S03:E07 - Wonderbolts Academy

[~Chaotic Fireball~ 499]

I admit I was a little nervous for this episode. Okay, VERY nervous. I was just worried about the outcome and what would happen and if RD actually became a wonderbolt. I actually didn't want her to become one because I've heard rumors that this is the last Season. If it really is, then most likely they'd like to wrap things up by stuff like rd becoming a wonderbolt, cmc get cutie marks, etc...

And Spitfire is really mean! Wow! Wasn't expecting that!

I was also hoping for some SoarinDash to prove that RD is not.. you know.He didn't even make an appearance in this episode! I mean, hello, he's the co-captain. Why wasn't he there?  I hated how they left the ending hanging like that, and it left me more nervous than before. All I can say is, they BETTER put Rainbow in the next episode or else....  

I WILL EXPLODE TWICE!!

On the whole,  don't know how I really feel about this episode. It left me hanging, and the lack of song made it feel shorter.

[Sks_Burns 730]

Rainbow Dash might have saved Spitfire life on one occasion, but i dont consider them to be friends. The show never implys that they know each other on a personal level, but at an acquaintance level. Spitfire is responsible for selecting who gets into The Wonderbolts, so she has to put personal friendships aside and focus on business. She cant show favoritism towards Rainbow Dash, despite RD saving her life. Showing any sort of favoritism would compromise the integrity of the Wonderbolts, and it would eventually be less about the best flyer and more about who Spitfire knows or doesnt like. 

 

Rainbow Dash's and Spitfire's "relationship" (or whatever you want to call it) didnt get in the way as they went about testing the new candidates, and it shouldnt. RD's own integrity is what got her in at the end, ontop of her skills and abilities. All the skills in Equestria wont get you into the Wonderbolts, if you lack the mentality to represent the group at the highest level of honor possible. 

Edited December 15, 2012 by sks_burns

[Dashabel 381]

I admit I was a little nervous for this episode. Okay, VERY nervous. I was just worried about the outcome and what would happen and if RD actually became a wonderbolt. I actually didn't want her to become one because I've heard rumors that this is the last Season. If it really is, then most likely they'd like to wrap things up by stuff like rd becoming a wonderbolt, cmc get cutie marks, etc...

And Spitfire is really mean! Wow! Wasn't expecting that!

I was also hoping for some SoarinDash to prove that RD is not.. you know.He didn't even make an appearance in this episode! I mean, hello, he's the co-captain. Why wasn't he there?  I hated how they left the ending hanging like that, and it left me more nervous than before. All I can say is, they BETTER put Rainbow in the next episode or else....  

I WILL EXPLODE TWICE!!

On the whole,  don't know how I really feel about this episode. It left me hanging, and the lack of song made it feel shorter.

Well.. I never knew anypony could write exactly my thoughts...

I agree with you TOTALLY, of course. 

 

Rainbow Dash might have saved Spitfire life on one occasion, but i dont consider them to be friends. The show never implys that they know each other on a personal level, but at an acquaintance level. Spitfire is responsible for selecting who gets into The Wonderbolts, so she has to put personal friendships aside and focus on business. She cant show favoritism towards Rainbow Dash, despite RD saving her life. Showing any sort of favoritism would compromise the integrity of the Wonderbolts, and it would eventually be less about the best flyer and more about who Spitfire knows or doesnt like. 

 

Rainbow Dash's and Spitfire's "relationship" (or whatever you want to call it) didnt get in the way as they went about testing the new candidates, and it shouldnt. RD's own integrity is what got her in at the end, ontop of her skills and abilities. All the skills in Equestria wont get you into the Wonderbolts, if you lack the mentality to represent the group at the highest level of honor possible. 

Yes, this is true I suppose.

But I still don't think she should has acted towards her like that. Surely, Spitfire knows that RD is an amazing flyer from these past experiences, and she is worthy of being a Wonderbolt, but it's like she just completely forgot who she was and treated her quite harshly.

[Mu Nova 66]

I liked this episode, the academy parts were good. Great show on Rainbow's part.

 

But after the DOOOOOON'T FORGEEEEET TO WRIIIIIITE bit (I swear, that was simply hilarious), I didn't find myself particularly amused once. Generally, as of season 2, I feel better about Pinkie's more outrageous behavior, but this was a major case of "I miss really-quirky-but-still-sane Pinkie from season 1." They're just taking things too far, in my opinion.

