Tops of Season 4 So Far

[Pinky Pie 71]

Hello everypony! Untill now, we left behind 17 episodes, and we have 8 episodes more, so before watching those last episodes, I wanna see your opinions about this season in a pool. While answering, please think Season 4 as a whole. And let me know if there is any deficiency, thank you!

Edited March 15, 2014 by Pinky Pie

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

For the best character parts, no matter how a character is acting, it doesn't make them not my favorite character anymore. That would take some major convincing so I just default that to my favorite characters. Best episode is defiantly Pinkie Pirde. It sums up why I love pinkie pie so much and it's just a great episode on its own. Worst episode is defiantly Rainbow falls. Ignoring derpy and he soarin dash moment the episode is contrived. It makes the wonderbolts antagonists just for plot convenience and almost every character is out of character. I think season 4 is going great so far it could probably even be my favorite season. Though there are problems like the entire mane six being in episodes who they really don't need to and pinkie's odd characterization. Also best key giver is cheese sandwich.

[Megas 27,973]

This season has been amazing for Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and AJ, while Fluttershy and Twilight has had a lot of great moments too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately the way this season has handled Rainbow Dash is probably why I'm more bitter toward this season than I should be(yeah, I'm biased, sue me)

Edited March 10, 2014 by Megas75

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

Best Pony: As it will always be, Rarity is my best pony for this season! She'll always be my best pony no matter what, because I love her so, so much but she's been particularly excellent this season,  I dare say, going back to her roots of the S1 and S2 Rarity that I fell in love with in the first place!

 

Worst Character: Spike. Bah. He's kinda bogged down this season. He's been an idiot, sure, but what's really clinched it for me is how irritating it is when people throw out "SPIKE ABUSE WAH" as a reason for something. Fuck, that's just irritating. He's never been one of the show's outstanding characters, and I think most would agree, given the Spike fan club has all of 25 posts and he's got barely any fans anywhere I look; I think I've seen 2 or 3 on this whole site. He's never been my favorite, and he doesn't even crack my top 30 list for the show, but come on, he and the fandom's reaction to him this season has taken away from the experience for me.

 

Best Episode: Rarity Takes Manehattan The Sultans play Creole on this one~ I wrote a whole blog about why I love this episode so much right here.

 

Worst Episode: Flight to the Finish. I don't really hate episodes that often, but when I do, it's usually ones like this; glorify the fuck out of Rainbow Dash, put a character in a sob story that just detracts from the overall feel of the show, bad song, only one mane 6 member, and CMC episode. Gahh. You know, I think all Twilight Time was is essentially a watered-down version of this cool-kitty, because I despised this episode; there's only 3 episodes of this series I absolutely despise, those being this one, "Sleepless in Ponyville," and the infallibly AWFUL "Sonic Rainboom."

Best CMC: Sweetie Belle, for obvious reasons! Waifu's little sis will always be best CMC just because of family connections and thin competition

 

Key Character: Cheese Sandwich. It was tough to pick between him and Coco, but I think Cheese left much more of a lasting impression on me; so, in the end, I went with Cheese, but it was really, really close between him and Coco

 

Key Episode: Rarity Takes Manehattan. Again, I wrote a fucking 7000 character blog explaining why I love this episode so much.

 

So far S4 is the best season ever! Tied with S1, of course. At this rate, I'm willing to put S4 at the same level as S1, if it keeps up at this level of production; which, would make my fav. season orders go like S1 = S4 > S2 > Flash Sentry > S3

Edited March 10, 2014 by ghostfacekiller39

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

I have to say, at the start of this season, I was left with little hope as we got episodes like castle-mania, and daring don't. But then the season experienced a huge turn around,starting with flight to the finish, which was in my opinion, one of the best CMC episodes so far. The quality of episodes then shot up (other than power ponies, which was nice, but not amazing), and we got rarity takes manehatten, which is the only rarity episode to date I can actually enjoy. Pinkie Pride is by far the best pinkie episode,as it got her character down of a hyperactive goof ball, but one that still cares about her friends. Even this seasons lows can be considered a 6/10, as most of the episodes I had issue with were either because the episode was just a filler, and therefore not much happened, or because one or two characters came off as ass hats. But over all, s4 is shaping up to be a contender with the first season itself. 

[Anilewe 2,178]

Best Pony (Mane 6)

 

Applejack (yeah, I'm biased...), but Rarity comes as a close second. This season was very good for both of them, it gave them very interesting episodes and character development. I'm grateful for it, especially considering that AJ had such a small amount of episodes in seasons 1 & 2 and Rares had no episode in season 3. 

