Besides of course how simply awesome he is in "The Crystal Empire: Part 1 and Part 2", "Secret of My Excess" is probably Spike's best episode to date, for good reason. It's a very fun episode, but also a very revealing one, with some interesting revelations about dragon behavior in MLP canon, some very great developments in character relationships, particularly between Spike and Rarity, and best of all, some wonderful moments of friendship.

So to start, let's cover Spike. This little guy's got a lot going on in this episode. For starters, it's his birthday (which I find interesting seeing as it so closely follows Twilight's birthday, which was celebrated in the previous episode), and his first birthday in Ponyville at that. Prior to the celebration he does one of the kindest things he's ever done in the show and gives a fire ruby he's been, as he puts it, ripening for months to be a birthday present to himself to Rarity after she expresses great admiration for it! Now, let me go on a tangent simply to say this: FIE TO EVERYONE WHO COMPLAINS THAT RARITY'S A JERK AND UNGENEROUS FOR ACCEPTING THIS FROM SPIKE!!!! Despite displaying GREAT admiration for the ruby, Rarity never once asks for it and only accepts it after Spike absolutely insists she take it! She also doesn't just utilize it in some outfit for her business, but proudly displays it as a mark of Spike's great kindness and generosity. It's a great moment for Spike and his relationship with Rarity, and I'm sick of hearing bronies complain about it, so that's that. In hindsight, this moment also highlights just how different and, to be frank, better a dragon Spike is than most members of his species, especially once we learn just how ingrained greed is in dragons' DNA in the MLP universe later in the episode.

Anyways, tangent over, back to Spike. After getting a well-deserved peck on the cheek from Rarity for his great generosity (which the little guy's probably been dreaming about since he first met Rarity back in Season 1), Spike has a great birthday. In fact, it's probably the best birthday he's ever had, seeing as he gets all kinds of presents from not only Twilight, but all of the Mane 6. Most of his birthday is in fact a fun scene, seeing as the practically seventh main character of the show is so seldom in the spotlight. I especially love when Spike gets a pimp hat from Cheerilee; what she was doing with that in the first place, I will never know, but I really want to!

"...I always wanted my own pimp hat! It completes the ensemble!!!"

Anyways, things of course start getting out of control when Spike finds that he likes getting presents from others a little too much; soon, after some rapid growth spurts that can't possibly have been just because of puberty, we learn that all the material goods received have triggered some type of inherent desire for as many material goods as possible that it seems all dragons have. I really like this detail seeing as it's a very natural way to add a rather important, big detail about the MLP universe as a whole without deviating from, but rather progressing, the storyline of an episode. Pretty soon, Spike gets out of control and grows enormous, hilarity, peril, and gratuitous destruction ensue, but after Rarity appeals to Spike's true self, Spike goes back to normal, lesson is learned that it's far more rewarding to give to your friends than receive, and a solid episode is brought to an end. Like I said, this is really a great episode for Spike, and until "The Crystal Empire: Part 1 and Part 2" it was probably his best!

Next, let's cover Rarity. I had a lot of problems with her behavior in "Sisterhooves Social" and "Sweet and Elite", so I'm very happy to say that she very much makes up for her errors in those two episodes here. She's extraordinarily kind to Spike, very, very generous to her friends in that she designs capes for all of them free of charge after being inspired by Spike's own generosity, and just all around the likable Rarity she should've been in her starring roles earlier in the Season! This is the Rarity I love, the Rarity who has a truly generous, good heart all while still exhibiting an over-the-top, larger than life personality. Besides those positive traits, Rarity has some very memorable, funny moments throughout the episode, especially towards the end after her abduction by Spikezilla. Overall, this episode is a big reason I am far more forgiving of Rarity's behavior in "Sweet and Elite" than I probably should be, because it confirmed that, despite some major insensitivity in the previous episode, she was still the same mature, likable, generous pony she'd always been.

I can still haz fire ruby??? Oh thank u!!! I luv u Spikey Wikey!!!

Besides Spike and Rarity, a big part of what makes this such a solid episode is the comedy. First, we've got a plot-ton of fantastic references galore, from a very clever musical reference to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" at the beginning of the episode when Twilight is re-shelving her books, to the not-so-subtle-but-all-the-same-deliciously-awesome King Kong/Godzilla send-ups at the end of the episode when Spike transforms into Spikezilla. Twilight's sibling-like behavior with Spike makes for some very funny moments as usual, especially when she's trying to figure out why he's grown so large so fast, Spikezilla in general is absolutely hilarious, and the rest of the Mane 6 all have their own funny moments, such as Applejack when Spike is stealing her apples and leaves, Pinkie Pie when Spike is trying to steal her cakes, and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy when they attempt to stop Spikezilla and later when they save Spike and Rarity from falling to their doom. There is an absolutely lovely moment at the very end of the episode when Rarity and Spike are plummeting to their doom and Spike tries to share his feelings with Rarity; when she silences him, tears in her eyes and smiling back, it's a really very touching moment, conveying that she knows how he feels and really does appreciate his affections for her, whether or not she will ever be able to return them in the same way. Finally, I love the closing scene itself just because I wish more episodes ended like this one; all the Mane 6 gathered together as the lesson of the week is delivered, just enjoying each other's company. Lovely, simply lovely.

Overall, "Secret of My Excess" is a solid episode, one of Spike's best, and definitely a fun one to rewatch. Despite not being among the most spectacular of episodes in MLP history, it's definitely a notable episode with great comedy, some interesting canon, and even some lovely, touching scenes, and if you're looking for a great Spike episode, I'd start here. Besides "The Crystal Empire: Part 1 and Part 2", they don't get much better than this for Spike!

And who says dreams don't come true? Keep on trucking Spike; someday, you just may win her heart!