Frenemies

Frenemies
Season №:	9
Season episode №:	8
Overall episode №:	204
Original airdate:	May 18, 2019 (Discovery Family)       May 15, 2019[aired early in Italy]
Written by:	Michael Vogel
Storyboard:	Krista Porter and Megan Willis
Featured characters:	Legion of Doom       Grogar Queen Chrysalis Lord Tirek Cozy Glow
Song:	Better Way to Be Bad
See also
credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation
Episode guide
Previous She's All Yak	Next Sweet and Smoky

Frenemies is the eighth episode of season nine of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and the show's two hundred and fourth episode overall.^[1] The title is a common portmanteau of the words "friends" and "enemies".

Grogar deploys his legion of doom on a mission to become allies, but his plan works too well, and they almost become friends.

Production

This episode aired on May 15, 2019, on Cartoonito in Italy, three days ahead of its scheduled premiere on Discovery Family.^[2]

Sunni Westbrook was nominated for a UBCP/ACTRA Award in 2019 for "Best Voice" for her work in this episode.^[3] She was also nominated for a Leo Award in 2020 for "Best Voice Performance in an Animation Program or Series".^[4]

Summary

Evil united as one

At Grogar's lair, Grogar appears to covet a bell-shaped object in his crystal ball, but the constant bickering between Cozy Glow, Lord Tirek, and Queen Chrysalis distracts him from his schemes. Before he steps out, he commands Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis to learn to work together—unconcerned with how they accomplish this—if they hope to achieve their goal of destroying Twilight Sparkle and her friends.

In Grogar's absence, Cozy Glow assumes herself in charge and tries to organize a team meeting with Tirek and Chrysalis. However, Tirek is only concerned with getting back the level of power and physique he reached after absorbing all the magic in Equestria, Chrysalis is only concerned with exacting her revenge on Starlight Glimmer, and neither of them recognize Cozy's self-imposed authority. Through the song Better Way to Be Bad, Cozy inspires some trust and cooperation in her fellow villains at first, but they step on each other's lyrics by the end due to their respective egos.

Grogar returns, frustrated that the three still have not learned to work together. Chrysalis expresses frustration as well because it has been weeks since Grogar summoned them to his lair, and they still do not know what his plan is. Grogar explains that his Bewitching Bell, a talisman that contains the rest of his power, was stolen thousands of moons ago by Gusty the Great and sealed away at the top of Mt. Everhoof. Seeing an opportunity for Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis to learn teamwork, Grogar tasks them with scaling the mountain and retrieving the Bell.

Divide and not conquer

At the base of Mt. Everhoof, Cozy Glow shares with Tirek and Chrysalis her plan to scale the mountain and claim Grogar's Bewitching Bell, but they disregard her and each set off on their own. Chrysalis heads through the forest, scaring off any creatures that cross her path, and uses her changeling powers to cross the various hazardous terrains. However, once she is near the summit, the heavy mountain winds prevent her from getting any closer.

On the main path, Tirek tests the mountain winds and determines them to be too harsh to withstand, so he starts building a campfire.

Cozy Glow treks up a snowy mountain pass and finds the residence of mountain guardian Rusty Bucket, on patrol to keep anyone from facing Mt. Everhoof's treacherous conditions. Pretending to be a pitiful, lost filly, Cozy Glow tries to convince Rusty Bucket to escort her to the top of the mountain. When Rusty refuses, Cozy loses her temper, and Rusty warns her to keep her voice down or else risk triggering an avalanche. Cozy tries going up the mountain by herself, but all of her attempts fail. In her intense anger, she causes a giant snowball to roll down on top of her and carry her back to the bottom of the mountain.

United in their hatred

At Tirek's campsite, Cozy Glow returns cold and wet, and Tirek ridicules her for failing to reach the mountain's summit. Having already determined the mountain to be too difficult to climb alone, Tirek decided to let Cozy and Chrysalis do all the work and use what they learned from their inevitable failures to his own advantage. Cozy berates Tirek for his constant arrogance, and Tirek likewise criticizes Cozy for her fake cutesy persona and constant manipulations.

Drawn by the sound of Cozy and Tirek's loud arguing, an Ophiotaurus, a half-bull half-serpent creature, appears to menace them. Before it attacks them, a second, female Ophiotaurus appears, and the first Ophiotaurus becomes infatuated. The female Ophiotaurus is revealed to be Chrysalis, and she uses the other Ophiotaurus' infatuation to feed on its love and weaken it severely. Chrysalis makes it clear to Cozy and Tirek that she only saved them from the Ophiotaurus because she needs their help to get to the top of Mt. Everhoof.

