Hanes' thoughts on: Seasons

I'm going to jump straight onto the bandwagon and say that Season one is obviously the best season, followed by season three, with season two in last place.
Season one, being the start of the series and all, was just full of greatly written episodes, including two of my top three favorite episodes, "Sonic Rainboom." and "Applebuck Season." "Cutie-Mark Chronicles" also is my fifth favorite episode (the Main Six as fillies are just so goddamn adorable). These episodes did a great job developing all the characters personalities and introducing them into the show. The music produced for the season was very good as well. The only problem I saw with this season, is that, with Twilight really being the main character and all, she had to somehow be incorporated into every episode. This is evident in “Stare Masters” and “The Show Stoppers,” episodes that really didn't require her presence, but it did not really bother me that much (Twilight is my second favorite character).
Now onto season two, infamous for many for almost ruining the show. It started strong with the pilot, with Discord being one of the best antagonists, but then it quickly degraded. Episodes really weren't written as well as the first season, and didn't feel the same, they didn't have that emotion and oomph that was felt before. Many of the episodes were..... flat. Whats evident in this season is that it pretty much destroyed all the main character's personalities. “Lesson Zero,” to my dismay, destroyed Twilight, turning her into this constantly-stressed, leader-pleasing sociopath. Many fanfics will describe her as this, and every time I see it, it depresses me. “Sweet and Elite,” “Mysterious Mare-Do-Well,” and “A Friend in Need” all chopped up and spit out Rarity's, Dashes and Pinkies characters, respectively. Rarity is seen as this pompous, selfish (ironically) valley girl. Dash comes off as this self-centered jerk-face. Pinkie just seems like the Ed of Equestria. Even Fluttershy wasn't spared. “Putting your Hoof Down” was so out of character for her. Many fanfics will use these representations of the Mane Six in them, and it's not right. However, not all was lost, Season two still houses two of my favorite episodes, including “Hearths-Warming Eve,” and “It's About Time” (3rd and 6th favorites). I especially like that the writers incorporated every pony writing letters to Celestia, and not just Twilight. This allows for episodes to focus on one character and not have to drag Twilight in to save (or ruin) the day. I can see why many disliked it, it wasn't up to par compared to Season One, but at least it wasn't unwatchable and you could definitely still enjoy it.
Season Three was a good come-back. Of, course the length of the season was lacking, but it did good in repairing the personalities and using great plots. A bit disappointing that Rarity did not get her own episode, but Spike got two. The pilot was a good start, but the ending should really have been a two-parter. Nine songs and a very quick destiny problem made the episode feel too rushed. Definitely worth waiting weekly to watch while dealing with the stresses of college. Lets just hope that Twilicorn doesn't destroy all potential future for the show. I don't care what anyone else thinks, she looks even more adorkable with her little wings.
Lets hope for a great Season Four early next year!