 

Worst Character

 

I'm sorry, but... Twilight. She became soooo boring. It's almost painful to watch. I know that she'll probably get some good episode in the end of the season, but for me she is too perfect. I was hoping that she won't become a Mary Sue, but I'm starting to believe that maybe I was wrong and she already became one. It's not like I dislike her. It's just... episodes about her don't feel special anymore. And she's almost always right. The best way to develop characters is to let them make mistakes and learn from them. That's why I loved Rarity Takes Manehattan or Somepony To Watch Over Me so much. These characters aren't perfect, but they try and learn something new in every episode. But Twilight? She doesn't. She's just there doing nothing.

 

Best Episode

 

I already forgot what I choose XD But it's a tie between Pinkie Pride, Rarity takes Manehattan and Somepony to Watch Over Me. 

 

Worst Episode

 

Ugh, Rainbow Falls. As much as it hurts me - it isn't good season for Rainbow Dash. 

 

Best CMC

 

Apple Bloom. Which is interesting, considering that usually I like Sweetie Belle more. But I really like the fact that AB growed up so much. She changed and in a very good way.

 

Best Character Who Has Given A Key

 

It was hard to choose between Coco and Cheese, but I voted for Cheese Sandwich after all. 

 

Best Key Episode

 

To be honest, Rarity takes Manehattan and Pinkie Pride are equally good in my opinion.

 

So Far, Season 4 Is...

 

Best season ever Of course, it isn't flawless, but let's face the truth - there's no such thing as a perfect season. I enjoyed almost every episode (Rainbow Falls, I'm looking at you...) and I love a direction this show takes. It makes me wonder what else they have for us

Edited March 10, 2014 by Anilewe

[Frostgage 7,978]

So disappointed I'm the only vote for Pinkie Apple Pie. I much prefer the way Pinkie was portrayed here than Pinkie Pride.

 

In fact, this seems like a good time to say something controversial... *ahem* Pinkie Pride and Cheese Sandwich are overrated. You heard me. (hides in secret bunker)

 

Oh yeah, for other categories:

 

Best Pony: Rarity

Worst Character: Spike

Best Episode: Pinkie Apple Pie (like I said already)

Worst Episode: Simple Ways

Best CMC: Sweetie Belle

Best Character Who Has Given A Key: Seabreeze

Best Key Episode: Rarity Takes Manehattan

So Far, Season 4 Is...: My second favorite season

Edited March 10, 2014 by Frostgage

[PsychedelicPony 440]

I think that season 4 has been fantastic! I think they really decided to flesh out the mane 6 and the CMC more by giving them traits that we haven't seen before (although some would say they are "OoC" :3). Some people are asking if there has been too many songs, but in my opinion all of them have been great so as long as they keep up the quality more songs can come my way. Also I think season 4 has opened up a lot of new outlets in the fan creations and some of my favorite Brony songs are remixes of season 4 songs (Hearts Strong as Horses Remix by Chaos Sprite, Stop the Bats! Remix by the Living Tombstone, and more)

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

Pinkie Pride and Cheese Sandwich are overrated. You heard me. (hides in secret bunker)

I agree wholeheartedly, actually; great episode, it deserved a lot of praise, and it's one of the best of the season; but it's being treated as if it were a god-like deity of an episode, which, I'm sorry, as great as it was, it's not as good as it's made out to be; not a knock on the episode itself, per se, but the way people reacted to it was wayyyy overboard

[Frostgage 7,978]

I agree wholeheartedly, actually; great episode, it deserved a lot of praise, and it's one of the best of the season; but it's being treated as if it were a god-like deity of an episode, which, I'm sorry, as great as it was, it's not as good as it's made out to be; not a knock on the episode itself, per se, but the way people reacted to it was wayyyy overboard

 

The episode was hyped up by Meghan McCarthy IIRC, and given that Weird Al was voicing Cheese Sandwich, I honestly feel like people had already decided how they felt before the episode even aired. Like you said, they're both great, but not at the level people rate them at. (retreats to secret bunker)

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

I agree wholeheartedly, actually; great episode, it deserved a lot of praise, and it's one of the best of the season; but it's being treated as if it were a god-like deity of an episode, which, I'm sorry, as great as it was, it's not as good as it's made out to be; not a knock on the episode itself, per se, but the way people reacted to it was wayyyy overboard

Well for me, seeing best pony in real depth and performing with weird Al was like a high point in the show for me so I'm sorry if I'm overrating it it just happens with me.

[Flutter's lover <3 8,206]

Best Pony. Who else but Fluttershy. She's really starting to be less of a doormat. Like in Bats! and Filli Vanilli. She's becoming so much more dynamic. She's starting to be more assertive in the poroper ways, and not in the way Iron Will taught her. I feel like I"m falling in love with her all over again this season. 

