Top Twelve Make Your Mark Episodes · 6:43pm Dec 1st, 2023
Much as I might like to include "Secrets of Starlight" on this list, it's both the only special that would appear on this list and it's double the length of any other episode. You can consider it an honorable mention. With that out of the way, with Make Your Mark apparently wrapped up for good, I think now's as good a time as any to cover what its best episodes were. I think there's just enough to justify a top twelve instead of a top ten. Of course, this is just my personal opinion so please respect it.
12. The Isle of Scaly (Chapter 6, Episode 1)
Why it's on the bottom: In the grand scheme of things, the dragons were pointless. Aside from when Opaline captured two off-screen, the dragons were just there to power up Opaline and so that Spike could fill in a few tiny gaps about how G4 became G5. Still, getting to see Spike again was nice. And the designs of the dragons don't bother me. They kind of remind me of the dragons from the Spyro franchise (at least the classic triology and its Reignited remastering). As the set up for the final battle against Opaline, this is still good. Seeing the ponies and dragons interact together was nice, even if I wish they had done more.
11. Sunny Side Up (Chapter 4, Episode 4)
Why it's not on the bottom: The shipping is strong with this one. As if you needed further incentive to ship Sunny and Hitch, this episode has them starring in their own cooking show, with Pipp trying to create good television. Really, though, it's the stuff with Misty and especially Opaline that commands attention. Opaline finally actually does something instead of just standing around and grumbling. She actually goes out on her own to get a macguffin, and grounds Misty for failing her. Misty, meanwhile, takes her first step towards independence from Opaline, breaking the magical hold to watch Sunny and Hitch.
10. Izzy Does It (Chapter 2, Episode 1)
Why it's in the bottom three: This could be considered a second pilot of sorts for Make Your Mark, and thus a third or fourth pilot for G5 depending on what you wanna count. In terms of it being an Izzy episode, it's pretty good. Really, the only problem stems from Pipp being in the episode's story too. It feels like they added Pipp to the story late, because she causes the conflict in the story, gets her own conflict, but doesn't get to resolve either conflict. This was also our big introduction to Opaline and Misty, and the beginning of the arc of Misty spying on the mane five for Opaline. This episode really helped to show what Izzy could be and should be. It's a shame she only got one other focus episode after this, but then again quantity doesn't always mean quality.
9. Hoofdunit? (Chapter 2, Episode 7)
Why it's in the top ten: The big problem with this episode is that it gives away the game way too soon. First it shows Misty burying the lantern in the garden outside the Brighthouse, and then later it shows Pipp re-burying the lantern and adding a twist. So we the audience know the answer to the mystery before Zipp does, which just makes Zipp look stupid for not noticing the obvious. Plus, Pipp's decision about the lantern wasn't hers to make since it wasn't her lantern that got stolen. Pipp had good intentions, but she should've asked Sunny before re-burying the lantern. Not for the last time, Misty is a big part of what carries the episode, seeing her panic and then regret her rash decision, and show the first real signs that she's torn about working for Opaline.
8. Top Remodel (Chapter 4, Episode 2)
Why it's in the bottom five: Honestly, this feels like it should've been made into a special instead of "Bridlewoodstock". With all the plots that are ongoing here, it really feels like a special would've given then more time to flesh them all out. Zipp's plot is one that feels the most tacked on: Her finally getting around to deciphering Twilight's message from the crystals. The other plots are stronger, mostly Pipp and Hitch's with the contrast between them over Canterlogic being shut down and potentially haunted. Of course, the big selling point is that this episode marked the re-introduction of Sprout in what would be his biggest role in all of Make Your Mark. And he's still as speciesist as ever towards the pegasi and unicorns, and he's not really on friendly terms with Pipp or Zipp. Seeing Sprout again was a very big plus, something rather unexpected and in a good way.
7. Have You Seen This Dragon? (Chapter 2, Episode 8)
Why it's in the bottom half: The beginning of the short lived arc about Misty chasing after Sparky to steal his dragonfire magic for Opaline. The episode wastes no time in jumping right into the fray, starting off with Sparky being kidnapped and Hitch starting to panic. Hitch really ends up stealing the show by the end with "Operation Glitterbomb" and him posing as a superhero. The rest of the mane five (aside from Sunny) go off to do their own things, which ends up causing them to inadvertently step on each other's hooves and get in the way. Misty, meanwhile, continues her internal conflicts. However, when they repeat the exact shame three times, it undercuts a lot of the tension since we know Sparky isn't in danger.
