Alright so I'm pretty late with this one. I slept for like 14 hours all day yesterday and forgot that the episode was even yesterday, so it took me a while to get around to watching it.

Now on to the episode...

I rather liked it. I like the idea of returning villains since MLPFiM has a pretty neat cast of villains, and Trixie is one of the show's first smaller antagonists and one of the most popular.

I guess since the episode is like a sequel I'd have to share what I thought on the first one. I rather liked it. Since I originally watched the whole series in order like a good little curious young adult male Pony watcher, the Trixie episode was one of the earlier episodes that I ever saw, and at the time it came up it was my favorite... and then it was quickly replaced by a few others, but it may still range somewhere in my top 10 favorite episodes (which maybe I'll make a nice list for you guys once Season 3's over).

I do like Trixie as a "villain". She wasn't necessarily evil, but just a self-centered, egotistical showoff, and I really like that about her. She plays a rival foil to Twilight Sparkle, kinda like Blue/Green/Gary of Pokemon Generation 1... but less lame.

She does have some magical talent and I'm sure that wherever she came from, maybe she was quite renown for her magic prowess, but obviously this all went to her head as she set off to show off to the world her magical abilities, even if she has to lie to prove herself!

Also the episode had a neat astronomy reference in the Ursa Minor and Ursa Major and they are actually among my favorite creature designs of the show!

...now what did I think about "Magic Duel"?

Well... I have mixed opinions...

So far it may be my favorite episode of Season 3 since it has a villain that I like and further goes into her character. It also has TONS of magic which is something that I really love from the series.

...but the plot could have been handled a bit better. I do like the beginning where Trixie is shown quite desperate to get payback and she resorts to some pretty extreme measures!

When she comes back she shows some huge magical ability to even a scary extent! Of course this couldn't have just come from hard work and determination, but instead, without spoiling much, she cheats to amplify her power. The way that she does so shows her desperation for power... but it does come off as a tad bit generic... but in the end it really doesn't effect the episode too much.

My main issue with the plot is after the duel. Until the final showdown at the end, the plot really doesn't do much. Twilight has to find a way to defeat Trixie, but the way she goes about finding it is kinda boring in my opinion. I thought maybe she'd find some ancient temple to learn about what gave Trixie these powers, or maybe search out some wise sages, but instead she goes to a character whom really doesn't make much sense since, once again not spoil too much, she isn't a unicorn. The rest of the Mane Six also have to escape to help Twilight, which is done also in a boring way in my opinion.

The whole 2nd Act is just kinda lame and is a real downer on the episode.

Of course there has to be a final showdown and the way this was pulled out was pretty dang clever! I was pretty confused about what was going on, but once they reveal how they pulled it off I was amazed. It actually has a bit of a taste of irony in it too, seeing this whole theme of fraudulism in the Trixie episodes. I think people will really get a kick out of the ending. I also like Trixie's character at the end. The episode, despite having a less than stellar middle section, has a great payoff at the end.

In conclusion, I'd say this was a pretty good episode. It is not a perfect episode by any means, and I think I prefer the first Trixie episode better. Still though I'm sure fans of the series won't be disappointed of Trixie's return. I see this as probably one of the better Season 3 episodes and one many fans will learn to love.

...now next week I get a check off of my wish list!

Scootaloo gets and episode!