 

Worst, Pinkie Pie. I find her just becoming more obnoxious than anything. Especially during Filli Fanilli where she made Fluttershy cry,not once but twice.That's not cool. Few other episodes, include Power Ponies and Pinkie Apple Pie.Maybe it's jsut because I'm not a big Pinkie Pie fan. The only episodes I've remotely liked her in this season have been Castle Mania and Pinkie Pride.

 

CMC: Scootaloo, not a huge CMC fan but I like Scootaloo.

 

 

Best Episode: For my Filli Vanilli. For many reasons. I've seen Fluttershy overcoming fears and being a bit more assertive. Also the I love the relationship Fluttershy and Rarity have. Also more FLuttershy singing! 

 

Worst Episode: I don't really have a worst episode, but If I had to choose it'd be Pinkie Apple Pride.  I didn't hate it, I just thought it was rather meh.

 

Key Giver. Umm..that was a tough one.I kinda liked Seabreeze with his accent. But I think overall Coco Pommel was the best, closely followed by Cheese Sandwich. Coco Pommel is like Rarity and Fluttershy combined.And I find that fabulously cute.

 

 

Key Episode: Rarity Takes Manehattan. it was just such an awesome Rarity episode. It was just so well done. 

 

Season 4 overall is probably my fave season to date.

[Dark Qiviut 22,554]

Best Pony (Mane 6)

If this question was asked a few weeks ago (around where Pinkie Apple Pie was), I would've easily said Rarity, as her in-characterization was easily the most consistent. But with about two months left, the answer is much tougher.

 

Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie suffer from major characterization problems this season.

• Beyond Twilight Time, Castle Mane-ia, and PTS, her role as an alicorn princess is often either unrecognized or ignored entirely, reducing her to the middle-mare that either gives out bad advice, has no character, or is a DEM.
• Dash's characterization is very inconsistent. In character in Flight to the Finish. Very questionable in Daring Don't. WAY out of character in Rainbow Falls.
• Pinkie Pie has been VERY flanderized this season so far, more than last year.

Rarity has started to become rather flanderized for the sake of drawing out humor (her entire performance in Simple Ways, her inability to design high-quality patterns and uniforms in Rainbow Falls, and thinking of her shiny fashion over the breezies despite being warned about their delicate touch in the intro). The true breath of fresh air came during Filli Vanilli as the support role for Fluttershy.

 

Despite a massively flanderized personality in Rainbow Falls, Applejack was the most consistent… Then she hit a GIGANTIC brick wall in Somepony…

 

Fluttershy suffered a major flanderization problem in Power Ponies and then had her fantastical point of view of the vampire fruit bats glorified to hone in a moral that had no purpose being there. In Rainbow Falls, her flanderization appeared again by actually being too developed and involved willingly. On the other hand, she's made huge strides since in Three's a Crowd, Filli Vanilli and It Ain't Easy Being Breezies.

 

So, I'm stuck between Applejack and Fluttershy, but chose Fluttershy. I might reverse my choice sometime later.

 

Worst Character

Spike. The Spikabuse has been a royal pain in the ass over the past three seasons. But here, his role is more or less confined to it minus PTS, CM-ia (and there, he still suffered from the slapstick ), PoP, and SW. But even after Power Ponies addressed and criticized his role, he's still there, and that episode is now portrayed as needless filler. His best role was obviously Simple Ways, where he was the one telling Rarity to calm down and got a headache from her stupidity. But that isn't enough.

 

Second on this list is very debatable because there are so many choices. I'm going to go with Twilight myself because her character hasn't advanced at all. It's at a gigantic standstill where she's becoming the "get-out-of-jail" card for the writers lately. Of course, she's been in this role, but she had to experiment and wasn't very mature. But now she's the middle-mare who has the knowledge and rights. Since the pilot, TT's the lone one to deepen her character.

 

Best Episode

Easily Pinkie Pride. Objectively, the best episode so far. This did something Magical Mystery Cure failed to do: write a twenty-minute musical without sacrificing objective quality. It's a rather simple story, but there's so much depth, and the characters are extremely in character. Each of the songs is fantastically written, and none of them feel like they've been shortened for time, something MMC did (both figuratively and literally, as admitted by Daniel Ingram last year). On top of that, the animation was definitely out of this world with fantastic lighting, composition, transitions, and movement; the only exception is when Spike said, "I'm sorry," he wasn't seen again (the storyboarders and animators get the blame for this goof).

