Favorite Standalone Season 4 Episode?

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

What's your favorite stand-alone episode this season? Sorry, the two part opener and closer of this season won't count. You can find the full list of S4 episodes in the poll above.

You can choose favorites if it has your favorite pony, best overall episode, best character development, best story, most crazy, and so on. Below are my opinions on the top 4 episodes, starting from the craziest episode to some of the best moral episode to the best story episode and ending with the best overall episode.

 

Craziest Episode: Power Ponies

The craziest episode by far for me was of course, Power Ponies. The ridiculous of the ponies becoming superponies was just hilarious to see, and the Flutterhulk emphasized how much of a tall tale it was. Don't forget that this was actually a spike episode, even though the main 6 are all involved, but it was Spike that learned to take fate into his own hands, and not off the comic. Collaborated between Meghan McCarthy, Charlotte Fullerton and Betsy McGowen, It was a fun, exciting episode and I LOVED every minute of it.

 

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Best Moral: Testing Testing 1, 2, 3

Now for the best moral episode, I think I have to give it to Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3. The premise is that Rainbow Dash simply learns unconventionally and that is perfectly fine as well, and I feel like it resonates powerfully through many aspects of the fandom and myself. Lots of props to the writer, Amy Keating Rogers for one of the better episodes in the series. Also, bonus for rapping Pinkie.

 

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Best Story: Rarity Takes Manehattan

For the best story episode? This was a bit tough, but Rarity Takes Manehattan was certainly good in this aspect. For this episode, Rarity is the element of generosity, and in this episode, her element is not only exemplified, but also contested. As a result, Rarity becomes so into the idea of winning that she loses sight of her generosity towards her friends, defying her element. But what I find most interesting is that Twilight and the rest of the main 6 explained to Rarity that it would take more than one bad act to end their friendship, and thus Twilight and friends stayed around for Rarity. I find this inspiring for a few reasons: Rarity realized that she shouldn't have taken her friends for granted, and her friends learned that the way we judge our friends and loved ones should take into account our friends as a whole, not by recent actions.

And the best part? Rarity didn't care anymore if she won or not. She rather stay with her friends than win a fashion show, and given that her career won't progress, it's a BIG deal. But we know she won, even with that dirty trick from Suri to pretend she lost (which makes Suri officially worse than Diamond Tiara). But Rarity was rewarded with good karma and Coco Pommel lets Rarity know she won, and this is when you realize that generosity is a trait that is learned by others. Man this episode has a superb story I think it's number one in story for this season.

 

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Best Overall: Pinkie Pride

Now for the best overall episode, I think you can get an idea of what is honestly my favorite episode of this season. If there is one standalone episode that truly represents the voice and mood of the show, it's Pinkie Pride. If you recall, there was some top notch flash animation coupled with some absolutely incredible songs (There's 6 songs in this episode alone out of the 15 songs in this SEASON) and it just blows my mind at how incredible this episode was. Weird Al was probably the best guest appearance that this show deserved, and it really shows at how much energy he brings into this episode. And let's not forget the characterization of Pinkie Pie. ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS. Pinkie's best traits and worst traits are well defined, comical, and give the episode so much substance. The best part? I love how Pinkie's first offers Cheese Sandwich a place alongside her in party planning. Pinkie acknowledges the praise of planning too, this development of Cheese Sandwich as competition really brought out how open-minded Pinkie was, whether you can see in her the flaws and her strengths all at the same time. It is a wonderful dose of superb writing with such dynamic character traits of free-spirited optimism to thoughts of jealousy at the same moment. The goofiness of both characters, and the down-to-earth attitude that this had makes this a memorable episode that's really tough to forget. I have without a doubt that many bronies here will agree that Pinkie Pride is the best stand-alone episode of season 4.

 

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I really loved Pinkie Pride. Man I was so happy watching this. I like to hear what you think is the best episode of season 4 and give your reasoning.

Edited May 4, 2014 by Carbon Maestro

[Jokuc 8,175]

I have not seen any episodes after Maud Pie, but so far I must say Pinkie Pride. I mean the episode has everything I want in an episode. Then it's just a huge bonus that it is about Pinkie Pie. Power Ponies has been my least favorite one so far... or Twilight Time maybe.

