Lambdadelta

Wow, I found a perfect skippable episode this season. It took me 18 minutes to find something enjoyable about it (the cheerleading is enjoyable), and it just OK at best. Rainbow just keep refusing to do anything until near the end, and it just dragged on and on. No good quirky humor, no good dialogue, not any meaningful character interaction to distract me from this boredom, what an episode to watch after waiting for a week. This is the final season and they waste their episode slots for this, they sure 'try' a lot for this final season, I can see it now.This is the worst episode of season 9, even worse than She's All Yak because at least She's All Yak is an average episode and anything worse than that ep is FATAL. Let hope the next episode will make me happy again.

If they only want money from little kids then it may happen. G3.5 is a living proof that backward progression could happen.

This ep is just like Common Ground, an episode feature the returning celebrity character but not better than their first episodes. The idea of gags factory is interesting, why need to make people laugh in person when you can mass-produce laugh? The cost is Cheese lost his laugh, which is too high for his lifestyle, and he prefer to travel the world to spread joys more than sit in the gloomy factory which is supposed to be produce joys. Pinkie learned something in the end, that she already has her purpose in life in her all along. The end, Sans Smirk runs the factory. This ep is not just as exciting as I expected it to be, and I didn't even compare this ep to Pinkie Pride. This is Cheese Sandwich (or Weird Ai) we are talking about, why did they make this ep less exciting than Between Dark and Dawn which is just a typical mid-age crisis story and roadtrip? Fox bros episodes usually lack some excitement, even they got 2 funniest characters of the entire show, that all they can do. If this ep was written by Mike or Nick, how much fun this ep could get? Where is the madness, where is boundry that need to cross? In the end, nothing is really progressive, Pinkie is still Pinkie, Cheese is still Cheese, the status quo is not even flinched. Despite all I said, Fox bros and production team didn't screw up anything. The story, the pacing, the characters are decent, nothing from this ep can really make you cringe or mad but this ep just lack something, some little crazy that the show just lost recently. A decent episode, not gonna shit on them just because of my ridiculous standard or anything, 7.5/10.

Newer seasons have good songs like Flawless, A Kirin Tale, A Better Way To Be Bad, All Hearth Warming Tail songs, Best Gift Ever songs, The Perfect Pear song, The Movie songs and some catchy songs there and there. So, what is the declination in quality in newer season? They have more forgettable songs that shove into episodes that don't need songs, and no song for finale episodes. After season 6, the show just getting less and less songs but no significant improvement in quality in return. Season 9 so far is the worst with only one amazing and memorable song (A Better Way to be Bad) but even so, it isn't even the best of the series, not even close. Don't forget Rainbow Roadtrip, I just forgot all the songs right after I heard them, they are even more forgettable than any lesser songs of season 6. To answer OP's question, yes, the musical numbers are declining in quality but it's not a huge decline, not yet...

Hasbro doesn't have to to make G4 episodes forever, but at least they must wrap thing up nicely before moving to the next. Their frustrations should be sympathized. The main show will have an ending, whether you like it or not is up to the debate. EQG will not have a proper ending, and it's certainly not OK, and i'm not even big fan of EQG nowadays.

Wait, what, no proper ending for EQG? EQG maybe the less important franchise compare to FIM but it's deserved to have a proper send-off, a special about graduation or something. That's awful, I hate everytime the company/writers cant even finish their piece of fiction PROPERLY. That why I never believe the journey is more important than the destination. All Hasbro want is just going to G5 and wrap up everything else (in case of EQG, I called 'scrap') as fast as possible. Let see how much luck FIM has compare to EQG.

I want them to travel over Equestria to help ponies with their cutie mark problems, as it was mentioned in On Your Marks. Season 5 is a perfect conclusion for CMC, not spending 4 seasons later to not do anything 'progressive'. After season 5, FIM just didnt have enough courage to do break the status-quo just as much as they did in the past, but at least Crusader of The Lost Mark is a proof when the show still had strength in them.