 

When I saw this episode the first time, I loved it, and I only loved it more and more after each watch. There's so much depth in the writing, yet its pace is handled beautifully. Cheese Sandwich is an excellent foil to hone in the key, morals, and themes. Rarity Takes Manehattan is great as well, but Pinkie Pride handles the plot, animation, songs, and overall pacing better. RTM is easily in the top fifteen (if not top ten) for being so well-written; PP is in the top five.

 

And there's more thing Pinkie Pride does so well and makes it stand out compared to the others this season: It keeps the morals ambiguous. You see Pinkie write the lessons she learned in the main journal, but you don't hear her recite them. By doing this, AKR and crew trust the audience into knowing what the morals are, don't let the morals interfere with the conflict, and inform how the lessons don't outweigh the each other.

 

Worst Episode

Rainbow Falls. Need I say more?

 

Best CMC

This one is actually a lot more difficult than I'd thought it'd be. Despite FttF being a big flop, Scootaloo was definitely in character, and her relationship with the other CMCs and Rainbow Dash was organic. She was also very hilarious in both Twilight Time and Somepony to Watch Over Me. Then again, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are perhaps the most consistent and best written characters this season. Twilight Time brought them a really subtle, yet much needed change by adapting bits of their mentors' character traits while never abandoning their own.

 

To play it safe, I went with Scootaloo, but depending on the upcoming episode with Sweetie Belle, that's subject to change.

 

Best Character Who Has Given A Key

Cheese Sandwich. Geez, was he so good! Firstly, his characterization is so three-dimensional. He have the skillset Pinkie has (if not better), but is a fantastic planner with the ability to make everyone shine and happy, just like what Pinkie did to him when he was a filly. There's a full range of character: happiness, generosity, eagerness, the ability to make others happy, eccentricity, sadness, and guilt. He's Weird Al ponified, and just lights up a room. Furthermore, it was great to see him be a foil, but not an antagonist. (Pinkie Pie's ego and pride share that honor.) When their feud ended, they coexisted and planned the best party anypony could ask for.

 

Also, the fact he existed demonstrates a very mature theme that wasn't explored in FIM (much less most family entertainment): What if there's another character who shares or uses a very similar skillset or talent to his advantage and does it just as well as, if not better than, you? On one hand, Pinkie Pie is an excellent party planner, but does it more sentimentally and in smaller capacities. On the other, Cheese used that skillset to perfection and really makes the occasion feel like a national holiday.

 

In turn, Pinkie learned that just because this overlap exists doesn't mean you shouldn't abandon what you love to do nor accuse him or her as an enemy. She should use it to improve herself and better everyone around her. She grew without sacrificing any part of her character nor making her out of character.

 

Coco Pommel is an easy second on this list because she does so well with so few lines. Right from the start, you can tell how hurt she was for helping Suri plagiarize Rarity's entire fashion line. From her posture, eyes, and overall relationship with Suri, you can tell she slaved over sewing the line. Even afterwards, she looked very uncomfortable with how Suri behaved so smugly. The way Rarity responded to her losing Fashion Week inspired her to make a name for herself and not be Suri's doormat: quitting as her intern and giving Rarity the trophy. As a reward, she got to make the costumes for Hinny of the Hills's next show. Those little moments can change a person and decide what he or she can do for him or herself, and Coco capitalized it.

 

Best Key Episode

Pinkie Pride. Need I say more?

 

So Far, Season 4 Is...

Thus far, I'm the only one to vote for this. I don't like how season four has been handled currently. So far, it's my least-favorite and the only one I dislike. If it ended right now, season four is undoubtedly the worst one of FIM so far.

 

Thankfully, there are nine episodes left and has time to catch up, but not much. There needs to be a better grasp on the quality control to keep it consistent. That said, there's still plenty to discuss what they've done right and wrong.

 

First, some of the right:

1. Two of the three times, when a bold subject is nailed, it really nails it. Rarity Takes Manehattan and Pinkie Pride tackle a very mature topic for any kind of entertainment, but they take plenty of time explaining it and don't sacrifice objectively good quality.

    

   Filli Vanilli tackles stage fright again, this time by having the crippling phobia from revealing her passion for singing before a large crowd. For the most part, it does a great job, but Pinkie's disastrous characterization ruined the quality. If Pinkie did nothing, it would've rivaled Hurricane Fluttershy as the best Fluttershy episode.

    

   So far, only one story with a really bold concept to truly fail was Flight to the finish for two reasons:

    

   a. The pacing is very wonky. FttF starts off rather slowly, but then starts to speed up before rushing at the end. Performing to wave Ponyville's flag was perceived to be the main conflict, but it's secondary. The main conflict doesn't start until halfway through.