Gathered around the campfire, Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis compare notes about their experiences facing the mountain's elements until the conversation steers toward the Mane Six. The three villains come to realize that as much as they hate each other, they hate Twilight and her friends even more and enjoy making fun of them, taking pleasure in the times they almost defeated them. With this in mind, they decide to cooperate with each other for the sake of destroying the Mane Six.

A strange and pleasing magic

The next morning, Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis work together to climb Mt. Everhoof, helping each other along the way. Near the summit, Chrysalis and Cozy create a vine bridge across a chasm, allowing all three of them to reach the peak. Outside the cave housing the Bewitching Bell, they discover a magical barrier preventing entry. Cozy suggests that Tirek absorb the barrier's energy, but Tirek says he can only absorb the energy of living beings.

Cozy then suggests absorbing Chrysalis' magic. Chrysalis perceives this as a betrayal, but Cozy assures her that it would just be for the purpose of breaking through the barrier, after which Tirek will return Chrysalis' magic to her. With Chrysalis' begrudging approval, Tirek absorbs her magic, powering up to his third form, but he only has enough power to create a small opening in the barrier. Cozy Glow, being the only one among them small enough to fit, flies through the opening and returns with the Bewitching Bell before it closes.

With their mission complete, Tirek gives Chrysalis' magic back to her as promised. The three villains are surprised to find that they enjoyed working together and relying on each other for help. But Chrysalis angrily rejects the sentiment, realizing she and the others almost fell victim to the Magic of Friendship. Fearing how powerful Grogar will be once he has the Bell, the three decide to continue acting as his servants until they are able to usurp him, after which they can go back to trying to destroy one another.

A scheme within a scheme

Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis return to Grogar's lair and tell him that they failed to retrieve the Bewitching Bell. Despite his anger and frustration, Grogar is satisfied that the three were able to work together as he commanded. As he leaves, Chrysalis agrees with Grogar's statement that they are more powerful when they work together—as the Bewitching Bell is hidden from view.

Quotes

For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.

Cozy Glow: [clears throat] I don't want to tattle on my good friend Tirek, but... you might like to know he left food out. Again.

Grogar: I'll deal with it when I'm done.

Lord Tirek: Don't trust anything that nosy little Pegasus says!

Grogar: I don't trust anything any of you say.

Cozy Glow: Grogar left me in charge.

Queen Chrysalis: No, he didn't. And even if he did, Chrysalis obeys no one.

Cozy Glow: [singsongy] There'll be cupcakes.

Cozy Glow: It must get lonely all by yourself. Maybe I could be your friend?

Rusty Bucket: Aw. I'd love a friend.

Cozy Glow: So, now that we are friends, you could help me up the mountain.

Rusty Bucket: Hmm, uh... a real friend wouldn't ask me to do something I'm not supposed to do. Says so right here in the Journal of Friendship, written by Twilight Sparkle and her friends.

Cozy Glow: are. you. kidding me?! [echoing]

[birds chirping]

Rusty Bucket: Shhhh!

Cozy Glow: I didn't want to be friends anyway.

Rusty Bucket: Awww...

Lord Tirek: I'd had enough of you trying to manipulate me with that insincere, syrupy sweetness. At least now we can see the real you.

Cozy Glow: This is not the real me! I'm cute and lovable!

Lord Tirek: [scoffs] No, you're not. You're annoying, and you snore.

Cozy Glow: I do not snore!

Lord Tirek: [mock-snoring]

Cozy Glow: At least I don't talk to my Gram-Gram when I sleep.

Lord Tirek: Don't you dare bring Gram-Gram into this!

[Ophiotaurus roars]

Cozy Glow and Lord Tirek: This is your fault!

Lord Tirek: Indeed it would. Who wouldn't love to see those prissy ponies realize they lost everything?

[transformation noise]

Queen Chrysalis: I'm a pathetic pony princess! I made a detailed list of all the ways I'm a failure!

Cozy Glow and Lord Tirek: [laughing]

Queen Chrysalis: I-I wasn't sure you were going to give it back.

Lord Tirek: Neither was I. But working together seemed smarter than to continue fighting.

Cozy Glow: When we helped each other, it felt better somehow.

Queen Chrysalis: I haven't felt like this since before I lost my hive. Having others who will be there for you is... pleasing.