[Scootalove 10,692]

• Pinkie Pride
• Rarity Takes Manehattan
• For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils
• Flight To The Finish

Those four episodes alone helped me enjoy Season 4 even more, not to say that the other episodes were not worth watching but they did keep me entertained. Loved these four episodes to bits.

[Megas 28,305]

- Flight to the Finish

- Testing, Testing, 1,2,3

- Rarity Takes Manehattan

- Pinkie Pride

- A tie between Bats and Power Ponies

[BayoUni2847 528]

The last episode I've watched was Simple Ways, so I'm a little behind. I have to say Simple Ways, Rarity Takes Manehattan, Pinkie Pride, and Power Ponies.

 

From what I've heard of the episodes after Simple Ways, Maud Pie and Inspiration Manifestation would definitely be up there. Maud's awesome

[Ribbonfree 2,384]

Equestria Games. It's the only episode with a moral that's actually made me stop and remember, 'oh yeah, that is something I need to know'. It almost single-handedly jettisoned Spike up there into my echelons of favorite characters, because I now realize I identify with the little dude even more than I first thought. The episode was well done, maybe not the best, but it's sharp enough for the episode to personally resonate with me greater than any episode of MLP to date. 

[ghostfacekiller39 23,880]

I picked "Rarity Takes Manehattan" and none other.

 

I can't recall any episode of any series ever to make me this happy I was so nervous leading up to it...from paranoia that she was leaving the show to dealing with a bunch of Rarity hate up until that episode aired...it wasn't easy. 

It was perfect, though. It's a damn shame everyone's going to pick "Pinkie Pride" because of Weird Al, because "Rarity Takes Manehattan" sparked a change; Rarity fans stopped passively taking a beating and we grew. More people began to appreciate Rarity for who she really is rather than just who they see her as on the outside.

 

The impact "Rarity Takes Manehattan" left has certainly been felt; while "Pinkie Pride" may have had a guest star, I just don't think it's left the imprint RTM has

That episode made me feel happy, sad, angry, and even scared at the end when it was looking like Rares was going to stay in Manehattan (dat mini-heart attack, tho.) 

 

It made me feel as if they fit all the emotions of a 2 hour long movie into 22 minutes.

 

Damn, in that episode, she was Rarity, and she was fabulous.

 

 

[An Old Head 4,816]

Pinkie Pride, hands down. It was absolutely flawless. In fact, let me just stick my polished review for it in here:

 

"100/100, no question. From the sterling music, to the fantastic premise, to the quotables, to the character exploration and development... this episode ticked all the boxes and went even further. (Can you put five ticks in a single box? Eh, I'll find out later.)

 

Let me talk about how incredible the writing was. Start to end, it was stuffed with pure skill in characterisation, pace and continuity. The introduction to Cheese Sandwich was bang-on (I'll talk about my own love for Cheese Sandwich in a moment... CD isn't the only one!) in that it was concise, atmospheric and set up the premise for the whole episode spectacularly. I loved the inclusion of the buffaloes, showcasing how, like any good animation studio does, they keep elements from former episodes to demonstrate their care for world building. The idea of Cheese and Pinkie being connected through the similarity of their senses (also fit into the introductory scene, quite skilfully) left me perching upon my chair in anticipation.

 

The songs themselves (I'll talk about them too, because they made up 80% of the episode!) were just fantastic. It felt like Fantasia, or at the very least distinctly like Disney. And what I love is how it's not a musical for the sake of a musical; Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie are both extremely musical to begin with. I mean, Weird Al is voicing Cheese. Weird Al does music; by not passing up the chance to launch into numbers like that, they've really done well! The opening song, as I've said, had a brilliant tint of A Friend in Deed, and did its job perfectly in furthering the premise of the episode by showing Pinkie's role as a party planner in comparison with Cheese's role as a prospective party planner in the introduction. That's what I mean by brilliant pacing. It also doesn't hurt that Pinkie was as cute, charming, adorable, friendly and as heartwarming a singer as she always has been <33 And then the Cheese numbers! Did anyone notice how well some of these songs worked transitionally? Each song was there for a reason; to encompass a chunk of the episode as it moved along. Speaking of which...

