Best Episode to Introduce the Show?

[Misty Rose 3,216]

My cousin started asking me questions about the show after he saw me looking for MLP toys at the store.

I showed him Luna Eclipsed to show why I liked Luna alot and then I showed him Lesson Zero. Accordiing to my friend, that episode made her a brony so I gave it a shot. He now definitely has a bigger interest in the show, even watched the first part of Equestria Girls with me before my phone lost charge 

[KoolkatThePony 2]

You all are missing Return of Harmony! It explains who each of the ponies are and what they represent, it has awesome humor, an amazing villain, (also, some might recognize the voice of Q from Star Trek) and lots of action. Perfect episode if you ask me!

[Buttonmash1973 1,026]

The Season Two openings because that is how I had been starting to watch Friendship is Magic way back then. Lesson Zero and Party of One too.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,473]

Hmmm....I'd say The Ticket Master (very slice of life oriented), Dragonshy (showcases the characters well), Winter Wrap Up, Bridle Gossip, Sisterhooves Social (for the cuteness of the Sweetie Belle!), Lesson Zero (Fun Fact: This was my first episode), and....a few others. I will edit this post when I am thinking a bit better. Those are good ones to start with though.

[Zygen 6,066]

It all depends what he likes, Party of One is good for people who are more hyped up and like funny and slightly crazy episodes, Stuff like a Canterlot Wedding is good for an epic episode. Lesson Zero is funny to. To many Pinkie Pies is pretty good.

 

Its hard to say, it depends upon his interests.

[Sectus 246]

I would have to say Season One, Episode Sixteen: Sonic Rainboom would definitely be a good episode to use. It was the episode that brought me into the fandom. The pilot episodes really aren't well for introducing people to the show, as odd as that sounds.

 

I would hold off on using Season Three episodes simply because that season is so different from the first two. I prefer the original feel of the first two seasons, and I think newer bronies would as well.

[Smarts 1,622]

Really, it depends on his taste. Also, do you know which two episodes he watched? That would help.

 

It's About Time is a personal favorite of mine and I think it would be a good episode to show if he likes time travel and paranoia.

 

Lesson Zero is also a good choice since watching Twilight lose her mind and cause chaos among Ponyville is funny.

 

If he watched Boast Busters already, then showing him Magic Duel would be a good idea. Trixie exacting her revenge and conquering Ponyville. What's not to like? Only show this episode if he watched Boast Busters though.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

@@mynameisTheodore83,

 

Since you seem to be asking for episode recommendations to help introduce your friend to the show or get them more into it, I've merged your thread with an existing one we had for that purpose. Hope you get some good recommendations  

[Night Shadow 54]

I always thought that it was best to start from the beginning.  That's what I did anyway.  I want to go on about how I got into the fandom but I shant.  I think, personally, it'd be best to have them watch it from the beginning.  If they're going to watch the show then they'll watch it.  You know you got a brony when they keep saying, "Well, maybe just one more episode."  I'd actually be kind of upset if I was started late on because I'd have missed so much and spoiled a large part of the show.

 

If it's really important though just pick a good suspenseful episode.  Not the wedding episodes, those are for if you already like the show.  The Crystal Empire would be a good one.  It's got a lot of suspense and seems like it'd get them interested.

 

If it doesn't work it doesn't work.  Some people just aren't the brony types.  

[Paianis 489]

I'd have probably shown A Dog And Pony Show actually, there's quite a few references in there for parents to feel at home. But then there's also Lesson Zero, Feeling Pinkie Keen, the pilot...all of those don't need a huge amount of explanation.

[RrVPfX9cPtw59FpC 1,304]

I'd say The Return of Harmony. It had Discord in it, which most non-bronies and bronies alike adore, and it was a two-part episode, so it ends with a cliffhanger. Plus, it was my favorite episode. 

[Dark Horn 430]

So I've been attempting to introduce MLP to my friends and family, and I got some of them to sit down and watch The Return of Harmony, one of my favorite episodes, but they didn't really seem all that impressed, and sort of confused as to why I like the show.

 

Anyone have any recommendations on a single episode that I can use to get them more interested in MLP?

[Red Diamond 549]

If I was you, I would've shown them the first episode, because, you know, that's how it started. And then if they are interested, show them more episodes in order.