 

Also, there was too much Ponyville in this episode. It wasn't terrible, but with the amount of time spent on each scene change there I was left thinking "why am I not seeing stuff at the academy?"

 

Good episode, though, will gladly watch again.

[mycarhasaMoustache 449]

I would love any rainbow dash episode no matter what but this episode was amazing I loved the fact the rest of the mane 6 were actually in this episode and yea I wasnt too keen on the open ending but who knows. It dose some what feel like the beginning of the end but we will see.

[Candy Apples 18]

Whilst Spitfire did seem a little harsh, I understand why.

But what annoyed me was the fact that she treated Rainbow Dash like a total stranger, and a newbie, and I thought she would remember the times when she hung out with them at the gala, or when she peformed the sonic rainboom or when she SAVED HER LIFE! I was hoping she's be like 'Rainbow Dash, my old spark!' etc. Not 'Lighting Dust likes to push herself a little harder than you.' I bet she hasn't done a sonic rainboom. I felt bad for Dash in this episode And I don't know why Lighting Dust has a load of fans either, she was MEANT to be the bad character! Haha ;P

 

 

I super agree with this...

 

that was so weird, she should have remembered Rainbow Dash, it was strange to see her treating Rainbow Dash like that, I blame the writer for this, for not knowing well the character's pasts.

 

I don't understand why everypony is getting upset or complaining about how Spitfire treated Rainbow Dash. Spitfire is the captain of the Wonderbolts. She doesn't want just any old pony to join them. They have to be the best of the best. She was trying to be tough and fair to everypony by not showing favorites. She wanted to test Dash's limits. I mean, hasn't anypony seen how a drill sergeant treats their soldiers? 

 

& as for Lightning Dust, of course she is going to have tons of fans. She's almost just like Dash except a bit more careless. She's an awesome pony, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

[Dashabel 381]

I don't understand why everypony is getting upset or complaining about how Spitfire treated Rainbow Dash. Spitfire is the captain of the Wonderbolts. She doesn't want just any old pony to join them. They have to be the best of the best. She was trying to be tough and fair to everypony by not showing favorites. She wanted to test Dash's limits. I mean, hasn't anypony seen how a drill sergeant treats their soldiers? 

 

& as for Lightning Dust, of course she is going to have tons of fans. She's almost just like Dash except a bit more careless. She's an awesome pony, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Ah well, she'll never be as awesome as Rainbow Dash.

I liked Lighting Dust at first, but I just couldn't help disliking her after she was so thoughtless toward the others.

As for Spitfire... I know that she should treat all the competitors the same and they have to be the best of the best and trying to be fair blah blah blah but it was when Dash went to talk to her in the office, and Spitfire spoke to her dismissively, that surprised me, not upset me. I only believed this because I don't think it quite fitted with previous episode of her and Spitfire's relationship, even if they weren't friends. I blame the writer.

[Sks_Burns 730]

Yes, this is true I suppose.

But I still don't think she should has acted towards her like that. Surely, Spitfire knows that RD is an amazing flyer from these past experiences, and she is worthy of being a Wonderbolt, but it's like she just completely forgot who she was and treated her quite harshly.

 

while that all might be true, its Spitfire's duty to give everyone a fair chance to show off their abilities and try to impress her. 

 

for example, you could be a great shooter, able to hit soup cans at 800 meters all day with an off-the-shelf bolt action Remington 700, but you dont just go straight to the front lines with a sniper rifle in your hands. You still have to go through basic, and you still have to go through Sniper School, before they will give you the certification and allow you to do what you do best. Thats how i see RD. shes awesome at what she does, but she still needs to go through the training to become a professional. She had to prove herself on an official level, prove she had what it takes to be a part of The Wonderbolts. Everypony gets a fair chance to show their abilities, no matter what happened outside of Wonderbolts Boot Camp. 

[Artling 54]

The episode didn't do much for me. Maybe that opinion will change over time but I just found the episode kind of underwhelming and inconsistent with what has been established by previous episodes.

 

It's a minor complaint but I found it odd that Rainbow Dash was so nonchalant about the Wonderbolt Academy when previous episodes had her completely gung-ho about trying to impress them because she idolized them so much. She was confident yes but I thought she'd be more excited.