Lord Tirek: All of these years taking power from ponies...

Cozy Glow: When you use your power to help others...

Queen Chrysalis: Yes, it feels... nooooooooo!

Cozy Glow and Lord Tirek: Whoa!

Queen Chrysalis: The Magic of Friendship is like a disease! An infection that spreads to those around you! I watched it infect my hive! I will not let it get me!

Gallery

Frenemies image gallery

References

v • e Episodes, films, and animated shorts

Friendship is Magic

Season one Episode 1 Friendship is Magic, part 1 Episode 2 Friendship is Magic, part 2 Episode 3 The Ticket Master Episode 4 Applebuck Season Episode 5 Griffon the Brush Off Episode 6 Boast Busters Episode 7 Dragonshy Episode 8 Look Before You Sleep Episode 9 Bridle Gossip Episode 10 Swarm of the Century Episode 11 Winter Wrap Up Episode 12 Call of the Cutie Episode 13 Fall Weather Friends Episode 14 Suited For Success Episode 15 Feeling Pinkie Keen Episode 16 Sonic Rainboom Episode 17 Stare Master Episode 18 The Show Stoppers Episode 19 A Dog and Pony Show Episode 20 Green Isn't Your Color Episode 21 Over a Barrel Episode 22 A Bird in the Hoof Episode 23 The Cutie Mark Chronicles Episode 24 Owl's Well That Ends Well Episode 25 Party of One Episode 26 The Best Night Ever Season two Episode 1 The Return of Harmony Part 1 Episode 2 The Return of Harmony Part 2 Episode 3 Lesson Zero Episode 4 Luna Eclipsed Episode 5 Sisterhooves Social Episode 6 The Cutie Pox Episode 7 May the Best Pet Win! Episode 8 The Mysterious Mare Do Well Episode 9 Sweet and Elite Episode 10 Secret of My Excess Episode 11 Hearth's Warming Eve Episode 12 Family Appreciation Day Episode 13 Baby Cakes Episode 14 The Last Roundup Episode 15 The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 Episode 16 Read It and Weep Episode 17 Hearts and Hooves Day Episode 18 A Friend in Deed Episode 19 Putting Your Hoof Down Episode 20 It's About Time Episode 21 Dragon Quest Episode 22 Hurricane Fluttershy Episode 23 Ponyville Confidential Episode 24 MMMystery on the Friendship Express Episode 25 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 1 Episode 26 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 2 Season three Episode 1 The Crystal Empire - Part 1 Episode 2 The Crystal Empire - Part 2 Episode 3 Too Many Pinkie Pies Episode 4 One Bad Apple Episode 5 Magic Duel Episode 6 Sleepless in Ponyville Episode 7 Wonderbolts Academy Episode 8 Apple Family Reunion Episode 9 Spike at Your Service Episode 10 Keep Calm and Flutter On Episode 11 Just for Sidekicks Episode 12 Games Ponies Play Episode 13 Magical Mystery Cure Season four Episode 1 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 1 Episode 2 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 2 Episode 3 Castle Mane-ia Episode 4 Daring Don't Episode 5 Flight to the Finish Episode 6 Power Ponies Episode 7 Bats! Episode 8 Rarity Takes Manehattan Episode 9 Pinkie Apple Pie Episode 10 Rainbow Falls Episode 11 Three's A Crowd Episode 12 Pinkie Pride Episode 13 Simple Ways Episode 14 Filli Vanilli Episode 15 Twilight Time Episode 16 It Ain't Easy Being Breezies Episode 17 Somepony to Watch Over Me Episode 18 Maud Pie Episode 19 For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils Episode 20 Leap of Faith Episode 21 Testing Testing 1, 2, 3 Episode 22 Trade Ya! Episode 23 Inspiration Manifestation Episode 24 Equestria Games Episode 25 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 1 Episode 26 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 2 Season five Episode 1 The Cutie Map - Part 1 Episode 2 The Cutie Map - Part 2 Episode 3 Castle Sweet Castle Episode 4 Bloom & Gloom Episode 5 Tanks for the Memories Episode 6 Appleoosa's Most Wanted Episode 7 Make New Friends but Keep Discord Episode 8 The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone Episode 9 Slice of Life Episode 10 Princess Spike Episode 11 Party Pooped Episode 12 Amending Fences Episode 13 Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? Episode 14 Canterlot Boutique Episode 15 Rarity Investigates! Episode 16 Made in Manehattan Episode 17 Brotherhooves Social Episode 18 Crusaders of the Lost Mark Episode 19 The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows Episode 20 Hearthbreakers Episode 21 Scare Master Episode 22 What About Discord? Episode 23 The Hooffields and McColts Episode 24 The Mane Attraction Episode 25 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 1 Episode 26 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 2 Season six Episode 1 The Crystalling - Part 1 Episode 2 The Crystalling - Part 2 Episode 3 The Gift of the Maud Pie Episode 4 On Your Marks Episode 5 Gauntlet of Fire Episode 6 No Second Prances Episode 7 Newbie Dash Episode 8 A Hearth's Warming Tail Episode 9 The Saddle Row Review Episode 10 Applejack's "Day" Off Episode 11 Flutter Brutter Episode 12 Spice Up Your Life Episode 13 Stranger Than Fan Fiction Episode 14 The Cart Before the Ponies Episode 15 28 Pranks Later Episode 16 The Times They Are A Changeling Episode 17 Dungeons & Discords Episode 18 Buckball Season Episode 19 The Fault in Our Cutie Marks Episode 20 Viva Las Pegasus Episode 21 Every Little Thing She Does Episode 22 P.P.O.V. (Pony Point of View) Episode 23 Where the Apple Lies Episode 24 Top Bolt Episode 25 To Where and Back Again - Part 1 Episode 26 To Where and Back Again - Part 2 Season seven Episode 1 Celestial Advice Episode 2 All Bottled Up Episode 3 A Flurry of Emotions Episode 4 Rock Solid Friendship Episode 5 Fluttershy Leans In Episode 6 Forever Filly Episode 7 Parental Glideance Episode 8 Hard to Say Anything Episode 9 Honest Apple Episode 10 A Royal Problem Episode 11 Not Asking for Trouble Episode 12 Discordant Harmony Episode 13 The Perfect Pear Episode 14 Fame and Misfortune Episode 15 Triple Threat Episode 16 Campfire Tales Episode 17 To Change a Changeling Episode 18 Daring Done? Episode 19 It Isn't the Mane Thing About You Episode 20 A Health of Information Episode 21 Marks and Recreation Episode 22 Once Upon a Zeppelin Episode 23 Secrets and Pies Episode 24 Uncommon Bond Episode 25 Shadow Play - Part 1 Episode 26 Shadow Play - Part 2 Season eight Episode 1 School Daze - Part 1 Episode 2 School Daze - Part 2 Episode 3 The Maud Couple Episode 4 Fake It 'Til You Make It Episode 5 Grannies Gone Wild Episode 6 Surf and/or Turf Episode 7 Horse Play Episode 8 The Parent Map Episode 9 Non-Compete Clause Episode 10 The Break Up Break Down Episode 11 Molt Down Episode 12 Marks for Effort Episode 13 The Mean 6 Episode 14 A Matter of Principals Episode 15 The Hearth's Warming Club Episode 16 Friendship University Episode 17 The End in Friend Episode 18 Yakity-Sax Episode 19 Road to Friendship Episode 20 The Washouts Episode 21 A Rockhoof and a Hard Place Episode 22 What Lies Beneath Episode 23 Sounds of Silence Episode 24 Father Knows Beast Episode 25 School Raze - Part 1 Episode 26 School Raze - Part 2 Season nine Episode 1 The Beginning of the End - Part 1 Episode 2 The Beginning of the End - Part 2 Episode 3 Uprooted Episode 4 Sparkle's Seven Episode 5 The Point of No Return Episode 6 Common Ground Episode 7 She's All Yak Episode 8 Frenemies Episode 9 Sweet and Smoky Episode 10 Going to Seed Episode 11 Student Counsel Episode 12 The Last Crusade Episode 13 Between Dark and Dawn Episode 14 The Last Laugh Episode 15 2, 4, 6, Greaaat Episode 16 A Trivial Pursuit Episode 17 The Summer Sun Setback Episode 18 She Talks to Angel Episode 19 Dragon Dropped Episode 20 A Horse Shoe-In Episode 21 Daring Doubt Episode 22 Growing Up is Hard to Do Episode 23 The Big Mac Question Episode 24 The Ending of the End - Part 1 Episode 25 The Ending of the End - Part 2 Episode 26 The Last Problem Clip shows Episode 1 A-Dressing Memories Episode 2 Cakes for the Memories Episode 3 Memnagerie Episode 4 Deep Tissue Memories Episode 5 Harvesting Memories Episode 6 Memories and More

