S03:E07 - Wonderbolts Academy

[Starlight Song 43]

Okay guys, don't groan at me for turning this into another Pinkie episode, but -

Have you noticed that Pinkie has been sort of obsessing over her friends since "Too Many Pinkie Pies"

Still. The. Best. and. Most. Complicated. Pony. EVER!

[Righteous Fury 344]

Okay guys, don't groan at me for turning this into another Pinkie episode, but -

Have you noticed that Pinkie has been sort of obsessing over her friends since "Too Many Pinkie Pies"

Still. The. Best. and. Most. Complicated. Pony. EVER!

I thought it was more of a callback to Party of One. Pinkie's scared because she once grew lonely and forgot how much RD meant to her.

[Stellafera 3,836]

This episode of rainbow was kinda disappointing. I felt like lighting dust ruined the whole episode. She is not my favorite pony. She is simply more stuck up then rarity.

 

 

Honestly, I would've found this episode really forgettable if it weren't for Lightning Dust. She's easily my favorite villain in the series because she works perfectly as a way to highlight Rainbow Dash's primary character traits. They didn't just go for the route of making her have no positive qualities like they could have; Lightning Dust has drive and pushes herself harder than Rainbow Dash. This makes her genuinely come across at first like a "Rainbow Dash, but better" pony to both Rainbow Dash and the audience.

 

This episode is a great example of the character development between Season 2 and Season 3 Rainbow Dash. The Mysterious Mare Do Well had Rainbow Dash getting crazy jealous over somepony being better than her. Here, she swallows her pride and acknowledges that Lightning Dust is more deserving.

 

Except she isn't. This gets right at Rainbow Dash's insecurity. RD is very aware in Season 3 of her issues with jealousy and arrogance. So when she thinks that maybe Lightning Dust shouldn't be lead pony, she isn't sure whether she's right or that her flaws are getting the best of her once again. It's not just peer pressure from Lightning Dust that prevents Rainbow from telling Spitfire. It's that having so many reality checks and slaps in the face in Season 2 makes it hard for her to trust herself to be in the right anymore. 

 

"Last time I was in a Merriwether Williams epsidode, she just pointed out my flaws..."

 

This is what makes RD standing up to Lightning Dust and Spitfire >>>>> standing up to Gilda in my opinion. Because, despite being an old friend, Gilda was

 

A. Introduced before Rainbow Dash really faced consequences for her attitude

B. Devoid of positive qualities that Rainbow Dash lacks

C. Not praised and lauded by Rainbow Dash's role models

D. In a less serious (aka didn't almost KILL 5 PONIES) situation

 

Rainbow Dash tried really hard to convince herself that it's just me being jealous, it's just me being less worthy of being a Wonderbolt, it's just me. But she eventually decided that she WAS going to stand up for what she believed in even if it bit her in the flank so many times before. It's sort of a Fluttershy plot, actually, but with Rainbow Dash. Goes to show just how much character development RD has had.

 

Wow, you know, I never really thought too much about Rainbow Dash herself in this episode, but she really is great. Now it's completely objectively better than The Mysterious Mare Do Well, yet somehow I like that one more. Go figure.

[Starlight Song 43]

I thought it was more of a callback to Party of One. Pinkie's scared because she once grew lonely and forgot how much RD meant to her.

Also to take into note that RD was trying to avoid her at the beginning of the series and didn't take her quite seriously.

It might be possible that Pinkie is most sensitive around "Dashie" but I can't be sure.

[True Rarity 1,240]

Well, Rainbow Dash was just plain epic in this episode.

I'm so glad she knew what being a Wonderbolt was all about!

And I think my favorite part is when Fluttershy suddenly remembers she can fly.

[pawz9 7]

I overall enjoyed this episode I though spitfire's voice actress fit well with her role as a drill instructor I wonder if spitfire got sent to the rainbow factory (hugs to all who get the reference)

[Rainbow Sherbet 36]

I thought that this episode was okay. I've watched it many times just because it was a RD episode. 

Yeah Sleepless in Ponyville was better, but this one's still pretty good. Definitely not on my bad list.

[Toxicobra 0]

This is probably my favorite episode of all the seasons except for the First and Second parts of Return of Harmony because discord is just REALLY awesome.  I hope that in a later season the show returns to this topic about Rainbow Dash being at the Wonderbolts Academy

[Dark Wind 6]

The Brony Youtube community has made an "Military Reacts Wonderbolts Academy". here's the link 

. Hope you all like it. Don't forget to subscribe.

[Jack Spades 162]

Am I the only one who thought that Pinkie was acting a little annoying? She was obsessed, paranoid, and mentally unstable. Still a funny part though.  

[WishingtotheStars 15]

This episode was probably one of the best because it had more of Rainbow Dash in it. There weren't many episodes in that season with her in it. 

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 20]

Okay this episode was cool.

