Nah, it’s the same Pinkie who hugged her at the end of that episode and had a picnic with her in the park in Too Many Pinkie Pies. I really don’t think there’s a subtext other than trying to force the “look how clueless pinkie is” joke.
I could be wrong but I don’t think they look that deeply into their own characters but rather try to keep a bit of continuity while hitting gags and plot beats.
@Background Pony #6E85
Yeah, that really shocked me too. I’ve said this too many times, too, but I do think there might be an implication of lingering resentment from Pinkie toward Flutters.
Remember, this is the same Pinkie who told RD not to prank Fluttershy because of her sensitivity.
If you absolutely love S4 and this episode’s writing, that’s cool. But something is going on here.
Everyone’s reaction to Pinkie was the reaction the audience had and then some. I love me some Pinkie but she was insufferable in this episode. It’s been shown that Pinkie can be tactless but she’s very rarely this tone deaf. Even her shitty behavior in Smile towards Cranky was definitely born out of a misguided desire to help.
Here, she’s just saying crap that she has ALREADY SEEN hurts her friend and upsets her. Just shit writing for a gag.