Early Seasons vs. Newer Seasons?

[Them's Seeing Ponies 282]

It's a challenging pick between S1 and S4's finales, but I guess I'll go with "The Best Night Ever". "Twilight's Kingdom" is a better episode, but BNE is a superior finale in that it near-impeccably illustrates the growth in the mane six's characterizations over the first season whilst augmenting the experience's viewability with a ton of amazing humour ("you're...going...to LOVE ME!!!") and a number of memorable song sequences which leave the viewer with that warm, comfortable sensation characteristic of Faust-era episodes. It's a great experience despite its simplicity, and is certainly deserving of the recent spike in appreciation it has received as of late (I recall reception towards it souring around S4 or so due to the cinematic nature of the finales at the time, but I guess the fandom perception/criteria for them has modified significantly since "The Crystalling"). 

[Dark Qiviut 22,430]

1 hour ago, Theanimationfanatic said:

New Poll: Which Season Finale is the best?

The Best Night Ever. Clever satire, hilarious, masterfully paced, and really epitomized the Magic of Friendship that season.

P.S.: I think you accidentally locked or timed up your poll. I can't choose any option.

[TheAnimationFanatic 3,596]

4 minutes ago, Dark Qiviut said:

The Best Night Ever. Clever satire, hilarious, masterfully paced, and really epitomized the Magic of Friendship that season.

P.S.: I think you accidentally locked or timed up your poll. I can't choose any option.

Sorry about that. Could you perhaps tell me how I can unlock it? 

[Dark Qiviut 22,430]

Just now, Theanimationfanatic said:

Sorry about that. Could you perhaps tell me how I can unlock it? 

You'll have to ask a mod or admin to unlock it.

[TheAnimationFanatic 3,596]

@Jeric @PathfinderCS Could you help me unlock my poll, please?

 

Edited October 13, 2018 by Theanimationfanatic

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

32 minutes ago, Theanimationfanatic said:

@Jeric @PathfinderCS Could you help me unlock my poll, please?

 

The poll actually isn't locked. Looks like even with the new option added, the poll will not let previous voters vote for the new option. Not sure if that's a bug or just a quirk of IPB4...

[TheAnimationFanatic 3,596]

Just now, PathfinderCS said:

The poll actually isn't locked. Looks like even with the new option added, the poll will not let previous voters vote for the new option. Not sure if that's a bug or just a quirk of IPB4...

Maybe I should post the poll as a new topic.

[Thrond 3,263]

3 hours ago, Theanimationfanatic said:

Maybe I should post the poll as a new topic.

I can't vote either, so that may be for the best. 

Anyway, ditto "The Best Night Ever." @Them's Seeing Ponies said basically everything I would have, but I also find new value in it as the years go on. There's something bittersweet about seeing how far along these ponies have come in their ambitions. Rainbow Dash trying to get the Wondebolts' attention plays differently when you know she'll eventually become a Wonderbolt, for instance. 

"Twilight's Kingdom" and "To Where and Back Again" are a distant second and third for me. Everything else doesn't even come close. 

[Them's Seeing Ponies 282]

5 hours ago, AlexanderThrond said:

I can't vote either, so that may be for the best. 

Anyway, ditto "The Best Night Ever." @Them's Seeing Ponies said basically everything I would have, but I also find new value in it as the years go on. There's something bittersweet about seeing how far along these ponies have come in their ambitions. Rainbow Dash trying to get the Wondebolts' attention plays differently when you know she'll eventually become a Wonderbolt, for instance. 

"Twilight's Kingdom" and "To Where and Back Again" are a distant second and third for me. Everything else doesn't even come close. 

I don't dislike "To Where and Back Again" to the extent that others around here do (it's sort of contrived despite a few shining moments of character chemistry) but I wouldn't say it's even close to the level of "Twilight's Kingdom", which, while prone to painting its strokes a little too broadly at times, has a distinctly cinematic atmosphere unlike any other episode. The pacing and inclusion of a number of surprisingly dramatic and high-stakes scenes (aided by the more ambitious storyboarding and cinematography) certainly contributes to this.

I also happen to be one of the few people around here who isn't overly fond of "Shadow Play". Yes, it has some complexity to its plot, but it suffers from poor pacing and overt seriousness despite the PoS's lack of... well, activity. I understand that the episode is attempting to focus on averting a conflict as opposed to resolving one that has already begun, but it doesn't justify how incredibly seriously the episode takes the plot, which adds a sense of almost 'trying too hard' from my perception. 

Edited October 14, 2018 by Them's Seeing Ponies

[TheAnimationFanatic 3,596]

UPDATE:

Due to people having issues with the second poll in this thread, I'm going to start it again in a new topic.

[Thrond 3,263]

8 hours ago, Them's Seeing Ponies said:

I don't dislike "To Where and Back Again" to the extent that others around here do (it's sort of contrived despite a few shining moments of character chemistry) but I wouldn't say it's even close to the level of "Twilight's Kingdom", which, while prone to painting its strokes a little too broadly at times, has a distinctly cinematic atmosphere unlike any other episode. The pacing and inclusion of a number of surprisingly dramatic and high-stakes scenes (aided by the more ambitious storyboarding and cinematography) certainly contributes to this.

I like “Twilight’s Kingdom” much more, but I do find “To Where and Back Again” to be a lot of fun. I find it unpretentious in a way that makes it easier to return to than “Twilight’s Kingdom,” even of the earlier finale is more impressive and affecting. 

