Season three in retrospect: Did you like the 13 episode format?

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Of course I prefer twenty-six episodes over thirteen episodes. I just use the simple logic that more ponies = more awesomeness. It's simple, if you think about it.

 

More Awesomeness = More Friendship...

 

and well...

[Totally Ducklett 181]

I don't really know how I'm supposed to vote. For the most part I liked season three. There were plenty of great episodes and moments with all of my favorite characters, and I think it did a lot for the series. I prefer the 26 episode format, mainly because it gives them more leeway to accommodate every character, plotline, interaction and song that they want to. Since quality is subjective, I knew that they couldn't make each episode "Twice as good" to compensate for the shorter season. I thought that this season had it's mix of good and meh episodes, same as any other, but it does leave me wishing there had been more.

 

The verdict: I like the thirteen episode format but I like the twenty-six episode format more.

I would surrender... but i'm already right behind you... so yeah. Here lies Rainbow Dash. She was as quick as a little bunny. No insults intended. I'm just random.

[Ron J 276]

Hell, even though season 2 had delays every 2 episodes, I preferred it that way.

At least it got me through a full school year with something to do other than school work.

[Betez 1,734]

For the time it took to make season 3, no. I feel like the season went by way too fast, and was way too short. I'm glad they're returning to 26 episodes.

[WildCard 1,037]

I didn't like the new format. I always had the feeling that the bad episodes stood out more and almost every season 3 episode was either hit or miss for me.
Also the pacing seemed more off than in most of the previous episodes.

[Bucky McGillyCuddy 956]

We've made it through;

 

A season with just over half of the 'normal' amount of episodes. 

Rumors galore about one of our cherished twilight being transformed into an Alicorn.

A humanized mane 6 cartoon spin-off / T.V movie / whatever the hell it's rumored to be.

No Rarity Episodes.

 

But we've persevered. I feel like it's actually been a pretty good season for Applejack fans though 

 

Fortunately i became a Brony about 5 months ago so i didn't have to wait as long as people who were around during season 2. But what the the time difference between season 1 & 2 and season 2 & 3?

 

Would you rather wait half as long for the next season if it had 13 episodes double that time for 26 episodes?

Edited February 14, 2013 by Bucky_McGillycuddy

[poniesforfun 716]

Even if the episodes don't chain the plot together, there isn't any build up for the finale if it's just 13 episodes. But more importantly Season 3 was the biggest downer yet due to focusing on sidekick characters like Spike and CMC majorly leaving less room for the six mane except for Rainbow Dash who got a fair share of the spotlight.

[Twinhead B 482]

Considering the wait for Season 4 is going to be just as long as the wait for Season2 & 3, I would rather have 26 episodes per season from now one. The writers don't have to cram as much into each episode (as the show seems to be moving more towards one long continuous story as opposed to many small self-contained stories), and we'd have a shorter wait between seasons (If we had 26 episodes this season, we'd probably have pony all the way into April or even May). Twilight's alicorn transformation would probably have gone much more smoothly, as they could've devoted two or three episodes to that alone, as well as a two-part finale.

 

Plus, this seasons utter lack of a Rarity episode was just shameful, worthy of banishment if I had my way. Oh well, at least we have Equestria Girls to tide us over during the spring/summer (assuming it's any good)..

 

EDIT:

 

Apparently I'm a Butterfly now. Cool, I think...

Edited February 14, 2013 by Twinhead B

[Stalliongrad 982]

Well lets see many things i like and hate .. well not hate just dislike about season 3

 

1. Scootalove became canon
2. Luna got a bit more screentime
3. Trixie came back (and lost)

Wonderbolts Academy was defiantly my favorite of season 3 that was exactly what i wanted to see. I did notice no Rarity episode but i think they need to rework how they focus on her. The whole "Someone famous liked your dress, hat etc.." is getting a little old but not entirely unbearable.

 

Every season is going to have one of those moments that make you cry or bring you close to it. For me that was seeing Applejack cry. I did tear up a bit at that. The strongest of all of them losing her focus but only because she wants to do her best.

 

Obviously i didn't like how short it was. Not really sure the reasoning behind it. Not really one to complain but it is annoying. I don't like how in S3 the letters to Celestia aren't as prominent. I dunno i just think of that being one of my favorite parts of the show.

[Megas 27,630]

I don't like it much. Now don't get me wrong, season 3 did have a lot of great episodes, with Sleepless in Ponyville being my all time favorite episode, but like many people said, shorter seasons make weaker episodes stand out. Imagine if a poorly received episode like Owl's Well or Mare Do Well aired in season 3 instead for example.

 

Another problem is that shorter seasons make the pony droughts feel longer, with only 13 episodes airing each week and the waits more agonizing

[Soundgarden 2,758]

Why would I? 25 episodes is ALWAYS better than 13, not hard to figure out why, but the biggest reason for me is:

 

1. Less focus on individual characters, Rarity didn't get a single episode

2. Bad episodes stand out a lot more 

3. There is absolutely no room for screwing up with individual character epsiodes (There actually never is, but with a 25 episode season and more than a single individual episode per character, then it's easy to overlook it)

[Starflower 323]

I think Season 3 was a pretty good season overall. Spike got more air time, as well as Luna, and finally Scootaloo got her own episode (like I've been wanting forever lol). We even got to see Trixie again too, which was something I didn't expect in the past. I'm sad, however, that Rarity did not get her own episode. But I'm not that bothered at all, I still like Season 3 the way it is, and just because my favorite pony didn't get a single episode doesn't mean the season sucks already xD

 

I'd like the 26-episode format to return again, 13 is too little and you can't fit a crapload of awesomeness like season 3 had in it. lmao

[Lighthope 36]

Having only just came into Pony fandom, I think I can look back at all three seasons with an unblemished eye.

 

Honestly, I really didn't notice much difference in writing between the seasons, other than them dumping the e1 rating (and its associated writing requirements).

 

Quality-wise, and entertainment-wise, I enjoyed S3 just as much as S1 and S2.  Each season had some episodes that I watch over and over, and each had some that I have no desire to watch again.

 

To be honest, if they dropped the line that they shortened S3 to focus on quality, they are lying.  They didn't spend twice as much time on each S3 episode.  It was purely a financial decision.  And poor programming to end the season with one Saturday to go during February Sweeps month.  (Unless the last Saturday doesn't count.  I don't know.)

 

So put me in the 26-episode camp.  More pony is better pony, and I really didn't see a quality difference between 13 and 26 episode seasons.

 

Perhaps a longer season will finally explain how Rarity represents the elemeny of Generosity.  Element of Vanity, I can see...

Pearls of Wisdom - I don't like M&Ms.  They're too hard to peel.
 

[poniesforfun 716]

Season 3 felt like a cluster buck of past references with each episode storyline feeling rushed. For instance Scootaloo in Sleepless in Ponyville seeing weird things under the case of insomnia reminded me too much of Applejack acting insomniac.

Edited February 15, 2013 by poniesforfun

[Freewave 1,145]

The combination of a downturn in quality and 1/2 the episode in quantity really was double punch to the face. Still love the show but treat me better Hasbro as it's like loving Chris Brown at this rate

 

Sadly now i know why the #13 is often a hated # from personal experience. 

Edited February 16, 2013 by Freewave