ShadowPhoenix

Okay it's due time that I said something about this episode. The flaw I chose was the broken continuity, especially the part about Bulk Biceps being a weak flyer, which was disappointing, given how Wonderbolts Academy is, in my opinion, the second best episode of Season 3. Also, this episode suffered from some of the biggest expository faults that this show has ever faced (little to no explanation on why Fluttershy was chosen). Lastly, you can't vote for more than one option, the Mane 5 were shoehorned on in and Rarity's designs were downright painful to look at. In spite of all I said, I still think that this episodes gets way too much flak. Maybe it was due to the fact that the episode's biggest flaws were near the start, leaving everyone with a slightly bitter taste in their mouths. After coming here straight from The MysteriousMrEnter's review, I am quite disappointed to see someone give it a zero. This episode does not even scrape my bottom 3 for this season and I can find several things I enjoy and admire for all episodes of MLP, a show still leagues above the other crap that cartoons churn out today. 3. Somepony To Watch Over Me - Applejack was out of character however, the Chimera and Apple Bloom made it up. 2. Three's A Crowd - Am I the only one who finds Cadance's casual comment that adventure spices up her life to be slightly contrived?Although I do appreciate this first instance of character development, Discord's antics and the fight scene. 1. Simple Ways - Trenderhoof is bland although his insinuations that he revamps the 'unappreciated, mundane and the simple' were extremely hilarious. The main problem is that Rarity takes her impersonations of Applejack a little too far. Her portrayal makes Applejack look like somepony with absolutely NO sense of hygiene and being extremely uncouth. Applejack, in reality, is far beyond and more complex that the typical 'Southern' cliche. In my opinion, although Trenderhoof edges out Silver Shill in least interesting character this season, his accidentally insulting comments, Rarity and Applejack's mutual stereotypes and Spike's dialogue still made this a rather humourous and solid episode. Simple Ways just happens to be the least enjoyable entry this season but a refreshing take on the 'two characters adopt each other' plot (better than Big Pink Loser). I find solace in the fact knowing that if any other modern cartoon tried doing this story, they would have most likely butchered it badly. Although Rainbow Falls is one of the weakest entries this season, it still has its merits and does not deserve so much hate.

For reasons I shall never know, I was simply aware of the growing fandom back in early 2013. One fateful day, I gave the theme song a listen. I could already tell that I was wrong about the show from the quality of the vocals. I was intrigued, and jumped straight into the top suggestion of 'My Little Pony'. I remember watching Keep Calm and Flutter On and going "who the fuck is this?" when Discord was freed. I was throughly shocked by the writing quality, captivating characters. Therefore, I felt compelled to go in chronological order. Friendship is Magic Parts 1 and 2 left me even more impressed and I think Look Before You Sleep was the turning point and I said that the show was awesome. Naturally, I became a brony then.

1. A True, True Friend 2. Winter Wrap Up 3. Smile Song 4. At The Gala 5. Let The Rainbow Remind You 6. Becoming Popular 7. What My Cutie Mark Is Telling Me 8. Heart Strong As Horses 9. Celestia's Ballad 10. This Day Aria

Let me just say that I don't even dislike any of the following episodes. They are just ordinary compared to so many more sterling episodes that this show produces on a regular basis. Season 1 Griffon The Brush Off: So much potential here. We got off to a very strong start, Pinkie Pie's infatuation with a newly acquainted Rainbow Dash and other hilarious antics scattered throughout. The problem is Gilda, she's bland as a character. An anti-Rainbow Dash gone wrong, unlike Lightning Dust who was much better handled. We were not given any insights into her personal thoughts or definition of cool. If she ever gets redemption, this episode will seem more redeemable in my eyes. Season 2 Dragon Quest: Again, fantastic potential and opening about Spike's heritage, marred by an irrelevant extravaganza with wannabe teenage dragons. What the hell, I watch this show to get away from the drudgery of modern society, not to see Garble, a stereotypically copied-from-real-life parody. The moral was flawed, seemingly promoting pro-equine ideals. They have to be the least threatening and interesting villains the show has ever offered. On the other hand, the Mane 3 were pretty badass and Spike was a boss. Season 3 Spike At Your Service: Nothing much to say. Spike's tenacity was inspiring. Season 4 Three's A Crowd: Oh well, Discord returns.

What's wrong with the chimera? I honestly felt that the Headless Horse and Pony With The Rusty Iron Horseshoe in Sleepless In Ponyville to be scarier. There is no excuse for Applejack's extra overprotectiveness though. She has never acted like this in any other episode this episode tread a very fine line between treating Apple Bloom like a young foal. At least have some explanation, such as the reason for Applejack's overprotectiveness, like how her parents are both dead. Then her actions would have been fully fleshed out.

