Sugar Cube

- Please please PLEASE bring back the letters to Princess Celestia. It's just not the same without them. It's honestly my only real major complaint about season 3. I'd rather have the letters to Celestia than Derpy. =P - Season 4 needs to take a page out of season 1's book, in that there needs to be more episodes focused on the friendship between two characters. I'm talking about episodes like Look Before You Sleep, Fall Weather Friends, and Feeling Pinkie Keen. After all, it's called Friendship is Magic. I like seeing more one-on-one interactions as opposed to a large focus on one character for the whole episode. Just a personal request because I enjoy the episodes focused heavily on character interactions. - Cut down on the Spike episodes, and just have him do more tag-along roles. Really, it's not quite right that he gets two episodes in a season and Rarity gets zero. I know that's being nitpicky, but I think Spike is easier to love when he's in supporting roles like in Lesson Zero and The Crystal Empire as opposed to the dry comedy we usually get when he's in a starring role ala Just For Sidekicks and Owl's Well That Ends Well. =P - Well, fans love looking for Derpy in every episode, and if she could come back I'd more than welcome it.

I just want to say, I love every Mane Six pony. BUT, some of the most recent episodes have irked me somewhat in how dialogue-heavy Rainbow has been as compared to the others. Honestly, Keep Calm and Flutter On was full of Rainbow Dash, and this week's episode felt like ANOTHER RD episode. I understand different situations and plots call for certain characters more than others, but this why they need to actually balance out the distribution of spotlight each pony gets per season. They have been a lot more successful at episodes involving the whole gang in the past, but these past few S3 episodes haven't been as kind. I enjoy when every character has a number of entertaining lines and I like to see all of the character's play off of each other. Games Ponies Play did not do that as well as it should and could have. Fluttershy and Applejack felt virtually nonexistant, but Rainbow Dash never stopped talking. And poor Rarity hasn't had an episode all season long and I think that is pretty unfair. I want each season to have an equal amount of episodes dedicated to EACH character. And I think it should be spread out more. I realize characters like Fluttershy and Applejack usually have less to say than characters like Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. This doesn't mean the writers can't be more strategic in how they distribute the screen time across all six characters. Season 1 is still my favorite season by far, because in most cases whenever an episode featured all six characters, they all had their memorable moments that would satisy any pony fan. I'm talking about gems like Swarm of the Century, Dragonshy, Bridle Gossip, Winter Wrap Up, and The Best Night Ever. All of those are far superior to attempted Mane Six episodes like Games Ponies Play. Btw, just an opinion from a fellow fan. I'm not trying to sound like I'm giving Rainbow Dash a hard time, it's more of a critique about the writing. And I know the team does their best to satisfy every pony fan, and I think they are doing well, but when fans are complaining like they are now, maybe things could be better.

I would pick Gilda, for I felt she was a much more effective character. Gilda was genuinely loathable, whereas Lightning Dust was pretty forgettable.

Honestly, this episode was about as average as it gets. I couldn't tell what this episode was trying to be. The previews had me thinking it was about Rarity, but early on as I was watching it, I learned it wasn't. I am disappointed in Rarity's lack of screen time and focus this season. Was this a Rainbow Dash episode? It's just hard to tell. I'm guessing the idea was for this to be a "Mane Six" episode, but when Applejack and Fluttershy feel extremely nonexistent, the episode falls really flat. And outside of Pinkie's shenanigans being a usual highlight of the episode, I felt that the plot was super predictable, the side characters were bland, and the humor was drier than it has been all season. I might have to give it a rewatch and see if it turns out better the second time. I know I enjoyed Keep Calm and Flutter On a lot more the second time through. Honestly, I feel as if it's season 2 all over again, in that the season starts out with a very strong first half, but the second half ends up being a bit mediocre. Oh well, it's still been a heck of a season for such a short one, and I cannot wait for next week's finale.

