Ranking the 13th episodes

[KH7672 1,604]

Well we made it to the halfway point-Episode 13. It became apparent after Season 4 this episode was always meant to be an event due to either starting the midseason hiatus or being a return from the hiatus. Still there are plenty of choices to choose from for your favorite. Also while it is considered a finale, it still is just a single episode so I'm counting Magical Mystery Cure in this ranking as well.

1. The Perfect Pear- I mean what is there to say that hasn't been said. The emotion for the Apple family is what sells this for me the most. Plus can't forget the talent of William Shatner and Felicia Day especially the latter's song.

2. Stranger Than Fan Fiction- Not only does Patton Oswalt as Quibble Pants keep this entertaining, but it's his interactions with Rainbow Dash and the dynamic changes it goes through make the experience feel real. Plus all the Daring Do adventure stuff is never unwanted.

3. The Mean 6- It may have ultimately been pointless but I've always valued character over story and this episode was filled to the brim with character, from Chrysalis and her Mean 6 to the interactions of the Mean 6 and the Mane 6 and Starlight to just their own interactions of camping. It's pure character fun.

4. Between Dark and Dawn- While the beginning is a little awkward and slow the sister's interactions on their vacation is what makes this episode great especially their song. It's only downfall is the side plot with the Mane 6 and their incompetence for the Swan Ceremony.

5. Simple Ways- It has become apparent in later seasons Josh Haber loves writing for Rarity and in particular loves making her as over the top as possible and you know I can't fault that as this episode knows what it is and actually works well as a pseudo- Rarijack episode. Plus Spike's unamusement is great.

6. Fall Weather Friends- The initial Applejack/Rainbow Dash rivarly and still the only one to pull it off sufficiently. Plus I enjoyed Twilight's innocent racing attitude and the Spike/Pinkie commentary.

7. Magical Mystery Cure- I still find a lot of enjoyment out of this episode, it may have been rushed to all get out but the characters still make it enjoyable. Plus I think this was like the fifth or sixth episode I saw so I never got bogged down by anti-Twilicorn feelings.

8. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?- I will say the thing that gives this episode the edge is the creativity and visuals especially in the ending dream sequence but for self deprecating Luna episode...let's just say being right after Amending Fences wasn't the only thing that bugged me but plenty have spoken on this topic.

9. Baby Cakes- Just a basic slice of life episode, nothing really bad but nothing great either. Pinkie learned a nice lesson though.

[Oleks 1,994]

1.The Perfect Pear – one of the best episodes of the series in general.
2-3. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?, Between Dark and Dawn – these episodes would occupy the top place in most of the other polls. I think, both are on my top 10 MLP episodes list. One is trippy and phantasmagoric, the other is very funny and long-awaited. 
4-5. Baby Cakes, Stranger Than Fan Fiction – I’m usually not a fan of the topic of taking care of babies, but that episode was too much fun; and Quibble Pants is a great representation of a certain type of MLP (and any other show) fans, so STFF deserves extra credit for that.
6-9. Fall Weather Friends , Magical Mystery Cure, Simple Ways, The Mean 6 – it seems there is not a single bad 13th episode, at least I can’t call any of them bad, even the alicornication one. 

[bigbertha 417]

1. Stranger Than Fanfiction- A surprisingly fantastic episode for the otherwise mediocre season 6. The comedy is on point, the story is exciting, and Quibble is such a great character with Patton Oswalt doing such a great job (10/10)

2. Simple Ways- This is the best Rarijack episode. Their dynamic is so much fun here and Trenderhoof does a good job at mixing things up (9/10)

3. Fall Weather Friends- A really entertaining episode accompanied by that season 1 charm (9/10)

4. The Perfect Pear- Cute, but there isn't as much substance as there could've been (7/10)

5. Baby Cakes- Funny with a sweet ending, but it can get boring (6/10)

6. The Mean Six- The bits with Chrysalis are cool, but most of the episode is focused on telling bad jokes (3/10)

7. Between Dark and Dawn- Another example of how far Celestia has fallen (3/10)

8. Magical Mystery Cure- The first 2 acts are so garbage that not even the pretty great 3rd act can save the episode (2/10)

9. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep- 2nd worst moral of the show. You can't get over Depression just by getting told to. It is a process, one that the ending could've shown is still happening to save itself, but it doesn't (0/10)

[Cash In 23,115]

1. The Perfect Pear (S7) - Everything about this episode has already been said. This episode tugged on my heartstrings. Song is beautiful too.
2. Fall Weather Friends (S1) - The RD/AJ episodes. Their rivalry works here and makes for an engaging story. The humour is solid.
3. Stranger Than Fan Fiction (S6) - I love how this basically makes fun of nerds. Great episode overall.
4. Magical Mystery Cure (S3) - Say what you want about this, but I liked this one a lot. Great moment for Twilight and the songs are wonderful.
5. Between Dark and Dawn (S9) - Great Luna/Celestia episode. Simple plot, but it's fun.
6. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep (S5) - Enjoyable.
7. The Mean 6 (S8) - The definition of disappointment. There was so much potential here and they did almost nothing with it.
8. Baby Cakes (S2) - It's okay. Nothing amazing, but I like parts of it.
9. Simple Ways (S4) - Applejewel was the only good thing I got out of this episode.

Edited October 3, 2021 by Cash_In

[Megas 28,138]

1) The Perfect Pear - It's Perfect Pear
2) Stranger Than Fan Fiction - Still one of the show's funniest episodes. It's a fun poke at nerd culture and I'm surprised at how much I liked Quibble
3) Between Dark and Dawn - The dream princess episode everyone asked for, just Celstia and Luna enjoying a vacation, and it's very cure and wholesome
4) Fall Weather Friends - Still the best RD/AJ rivalry episode, just them trying to one up each other without it being at the expense of anyone else. Most episodes focusing on the pair either forget or ignore why this episode worked in the first place
5) Magical Mystery Cure - Gets more hate than it deserves. There's a lot of problems, but you can tell it's really trying. Not to mention, everything wrong with it is almost entire out of the episode's control
6) Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? - Kinda pandery, and the whole self-harm thing is handled pretty poorly, but there are some funny moments(RD's nightmare) and the climax is a lot of fun
7) The Mean 6 - Kinda wasted potential. Has some great moments but the mean 6 feel like they could have offered more so getting rid of them at the end is a bummer, and it kinda turns Chrysalis into a joke
8) Baby Cakes - The Cake Twins are a pain in the ass, otherwise it's just bland and boring
9) Simple Ways - Only good thing about it is Applejewel, otherwise it was the episode that convinced me that it was possible to make a bad Rarity episode, Rarity is Newbie Dash levels of dumb here. It's also around this point where I was sick of seeing these two paired up all the damn time, especially with both the show and comics milking it for all they're worth. Also Trenderhoof sucks and is the show's worst character just for being lame

[DonMaguz 1,023]

'The Perfect Pear' no contest at all, second favorite episode of the entire series.

'Simple Ways' is my second favorite among these ones, it has grown old really well.

Edited October 6, 2019 by DonMaguz

[Will Guide 21,372]

Let's be honest, the Perfect Pear was so beloved that no matter the quality of what comes after it was going to be a let down. Keep that in mind, when the time to talk about Episode 14 comes. I have a defense for that

As for this Perfect Pear episode itself, I love it a lot and it always gets me emotional at the end. I burst into tears everytime.

And with the backstory of how the Apple Pearents fell in love, I came up with my own idea of how they lost their lives, yet stay together even at the very end. And how a certain lowly Changeling Guard who was never given a name and was secretly gay would be the one to tell the story of how even when captured, the two never thought the Changelings were the worst and encourage the guard that someday his race will learn what real love is all about.

