Whitehawke

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/12/shining-armor-confirmed.html Looks like Shining armor is confirmed, and most likely Princess Cadence too (Which means we now officially have a third alicorn.) This also means confirmed costumes (hopefully).

Two more screencaps.

I think it's all about their portmanteau name, "Twixie". Speaking from a personality point though, Trixie/Twilight would both have to completely break character to fall for each other instantly.As for what I think of shipping: -Some pieces of art can be cute. Others...not so much. So, for the most part, no difference from any other type of art. -I've never read a single shipping fiction that I've really liked: most are just junk/mediocre, some would work better as a normal fiction (meaning the relationship was forced) and those that manage to deal with it well usually end up so far removed from the spirit of the show that I can't really consider it as a Friendship is Magic fiction. My number one gripe of shipping fan fictions is that 99% of the time, the characters ALREADY love each other, and are essentially working to admit it to each other. One of the most interesting parts should be seeing the characters fall for each other. Yet this is rarely ever brought up and instead I get "I've loved you since episode 2". Blergh. There's also stuff like love triangles, break-ups and unfaithfulness that could be used, but these are generally ignored either because of "OTP!!" mentality or because the author doubts their ability to handle the characters well. Of course, that's not even scratching the surface of the problems I have with them. Another major issue is that established characters get their personalities and capabilities shoved out of the way for a generic/plain/BAD romance. I've read many AppleDash fictions that completely ignore/sideline that the 2 are competitive with each other, among other things. By contrast, I once read a "normal" fan fic that happened to focus on Applejack and Dash, and it was considerably more amusing and in-line with their personalities, so much, in fact, that it felt like the closest "good" shipping fic between the 2 to me, even though it was just friendshippy. Maybe I just don't like shipping fics, but I feel there's potential that's just being ignored here. Also, despite everything I said, I still think grimdark is worse. -I don't really think there is that much difference with shipping music and other music.

So how about some screen caps? Video below is the source. Mostly a HUB-themed commercial, so not 100% ponies.

Adorkable Twilight. That ruby IS magnificient. The hat is evil I tells ya! EVIL! Adolescent Spike? Seems it's purely greed that actually accelerates Spike's growth.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/12/season-2-episode-12-family-appreciation.html#more Granny Smith Episode? Or is it Applebloom? Seems to be the perfect episode to introduce/explain AJ's parents and all that. You know, at this rate, the entire Apple family will each get an episode before AJ gets another one. Air Date: January 7th. That's 3 weeks after the previous episode.

The following pony duo has been seen at Hasbro's world HQ party. Future show characters or just a couple of HasbrOCs? EDIT: Confirmed

Of most recent memory, Hayseed-Turnip-Truck-something. He's the second pony I hope to never see again. The first is that horrific beast of The Mysterious Mare Do Well episode, although this has more to do with its design than anything.

They apparently added an IP tracker this round, because voting was massively inflated on the last one (AKA anyone could vote as many times as they wanted). It might also suggest why Chris somehow got the upperhand on Pinkie: someone abused the system. Now we should only be able to vote 10 times for each bracket.

Some more information on this episode has surfaced in the form of a new sypnosis.

Someone pointed out this Salvador Dali reference based on his painting of melting clocks. ...except here, it's melting PONIES. The original:

Derpy was in the episode. If you want to know where, here's a low-quality image: (Spoilered for those who wish to find her themselves)

Of all the worst things that could happen...this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING! (I don't know why, but I consider this to be simultaneously the best and worst part of the episode.) Also, apparently Luna was the announcer at the Wonderbolt race. I think.

Rustic/Fancy Pants is now best colt. Liked that Octavia (and apparently her sister?!), Blueblood(seemingly out of character, since he was next to Rares. Or maybe he got better?) and Photo Finish made re-appearances, but where is Hoity Toity?! He's my favorite of the 3 fashion ponies of S1. Needs more views before proper judgement...also, dat song. Oh, one disappointment is that Luna didn't make a cameo. Come on! This was THE perfect opportunity!

He was there, I saw him too.