Season 3 is automatically the worst season because it's short?

[Pony Of The Month 534]

A lot of people say that season 3 is the worst season by default just because it's only 13 episodes. Why? That's like saying Sleepless In Ponyville is worse than Transformers 2 because it's shorter. 

 

It's fine if you don't like season 3. I may not understand why, but you're entitled to your opinion. But the length is not a valid reason to call it the worst. 

 

There were maybe 2 episodes that I didn't care for. And one of them has grown on me. So more me it has a 1:12 ratio of bad episodes. Which is pretty good. 

 

And I know someone is inevitably going to say that the short length of the season affected the entire season's pacing, so I'm going to ask you to actually count all the episodes you thought had bad pacing. I'm pretty sure you'll only think of 3 at the most. I personally don't mind the pacing of any of these episodes. 

 

Is season 3 really the worst just because it has the least episodes? Or are you all just spoiled?

[Skygunner 352]

And when you buy a car, is the one that's smaller automatically worse than one that's bigger?

 

Quality of quantity, these episodes easily carried the most depth along with some of the best songs. Period. If somepony didn't like an episode, then that's a them problem, in the magical way that some brony can dislike things.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Skygunner

[Evilshy 5,090]

Here's how I see it.

Season 1 was the most consistently good. The only season 1 episode I can point at and say "I did not like that episode" would be the Owls Well that Ends Well. It also had a few really great episodes.

 

Season 2 was more hit and miss, except the hits were huge and fairly numerous. It has some episodes that I think are just completely fantastic (and I should add that all of my favorite episodes are from Season 2, except maybe 1 episode from Season 1). It definitely had some lame episodes, but thes were overshadowed by the amount of amazing ones.

 

Season 3 had a few episodes I liked, more that I didn't, and the rest were meh. None except Crystal Empire stuck out to me as being awesome; even the ones that I thought would be totally awesome ended up being disappointing (namely, the Trixie and Discord episodes). Also, season 3 finale was hands down the worst episode of the series yet, and not because of Alicorn Twi. I'm okay with Twilicorn; I'm not okay with abysmal pacing and practically non-existent storytelling.

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,695]

A lot of people? I've never heard anyone say that actually.

 

Season 3 was fine. Myself, I just didn't enjoy it as much as the first two.

[Clover Heart 978]

I'll admit that I don't like season 3 for being shorter. However, I have two reasons for that. One: if they were going to make half the number of episodes, you would think they would have the time to make them awesome and that they'd be twice as amazing as the previous seasons with 26 episodes. On the contrary, season 3 has some of the least memorable episodes and in terms of overall opinion (not necessarily my own) some of the least liked episodes. Two: this has to do with the final episode, but I just can't get over how rushed and poorly thought out it was. I can't help but think that if the season were longer, they'd have been more inclined to make the final episode a two-parter and actually develop the story. Which was a good idea, but sadly, wasted. I think one of the reasons it was rushed may be that it had to be rushed, because if not, they'd have to dock off another episode on an already short season. And the first story already spanned 2 episodes. That doesn't mean for 100% sure that the final episode would have been a two-parter nor that that would make it any better, but it would have given them more freedom to do so. I wouldn't have minded season 3 being short if it were a really good season, but the quality of the episodes and stories was way down this season, and having had only 13 episodes, this was extremely disappointing.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Clover Heart

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

I liked season 3 but there was that one episode "Games Ponies Play", that I didn't particularly care for. Just For Sidekicks and Games Ponies play, should've been an all-in-one episode. 

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

Given the shorter season, it will make poorer episodes stand out all the more because they will make up a higher percentage of the crop. My rankings currently go Season 2 > Season 1=Season 3, although this may be subject to change once I rewatch the series this summer. Season 3 had about four episodes that could compete with or surpass everything that the show has ever done, and it had about three that were very hit and miss, with the rest in the middle. Personally I think that what Seasons 1 & 2 did better were the bookend premiere/finale episodes. I vastly prefer Friendship is Magic and The Return of Harmony to The Crystal Empire, and the same goes for The Best Night Ever and A Canterlot Wedding compared to Magical Mystery Cure.

[simba86 1,541]

I really liked season 3. I did not think it was any worse than the other seasons, it was pretty good and i hate having to wait months until season 4!

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

Before I start, I'd just like to say that if some Bronies don't like Season Three, that's fine. We all different opinions.

 

For me, Season Three was just fine. The only episode I really didn't like the pacing and storytelling of was the Season Finale, and that's about it. Even then, I did enjoy the songs from Magical Mystery Cure, and I really don't mind Twilicorn all that much.

 

However, I just put Season One and Two above Season Three. It's just the way I feel after viewing the episodes again. That's not to say I don't enjoy Season Three; I actually rather like it. But it's simply just not as good as the first two Seasons for me.

