Best Episode to Introduce the Show?

[FatPat 77]

I've always felt that "Applebuck Season" is the best place to start. It's the first episode to have that slice of life style that the majority of the show goes for. We get a chance to see the mane six and get a feel for who they are. For me it feels more natural to just kind of jump in without having to go through an obvious introduction style plot. And after getting a little taste it will hopefully leave the viewer wanted to know more about them.

 

Plus the episode is well written and solid. Lots of funny moments watching AJ stumble around town, and a good lesson is learned in the end. I always get a kick at the whole "poisoned half the town" thing, not something you'd expect from a show about talking ponies.

[rioichi 22]

I think that the Bridle Gossip episode is the best.

 

Same here! I don't have a great explanation why, it just is. It's just simple "normal" episode with pretty awesome humor. I shoved this episode to my friend as his first episode and he loved it. After that we just randomly runned through allmost every episode.

 

Of course other posiibility is going in chronological order. You get to know the ponies with the episode etc.

 

Many people have said that Lesson Zero would be a great episode to be shown first but I don't understand it. It's too far from the series' main theme and I think it's too "dark".

[kirbyboi 588]

Well, I'd just simply show the first two episodes. But make he watches BOTH! Those episodes to be honest made me tear up, because of Twilights love for her friends. Plus, it pretty much explain everything. So yeah, those two are the perfect ones to show him! But makes sure he watches both! I'd also recommend the Royal Wedding, but I prefer you show your friend the first two episodes.

[PonyKorra 35]

Many people have said that Lesson Zero would be a great episode to be shown first but I don't understand it. It's too far from the series' main theme and I think it's too "dark".

I agree! I think that a lot of people would find that its kinda creepy and not all that funny if your not into the show. Plus it doesn't really include the others very much.

Edited April 15, 2013 by PonyKorra

[Skycoaster 698]

The ones I always use to introduce somepony to the show are in this order:

 

1. Lesson Zero

2. Feeling Pinkie Keen 

3. Hurricane Fluttershy YEAH!

[Hay Lin 38]

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6259/viewingchart.jpg

This is a guide for what episodes among the first 23 to show if you want to convert a brony. Also, some additional tips: avoid episodes revolving around the CMC and Spike, as they are major supporting characters only. Don't let him watch a contreversal episode, such was FPK or MMC. I suggest Lesson Zero or The Last Roundup if your friend likes slapstick.

[Wanderer 5]

What episode would you show to a non-brony or hater to try and turn them and why?

 

I would show anyone the Sonic Rainboom episode. It has so many awesome moments in it: Fluttershy's yaying, Pinkie's strange way of helping find books, Twilight's magic giving a unicorn wings, and the actual rainboom itself gives goosebumps.

[Crystallize 279]

I managed to get a friend to like the show by simply showing him the Fluttershy yay video from Sonic Rainboom like you said. So I guess that. 

Edited May 12, 2013 by Sirwest299

[Mixolydian Grey 15]

I wouldn't bother with trying to "convert" them. This isn't a religion. If they're curious, I'd probably give them Party of One. Sonic Rainboom is good at the beginning and end, but it kinda lags around the middle. Lesson Zero works if you want to at least show them that it's not all that girly. Twilight gets pretty scary at times.

[Mr. Changeling 132]

The first 2 episodes. It was through thenseries finale that I got hooked to this awesome show. And also, I would show them lesson zero and its time. Love those episodes

[ManiacForPonies 27]

Really you just have to know them well enough to see what aspect they might like and then show them a part that shows that aspect of the show the best.  But they HAVE to be open minded. I turned one of  my best friends from a hater into a Brony because he knew that I like cartoons that I consider to me really good. 

 

And I agree this isn´t some kind of religion or anything like that. But it can be a way to show them that the show can actually be enjoyable 

Edited May 12, 2013 by ManiacForPonies

[Wanderer 5]

Yeah...I wasn't trying to put it out as a religion, sorry about that. I was at a loss for better words. And Lesson Zero was pretty freaky. 

[Juicy Fruity 3]

In all honesty, I'd prefer to submit the first time viewers/non bronies to typically crazy and downright hilarious episodes in order to warm them up to the rest of the core aspects of the show we know and love. Like say for example, Lesson Zero, Bridle Gossip and a few or so that involves utter chaos and pure hysteria.

I'm confident it would spark the viewer's interest into figuring out what's made this show quite chaotic.

 

[Guest]

I'd show them little clips from the show that highlight the best moments it has to offer, for example fluttershy's 'yay'ing scene.

[Raiden21 804]

I got addicted by someone showing me Party of One. I saw how crazy Pinkie Pie went and I was wondering if this was still a little girl's show. Another good one is Lesson Zero as other people are pointing out. Just try to show a crazy episode.

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

@Wanderer, I found a thread dedicated to the same purpose as yours, so I merged the two. Please check the search feature before starting a new thread to see if your topic idea is already out there.

[just ignore me 86]

If the person your showing the episodes too is kinda crazy show them lesson zero. If they are more reserved maybe dragonshy or sonic rainboom.

[~Master~ Button Mash 2,307]

Probably Wonderbolts Academy. The whole episode is like one giant Top Gun reference, and it may help ease the concerns of someone who worries about "girlyness." Plus it's just a good episode.

 

Fan works are also a good choice. Like Epic Cupcake and Epic Pie Time.

[Super Derpy 535]

The first episodes would probably be the best. But A Canterlot Wedding is a pretty awesome episode that you could show them

[NooniePie 7]

If someone had agreed to watch an episode, which one would you choose?

 

I didn't have much time to think so I decided to go with a Rainbow Dash episode and went with May the Best Pet Win since I remembered it being pretty funny, though RD is a bit of a bitch in it... What is the best episode per character and the best "overall" episode where each character gets a decent amount of time on-screen? Should I have just made her watch the very first episode?

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

Any episode with Pinkie Pie :3! 

 

I mean any of the episodes would be a good choice to me it would seem. The first episode is what got me hooked into the show so why not start with the beginning? Or you could just show them some short youtube clips to see if they have any interest at all.

[PonyRocker95 106]

If someone had agreed to watch an episode, which one would you choose?

 

I didn't have much time to think so I decided to go with a Rainbow Dash episode and went with May the Best Pet Win since I remembered it being pretty funny, though RD is a bit of a bitch in it... What is the best episode per character and the best "overall" episode where each character gets a decent amount of time on-screen? Should I have just made her watch the very first episode?

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

Eh I would go with an RD episode just not THAT RD episode mainly because of the song. The song was the only thing I didn't like about the episode because I thought it was really cheesy...

[Syrchalis 40]

I would never start with the first 3-4 episodes of Season 1, especially if the person is not very open-minded and get's easily distracted by small things.

 

If you want to hate the show, it's very easy. Being objective is very hard. To convince someone who is rather sceptical - pick one of the better episodes, like Canterlot Wedding 1&2 or the one with Detective Pinkie.

[MelancholicMemory 2,025]

Probably the best would be Dragonshy. It's early on, features all of the mane six and gives an idea about their personalities, and it is one of the best episodes overall. Applebuck Season would be good too, though it is a bit too AJ-centric.

[An Old Head 4,816]

Any of them, to be frank. If it comes across as if you have to show them one specific episode for it to catch their enjoyment, they're not going to think highly of it - they'll think it's as if only a few of the episodes are good and that we need to go lengths to convince others when the quality of the show should speak for itself.

 

So I'd just show them the episodes starting from the beginning. I was impressed by them, and it got me hooked as it definitely did many others.