Call it nostalgia but the first 3 seasons of FiM really do feel special to me. The first 2 especially, which you can probably chalk up to Lauren Faust’s influence. They feel cozier, more down to earth. It feels like there’s more charm to the animation and environments.

I mean just compare Twilight’s library to her castle, after all. You can see the difference between the first few seasons vs the later ones in just that one single comparison.

Everything is just less grand and less important than in the later episodes where we have a bunch more characters and lore. Lots more things going on. Feels like we’re a lot more focused on the characters themselves and their personalities. On their interactions with each other. And you’re not overwhelmed with trying to keep track of how many additional side and background characters. It’s nice. Especially after watching a bunch of episodes from the last 3 seasons.

I might write more about the early seasons of MLP and what makes them special if the mood strikes me again. That’s part of why I made this blog.

Anyway, Lesson Zero. Great episode which really emphasizes that point I made about the earlier seasons focusing more on the Mane 6’s characters and personalities. We really get to see just how much of a perfectionist Twilight is. And how anxious she is lol. Also how much she likes schedules and routine as she freaks out about Celestia’s friendship letter.

And then she gradually becomes more and more desperate and unhinged (physically and mentally as her mane becomes a mess) as she realizes there’s no one that needs her help. And then starts arguing with herself and pretty much completely loses it.

Honestly it’s kind of interesting just how little it took for her to completely snap. Just one letter. But I kind of get it as someone with severe anxiety. I’ve had a lot of cases where I hyper obsess over something that seems relatively minor to everyone else. But at that moment in time, to my mind, whatever I’m obsessing over seems like the most important thing in the world. And I worry or obsess over it to the point of debilitation, sometimes. Twilight’s breakdown is pretty damn realistic in that regard even if it’s played up for laughs a bit, obviously.

Anddd she does end up making her own friendship problem after causing mass hysteria in Ponyville lol. I forgot that Celestia shows up at the end here. Very fitting though. Spike, what a guy, ended up saving the day. Forgot how much I missed the friendship letters too. Obviously going 9 seasons with friendship letters, they would’ve gotten old fast. Such a charming touch in these early episode though. Fantastic episode from a fantastic season. Easy to see why almost everyone loves Lesson Zero.