I must add my voice to SteelEagle's. You are not the only one who has lived a life full of hardship and experienced apathy or corruption in places where I should have been able to find comfort and help. But that doesn't mean that, because of those experiences, I will make the assumption that there is no help to be found in authorities. In fact I think that's vastly unfair to those in positions of authority who really do try their hardest to help and protect. I do agree that, in some cases, there is little worth in seeking help from authority and there are certainly times where very few people - or perhaps no one at all - will help, but those situations are rare. You and I are unfortunate enough to have experienced them, but in working with fellow victims of abuse, I have heard more stories of people finding help than stories of people scorned by authorities. I understand the importance of standing on one's four hooves, but I think what SteelEagle is saying (which you don't aseem to have acknowledged) is that it is extremely rare that there is absolutely no one from whom you could seek help. The first time I tried to find help, I wasn't taken seriously, but I didn't just give up and write authority off as useless layabouts who don't care ... I kept trying and eventually people helped, I got better and I am happier for the experience. If help can be found, I believe it is worth seeking it out even if that hunt might not be fruitful at first. You wouldn't tell someone with a broken leg to give up on doctors because the first one didn't set the cast properly. You wouldn't tell an addict to give up on rehab because they relapsed. And you certainly don't send the message to a child that every parent, teacher, etc. doesn't give a hoot just because the first one they told about being bullied didn't do anything. The notion that relying on authority to help makes you weak or creates dependency flies in the face of people with mended limbs, ex-addicts and children who learned to deal with their tormentors in a mature and responsible way. I would ask you to think outside your own experience instead of drawing assumptions based solely on what you have seen, rather than what the norm really is. I think you will find a slightly different view lies with acknowledging the facts of the matter. ~~~ All in al I liked this episode. It was pretty heavy-handed, and Babs was a bit one-dimensional, but it is a kids show, after all. It's target audience woud find it particularly relevant, as I don't know a single child who has not been bullied at least once. Being afraid to tell someone of your suffering is something I can relate to, even in my adult life, so I can well understand the prominence of this theme in the episode. On a less serious note, I loved the song and how full of references this whole thing was. I mean, Goldfinger, A-team, all of Pinkie's puns ... it was pretty adorable, and I'm glad to see the Crusaders finally getting a good song. As far as them being out of character for bending over, I think that makes them more complex characters. Everyone will react differently, and especially to bullying, as opposed to potential danger in other forms. The fear of not fitting in and direct teasing from other kids will get a different reaction than teasing from someone who's only going to be there for a few days. They're just being sensible in not bothering to start a fight when distance will end it for them very shortly. Apple Bloom's face when Babs turns to the dark side was equal parts adorable and heart-wrenching. D: