Episodes you changed your mind about?

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

"Dragon Quest" is the first example for me. I really liked the tonal difference from the norm of the series and how they handled Spike's character, but as I looked deeper into the episode and watched some reviews of it, the worst thing about the episode was that Spike was the only good character. The Mane 6 (minus three) were ineffective in this episode, and its development of dragon culture brought to light some extremely negative subtext that I touched on in my review of the episode here: http://mlpforums.com/blog/1581/entry-13739-dragon-quest-review/

 

"Games Ponies Play" was an underwhelming episode to me at first, but then it became more apparent that the writing of the episode was a complete mess, the plot was bare-bones stock, and the moral was pulled out of a subplot that had flown under the radar throughout the whole episode. On top of that, the episode was seemingly aired out of order (it should have been before "Just for Sidekicks", not after).

 

"Trade Ya!" is another one I found underwhelming at first, but then began to hate. The splintering of the Mane 6 into groups of two did not work that well in "Castle Mane-ia", and worked even less here, as the conflicts relied on extreme interpretations of the characters. Pinkie Pie was in her "Filli Vanilli" mode here, and this episode made the same mistake of supporting her behavior as that one did by having Twilight deliver a message supportive of her point (which in and of itself was unduly and heavily biased) quickly and in a rushed and forced manner. Rainbow Dash showed none of her humility and development from "Hurricane Fluttershy" or "Wonderbolts Academy", and the Rarity/Applejack subplot was annoying, and dare I say it again, forced.

Edited January 2, 2015 by Wind Chaser

[Pony.inc 38]

Feeling Pinkie Keen. Thought it was awesome. Realized how mean spirited it was. Crappy moral. Now: screw this episode.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

Daring Don't was one. When it first aired, I didn't think it was too bad, more average than anything else. But as time passed, it started to bug me more and more until I realized how flawed an episode it was. There's a reason this episode and the whole "Daring Do is actually a real pony" thins is often held as Fanon Discontinuity (AKA an episode or plot point fans like to pretend never happened).

I agree with this. Daring Do made a lot more sense when she was a fictional character whose personality was just a reflection of Rainbow Dash which was the reader of the books. To really have a character out there that's in a lot of ways just a grey haired version of her is just silly.

[baba_booey 4,302]

I used to like Sonic Rainboom, but then I realized how butchered Rarity was, and now I think it's among the worst MLP episodes of all time.

 

Also, Sleepless in Ponyville.. at first I thought it was a perfect episode and the best of Season 3. Then, I realized the problems with poor characterization and questionable logic, and now I just find it "okay" or "meh."

[Castle Bleck 19,370]

Dragon Quest and Just For Sidekicks.

Edited January 2, 2015 by A.V.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

Daring Don't.

Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight's Kingdom.

Rainbow Falls.

Inspiration Manifestation.

 

A simple list...

 

EDIT: I forgot one: Sweet and Elite

Edited January 2, 2015 by Metemponychosis

[VinylWubs 1,252]

hmm I guess

Inspiration Manifestation

testing testing 123

Applebuck Season

Over a barrel

 

I made my point

[Snow Frostflame 3,568]

S2 E8 "The Mysterious Mare Do Well" even though Rainbow is my least favorite Mane Six what happens to her in the episode is complete bullshit

 

S3 E13 "The Magical Mystery Cure" most bronies hated this because of Princess Twilight but that's not the case with me. This whole episode was completely half ass made the plot revolves around nothing but two songs that aren't even good and Twilight trying to undo a mistake the whole plot feels like it was written in a day.... no a few hours

[Cleverclover 1,526]

Well this is an easy one: 

 

Twilight's Kingdom

 

During my first watch, I was indeed pretty impressed with it and thought that it wrapped the season up nicely. But the second time I watched it, I instantly came to realize that it's definitely the worst two-parter written for this series and is a downright insult to the show. 

[King Sejong 859]

   None, there are no episode I dislike nor grew to hate. Hate is a powerful word, and should be used wisely, it can provoke an powerful emotion, and an equally powerful response, so to use the word, it would have to be applied to something that a majority already have issue with, with a smaller minority that should still be heard. No episode is perfect, and no episode does what you want to, to the letter, after you did not write nor produce any of the episodes, which is good, because the writers of MLP have done well over the years, and truly care for the world they created, so I will not besmirch their work with hate or scorn. Many of the episodes mentioned, have been repeatedly review and analysed, so much so that everyone can see its atoms, yet still they harbour some sort of resentment for episodes, you might as well go as far as saying, what episodes of Avatar the Last Airbender you hate, you get a surly backlash from fans, so it would be cautious to speak with care, and remove you ego from episodes that do not stroke it, from the lines and to the alphabet.    