[longgone 873]

Lesson Zero! It has crazy Twilight sparkle! Who doesn't like insane creatures!? XD

 

Or perhaps Magic Duel? It's probably one of the most "made-for-brony" episodes.

[Scootalove 10,689]

You should show them Magic Duel, Lesson Zero, The First Episode, Applebuck Season, Cutie Mark Chronicles, whichever episode you prefer to show them.

[Colt 555]

@, Took the words out of my mouth. Lesson Zero its a great episode and shows that MLP has humor that can reach anypony... or in this case any one.
 
I wont go for the Firts Episodes I found them cheesy and silly with a little bit to much of "BUCK YEAH FRIENDSHIP" stuff. Good luck on your crusade

[Jokuc 8,173]

If they are not interested in watching the show from the start, a smarter move would be to make them interested in the fandom instead. Well at least to begin with. Though I think it is easier to do with friends than family members. Start with showing them some funny or cool fan-made videos, we have made countless of those. If they like those videos they might get more interested by things created by the fandom, which makes them more interested by ponies which could lead to them wanting to see the episodes.

 

I mean, the reason I wanted to see the episodes from the start was because I liked the fan-made videos.

 

Though if you chose to introduce them with an episode, I'd pick Friendship is Magic Part 1 & 2, Dragonshy or Lesson Zero. The first episodes and Dragonshy because they would get to see a little from each character, which maybe could get them like one of the characters. And Lesson Zero because it takes the place for most crazy episode, if you think that they might like that more.

Edited August 1, 2013 by Jokuc

[Tual 152]

Maybe think about episodes that have things that apply to their interests. Though, if they didn't like the show from what you showed, or don't want to watch it, don't force them. .u. 

 

But, some good episodes I'd think would be ones such as Magic Duel, Party of One, and possibly Lesson Zero. But, try to start with the first episode, so they can get more of an understanding of the characters. 

Edited August 1, 2013 by Tual

[Nothing&NoOne 695]

Luna Eclipsed.

 

That's the best episode in the whole damn series.

Show them the best episode in the whole damn series.

SO FAR

(I can't wait for the season 4 opener)

 

Either that or show them Canterlot Wedding.

The feels.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

@@Dark Horn,

 

I've merged your thread with one for sharing which episodes are best to introduce the show to somebody who has never seen it before, or get people who are new to it more interested, since that seems to be what you were after. I might go with Lesson Zero. Not my favorite episode, but what with insane Twily, Flutters attacking a bear, Dashie blowing up a barn, it goes a long way toward dispelling misconceptions about the show. Hope you get some good suggestions.

[MLP Moth 224]

My brother said he wants to watch one episode of MLP: FIM to see why I like it soo much. Any suggestions on what episode to show?

[Discordian 6,015]

Anything that's not the pilot. Those episodes aren't very good period, let alone to show to someone else who doesn't automatically have an open enough mind or interest in the show.

 

Try to get him to check out at least a couple episodes but pick them randomly from either season 1 or 2. Season 3 was pretty rushed and seems to need a lot of backstory to follow accurately so skip those.

 

Best practice: Pick some of your favorite episodes. There's no better way to show him why you like the show than to pick episodes that represent your love of the show.

 

I normally tell people that they don't have to have others approve of their liking of the show but if he wants to check it out himself I'd say it's fine.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Discordian

[techno915 408]

well, what kind of stuff does he like?

 

Indiana Jones --> Reed it and Weep

Super heroes --> Mysterious Mare do well

Mystery --> ...do i really have to say it?

Time Travel or sci-fi/fantasy --> It's about time.

 

other?

[John 793]

Party of one, lesson zero, it's about time.

 

Or edit the one where Fluttershy kidnaps Celestia's pet and make it so that she is thrown into the dungeon after the bird burns up and an awkward pause!  ^.^

[DubWolf 17,263]

Well there are probably a few episodes that might have possibly deleted any possibility of becoming a brony if I watched them in sequence, but here are a few suggestions:

 

1.) Magic Duel (my first episode), although this is weird since it is a sequel to a previous episode

2.) Mmmystery on the something. Got to love Pinkie's crazy antics and explanations about who dunnit.

3.) Lesson Zero: who doesn't love deranged people who can't finish an assignment?