 

That's my two cents.

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

You know how some characters show more development ONLY on their episodes?

 

With 13 episodes it doesn't give those characters enough time, Pinkie got one episode, her character is absolute crap now, or just there as a filler.

 

I wouldn't say it makes the whole season bad, but it plays a major role in it.

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

 

It's fine if you don't like season 3. I may not understand why, but you're entitled to your opinion. But the length is not a valid reason to call it the worst. 

 

This isn't really a matter of opinion. It's a matter of perspective. We've experimented with the thirteen episode season and from the looks of it, the margin of error for every episode was a lot tighter than what we found from season two. When you progress a deep of a series as Friendship is Magic, there are a few key things to look at -- namely plot progression and execution, the former of the two leaving itself feeling forced because of the fact that there's just a handful of episodes to work with and to squeeze in a few months' time. Season three's runtime was a bit more than three months.

 

Let's look at this way -- if you've kept track of the characters and how they've developed over the few years the show's been running for, you'll have noticed that their depth is what drives the show. With six main characters plus a handful of other important supporting characters... pray tell, how will you figure to develop every one of them at an honest-to-Celestia pace? I need not remind everyone here that Rarity has not been in the spotlight since late 2011, do I?

 

Let's also not kid ourselves about the expectations that we've brought upon ourselves -- we're fans of one of the most critically acclaimed cartoons in recent history and although the criticisms are soundly unfair, you would proclaim that this is a loss for both the producers and the fans because the untimeliness of a season that feels crammed does itself very little favors.

 

In retrospect, thirteen episode seasons don't necessarily damage the outlook of FIM. However, in the long run, it just wouldn't be very appropriate given the growth and size of its fanbase. In any case, there's far too many dedicated bronies on the planet to simply cram in stories in one season and not expect them to take notice of a few errors in DHX's judgement. Season three wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. It had its great moments, but compared to season two, it suffered a drop off of what we're accustomed to viewing. It was slightly disappointing. Which is a shame, because with a full-length season, the thought of Trixie returning to fight Twilight instantly becomes more appealing. The crystal empire running town becomes that much more interesting. And most certainly, the idea of Twilight becoming and alicorn can be shown much better now that you have a couple of more episodes to work with at the end.

 

But alas, it didn't. As per syndication guideline however, the thirteen episode notion isn't entirely flawed and there is some strategy behind it. This is precisely why we'll be grateful to have season four running until June or so. If you were able to enjoy season three to the fullest in spite of all of this, then that's good on your part. However, it's like an NFL team going 14-2 in one season, 14-2 the next, and then dropping off to 10-6 in its third. It's enough to rattle the cages of fans and make them ask what the deal is.

[Twiliscael 3,960]

Erm. I don't hate how it was so short. I hate it for a multitude of other reasons.

• Delayed multiple times.
• Very few friendship letters.
• Alot of the episodes were rushed in my opinion. Crystal Empire 1 and 2, Magic Duel, Keep Calm and Flutter On, and Magical Mystery Cure. Games Ponies Play was waaay too, long, also.
• Predictable stories and plotlines.
• Boring writing.
• Character development is almost non-existent except for Rainbow Dash in Wonderbolts Academy.
• Alot of this season was fan-pandering because they knew we'd be satisfied if Trixie or Discord came back, regardless of the circumstance.
• Pinkie Pie stopped being a character and was turned into a pointless one-liner machine.
• Characters all lost a little depth. Twilight? Her condescending nature. Rainbow Dash? What loyalty... Fluttershy must have not learned a thing from all of her previous experiences... still shy as ever. Rarity? She never changes, anyway Applejack was okay, though.
• Never explained dark magic, which I was really looking forward to.
• Reused lines.
• Aaaand the alicorn shmootz actually came out of nowhere.

All in all, a boring and unrelatable season. I used to be able to watch the show and see how true to life that the problems that all the ponies faced were. Like being forced to be around someone you didn't like or coming out of your shell, or even finding a pet. Season 3 is all about "OMG THE FATE OF EQUESTRIA!!!!!" every episode.

 

I truthfully believe this is the worst season. Call me crazy, but it felt like a chore to watch. I kept watching it though because I thought maybe it'd get better. It didn't.

 

Also, call me crazy for having an opinion different than yours.

 

Plus, improved animation =/= improved season.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Twiliscael

[Thundershock 310]

I don't really hate season 3,its awesome .I don't really get why people would think its the worst just because its short.But some people probaly did'nt like it cause of twilicorn.

[Greyeye 10]

If the only down side to something is it is not as big as its predecessors then it is by default it is infact equal in quality.

 

They might have cut it shorter because they needed Twilight as an alicorn for story line reasons.