[PoisonClaw 8,174]

1. Between Dark and Dawn
2. The Perfect Pear
3. Do Princesses Dream of Electric Sheep?
4. Magical Mystery Cure
5. Fall Weather Friends
6. Simple Ways
7. Baby Cakes
8. Stranger Than Fanfiction
9. Mean 6

[ChB 18,574]

Would of picked Magical Mystery Cure, if it wasn't competing with the masterpiece, Perfect Pear! 

[cmarston1 5,964]

1.  Magical Mystery Cure - The episode that really got me invested in the show, has some of the best songs in the show, and has a really emotional ending.

2. The Perfect Pear-  One of the show's all time best, and I have nothing else to say about that everyone else haven't said already

3. Between Dark and Dawn - The Princess episode we all wanted.  Another one of my favorites.

4. Stranger Than Fanfiction - I just find this to be a pretty fun episode.

5. Do Princesses Dream of Magical Sheep- I found all the dreamscape elements to be pretty fun, and I actually was invested in Luna's struggle.  A bit rushed, but I still enjoy this episode.

6.  Fall Weather Friends-  One of the first episodes that I distinctly remember enjoying.  It's fun, and one of the first season's best.

7. The Mean 6- Has some funny moments, and I do like it, but it could have been more interesting.

8. Baby Cakes- Meh, not really remarkable or all that memorable.

9. Simple Ways- One of my least favorite episodes in the entire show.  It's just really boring.  Applejewel is pretty cool though.

[Sparklefan1234 180,882]

Oooh! There are A LOT of awesome 13th episodes here.

 

1. Magical Mystery Cure                                                                                        (My favorite episode of Friendship is Magic)
2. The Perfect Pear                                                                                               (My third favorite episode of Friendship is Magic)
3. Mean 6                                                                                                              (I *finally* got to see what an "evil Twilight Sparkle" would be like.)
4. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?                                                          (My favorite Princess Luna episode)
5. Between Dark and Dawn                                                                                 (My favorite Royal Pony Sisters episode.)
6. Fall Weather Friends                                                                                        (A classic Amy Keating Rogers episode)
7. Simple Ways                                                                                                   (The episode that ruined Rarity's "winning streak", IMO.)
8. Stranger Than Fan Fiction                                                                              (I'm not a fan of Rainbow Dash so I don't care about this one.)
9. Baby Cakes                                                                                                    (One of my "NEVER WATCHING AGAIN!" episodes)

[DivineDefender1000 71,433]

@KH7672 Between Dark and Dawn because Celestia and Luna!

[Js250476 1,367]

Perfect Pear is number 1 as it rightfully should 

[Here No Longer 5,286]

1. Perfect Pear (More like Perfect Episode!  Still not my favorite, but it's close)
2. Mean Six
3. Stranger than Fan Fiction
4. Between Dark and Dawn
5. Fall Weather Friends
6. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? (Bipolar selection we have here)
7. Simple Ways
8. Baby Cakes
9. Magical Mystery Cure (By far the WORST finale in the series, and one of my least favorite episodes)

[Dark Qiviut 22,605]

Quote

Some episodes of this show are synonymous with “greatness.” Episodes like Lost Mark, Amending Fences, Shadow Play, Pinkie Pride, Perfect Pear, and Sparkle’s Seven are pure greatness.

Perfect Pear, though, isn’t just the epitome of Pony greatness. It’s museum-worthy. A flawless masterpiece belonging to a cartoon Hall of Fame. Story is engaging, entertaining, funny, and gut-wrenching. Pacing is among the best. You’re in My Head Like a Catchy Song is debatably the best song of the show with its emotional lyrics and heart. Buttercup and Bright Mac are a very plausible couple with their quips, chemistry, and trials. Grand Pear is the most tragic character of the show, and how they forgave him perfectly relayed its central moral of being able to grieve and heal over a mistake you can’t repair. The ending with the intertwining tree is pure warmth and feels.