Dunno if “cinematic” is the phrase I’d use; a lot of my favourite movies don’t have that sort of suspenseful atmosphere. 

8 hours ago, Them's Seeing Ponies said:

I also happen to be one of the few people around here who isn't overly fond of "Shadow Play". Yes, it has some complexity to its plot, but it suffers from poor pacing and overt seriousness despite the PoS's lack of... well, activity. I understand that the episode is attempting to focus on averting a conflict as opposed to resolving one that has already begun, but it doesn't justify how incredibly seriously the episode takes the plot, which adds a sense of almost 'trying too hard' from my perception. 

Oh yeah, I’d argue it’s the most joyless of the two-parters. I also feel it’s overloaded with exposition and poorly-justified character behaviour. Though I’d argue that the episode’s villain is actually Starswirl the Bearded, who is written mostly as the moral foil for Starlight to prove herself. 

Mind, I don’t feel that differently about the S5 and S8 finales; they all play out as pale imitations of “Twilight’s Kingdom” to me.

[RulesofRarity 493]

“A Canterlot Wedding” is my favourite finale with higher stakes than “The Best Night ever” and far more cohesive plot than some of the other finales such as “Shadow Play”. I absolutely adored Twilight’s relationship with her brother and the introduction of Princess Cadence, my favourite Alicorn princess on the show.  I’ve personally never understood the hate Cadence has received while far worse characters attract loads of the love from the fanbase, those darn wings I guess. 

 

[TheAnimationFanatic 3,596]

8 minutes ago, RulesofRarity said:

“A Canterlot Wedding” is my favourite finale with higher stakes than “The Best Night ever” and far more cohesive plot than some of the other finales such as “Shadow Play”. I absolutely adored Twilight’s relationship with her brother and the introduction of Princess Cadence, my favourite Alicorn princess on the show.  I’ve personally never understood the hate Cadence has received while far worse characters attract loads of the love from the fanbase, those darn wings I guess. 

 

For me, a two-way tie between "Twilight's Kingdom" and "Shadow Play".

[RulesofRarity 493]

2 hours ago, Theanimationfanatic said:

For me, a two-way tie between "Twilight's Kingdom" and "Shadow Play".

I think Shadow Play would've been a lot better had it only been the Starswirl and not the other pillars.

[Them's Seeing Ponies 282]

2 hours ago, RulesofRarity said:

“A Canterlot Wedding” is my favourite finale with higher stakes than “The Best Night ever” and far more cohesive plot than some of the other finales such as “Shadow Play”. I absolutely adored Twilight’s relationship with her brother and the introduction of Princess Cadence, my favourite Alicorn princess on the show.  I’ve personally never understood the hate Cadence has received while far worse characters attract loads of the love from the fanbase, those darn wings I guess. 

 

The majority of criticism directed towards Cadence seems to be a result of the writers' current refusal to develop her significantly, which renders her character far emptier than it had any right to after six seasons. In all fairness, Cadence was pretty vehemently hated by a sizeable section of the fandom back when ACW first premiered in 2012, but that was under different logic ("they're having a royal wedding with a pink alicorn princess! AGGGH! It's turning into a stereotypical kid's show!" seemed to be the main reaction from the more vocal bronies of the period).

[RulesofRarity 493]

Just now, Them's Seeing Ponies said:

The majority of criticism directed towards Cadence seems to be a result of the writers' current refusal to develop her significantly, which renders her character far emptier than it had any right to after six seasons. In all fairness, Cadence was pretty vehemently hated by a sizeable section of the fandom back when ACW first premiered in 2012, but that was under different logic ("they're having a royal wedding with a pink alicorn princess! AGGGH! It's turning into a stereotypical kid's show!" seemed to be the main reaction from the more vocal bronies of the period). 

I don't think Cadence needs development though, she's not a major player most of the time and functions fine enough as a secondary mentor/friend to Twilight. In my opinion, they've tried and failed to develop Celestia and to a lesser extent Princess Luna and I wouldn't want them to repeat the same thing with her. In retrospective, the reaction to Princess Cadence was just a small taster of the tantrum the fandom was going to throw regarding Alicorn Twilight and I think it was a massive overreaction since this show exists as a platform to sell toys.

[Thrond 3,263]

1 hour ago, RulesofRarity said:

I don't think Cadence needs development though, she's not a major player most of the time and functions fine enough as a secondary mentor/friend to Twilight. In my opinion, they've tried and failed to develop Celestia and to a lesser extent Princess Luna and I wouldn't want them to repeat the same thing with her. In retrospective, the reaction to Princess Cadence was just a small taster of the tantrum the fandom was going to throw regarding Alicorn Twilight and I think it was a massive overreaction since this show exists as a platform to sell toys.

Look, I'd watch a show all about Cadance. I want more Cadance. And I dunno, I like what they've done with Celestia lately.

[Them's Seeing Ponies 282]

Not to mention that the show has yet to either canonize Cadance's backstory from "Crystal Heart Spell" or formulate their own. Considering that the show has provided us with the Pillars, the in-depth nature of the Tree of Harmony, etc. lately, one would think that they would at least expand upon Cadance's past (or Spike, Celestia and Luna's for that matter), but I guess the creative team's vision on this is different.

[TheAnimationFanatic 3,596]

Props to Best Gift Ever for finally giving us some chemistry between Cadence and Shining Armor.