Which 'era' of the show do you consider the best?

[Them's Seeing Ponies 282]

In light of the thread a while back on the 'earlier seasons vs. later seasons' debate, I noticed that a number of replies voting for the later seasons detailed specific differences in why they had voted for them - some cited seasons 4-5 their favorites, whilst others preferred 6-7 or 6-8 (or some mixture of the above), with some even expressing mild disappointment over the quality of specific later seasons (most noticeably S8) despite the nature of their voting preferences. 

Although the division in this case is understandable (the shift from S2 to S4 is one of the most noticeable in the show's duration when watching in chronological order), I suspect that the voting percentages for each option may be a result of the way the poll divided 'earlier' and 'later' seasons, with 'earlier' standing as S1-3 and 'later' as S4-8. Resultantly, this led me to suspect exactly which subdivision of 'later' seasons are generally considered the best (at least by the section of the community represented here). 

As subjective as it may seem, for the purposes of this thread the show's run will be divided into the following 'eras' based on tone, thematic focus and creative team:

The 'early' seasons (1-3): Noted for a more lighthearted and comedic tone than their successors. Tend to focus on mining plots from simple themes and satirizing typical kids' TV conventions (I considered lumping S3 in with 4 and 5 due to lack of Faustian input before realizing that the tonal canyon between S3 and 4 is far wider than that of 2-3). 

The 'McCarthy' seasons (4-5): More outwardly ambitious, high density of fanservice. Tend to feature more grandiose direction and execution than their predecessors whilst retaining specific fragments of the early seasons' charm (most noticeable in AKR and Larson's output during this period).

The 'Haber' seasons (6-7): Produced during/following work on the MLP movie. Noted for focus on non-M6 characters (Starlight Glimmer and the Student Six), their more experimental styles/sardonic comedy and Josh Haber's increased creative influence (I guess you could also call these the 'true later' or 'Big Jim' seasons, but I digress). 

Considering the differences between each era are fairly clear, it should be interesting to hear what you guys think, as overdone as topics like this have arguably been getting lately. 

Edited January 21, 2019 by Them's Seeing Ponies

[Guest]

I think the last thing we need is more tier-listing episodes/seasons.

Would love to see people just saying things they love about each season. I personally love them all for varying reasons.

[FirePuppy 735]

I consider the show to be in two eras: 1–4 and 5 onwards.

In such cases, I'd say Seasons 1–4 was the better era.

[PaulBron 173]

For me is 1-3_____________

[chirox the pony 1,336]

I would have to say seasons 1-4. They simply had this charm to them that you can't get with season 5 and onward. Because they were so limited in their scope it allowed for focus on the characters which is what pulled me in. The fact that this was also during the time of it's peak popularity suggests I am far from alone in thinking this.

[Thrond 3,263]

I do think that My Little Pony changes in subtle-yet-significant ways from year to year. In general, I've found myself enjoying more episodes from even-numbered seasons, and the things my favourite episodes have in common can probably be grouped along the lines you proposed: those in 1-3 remain the closest to what attracted me to the show in the first place, and tended to layer their depth in cartoon silliness; those in 4-5 tended to be more ambitious and emotional; those in 6-8 often took the show in weird new directions. I personally prefer seasons 1 and 2 still because they have a higher number of episodes I enjoy, but I like episodes from all seasons, and season 1 doesn't necessarily have my favourite episodes to return to. 

[EpicEnergy 23,218]

I consider all the seasons to be great, and each era has things I like and things I dislike. I like the early seasons slightly more than the rest though, since it focuses more on my favorite ponies (the mane six).

Edited January 22, 2019 by EpicEnergy
grammatical error

[lua 106]

I love all the seasons, but I mean the older seasons are slighty better IMO, I feel like the show has changed a little since

Spoiler

Twilight became an alicorn

but yeah whatever

Edited January 22, 2019 by Jakeduhcreeper

[TheRockARooster 51,217]

I love seasons 1-3 because they bring back so many memories of my early days of becoming a brony. ^^

[Lucky Bolt 35,063]

Seasons 4 and 5 because that's the era where I was first joining the fandom. Brings back some great memories and nostalgia. 