 

I will now dedicate a paragraph to the Goof Off song. Oh, this song just makes me so happy. It's better than the Smile song... it's ten times better! =D This song was wild, fearless, completely zany (just how I love it) and filled with so many antics that I'm sure I'm still recounting them with each watch. (I've watched it about 20 times already!) The real-life footage, because it does need a mention - what a touch! Raw fourth-wall adventurousness, with no restraints, done in the best context possible. The back-and-forth between Cheese and Pinkie, in turn with their next goofy endeavour, felt like the world's best duel, kinda like the boss fight from Guitar Hero III ^^ In fact, like I've said, it's so overflowing with brilliant little details that I'll never fit them all into this paragraph. All I know is that I could watch that number endlessly. Hot dang.

 

And then there's Cheese Sandwich. My word, what a sensational character. Best stallion for sure; second favourite pony next to Pinkie Pie. Thanks to Weird Al's injection of fantabulousness into Cheese, we have the best complement to any main character in the show; one that means well, bears a connection to Pinkie, and is full to the brim with his own quirks and traits that make him so distinct and lovable. What I love even more is his tale; I feel that it's an analogy for our fandom. Let me explain how:

 

Do I speak for most of us when I say that we felt sans identity before we joined the Brony fandom? I know I certainly did; I stumbled across this fandom by chance and it lit up the happiness inside me. It's this fandom that distinguishes itself by being fun-loving, generally optimistic (...feel free to dispute that, but I love the spirit of this fandom) and a place for those wanderers to be taken in, loved, and tolerated... It was just like Cheese, feeling lost about his life, stumbling across the party and it occurring to him what life is all about; happiness, and enjoying yourself. And in further analogy, Cheese set out to try and give something back to the thing that turned his life around for the better; a wild party. Does that sound familiar? I'm thinking duty-bound Bronies who want to give back to the fandom that has helped them so much in the form of creative content. I saw all of this in Cheese Sandwich, and it's revitalised my ceaseless love.

 

The sensation of this occurring to me upon Cheese revealing this in the final scene was like no other. Spectacular, truly spectacular.

 

But how would this be a review if I didn't talk about Best Pony? Pinkie's characterisation was flawless. I mean flawless. They revisited Pinkie's best traits, and worst traits, in fine, intelligent, comedic and ultimately very moving detail. I love how Pinkie's initial reaction to Cheese Sandwich was offering him a place alongside her in planning Dashie's party; they didn't forget her motive from Over A Barrel. I loved even more the fact that her A Friend In Deed personality was revisited; it's one of the deeper aspects to her personality, and by going further into it, the writers have proven their opportunism. In fact, within this whole episode, we've seen Pinkie Pie go through her existing traits with this type of expertise as well as introductions to completely new sides; like her pride. I was so moved by that further detail in Pinkie's character; not only does she love hosting parties and winning the hearts of Ponyville, but she finds that affirmation in it too, and never once has she let it swallow her up in thick competition instead of remorseful contemplation, which outlined how much of a free spirit she is; again, expertly written. This is the best episode I've seen her in.

 

Never has an episode appealed to me so much on an emotional, humorous, and even personal level as Pinkie Pride has done. I didn't even care what the rest of the season is like at that point, because Pinkie Pride truly has it all."

[Wind Chaser 4,769]

My top 5 are as follows, in no particular order:

 

Pinkie Pride

Rarity Takes Manehattan

Flight to the Finish

For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils

Testing, Testing, 123

 

I'll expand on this and give my five worst in a blog post when I get the chance, but it looks like I'm not alone in my choices.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

My pick goes to Pinkie Pride (If you know me, you wouldn't be surprised.)

 

This episode is Pinkie at her best. It gives Pinkie great depth and character development with a sweet, sad song by her to boot. It also has Weird Al guest star in the episode and the staff knew how to write an episode with a celebrity guest right.

 

This episode is also really funny. All the comedy is well executed. Well it is a Pinkie episode with Weird Al, you shouldn't be surprised.

