My Little Pony Friendship is Magic

[Nabber]

Also. I'm curious to know if I'm ever introducing someone to the series: which of the two parters would be best to show to a newcomer?

The pilot is good with introducing the characters, but not really that great overall.
A Canterlot Wedding has awesome songs, and is pretty epic.
Return of Harmony kinda balances the two out.

 

[SonicMario]

Also. I'm curious to know if I'm ever introducing someone to the series: which of the two parters would be best to show to a newcomer?

The pilot is good with introducing the characters, but not really that great overall.
A Canterlot Wedding has awesome songs, and is pretty epic.
Return of Harmony kinda balances the two out.

It really depends on the person you're trying to get into the show. The pilot introduces the characters really well but does get kinda cheesy at times but at the same time I think the majority of Bronies were hooked or got them curious enough to see more that after a few more episodes they ended up liking it even more. Return of Harmony has a better plot but may not have much of an effect if people aren't familiar with the characters (Although I know it's convinced people like Smasher). And I think Canterlot Wedding should only be used as an introduction if the person had been a fan of some popular Disney films or something. And introducing someone that might be skeptical with a plot that centers around a wedding might not be that much of a good idea even with the awesomeness that happens in Part 2. And it also has the same problems as Return of Harmony is that won't have much of an effect if they're not familiar with the characters already. Twilight has the emotional song about her Brother in Part 1 but it happens so early in the episode that a casual person might not be invested even if they do like the song.

Canterlot Wedding would be my last choice of the 3 because simply it's much more awesome to see firsthand when you're already a fan of the show. The Pilot would actually be my first choice of the 3, but I understand that sometimes it doesn't get the best results. So Return of Harmony would be the back-up gambling on the hope that the conflict with Discord entertains one enough. (With no prior knowledge of any characters though it might backfire that the only character the person likes watching is Discord and is turned off when he's defeated)

 

[Nabber]

I was thinking that with Return of Harmony, you kinda get the feeling for the characters in the beginning and then realize that they're turning into opposite versions of their personalities, so yeah it really depends on the person you're introducing it to.

 

[Smashgoom202]

The only problem I had with the queen, is that she just came out of nowhere. No real backstory there. It was supposed to be surprising, but its kind of like what happened in that Yugioh movie, the 3D one. The bad guy wore a mask and he revealed his face and he was just some random villain that nobodies heard of. Same thing here.

But yeah, that's just my problem with it. You can yell at me for having my opinion now.

Well, except there, there was LITERALLY no point in wearing the mask, whereas here, she disguised herself to trick everyone into believing she was Cadence.

As to more backstory, I don't know WHAT they could have added to make it better WITHOUT dragging it out. We ARE talking about a two-part TV show, not a movie, so it's understandable that they had to cut some things out to make it all fit, but Chrysalis basically told us everything we needed to know; she's the Queen of a species of Changelings who feed off of love, so she disguised herself as Cadence so as to feed off of Shining Armor's love. Setting up who she was beforehand would have taken away the effect of the dramatic reveal, so...

Yeah, what exactly were you looking for? I'm not yelling at you, not at all, you're free to have your opinion, but I just want to understand where you're coming from. Not everyone who offers a counterargument is attacking you.

Although on this forum, I wouldn't be surprised you feel that way.

Okay, here's my reasoning. Nightmare Moon, we had a little backstory beforehand. Discord, had some backstory beforehand. Queen, popped out of nowhere.

Honestly, she might be a good Villian but I just didn't feel like she was very... Important.

Again, I think you're missing the point: if we DID get a backstory, it would have ruined the dramatic reveal of Cadence being a fake. Maybe they COULD have devoted more time to who she was or where her kind came from, but really, the episode told me all we really needed to know. Yeah, I guess maybe it would be nice to go into more detail, but you know, they have time restraints and they got out what was important, such as who she was and why she was doing it.

Besides, not every villain needs to be "important", whatever that means. They all don't need rich detailed backstories to be appealing. Not to mention, we've got an entire third season underway to possibly see her and the Changelings again, and go into more of their history.

 

[Crackin355]

The only problem I had with the queen, is that she just came out of nowhere. No real backstory there. It was supposed to be surprising, but its kind of like what happened in that Yugioh movie, the 3D one. The bad guy wore a mask and he revealed his face and he was just some random villain that nobodies heard of. Same thing here.

But yeah, that's just my problem with it. You can yell at me for having my opinion now.

Well, except there, there was LITERALLY no point in wearing the mask, whereas here, she disguised herself to trick everyone into believing she was Cadence.

