Was Season 6 really that bad?

[Vocal Analyst 665]

Season 6 while it did have its moments, didn't have enough consistency to highlight its strengths. It made supporting characters such as Starlight, The CMC's, Spike, Trixie and Discord get massive growth, it had a finale that bucked all conventions, a through 'A Hearth's Warming Tail' have one of the best episodes this show has produced thus far. However, much like SteveMorison pointed out, it started out mediocre and finished strong. The opening twelve episodes while peppered with some good ones had some real duds that didn't excite the viewer like the start of Season 5 had (at least for me), which left me pining for more, which luckily I was satisfied with. Seasons 1 and 2 felt the same, finishing strong after starting with a lot of average or forgettable episodes (despite BOTH starting out with good premieres). All in all for me, expectations were not met. However, thanks to the finale, I'm much more hyped about Season 7 than I was about Season 6 starting, which says something.

 

While I understand some hating the season based on Starlight's reformation and her subsequent impact on it, it is honestly laughable. She only appeared in SIX episodes out of the twenty-six, just under a quarter of the season's output, which isn't really that much. To say it impacted negatively is quite ridiculous and inconsequential when you think about it.

[BastementSparkle 20,326]

Honestly? I feel like 6 was one of the better seasons, right up there with 2, 4, and 5 in terms of quality for me. Even if it had been like 1 or 3, by my standards that still would have been very good, and more than worth my time. It has more than a few new episodes to add to my favorites list, has my favorite two-parter ever in the finale, and only had a few "Eh" episodes that honestly don't even bother me that much.

 

 Opinions on this show have been very mixed for a while, ask a bunch of people what their favorite season is and you'll get a ton of different answers, ask a bunch of people how good an episode was, and in a lot of cases their answers on just that single episode will range from "It was pure garbage" to "My favorite episode ever!". Only really a few episodes get the treatment of being mostly loved or hated.

 

 But, as with most things, the people who are unhappy are almost always the loudest, and people love to focus on negativity, so that's who everyone listens to the most. So, when a bunch of people shout "Season 6 was awful!" that's what we all hear, rather than the "Season 6 was okay/cool/the best!" crowd.

 

 Honestly, it's not too surprising. I've seen it before with other fandoms like the Sonic or Doctor Who fandom, at some point the opinions on things get so mixed, and nobody anymore can agree on what's good or bad, with only a few exceptions. But all the negative comments get noticed the most, and so everyone thinks things are going downhill.

[DixonTheAdversary 1,632]

Sure, it wasn't as good as the other seasons, but it was still good. Season 6 of MLP is kind of like Season 4 of sponge bob, it has some good episodes, some not so good episodes, and then there are a few that are on a thin line in the middle. All in all I give season 6 a solid 8 out of 10.

[Buck Testa 5,505]

Season six's writing was very weak and it had a LOT of missed opportunities. When the season started people thought that Flurry Heart was going to be the thing that made the show bad. I argued against that, saying to give the show a chance. I was right in a way, Flurry Heart definitely wasn't the thing that caused the season to be sub par.

 

It was the way characters were regressed in certain episodes to a jarring degree. Rainbow Dash in particular was practically flanderized in several episodes, one of which was of her actually becoming a wonderbolt, effectively botching that pivotal moment for her. 

 

Gift of the Maud Pie was depressingly lazy, and this is coming from someone who likes Maud Pie. Where the Apple Lies was an abysmal waste of an opportunity to show Applejacks parents from back then and raised way too many questions that nearly break continuity. Pony Point of View was an episode that M.A Larson was proud that MLP hadn't stooped to making yet, and he went on to say that this episode type was one of the laziest and most cliche things that episode writers can draw from. Not to mention the fact they just reformed the changelings, making the pony adversary list even smaller than it already was. Hell the changelings were the only ones that actually posed a threat, and now with them gone I really don't see how they are going to build any tension save for bringing back another Gen 1 villain. 

 

Then there is Starlight Glimmer. I'm okay with her, but at the same time the way they handled her character was really half assed. Especially after that one episode where she mind controlled her friends to do her bidding and she had absolutely no repercussions for it. 

