Which episode would you suggest be a new viewer's first?

[EverEverOn 346]

Probably an episode in a later season. Sure, there might be some confusion, but it all depends on the episode. I'd probably start someone off on the episode with Trouble Shoes.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

The easy answer would be the series premier two-parter "Friendship is Magic," but admittedly...it's not the best episode out there. I've seen plenty who watched the episode and went "It's all right, but the show is not for me." However if there is one episode that I would recommend to a new viewer that show exactly WHY I love this series and one this that it trule represent for me, that would be "Amending Fences."

 

Why is that? This episode has a few qualities that I think can speak to many people:

 

1. Real, genuine human emotion. Say what you want about this being a world of pastel colored ponies, but the rejection, sadness, and outright anger felt by Moondancer was real, and it holds a LOT of emotional weight.

 

2. Likewise Twilight's resolve to break Moondancer's stubbornness is also relatable, and a VERY good lesson that one shouldn't give up so easily.

 

3. The cast of character for this episode is memorable; especially Minuette. They're charming, funny, don't steal the spotlight, and just memorabl.

 

4. The lesson in general.

 

Yes, episodes like "The Crystal Empire" and "The Cutie Map" are ones I personally enjoy more, but "Amending Fences" would speak to the general populace a heck of a lot more.

[Luminance 2,186]

I think any episode with the great songs is a good place to start. If they like the music than they might like the rest. That's how I started to gain interest in the show, by the songs.

[Solid 1,327]

Depends on the person and what he/she likes - less talk more action, deep and insightful "friendship lessons," or nonstop rofl humor, etc.

[Justin_Case001 4,907]

Oh I know, PRINCESS SPIKE.  Right?  Yeah, there ya go.

 

But seriously, It all depends on whether this person actually has an interest and might want to get into the show (in which case, start at the beginning), or if you're talking about trying to showcase the best that FIM has to offer in order to change the mind of a stubborn anti-brony (in which case, Wonderbolts Academy, The Mane Attraction, and It's About Time are all great candidates.)

[Thrond 3,263]

Honestly, the pilot works just fine. That's a great episode as is, and it establishes the modest mythology as well as the fun characters quite well. Otherwise, I'm always inclined to champion my personal favourite episode ever, "Lesson Zero," but that might work better after spending the previous season with the characters. 

[AlbaTross 1,586]

  On 2016-09-05 at 4:02 AM, pnylvr said:

If someone said to you, "I want to give the show a try. Could you recommend an episode for me to start with?", what would you suggest they watch?

Personally, I would recommend Sonic Rainboom. It shows the personalities of and interactions between most of the major characters fairly well, and has no major flaws IMO.

 

Hi, as this topic is about episodes of the show, it has been moved to Show Discussion.

<p>This thread appears to be discussing MLP:FiM in some way, shape or form. Thus, it has been sentenced to Show Discussion.</p>

[GreenGreenWhirlWind 161]

Besides episodes 1 and 2 for obvious reasons, i'd also recommend "Pinkie Pride" or "Magic Duel".

[Thrond 3,263]

  On 2016-09-06 at 7:06 AM, OmegaBeamOfficial said:

To be honest, despite It's premise, and the fact that It's about ponies and all, the show Isn't really that girly anyway. Want an example of something ultra girly? Go look at Monster High or Barbie.

Does it really matter if it's girly or not? I mean, I'd say that it's relatively girly, but that's hardly a statement regarding whether it's good or not.

[Professional Horse 94]

I'm kind of shocked to see so many people recommending the first two episodes. I first tried watching those cliche atrocities back in 2012 and I stopped after five minutes. It's too unbearable and still is. I've seen dozens of people on the internet say how bad those two are and how they didn't understand why the show was so popular.

 

If you want to sell this show to people, you have to show them what makes it special and why hairy adults might enjoy it. Return of Harmony is a good one, thanks to Discord, great characterization, an obvious Star Wars reference and fantastic comedy ("HERE COMES TOM!"). It's basically the first two episodes done right.

 

But Solid is right:

 

  On 2016-09-13 at 2:03 AM, Solid said:

Depends on the person and what he/she likes - less talk more action, deep and insightful "friendship lessons," or nonstop rofl humor, etc.

It depends on the person you're trying to get interested in the show.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,699]

Has anyone reccomended Wonderbolt academy yet? its a really good episode that's also very gender neutral, and doesn't require a very deep knowledge of the show to understand.