Gonna re-watch seasons 1, 2, and 3. Episodes to skip?

[Harpuia 68]

I haven't been watching MLP much lately besides S4, and I'd like to get back into it. Basically, I'd just like to know which episodes are generally considered the worst by the community and are worth skipping. Also, if there's any standout episodes I should look forward to then that could be worth mentioning as well. 

[Megas 27,786]

Just watch them all, some episodes people consider the worst might be one you'll actually love, and vice versa

Edited June 7, 2014 by Kamina

[Ace O. Jade 122]

S2E13: Baby Cakes. I didn't like that one, I'd skip it.

 

That ws my favorite episode for quite a while. Still ranks second on my list. It's a great "must-watch" in my opinion.

[Harpuia 68]

S2E13: Baby Cakes. I didn't like that one, I'd skip it.

I didn't mind that one when I saw it, looking though it had it's issues and I think I'll skip. That adultery joke at the beginning is great though, that's probably the highlight of it for me. 

[Stellafera 3,836]

I haven't been watching MLP much lately besides S4, and I'd like to get back into it. Basically, I'd just like to know which episodes are generally considered the worst by the community and are worth skipping. Also, if there's any standout episodes I should look forward to then that could be worth mentioning as well. 

 

I dunno, I think that sometimes episodes that I remembered as kinda bad/bland ended up being better on rewatch.

 

If you don't mind RD's self centered side, I'd recommend not skipping Mare Do Well despite its low reputation. I mean, the Mane 5 weren't at their best and the plot forgot to acknowledge that, but the portrayal of Rainbow Dash was excellent (rainbow pony is insecure as **** in S1-2), as was the comedy, visuals, and score. 

 

If you do mind it, skip both it and May the Best Pet Win, maybe even Read It and Weep if you really don't like her bluster.

 

Episodes To Skip:

Swarm of the Century

The Show Stoppers (AB is good at carpentry. Scoots is good at scooter and dancing. Sweetie is good at singing. /episode)

Fall Weather Friends (unless you like AJ and RD's interactions)

Over A Barrel

The Cutie Pox

Most of Family Appreciation Day (Granny Smith's story is worth a rewatch)

Games Ponies Play (other than maybe the cold open to give Just for Sidekicks context)

 

Episodes to Squee For:

Winter Wrap Up

Suited for Success

Party of One

The Return of Harmony

Lesson Zero

Secret of My Excess

Hurricane Fluttershy

Too Many Pinkie Pies

Sleepless in Ponyville

Wonderbolts Academy

Apple Family Reunion

 

Now, the problem with the squee episodes is that they depend a lot on who your favorite pony is. Rarity fans would love to add Sweet and Elite to there, and Pinkie fans might wonder where A Friend in Deed is. I had to leave out The Last Roundup myself. Additionally, it depends on what sorts of episodes you like (see the Baby Cakes debate above).

[Bastion 414]

I'd still watch the lesser ones.

the stories cannot hit bullseyes every time but seeing the lesser ones will let you enjoy the better ones more

[Shift 4,272]

Episodes to Avoid:

1. Swarm of the Century
2. Over a Barrel
3. A Bird in the Hoof
4. The Cutie Pox
5. Mare Do Well
6. Family Appreciation Day
7. Games Ponies Play
8. Just for Sidekicks
9. The Show Stoppers
10. Baby Cakes
11. Owls Well Ends Well
12. The Newspaper Episode, I dunno what it was called
13. S1 Opener

Episodes to fangirl over repeatedly:

1. S2 Opener
2. Suited for Success
3. Winter Wrap Up
4. S1 Finale
5. Magical Mystery Cure (I am so alone in the universe)
6. Sonic Rainboom, since everyone else likes it and I hate it.
7. Sweet and Elite
8. It's About Time
9. Friendship Express
10. Hurricane Fluttershy
11. Wonderbolts Academy
12. Lesson Zero
13. Magic Duel
14. Crystal Empire
15. Sleepless in Ponyville
16. Secret of the Excess
17. Hearth's Warming Eve
18. Read it n' Weep
19. QUEST OF THE DRAGONS (I have no idea why I put that in caps.)
20. LUNA MOTHER BUCKING ECLIPSED, BECAUSE LUNA
21. Party of One

[baba_booey 4,303]

Episodes to skip:

 

-Boast Busters (My LEAST favorite episode of the series)

-Spike at Your Service

-Sonic Rainboom

 

MAYBE think of Skipping:

-Apple Family Reunion

-Wonderbolts Academy

-One Bad Apple

-Look Before You Sleep

-Ponyville Confidential

-Bridle Gossip

 

Episodes to for:

 

-A Canterlot Wedding (My favorite episode)

-Sweet and Elite

-Sleepless in Ponyville

-Winter Wrap Up

-Suited for Success

-Cutie Mark Chronicles

-The Best Night Ever

-Lesson Zero

-Sisterhooves Social

-Secret of my Excess

-The Last Roundup (and **NOT** because of Derpy)

-Hurricane Fluttershy

Edited June 8, 2014 by Peter Sam

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

Just watch them all. I mean, some of these episodes being listed to skip are ones you could end up liking quite a bit Most people hate "Owl's Well that Ends Well" but I enjoy that one immensely - I also hate "Sonic Rainboom" and "Sleepless in Ponyville," which are two of the most popular amongst the fandom.