    

   b. HOW the conflict with Scootaloo's possible disability was approached. One of my big peeves in this show is how one-dimensional Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon have been lately. In One Bad Apple, they shared perfect "one-note-bully" personalities that help really bog the episode down. If you swap Sunset Shimmer's personality with theirs, they're a near-perfect match.

    

   FttF takes this one step further by shoving those two unnecessarily into the conflict. They not only retain the same lack of dimension, but they go for the obvious kill by attacking Scoots's inability to fly. Yes, they were written for me to hate the Disasterly Duo, but even THIS was too far, even for them. And in every scene up to the end, the story continues to remind how Scootaloo became so determined to fly thanks to their taunts. Their mental presence and attack prior underminded Scootaloo's goal and made the whole conflict cheap and hollow. If Scootaloo came to this realization in some other way rather than having an underhanded and forced bully gimmick intruding FttF, the conflict would've had more weight.

2. The animation rarely slips up. In fact, it's made a tremendous leap in quality, taking advantage of the effects palette and overall composition to make a dynamic scene rather than relying on flat objects. The balcony scene during Pinkie's Lament, Twilight crying over a wounded Celestia during the first flashback, the chimera in Somepony to Watch Over Me, and the moment where the CMCs huddled in Twilight Time help prove how much Top Draw/DHX has pushed the restrictions and took full advantage of its capabilities. Top Draw/DHX aren't using Flash as a cheap gimmick for animation, but an important tool for high-quality animation without the expense.
3. So far, the Cutie Mark Crusaders have been the most consistently characterized this season. Discord himself is as hilarious as ever, taking advantage of his two outings to bring back hilariously dark gags that piss off others. Fluttershy has improved quite a bit since Rainbow Falls.
4. Several of the one-shot characters are fantastic. Suri, Coco, and Cheese Sandwich are fine characters. Mane-iac is a guilty pleasure because she's funny, yet badly written.
5. The Seeds of Discord were tremendous as a villain. Unlike Sombra last season, they were menacing and willing to raise hell once they grew. They did something from beginning to end.
6. There are five undoubtedly good episodes this season: Pinkie Pride, Rarity Takes Manehattan, Twilight Time, Pinkie Apple Pie, and Castle Mane-ia.

So, what went wrong for some of them?

1. As usual, the pacing is a problem this season, although it's a bit better now. Each of the first six episodes have pacing problems.

    

   Sometimes they're too slow (FttF, Three's a Crowd, Rainbow Falls's second act).

    

   Other times, they include some filler (Twilight running back to Ponyville, only to return after Discord played mind games with her; Power Ponies).

    

   Occasionally, the story will flow and then hurry it up to hammer the conclusion and moral (CM-ia, IAEBB, FttF, SW).

    

   Sometimes they go so fast, the story doesn't properly develop (Power Ponies, PTS II, Daring Don't).

    

   Bats! was the first this season with a very solid pace; the beginning, middle, and end flow naturally. It's better now compared to its bad start, but it needs to do better.

2. Quite often, the episodes rely on continuity as a key to write these episode, sometimes relying it so much, it distracts the audience from the rest of the episode. Continuity is very important in this series because the characters aren't static; they develop. But continuity is a tool. If you use it as a big backbone and reference it all the time, you tell your audience that you have no trust in your craft. Trust it, reference continuity when needed, and let the story flow.
3. Starting from Rarity Takes Manehattan, there is much better pacing along with the integration of the community, one of the biggest strengths in seasons one through the first half of the third. However, this makes the first seven episodes and what we see from RTM onwards so disjointed. The first seven episodes feel like an episode on its own island, while RTM onward is season four-and-a-half.
4. The characterization of the Mane Six (plus Spike) is extremely inconsistent. Each of them has suffered some very bad characterization, which I explained earlier. Pinkie, Rainbow, and Twilight are the biggest victims of flanderization this season. As much as I hate to say it, Rarity is not far behind.
5. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were major, one-dimensional antagonists for Flight to the Finish. Fortunately, they have dimension in their Pinkie Pride cameo as well as Twilight Time (being the card to bring the conflict upon the CMCs).
6. Way too much exposition. When to exposit so much, you're telling your audience a few things.

    

   a. The episode's pace is off, either really slow or really fast.

    

   b. You risk making the storytelling very clumsy.

    

   c. You take moments where there can be tension and nullify it.

    

   d. Sometimes the dialogue can become redundant and even dumb.

    

   I see so much tell, some moments that could've been really great don't have the impact if it was shown. Pinkie Apple Pie has a moment (twice) where it was told to Pinkie that the bottom of the family tree was smudged. It Ain't Easy Being Breezies relies on so much exposition, the conflict becomes clumsy upon the second act and holds little weight.

    

   DON'T tell us, show us.

