

** The comically abused bellhop is very reminiscent of Creator/JerryLewis' equally comically abused bellhop in the movie "The Bell Boy".

** "Becoming Popular" is similar in style to {{Music/Madonna}}'s early-mid 80's songs.

* SimpleYetAwesome: Twilight likes Rarity's unfinished dress ''because'' it is plain and practical.

* {{Squee}}: Similar to [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E20GreenIsntYourColor "Green Isn't Your Color"]], Rarity seems very calm about meeting with Fancypants, then she squees and giggles like a fangirl. (Which she probably was, already.)

* ThrowTheDogABone: This episode sees three Mane Characters get at least some portion of what they wanted out of last year's Gala. Rarity is accepted into the Canterlot elite, Fluttershy gets to play with the animals in the palace garden, and Pinkie Pie attends (indeed, ''hosts'') a party, Pinkie-Pie-style, in the palace ballroom, ''and'' gets to crash the garden party. The Canterlot ponies are unimpressed, but Pinkie actually seems to enjoy herself this time (probably because her best friends were there). Rarity also meets a high society pony who actually behaves like a proper gentleman towards her as well, what she expected from Prince Blueblood but [[PrinceCharmless never got]]. [[ButtMonkey Twilight]] actually gets to have a fun birthday party despite being neglected by Rarity.

-->''See how they hang on every word that I speak\\

* HorseRacing: Well, actually, it's Pegasus racing, but you get the idea.

* StealthPun: Rarity spends [[ADayAtTheRaces a day at the races]] and [[ANightAtTheOpera a night at the opera]].

** Rarity's behavior at the Wonderbolts Derby is similar (though not as extreme) as Audrey Hepburn's character in ''MyFairLady''.

* NonStandardCharacterDesign: The "lovely unicorn" (Fleur-De-Lis) with Fancypants by WordOfGod uses a [[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83737&view=findpost&p=1960744 modified Luna model]]. Probably no coincidence the coloring matches Celestia.

** "Becoming Popular" is similar in style to {{Madonna}}'s early-mid 80's songs.

%%* DeathGlare: From Opalescence to Rarity.

* [[HoistByHisOwnPetard Hoist by Their Own Petard]]: By asserting that they wouldn't be caught dead wearing Ponyville fashion, Jet Set and Upper Crust start a chain of events that ultimately forces them to want Ponyville fashion for themselves to save face.

* [[IKissYourFoot I Kiss Your Hoof]]: Rarity is ''very'' grateful over Princess Celestia having a suite to spare. Not only does Celestia show a bit annoyance with Rarity practically insisting on it, when Rarity is at it, we see Celestia roll her eyes just hoping that SOMETHING will divert her attention.

* [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask The Mare Wearing the Princessly Mask]]: During the teaser, Princess Celestia clearly thinks that letting Rarity stay in the castle is no big deal, and looks severely uncomfortable when Rarity starts kissing her hooves. The two share an embarrassed smile at the end of the episode when the porter collapses under the weight of Rarity's luggage.

* [[NoblewomansLaugh Noblemare's Laugh]]: Expect to hear this whenever the elite are around.

* [[YesMan Yes-Pony]]