So, I've been thinking. I say that I like Apple Family Reunion a lot, but I've never really said why I liked it before, have I? And, well, part of it is just that I like Applejack a whole lot, and this episode had a whole lot of Applejack. But, seeking more rational answers, I decided to review my third favorite episode in the entire series.

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asdasdasdsdaasdadadlldddddddasfsfffsffsafUh, is this thin' on?

First, even without any subtext, this is a solid episode. It has good pacing, humorous moments, and the moral is well displayed. Sweet Apple Acres provides some great scenery to work with, and the music fits the mood very nicely. New and old members of the Apple family are introduced seamlessly, and it's just polished all around. Yep.

So, how about Applejack's parents? I had already been in the camp that her parents were deceased, but that was just fanon until this episode. Fanon that makes the entire character of Applejack, especially in this episode, make sense.

I love the past. Flashbacks, callbacks, all that stuff. It's just such a tremendous source of insight and understanding, and makes you truly understand the present and maybe even hint towards the future. In 2011, I got into personality type theory, which made me look inside myself. At first, it was just a fun little thing and I wanted to find out what type I was (ISTJ and a 6w7 3w2 1w9, by the way). But my questions and searches into theory led me into a journey of self discovery, and in the process, I found some underlying patterns in my life, and where those patterns came from (heheh, my extroverted intuition shadow is showing). The reason why this is relevant is because learning about where I came from told me a lot about who I was. And that lesson was reinforced by a certain television show known as Avatar: The Last Airbender. It sounds cheesy, but there was a very powerful message that I found in the show, which was that everyone is shaped by their past.

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asdasdasdsdaasdadaddaddsdliWhereupon I gained +20 in my empathy stat.

Still wondering why this is relevant? Well, first, it was about the past, but also, it relates to Applejack here. Applejack is the character in the show with the most vividly painted past, and yet very little of it is actually shown directly. But it's the way she looked at the shooting stars, the way she gently tucks Applebloom into bed at night, the way she stays up all night to plan the perfect reunion, her absolutely crushing disappointment when she realizes she's being doing it all wrong... And don't even get me started on the way she acts in her other episodes. I need to keep this about Apple Family Reunion!

So, I'll move away from the subject of the past for a little. What about the present? Applejack is clearly sympathetic in this episode, but she is also clearly making everyone else miserable. All of her positive traits are working against her, which makes this not a simple episode, like I have seen it described as. The Apple family doesn't just completely despise her, which would have felt fake and cruel. They are very proud of her enthusiasm, but they'd appreciate it if she stopped trying so darn hard. And for Applejack, who values hard work above anything, this is not an easy lesson to swallow. I mean, in Applebuck Season, it's not hard to see stubbornness as a bad trait. Not so black and white when the issue is that Applejack wants to make her family happy.

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asdasdasdsdaasdadaddaddsdlissllllSegue into symbolism! Also, this face.

Not just her living family, either. Applejack wants to make sure not to dishonor the memory of her parents or of those who "might not be able to make it to the next one". Again, this is another instance where this episode surpasses Applebuck Season. There are more motivations than pride here, and more selflessness too. Despite presenting itself as a simple slice of life story, Apple Family Reunion has a lot going on.

Speaking of kindheartness and selflessness, there's that quiet scene (with some funny moments) between Applejack and Applebloom on the night before the reunion. It really emphasizes Applejack's role as not only a sisterly figure to Applebloom, but a motherly one too. Applejack seems to be both the matriarch of the family and a young adult; I got the sense that she may actually be one of the youngest of the Mane 6 from this episode.

Finally, there's the ending, which, considering some of Applejack's motivations for her actions and how much effort she put into the reunion, was a very heartwarming moment for her. However, in a way, it's a great moment for all the Apple family, as described eloquently by ByTheTides:

What's relevant is the shift in perspective that occurs between the events AJ set up for the reunion and the rebuilding of the barn itself. At first, AJ was imposing her will onto her family, albeit accidentally, and they went along with it because their sense of dedication to family told them to respect the wishes of their gracious host. When the barn was destroyed and AJ was crying, there was nothing left for it, so they spoke up. What’s crucial to understand is that AJ- as a member of their family- matters to them. When they see her happy the labor is an unpleasant duty but when she breaks down helping her becomes fun because it’s something they want to do. They feel sorry for AJ and wish to help because they know she was doing her best and was sincerely sorry for screwing up- as they should. Before, AJ's activities separated and regulated them but free from these contraints their desire to help, this shared family goal, allows them to take joy in the labor. The difference between AJ being happy and her being upset is all the difference in the world to them, as it would for any member of their family.

So, not only was it a good episode for Applejack, but also for her family. Again; no matter how annoyed they were with some members of the family, it was obvious that they loved and cared about each other, and the Raise This Barn song is both very catchy and very good at showing it off. Applejack is unique among the Mane 6 for her familial focus. Apple Family Reunion expertly kept the focus on Applejack and relayed the importance of family to her. And considering how many pacing issues there were this season *cough cough* MAGICAL MYSTERY CURE *cough cough*, this is impressive.

Thank you, Apple Family Reunion. I had a really hard time choosing my favorite Applejack episode before you came out. My choice has now been vastly simplified.