I could write a book on the reasons why I "joined the fandom". But, for the sake of convenience, I'll give you the super short version devoid of 95% of the details and context:
I joined the community because I wanted to gain the knowledge necessary to troll bronies & pony haters alike. Luckily for me, I was quite successful in this regard. The reason I stuck around was because the show shocked me with its rapidly ascending quality. I never intended to unironically become obsessed with MLP, but that's just what ended up happening. I started watching S1 all the way back in late 2011. At the time, I considered it to be "ok". Nothing amazing, but the characters were super cute, the writing was witty, and I wanted to become familiar enough with the character motivations, general plot progressions, and world building elements that way I could effectively piss off the bronies without them dismissing me as a mere pony hater. Sometime around mid-S2, I felt a genuine temptation to drop the series altogether. While exceptions like Return of Harmony or Sisterhooves Social impressed on all fronts, the general lack of fluidity in many other episodes, particularly in relation to the poor dialogue and voice direction, left even the most basic of character interactions feeling forced and decidedly bereft of that charm and wit present in S1. I think it was Baby Cakes in particular that had me with one foot out the door. I forget specifically what it was that made me stay and give the show one last chance, but I am SO fucking glad I did. S3, while short as hell, was a major step in the right direction, as far as I am concerned. It felt like a marriage between the strengths of both S1 & S2, but avoided the majority of their shortcomings. Somehow Season 3 managed to take Boast Busters (my all time least favorite episode of S1) and followup with Magic Duel (the first episode in the entire series I would give a 10/10) And yes, I fucking LOVED Magical Mystery Cure too, not to mention Twilight's much deserved ascent to God-hood. S4 was basically S3 on steroids. Bigger, better, ironed out all the kinks, and had the best 2-parters in the entire series.
And then came Season 5...
What can I even say about this season that would do it justice? Absolutely anything I type here would be an insult to the cinematographic and literary masterpiece that is S5. So, I won't say anything... well except for this one last sentence: After watching through the entirety of S5, I knew there was absolutely no way I'd even consider dropping the series ever again.
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So that's my story in a nutshell, lol. Seasons 6~8 have been thoroughly enjoyable over these past few years. Sure, nothing approaching S5 territory of awesome, but still great nonetheless. I'd rank the seasons as follows: 5>>4>6>7=8>3>1>>2. I anticipate the final season with bated breath, and will likely watch G5 once it airs as well.