 

Also minor was how Spitfire was kind of a different character than how she was portrayed before, beyond the different voice. For a while I thought it was a different character altogether. It was a bit weird but I got over it pretty quickly

 

What I had more problems with was how Lightning Dust's character was implemented. For being a big part of this episode's story, she wasn't a very interesting character. Other than being a more reckless and pompous Rainbow Dash she just didn't have much personality. Sort of a missed opportunity to have more fun with a new character.

 

Also weird to me was how she was punished at the end. I thought the lesson being taught was nice. And I liked how Rainbow Dash was rewarded for it but again with consistency, it's kind of weird that Lightning Dust would be expelled (or so it seemed to me) for her actions when the academy was consistently praising her for it. Of course she might have just been demoted and not expelled, I don't know. It's all a bit unclear at the end.

 

Not a terrible episode by any means, just underwhelming. There was some great humorous moments between Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie in the beginning. But I would have liked them to play around with Spitfire and Lighting Dust's characters more since we don't get to see them very often (or the first time in the case of the latter).

 

Side note: I would have loved to hear a song in this episode but, alas, the efforts have been shifted elsewhere.

[Chill Mists (Chilly) 801]

I thought it was decent, nothing worth getting excited about and definitely not memorable. I can't even remember the name of that pony who was reckless and was paired with Rainbow. It wasn't a bad episode, but it wasn't a good one in my opinion. Meh. 

[pettenuzzo 14]

I thought it was a brilliant episode, nice to have more focus on characters such as spitfire and the return of some of the pony's, it was also nice to see a pony that rivals rainbow dash and to see how rainbow dash reacted to her, it was very well the way the story played out. but one thing that is on my mind now is where will dash go now. of course she will stick with the mane 6 but will she occasionally go with the wonder bolts to protect equestria (although the wonder bolts have done a pretty bad job of that so far) or other things with them. 

[Dashabel 381]

while that all might be true, its Spitfire's duty to give everyone a fair chance to show off their abilities and try to impress her. 

 

for example, you could be a great shooter, able to hit soup cans at 800 meters all day with an off-the-shelf bolt action Remington 700, but you dont just go straight to the front lines with a sniper rifle in your hands. You still have to go through basic, and you still have to go through Sniper School, before they will give you the certification and allow you to do what you do best. Thats how i see RD. shes awesome at what she does, but she still needs to go through the training to become a professional. She had to prove herself on an official level, prove she had what it takes to be a part of The Wonderbolts. Everypony gets a fair chance to show their abilities, no matter what happened outside of Wonderbolts Boot Camp. 

Ok, ok.. as much as I must disagree, I will stop trying to reason anymore xD

Anyway, just as Artling as just said, it was just the change of Spitfire's personality that threw me.

[Motion Spark 7,807]

The next episode I believe is Apple Family Reunion, which is AJ's episode, but I won't spoil anything.

I highly agree with your points on Rainbow Dash... but then I read the part about it coming from a brony who highly dislikes her... you better run dude. *loads gun* Hehe xD

come at me bro...perhaps you haven't seen me before, but if you know Motion Spark, you should know that he dislike Rainbow Dash, you wouldn't want to know the things that can come out of my mouth when I talk about her.

[Tall_But_Short_37 233]

First, for those of you who waited like me and wish to watch it in HD on YouTube, here it is:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27dKoFfi0RU
 
Personally, I thought it was a good episode. 8/10 from me. The ending reminded me of Sweet and Elite, where both Rarity and Rainbow Dash had or were close to everything they wanted, but gave it up to stand up for their friends. I liked that we very clearly saw Rainbow representing more depth and especially her element in this episode, for both her friends and her fellow Wonderbolt cadets. She really was portrayed as caring more about others than herself, which is a side we haven't seen as much from her.

 

To me, Lightning Dust is like the antithesis or foil to Rainbow Dash's character, almost what Dash could've become if she'd never made the friends she has. They're both very, very similar pegasi; both above average flier, both love to show off, both love to be recognized for their achievements, heck, both even have unique flight trails. We've seen Rainbow be arrogant and neglect others in the past (Mysterious Mare Do Well) like Lighting Dust does, but her friends have helped her learn that that's not the right way to do things. Perhaps if Rainbow had never discovered the magic of friendship, her and Lightning would've gotten along perfectly.

