So, it seems the long awaited 100th episode hath arrived, bringing with it a colourful cast of background ponies and a multitude of crazy shenanigans that only such an episode could pull off. Many were worried about this episode; sure the concept seemed a little off, there was a lot that could go wrong.

But in my opinion, it was one glorious celebration of both MLP FiM and its large brony following.

So, first off the story. One thing leading up to the episode that worried me is how they could possibly craft the episode so that it was both somehow believable in its story and yet still connect all the different ponies it intended to include and I must say, the staff did a fine job of creating a story for the episode.
Using Cranky and Matilda's wedding as a backdrop meant that the episode could easily transition between the various characters as they prepared for the wedding without it seeming forced or weird or out of place, which was a relief to say the very least. All of their little story arcs were entertaining and very well done. There was clearly a lot of fan service going on with each of these arcs...but more on all that a little bit later

I think that everyone had their own ideas about how certain characters might be portrayed in the episode. It was difficult to guess how much the writing staff would follow what the fandom had made up about the background ponies and I think we got a nice balance of fan ideas and the writing staff's.

Personally, I believe Dr Whooves contributions to the episode as well as Octavia and Vinyl's scenes were the most entertaining overall. I think that the doctor's character was well written with a nice hint of quirkiness in everything he did or said as well as the little references to the fandom's portrayal of him. Also, his voice was rather well done too! Although, I mean...David Tennant would have just been too damn amazing to have voice him!

Octavia and Vinyl's crazy chaotic rampage through town was one of my favourite moments of the whole thing. The music was crazy, the speed of it all was crazy, the amount of ponies flying all over the place was crazy! I just sat for the entire scene with a gaping smile on my face thinking "what am I watching right now?!" and to be honest, that kind of describes the episode as a whole; It's not to be taken seriously, it was pure, ridiculous fun to celebrate the show. So sorry to anyone who expected anything else, but thats what the episode is...pure fun.

I've seen quite a lot of people saying it was all a little too 'overdone' in this episode, crossing over into fan pandering territory. While I can see WHY people may think that, I would disagree. The episode was inspired by many fan ideas, but it still felt like it wasn't too overdone so that a younger viewer with no knowledge of the fandom's creations and input would still be able to enjoy the episode's silly craziness.

In fact, thinking back, there is no real fan idea that's been fully canonised by the episode, just small parts. Things like Derpy's muffins or Octavia and Vinyl being roommates; they're just little nods to the fandom's ideas surrounding these background ponies and I think it was all executed very well indeed.

To be honest, I really thought I'd have more to say for this section...hm.

To truly enjoy this episode, you need to take it for what it is. It isn't the same deep and sometimes serious episodes we've had from FiM from the past. It's just a whacky celebration of everything that is just entertaining and fun. Nothing more, nothing less. Although Mayor Mare's words at the end during the wedding ceremony do point to some sort of possible lesson in the episode. So, in my opinion, 'Slice Of Life' was a wonderful, bright episode which celebrated the fandom we all love and the show we all enjoy. I always find something new each time I replay the episode and each time, I still find it all as entertaining as I did the first time.

SCORE
9/10 - A thoroughly entertaining episode!

Good Points
-Clever story which allowed for smooth transitions between individual story arcs
-Right mix of fan service and the writer's own input
-Gummy's scene...goddamn

Bad Points
-Bon Bon's secret agent scene was a little overdone
-Despite them meant to having a smaller role, it would have been nice to see more input from the mane cast