 

The worst part about this season, is that more than any other season I actually felt the fact that I was watching a children's show and not just a cartoon. I actually felt like I shouldn't think about it too hard because its "just not aimed for my age" when I've not had that feeling with seasons 2 through 5. Honestly with how many shows that are out there that is doing MLP's job better than mlp at this point, including Steven Universe, the show is definitely starting to lose steam. 

 

I'm not saying there weren't good episodes mind you...but they didn't detract from this over all feeling like they are going to be dumbing this show down badly next season. 

Edited November 25, 2016 by Buck Testa

[Jeric 46,850]

I think in general Season 6 was a success, though it did seem to lack (at least for me) a level of passion and impact I saw in Season 5. I think that there were more episodes that fall into that category of 'not offensive ... but not exhilarating'. It felt like a lot of acceptable middle of the road episodes. It certainly had many highlights though, and a season I would still highly recommend.

 

I think the comparison to Season 3 may be justified for some since it felt a little subdued at times, and when they were starting to nail some episodes there was an occasional stumble or two.

[KillerKingBakudan 702]

Season 3 will always be the worst in my mind, and Season 6, while not the best, doesn't come close to sucking that much. I heard the same vitriol over Season 5 when Slice of Life came out. If that episode is anything to go by, it's just a matter of people overreacting at the most trivial shit.

[GrimGrimoire 4,973]

I dunno.. I liked it. There were some bad episodes to me, but I never expected to like them all. And some of the most complained about episodes this last season i actually enjoyed just as some people actually enjoyed those couple of episodes i hated.

 

This last season most people just really hated Starlight and how she was pretty much forced into the cast and gave off that feeling that rest of the cast was suddenly just the proverbial 5th wheel. Also the season just in general sort of had a wandering feeling, like it was not quite sure what direction it was going in or what overall message it was trying to convey. That being said, many of the episodes were a lot of fun, there were far more hits than misses and there were only two episodes I truly hated (and of them, one has grown on me a little, although i still dislike it), while the other "bad" ones were really just sort of dull to me rather than actually bad.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

I enjoyed season 6 just fine, but it has its problems. While I don't get the hate for season 5 at all since I absolutely love it, I do get why season 6 hasn't been very well received by many. At the start of the season I was actually kind of excited by the prospect of a less focused and more slice of lifey season as season 2, one of the most popular seasons, is like that and it turned out just fine. The problem is that while the writing for season 2 was on point, there were just too many new faces this time around who either didn't quite get the characters or were trying too hard to move along a story arc that was started a while back by other writers, or just lacked experience in general. I think the second half of the season turned out better as writers started to come into their own, so here's hoping they'll hit their stride in season 7. Too bad it was too little too late for season 6.

 

There are some great episodes this season, just like there are with any other season. It even has one of the best finales IMHO. It's just unfortunate that some episodes didn't turn out as good as they could have. Applejack's Day Off probably should have been Twilight's Day Off as she's the kind of character who has crazy OCD and could probably learn a thing or two from a down to earth farm pony like AJ. AJ having to learn to simplify her routine from Twilight and Rarity of all ponies is a major facepalm moment that I attribute to a lack of understanding of the characters. Newbie Dash could have been handled so much better though there's so little that's right with it that it should have been taken back to the drawing board IMHO.

 

At the end of the day, season 6 is a mixed bag but it's still FiM, and I'm looking forward to season 7. It would take a lot more than one less than stellar season to get me to leave the fandom.

[Sonic5421 423]

While I generally enjoyed many of the episodes in Season 6, the finale was a major bummer for me because of how Haber had the Royal Family be the heroes in the season premiere, then gave them and the Mane Six the shaft in the finale by having them be captured off-screen, without explanation, by the Changelings, and pretty much sit out the finale until the very end with everything rushed to resolution and putting them back in their places as Equestria's sovereigns and saviors once more without showing any signs of distress or trauma suffered from Chrysalis' actions.

 

The Princesses are my favorite characters, but I did not appreciate how Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were treated in the finale with little screen time, and in Celestia's case, dialogue, after their heroics in the premiere.

 

I really hope Season 7 has its premiere bring closure to the unanswered questions and plot holes left over by the Season 6 finale in a way of how human Twilight dealt with her nightmares of Midnight Sparkle in Legend of Everfree with the support of her friends. If they do that with the Royal Family and Mane Six as they conquer their nightmares regarding Chrysalis, I know the series will continue, even after the feature film next year.