7. Far too many episodes not up to par this season. Somepony to Watch Over Me, It Ain't Easy Being Breezies, Flight to the Finish, Rainbow Falls, Daring Don't, Power Ponies, Simple Ways, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and It Ain't Easy Being Breezies are anywhere from poor to downright terrible. Three of the last five are bad, Filli Vanilli and Twilight Time the lone exceptions. The quality control from now to the finale needs major improvement.

Edited March 11, 2014 by Dark Qiviut

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

Best Mane Six: This season's been fantastic for Applejack, and she's been the most consistently likable and entertaining character in the show recently. S4's managed to look at her flaws in new and interesting ways, explore her relationship with her family, her sister, and Pinkie Pie, and characterize her fantastically all throughout.

 

Least Favorite Mane Six: S4's mishandled Dash and Pinkie at times, but (maybe out of bias) I'm giving this to Twilight Sparkle. Pinkie's had two great episodes and Dash was able to impress me during the end of Daring Don't and throughout Flight to the Finish. With Twilight, there still aren't any moments this season that are super memorable for me.

 

Best Episode: Pinkie Apple Pie and Pinkie Pride stand above the others here and both deserve the spot, but I voted for PaP because I liked the feel of it and extra Apple family is always a plus

 

Worst Episode: Rainbow Falls. Only episode I've disliked so much as to write a blog about it.

 

Best CMC: Scoots was decent in her episode, but Apple Bloom's been great in last week's and in Pinkie Apple Pie. Liking her more than I can remember doing for a long time

 

Best Key Character: Cheese Sandwich blows the rest out of the water. Not even a competition, for me at least.

 

Best Key Episode: Pinkie Pride, and it's possibly the best Pinkie episode in the series. It looked at her insecurities and relationship with her element in a way more interesting way than the others, and even had great songs to boot

 

Overall verdict: A lot of meh episodes, but still some real gems as well. Probably my least favorite season for the time being, but it still has some time to make up ground.

[Twilight The Creator 298]

This season will officially be a success, IF:

The CMC show some growth + CUTIE MARKS!

Oh, and if they open that box.

[Nuke87654 1,849]

Best pony (mane 6): Rarity. While it's been pretty close between her, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and even recently, Fluttershy, she has been slightly more consistent in her performance as not only has she shown for the most part to be in a good light, but her performance in Rarity takes Manehattan remains among her best showcases of her character in the series.

 

 

Worst character: Rainbow Dash. Last season, Rainbow Dash was probably the most improved and best character from season 3 thanks to great episodes like 'Wonderbolt's academy' and 'Sleepless in Ponyville. But this season she's lost alot of her luster as she has easily the season's worst episode in 'Rainbow Falls', another mediocre episode in 'Daring Don't', and some of the other misportrayals this season has shown her the biggest drop in character quality this season. While Spike is a good choice, I felt that his problems this season only underlies his general problems he's had this whole series and the fact he never achieved the height of greatness that Rainbow Dash had from last season.

 

 

Best episode: Pinkie Pride. It's pretty much MMC done correctly. Like everyone says, this was easily one of the greatest episodes this series has aired.

 

 

Worst episode: Rainbow Falls. Look at Dark Qiviut's review to know why I despise it.

 

 

Best CMC: Applebloom. This was actually possibly the toughest choice on the list as all three have been among the best written characters this season. I chose Applebloom because she's been in more episodes than the other cmc's I believe this season and they were among the better ones this season, and she was among the brighter spots in the rather lame episode 'Somepony to watch over me'.

 

 

Best character who has given a key: Cheese Sandwich. Easily the best written new character this season. The writers did an exceptional job meshing Weird Al into the series and his humor perfectly.

 

 

Best key episode: Pinkie Pride. Best key episode and best episode of the season.

 

 

My opinion on the season so far?: I love it as I personally think that it had the best first half start of any season on the show and while it's quality seems to have dipped a bit with the past few episodes, fortunately there's still many episodes left and the next couple of episodes seem to offer alot of promise for high quality episodes.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2014 by Nuke87654

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

Best Pony: Biased as I may be, I'm giving it up to Applejack on this one, as she's managed to be better than I ever could have imagined. She's effectively been proving her naysayers wrong by getting plenty of screen time and a healthy dose of great lessons, new conflicts, and loads of great interactions with other characters. She's been everything from awesome, to hilarious, to adorable, to everything else in between. The writers have really hit a bullseye on her character.