As to more backstory, I don't know WHAT they could have added to make it better WITHOUT dragging it out. We ARE talking about a two-part TV show, not a movie, so it's understandable that they had to cut some things out to make it all fit, but Chrysalis basically told us everything we needed to know; she's the Queen of a species of Changelings who feed off of love, so she disguised herself as Cadence so as to feed off of Shining Armor's love. Setting up who she was beforehand would have taken away the effect of the dramatic reveal, so...

Yeah, what exactly were you looking for? I'm not yelling at you, not at all, you're free to have your opinion, but I just want to understand where you're coming from. Not everyone who offers a counterargument is attacking you.

Although on this forum, I wouldn't be surprised you feel that way.

Okay, here's my reasoning. Nightmare Moon, we had a little backstory beforehand. Discord, had some backstory beforehand. Queen, popped out of nowhere.

Honestly, she might be a good Villian but I just didn't feel like she was very... Important.

Again, I think you're missing the point: if we DID get a backstory, it would have ruined the dramatic reveal of Cadence being a fake. Maybe they COULD have devoted more time to who she was or where her kind came from, but really, the episode told me all we really needed to know. Yeah, I guess maybe it would be nice to go into more detail, but you know, they have time restraints and they got out what was important, such as who she was and why she was doing it.

Besides, not every villain needs to be "important", whatever that means. They all don't need rich detailed backstories to be appealing. Not to mention, we've got an entire third season underway to possibly see her and the Changelings again, and go into more of their history.

I know, but the reveal of her being a fake wasn't very convincing. I saw it coming from the first scene she was in. But I did already say its just me. and your counter-argument is starting to feel like an attack. Or more so is an attack. Anyway, maybe they couldve handled it better but its just a show and now i'm doing exactly what I hate. questioning a kids show.

 

[Smashgoom202]

Sorry if it sounded like I was attacking you. And I feel that you're right within your mind to question anything, even a kids show.

 

[SonicMario]

BTW I've started doing this thing where every day I can get to the Library I'm going to be watching 2 episodes (Or in the case of the 2-parters 4) a day. One from Season 1, the other from Season 2. I'm giving comparisons based on order of the episodes in which they aired. Other then that I will be naming what I really liked and also deciding which one I like best. In which I have a scoreboard for both seasons and I give a point depending what season the episode I give the edge to. I've already done the first 5 episodes.

The main site for it will be place in this thread on Equestria Forums

Spoiler: Friendship is Magic Part 1/2 V. Return of Harmony Part 1/2

I have got started and I'll be giving my thoughts on each one. As I watched in this order: Mare in the Moon, Return of Harmony Part 1, Elements of Harmony, Return of Harmony Part 2.

First of which are the first parters. Seeing these again I remember how much I really like both. It was the first episode that actually hooked me with Twilight and it gave great introductions to the other characters as well. It gave me a sense of nostalgia seeing that first episode on Youtube once again.

However, Nostalgia isn't going to be a factor in this. Because after watching Return of Harmony, Part 1 again it was certainly better in my mind then the very first episode. To be fair, the Pilot was basically all introduction to the characters of the show. It does a great job of that. And I'll admit seeing it again I remember the feeling that made me a Brony in the first place. But, There's one thing that just instantly gives Part 1 of Return of Harmony the edge. And that's Discord. Seeing him again where he was at his most threatening and at the time was the most competent a villain had been in the Series just gives a huge edge for me.

If you're looking for the better intro episode. Then Friendship is Magic Part 1 wins, but seeing as this is a Brony view: Return of Harmony, Part 1 is just overall a better quality episode then the Pilot episode. First point goes to Season 2

Season 1: 0
Season 2: 1

With Part 2 it runs into similar things. In Part 2 of the Pilot, we see alot more of Nightmare Moon then with just the very end like in the first part. But Nightmare Moon was just no match for the pure awesome that Discord was in Part 2 of his thing. They both have the same ending with the Main 6 overcome their problems and defeat the villain using the Elements of Harmony. I found the whole conflict of Twilight trying to get her Discorded friends more interesting then the different things that the Ponies did in the Everfree forest. I like the little moments like "Tom", the Rainbow Dash chase, and Discord's Chaos throughout the whole thing. Pinkie's First Song, "Steven Magnet", and Twilight's heartwarming if a bit cheesy speech were all well and good too. But it's just not enough.

So all in all, this is a sweep for Season 2. I deem both parts of Return of Harmony better then their counterparts in the pilot. But I mean no disrespect to the Pilot in question. As without it, I wouldn't be the Brony I am today and perhaps the same for most of you. But in sure quality and entertainment value, Return of Harmony outclasses the Pilot. Another point for Season 2.