6. Family Trees, Parts 1 and 2 (Chapter 5, Episodes 2 and 3)
Why it's in the top half: The first of only two two parters in all of Make Your Mark, and definitely the weaker of the two, not that that's a bad thing. The biggest selling point for this two parter is that we get to see the Breezies again, with them now running a night market in Bridlewood. Of course, the big focus is on Misty and her having dreams/flashbacks to her past, with her searching for answers about where she comes from and where she belongs. Meanwhile, there's a mostly tacked on plot about Sparky needing to be around dragon stuff to re-energize him after Opaline drained most of his dragonfire magic. That feels like it could've been its own separate story in another episode, even if it ends up commanding more attention by the end. That's not to say that they forget Misty's story, because the episode ends with the revelation that she is Alphabittle's long lost daughter who disappeared from Bridlewood as a filly.
5. Roots of All Evil, Parts 1 and 2 (Chapter 6, Episodes 2 and 3)
Why it's in the top five: What a strange coincidence to have both two parters of Make Your Mark be the second and third episodes of their respective chapters. Anyway, this constitutes the big final battle against Opaline, the end game threat. As jarring as it is for Opaline to suddenly increase in scale and power, they do mostly establish her as a threat that must be defeated. Each of our heroes gets a chance to shine, most noticeably Misty when she finally reveals her defection. Sunny's final showdown with Opaline, though short and rushed, is still satisfying to watch and see. And "We've Got The Magic" definitely feels like an incredible song for the final showdown. Now if only Spike and the dragons hadn't been so useless.
4. The Traditional Unicorn Sleepover (Chapter 2, Episode 6)
Why it's not in the top three: This is when Make Your Mark first started showing signs of life, showing signs that it might be going somewhere. Opaline finally settles on an actually good scheme, sending Misty to infiltrate the group and gain their trust. Of course, Izzy is the character of focus here, and she shines in what would be her only other focus episode for all of Make Your Mark. Compared to Sunny's obsessiveness during "Winter Wishday", it makes sense for Izzy to become something of a perfectionist here, given that she never really had a friend growing up. And this is probably the only other episode of Make Your Mark besides "Portrait of a Princess" in which Sparky is completely irrelevant to the overall narrative (though he does still cameo at the beginning of the episode, so only "Portrait of a Princess" is completely void of him). Kind of funny how that works.
3. Father of the Bridlewood (Chapter 5, Episode 4)
Why it's in the top three: Alphabittle's big day in the limelight, and the culmination of Misty's arc in Chapter 5. Of course, there is also a mostly tacked on plot about Sunny and Zipp visiting Elderflower and taking her to Zephyr Heights. But the real focus remains almost exclusively on Alphabittle trying to reconnect with Misty, and Misty struggling with whether or not to tell her dad the truth about how she feels. For what would be his last speaking appearance in all of Make Your Mark, Alphabittle certainly went out on a high note. This episode is very emotional, and we know Alphabittle means well. Plus, he comes to accept that he's wrong in the end. It's a very real look at parenting and the bonds it can create.
2. Missing the Mark (Chapter 4, Episode 7)
Why it's not on the top: If we had gotten to see how Misty was able to finally capture Sparky after so many failed attempts, this episode would probably be perfect. As it is, the first real interaction between hero and villain carried with a lot of stakes. And this episode did not disappoint in that regard. Opaline actually felt like a real threat here, and Misty's betrayal carried with it a lot of emotional stakes, as did the rescue of Sparky from Opaline's clutches. It's such a shame that this was more or less the highwater mark for Make Your Mark, and that right when it seemed like it was going somewhere it had the plug abruptly pulled on it.
1. The Manesquerade Ball (Chapter 4, Episode 5)
Why it's on the top: As a sneak preview for Misty joining the mane five for good, and even as a subtle foreshadowing to the revelation of Misty as Alphabittle's long lost daughter, this episode was fantastic. It was great to get out of Maretime Bay and go somewhere else for a change. Heck, even Rocky and Jazz got a chance to shine when Pipp invited them to the Maresquerade Ball. And Misty finally opened up about her lack of a cutie mark, at the same time that Zipp was conducting some research into ancient alicorns. This was such a good juggling act for all the characters that were focused on, and a taste of things to come. That's why it ultimately takes the top spot on the list.
And there you have it, come back tomorrow for the last G5 related blog with a look at the Top Ten Make Your Mark Songs.
Pretty good list, I must say I've enjoyed reading your blogs especially in G5.
With regard to "Top Remodel", I wouldn't say Sprout was being speciesist but rather possessive of the factory since it was his mother's business before being shut down. I do wish we'd gotten to see more of him and his interacting with the main six(He was at the Nightmare Night party at the brighthouse, meaning Sunny had certainly forgiven him for his actions in the movie, and he joins the other Maretime Bay ponies in singing "The Magic in Us" during Opaline's defeat.).