 

Really not sure how I feel about the end being so open-ended like it was. I raises several questions for me that we'll just have to wait and see what comes of them.

• Will Rainbow become a Wonderbolt?
• Will we see more of the Academy, or just hear about it?
• How will Rainbow manage more training there while still leaving time for her friends?
• What happened to Lightning Dust?
• Will she pull a Trixie and come back for revenge on Rainbow?

 

Loved Spitfire, I liked her sass and take-no-prisoners attitude, but also that she showed a little bit of her calmer, understanding side at the end like we saw at the Gala. I don't mind at all that Spitfire acted like she'd never met Rainbow. I think it's good that she treated her like all the other cadets to prevent Rainbow from thinking she'd get any favoritism or her getting a big head. She isn't mean, she just wants to weed out the ones who are true Wonderbolt material from those who can't handle the pressure.

 

Other things:

1. Loved Rainbow's ohmygoshohmygosh
2. Loved Fluttershy being an embarrassment to pegasi everywhere
3. Scenery and animation was beautiful
4. Pinkie has some serious abandonment issues...
5. Raindow Dash + Lightning Dust = 40% cooler
6. Good to see Roid Rage again, slightly surprised he's 1) capable of flying with those wings 2) got accepted into the academy with those wings
7.  No Deeeeerpy 
8. It was cool to see all the fancy training and artificial weather machines the Academy had.
9. Rainbow constantly saving people falling off of clouds reminds me of the Sky Knights that save you when you fall off Skyloft in Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
10. I'm sure there was other stuff, but I'll think of it some other time...

I wonder now, is she the drill sergeant or the head of the Wonderbolts?

 
The MLP Mobile Game says: "Spitfire is the captain of the most talented flyers in all of Equestria, the Wonderbolts."

Edited December 15, 2012 by Tall_But_Short_37

[Motion Spark 7,807]

People! stop complaining about Spitfire being mean....

 

what the helll!! she's the captain of the Wanderbolts, she has a role to fit, and the militar scenario here was very fitting, she wasn't mean at all, she was a captain, a leader, I never saw her offending anypony on purpose. If she's soft and puny she would fill the Wonderbolts with useless pegasus.

 

 

I don't understand why everypony is getting upset or complaining about how Spitfire treated Rainbow Dash. Spitfire is the captain of the Wonderbolts. She doesn't want just any old pony to join them. They have to be the best of the best. She was trying to be tough and fair to everypony by not showing favorites. She wanted to test Dash's limits. I mean, hasn't anypony seen how a drill sergeant treats their soldiers? 

No. What I meant is that it's ok how Spitfire treated them as a whole. But what bugged me is that Spitfire saw RD as a complete stranger, I mean, they know each other, she could have said something like "we meet each other again Rainbow pony" or something like that between lines.

[Dashabel 381]

come at me bro...perhaps you haven't seen me before, but if you know Motion Spark, you should know that he dislike Rainbow Dash, you wouldn't want to know the things that can come out of my mouth when I talk about her.

Hehe... ok, just don't say any of those words in front of me or Dash! She does get her feelings hurt to sometimes ya know, even though she might not seem to! I warned ya > That guns still got a bitta' power ya know... 

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I loved a post that I saw on EQD a while ago so I'm going to paraphrase it here for our collective enjoyment. "Oh my gosh, Lightning Dust is like the new Trixie! I bet she gets a magic jetpack and comes back for revenge next season!"

 

It made me laugh

[Sks_Burns 730]

Ok, ok.. as much as I must disagree, I will stop trying to reason anymore xD

Anyway, just as Artling as just said, it was just the change of Spitfire's personality that threw me.

 

i dont think she changed, more like she held back in social settings. Drill instructors are normal people until its time to work, then the loud shouty side comes out. thats how i perceived Spitfire, she put her best hoof forward when she was in a social setting and had to represent her group at the highest level of dignity. She was in drill instructor mode during this episode, and im sure shes not like that all the time. 

