S6E07: "Newbie Dash" · 8:31pm May 7th, 2016
I'm a bit surprised by how much criticism this one is getting; I enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it was quite up in classic territory, but it held its own with most of the rest of S6 so far. I do think it lost its way a bit in the second half (during the first half it was on course for an easy four-star rating), but on the whole a pretty solid debut by new writer Dave Rapp. ★★★/★★★★ (I really can't decide)
A little more (with spoilers) after the break...
Yes, some of the way Rainbow behaved was pretty cringey, but I can absolutely buy her trying too hard in that situation and in that company. The impersonations were pretty silly, but amusing nevertheless. I wonder whether the "Twilight" one might actually not have been Twi, but Moondancer (those glasses!) -- after all, Rainbow's already impersonated Twilight, in "Griffonstone". Also, Ashleigh Ball, doing Dash imitating AJ was really impressive!
Notes: this is the first time Rarity (or anyone but FS or PP) has called Rainbow "Dashie". I'm undecided about whether it really sounds right coming from her. I wasn't entirely keen on Pinkie's cotton candy thing -- she didn't wander off for food during Best Young Flyer in S1, and I'd maybe have expected her to put her friend first. Still not a big fan of Fleetfoot. That picture of the other five Mane Sixers inside Rainbow's locker! And the callbacks to "Testing Testing 1, 2, 3" were amusing.
Also, I will love this episode forever for Scootaloo's reaction to her adoptive big sister and hero becoming a full Wonderbolt at last. I haven't grinned like that since the CMC got their cutie marks. 
I also had an enormous grin on my face during one of the Scootaloo scenes, can't remember which one though.
I loved every second of this episode. It was so good to see Dash achieve her dreams (and be recognised for, ya know, saving the world)
Though I am sad that this season seems to be one of endings, as if its all coming to an end.
3928020 All of them?
3933002 Well, I doubf the show is going to go on for many more seasons in its current form whatever happens, so it doesn't surprise me. But there was a time when everyone thought "Magical Mystery Cure" would be the end, so there's still hope.