[Thrond 3,263]

I actually enjoyed season 6 a lot more than either season 4 or 5. I don't care for the likes of "Applejack's Day Off" much more than anyone else, but I also felt that this season did a lot more to move away from the show's usual formulas, and I also found it way more fun than season 5. I think most of the people bashing season 6 are fans of the previous season, and since S5 is my least favourite season, I think there must be something different in what we see in the show. S5 often called attention to its own deficiencies, whereas the more modest plotting of S6 called more attention to its strengths, and for once I felt like the protagonists weren't entirely plateaued... which is probably why everyone else thinks they're regressing. Starlight's introduction certainly helps, taking attention away from the increasingly boring Twilight, and I've always preferred this show as a slice-of-life than as an intense plot-driven adventure. To me, season 6 also has fewer completely worthless episodes than any other season, whereas a good half of season 5 ranged from irritating to utterly miserable. I actually prefer the first half of season 6, which to me is one of the most impressive runs of episodes the show has ever had. I'm more excited for season 7 than I've been for this show since season 3.

[Blackshirt Brony 415]

I thought season 6 was OK and season 5 was great. I do somewhat agree with others that season 6 was lazier in certain areas, but I enjoyed it regardless.

 

I get the impression that there's a minority of people who just want to complain (as usual).

[Singe 2,111]

One story point missing from Season 6 was that one reinforced point of Season 5 finale where the survival of the Equestrian Kingdom hinges on Twilight Sparkle. There could have been a follow up where TS investigates and talks to Celestia/Luna about the event for insight.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

It's hard to find a consensus anywhere on Season 6. It's safe to leave it at "mixed reviews".

 

Personally, I think this season played it too unnecessarily safe with many of the episodes feeling like filler or "dump" episodes made to satisfy a deadline. The Mane 6 were constantly thrown into common adaptations and simple Season 1-style plots, many of them with little of the cartoonish expression and satisfying payoffs that made Season 1 episodes enjoyable. There were a few episodes where they do help others but these were few and far between. There were some real missed opportunities with side characters, like Zephyr Breeze and Zesty Gourmand, as there was with Starlight Glimmer's reformation, which instead felt like a vehicle to get out more plotlines befitting a young Season 1 Twilight.

 

The cause may be the new writers, many of whom know little about the show's past and continuity. The big problem is the feeling that the show has built up these characters and the weight of their role in the world for many seasons only for it to slow down and go back to basics. I can only hope Season 7 produces better episodes, but that also doesn't wipe out any of the better episodes this show has put out in Season 6 or the past.

Edited November 26, 2016 by Doobby's Taxiola

[Bingopony16 15]

I've talked to a few people that wasn't liking Season 6 as it was airing except for a few episodes. I was honestly surprised because I love a majority of the episodes in Season 6. So no, I don't think it was bad. I think it was great

[weesh 690]

It's hard to find a consensus anywhere on Season 6. It's safe to leave it at "mixed reviews".

I think that's because you are not looking hard enough.  

every single episode has a poll, and they are overwhelmingly positive for this season.

The majority liked it.  

 

Yeah, there are some opponents with legitimate gripes, but its unfair to say "mixed reviews" when the majority thinks each individual episode was between good and great.

[Cleverclover 1,526]

Season 6 was a colossal disappointment. 

 

- Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both characterized worse than they've ever been in a single season, and Rarity was also written entirely backwards. Ultimately, only Fluttershy managed to come out of the season looking better than she was in the previous season. 

 

- There were a few episodes that felt as though they belonged in season 2 or below given how terribly the mane six were characterized in them. 28 Pranks Later, The Cart Before the Ponies, and P.P.O.V. did not feel like they belonged in the show's sixth season. 

 

- Newbie Dash was an absolutely pitiful closure to the goal Dash has had since episode 1. 

 

- The mane six accomplished next to nothing overall. Outside of Dash finally getting into the Wonderbolts and Rarity opening a third boutique, they mostly just ran around in pointless circles the entire season. 

