An episode a day

[Rares]

S1E7 Dragonshy! I got to say, it definitely is very noticeable that while I don't think character development is really quite evident in many of the characters on shows like this, I think it definitely is in Fluttershy's case. Not that I have a strong opinion on it, I just thinks it's evident seeing this. I really like episodes where the Mane 6 do things like this. Going on an adventure together. I adored the scene where they were all getting ready, and I loved them interacting on the way up. It's definitely the character interactions that make this show good.

Also how Rari was stealing from a dragon, that was fun.

[Rares]

S1E8 Look Before You Sleep. I really enjoy this one, so of course I was more than happy to watch this. At this point, with the exception of Simple Ways which holds some different meanings to me, I'm getting really tired of Rarity/Applejack episodes, and this one is the only one I really enjoyed them and their banter in it. I just feel it's so overdone, but at least at this point it wasn't. Rari is incredibly memorable, and her lines are incredibly quotable. "It. Is. On." and "OOOOoooooOooOOO" are some of my favorite moments in the series. Plus a sleepover! Who doesn't love a good sleepover?

[Rares]

S1E9, Bridle Gossip. Or what I suspect the running title was: "Rarity really hates zebras". While nothing particularly groundbreaking or amazingly special, I just found this to be another cute enjoyable episode with good characters. Apple Bloom in particular of course stands out, she's really great in this one I find, taking responsibility. It may have the overdone "don't judge a book by its cover" lesson, but at least this time it was done with an enjoyable gimmick with it, the poison joke, again keeping it with a simple SOL that doesn't really have too much else to it. May not be one of my favorite S1 episodes, but it shows off what's good in the season, so to say I think.

[Gentian]

S1E9, Bridle Gossip. Or what I suspect the running title was: "Rarity really hates zebras". While nothing particularly groundbreaking or amazingly special, I just found this to be another cute enjoyable episode with good characters. Apple Bloom in particular of course stands out, she's really great in this one I find, taking responsibility. It may have the overdone "don't judge a book by its cover" lesson, but at least this time it was done with an enjoyable gimmick with it, the poison joke, again keeping it with a simple SOL that doesn't really have too much else to it. May not be one of my favorite S1 episodes, but it shows off what's good in the season, so to say I think.

This is a good episode, and Apple Bloom really shines in it. Many of the little jokes are memorable, too. Flutterguy, Hairity (sorry) and Flaccid Twi. There's no way the animators weren't nudging each other and giggling like tween boys who just found a playboy in the trash on that last one.

Aside from that, though, the social aspect of this one kind of bothered me. The way the ponies treated Zecora raises uncomfortable questions in my mind about how they would react to a human in their midst. A zebra at least looks like a pony, albeit an exceptionally garish one, but Homo Sapiens doesn't bear even a passing resemblance. Then again, humans may be so different that we rocket down one side of the uncanny valley and right up, up, and away on the other.

Even leaving that aside, though, it also shows an unhealthy (and inaccurate) devotion to group-think which Twi tells me the ponies don't usually exhibit.

Oh well, with all else the writers get wrong, that's easy enough to overlook.

[Rares]

Hairity (sorry)

How could you?

Aside from that, though, the social aspect of this one kind of bothered me. The way the ponies treated Zecora raises uncomfortable questions in my mind about how they would react to a human in their midst. A zebra at least looks like a pony, albeit an exceptionally garish one, but Homo Sapiens doesn't bear even a passing resemblance. Then again, humans may be so different that we rocket down one side of the uncanny valley and right up, up, and away on the other.

Even leaving that aside, though, it also shows an unhealthy (and inaccurate) devotion to group-think which Twi tells me the ponies don't usually exhibit.

I think this was definitely one of those things that was heavily over-exaggerated for the sake of a cartoon, just to drive the lesson home. And as you said, Twi says that kind of behavior isn't expressed, it's definitely chalked up to the equivalent of fanfic with a message. At least this one was enjoyable, and didn't harm anyone. That's what matters to me.

