Say Something Nice About Every Season 3 Episode

[Cantankerous 106]

The Crystal Empire: It had some nice character interactions and a few funny moments. 

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Pinkie Pie was handled nicely and got some character development. 

 

One Bad Apple: Some issues are to be had with the way it handled the message, everything else was superb. 

 

Magic Duel: Fluttershy's behavior was fun to watch. 

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: finally, a Scootaloo episode

 

Wonderbolts Academy: good character development for RD

 

Apple Family Reunion: sweet, charming episode

 

Spike at Your Service: AJ is a badass 

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: Fluttershy at her most interesting

 

Just For Sidekicks: thoroughly entertaining

 

Games Ponies Play: Organic and meaningful character development for Twilight, even if it was just a few scenes

 

Magical Mystery Cure: It was fucking awesome. 

Edited March 18, 2013 by ByTheTides

[Nas 2,873]

The Crystal Empire - Pretty big conflict, and great songs.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies - An episode that needed to happen since forever, and was outright hilarious.

 

One Bad Apple - Introduction to Babs Seed, one of my favorite characters, and revolved around bullying, a concept that should exist within every children's television show one way or another.

 

Magic Duel - Much-needed return of Trixie, as well as her redemption. (And Wilhelm Scream number 1 of MLP.)

 

Sleepless in Ponyville - Canonisation of Scootalove, one of my favorite fan-theories.

 

Wonderbolts Academy - Good moral, referencing Top Gun.

 

Apple Family Reunion - Nice use of continuity, Applejack song. (Wilhelm Scream number 2.)

 

Spike at Your Service - 3D models looked pretty neat their first attempt.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On - Return, and redemption, of Discord. (Wilhelm Scream number 3.)

 

Just for Sidekicks - Great episode for the pets, Dash and Tank affection.

 

Games Ponies Play - The whole plot twist was just interesting.

 

Magical Mystery Cure - Beautiful episode with some of the show's best songs; in the end showed how much the story has progressed so far.

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

Season 3 has gotten mixed reactions and I thought this thread would be nice.  

 

I just wanted to say "thank you" for starting this.  I get downhearted when people want to complain about what they don't like.  It is nice to see threads that are all about saying positive things. 

[Bhending the Rules 697]

The Crystal Empire: Um... the songs were good. Yup, gonna roll with that, because coming from me anything else would be a reach.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Most hilarious concept of the season, possibly of the entire show.

 

One Bad Apple: Effective introduction of a potentially interesting new character, giving the CMCs someone new to interact with.

 

Magic Duel: Best episode of the season. Even if all of the other episodes sucked, this would have made it all worth it.

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: Effective and long overdue character development for Scootaloo. And Rainbow Dash too, really. She comes out of this a lot more relate-able for me.

 

Wonderbolts Academy: It was awesome to see some actual development of the "Dashie wants to be a Wonderbolt" subplot.

 

Apple Family Reunion: Great usage of the entire Apple family in one episode.

 

Spike at Your Service: Lots of really good small funny bits here.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: It has Discord. Nuff said.

 

Just For Sidekicks: Loved seeing all the pets in the same episode.

 

Games Ponies Play: The idea of an inter-quel episode is really interesting, and here it was well done.

 

Magical Mystery Cure: It's better than the haters want everyone to think.

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

The Crystal Empire: I was happy to see Princess Cadence and Shining Armor again.  Also, this set up what was going to happen with Twilight by the end of the season. 

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: This episode was a dream come true for me.  I love Pinkie Pie so much!

 

One Bad Apple:  We find out that ponies have movie theaters and motor vehicle technology. 

 

Magic Duel:  Trixie has a cool voice.  I actually didn't used to like her very much, but she grew on me after this episode. 

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: Scootaloo is finally the focus of an episode.  Luna gets more to do.  Rainbow Dash takes Scootaloo under her wing, which brings a tear to my eye.

 

Wonderbolts Academy:  Rainbow Dash is living her dream, which is awesome.  And I like seeing that she is not willing to go against her values to get what she wants.

 

Apple Family Reunion:  Some people say that Applejack has nowhere to go as a character, since she is doing what she wants to do with her life.  This episode shows that she still has goals to accomplish, and lessons to learn. 

 

Spike at Your Service:  I enjoy the pairing up of characters that usually do not spend much time together.  This episode had an enjoyable pairing of Spike and Applejack.  

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On:  A character actually says the words "Friendship is Magic."  And it is Discord who says it.

 

Just For Sidekicks: We finally get to see Tank again.  And I like the incorporation of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.  Even though Spike pretty much ignores it, I think that Pinkie Pie gives him a huge compliment when she asks "who wouldn't" want to spend time with him.  I wish someone would say something like that about me.  