WARNING: Long post incoming. I've decided to compile a list of all the episodes for each character. This is really MY opinion on what episode focuses on who, so feel free to disagree. In my opinion, episodes that focus on two characters such as Look Before You Sleep still count. It's okay to share the spotlight with a fellow pony. So here go! Twilight Sparkle episodes: 8 (9 when Magical Mystery Cure airs) - The Ticket Master, Boast Busters, Winter Wrap Up, Feeling Pinkie Keen, Lesson Zero, Luna Eclipsed, It's About Time, Magic Duel Pinkie Pie episodes: 7 - Griffon the Brush-Off, Feeling Pinkie Keen, Party of One, Baby Cakes, A Friend in Deed, MMMystery on the Friendship Express, Too Many Pinkie Pies Rainbow Dash episodes: 7 - Griffon the Brush-Off, Fall Weather Friends, Sonic Rainboom, May the Best Pet Win, The Mysterious Mare Do Well, Read it and Weep, Wonderbolts Academy Fluttershy episodes: 7 - Dragonshy, Stare Master, Green Isn't Your Color, A Bird in the Hoof, Putting Your Hoof Down, Hurricane Fluttershy, Keep Calm and Flutter On Applejack episodes: 7 - Applebuck Season, Look Before You Sleep, Fall Weather Friends, The Last Roundup, The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, Apple Family Reunion, Spike At Your Service Rarity episodes: 6 (Possibly 7 if Games Ponies Play ends up being heavily focused on Rarity. We'll find out soon!) - Look Before You Sleep, Suited For Success, A Dog and Pony Show, Green Isn't Your Color, Sisterhooves Social, Sweet and Elite Spike episodes: 5 - Owl's Well That Ends Well, Secret of My Excess, Dragon Quest, Spike At Your Service, Just For Sidekicks Cutie Mark Crusaders episodes:10 (11 if Sisterhooves Social counts. I don't count it because Scootaloo is absent. Some of these episodes are more character specific than others, but most episodes focus on the group.) - Call of the Cutie, Stare Master, The Show Stoppers, The Cutie Mark Chronicles, The Cutie Pox, Family Appreciation Day, Hearts and Hooves Day, Ponyville Confidential, One Bad Apple, Sleepless in Ponyville Episodes starring all of the Mane Six: 6 - Bridle Gossip, Swarm of the Century, Over A Barrel, The Cutie Mark Chronicles, The Best Night Ever, Hearth's Warming Eve The Story-Driven Two-Parters: 4 - Mare in the Moon and Elements of Harmony, The Return of Harmony, A Canterlot Wedding, The Crystal Empire In my opinion, the writers have done a great job with spreading things out, but this is just my personal interpretation.

- I really have ZERO interest in the background ponies. Derpy was a cute little joke character to have, but I never understood why people obsessed so much over her. I think it's pathetic that people found her offensive and got her removed, but at the same time, maybe the Bronies will just let her go for once. - I like Trixie but she's pretty much your typical villain. So she might be a tad overrated. - Sigh... Luna. Once again, what makes this character so special? I prefer Celestia over Luna. And I'm really hoping they give Celestia more screen time in season 4. I don't dislike Luna at all, but she should stay the #2. Celestia is the #1. - I like Spike, and I think his episodes are usually decent to great. - The three Cutie Mark Crusaders are awesome characters. I don't think they've had any really bad episodes. - I found much of season 2 to be a bit underwhelming compared to the first season. I admit, I started to think the show was going to start the same downhill trek that other good cartoons have, but season 3 has been downright awesome, so my faith in the producers has been rekindled tenfold.

As for the Mane Six, I have always liked each of them, but with each passing episode I find myself loving them more. Twilight Sparkle is still the most adorkable. Fluttershy is the cutest pony ever. Pinkie Pie brightens up every scene she's in. Rainbow Dash is still the coolest. Rarity is the most fabulous. And Applejack is still the most dependable and down-to-earth and I love her to bits for it. I have to give a big shout out to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I know a lot of fans could take them or leave them, but these three went from being pretty borderline annoying to being almost as entertaining and lovable as the Mane Six, if not just as much so. They've been getting better and better all the time. I thoroughly enjoyed One Bad Apple and Sleepless in Ponyville.

Well, since no one did one for Applejack yet... 1. Love her design. She's so unique. The cute little hat, her freckles, her blonde mane.... She has that country vibe to her, and I love it. Not to mention her colors are probably the most natural looking of any pony. 2. Her accent is cute. She's got a nice signing voice. 3. She's a dog lover. Winona is also very cute. 4. Her association with all things apples. I mean, who doesn't love apples and all the good stuff you can make with them? 5. Her personality traits - honesty, morality, hard-working, practical, dependable, stubborn, outgoing, strong, friendly, playful, supportive, I could go on. She isn't as extreme in her personality as the others, but she's got all of the traits a perfect friend would have, and I wish more people in the world were like her. Meh, only five? I'm just scratching the surface here, but I could go on all day about every one of my favorites. =)

Applejack is definitely the "second in command." Take the second episode for example, when Twilight was trying to concentrate on the elements, AJ sort of took the leader role and said "Come on y'all, she needs to concentrate." This is just one example, but Applejack is easily the most qualified for the leadership role after Twilight. She's level-headed, down-to-earth, rational, strong, and she looks out for everypony. If both Twilight and AJ were to be isolated from the others, then I think RD would take over. Dash is definitely immature and impatient, but she is also strong and brave in her own right, and has proven she's more of a leader than a follower in other aspects. So she's a good number three. After that, I think Rarity has some potential to lead if push comes to shove. She's intelligent and can get tough if she has to. She proved capable enough to get out of situations on her own in "A Dog and Pony Show." Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy aren't cut out to be leaders, but they're still great followers who have a place on the team.