I dont know why i decide to not watch this special until today but that was a mistake, this special is AWESOME. Sunset and Pinkie having fun (and frustrating) together is so unique, i dont know how the writers can make it works. Its good to see the Dazzling again. Surprisingly, They are not the villain this time (nice red herrings) and even Adagio gave Sunset a good advice too, nice cameo. I love time loop stories in any form, and this special is another my favorite time loop story. This special and Forgotten Friendship are my favorite recent EQG specials. Well done, writers, i give you churros out of ten. (Even i dont know what Churros are but it look delicious so take them as positive) Adagio: If the day's always the same, maybe you're the one who needs to change. Cant imagine the moral of the day is spoken by the villain. Well played. Adagio’s tongue still just as sharp as ever, she doesnt need magic to roast Sunset.

Depend on how the final season will wrap up. If it’s forgettable then the whole franchise will fade away really fast. Dont ever underestimate the destination, no matter how good the journey is. Just leave people the last good impression then promised them the new future ahead then i think the fandom will revive again. For me, i still hungry for cute ponies so i will jump into G5 hype train as soon as it announces. Will my interest for ponies live longer than the fandom itself? Time will tell. I dont think the fandom will die after G4 ended. They just sleep for a while but if no one wake them up, they will die. It’s up to Hasbro wake up the pony inside them.

Kim Beyer-Johnson also wrote "Sweet & Smokey", which is my favorite episode of season 9. I guess anyone can be redeemed. Look at RD and AJ in the special, compare them to "Non-Compete Clause", it looks like they are written by different persons. What happen?

This special’s plot is decent but it should be shorter and more condensed. If the plot is too thin and too predictable, shortening the length time is a good thing, not dragging out. I feel like they try to appeal to the younger audience, so it explained everything. I have seen more complex mlp episodes in 22 minutes. At least this is another decent piece of works from the writer who wrote the worst ep so she redeemed herself.

1. Frenemies 2. Sparkle's Seven 3. The Beginning of The End 1&2 4. Between Dusk and Dawn 5. Student Counsel 6.Sweet & Smokey 7. Going to Seeds 8. The Last Crusade 9. Common Ground 10. Point of No Return 11. Uprooted 12. She's All Yaks Yeah, those emotes show how much I enjoy those episodes. I hope you will understand.

