Ranking all FIM Episodes: More Average, More of the Same, More...Oh, You Get The Idea · 8:33pm Oct 3rd, 2023
The average, mundane, blah, and somewhat boring continues here on the ol' FIM rankings. While none of these episodes are categorically terrible, I wouldn't categorize them as "essential" FIM viewing. So, let's get into it.
#189: Newbie Dash
Rainbow Dash gets bullied by her new Wonderbolts teammates via an embarrassing nickname that she acquired as a filly at Flight Camp. The episode falls short in a number of areas, most especially in its moral of "accept a stupid nickname with an embarrassing past attache because we want you to FIT IN! JUST FIT IN!" Eh, at least the episode hits a few good notes in the slapstick comedy department.
#188: Tanks For The Memories
Turtles, tortoises, and the like are all very fun, interesting little animals. They creep about with their shelled bodies, poking their heads out to feed, seek mates, and just generally do turtle/tortoise things. They even become pets to some. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash is not the most well read on how her pet operates and she has no idea that he has to hibernate. So, we get 22 minutes of Dashie running around trying to force Tank not to be a turtle. That's basically it. It does have one of the best crying scenes in show history...so there's that.
#187: School Daze, Pt. 2
Part 2 of "Twilight and friends battle an organization that she is well within her rights as a princess to either shut down or utilize some form of legal power to depose its overtly racist leader." Though it is miles better than part one, it still has its issues. Thankfully, though, it does feature Twilight mustering up some fortitude and actually standing up to the aforementioned bigot. It also does a good job in bringing The Young Six together. Whether or not they deserved to remain a unit is up to personal opinion. However, seeing the different species interacting, really for the first time, is quite interesting.
#186: A Rockhoof and a Hard Place
A Pillar of Equestria finds it hard to fit in, so Twilight and her friends have to convince him that he has a purpose and can make a difference, even in modern day Equestria. Again, while not essential viewing, it does have a solid moral to it and one or two good moments. But the most memorable thing from the episode is its darkest moment...where Rockhoof, quite literally, asks Twilight to kill him. That's right, folks. We have somepony asking someone else to turn them into stone because they are so freakin' depressed. (All together now) MY LITTLE PONY, MY LITTLE PONY....
(heh...)
#185: May The Best Pet Win
Oh, look, another Dash and Tank episode! This one's the original. It does hold one of the best songs of the second season, but other than that, this one's forgettable. Dash gets her comeuppance for being arrogant (AGAIN) and, in the process, gains a new friend/pet in Tank. It is fun to watch her interact with the different animals, especially in Fluttershy's backyard. Unfortunately, it doesn't do enough to cover up a bit of a shallow story and some of the show's more dull writing.