I thought this episode was great. It had plenty of comedic moments, especially with RD trying to avoid her friends and hide her book. The Daring Do parts really sucked me in the same way it did Rainbow Dash. I gotta say, I was impressed. And Rainbow stealing the book was priceless. I was a little disappointed in the lack of a letter, and the way Daring escaped was way too silly, but hey, what should I expect? It was still enjoyable. And Daring Do's voice was just wonderful. Anypony know who voiced her?

When I heard Big Mac say no deal, I wondered if someone was going to do this. This is why this fanbase is the best. Wonderful episode. My only disappointment is I wanted more out of Applejack, but to me this was still her episode. Her letter to Celestia was my favorite part. I like how the Apples technically lost, since it made way for some sad moments, but quality is better than quantity. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were all lovable in this episode, and I loved how everypony played a part in helping.

Gotta go with Rainbow Dash. Applejack and her abundance of freckles is a close second though.

Maybe she wanted to get out and hide? With the train stalling the other five she figured she could run off somewhere they wouldn't expect her to be. Now, that didn't work of course because RD and Fluttershy can fly, which AJ temporarily forgot. In any case, silly things like this happen for the sake of comedy. You shouldn't think too much about it. Cartoons aren't supposed to make sense.

We got a priceless I Love Lucy reference, Derpy appearing with an amazing speaking voice, Pinkie rage, and just an all-around amazing episode featuring the long overdue Applejack. I dare say this is one of the best episodes this season. No, the whole series. I was sad that The Hub didn't play it twice. I'll just have to catch it on YouTube then. I'm so pleased with Derpy's voice. It's exactly how I imagined it would be. Honestly, I thought her voice would be a little lower. Sounds more derpish that way. The only minor complaints I have is, Applejack wasn't being completely honest, and if you think about it, RD wasn't being very loyal to Rarity and Pinkie either. However, both are justified, and I don't think anypony should reflect their element 100% of the time. Nopony is perfect after all. The only other thing is that a lot of fans wanted AJ to do something awesome this episode, and while some development was much needed on her part, it's sad that she didn't get any blue ribbons, or prize money for that matter. Still, she's had plenty of amazing moments in my eyes, and hopefully next week's episode will add to it!

I don't see how Derpy can really be that offensive. Her clumsiness is what makes her so lovable in my eyes.

I for one think that Derpy's official voice is perfect. And if that's Tabitha voicing her, my word she can voice anything!

I'm actually glad this isn't an episode involving the mane six in love or anything like that. I'm glad that this show isn't one of those romance-fueled girl-has-to-win-guy kind of shows. That said, I'm all for a cute little love story once in a while, even if it's one that I doubt will last. The Crusaders have been dominating the season with appearances and I for one love it. This sounds like it will be one of those high-level comedy episodes. Now I do hope this episodes will be better than our Halloween and Christmas specials. I mean both were good, but far from some of my personal favorites.

It doesn't bother me at all. The fact that they think Celestia is going to banish them for every little thing is part of the comedy.

Guys, Rarity explained that baby unicorns have strange magic surges that come and go. So why is everyone still hung up on that? As for Pound Cake and his flying, it's probably a similar scenario. Either that or Pegasi fly young and poor Scootaloo just has a flying issue. Anyway, very good episode, but probably not one of my favorites. Pinkie was spectacular, and I rather loved those babies. I'm glad Pinkie is her singing self again. She's been long overdue.

This sounds like it will be an absolutely amazing episode. I wasn't expecting another Rainbow Dash episode so soon, but she and AJ probably had the least real focus last season, so I'll take it. Though Twilight's appearance is a must in an episode about books. Anypony else think Twilight's been on the sidelines for a while now, as in she hasn't gotten a great deal of focus? I'm sure she will soon. But then, Fluttershy...

Great episode. In spite of the fact that five of the mane six did not appear whatsoever, this episode was still carried strong by the CMC's and Granny Smith. I also enjoyed seeing Cheerilee again, and meeting Diamond Tiara's father. And thankfully Big Mac did get a line other than eeyup. And Apple Bloom ftw because her episodes this season have been great. The backstory with Granny was amazing though, so maybe she was the star of this one. Also, there was no letter because this episode did not have any friendship morals. It was a family situation, which is still important. Besides, I'm all for the more subtle lessons. Sometimes it's good to have a break from the Celestia letters.

Chicken Scootaloo... cracks me up every time.

No offense to anypony, but while I like Trixie, I find her overrated. It's one thing to embrace her character, but declaring her as best pony and posting a ton of Trixie related stuff that says how great she is gets old. You know, best pony this, bow down that... blah blah blah. I'm looking at you Equestria Daily. She was in one episode and it's easy to see she's just a phony. What's with the obsession?