Season 9 so far is enjoyable, two instant classic episode like Frenemies & Sparkle Seven and no episode that below average. However, I will be brutally honest, this season is not felt like a good season to wrap up a franchise (so far, of course), and if they keeping doing that to the last half of season then it's will be just an OK finale season. To be more elaborate, I will list every contribution of every episode so far to what I called "the wrapping up". Episode 1&2: This premiere really signified the beginning of the end. The stakes are high. The ultimate villain has come with his legion of doom, combined of the last previous villains of the entire series. The tree was destroy. Duh duh duhhh. (+3) Episode 3: The young 6 mourn for the tree instead of mane 6 (-1). The new tree house was created and it looks like the Tree is not really dead anyway so the impact of the premiere has been soften (-1). The new tree house could be relevant in the finale and the young 6 might be the next harmony bearers, I cant ignore this potential. (+1) Episode 4: The first filler episode but this is not an ordinary filler, its the 200th episode with amazing writting. What this ep contributed is Spike is regconized as a true brother of Twilight. Mlp is not all about plot driven, it's mostly about character driven. Spike got what his character deserves and it counts. (+1) Episode 5: Yeah, Twilight learns a samey lesson about not being perfect. This ep didn't further develop her character but it didn't take a step back anyway. A filler episode that could happen in season 6 and I wont notice. (+0) Episode 6: A self-contained episode with very relatable morals. It really improve Quibble's character more than just a one note character. However, Quibble is just a guest character, he contribute nothing to the grander scheme. I can only count the development of the main characters or important characters so his development wont count. (+0) Episode 7: Another young six episode but with a dance contest. Another filler (+0) Episode 8: A villain episode, the idea by itself is already a plus. (+1) Their chemistry is just so good that you could smell their potential redemption, especially Chrysalis. (+1) The bell and the backstabbing will be the plot relevant later on, I dare you to skip this ep. (+3) Episode 9: Garble's redemption. It came out of nowhere. Is it a plus? At least, this ep wrap up the conflict between Spike & Garble that prolong in too many season so, yes, it's a plus. (+1) Episode 10: A nice Apple family episode. Definitely my favorite Apple filler episode. Wait, did I just say filler? (+0) Episode 11: This ep is building up Starlight to be the school principals someday, that just my theory, but it definitely develops Starlight as a student counselor compare to her doing nothing in Season 8. Any important character progression counts, plot relevant or character development counts. (+1) Episode 12: We finally meet Scootaloo's parents. The question whether she is an orphan or neglected child is answered. (+1) This ep could be the last CMC episode but the solution scream "The Status Quo is God", nothing really different happen after this ep. (+0) Well, at least all previous character that CMC helped gather in Ponyville make this ep felt like a conclusion to CMC story arc somehow. (+1) Scootaloo's dad mentioned about CMC's cutie marks, it could lead to something, hmmmmm….... Episode 13: A fun Royal Sisters episode that people really need in the final season of the show. Just watched it few hours ago so I still don't know what to think about it. The Royal Sisters are willing to let the Mane 6 rule the kingdom even in just one days and they have to get back to fix the problems. This ep is a part of "Twilight will be next ruler of the kingdom" story arc but It leads nowhere. Twilight still sucks at doing what Celestia doing. Should I call it a progression? Plot progression aside, it's a Celestia/Luna chemistry episode that everyone needed in the final season. Well, I called it a needed filler episode (+1) The scores is just a measure of how much these invididual episodes contribute to the grander plot and character progression. Any episode is self-contained, inconsequential to the plot, or even take a step back of character progression will receive zero score or even negative. If I discount some small character development there and there, there will be more zero score. That my impression of season 9 so far. I just want this show ends with a bang, a satisfy conclusion that I will remember after even a decade. A combination of random episodes doesn't make it a final season, it's the combination of plot thickens, answers, conclusions etc. Imagine if I combine Crusader of the Lost Mark, Perfect Pear, Amending Fences, Molt Down, Best Gift Ever, Twilight Kingdom or some random amazing episode into 1 season then called it the final season, just imagine that....... Well, even Big Jim states that the staffs cant answer everything to us so expect for a perfect final season is just in the realm of the fantasy so... What do I wish for the last half of the season? No bad episode. Less useless filler. Super good invididual mane 6 episodes, especially Pinkie Pie. Since Pinkie Pride, what was her best episode you have in your mind? None. Chrysalis and Starlight confrontation. I swear if they drop that plot..... Another CMC episode. Can they just spread their crusade over Equestria? They suggest it in On Your Mark but I think they dropped it. Starlight become school principal and Twilight become the ruler of Equestria. The young 6 become the next Element bearers. Raindow Dash will replace Spitfire, but that's my fanfic territory. I think they're done with RD story for a long time ago. The mane 6 kick Grogar's ass and no reform for that guy. Spike finally learn about his origin. Some conclusion for Discord. Diamond Tiara talks a little bit. May Baby Cakes have big eyes now. Come on, show. And so on. If they did 25% of that, it would be awesome. My impression might be a bit cynical but if you were fan of the show for a decade just to see it's completely ruined by just few last episodes (Game of Throne S8), you cant blame me for being a bit cynical.

Royal Sisters personality in this ep are looking more and more similar to their comic counterpart, and its a bit weird to me to see what they acting throughout this ep. Anyone who love playful Luna back in S2 then this ep definitely didn't disappoint. What bother me is the energetic Sunbutt. Celestia is scared by a chicken? That part is freaking weird to me. Maybe that because my images of the Royal Sisters has always been back to the older seasons. Of course I know they have their playful side throughout series even in the beginning of the show, that why I love Horse Play, but this ep is just a bit over the top. The B-plot should be cut completely, this ep is not good with balance between 2 different plots. It's already super fun with Royal Sisters, why need for the unnesessary plot that didn't even resolve by the end of this ep, even All Bottle Up did a better job at handling two plots. This ep is fun, I giggled a lot in this ep. A royal sisters bonding episode is always welcomed to me. Criticism aside, I enjoy this ep but I wish I could enjoy it more. I give it a 7/10.