[O-78 28,606]

I overall consider Seasons 4 & 5 to be the best. They are my second and first favorite seasons, respectively.

[TBD 17,254]

Back in the 50’s of course, season 1-3(4).  The rest seems kinda blend or poorly written with the lesson ever since Twilight stopped writing letter to princess celestia. 

[bigbertha 414]

I obviously prefer seasons 1-3. Seasons 4-(what's been released from)9 feel too much like a generic modern cartoon with their increased focus on drama and story rather than the things that MLP is actually consistently good at. There are shining moments, but they're not consistent enough for me to enjoy this era as a whole.

Edited June 13, 2019 by bigbertha

[n1029 227]

I think the Thiessen and Miller styles both had their places. The series needed to start out as more comedic and "meme friendly" to attract an adult audience, but as that style began to approach the end of its shelf life the show had to start focusing more on characters and worldbuilding to keep itself fresh on a consistent basis. I think interest was going to decline no matter what but I credit Miller with helping pull the series out of that brief period in S4 when I feared it had become just another bland girls cartoon and lost its watchability. Even if I don't like every choice he makes I appreciate how he's still managed to keep the fans who have stuck with the series passionately engaged with it, even if it is only to complain about how the first few seasons were so much better.

 

 

Edited June 16, 2019 by n1029

[Landi 600]

My favorite era was the 1-3 era. There are so many episodes and moments from these seasons that I liked. The style of them is my favorite and is what pulled me into mlp in the first place. I also have a lot of nostalgia for them because this is the era in which I started watching the show (early 2012). I also love how the focus on the main six really is able to establish and build up their characters. Overall this just was a good time for the show.

[ChB 18,550]

Seasons 1-3, because the Pilot and Canterlot Wedding will always be my most memorable episodes of the show.

[Sparklefan1234 170,792]

My favorite era of Friendship is Magic is the "Season 4-5" era.

 

In these seasons we had episodes like:

 

"Testing Testing 1,2,3" "Rarity Takes Manehattan" "Twilight's Kingdom" (Season 4) &

 

"Amending Fences" "Saddle Row Review" & "Hearthbreakers", "Canterlot Boutique" "Rarity Investigates" "The Mane Attraction" (Season 5).

 

I can't think of two seasons where I've enjoyed more episodes than I did with Seasons 4 & 5.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

13 minutes ago, Sparklefan1234 said:

"Rarity Investigates"

Next to "Magical Mystery Cure" this is my favorite episode.

I want a spin off series, possibly more adult, where Rarity (Between new lines and fashion shows) solves cold case crimes that baffled the Royal Guard. Up to, and including murders.

(Not mocking the Guard. I mean those cases that offered little in the way of clues)

Edited September 23, 2019 by cuteycindyhoney

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

This is how I envision it...

 

Most ponies only know her as a Fashionista. Rarity is fine with this. She only lets Ponies see her generous and sometimes flighty nature. The Royal sisters know there is so much more to the gifted beauty though.

 

Once every few moons, a need arises. When the clues are scarce, evidence points nowhere, and pony lives are at stake, Equestria's finest know just where to turn.

 

"Rarity Investigates”

[Rebel the Wolfgirl 5,601]

On 6/13/2019 at 3:04 AM, Lucky Bolt said:

Seasons 4 and 5 because that's the era where I was first joining the fandom. Brings back some great memories and nostalgia. 

Same can be said for me in regards to seasons 1-3, in spite of the fact I love the later seasons for the ambitious scope of worldbuilding and character exploration that they do.

[Megas 27,629]

I'd probably go with 1-3, as I feel those were the episodes that really defined the show. While I think S4-5 are better quality wise, I honestly think they're merely extensions.

As for the latter half, S7 is my favorite season in the whole show, and I'd gladly give it up if it meant the other 3 seasons never existed. Just wipe them out and salvage the best episodes into one Megaseason

[Savy 5,077]

I honestly prefer seasons 4-9 cause I'm a little weirdo like that.

[Rosy Moonlight 369]

Seasons 1-4 hit the world the most, and the world did the same for the show in those years.

Edited June 14, 2022 by Rosy Moonlight

[Kadeda 178]

Nostalgia wise it's season 1-3 but objectively... the best era is easily season 4-5.