Wow, have I really been watching My Little Pony for almost 10 hours? O_O Time flies when you’re having fun! I’m on the last lap of the pony track here.

*At least for now, my intense dislike of the Diamond Dogs is keeping me awake. NO ONE messes with my ponies! Spike’s fantasy is hilarious, especially the end with him making an accidental kissy face at Applejack.

*I kind of miss these action-filled episodes Lauren Faust was so good at. Rarity is clearly scared at times, but she plays the Dogs like fiddles and takes off with millions of bits worth of gems. But this is only the beginning. Another Rarefied (and Fluttershied) episode is coming up!

*Did I mention Photo Finish is awesome? She is. Funny, stylish, great voice. Strange how she only took pictures of sad Fluttershy. Maybe that was what appealed to her, a model who wasn’t happy being a model. Shy really was good at it, though. And her being in advertisements all over Equestria was funny. Also, this episode has just the right amount of Pinkie.

*Bloomberg! Mushy Applejack is hilarious. Just like in Episode 5, Pinkie +Dash equals awesome. Buffalo attack! Hey, they’re scaring Bloomberg.

*AAAAPLE-LOOSA! That is all.

*Over a Barrel is better than some people say. I think they make the white settler/Indian correlation way too obvious, and Pinkie’s song is super-corny, but it’s on purpose. (Sadly, it’s better than some “serious” kids’ songs.) What surprises me is that this episode managed to create so much suspense in 20 minutes.

*Look Before You Sleep and Stare Master didn’t thrill me too much, but A Bird in the Hoof really rustles my jimmies. I don’t think an ugly bird trolling Fluttershy for trying to help her is very funny. The funny part is Celestia saying nothing matters more to her than the health and well-being of her subjects while her pet appears to be coughing up a lung next to her. Rainbow Dash teasing the royal guards was the best part of this.

*”It’s no use. No matter what we try, we always end up without our cutie marks. And, surprisingly often, covered in tree sap.” xD Ahh, that’s better. Scoots’ looking up to Dash is made clear for the first time. All the Mane 6’s stories are great; Twilight’s is my favorite (“yes yes yes yes yes!”). And the part about Dash bringing them all together…now that’s a creative idea, and great writing to boot. Wonderful episode.

*…And speaking of great writing, except NOT, we have Owl’s Well That Ends Well.

*Where do I start with the problems in this one? It’s contrived, it’s corny, it’s not funny (the “who?” thing as a running gag, seriously?), and none of it measures up to the rest of the season. Except for the meteor shower, but that lasts a few seconds. I still haven’t had that next beer I mentioned at the end of Part III, but I think this is an excellent time. <_<

*There were so many better ways to develop Twi and Spike’s relationship than this, I just…ugh. But at least it’s over now. And Pinkie Pie’s singing telegrams make it all better! I love Rarity’s reaction to “Gummy’s favorite” punch.

*What’s odd about this episode is that they had the Mane 6 go to great (and not very honest) lengths to hide a surprise party from Pinkie. Couldn’t they just, I don’t know, reschedule it?? Couldn’t they just not feel like having an after-birthday party for Gummy the day after his first, and tell Pinkie that (no need for AJ to lie), and that’s how Pinkie thinks they don’t like her parties anymore? Only slightly different, but…not so mean. Meghan McCarthy’s a good writer, I think she just got too dark sometimes (here and in Lesson Zero).

*After a few stumbles, though, we rebound with what I’ve been waiting for: the fantastic season finale. What more can I say about it? It was not only great, it propelled the show’s staff to new heights of artistry and inspiration. One of my favorites.

*Now I have to hear the audio commentaries! They’re here and they’re very good, a treat for the bronies just like I imagined. The mood is loose and pleasant, but professional. The staff laughs at their own show and reflects on how much work it was. The commentaries are on six episodes: Friendship is Magic parts 1&2, Winter Wrap-Up, Suited For Success, The Show Stoppers, and The Best Night Ever. The commentators include...

Andrea Libman, AKA Pinkie Pie & Fluttershy

Tabitha St. Germain, AKA Rarity & others

Hasbro Executive Director Brian Leonard

Robert Fuchs

Episode Director James “Wooty” Wootten

Supervising Director Jason Thiessen

Background Musician Dan Ingram

Nicole Oliver, AKA Celestia & Cheerilee

Cathy Weseluck, AKA Spike & Mayor Mare

And the Art Director...I think his name is Sorenson.

(Sadly, no Lauren Faust, Tara Strong, or Ashleigh Ball.)

*Watch out for a new thread in Sugarcube Corner where I reveal some of the most fascinating details from these commentaries. ^^ Hasbro did slip up with this set in some areas, though. First, the artwork is not very inspired, and bound to be outdone by many fanmade DVD covers out there. They repeat the pony profiles they already gave us in earlier DVDs…STILL without Rainbow Dash! I mean, seriously, if you’re going to give us those all over again, at least fix the mistake you made with them the last time. Then we have other repeated stuff, like sing-alongs and downloadable coloring sheets.

Well, my work here is done. I made it…12 straight hours of My Little Pony. I don’t have to tell you it was worth it, but all the same, wow. Six beers, a Pizza Hut dinner box and an awesome show to consume them with. You can’t ask for more than that! If you buy this set, I hope you like it as much as I do.