June 21st is my birthday... Damn, I hate to read a goodbye letter. It made me sad. ;c Anyway, thanks to all people who worked hard for this show. The next generation wouldn't be the same without you guys but I still give it a chance, just like I gave this show a chance 5 years ago. This is the end of FIM but not ponies, let hope the next generation still has souls just as much as its predecessor. (please no G3.5...) But, still... I still have 14 episodes, 1 special and some EQG short/specials. I still have a lot of episodes to enjoy the shit out of them, to talk, and to criticize (the shit out of them). Just because they are last episodes that doesn't mean I will go easy on them. Let see what you got.

The biggest problem of this ep is they trying to sugar-coat the parents's actions. If Scootaloo looks up to them, she should mention them at least once in the past 8 seasons not fangirling RD all over the place. This retcon requires your suspension of disbelief. This ep is just getting worse everytime i think about it. Season 9 so far is a decent season but as a season to wrap thing up, season 9 is a lackluster finale.

It's hard for me to accept Spoiled Milk is lesser evil here... Now Scootaloo's aunts will take care of her, mentally and now physically. The parents don't have to do anything now, just focus to their truest daughter, THEIR CAREER. They learned nothing! People says Scootaloo going with them will be more realistic conclusion but I prefer my fantasy with Scootaloo being adopted by more precious parents: Bow Hothoof & Windy Whistles.

Scootaloo: [sighs] Me. Growing up, I never thought I'd be the best at anything, because nopony ever told me. For all these years, Scootaloo's parents just did nothing to cheer her up. They may be the badass couple ever but as parents, they are terrible. Worst parents so far.

*finished watching* I have nothing funny to say about the last half of the episode but the last scene is really heartwarming. All ponies (include a griffin) that connects to CMC throughout the series are gathered here in the same screen, even Babs Seed was there. It would be better if every single one can talk about CMC has done to them, like Diamond Tiara or Babs Seed, who had no talking role even now but they dont have much time left so yeah, at least I saw Diamond Tiara waving to the CMC... This ep could be a nice conclusion to CMC story arc but i have to say it's not the best. I just expected something more dramatically because nothing is really changed, It didnt have the impact that Crusader of the Lost Mark did. Until now, there was none CMC episode can beat Lost Mark. Last Crusade could be the only best ep to challenge Lost Mark but too bad, Lost Mark has much more epic conclusion and bigger impact to the show. This ep is good, i like it. I give it an 8/10. Scootalove for the wins. I need to watch this ep several times to find out what i missed. It's my first watch afterall. Something about the parents bother me...

*Watching The Last Crusade* The kid finally got his cutie mark. Well done, even i dont know what your job will be... Aw, those aunts people are talking about. I dont see anything that people make a fuss about. So where the parents? *Scootaloo is so exciting about her parents* At least she didnt scream for minutes like what she did in Parental Glideance because she is screaming from THE INSIDE. When Snip doubt Scootaloo's story about how cool her parents are (include me), they just show off as cool as possible... So Scootaloo has the best parents?!?! *fanboy screammmmmm* *and cheerilee has left the building* Aw, Scootaloo got her parents now. No need for RD and her parents, i guess. Oh no, Scootaloo has to live somewhere far away. Will it be the last Scootaloo episode? The crying scene is just comical and ... cute... I'm trying to take their problems seriously, promise! Here come RD to the rescue... ...Bye, RD. Thanks for the ticket! .............. The CMC try to trick the parents to make them work in Ponyville. How could it possible go wrong? *continue watching* By a way, i like Scootaloo' mom design, damn i forgot her name. Back to the episode!

The results are just what i expected. Season 5 is considered to be the highest peak of the show and the second best is Season 4 due to the finale. Season 3 is still the season rot of the franchise. Season 6 is the second lowest and Season 8 may be its competition. And Season 7 is an improvement after Season 6. That's people's general opinions no matter what you look with just small variations. I dont have any complicate statistics but i have to say that Season 6 and Season 8 didn't deserve to be that low, especially Season 8. Season 8 should be the same bar with Season 7 because of overall better premiere and finale with better set up, better villain and amazing new casts. Season 2 is already high even without nostalgia goggles put in your eyes so i have nothing to say...