Underwhelmed by Season 5

[Ninja(Pinkie)Midget 180]

I guess I'll have to give a few of the episodes this season a re-watch.  I wasn't real fond of Bats! at first, but it crept up on my list as my daughter kept requesting it.  I still love waiting for the regular saturday morning viewing with my daughter, and I'm sure there will be some memorable ones throughout the season, just waiting for one to strike that chord like A Friend in Deed or Pinkie Apple Pie or Fillivanilli.

[Singe 2,111]

This Season is up to episode 8 and there have only been two map quest stories

Edited May 25, 2015 by Singe

[cider float 2,539]

Yeah Season 5 was pretty disappointing for the most part. I just looked back over and episodes 1-6 straight did not fit my fancy. That's quite a track record (Two CMC episodes ewww). After Keep Discord and Griffonstone it start getting good.

[Sidral Mundet 1,666]

This seasons been as good as the others have been, at least to me.  We've had two really great episode, Tanks for the Memories and Make New Friends but Keep Discord, both of which might pierce my Top 10 once the season's complete, and a lukewarm story at best, Appaloosa, and the other stories being various degrees of enjoyable IMO anyways. I guess I was underwhelmed by The Cutie Map, but after the 11 month hiatus, it could only go down from my impossible to meet expectations. Still not a bad episode though just one I don't hype up or think is the cream of the crop in terms of MLP episodes. 

[Ninja(Pinkie)Midget 180]

This seasons been as good as the others have been, at least to me.  We've had two really great episode, Tanks for the Memories and Make New Friends but Keep Discord, both of which might pierce my Top 10 once the season's complete, and a lukewarm story at best, Appaloosa, and the other stories being various degrees of enjoyable IMO anyways. I guess I was underwhelmed by The Cutie Map, but after the 11 month hiatus, it could only go down from my impossible to meet expectations. Still not a bad episode though just one I don't hype up or think is the cream of the crop in terms of MLP episodes. 

 

 That is true about possible raised expectations.  The wait felt grueling to me.  Still, I'm not saying I'm ready to leave the herd.  I think the writers/animators/creators have a vision for the show and I'll go along for the ride.  I think that's what separates this show from your regular Saturday morning fare...it feels like it's going somewhere.  There are discernible character arks and you always wonder what will be next.  I think as long as they keep moving the characters and story along, I'll go along too.  You have to have some faith in the creators with something like this.  I'm a big Stephen King fan and there were a lot of people who didn't like the way he wanted to end The Dark Tower series.  Basically, the publisher made him write an ending after he felt he had finished the story.  In the book, when he took a moment to say that this is where he thought the story should end, and not the following chapter where Roland finally enters the Dark Tower, I stopped reading.  If the creator says it's done, then you have to respect that.  I still have no idea what was in that last chapter of the series.  Anyway, no matter the direction, like the last 3 star wars movies and upcoming ones, I'll still be there, just a fool following the creators  

[Steve Piranha 29,481]

Appleloosa's Most wanted was the biggest dud this season, otherwise the episodes were descent at least, to amazing like the premiere, to Tanks for the Memories and Lost Treasure of Griffonstone. Can't complain much 

[Allen 1,389]

I underwhelm on latest episodes, keeping on-track with them in good records. 

[AlbaTross 1,586]

I actually think season 5 is off to one of the best starts of any season so far. I still think season 2 was a little more consistent, but a lot has happened this season and it has only just started. The Cutie Map is a lot of fun, and is just the right mix of creepy and funny while still somehow managing to stay in the realm of children's programming without crossing the line into more mature territory, and it ended with a hint that Starlight Glimmer will be back. Thumbs up from me for that two parter. Castle Sweet Castle is a bit underwhelming for what should have been an emotional episode, but it's still entertaining and harmless. Almost the entire episode of Bloom and Gloom is a spoof on Groundhog Day and that's just fifty shades of epic, but if that wasn't enough it also shows that the prospect of obtaining a cutie mark brings not only anticipation, but anxiety as well. The episode has a relatable message, and is easily one of my top three favourites of the season.

 

Tanks for the Memories somehow manages to make an otherwise unremarkable event really emotional, and the humour is spot on. Sure, it creates a plot hole by completely ignoring the fact that Rainowdash has already been through a winter with Tank and didn't seem to care that he hibernated then, but it's still a great episode IMHO. Appleoosa's Most Wanted is a bit cliched, but Troubleshoes is likeable and the episode is ok IMHO, even though I wouldn't quite call it great. Make New Friends But Keep Discord is an episode starring Discord as the protagonist where he learns a good lesson. It introduces an entertaining character, brings back the Smooze, and is all around epic IMHO despite it portraying Princess Celestia as a sadistic ruler. The Lost Treasure of Griffinstone brings back and reforms Gilda, and expands on the concept of the cutie map by allowing for any combination of the six to tend to situations rather than all of them having to be present.

 

Overall, I think season 5 is a great season so far. It's only 8 episodes in and it not only followed up on already established plot points and things hinted at prior to the season premier, but it did some things fans have been wanting for quite some time. It has given us a season premier where somepony other than Twilight takes the lead in helping to save the day, Rainbowdash got a solo song, Discord got his own episode and Gilda has been brought back and reformed. Oh, and we saw the return of another G1 antagonist. The best part is, the season is just getting started. I think there's a very real possibility of the CMCs getting their cutie marks, as it has been hinted at a couple times so far. It's shaping up to be the season fans have been wanting for quite some time.