 

Games Ponies Play:  Something I have always loved about this show is the characters' determination to help others, even when it is not about protecting them from some big villain.  The smaller things are important as well.  

 

Magical Mystery Cure: I love musicals.  I love Princess Twilight.  I love everything about this episode. 

[Blue Moon 6,341]

Crystal Empire: The Ballad of the Crystal Empire is a great song, and one of the show's best.

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Very funny and entertaining episode.

One Bad Apple: Babs Seed is one of the catchiest songs in the show.

Magic Duel: Has a really cool adventure-y feel to it, and I like the deception tactics used at the end.

Sleepless: Cute Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo moments.

Wonderbolts Academy: My favorite episode of the season, and one of my favorites in the series.

Apple Family Reunion: Really cool square dance-style song.

Spike at your Service: Cool CGI animation.

Keep Calm and Flutter On: Discord's reformation.

Just for Sidekicks: More pet screentime.

Games Ponies Play: More Cadance.

Magical Mystery Cure: Has a lot of really good songs; particularly, "I've Got To Find a Way" and "Celestia's Ballad."

[baba_booey 4,302]

The Crystal Empire - Show's Spike's importance, plus the Crystal Empire itself was beautifully animated.

Too Many Pinkie Pies - Made me laugh, and Pinkie Pie!

One Bad Apple - The song was catchy

Magic Duel -Trixie returns and the Trixiefied Ponyville was interesting.

Sleepless in Ponyville - Character development for Scootaloo

 

Wonderbolts Academy - Character development for Rainbow Dash, and Lighting Dust was a gr8 antagonist.

 

Apple Family Reunion - Character development for Applejack, and was actually probably Applejack's best episode to date.

Spike at Your Service - Ehh.. Nope, I got nothing. Sorry.

Keep Calm and Flutter On - Discord returns.

Just For Sidekicks - More pets!1

Games Ponies Play - Character interaction between my favorite Mane 6 pony, Rarity, and my favorite princess, Cadance.

Magical Mystery Cure - The songs, and the feels.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Skarloey

[Castle Bleck 19,341]

The Crystal Empire: Sombra's traps.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: The Mirror Pool.

 

One Bad Apple: Babs making Diamond and Silver fall in mud at the end.

 

Magic Duel: The Alicorn Amulet.

 

Sleepless In Ponyville: Luna dreamwalking.

 

Wonderbolts Academy: Best Rainbow and Spitfire characterizations thus far.

 

Apple Family Reunion: Babs being a better Pony.

 

Spike At Your Service: The Timberwolves.

 

Keep Calm And Flutter On: Discord starting to become an antihero.

 

Just For Sidekicks: Zecora saying, "Booty."

 

Games Ponies Play: Ms. Peachbottom hitting on Shining.

 

Magical Mystery Cure: Celestia singing in outer space.

Edited April 2, 2015 by A.V.

[Sidral Mundet 1,666]

The Crystal Empire - They actually remembered Spike in a 2 parter.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies - Pinkie Pie realizing her mistake, oh the feels 

 

One Bad Apple - The song and Babs was nice

 

Magic Duel -The intro sequence in the back alley, that's it. 

 

Sleepless in Ponyville - Rainbow Dash confirmed as (sort of) big sister to Scootaloo!

 

Wonderbolts Academy - Rainbow Dash, just everything about Rainbow Dash was awesome and Lightning Dust was a great antagonist

 

Apple Family Reunion - I like the song and it was great to see so many Apples in one place.

 

Spike at Your Service - Everyone else but Spike was great to watch.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On - All of it. Best episode of the series.

 

Just For Sidekicks - Spike and the CMC finally interact for more than one scene 

 

Games Ponies Play - Rainbow Dash hitting the glass was hilarious

 

Magical Mystery Cure - The idea that Twilight has no idea how to land and so crashes after the credits start rolling.  Also the accession was decent. 

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

I actually quite enjoyed season three.

 

The Crystal Empire: Armored Rainbow Dash.

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Sexy sunbathing Dash is sexy.

One Bad Apple: I <3 that f****** song!

Magic Duel:

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: I cry every time. ; _ ;

Wonderbolts Academy: Most of the episode.  Hoof-biting action overload!

Apple Family Reunion: Granny Smith is in it.

Spike at Your Service: Rainbow's unfinished novel.  Rainbow's spot-on Timberwolf impression.

Keep Calm and Flutter On:

 

Just For Sidekicks: Rainbow and Tank interaction.  Opal and Tank interaction. xD

Games Ponies Play: Most of the episode.

