Keep Calm and Flutter On

{{Infobox television episode | title = | series = [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]] | image = | image_alt = | caption = | season = 3 | episode = 10 | director = * [[James Wootton (animator)|James Wootton]] * [[Jayson Thiessen]] (supervising) | teleplay = [[Dave Polsky]] | story = Teddy Antonio | music = | airdate = {{start date|2013|1|19}} | length = 22 minutes | guests = [[John de Lancie]] as [[Discord (My Little Pony)|Discord]] | prev = [[Spike at Your Service]] | next = [[Just for Sidekicks]] | season_article = My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (season 3) | episode_list = List of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic episodes }} "'''Keep Calm and Flutter On'''" is the tenth episode of [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic season 3|the third season]] of [[animated series|animated]] television series ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' as well as the sixty-second overall. It aired on January 19, 2013. The episode features [[Fluttershy]] attempting to reform [[Discord (My Little Pony)|Discord]] while the rest of the [[Mane Six]]—[[Twilight Sparkle]], [[Applejack (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)|Applejack]], [[Rarity (My Little Pony)|Rarity]], [[Rainbow Dash]], and [[Pinkie Pie]]—remains ambivalent on whether he can be good. The episode was highly anticipated and garnered positive reviews from critics, who found it funny and entertaining.

== Plot == {{External media |headerimage=[[File:YouTube 2024.svg|alt=YouTube logo|x20px|center]] |video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdoWrz49atk Keep Calm and Flutter On (full episode)] — Official upload of the episode onto [[YouTube]] | float= left| }} {{My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic sidebar}} [[Princess Celestia]] orders [[Twilight Sparkle]] and her friends to release and reform [[Discord (My Little Pony)|Discord]], believing [[Fluttershy]] will know how to do it best. While the rest of her friends are doubtful at the thought, Fluttershy remains calm and attempts to befriend Discord. When the others discover that Discord created chaos behind their backs, they demand Fluttershy to use her [[Element of Harmony]] to return him to stone, but she stands firm and promises not to use her Element against him as a sign of their newfound friendship. When Discord refuses to relent, she angrily walks away, still refusing to use her Element against him, but also ending their friendship. Realizing he never had a friend before in his life, a remorseful Discord realizes that he truly does value Fluttershy's friendship and does not want to lose it. With this revelation, Discord reverts his chaos and regains Fluttershy's trust, voluntarily offering to permanently use his powers, much to the others and Celestia's delight.

== Background == In the episode, Discord makes his first appearance since his debut in "[[The Return of Harmony]]", though he was not intended to be a recurring character.<ref name="Busis">{{cite web |last1=Busis |first1=Hillary |title='My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic': Discord returns |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/01/18/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-discord |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=September 16, 2021 |language=en |date=January 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916063640/https://ew.com/article/2013/01/18/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-discord/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Begin |first1=Mary Jane |title=My Little Pony: The Art of Equestria |date=October 13, 2015 |publisher=[[Abrams Books]] |isbn=978-1-4197-1577-8 |page=96}}</ref> "Keep Calm and Flutter On" was a highly anticipated episode because of the return of Discord and the fact Fluttershy would be attempting to reform him.<ref name="Alvarez">{{cite web |last1=Alvarez |first1=Daniel |title=My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 'Keep Calm and Flutter On' Review |url=http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/news/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-keep-calm-and-flutter-on-review/41086 |website=Unleash The Fanboy |access-date=September 16, 2021 |date=January 20, 2013 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728123850/http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/news/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-keep-calm-and-flutter-on-review/41086 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Broadcast and reception == The episode aired on January 19, 2013, on [[Discovery Family|The Hub]]. Daniel Alvarez of ''Unleash the Fanboy'' gave "Keep Calm and Flutter On" four and a half out of five stars, calling it a "very entertaining episode".<ref name="Alvarez" /> He praised Fluttershy and Discord's portrayals and the moral—that the most evil can become good when they see friendship is magic. However, he found that the show "lost its greatest villain", though he expressed interest in what would happen afterwards.<ref name="Alvarez" /> ''The Awkward Reviews'' graded the episode "B+" for its entertainment in dialogue and Fluttershy's character as well as the comedy. Negative aspects cited included the reduced amount of chaos, continuity issues, and the fact Discord might be tricking the ponies.<ref name="Awkward">{{cite web |title=M.L.P Review- S3ep10- Keep Calm and Flutter On |url=https://theawkwardreviews.com/2013/11/15/m-l-p-review-s3ep10-keep-calm-and-flutter-on |website=The Awkward Reviews |access-date=September 16, 2021 |language=en |date=November 15, 2013 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916112550/https://theawkwardreviews.com/2013/11/15/m-l-p-review-s3ep10-keep-calm-and-flutter-on/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Wrap'' ranked it the tenth best episode of the series.<ref name="Jungleguts">{{cite web |last1=Jungleguts |first1=Johnnie |title=Top 10 'My Little Pony' Episodes, Ranked (Photos) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/my-little-pony-episodes-ranked-photos |website=[[TheWrap]] |access-date=September 16, 2021 |date=October 7, 2017 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720075122/https://www.thewrap.com/my-little-pony-episodes-ranked-photos/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb episode|2516582}}

{{My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic episodes|3|state=expanded}}

[[Category:My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic episodes]] [[Category:2013 American television episodes]] [[Category:2013 Canadian television episodes]]