 

Worst Character: Twilight Sparkle. We're 17 episode into the season, and outside of the premiere, just what exactly has Twilight Sparkle done? As it stands, she's Princess Twilight Sparkle in name only, and while her character seems very much intact, she hasn't done a thing to stand out as far as I am concerned. It almost feels like the writers are trying to milk out the rest of the season with her doing nothing princess related until she inevitably gets herself a kingdom in the finale. Three's a Crowd tried to give her something new, but it ended up being a rehashed lesson that she learned back in season 1. Twilight Time ultimately failed to do anything new with her, and if it did, I was too unengaged by the episode to care. If season 4 has a "background pony" of the Mane Six, surely it's Twilight. While Spike has been very underplayed this season, I did get a kick out of Power Ponies and enjoyed his supporting role in Simple Ways, which is more than what I can say for Twi.

 

Best Episode: My personal favorite thus far is Pinkie Apple Pie. This episode just gets everything that I love about the series right. The writing is superbly done, with all of the ponies playing off of each others personalities. The episode sports plenty of adventure, which I always welcome, is among the funniest of the series, has one of my all-time favorite songs, two brilliantly done lessons, and is really just a perfect feel-good episode that leaves me satisfied every time. PAP is a pure classic.

 

Worst Episode: Rainbow Falls. Not even gonna go there.

 

Best CMC: Gotta be Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle has yet to have her moment in the spotlight, and while I have thoroughly enjoyed Scootaloo this season, I usually find myself enjoying Apple Bloom just a bit more. Between PAP and STWOM, she's been a delight to watch.

 

Best Key Character: Cheese Sandwich by a country mile. Spitfire's character was effectively butchered in Rainbow Falls, Seabreeze was very hard to like, and Coco Pommel, while very cute, didn't possess much of a wow factor like Cheese, who was just incredibly wacky and fun all throughout.

 

Best Key Episode: Wow, it seems RTM and PP are almost equally loved, whereas RF and IAEBB are equally disliked. I have to give it up to Pinkie Pride though. It is what I consider to be the new quintessential Pinkie Pie episode. It is Pinkie Pie at her most engaging, and it is her very best episode in the series. Not taking anything away from RTM though, as that episode is among the very finest too.

 

So Far Season 4 is: Very good, but it could be better. This season is full of solid episodes, but it's had a few too many "meh" tiered ones to keep me from hailing it as anything more than very good.

 

 

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

The episode was hyped up by Meghan McCarthy IIRC, and given that Weird Al was voicing Cheese Sandwich, I honestly feel like people had already decided how they felt before the episode even aired. Like you said, they're both great, but not at the level people rate them at. (retreats to secret bunker)

 

Overrated is just a term designed to make a less popular opinion seem better by belittling a more popular one. If you don't like as much, or even hate it (I know you don't, just saying) that's fine, but don't belittle others opinions. 

Edited March 11, 2014 by DryColt84

[Frostgage 7,978]

Overrated is just a term designed to make a less popular opinion seem better by belittling a more popular one. If you don't like as much, or even hate it (I know you don't, just saying) that's fine, but don't belittle others opinions. 

 

I knew this secret bunker was a good investment.

 

Anyway, that was not my intention, friend. Any opinion I express is mine and mine alone. It doesn't matter to me what anyone else does or doesn't like. So in my opinion, yes, he/it is overrated, but I'm not stating it as a fact.

[Nerdy Luigi 2,065]

1. My favorite episode was the most recent one, "Somepony to Watch Over Me", it's among the best.

 

2. My least favorite is Power Ponies. I don't understand how that episode was ANY good. I voted "Bats!" accidentally, but that episode was the second worst (nope the ACTUAL worst), and really, I should have voted that one. I'm too lazy to change my vote

 

3. Cheese Sandwich for best character introduced in Season 4! (Weird Al voice acting him might be why...)

 

4. Season 4 is my second favorite season. I think it might possibly be the best (in my opinion) if they keep heading the right direction with script writing.

 

5. Twilight Sparkle will always be best pony, NOTE THAT before reading the next paragraph.

 

I felt that None of the mane six were done to well this season, but Rarity the best of the 6 (THIS SEASON).

 

6. Apple Bloom is a great character and easily best CMC. Second favorite secondary character.

 

7. Sweetie Belle is still underdeveloped. I really want Sweetie Belle to get developed better. PLZ make SWEETIE BELLE EPISODE!

Edited March 11, 2014 by Twilly F. Sniper

[Pinky Pie 71]

1. My favorite episode was the most recent one, "Somepony to Watch Over Me", it's among the best.

 

2. My least favorite is Power Ponies. I don't understand how that episode was ANY good. I voted "Bats!" accidentally, but that episode was the second worst (nope the ACTUAL worst), and really, I should have voted that one. I'm too lazy to change my vote

 

3. Cheese Sandwich for best character introduced in Season 4! (Weird Al voice acting him might be why...)

 

4. Season 4 is my second favorite season. I think it might possibly be the best (in my opinion) if they keep heading the right direction with script writing.