[Megas 27,677]

None, I've had episodes that I've liked more after a while, but none that I hate more after a while(and I don't let some analyst/reviewer influence me otherwise)

Edited January 2, 2015 by Megas75

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Hey guys, let's keep this on topic. I had to take care of a number of posts that had little to nothing to do with the thread at hand.

 

Thank you and have a good day.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

I reserve my hate for things and those that have genuinely earned it; I don't hate any episode of MLP:FIM.  It is a show about colorful equines that has yet to do me or those I love any significant harm. xD  And there's really zero cause to ever watch a review of an episode you've already seen.  Just so you can better appreciate that it isn't perfect?  And, in its imperfection, is in the company of everything in the history of ever?  Form your own opinions with your own eyes and ears and hearts, people.

 

That being said...  I'm perhaps least fond of "Magical Mystery Cure."  And not merely because a unicorn sprouted wings.  The entire episode felt hurried and forced and unfair to the characters.  The critters (ordinarily Fluttershy's charge) had Rainbow in a giant pot!  What the hay?!?!?  It looked as though the rest of the Mane Six reduced Twilight to a greasy stain on the floor.  What the hay again?!?!?  I largely blame Starsquirm the Beergut.  And Hasbro's seeming desire to revitalize Twilight Sparkle toy sales.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

There aren't any that I've changed my opinions on over time. I've never seen any episode more than 3 times, so that may be why. That said, here are a few that I just couldn't get into:

 

Twilight Time—apart from the scene with Twilight stuffing her face with hayburgers, this episode was rather disappointing. Overall, I just found it to be tedious to watch. It was a drag.

 

Inspiration Manifestation—I'm usually down with characters going nuts, especially Rarity. This one, however... I think it went a little too far. It was painful to watch.

 

Pinkie Apple Pie—Again, my initial watch through of this episode had that same effect. I was just sitting through it, waiting for it to be over. I know a lot of people liked this one, but it may just be my least favorite of all.

Edited January 2, 2015 by Regulus

[A goat 323]

Flight to the finish easily. Both the song and the story grew onto me over time.

[smitty121325 64]

Well this is an easy one:  Twilight's Kingdom During my first watch, I was indeed pretty impressed with it and thought that it wrapped the season up nicely. But the second time I watched it, I instantly came to realize that it's definitely the worst two-parter written for this series and is a downright insult to the show.

 

As much as I love DBZ, I have to say that this was one of those episodes that was so obviously pandering to the periphery demographic that it was just disgusting. I liked it better when it was just subtle nods to the bronies (such as the various pop culture references and mature, adult-oriented jokes that would fly over kids' heads).

[Guest]

Hey there @@chirox the pony & @, I just wanted to inform you both that I have merged your threads with an older thread that encompasses both of your discussion points. Please ensure you use the search function before making a thread, as you might find an appropriate thread for your discussion topic is already in place.

[twilightsparkle3562 145]

Well this is an easy one: 

 

Twilight's Kingdom

 

During my first watch, I was indeed pretty impressed with it and thought that it wrapped the season up nicely. But the second time I watched it, I instantly came to realize that it's definitely the worst two-parter written for this series and is a downright insult to the show. 

 

I agree with this post.  When I first saw "Twilight's Kingdom," I was really excited for it.  But then, I found it to be a twisted episode that left me angry and left me with a bad taste in my mouth and I really want to like it.  In addition, they reintroduced Tirek as the show's equivalent of the devil who in addition to sucking the life out of ponies:

 

.brainwashed DIscord into being his puppet

.sent three of my four favorite characters to hell all because he was imprisoned in the first place (seeing Tirek on the throne in Canterlot and mocking the princesses let me furious. In fact, the scenes in Tirek and Discordd in Canterlot made me real mad)

.melted down Twilight's princess coronation window 

.DESTROYED Twilight's library (although it was resurrected as her castle)

 

But, seriously, Tirek is my most hated character on the show and I hope he rots in Tartarus for all eternity.  As for the episode itself, I REALLY want to like it, but these little things like Tirek's actions prevent me from doing so.  

 

Let's just hope season 5 gives us a better premiere and finale.

[smitty121325 64]

DESTROYED Twilight's library (although it was resurrected as her castle).

I'm actually shocked that Hasbro let them get away with this. But, like in "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies" and "Bats" (both horrible episodes), as long as they get across that it's all to create a new toy and sell it, it's okay. Seriously, they couldn't get away with showing Twilight punching Tirek, but they could get away with making the episode as dark and as frightening as possible? I'm surprised the soccer moms didn't complain about it. This series doesn't have to a good track record when it comes to villains. Maybe season five will finally give us a really good villain.

[Pinkieandsuch 38]

Mine would be super speedy cider squeezy 6000, I thought it was boring at first, but now it's one of my favorite episodes.

[twilightsparkle3562 145]

I'm actually shocked that Hasbro let them get away with this. But, like in "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies" and "Bats" (both horrible episodes), as long as they get across that it's all to create a new toy and sell it, it's okay. Seriously, they couldn't get away with showing Twilight punching Tirek, but they could get away with making the episode as dark and as frightening as possible? I'm surprised the soccer moms didn't complain about it. This series doesn't have to a good track record when it comes to villains. Maybe season five will finally give us a really good villain.

Heck, I wonder how many people got nightmares because of Tirek.  As for the episode itself, maybe I'll give it another chance when the library episode airs in Season 5.  It's just that I need to see the library given a proper farewell before I could fully accept the castle. Hell, I love the castle, but I need to learn more about it.

 

BTW, a good idea for a really good villain is Grogar, that demonic goat with the bell around his neck.  One of my predictions for the season premiere was to have Grogar avenge Tirek by turning Twilight's friends and fellow princesses to stone and only she, Discord and Starswirl team up to stop him.  But, I guess it could be a season finale story instead. 

[Drakkon 362]

I don't have any specific episodes that I found to be terrible and then amazing or vice versa beyond those I'm sure were affected by the Herd Mind. For example, I found Feeling Pinkie Keen and Over a Barrel to be pretty fun episodes at first, but after the connotations to religion and North American colonialism were put in my mind I can't stand them. Others that I initially disliked, probably thanks to the ton of criticism I read just as they were released like Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, now years after their release I've grown to like. Or others like Look Before You Sleep which everyone praised at the start, I now find average.

 

The most disappointing of all changes though is just Season 1 in general. I became a brony off season 1 when there wasn't a season 2, but today I find most of Season 1 to be very boring except, of course, the golden classics like Winter Wrap Up, The Best Night Ever, and others. It's a huge bother for me right now to begin a rewatch since watching Season 1 for me is a significant drag. Perhaps I've just grown so used to it that I find it dull; episodes that I found cute like The Ticket Master and Applebuck Season are now mindwrenchingly boring!

[ponylaces 1,870]

The Best Night Ever.

 

I didn't hate it when I first saw it, I just didn't care for it. I appreciate it more now. Plus the song is AWESOME!

[Cleverclover 1,526]

But, seriously, Tirek is my most hated character on the show and I hope he rots in Tartarus for all eternity.  As for the episode itself, I REALLY want to like it, but these little things like Tirek's actions prevent me from doing so.

 

 

Oh, Tirek himself is probably the least of my issues with Twilight's Kingdom. I'm much more bothered with:

 

-- The shitty writing. Twilight almost instantly goes from hardly wanting anything to do with being a princess to wanting more from it. And of course, there's the part just before the battle where she's clearly struggling to maintain control of her power, yet once it's time for the battle, she's able to maintain perfect control for no other reason than the plot called for it. 

 

-- Celestia being portrayed as unspeakably incompetent, as the decisions and choices she made did absolutely nothing but make things worse. 

 

-- The mane five being reduced to complete and utter helplessness while Twilight gets to be portrayed as the last hope for ponykind and have her own little heroic moment all to herself. I daresay that were it not for the need to include Rainbow Power into the plot, Twilight may have ended up remaining the sole hero of the episode. 

 

-- Twilight actively attempting to take a life purely out of vengeful bloodlust. IMO, the battle was her absolute worst and lowest point in series (and yet for whatever reason, everyone loves it to death).

 

-- Twilight receiving her key upon different standards than the rest of her friends, since unlike them, she was not required to make a mistake nor learn a lesson to receive it due to McCarthy's apparent unwillingness to reduce her to the level of fallibility. 

 

 

If I really get into it, I could probably write a 5-6 page essay explaining why I detest this finale so much. 

[Gary S. 102]

If you think about it, Chrysalis was more of a sinister villain. She and her minions also not only kind of suck the life out of the ponies, they also imprison them in caves and cocoons. Tirek at least let them go. She treated Cadance and Celestia worse than Tirek did to the princesses and Discord. Okay he sent the three to tartarus, but hey, this is an eye for an eye ;-) He had some funny moments when he interacted with Discord. I couldn't smile a single time about Chrysalis. So please cut poor Tirek some slack.

 

 

At first i was bored of MMMystery on the Friendship Express, but later i grew fond of it. An easygoing detective episode with many good background characters. Even a nice griffon.

Edited January 4, 2015 by Gary S.