S01:E22 - A Bird in the Hoof

[Lucky Bolt 35,062]

This was a cute episode, I really enjoyed it. 8/10

[Justin_Case001 4,881]

Pretty good humor in this episode.  It was fun seeing Celestia slumming it with the common folk.  It does always bug me when characters sneak around and do stuff without asking.  Why didn't Fluttershy just frickin' ask Celestia?  How could you frigging birdnap the bird without asking, you maniac?  Who does that?!  What were you thinking?!

[ZiggWheelsManning 9,978]

Some weird bird, Fluttershy makes a convincing face, Twilight tries to help, a dungeon is mentioned and Pinkie eats like crazy  

[Astralshy 26,432]

Good and funny episode :) I really liked it. I have to emphasis the humor of this episode.

Philomena being a phoenix was a bit to obvious to me, so the reveal had not the big surprise moment. But I give this show (especially season one) some leeway :)

[JMTV99 1,352]

That was a great episode. It's one of the most lighthearted episodes of the season and it was hilarious.

[Reality Check 631]

Aight, time to add 'pheonix' to the list of species in MLP FiM

One of the things I like about the episode is the references, like Angel Bunny acting like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland and the chase for Philomena reminding me of Road Runner. (I might be wrong, but that's just what it reminds me of) There's also the part where Celestia acts playfully when she was invited to the party in Ponyville, Trollestia anyone? I think it's also good that she doesn't act like a tyrannical ruler that Twilight thought that she would be. It kinda makes her a bit more likeable in my opinion and kinda shows how much Twilight doesn't not want to disappoint her teacher.

Philomena, in my opinion, is... odd to say the least. Not meaning to disrespect her or anything, but Philomena before revealed that she was a pheonix looked like a boiled, diseased chicken, like nothing about her suggested that she was a mystical creature, let alone a bird made of fire. There's also how the mane 6 acted in the party. Again, not meaning to disrespect. It's made rather clear that they all have they're own definition of casual. Some more problematic than others, but I think that's small compared to the episode's quality.

I don't have any strong feelings for this episode. It's not a favorite, nor is it a dislike, but I think it at least gives Celestia some screentime and character. It ain't much, but it's something. Overall, it's not a bad episode, but it's not exactly one for the history books either.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

ohhhh...nope I didn't like the Phoenix part.... the only thing that made this episode bareable is Celestia.

[Rosy Moonlight 369]

I like how the episode showed how trying so hard to be polite and not hurt feelings can cause more harm than good.

I loved Philomena's resurrection and Princess Celestia's teacup prank.

This is one of my favorite episodes from season 1.

Edited June 9, 2022 by Rosy Moonlight

[Cash In 22,226]

I thought Philomena being a phoenix was actually quite cool. I liked the bait and switch and the fact she's a prankster.

Other than that, there's not really much I can add. Fluttershy kidnapping her and trying to nurse back to health was alright. I think the episode got a lot better once Twilight stepped in. I think it would've fared better for me if the entire ep was both Twi and Flutters trying to help Philomena and butting heads over it.

This episode is alright. It doesn't really stick out to me, but I enjoyed what I saw.

Edited February 26 by Cash In
Updated thoughts

[Hadrien 950]

Yeaaaaah, it's all the birds doing. Right Celestia ? You had noooooothing to do with her trolling Fluttershy. You def didn't tell Twilight not to say anything, because Twilight def did her research and found out she was a Phoenix two minutes in. Not sketchy at all. Poor Fluttershy, she thought she was gonna get banished to the moon.

7/10, love the trolling.

[Antiyonder 1,101]

YouTube upload of the episode: