An episode a day

[Gentian]

S2E25 A Canterlot Wedding Part 1

When I first saw this one I didn't think it was so bad, but in hindsight, now having several other seasons under our belt, I dislike this as it kinda set the stage for a lot of things I dislike later on. Strictly talking about Part 1, it introduces that concept that gets used in every other premier and finale after that everyone else except Twilight is an idiot or falls victim to whatever the villain does, or just stands on the sidelines. It's not as bad here, but as it's the first time it happens it really marks the start of it being a trend. And the introduction of Cadence as a brand new princess honestly didn't make me think until now. How it really does break up quite a bit of alicorn lore at the time, stuff that I never thought of beforehand. Well the BBBFF song is really cute and catchy.

There's a lot here which I think you're right about, but not everything. I personally enjoy this episode, and agree that BBBFF is a great song. The introduction of Cadance was a seminal moment in the show, and one not handled all that well, imho. Leaving apart the destruction of lore, it makes absolutely no sense Twilight wouldn't have known who she was. In the comics, her brother was head-over-hooves for an Alicorn named Cadance, there were only 3 Alicorns. The invitation even said "Princess," and her name isn't that different.

Which brings me to my chief disagreement with what you said: everyone but Twilight acts like idiots. If anything, I think Twilight was the biggest idiot in this episode (sorry Love, I know it's not really you), with the possible exception of Princess Celestia. Not only for the aforementioned reason, but when she discovered something was up, rather than let Celybeans know right away, she makes a huge scene giving Chryssy just the ammunition she needed to pull off a successful deflection. The others had no prior experience with Cadance, and can be easily forgiven for failing to realize something was wrong, (except Cely) however, Twilight's foolishness can not.

Not only that, but with the sheer number of changelings which attacked, the M6 still managed to defeat a great many of them in (mostly) melee. The changeling's military nearly had it's butt handed to it despite the enormous advantages of numbers, surprise, and leadership decapitation. Considering this, and the way they have shown themselves to be an active, malicious threat, I have to wonder why Celestia tolerates their existence. She should wipe them out completely, yet she doesn't, and doesn't even seem to have any reliable way to detect them permanently in place. The Princess Celestia in Twi's Equestria would never behave so recklessly with the safety of her ponies, neither would Twilers herself. Fortunately there are no changelings in her world.

So, anyway, I think, rather than what you said, it was only(mostly) Twilight that acted like an idiot. Despite all these problems, though, I really do like these episodes. Hopefully you'll enjoy part 2 more than this one.