Anyway, S1E10 Swarm of the Century. I feel like this is a really good episode on Pinkie Pie, as it shows how intelligent she is, just in a different way. Truth be told, I think all of the Mane 6 are highly intelligent, just in different ways, as it's not like there's only one way to be smart. Twi being very intelligent in scientific ways, Rarity with business and socialization, Applejack with agriculture, and so on. With Pinkie, I don't want to say "random" but I feel like she specializes in very good out-of-the-box thinking. I don't find that to be random at all, it's important and comes in handy. Clearly, here. And of course it introduced another silly creature into the world of Equestria.

I must say though, I do find it slightly hard to believe Twilight had no knowledge of the creature before, in all of her readings. I'd think she'd have something. But oh well whatever, still an enjoyable cute episode.

[Rares]

S1E11, Winter Wrap Up, considered an absolute classic in the series. Of course, the song is unforgettable, and I do like the earlier on lessons of Twilight learning things about the culture of Ponyville and how things are done. And I do like the more obsessive side of Rarity shown, showing one of her flaws that I can relate to, focusing too much on the little things. Something about that I find sweet. I don't know too much else to say about this episode, I mean it's good, but being considered such a classic it's been talked about a lot already, and I don't have a lot else to add.

Though I do question how it's going to be Fall in 2 episodes.

[Rares]

S1E12 Call of the Cutie.

No Rarity in this episode, why am I even watching it? And she doesn't even do anything in the next one! What's the point?

Apple Bloom is really great in this episode, and I feel it did a lot of good for her. Introducing her for the first time as a character on her own, and even without the CMC, I think it was a really good episode because it shows who she is, on her own. Well I mean in terms of "on her own" there was the Zecora episode, but that wasn't so much focused on her as this one. I feel like the writers all too often write the CMC as if they are some hivemind, and I don't think that does anyone any good. It's best to remember they're individuals too, and not just a trio.

[Rares]

S1E13 Fall Weather Friends

I thought this one was alright. I feel like Dash and Applejack worked very well together, and watching them play off each other was very fun. I wish the show stuck with them interacting more, rather than overdoing Rarity/Applejack. And I must say, the minor details are things to be appreciated in this episode too. Like I never noticed Twi's tree home changed colors along with the other trees, that looked very nice.

Anyway, tomorrow is a very special episode!

[Rares]

S1E14, Suited for Success, one of my all time favorites. I feel like it os a wonderful episode in terms of showcasing Rari's character, who she is and how she cares for her friends. Her passion, generosity, and some of her flaws are shown off in a wonderful way that defines who she is. I remember the whole reason I made myself watch the show after Sonic Rainboom was to watch this episode. Art of the Dress also is a song that means so much to me. And the idea that Rarity makes dresses for her friends, and in return they make hers, it's just one of the sweetest episodes there is for me. An easy 10/10 episode, one of the few in my book.

Upon rewatching though, I noticed something about Opal. She didn't behave how she's often shown. In most episodes it seems like Opal is always clawing and hissing at Raro, never quite happy. But if you notice in this episode, she actually seems really content, and smiles a lot more. I would have preferred Opal to behave a little more like this, as opposed to in thr near future with Stare Master.

[Rares]

S1E15 Feeling Pinkie Keen.

While I wouldn't say it was bad, it was certainly different from how I remember. Twilight seemed a bit off, like they forced her way too hard to be anti-faith, and she said some things she really wouldn't say. There was also a visual joke I missed about her literally standing on a soapbox to speak to Pinkie, and that just didn't seem right. But what I will say is I think this episode does well is it shows off that Pinkie isn't a complete moron, like the writers of more recent episodes try to treat her as. I feel like she's really rather intelligent in her own right, and sometimes the show just ignores that in favor of "random". But rewatching this episode, I think I can see why so many people still dislike it so much.