 

Watch all of them and form your own opinions - don't allow other people to tell you what you should and shouldn't watch, just see for yourself 

Edited June 8, 2014 by ghostfacekiller39

[SonOfTheNorthe 412]

Unpopular opinion, but Boast Busters. I like Trixie, but I have some pretty big beef with the episode's plot.

 

A Bird in the Hoof was pretty lackluster, Mare Do Well is just awful, I used to hate Putting Your Hoof Down, until I saw TBAAP's review, One Bad Apple is kinda crap, and Spike At Your Service is just atrocious. The first part of the season 1 opener was decent, but the second half had some awful storytelling. A Canterlot Wedding had too many plot holes for me to enjoy to the fullest.

 

The my personal faves of season 1-3 are Bridle Gossip, Best Night Ever, Party of One, Lesson Zero, Return of Harmony, Secret of my Excess, SSCS6000, Hurricane Fluttershy, the second half of The Crystal Empire, Magic Duel, Keep Calm and Flutter On, and Magical Mystery Cure (too much left unexplained, but I can dig the music.),

Edited June 8, 2014 by SonOfTheNorthe

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

I'd recommend just watching them all.

 

You never know. A second viewing can do a lot to change opinions.

[Harpuia 68]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm glad to see Party of One listed as a standout ep, it's still one of my favorites. I'm curious as to why Over a Barrel seems to get a lot of flack, that was one of my favorites although maybe just because Breaburn and Strongheart are my favorite one-shot characters. Even though it's one of the weaker episodes, I think I'll watch the S1 opener simply for nostalgia's sake.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,316]

I haven't been watching MLP much lately besides S4, and I'd like to get back into it. Basically, I'd just like to know which episodes are generally considered the worst by the community and are worth skipping. Also, if there's any standout episodes I should look forward to then that could be worth mentioning as well. 

Here's an idea. Watch all the episodes, and decide for yourself which ones you like and don't like. Why limit yourself by asking others which ones to skip?

[Stellafera 3,836]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm glad to see Party of One listed as a standout ep, it's still one of my favorites. I'm curious as to why Over a Barrel seems to get a lot of flack, that was one of my favorites although maybe just because Breaburn and Strongheart are my favorite one-shot characters. Even though it's one of the weaker episodes, I think I'll watch the S1 opener simply for nostalgia's sake.

 

And this is why the idea of having other people recommend episodes to skip is faulty.

 

I mean, Mare Do Well is a common suggestion to leave out -- but it'd easily make my personal "Squee List". Others just despise it. Hence the point of rewatching the episodes; so you can see them again for yourself and evaluate them on your own terms. 

[Batbrony 16,056]

Well I guess speaking personally, whenever I go back and rewatch all 3 seasons (or rather, 4 now that Season 4 is all finished), I make a point to watch every episode, even if I didn't like them.  That's partly my OCD, but I feel like you don't really get the whole MLP experience if you skip any episode.  The only one that I loathe enough that I would ever even consider skipping it is "MMMystery on the Friendship Express" (for my full explanation as to just why I hate that episode so much, you can read my review of it here: http://mlpforums.com/blog/1009/entry-8185-batbrony-reviews-s02e24-mmmystery-on-the-friendship-express/).  But really, I wouldn't even skip that one, nor even EQG (yeah, I didn't like EQG).  Again, that's just me, you wanna skip some, go right ahead.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,316]

And this is why the idea of having other people recommend episodes to skip is faulty.

 

I mean, Mare Do Well is a common suggestion to leave out -- but it'd easily make my personal "Squee List". Others just despise it. Hence the point of rewatching the episodes; so you can see them again for yourself and evaluate them on your own terms. 

Mare Do Well is one of my favorites. I never understood the bad rap it gets. Sometimes Rainbow is a bit too full of herself. I think she learned a valid lesson in the episode.

[Frosty Nerd 833]

You should really just watch all of them. I don't like "Mmmmystery on The Friendship Express", but I never skip over it. I like to enjoy the show in it's entirety.

[Pastel 7,630]

None! They're all great in my opinion except Magical Mystery Cure.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

None! They're all great in my opinion except Magical Mystery Cure.

That was close. You almost told them not to watch the best episode!

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

Boast Busters

Mysterious Mare-Do-Well

Spike at your Service

The Crystal Empire Parts 1 and 2

Sweet and Elite

 

I'd avoid those episodes. In fact I usually do.

[Jeric 46,861]

If this thread tells you anything, it's that personal tastes vary widely. Don't skip an episode if you want to re watch them.

 

I found episodes I originally disliked a little better on a second viewing, and some I liked didn't hold up as well. And there were a few that became background noise episodes ... but I would not consider them bad episodes.

[Firellama26 29]

I think you should just watch all the episodes. Everyone has their opinions.

[-Lyra Heartstrings- 100]

watch them all!!!!!! i love them all

[LED Dasher 228]

Just watch all of them. When you re-watch certain episodes you notice certain details that you didn't notice before. You might even appreciate the episodes you previously didn't like.

[Celli 4,339]

Personally, when I marathon the whole series, I don't skip any episodes. I feel it isn't a proper marathon if you don't.