Yes! Address the relationship between Spike and Rarity once and for all, lay down the ground rules that they should never be together. Have Rarity also play a part in freeing herself from the Nightmare Forces

It's hard to replicate perfection, as G4 has shown time and again.

FIM doesn't even have title cards, forget the 11 minute episode concept. Not unless FIM wants to go down the Phineas and Ferb or Spongebob path. I shudder to think of it.

Not unless a blanket cloud-walking spell is put over the entire city for unicorns and earth ponies and refreshed at a three day interval before anypony falls to their doom. They'd also have that problem of logistics. Not everypony would want to stay overnight, so apart from at least a few forms of accommodation, hot air balloons must be at the Princess's behest to ferry those back to earth. Last problem, Harshwhinny. It's going to take a lot of convincing to get the Equestria Games Committee on board.

In order of importance: 1. Rainbow Dash gets her own song/musical episode (Holy shit, it's been 4 seasons and they've only managed to squeeze in a duet with Fluttershy) 2. Celestia episode. Seriously, and throw Starswirl the Bearded in somewhere. Use flashbacks if necessary. Also, the princesses actually defending a threat successfully. Celestia and Luna are supposed to be the most powerful in the kingdom. 3. We know that there will be an episode centred on Twilight's new castle, it's not ugly per se but maybe Twilight can collaborate with Rarity to make it nicer 4. What the Mane 6 are going to do with those thrones 5. Zecora visits her home and somehow ropes one of the Mane 6 in, preferably Applejack or Pinkie Pie. If Twilight is to be involved, maybe she could try her hoof at diplomacy. 6. Continue the excellent slice of life 7. Continuity on Coco Pommel, Flutterbat etc. 8. Luna not invading Apple Bloom's dream, I doubt they'll make it work right thrice 9. At least one of the Mane 6's parents (sorry Applejack) show up the next time they save all off Equestria 10. The Mane 5 are not useless (Twilight's Kingdom). They are also not there to just highlight Twilight Sparkle's princess hood. Also, there is no need to squeeze all of them in if the plot does not call for it. (Eg. Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie in Daring Don't) 11. Spike is not a punching bag. Some expansion into his heritage would be good. A successful quest without prepubescent dragons would be good. Also, Pinkie Pie gets too much resentment from the community, especially in episodes such as Filli Vanilli. To come off as a multi-layered, multi-dimensional character, please refer to Party Of One, Putting Your Hoof Down, Too Many Pinkie Pies and Pinkie Pride and work from there. 12. Eventually, the Rainbow Power must be explained and how does Rainbow Dash ties in with all of this 13. Please continue Rarity's infallible streak of excellent episodes (I'm discounting Simple Ways). She's been an absolute joy this season.

Put it simply, the video sucked. Showing just the intro is a poor representation of Friendship Is Magic. Anyway, the theme song is awesome. As a teenager myself, I can safely say that I am disappointed with most of my generation today.

The only things I can complain with this episode are the Mane 5 themselves and some of the exposition in Part 1. Without the Mane 5, Twilight Sparkle would have never been able to defeat Tirek or accomplish any of the things she did up till this point. It felt kind of bad just having them captured and being used as leverage against Twilight to give up her alicorn magic. They could have at least tried to put up some form of resistance against Tirek and not just exclaim or gasp in surprise as they always do. Maybe it's because this is a show regrettably targeted at a younger demographic but the part where they inserted the five locks seemed to drag on. I don't think anyone here needed such a longwinded explanation that the various items they received were the keys and thank Celestia that they only resorted to using one flashback from Leap of Faith and that Pinkie Pie added some comedy to that scene. It's also kind of disappointing seeing that the Pony of Shadows, Spike's Comic Book and Fluttershy's fang were nothing more than cliffhangers/visual gags. More could have been done to link those devices up. Anyway, this is probably just nitpicking. This is the best two-parter that they have ever produced. And Twilight Sparkle absolutely steals the show as the main focus and her portrayal here is probably the best we've seen of her, surpassing even Lesson Zero. This episode carried a virtually unprecedented level of maturity and plot development. This new villain reaches the standards of Nightmare Moon, Discord (when he was evil), Chrysalis, Sombra and now this pantheon of great villains has a fifth addition to it. Part 2 was a work of art, the fight between Twilight Sparkle and Tirek, Discord's inner conflict, the final conclusion and song and basically everything about it. I'm glad they did not resort to have to explain the Rainbow Power, perhaps that can be saved for next season. I shall now take on the task of ranking this entire season: Top Ten: 1. Twilight's Kingdom, Part 2 2. Pinkie Pride 3. Rarity Takes Manehattan 4. Testing Testing 1, 2, 3 5. Twilight's Kingdom, Part 1 6. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 1 7. For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils 8. Trade Ya 9. Flight To The Finish 10. Filli Vanilli Excellent: 11. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 2 12. Pinkie Apple Pie 13. Equestria Games 14. Leap Of Faith 15. Maud Pie Great: 16. Inspiration Manifestation 17. Bats! 18. Twilight Time 19. Rainbow Falls 20. Somepony To Watch Over Me 21. It Ain't Easy Being Breezies 22. Daring Don't 23. Power Ponies 24. Castle Mane-ia 25. Simple Ways 26. Three's A Crowd Keep in mind that these rankings are relative. Seeing how Friendship Is Magic is utterly incapable at producing a bad episode, the bottom episodes are not failures nor, just overshadowed by superior ones. All episodes in this season were good and I don't see the hate for Rainbow Falls. Moving on to Season 5, I hope that each of the other Mane 5 gets more development and Twilight Sparkle casts a spell to transfigure her new palace into looking like the Golden Oaks Library (R.I.P.). It's time to visit other places in Equestria, a Celestia episode, a solo for Rainbow Dash and a few more episodes for the CMC before they finally get their cutie marks