Magical Mystery Cure: It...  Ended?  OH!  I know!  This outfit:

Edited April 2, 2015 by Ziggy and Angelbaby

[sweetolebob18 728]

I could say something good about every episode except Spike At Your Service.  All I can say about it is it's a contender for Worst Episode Ever.

 

Magical Mystery Cure  Weak ending, but the scrambled Cutie Marks was a good idea.  I just wish it had been a 2 parter.

Crystal Empire  Bad judgment on Celestia's part (sending T alone) & on T's part (not asking for help) but cool trap in part 2 also "Save the Crystal Ponies" was a good song & I liked the idea of Spike saving the day.  The other episodes were all among my favorites.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

This is easy since I like to be optimistic about episodes.

 

The Crystal Empire: Spike gets a time to shine

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Shows a deep side of Pinkie

 

One Bad Apple: The song was nice

 

Magic Duel: Duel was epic and Pinkie's bits were hilarious

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: Scootaloo gets some development

 

Wonderbolts Academy: RD learns a lesson that fits her character

 

Apple Family Reunion: Subtly about AJ's parents

 

Spike at your Sevice: The timberwoles looked cool

 

Keep Calm and Flutter on: Discord's antics were pretty funny

 

Just for Sidekicks: The pets get to shine more.

 

Games Ponies Play: The gags worked

 

Magical Mystery Cure: THE FEELS!

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I love ALL of the episodes of every season with the exception of one.

 

The Crystal Empire: My favorite two parter of the series so far! The Empire itself was interesting and Sombra is my favorite villain save for Tirek.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: DEEEEP man! I mean seriously, Pinkie Pie was doubting her own existence! Plus I love how the more we seem to know about Equestria, the more it can surprise us, and with some seriously creepy arcana in it's dark corners.

 

One Bad Apple: Introduces a new foal character and handles a part of bullying you don't see often, that the bullied sometimes becomes the bully. Plus the song was great.

 

Magic Duel: Loved this one! So many in-jokes and surprises. I do love how the lesson wasn't a major theme but the creators feel that they can just have episodes that are fun for their own sake. Plus I loved how creative they got with the visuals in terms of magic.

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: A logical expansion on Luna's powers and duties, deepening the mythology of Equestria. Also gives some more depth to a relationship that the fandom picked up on looooong before the show did.

 

Wonderbolts Academy: A loving send up to Top Gun and just as one who went through a military training regime, a lot of it felt familiar. I also loved how it once again proved Rainbow Dash's character that ambition is not bad and that one doesn't and shouldn't sacrifice their principals in pursuit of that ambition.

 

Apple Family Reunion: I come from a big family myself so I can identify with the Apples. I did like the song and how we got a little hint as to AJ's parents . . . "status" with the shooting stars.

 

Spike at Your Service: Spike's revelation that he has a "dragon code" shows us something that might be a part of all dragons or something unique to him. Either way it's an interesting development. I loved the fight with the Timber Wolves and the giant one at the end was badass.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: Redemption stories are always great in my book and I like how Princess Celestia entrusted Fluttershy with the job and it was the kindly one that managed to outplay the god of Chaos. 

 

Just For Sidekicks: Honestly one of the funniest episodes I've watched and I LOOOOVE how it's an overlapping episode!

 

Games Ponies Play: Similar to the above, just really funny and cool that it's an overlapping episode. Much as I initially disliked her, gotta admit, Harshwhinny has really grown on me. 

 

Magical Mystery Cure: I was crying near the end. What can I say other than I was moved by Celestia's Ballad? I knew it was coming and I wish I could have been truly surprised but the execution was great and I love that part of Lauren's vision has come to pass.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Rainboom Dash 1,056]

The Crystal Empire: Epicness

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Pinkie humor

One Bad Apple: A great CMC episode

Magic Duel: Trixie

Sleepless In Ponyville: Scoots and Dash bond

Wonderbolts Academy: Proof of Dash's loyalty

Apple Family Reunion: One of the best AJ episodes

Spike At Your Service: One I find underrated.

Keep Calm And Flutter On: Discord's redemption

Just For Sidekicks: Pets galore

Games Ponies Play: Great overlap with above

Magical Mystery Cure: A True True Friend

 

A good season even if it was short.

[paradoxical 1,735]

The Crystal Empire pt 1: The way to solve the problem is really inventive without feeling forced in that world.

Part 2: the gravity spells.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: No such thing as too many Best Ponies [for one episode]

 

One Bad Apple: I like that the CMC tries to have a good attitude towards bullies, but that he show is practical and you can't always avoid them.

 

Magic Duel: Star Wars ref is fantastic.