 

5. Twilight Sparkle will always be best pony, NOTE THAT before reading the next paragraph.

 

I felt that None of the mane six were done to well this season, but Rarity the best of the 6 (THIS SEASON).

 

6. Apple Bloom is a great character and easily best CMC. Second favorite secondary character.

 

7. Sweetie Belle is still underdeveloped. I really want Sweetie Belle to get developed better. PLZ make SWEETIE BELLE EPISODE!

Episode 19 (or 20, it came out as episode 20 but if it is, there won't be episode 19 -_-) is a Sweetie Belle episode.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I knew this secret bunker was a good investment.

 

Anyway, that was not my intention, friend. Any opinion I express is mine and mine alone. It doesn't matter to me what anyone else does or doesn't like. So in my opinion, yes, he/it is overrated, but I'm not stating it as a fact.

 

I'm not taking shots at your opinion, I'm just saying that overrated is not a smart choice of words. Someone else on this very page said they didn't like Pinkie Apple Pie, and despite it being my third-favorite episode of the season, I didn't respond, because I don't care. 

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

I'm not taking shots at your opinion, I'm just saying that overrated is not a smart choice of words. Someone else on this very page said they didn't like Pinkie Apple Pie, and despite it being my third-favorite episode of the season, I didn't respond, because I don't care. 

I don't see any belittlement going on here, to be perfectly honest.

 

He simply stated he found it to be overrated; it wasn't a shot at anyone. I myself find it to be overrated do the galoshes of praise it got, but I personally still think it's one of my favorite episodes of this whole season, probably top 15 of the whole series; however, it received EXTREME amounts of praise that, quite frankly, as good as it was, it did not deserve.

 

It was a great episode, but it received far too much praise, which, can happen to any episode no matter how good (or bad) it may be.

 

Again, I see no belittlement of any sort going on here, he just stated his opinion on the matter.

 

You don't even have to respect his opinion, honestly, but claiming it to be belittling of others isn't on target of it's true meaning in the slightest.

 

Edited March 11, 2014 by ghostfacekiller39

[Pinky Pie 71]

My votes are:

Best Pony: Pinkie Pie. Despite there are a lot of people who don't like Pinkie Pie in this season, I think she developped so much since Equestria Girls. It was a tie between Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie as a favorite pony for me, but after Equestria Girls Pinkie won clearly.

Worst Character: Spike. I think there is no need to explain... The biggest role he had during the season was making Breezies unable to return to their homes. And the writers know that aswell, they tried to give him a good  role in Power Ponies but it still isn't enough.

Best Episode: Of course Pinkie Pride. An episode which is including 6 songs, my favorite pony and Weird Al Yankovic must be my favorite episode

Worst Episode: Well it was a tie between Simple Ways and Somepony To Watch Over Me, the only episodes that I got bored when watching. But since Simple Ways is including something that we don't see so frequently, love, I voted for Somepony To Watch Over Me.

Best CMC: So far we got a Scootaloo and a Apple Bloom episodes, so I couldn't vote for Sweetie Belle. But Apple Bloom was better than the other seasons in my opinion, so I voted for her.

Best Key Giver: Cheese Sandwich. No need to explain

Best Key Episode: Pinkie Pride. No Need to explain neither

So Far, Season 4 Is: Best season ever, it couldn't be better. I think this season is so good, it has everything that all type of brony might want to see. Celestia vs Luna, how they found the Elements Of Harmony, Celestia/Luna vs Discord, a musical, a Rarity episode, a lot of mystery, at least one episode for each Mane 6, everypony (expect Rainbow Dash and I hope see her singing too) song at least once...

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I don't see any belittlement going on here, to be perfectly honest.

 

He simply stated he found it to be overrated; it wasn't a shot at anyone. I myself find it to be overrated do the galoshes of praise it got, but I personally still think it's one of my favorite episodes of this whole season, probably top 15 of the whole series; however, it received EXTREME amounts of praise that, quite frankly, as good as it was, it did not deserve.

 

It was a great episode, but it received far too much praise, which, can happen to any episode no matter how good (or bad) it may be.

 

Again, I see no belittlement of any sort going on here, he just stated his opinion on the matter.

 

You don't even have to respect his opinion, honestly, but claiming it to be belittling of others isn't on target of it's true meaning in the slightest.

 

 

Fine, we'll just leave it at that then. I didn't mean any harm by my comment, I was just saying that it comes across that way. Idk, I didn't want this to become a big thing. If you think it's overrated more power to you, I suppose I just don't like the word in general (goes for underrated too).