This is interesting. 1. Twilight Sparkle - Freak magical cataclysm or while fighting some being of otherworldly power 2. Applejack - Crushed by one of her trees or killed by robbers or mercenaries while making a delivery. 3. Pinkie Pie - Diabetes 4. Fluttershy - Terminal illness 5. Rarity - Sacrifices her life to save one of the others, Element of Generosity. 6. Rainbow Dash - Sheer luck

The Mane 6 are at the core of a war and all have various jobs. Twilight Sparkle is the commander of any war. She uses her organisational and tactical skills to lead the army. Additionally, she serves as a kind of magical and scientific consultant and can assist in strengthening weapons or promoting strategies. Fluttershy is the Chief Medic Pony. She is able to heal allies and discusses with Twilight Sparkle on peaceful negotiations in attempts in pacifying the war. In desperate times, she can also fight with Air Forces. Rainbow Dash is Head of the Air Forces and is also able to be deployed as a scout to secure locations. Applejack is Head of the Ground Forces and also easily a part-time Medic when the situation calls for it. She can also act as a cook if necessary. Along with Rainbow Dash, they are easily capable of fighting at the forefront. Pinkie Pie is in charge of weapons deployment and the demolition expert. She works closely with Twilight Sparkle to strengthen armour, explosives etc. She can also be used as secret weapon on the battlefield and strategy with her Pinkie Sense and Party Cannon. Also the army's motivator and entertainer. Rarity holds a more arbitrary position. She is capable in taking over ALL five of the above tasks. She is as comfortable fighting on the battlefield as she is forging weapons with magical gemstones or acting as an advisor to Twilight Sparkle or acting as a medic.

Ok overall, here are my rankings for the season. I don't get all the love towards Somepony To Watch Over Me, though. Tragic backstory or not, Applejack checked on her sister WAAYYY to often and this is the first time she treats her excessively like a baby. The way I expect Applejack to go overboard or have a breakdown is best portrayed in Applebuck Season and Apple Family Breakdown. That aside, I loved this episode but I'm very sure Maud's super strength only applies towards rocks in general, something to do with her cutie mark. Logic-defying sure runs in the family. And for once, near the start of the episode, Rainbow Dash is the one to suffer from the cartoon gags of Pinkie Pie. It's a refreshing and hilarious break from seeing Spike's constant abuse this season. 1. Rarity Takes Manehattan 2. Pinkie Pride 3. Filli Vanilli 4. Flight To The Finish 5. Maud Pie 6. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 2 7. Pinkie Apple Pie 8. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 1 9. Somepony To Watch Over Me 10. Twilight Time 11. Rainbow Falls 12. Castle-Mania 13. Bats! 14. Daring Don't 15. It Ain't Easy Being Breezies 16. Power Ponies 17. Simple Ways 18. Three's A Crowd That being said, the order of anything below #8 is not that important. ALL MLP episodes are awesome in their own right and deserve repeated viewings, no matter how the characterisation is consistent or how illogical the story seems. I've yet to see an episode completely fail to the point where I don't want to ever see it again. The difficult part is sieving out the cream of the crop as there are many solid episodes. That being said, I'm sure the next episode will make the top 5 at least. You can't go wrong with Luna

Pinkamena? Even I'd stay well away and let her heal by herself.