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: Few shows could have pulled off that episode well enough that I wouldn't have quit watching that episode mid-stream given the plot.  MLP did.

 

Wonderbolts Academy: Pinkie Pie's relationship (pleutonic) with RD

 

Apple Family Reunion: The most solid AJ show there has been so far.

 

Spike at Your Service: Rock smashing gag..

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: I like how they dealt with the beginning of the reform of Discord arc.

 

Just For Sidekicks: .Games Ponies Play: The mash-up worked.

 

Magical Mystery Cure: I agree with Mr. Ender's review on this one.  You might have felt that the episode was rushed, but I feel that they used the musical style to pack everything perfectly in 22 minutes 

Also I create liquid pride every time I see that one. 

[RivkaBobble 110]

Will edit in bold later. My Kindle can't do bold.

 

The Crystal Empire: How Rarity reacted to the crystal ponies

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Betcha can't make a face crazier than this!

 

One Bad Apple: That song

 

Magic Duel: This is near the darkest Ponyville is not in a 2 part episode.

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: The Luna-Scootaloo moment

 

Wonderbolts Academy: They always break academy records...

 

Apple Family Reunion: An episode of just the Apple family, and the entire Apple family

 

Spike at your Service: I thought he made good cookies. Remember Owls well Ends well? He made good cookies.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter on: Paper. Yummy.

 

Just for Sidekicks: So well with pets. Much wow.

 

Games Ponies Play: Step 12 wasn't optional Rarity...

 

Magical Mystery Cure: So many songs. All so good.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Keep in mind I still really enjoyed season three, so...yeah.

 

Crystal Empire: Best episode, period.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: Dat mirror = worldbuilding

 

One Bad Apple: Babs Seed <3

 

Magic Duel: Return of Trixie. 'Nuff said.

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: The feels with Scootaloo's interactions with Dash & Luna.

 

Wonderbolt Academy: Rainbow Dash standing up for her beliefs and friends

 

Apple Family Reunion: Raise this barn, y'all.

 

Spike At Your Service: Timber Wolves = Worldbuilding.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: Discord Reformation Begin.

 

Just for Sidekicks: At least the pets get some camera time.

 

Games Poines Play: Ms. Harshwinny <3

 

Magical Mystery Cure: Twilight's Ascension <3

[Pastel 7,630]

The Crystal Empire: it's my favorite season premiere. I loved the Crystal Empire, the crystal ponies, the plot... And Sombra was a good villain.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: my favorite Pinkie Pie episode. That's the Pinkie I like, I really want her to be always like in this episode.

 

One Bad Apple: Babs Seed (the song) is one of the best.

 

Magic Duel: Uh...it has Trixie (although I preferred her in Boast Busters).

 

Sleepless In Ponyville: My 3rd favorite episode ever, it was perfect.

 

Wonderbolts Academy: I loved the scene where Rainbow Dash saved the mane 5.

 

Apple Family Reunion: I liked that Babs Seed was back in this episode, and that she wasn't just a 1 episode character.

 

Spike at Your Service: The scene where Applejack saved Spike was very good. And I liked Applejack in this episode.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: "Well played Fluttershy... Well played." One of the best lines of the show.

 

Just for Sidekicks: I liked that it was linked to next episode, Games Ponies Play.

 

Games Ponies Play: It was great to see the Crystal Empire, Cadence and Shining Armor again.

 

Magical Mystery Cure: What My Cutie Mark is Telling Me was a good song.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

"The Crystal Empire": It had a great moral despite the story's botched portrayal. It was visually an amazing episode, especially for the point in the series in which it came out, and the Crystal Ponies and King Sombra served as an interesting emotional allegory. King Sombra himself was the most competent of the two-parter villains, going down fighting instead of on a "stand and gloat" moment, and setting a bunch of traps that really tested Twilight's prowess and showed how much progress she had made.

 

"Too Many Pinkie Pies": Pinkie Pie in an existential crisis is always interesting to watch ("Party of One" and "Pinkie Pride"). The idea had some very deep themes and was exploited very well for its comedic potential and as a character study. It gets better just talking about it.

 

"One Bad Apple": The song sequence was a very well-made pop homage and is catchy as all get-out.

 

"Magic Duel": Visually, a very unique episode. The epic setup had a lot of potential had the episode taken itself more seriously.

 

"Sleepless in Ponyville": Along with the following episode and "Hurricane Fluttershy", this showed Rainbow Dash's character development into a wiser, morally stronger potential mentor figure to Scootaloo. It was also Scootaloo's first focus episode, and the first in which Princess Luna shows up in a mentor role to one of the Crusaders, further developing her role as the reformed former villain trying to steer others away from going down the same path that got her banished.