In the beginning Rainbow Dash was right there was NO way that she would not get in Reasons:

                 1) She is the ONLY pony ever to do a sonic rainboom

                 2) She saved the wonderbolts

                 3) She is considered the best flyer in ponyvill and arguably Equestrea

The rest of the episode was also good (like Pinky Pie thinking that RD would Frogget her)

 

My only complaint was that Rainbow Dash was a wing pony. YES it was necessary to have the conflict necessary to have the lesson but the desition did not make sence yes lightning dust was more determined but rainbow dash but rainbow dash is a better flyer and is the only pony to do a sonic rainboom that already proves that she is close to the best but she also has the reaction time to pull up before hitting the ground at mock 10 (that is the speed that rainbow dash would be going at due to a calculation I made) those to things already huge but there are other things she is in top physical condition and is a good leader, not to mention she understands friendship (an eliment of harmony) and the need for leadership she is already ahead of lightning dust in all of those things.

 

besides that desition this episode was very cool

[Dzastur 1,719]

Spitfire fully remembers Rainbow Dash, her accomplishments, and what she's capable of.  But in boot camp, she has to treat everybody as equals.  She also didn't want RD to think she could just rest on her laurels and get in with a halfhearted effort. 

 

Exactly. Watching the episode again the other night, the writers did a nice subtle job of letting the audience know that Spitfire remembers Rainbow Dash and what she can do. "You look like you're the worst flyer in the whole academy" is obviously a line Spitfire reserved specifically for RD. (And she's quick to smile at RD's response.)

[Sing Song 2]

I loved this episode! It had lots of adventure. I also loved Lightning Dust's mane! RD: "I didn't get in" Others: "GASP!" RD: "Just kidding! Why wouldn't I?" PRICELESS!

[Hovlandz 3]

Rainbow dash has grown So much since the beginning! That's what I love about mlp fim! They always are changing and the plot never stays the same!

[CT-1138 3,182]

I loved this episode! Easily my favorite of season 3. I was so so proud of Rainbow Dash at the end, that I nearly started choking up. 

[TheLuigiLightning 65]

I thought this episode was really cool, because Rainbow Dash finally realized the importance of priority!  She told Lightning Dust off on her crap for putting her friends in danger!

[The Awesome One 1,315]

I thought this episode was really cool, because Rainbow Dash finally realized the importance of priority!  She told Lightning Dust off on her crap for putting her friends in danger!

 

She is the bearer of the Element of Loyalty...that's kind of her job to be loyal to the ponies she cares about. She did did the same with Gilda if you remember.

[SkyStorm 334]

This was a really good episode! One of my favourites. They should make another episode about it in season 4 as an update about where rainbow dash is with achieving her dream

[King Sejong 859]

   Of season three this is my favourite episode, where we see the basic training of a wonderbolt, and how Rainbow Dash must go through the process. We also meet Lightning Dust, who is almost an mirror image of Rainbow Dash, if Rainbow had no friends, some fans may not like Spitfire's characterization as a drill sergeant, I thought it was okay, not like R. Lee Ermey level, but you would expect that treatment going into team. As a former sailor of the U.S. Navy, I can say I can relate to Rainbow Dash in this Episode, there were plenty of time where I thought what was I doing here, how did I get myself in this mess, and do I really have to take orders from this person? Rainbow Dash's expression was right on, with any serviceman who had been in that precarious predicament, you get second opinions and disappointments, yet some how preserver despite adversity. I do wonder if Rainbow ever became a wonderbolt, the episode did finish with an open ended question, I'm incline to think she is still training, so anything is possible. Lightning Dust may have been an reckless and careless character despite that I still like her, there is still potential for Lightning Dust to come back and maybe have friends, so that is why this is my favourite episode of season three; the writers did quite a outstanding job on this one. 

[rainbowdashie495 2]

well this episode is quite funny at first it was all about competition later in episode it had a type of rush i cannot explain!!but then the plot of this deepen it is one of my favorite episodes    

[Legacy Dash 439]

Is it just me or was the "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh" line copied from the Sonic Rainboom episode?

Either way. Great episode - really enjoyed it, as usual.

[NobodyHere 23]

We get to see Rainbow Dash pursue her dreams and more of her character developes. We see that she is not totally reckless she cares about her friends safety so we more of her loyalty in this episode. The one thing that stood out to me in this episode was it is a bit more serious than the other episodes. Overall I really enjoyed the episode and I have no complaints about it.

[~Tian_Disharmony~ 48]

One of my favorites.. Ok lets see, If there is a Pegasus school can there be a Magical unicorn school... Oh wait Twilight mentions that in one of the other epoisodes.

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

I liked it (minus the Pinkie Care Package thing), but I still wish we could have gotten the original ending instead...that would have made it perfect for me.

 

But, I'm probably in the minority there.