I wrote this status yesterday, and I stand by it fully.

1. The Perfect Pear
2. Mean Six (a fantastic episode that needs way more love!)
3. Dark and Dawn
4. Fall Weather Friends
5. STFF
6. Simple Ways (not a good episode at all [Rarihick being annoying and Trenderhoof and she acting like stereotypes hurt the quality], but Spike, Applejewel, and this were great.)
7. MMC
8. Magic Sheep (would’ve been higher had the moral following Luna’s reveal not be so badly botched.)
9. Baby Cakes (three words: Pinkie torture porn.)

[Thrond 3,271]

Top 5 are all among my favourite episodes of the entire show, and could probably be shuffled in any order. 

1. Fall Weather Friends - By this point season 1 had really picked up momentum; I kinda doubt the show were written in linear progression, but all the early-season awkwardness is mostly gone after this point. This one is delightful mostly because the friendly rivalry between Applejack and Rainbow Dash is so much fun, but also because it's full of great little jokes and is even more fast paced than most of season 1. 
2. Stranger than Fan Fiction - Putting a nitpicky nerd into his own favourite series is a pretty clever idea, and I like that this focuses less on that than his character arc from dismissing the whole ordeal to realizing it's all serious. Plus, this is a fun turn from Dash; her loyalty to Daring is a great complement from her love of spectacle, and the moral about respecting others' tastes even though you don't share them is one of the show's best. 
3. The Perfect Pear - I can see why this one is so beloved: the flashback story is adorable, and it's full of these poetic touches unlike anything else in the show. It's not my #1 because I wish it had slightly more detail, but the romance is great and the framing story is even better. There's nothing else in the show like this, and if I were ranking episodes purely by emotional power, this would be ranked incredibly high. 
4. The Mean Six - I think this one's pretty unique in the show too, if only because the moral seems completely unimportant. It's just great jokes, top to bottom, and for once it doesn't take a villain's plan so seriously. The story is even more simple than most of season 1, because that leaves more room for jokes, and shifting Chrysalis to comic relief is one of the show's best ideas. It's this show stripped of all pretensions and just left as a funny cartoon. 
5. Baby Cakes - This is incredibly funny, and I like that Pinkie is making a sincere effort to be responsible. I always enjoy when this show presents parenthood as stressful and exhausting, because it seems like exactly the sort of brand which would otherwise glamorize it by selling baby dolls. And those babies really are freaky - I kinda wonder how anyone could handle babies that can fly or which have magic power. 
6. Between Dark and Dawn - I will admit that I find this kinda predictable and formulaic, and I wish it put less emphasis on crazy faces, but this is also just filled with great jokes. So many funny and charming things happen in this that I can ignore that both conflicts here have been done in this show, and to be honest, seeing Twilight & co. struggle with royal duties makes it slightly easier for me to accept her being Celestia's successor. 
7. Simple Ways - Not a fan of this one. I just think that Rarity is really annoying in it, and that's most of what this episode is, so even though I find Applejewel pretty funny and the moral solid, I just don't enjoy watching it. 
8. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? - This is one of my least favourite episodes; I feel like it brings up serious issues and then ignores them in favour of callbacks and dull action. I find the jokes generally weak, relying on lazy jokes like Rainbow being afraid of cute things, and there's never any sense of danger or any particularly creative or exciting imagery. It's rather boring, and it does a really clumsy job of handling the theme of self-harm; it's really not hard to suggest that Luna saves the day by just sort of deciding to get over it, as if her issues are all in her head. And that's not okay. 
9. Magical Mystery Cure - I just think this episode is messy and incoherent. There's a lot of seemingly random events which are never fully explained, and I find the pace of this just exhausting. The general feeling is that it's telling me that I should be moved without actually explaining why, and I find that extremely frustrating, especially because I think the plot structure is pretty messy. And I like it even less because of how Twilight became a princess; to me it feels like she's being placed on a pedestal as if her friends don't matter, and it's not very satisfying because it doesn't seem to have anything to do with what we've seen her do in the show up to that point. Combined, I find the high emotion and nonsensical plot absolutely infuriating. 