 

- The CMC's new arc was largely glossed over. They deserved far more than just two measly episodes, only one of which felt like a legitimate step forward for them. 

 

- Starlight was given almost no positive interaction time with the mane five, and on top of that, she completely damaged her goodwill by mind-controlling them and rendering them without any good reason to want to be friends with her. 

[trademark2 485]

I have watched the first 10 episodes and I think it is very high quality. I don't really see what your talking about cleverclover. Twilight is getting characterized into a box a little bit, with lists and organizing and stuff, but its not very noticable as she kind of had that air about her before. But the other 5 ponies are the same as they have been all through the series. (which is good)

 

im kind of new to this fandom, thats why I haven't watched all the episodes. But the episode where rarity opened her boutique was good, the musical episode where starlight glimmer learned about christmas was good. umm the dragon episode was good. There hasn't been a 'bad' episode yet. its been the most memorable of all the seasons for me so far. oh yea and rainbow dash joining the wonderbolts... its a great season

 

that being said, i do think the rainbow dash joining the wonderbolts episode should have had rainbow shining, instead of kind of falling flat. but the way they did it was realistic.  I think the shows scope with every episode is less broad, which makes it more consistent and more predictable. It no longer involves all 6 characters in every episode. But if there is a reduction in quality from this, its very minimal. I find myself often laughing at whats going on in the show, more so than previous seasons. 

Edited November 26, 2016 by trademark2

[Thrond 3,263]

- The mane six accomplished next to nothing overall. Outside of Dash finally getting into the Wonderbolts and Rarity opening a third boutique, they mostly just ran around in pointless circles the entire season. 

Now, I'm much more interested in seeing the mane six from new angles and learning new things about them than having them actually "accomplish things," but I must ask: what did the mane six accomplish in season 5? Rarity opened a boutique and Twilight convinced Starlight Glimmer to give friendship a chance, but if we're not counting map episodes, I don't see what else they did. 

[-Deleted- 25]

I still haven't seen all of the season 6 episodes but the ones that I watched were good.

[20% Cooler Than Cake 161]

While the season did have a few very weak episodes, overall, I would say that it is pretty solid.  The biggest complaints that I have are that Starlight didn't get nearly as much characterization as I was hoping for, with her best episode being No Second Prances, and Twilight didn't seem to learn anything new at all.

 

However, there were still plenty of exceptional episodes with surprisingly good writing that we have to rewatch, along with several wonderful songs.  Most of the characters each had their own time to shine, Spike finally got a great episode, the CMC's story continues to progress... I really think that this season, while not my favorite, did a good job, and people seem to be disliking it more than I would expect.

[Zachary 5,521]

Season 6 is really a Great Season, Sure some episodes from Season 6 were bad (I hate Newbie Dash, Every Little Thing she Does, Pony Point of View, No Second Prances and 28 Pranks Later) but It was a Great Season despite having some Bad episodes and a Lack for a Single Role for Pinkie Pie episode.

[Megalomaniac 100]

I still didn't watch it, I didn't watch ponies in ages.

[Brightbart 268]

 

- The mane six accomplished next to nothing overall. Outside of Dash finally getting into the Wonderbolts and Rarity opening a third boutique, they mostly just ran around in pointless circles the entire season. 

 

Oh c'mon now, Twilight really cemented her role as a princess in s6. She's starting to become like Celestia, now that's character progression. 

[Goat-kun 2,527]

Bad? Bad? Bad? Bad? Bad? Can one truly convince another of such negative quality? Does one need to for that thing to have either a negative or positive effect on itself?

 

MLP is arguably the biggest girl brand in H-Bro’s arsenal that needs to evolve in order to reliably compete on this shifting market of ours. The question that needs to be asked is: has S06 achieved a positive effect on Pony profits? Has it lit the fire in the hearts of our target consumers? How many toys have actually been produced with S06 stories in mind?

 

Now, I cannot yet sufficiently answer those questions even though my position on the taken paths in latest seasons has been openly negative and that shall likely remain so until this February. The world is moving on. Is an H-Bro girl brand ready to get on a boy brand level? At the end of all things, either way is fine if you specialize the build as it were.

[Luminance 2,186]

No, it wasn't as bad as I though but it wasn't better then previous seasons either.