Simple Ways, Simple Ideas

Long story short this episode is easily one of the worst. Right along with Games Ponies Play and Spike at your Service. Where this episode falters is the same way those other two do. The characters in them are so oblivious of how ridiculous they are being.

Rarity. She is the biggest oaf in this episode. Think back to A Dog and Pony Show, where Rarity's character of the "girly girl" is put to the test. in that she acted strong, and intelligent. In this episode she was just a drooling girl with a hopeless crush, i.e. exactly what you'd think a girly girl would be. I'd almost be okay with this fact if this was her first time being crushed by a crush, but it is not. She went through nearly the same thing with Prince Blueblood, and there even managed to retain her dignity. Also she let herself get so wrapped up with her own endeavors that she completely forgot about planing the event, despite multiple times being reminded of it. All of this, mind you was before the second commercial break. And then she went full "country". If I was not intent on watching it all the way through to write this, i would have turned it off right then and there. For the element of Generosity, Rarity sure spent a lot of time tending to her own pointless troubles than putting on a good show.

Applejack. For the first half of the episode, she was okay. Perhaps a bit oblivious to Trenderhoof's affection, but I was okay with that because she knew she had work to be doing. True, she could have told him to piss off, but she did well with what she did. And then she reacted to Rarity. Oh boy. Right at Rarity's second display she was there, surrounded by all her friends. If there were ever a moment to tell off her friend who'd gone off the deep end, it was then. But, she went and did, whatever it was that was. I'm not even sure that was a plan. if she was trying to outwit Rarity, well she certainly succeeded, but of all the ways to pull her back around, that was the messiest (no pun intended)

Spike. He had his moments, but he never felt impactful. After Rarity had her breakdown, that was his moment to play a big role in the episode. But alas, he did nothing. No snapping Rarity out of it, no "I know the feeling", no opening up to Rarity. Sure his Are-you-kidding-me face was neat, but it just dissipated to scene from the true feels moment it could have been. I think this is just the writers not knowing what to do with Spike the Character.

Trenderhoof. Ironically, he was the most bearable character in this episode. For what it's worth he was sincere with himself about what he wanted. He wanted Applejack. That being said, he did feel a little like

You know who is is. A plot device by nature, I can't fault him for his actions too much. He did what he needed to do.

Pinkie Pie. What. I- I just- I don't even. I'm just going to ignore that like the rest of this one.

The lesson. Honestly I didn't even pay attention. I was just happy it was over with. I'm pretty sure they had learned that lesson before, therefor this episode accomplished nothing, or if anything brought our beloved ponies down a notch.

Over all, a terrible mess. Maybe some good reaction faces may come out of this episode, but it just fell flat. 1/10. A shame, to hit such a low right after Pinkie Pride.