Pony Life

Season one Episode 1 Princess Probz Episode 2 The Best of the Worst Episode 3 How Applejack Got Her Hat Back Episode 4 Cute-pocalypse Meow Episode 5 Bad Thing No. 3 Episode 6 Pinkie Pie: Hyper-Helper Episode 7 The Trail Less Trotten Death of a Sales-Pony Episode 8 Bighoof Walking The Fluttershy Effect Episode 9 The Fast and the Furriest Disappearing Act Episode 10 Badge of Shame Discord's Peak Episode 11 A Camping We Will Go Campfire Stories Episode 12 Friendship Gems Dol-FIN-ale Episode 13 Potion Mystery Sick Day Episode 14 Meet Potion Nova! Pony Surfin' Safari Episode 15 All Bottled Up All That Jitters Episode 16 I, Cookie Keynote Pie Episode 17 Ponies of the Moment One Click Wonder Episode 18 Zound Off Unboxing Day Episode 19 Don't Look a GIF Horse in the Mouth The Root of It Episode 20 The Mysterious Voice The 5 Habits of Highly Effective Ponies Episode 21 Game Knight Director Spike's Mockumentary Episode 22 Whoof-dunnit Dear Tabby Episode 23 Pie vs. Pie Superb Six Episode 24 The Debut Taunt Flutterdash Episode 25 The Rarity Report The Great Divide Episode 26 The Great Collide Sportacular Spectacular Musical Musak-ular Season two Episode 1 Cute Impact The Crystal Capturing Contraption Episode 2 The Comet Section Cotton Candy-Colored Glasses Episode 3 Close Encounters of the Balloon Kind The Tiara of Truth Episode 4 Terrorarium Bubble Trouble Episode 5 Time After Time Capsule The Great Cowgirl Hat Robbery Episode 6 Planet of the Apps Back to the Present Episode 7 Magical Mare-story Tour Life of Pie Episode 8 The Rarest of Occasions Portal Combat Episode 9 What Goes Updo Communication Shakedown Episode 10 Lolly-Pop Little Miss Fortune Episode 11 Playwright or Wrong The Shows Must Go On Episode 12 The De-Stress Ball Mad Props Episode 13 Magic is Ahoof Journey to the Center of the 'Cord Episode 14 One Last Wish Wild Heart Beats

Make Your Mark
Episode 1 Izzy Does It	Episode 2 Growing Pains	Episode 3 Portrait of a Princess	Episode 4 Ali-Conned
Episode 5 The Cutie Mark Mix-Up	Episode 6 The Traditional Unicorn Sleep-Over	Episode 7 Hoof Done It?	Episode 8 Have You Seen This Dragon?
Episode 9 Top Remodel	Episode 10 The Jinxie Games	Episode 11 Sunny Side Up	Episode 12 The Manesquerade Ball
Episode 13 A Little Horse	Episode 14 Missing the Mark	Episode 15 Cutie Blossom Bash	Episode 16 Family Trees Pt. 1
Episode 17 Family Trees Pt. 2	Episode 18 Father of the Bridlewood	Episode 19 Mane Smelody	Episode 20 Nightmare on Mane Street
Episode 21 The Isle of Scaly‎‎	Episode 22 Roots of All Evil Pt. 1‎	Episode 23 Roots of All Evil Pt. 2

Feature films
Equestria Girls	Rainbow Rocks	Friendship Games	Legend of Everfree
	My Little Pony The Movie	A New Generation

Specials
Dance Magic	Movie Magic	Mirror Magic	Forgotten Friendship
Rollercoaster of Friendship	Best Gift Ever	Spring Breakdown	Rainbow Roadtrip
Sunset's Backstage Pass	Holidays Unwrapped	Make Your Mark	Winter Wishday
	Bridlewoodstock	Secrets of Starlight

Animated shorts
Rainbow Rocks shorts	Friendship Games shorts	Summertime Shorts	Equestria Girls: Better Together (season 1)
Equestria Girls: Better Together (season 2)	Equestria Girls: Choose Your Own Ending (season 1)	Equestria Girls: Choose Your Own Ending (season 2)	Equestria Girls Minis
Baby Flurry Heart's Heartfelt Scrapbook	Rarity's Peek Behind the Boutique	Fundamentals of Magic	My Little Pony Established 1983
Friendship is Magic shorts	Hello Pinkie Pie	Stop Motion Shorts	Tell Your Tale (season 1)
Tell Your Tale (season 2)