Season 1: 0
Season 2: 2

Spoiler: Ticket Master V. Lesson Zero

Alright time now for Ticket Master and Lesson Zero.

You know, I realized a few things. There's actually quite a few similarities between the 2 episodes. They're both Twilight-centric, Both have Celestia play a big role in some way (Albeit in Ticket Master offscreen), and they were important overall to their current seasons. Lesson Zero was far more important in changing the dynamic though that doesn't mean Ticket Master wasn't uninimportant to it's season either. Ticket Master is the first of the few episodes that contribute to what would be eventually the Season Finale with the Grand Galloping Gala.

On to the episodes themselves. For most Bronies, Ticket Master is the first taste of the Slice-of-Life style that the show would produce. And they did fairly well. And watching it again, I still enjoy moments like the Benny Hill chase near the end. And all of the other's reasons for wanting to go to the gala. It was just a good relatively simple episode. Another thing I loved about this was Twilight's attitude that wasn't at all different from how she was in the Pilot. Being sarcastic "No, really..." to Rarity telling her it's raining.

As for Lesson Zero though. It took a different (although IMO not necessarily bad) direction. With Twilight having her worries get the best of her while she overreacts to the punishment Celestia might give her (It makes me wonder if Twilight never liked Magic Kindergarten in the first place. If she was bullied at all, she took it better then Fluttershy did but is still susceptible to fear if she's not exactly in the right mind). The fact her friends wouldn't help even if they were small was just the breaking point. Lesson Zero personally was one of the funniest episodes of Season 2. Was Twilight's breakdown kind of over the top? Sort of, but nonetheless it was hilarious enough to make me openly laugh out loud during the whole sequence. So the entertainment value shot up high with this episode.
Beside's Twilight's own other characters had pretty neat parts to their own. Rarity's "Worst. Possible. THING.", Rainbow's Sonic Rainnuke and Sunglasses, Fluttershy taking down a bear (Even if for only chiropractic reasons), the Want It Need It spell scene, and of course Spike for warning Celestia beforehand. Not to mention this episode changes the formula from Season 1 from "Twilight has to write every letter" to "Everyone of the Main 6 (Plus occasionally the CMC) can write the letters" which I feel was very important.

Lesson Zero is by far one of the most memorable parts of Season 2. And while some may love it for the comedy and the entertainment value. I understand that some don't like it as much because they either thought Insane Twilight was over-the-top or Twilight's thoughts that she has to be perfect and her friends just laughing at her worries to make it all the more worse. But that's kinda exactly what they all learn at the end. Lesson Zero for not just the Comedy had a pretty good lesson and had a pretty heartwarming moment with Twilight, Celestia, and Spike near the end. It's importance in changing what was a status quo in Season 1 also tips it in it's favor. Ticket Master was all well and good, but in an overall scale I'm giving the point to Lesson Zero and thus that's 3-0 for Season 2

Season 1: 0
Season 2: 3

Spoiler: Applebuck Season V. Luna Eclipsed

Alright today, I did Applebuck Season and Luna Eclipsed.

I think for every episode thing I'll try to point out a few similarities between the episodes as my first thing to say like what I did with Ticket Master/Lesson Zero. At first glance the 2 episodes are very different as it centers around 2 very different ponies. Applejack and Luna. However in both those episodes, Twilight plays a big sub-role in attempting to help them. Where she's a little more successful in Luna Eclipsed then she does for most of Applebuck Season. Other then that though it's really hard to come up with any more.

Now let's get down to buisness. Applebuck Season was the first shining example of the humor this show could produce. It gets very clever and for a first taste it's absolute perfection on the jokes. For some new Bronies, they liked the show throughout the first 3 episodes but weren't quite convinced it was the amazing show that everyone was praising. Until this episode arrived with crazy Applejack faces, hilarious moments that are still remembered. Favorite scenes of mine include when Applejack and Pinkie Pie make the "Baked Bads" and Applejack misintepretating what Twilight said. "YOU NEED TO WALK TO THE ZOO?! WELL WHO'S STOPPING YOU?". It's kinda sad that this was the only soley Applejack episode until mid-Season 2 as I felt this was a great episode even if didn't exactly help Applejack in the Best Pony discussions given how stubborn she was in her one sole episode.

