What would you consider the best/worst episodes to introduce a friend to?

[Zerbu 72]

If you had a friend who you wouldn't to introduce the show to, which episodes would you recommend to get them interested, particularly if they were skeptical about it?

 

Some examples I would consider:

 

• Sonic Rainboom - basically, a high quality episode with many great moments. It may not give a good first impression for Rarity, however. This was the first episode I watched all the way through, and while it's not my overall favourite, it got me interested in checking out more.
• Feeling Pinkie Keene - a great mix of high quality humour, good storytelling and dealing with a monster. However, the way the moral was badly presented could possibly leave a bad impression.
• Party Of One - another hilarious episode with amazing writing quality. Unless your friend has a strong dislike of random singing, which is shown at the start, I can't think of any problems.
• Read it and Weep - practically a metaphor for becoming a brony. It's very relatable, as you're basically going through a very similar experience to Rainbow Dash while you watch it.
• Hurricane Fluttershy - probably one of the higher quality episodes in the whole series. The downside though, is that it only shows three of the Mane Six, and Spike was portrayed pretty negatively.

Also, what would you consider the worst episodes? I'd say anything that is overly dumbed down and lacks conflict, which is probably what people who haven't seen the show are expecting it to be. Also, I suggest avoiding episodes that don't get entertaining until after the first act, as newcomers might be impatient and not want to wait.

Edited August 16, 2015 by Zerbu

[ponylaces 1,870]

Best: Maybe a funny episode like Party of One or Lesson Zero. Pretty much any episode that breaks the stereotype non-bronies/anti-bronies think the show is.

 

Worst: An episode that portrays characters negatively, any bad or cheesy episode, and Slice of Life.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

If you want them to see its not a stereotypical girl's show, have them watch The Cutie Map.

[GeekySonic 1,150]

The very first episode(s) I watched was the season 5 premiere, and it has remained my personal favorite.

 

As for the worst, I don't exactly have a fair perspective, seeing as I have not seen all episodes. But of the ones I have seen, I would go with - I actually don't remember the title. It was the one about the big clumsy guy that sounded like Harold from Fallout 3 (I think his name was Troubleshoes). That episode was just... kinda boring.

[Megas 27,786]

I think the best episodes to start with are usually the ones that can stand well on it's own, which is why I always recommend Read It And Weep, which is an episode I've commonly seen get people interested in the show

 

As for worst, I think even some of the show's best aren't well to start off with as a lot of them can't be fully appreciated imo without past knowledge of past episodes. EDIT: Seconding Slice of Life as a bad ep to introduce people

Edited August 16, 2015 by Megas75

[Princess Lona 382]

I think it depends on the friend. If you really want them to give the show a chance, show them an episode that plays to the things they already like. I introduced a friend to the show via Lesson Zero because I knew that he likes the many crazy facial expressions on Ren and Stimpy and Twilight has a lot of unique crazy faces in that episode.

If I wanted to introduce to the show a friend who really loved the Monorail song from The Simpsons, I would show them Cider Season. Feminist friend? I would show them the pilot episode.

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Party of one is my preferred choice, it just kinda shows that this isn't what would typical be considered a "little girls show". Worst would probably have to be the pilot, I've seen so many people turn away from this show due to this episode.

[SolyWack 482]

It does depend on the friend, but in my opinion, most people are skeptical about the girls show aspect about it. So dont show them Slice of Life stories. So them the high octane adventure episodes like The Discord One (name?), A Canterlot Wedding, or The Cutie Map. Those episodes go the opposite direction of a girls show. When your friend gets invested in the characters, he/she will be more inclined towards the Slice of Life episodes.

 

Bad episodes would be Suited for Success, Look Before You Sleep, and Slice of Life. Those episodes, while they may be generally okay episodes, are much more weighted towards what I would consider girly (dresses, slumber parties, and weddings) that it might alienate a new viewer.

[ponylaces 1,870]

The very first episode(s) I watched was the season 5 premiere, and it has remained my personal favorite.

 

As for the worst, I don't exactly have a fair perspective, seeing as I have not seen all episodes. But of the ones I have seen, I would go with - I actually don't remember the title. It was the one about the big clumsy guy that sounded like Harold from Fallout 3 (I think his name was Troubleshoes). That episode was just... kinda boring.

Appleloosa's Most Wanted? Yeah, that episode was pretty boring. It's my least favorite of season 5.

[Zerbu 72]

If you want them to see its not a stereotypical girl's show, have them watch The Cutie Map.

 

I considered that one too! The later seasons might confuse some newcomers though, since they rely a lot on continuity. When I first got into the show, I wasn't a big fan of season 3 and 4, but I eventually started to love them once I had gotten more attached to the characters.