 

I will say though that while I'm fond of the current season so far, Ingram has yet to really hit it out of the park with one of his songs IMHO, while past seasons have all had really memorable tunes. I hope we haven't seen his best work of the season yet. What we've gotten so far has been ok, but it definitely isn't even close to the best we've heard.

Edited May 25, 2015 by Tross

[FlutterDash4072 189]

The last few episodes were pretty underwhelming, but I think season 5 had one of the strongest starts yet. MLP has a lot of ups and downs during each season, I wouldn't start looking at it as a whole until we're over halfway through.

[Steve Piranha 29,481]

I think the biggest flaw this season has is the ammount of hiati we got not even half the season  , I mean, we got a week hiatus, two episodes later, WE GOT AN EVEN BIGGER HIATUS, FOR THE 100TH EPISODE 

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

I actually agree to a point. Compared to Season 4, I DO feel underwhelmed. Season 4 has a really, REALLY big soft spot in my heart. The thing is, I like the magical girl aspects of this show and the adventure. When I first saw this show during Season 1 I was expecting lots of Magical girl adventure from the Opening 2 episodes, and I was pretty much waiting for more to develop. This pretty much never happened.
THEN season 4 hit, we got an incredible premier and a macguffin box that SCREAMED "Meta-arc!" "Adventure" And "BIG THINGS TO COME!" involving all six of the mane six. We got episodes dedicated to each of the mane six emphasizing their elements, and there were constant hints of it throughout the season, combined with, by FAR the most adventure we've ever had in a Season (Power ponies, Three's a crowd, STWOM, ect.).

Now, Season 4 DID NOT pay off as much as I thought, nor did it end as well as I had hoped (the box arc more or less ending up as "Oh yeah, this finale is going to basically just revolve around Twilight with the others as a footnote until the very end" was NOT in any way shape or form what I was hoping for, but still. It was a good season overall.





So, then we come this season, and... it just kind of feels fillerish,  y'know? There's not any real promise of something happening from the map besides "These are your knew WOW daily quests", there doesn't appear to be anywhere more for characters to grow (Twilight has her castle and is at her "end game". And honestly, I'd get more annoyed at her if they started lavishing more titles on her now anyways), and there's no hint of a real meta-arc.
Sure, we get the impression that Starlight will return, but she didn't strike me as anywhere near as intimidating or epic a villain as previous ones like Discord and Tirek. Plus, There's very little action or adventure this season.


So, while I LIKE this season so far, it lacks the "hook" to keep me anticipating more, yeah? I really liked the last episode (Arimathi was AWESOME and I loved that world building), and map episodes are nice, but there's just not the draw that the box had.

[Argumedies 1,748]

My only complaint is that there are now 8 episodes out with the next three semi specials and not a single Rarity episode to date in any of it

[ponylaces 1,870]

Besides Appleloosa's Most Wanted, the episodes were very entertaining and enjoyable for me. They make me excited for the rest of what season 5 has to offer. We aren't even halfway through the season and I'm loving it already!

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,020]

So far Season 5 is turning out to be one of my favorite seasons of the entire show, I am actually enjoying it more than season 4 and I loved season 4. The only episodes that have disappointed me a tiny bit were the Cutie Map and Appaloosa's Most Wanted, but I still really enjoyed them.

 

Tanks for the Memories and Make Friends but Keep Discord are now two of my favorite episodes in the whole show, and Lost Treasure of Griffonstone may make that list once I watch it again. I feel like this season has had much more character development so far and plenty of hilarious moments. What's not to love?

 

I personally am absolutely loving this season so far and it could very well end up being my favorite season.

[221BTardisSt 101]

I am actually really liking this season so far. Here's my take on each:

 

Cutie Map: it was okay. Not my favorite opener, but the concepts behind the episode are really deep.

 

Castle Sweet Castle: this is the only one I can honestly say I didn't like. I just found it a little boring, but it does get an award for 2nd best song of the season.

 

Bloom and Gloom: we all knew Apple Blooms dream episode was coming up, and this was just fantastic. The writing quality and creativity was just beautiful.

 

Tanks for the Memories: I cried when Rainbow cried. This is so far my favorite of the season. Also, my favorite song so far.

 

Appleloosa's most wanted: it was a nice filler. The CMC were getting into trouble as always, and it was adorable. Plus, Trouble Shoes was a nice story.

 

Make New friends but keep Discord: AWESOME! Of course, anything with Fluttercord is awesome!

 

The lost treasure of griffonstone: I enjoyed the Rainbow/Pinkie team up. I'd like to see more of them together.

 

Overall it's an awesome season so far in my opinion

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

I'm enjoying this season so far. Really, the only episode I found less than good was Applelooza's Most Wanted. Even then, it was mostly meh and underwhelming. They actually so far look like they fixed a few of the criticisms thrown at season 4.

 

Forcing mane six into episodes: The idea of the map where only a few characters go

 

Pinkie Pie: Making her actually funny

[cider float 2,539]

It was so underwhelming that I'm still unaware that Cutie Map was a two part big time episode. It's like after King Sombra it just fell a bit further. I did like the idea of an unicorn being an almighty villain but he could have brought out a bigger impression like Tirek did. Though in terms of cunning and planning Sombra was impressive.

[Side Bird 566]

The seasons had quite a few good episodes already. Appleloosa's most wanted was.. Not a favorite of mine.

I enjoy this season a-lot more then others because of the fact they're going to explore and show new locations, Griffonstone as an example.