 

Finally, it's a big improvement as a musical episode from Magical Mystery Cure. Nothing felt rushed and everything flowed naturally and the songs were pleasant to listen to (especially Pinkie's Lament  )

 

Other favorites include: Pinkie Apple Pie, Flight to the Finish, Twilight Time, Maud Pie, For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils, Testing testing 123, and Equestria Games.

Edited May 4, 2014 by ChikoritaBrony

[hawkflame 3,315]

Rarity Takes Manehattan.  She deserved as much this season. 

 

Just as a story it's very effective, because it does a *lot* in very limited time without feeling rushed.  On top of that, you have a great song, a *really* interesting arc for Rarity, and a good, unique lesson to be learned.  It's quite possibly my favorite episode after Return of harmony. 

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

Seems like Pinkie Pride, Rarity Takes Manehattan, and Testing Testing 1, 2, 3 all get very high marks. Also, every episode has someone liking it.

 

I'm surprised as to why Maud Pie has so many votes, anyone care to explain?

[Megas 28,305]

I'm surprised as to why Maud Pie has so many votes, anyone care to explain?

My take? It's funny on top of having some of the best characterization and the one of the few S4 episodes that benefitted from having all the mane 6

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

I selected three, to my surprise: Pinkie Pride, Testing, and Equestria Games.

 

 

Pinkie Pride wasn't because of Al, although I will admit that he really made the episode for me. You couldn't have substituted anyone else for him and gotten the same effect. What I most appreciated was the revelation at the end, of how Pinkie Pie, unbeknownst to herself, had so profoundly shaped another child's life, causing him in turn to bring immeasurable joy to countless ponies' lives. It also warmed my heart that she didn't know for all those years, and fate brought Cheese Sandwich back to Ponyville for her to learn of that.

 

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3 had plenty of Twilight, which would have been enough on its own. Rainbow Dash's futile attempts to learn and everypony's futile attempts to teach her aren't too dissimilar from the approach to education taken by most schools these days. A one-size-fits-all method and those who don't work out under that model are defective. Rainbow's friends kept at it though, trying every angle they could think of to get the information to stick until something finally worked. As both a former student who was frustrated by a simplistic educational system and needed that kind of help, and as a former employee for both a public school district and a private university who there received that kind of instruction, offering it also to those needing some extra attention after class, I really appreciate this episode. Too many kids these days are made to feel stupid or defective for not being able to conform to a mold in school. The positive reinforcement provided here, teaching kids that they aren't stupid but may only have a different method of learning, and that they can succeed through perseverance, was very satisfying to me.

 

Equestria Games gave my buddy Spike what he's deserved for a long time now. Nice to finally see him shown respect and entrusted with an important task to honor him rather than for the simple convenience of everyone else. Sure, he let things go to his head for a moment, but he learned the acceptable limits of pride this day and possibly saved some lives in the process. Nicely done.

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

My take? It's funny on top of having some of the best characterization and the one of the few S4 episodes that benefitted from having all the mane 6

I don't really understand the enthusiasm about Maud; perhaps she's an introverted character who has deep interests/feelings yet isn't open about them? Her interactions with the other Mane 6 were so awkward and uncomfortable, and it just doesn't sit well with me given that this show is quite upbeat. What troubled me was that she appears to not care about social conventions or the Mane Six's time and effort spent trying to get to know her. There doesn't seem to be reason enough to tolerate her behavior. Not to mention that this is a rather slow episode considering that there were some true standouts in the series. I know the writers went for an antithesis of Pinkie- to have an opposing force to the hyperactive and energetic Pinkie Pie - but it actually seemed to work against the episode a bit. The episode felt like it was just, there.

 

 

 

Equestria Games gave my buddy Spike what he's deserved for a long time now. Nice to finally see him shown respect and entrusted with an important task to honor him rather than for the simple convenience of everyone else. Sure, he let things go to his head for a moment, but he learned the acceptable limits of pride this day and possibly saved some lives in the process. Nicely done.