 

"Wonderbolts Academy": Like the preceding episode, it really showed how far Rainbow Dash had come in her character development. Like "The Crystal Empire", it also showed how far she had come in her special talent; her skill in flying. The combination of both led to her setting a good example to the rest of the Academy and the Wonderbolts themselves just as she had to Scootaloo and Fluttershy previously, a top-notch show of her character development. The tough decision Rainbow Dash had to make would have made this a better key episode for Rainbow Dash than "Rainbow Falls" had the episode been pushed back to Season 4, if there would have been any knowledge of the key arc during Season 3's production.

 

"Apple Family Reunion": Great to see Applejack's first song and more of the Apple Family.

 

"Spike at Your Service": The first implementation of 3D CGI in the show. Although it did look awkward and stuck out as 3D effects usually do in 2D animated TV cartoons, the fact that they tried it shows just how much this show was willing to push the technical boundaries of what they have previously done and the perceived limitations of Flash-animated cartoons, and paved the way for a more seamless integration in "Princess Twilight Sparkle".

 

"Keep Calm and Flutter On": Discord absolutely owns the episode with his trademark quirkiness and scene-stealing charisma provided by Polsky's script and John de Lancie's always amazing voice performances.

 

"Just for Sidekicks": Really, I've got nothing for this episode alone. It doesn't really hold up on its own merits. The idea of setting it concurrently with "Games Ponies Play" was a great one, but unfortunately neither episode holds up well, alone or combined, as a particularly good episode of this show. This one doesn't hold up as particularly bad, either. If I really had to force myself, I'd say that it was nice to see the pets, even if they were all being jerks to Spike.

 

"Games Ponies Play": Even if the episode was totally lacking in the story department, a lot of the comedy was actually pretty well-timed and worked as much as you possibly could in such a plot. However, it just seemed more fitting of a show whose domain was straight-up comedy, not known for the character-driven narratives MLP is known for.

 

"Magical Mystery Cure": Most of the songs and the visuals of the second and third acts were top-tier for this show when this episode came out, and may continue to be into the fifth season. Although the Twilicorn transformation continues to be a mixed bag, the fact that it was done in the first place was an immense risk for the show to take. This episode executed the atmosphere and emotional weight surrounding the event exceptionally well, and I felt a bit better about it just looking at it for what it was -- the culmination and payoff of all of Twilight's activities from the previous episodes.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Wind Chaser

[Pineapple Bloom 511]

Crystal Empire: It was really epic and the Crystal Ponies were so precious :3

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: It was really funny and silly to see so many Pinkies

 

One Bad Apple: A cool episode introducing a new character

 

Magic Duel: I think it's the most suspenseful/epic episode that isn't a season opener or finale.

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: Scootaloo confessing her fear to Rainbow Dash was heartwarming.

 

Wonderbolts Academy: A great episode that shows that Rainbow Dash isn't as reckless and selfish as she seems.

 

Apple Family Reunion: It was nice to see lots of Apple Family relatives again.

 

Spike at your Service: Spike's clumsiness was rather funny.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: It was so sweet to see Discord reform thanks to Fluttershy.

 

Just for Sidekicks: Spike trying to take care of the pets was amusing.

 

Games Ponies Play: I liked Ms. Peachbottom. XD

 

Magical Mystery Cure: A True True Friend is such a beautiful song.

 

I actually love Season 3, maybe even more than most episodes in Seasons 1 and 2.

[CC_Maud_Pie 6,431]

The Crystal Empire: How much I feel sorry for the residents for the fact that they had to put up with King Sombra. I also liked the ending of the episode.

 

Too Many Pinkie Pies: It looked intense trying to figure out who the real Pinkie Pie is.

 

One Bad Apple: Despite being mean to the CMC at the first place, Babs made up for it in the end.

 

Magic Duel: I liked how Trixie apologized.

 

Sleepless in Ponyville: The scene where Luna appears in Scootaloo's dream is one of my favorite MLP scenes.

 

Wonderbolts Academy: Rainbow Dash saving her friends.

 

Apple Family Reunion: I liked how Applejack turned things around in the end. I also liked Babs Seed in this episode.

 

Spike at Your Service: I liked how Spike saved Applejack.

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On: Discord reforming.

 

Just For Sidekicks: Spike yelling "WHY?!!"

 

Games Ponies Play: It's good to see the Crystal Empire again. Also, I liked how Rainbow Dash said "We've got the wrong pony?" and then Pinkie Pie said "Noooo! I mean yessss!"

 

Magical Mystery Cure: "A True True Friend" is a good song and Twilight becoming an alicorn was pretty cool.