 

but hey, dont hold back. theres nothing wrong with friendly discussion when it involves ponies. we all did this last week when it involved Luna's Dream Inception, and this weeks topic is Mean Ol' Spitfire lol. i like hearing everyones opinions and thoughts on the episode, since it helps me notice things i didnt see the first time, or even in a new light. we're not trying to win arguments, but share viewpoints on a show we all love. 

[Dashabel 381]

i dont think she changed, more like she held back in social settings. Drill instructors are normal people until its time to work, then the loud shouty side comes out. thats how i perceived Spitfire, she put her best hoof forward when she was in a social setting and had to represent her group at the highest level of dignity. She was in drill instructor mode during this episode, and im sure shes not like that all the time. 

 

but hey, dont hold back. theres nothing wrong with friendly discussion when it involves ponies. we all did this last week when it involved Luna's Dream Inception, and this weeks topic is Mean Ol' Spitfire lol. i like hearing everyones opinions and thoughts on the episode, since it helps me notice things i didnt see the first time, or even in a new light. we're not trying to win arguments, but share viewpoints on a show we all love. 

I totally agree! Since I joined MLP forums my thoughts have changed about a LOT of things...

Anyway, that's what I was thinking: We're having a civilised, opinionated debate here, not an argument. xD

But I'm afraid I will only ever stick on Dash's side, sorry

Edited December 15, 2012 by Appledashforever

[Envy 6,169]

I like how the steroids pony (don't know his name) was actually funny in this episode as opposed to just saying "Yeah!!!" a billion times like in the first episode he showed up in. In that first episode I thought "This is just pandering way too much to the fandom" but in this episode there was more to him.

 

Otherwise, lol at Pinkie Pie acting really crazy while Rainbow Dash was gone. It's obvious where that will go with this fandom.

 

It was another good episode, but a bit on the predictable side. Especially the ending. But this season has been fantastic so far, I have enjoyed it so much more than Season 2 to be honest.

[Sks_Burns 730]

I totally agree! Since I joined MLP forums my thoughts have changed about a LOT of things...

Anyway, that's what I was thinking: We're having a civilised, opinionated debate here, not an argument. xD

But I'm afraid I will only ever stick on Dash's side, sorry

 

no worries at all. best thing for me was more Cloudchaser screen time. i love her look, but shes never on the show enough. ill openly admit that im not the biggest RD fan, but im anxious to see what happens to her next, and i hope her dream is finally realized when she appears on the show in her Wonderbolts uniform. this time it wont all be in her head either!

[Mister Jack 566]

So are the Wonderbolts just showponies or do they actually serve as some kind of elite air force?  I mean, Spitfire has a military uniform on with a bunch of medals and we did see them try (and fail) to fight the giant Spike in season 2.  They also seem to assist in government work by overseeing the water tornado in Hurricane Fluttershy.  Seems like a lot of responsibility for a bunch of stuntponies.

[Dashabel 381]

no worries at all. best thing for me was more Cloudchaser screen time. i love her look, but shes never on the show enough. ill openly admit that im not the biggest RD fan, but im anxious to see what happens to her next, and i hope her dream is finally realized when she appears on the show in her Wonderbolts uniform. this time it wont all be in her head either!

Yeah -  expecially if this is to be the last season D: All their dreams should come true: the CMCs will get their cutie marks; Rainbow Dash becomes a Wonderbolt; Twilight becomes the highest level unicorn and works for Celestia or something; Rarity can be a world famous designer; umm, not sure about Pinkie Pie, haha; Fluttershy.... um, she can be a top animal carer?? Lol. Oh yeah, and Applejack - she can have lots of money and be succesful in the apple business etc.

[Firelord Derpy 310]

Maybe both. Maybe they are under the jurisdiction of the Airforce and can be called up if needed. Spitfire may have been in the normal Airforce before joining the Wonderbolts. As for when spike was huge maybe they were the closest to the situation so they got there first.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

So are the Wonderbolts just showponies or do they actually serve as some kind of elite air force?  I mean, Spitfire has a military uniform on with a bunch of medals and we did see them try (and fail) to fight the giant Spike in season 2.  They also seem to assist in government work by overseeing the water tornado in Hurricane Fluttershy.  Seems like a lot of responsibility for a bunch of stuntponies.

They seem to function as both, since Soarin' wore something similar to a military dress uniform to the wedding and they were called upon to stop Spikezilla.