Definitely. Spike deserved a good episode that honored him. Doing what needs to be done without letting pride get in the way makes it one of the better episodes.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Carbon Maestro

[MLPFanatic34 3,241]

Craziest episode I'd say was Power Ponies, the episode with the best moral was probably Fili Vanili and the best overall episode was probably Pinkie Pride.

[Adorkable 2,737]

Twilight Time, of course! You can never have too much of best pony.

[Adash 193]

I can't decide. It is between Princrss Twilight Sparkle, Testing Testing 1 2 3, Twilight Time, or Equestria Games.

[Rainboom Dash 1,057]

My choices:

Power Ponies

Bats!

Three's a Crowd

Pinkie Pride

Somepony to Watch Over Me

For Whom the Sweetie Belle Tolls

Equestria Games

Edited May 5, 2014 by Rainboom Dash

[Pineapple Bloom 511]

I voted for Pinkie Apple Pie, Filli Vanilli, and Rarity Takes Manehatten... but I also love Maud Pie and so many other episodes. Decisions, decisions!

[Pastel 7,630]

Bats! and Caste Mane-ia are 2 episodes in my overall top 10, I voted for them.

 

My top 5 would be:

1. Bats!

2. Castle Mane-ia

3. It Ain't Easy Being Breezies

4. Filli Vanilli

5. Maud Pie

 

This has been a great season, I enjoyed a lot of episodes, and Maud Pie is maybe tied with For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Blobulle

[Stellafera 3,836]

Well, I voted in the poll for my top two (Somepony to Watch Over Me was #2 if anyone's wondering where that vote went), but in truth, there is one episode that simply tops them all.

 

It's the best comedic episode of the season. 

It's the best dramatic episode of the season.

Screw it, it's the best episode of the show and you know what I'm talking about if you saw my excited status updates when I saw it...

 

Testing, Testing 123!

 

Who didn't laugh at the escalation of Rainbow Dash rocking on the chair or of the increasing ridiculousness of her friends attempts to help her? People love talking about Pinkie, but it's a testament to the writing that by that point I wasn't even shocked anymore.

 

Also, Twilight was me for a day.

 

Actually, I usually rock in a little ball and pace a lot, but I'll allow for some standard deviation.

 

I've always had the mindset that putting effort into school = an A, that if you try you can succeed at academics. I have a hard time with my friends that study much harder than I and still score below, because frankly I don't understand how to help them. It's unfair that they have to suffer while I comparatively glide by. Do I have to go to math tutoring every day at lunch? Yep. Do I get an A afterwards? Double yep.

 

On the flipside, Rainbow Dash's quote still sticks with me.

 

"I'm sure you'll become a great flyer in no time. After all, you're good at everything."

 

Yeah, I made that face too, Twilie.

 

Being 'smart' puts a pressure on you like your opinions are going to have to all be well formed and you'll know every fact. I'm not gonna say that I wish I had a harder time with school, because that's a really stupid wish because whatever problems I have with my pride are far outweighed by someone having to struggle to pass. But it's why that's one of my least favorite compliments. Tell me I'm witty, tell me I'm eloquent, but don't tell me I'm smart. 

 

Rainbow Dash was lovable as well, but I feel like her side is well explored and understood enough that I shouldn't have to expand on why it's lovely. Testing, Testing 123 was so high quality that, much like Hurricane Fluttershy, it served as a double feature for two ponies. 

 

And a Spike.

Edited May 6, 2014 by Stellafera

[baba_booey 4,304]

I have to say Bats! and Rarity Takes Manehattan

[Pastel 7,630]

Filli Vanilli only has 5 votes? I though many people liked this episode?

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

 

 

Rainbow Dash was lovable as well, but I feel like her side is well explored and understood enough that I shouldn't have to expand on why it's lovely. Testing, Testing 123 was so high quality that, much like Hurricane Fluttershy, it served as a double feature for two ponies.

 

Agreed. I thought this episode was powerful and did a wonderful job with a strong message for those like Rainbow Dash AND the main 6. One lesson is that persistence is key, and the other is finding a way that suits your needs. It definitely goes both ways and I can't explain it any better.

 

It's one of the best episodes of the season, and one of my top 10s within all seasons.