Onto Luna Eclipsed. Alot of Bronies were hyped for this episode as soon as they knew Luna was going to play a major part of the episode. At the same time they were scared that the reveal of Canon Luna's real personality was going to cause a firestorm within the fandom as alot of the guesses of Luna were about to be jossed to the high heavens. Thankfully, it didn't turn out as bad as people thought it would. But enough about Luna, the actual episode was good. It played out like a nice little Halloween episode. And Luna herself was pretty great.. Some things do kinda urk me about the episode still like Pinkie's behavior. I know we find out she knew that Luna wasn't really going to do anything and was just running to be in the spirit. It still was rather a low blow to have someone like Luna think the entire town of Ponyville is still intimidated by her dark past. And Rainbow Dash didn't exactly help at the end either. That's not to say it entirely ruined the episode. The Luna meets Fluttershy scene was by far the funniest part of the episode.

It's kinda hard to say. But I gotta give this one to Applebuck Season. Don't get me wrong, I loved Luna Eclipsed like most Bronies have. But I think Applebuck Season just was more enjoyable to watch with laughs going on throughout most of the episode rather then only one scene that was really, really funny in Luna Eclipsed. I loved the costumes, Luna herself, and some moments. But it's just not enough to put it over the episode that gave us "Baked Bads", Applejack's Sleep-Deprived faces, and plenty more. This is Season 1's first point.

Season 1: 1
Season 2: 3

Spoiler: Griffon the Brush-Off V. Sisterhooves Social

Ok, Today's episode watches was Griffon the Brush-Off and Sisterhooves social.

This is probably by far the most different episodes so far as there aren't many similarities. As a lesson about old friends and new friends are very different then one about Siblings. However they do have the same writer (Cindy Morrow) so that's something.

Griffon the Brush-Off was an absolute blast to see again. If only for that it was the early example of how crazy and random Pinkie is (Considering it's the very episode where Rainbow Dash says "Pinkie Pie! You're so random"). The best parts of this episode is Pinkie interacting with Rainbow Dash. Pranking Ponies, Using crazy ways to get to talk with her, etc. Bonus points for the Pepe Le Pew/Droopy like chase at the beginning of the episode. There is however one thing that kinda bugs me still and that's Gilda. I've just not been very fond of her at all. Granted that her jerkass tendencies were the whole point, but that doesn't necessarily mean I have to like it and think it as a positive to the episode. The Fluttershy scene didn't exactly help in the slightest. On the bright side though it makes the prank party at the end all the more worthwhile to see.

Now as for Sisterhooves Social. I also loved seeing that again. Both Rarity and Sweetie Belle are pretty top-notch and Applejack and Apple Bloom weren't bad either. The scene with Rarity's parents and Sweetie Belle making "breakfast" is still great. And it's funny to see whenever Sweetie says "help" it sounds like the exact opposite of it to Rarity. Though besides pretty funny they actually manage to produce some drama. It's sort of heartbreaking to see Sweetie Belle and Rarity seemingly break their sisterhood like that. Especially when Rarity starts regretting it not long after (Even more especially when she's tearing up at the picture Sweetie made of her and Rarity in an Arts and Crafts sort of thing). Now if it was just Rarity and Sweetie Belle in the episode. It'd be a good episode but not nearly dynamic enough. It's Applejack and Apple Bloom that actually gives it a little tip in this episode's favor. They provided an example of already co-operative sisters to Sweetie and what she thought was an alternative to being sisters with Rarity. It's then that the plan for the race with Rarity really sets things in motion. Applejack proves once again her dependability when she helps Rarity and Sweetie get back together through using a clever trick with the mud at the start of the race. And Rarity proved she'll run with mud over her if something very dear to her (In case a sisterhood with Sweetie Belle) is in danger. Also I can't help but laugh at Apple Bloom's "One. Day."

This was a real hard one. But I think I'm giving this one to Sisterhooves Social. I loved all the Pinkie Pie moments that came from Griffon the Brush-Off. But for the reason that I didn't really like Gilda even for the just desserts she got at the end. I felt Sisterhooves Social has more going for it in that it has the humor, it has the drama and heartbreak, and the major characters that were involved each had their own great moments to add to the episode. I also priortize Family lessons more then I do Friendship ones. Which might be just a personal preference. It's also good to note that Sisterhooves Social was the first episode in the series ever to not have Twilight at all in the episode. Which mean Lesson Zero immediately was making an effect. (I also have this headcanon that after having to deal with Discord, going insane, and having to help Luna she's had enough and needed a break like this haha).

Both are good/great episodes for one way or another. But on an overall matter, I enjoy Sisterhooves more then Griffon. Point goes to Season 2.

Season 1: 1
Season 2: 4