[Rushing cash 845]

I like all these episodes

1. The perfect pear- 10\10, might be my favorite episode of all time.

2-5. The mean six, Between dark and down, fall weather friends and Stranger then fanfinction- 9\10, love them all, I just can't decide which one I like more.

6-9. The rest, all 8\10, they are not amazing episodes but they are still good, no doubt. I would say my least favorite is either simple ways or baby cakes.

 

 

[Moonlight 7,291]

Between Dark and Dawn is my favorite episode so... that one 

[Lucky Bolt 35,246]

The Perfect Pear is definitely my favorite, and one of my favorites in the whole series. 

[Sepul-Coloratura 765]

1. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? : A. It feels better than typical premieres and finales. The ideas and storytelling feels more imaginative than usual and unstrained. It has heavily contains fanservices, but the biggest merit of this episode is the pacing. Could have been better if the Tantabus was explained better and the story about it was better.
2. Magical Mystery Cure : A-. Totally rushed episode. It would have been better if it was a two-parter. The ending and the shorter 13 episodes made season 3 to be considered one of the worse seasons, but I don't think so. This finale also has a story that looks familiar and it makes itself seem to be overdone. Overall, it might not be efficient, but as a whole it's a good episode.
3. Fall Weather Friends : A-. It has the exact charm of early season episodes. Overall, it's a slow paced but detailed and heartfelt episode. Ponies run to make leaves fall, we don't get to see those kind of magical things of Ponyville these days.
4. Simple Ways : A-. Another episode about two characters differences. Rarity imitating Applejack's accent is just ridiculous.
5. Baby Cakes : B+. A cartoon TV show is never complete without a babysitting episode. And this is in the same vane of cartoonish comedy like A Dog and Pony Show. But it has more than that. It shows how Pinkie faces a seemingly impossible task, being responsible, and accomplishing it. I think this technically completes Pinkie's character arc. Baby Cakes calling Pinkie's name while sleeping at the end evokes strong emotions.
6. Stranger Than Fan Fiction : B. Being meta can be interesting, but it can be shallow. Quibble Pants is witty and annoying at the same time, I don't know what to think of him.
7. The Perfect Pear : B-. One of the biggest fanservice episodes. If it wasn't about Applejack's parents and was just about two random ponies, would the story still be considered as interesting? I doubt it.
8. Between Dark and Dawn : B-. I think Princesses acting like normal ponies are overdone. They are special ponies and the story should somehow reflect it. The same story could have been told with Rarity and Sweetie Belle or any other two sisters in Equestria. It's a mediocre episode for such great potential. The ending felt rushed as well.
9. The Mean 6 : C-. Such a wasted opportunity for such an IDW comics idea. The pacing is bad and the whole story goes back and forth. Chrysalis failing miserably in every tedious steps of her plans devalues the character.

Edited October 12, 2019 by Sepul-Coloratura

[Astralshy 29,425]

Very clear winner for me here >: Though the ending of season 3 comes close but it has some imperfections which cannot compete with The Perfect Pear :>

1. The Perfect Pear 
2. Magical Mystery Cure
3. Between Dark and Dawn
4. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?
5. Fall Weather Friends
6. The Mean 6
7. Stranger Than Fan Fiction
8. Simple Ways
9. Baby Cakes

 

[bigbertha 417]

1. Stranger Than Fanfiction

2. The Perfect Pear

3. Simple Ways

4. Fall Weather Friends

5. The Mean Six

6. Baby Cakes

7. Magical Mystery Cure

8. Between Dark and Dawn

9. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?