Blog: Top 5 Worst Episodes, Top 10 Best Episodes, and Overall Episode Ranking!

Here's my ranking of all the MLP episodes! I'm doing something different here, usually people just rank their top 10, but here's everything!

I used this website to do this, which is actually really helpful if you ever want a make a ranking list like this of your own. I'll link it right here!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ufynk6iwcq8xn3e/favorite%20episodes.html

Just be warned that it's a hugee time sink. 485 different match-ups in total, I think! But it's a pretty good program nonetheless, and it'll help you sort out your episode list of your own!

But that time sink is one of the reasons why I'm getting this blog out so late. I wanted to release this blog on Friday, but I was 80% through the match-ups before my computer decided then was a good time for an update. And after that maddening event, I had to take a little break before I even attempted to do the list again. Especially because the website doesn't have some kind of saving system or anything.

Now for those who are at all interested in my sorting process, I think i'm pretty easy-going when it comes to pony stuff in general. I seldom if ever hate anything from the show. But I feel that greatest crime that an episode can commit (other than maybe be completely detestable), is just being forgettable. If there aren't any big scenes or moments in an episode to make it stand out, then it probably won't be looked at very highly by me. In fact, most of the episodes on the bottom of the list are guilty of this. It's not like most of them are bad or I hated them or anything, they were just unmemorable.

And as a reverse, the same goes for my favorite episodes. They have moments that I can come back to again and again, and a great story structure to boot. Usually, the dialogue is great and it has a good message at the end. And near the top is what I consider to best the greatest examples of what My Little Pony can offer, and are often the episodes I find myself going back to the most.

So without further ado, here it is! (for anyone interesting in knowing what my episode ranking is)

I'll explain some of my thoughts, and go over my Top 10 and Bottom 5 below. Check it out!

Rank Episode
1 2x03 Lesson Zero
2 2x22 Hurricane Fluttershy
3 3x06 Sleepless in Ponyville
4 4x26 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 2
5 4x25 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 1
6 2x02 The Return of Harmony - Part 2
7 2x01 The Return of Harmony - Part 1
8 2x05 Sisterhooves Social
9 2x26 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 2
10 2x25 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 1
11 1x23 The Cutie Mark Chronicles
12 4x12 Pinkie Pride
13 1x25 Party of One
14 1x11 Winter Wrap Up
15 2x09 Sweet and Elite
16 2x04 Luna Eclipsed
17 4x21 Testing Testing 1, 2, 3
18 4x10 Rainbow Falls
19 4x08 Rarity Takes Manehattan
20 4x03 Castle Mane-ia
21 1x26 The Best Night Ever
22 4x18 Maud Pie
23 1x09 Bridle Gossip
24 4x14 Filli Vanilli
25 1x14 Suited for Success
26 2x19 Putting Your Hoof Down
27 4x06 Power Ponies
28 3x05 Magic Duel
29 2x06 The Cutie Pox
30 2x24 MMMystery on the Friendship Express
31 3x02 The Crystal Empire - Part 2
32 3x01 The Crystal Empire - Part 1
33 1x17 Stare Master
34 3x10 Keep Calm and Flutter On
35 3x13 Magical Mystery Cure
36 2x20 It's About Time
37 1x18 The Show Stoppers
38 2x07 May the Best Pet Win!
39 2x14 The Last Roundup
40 2x18 A Friend in Deed
41 2x17 Hearts and Hooves Day
42 4x13 Simple Ways
43 4x02 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 2
44 4x01 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 1
45 4x11 Three's A Crowd
46 3x03 Too Many Pinkie Pies
47 2x23 Ponyville Confidential
48 1x20 Green Isn't Your Colour
49 1x15 Feeling Pinkie Keen
50 2x16 Read It and Weep
51 1x21 Over a Barrel
52 2x12 Baby Cakes
53 2x10 Secret of My Excess
54 4x22 Trade Ya!
55 1x08 Look Before You Sleep
56 2x15 The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000
57 4x20 Leap of Faith
58 4x09 Pinkie Apple Pie
59 1x16 Sonic Rainboom
60 1x24 Owl's Well That Ends Well
61 1x19 A Dog and Pony Show
62 3x11 Just for Sidekicks
63 1x05 Griffon the Brush-Off
64 1x03 The Ticket Master
65 1x06 Boast Busters
66 4x23 Inspiration Manifestation
67 1x04 Applebuck Season
68 3x09 Spike at Your Service
69 1x22 A Bird in the Hoof
70 1x13 Fall Weather Friends
71 2x11 Family Appreciation Day
72 2x13 Hearth's Warming Eve
73 1x02 Friendship is Magic - Part 2
74 1x01 Friendship is Magic - Part 1
75 4x07 Bats!
76 1x10 Swarm of the Century
77 3x07 Wonderbolts Academy
78 1x07 Dragonshy
79 4x24 Equestria Games
80 3x08 Apple Family Reunion
81 4x16 It Ain't Easy Being Breezies
82 3x04 One Bad Apple
83 4x05 Flight to the Finish
84 2x21 Dragon Quest
85 4x04 Daring Don't
86 4x19 For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils
87 4x17 Somepony to Watch Over Me
88 1x12 Call of the Cutie
89 3x12 Games Ponies Play
90 4x15 Twilight Time
91 Mx00 Equestria Girls
92 2x08 The Mysterious Mare Do Well

Now from 78 onwards are the episodes I consider to be forgettable. They weren't bad, but they didn't have much going for them. And the episodes I consider to be really great are in the top 25. Now I can't go over all of everything, and let's face it, I don't think many people would actually care to read all of my opinions on each episode, but for anyone who is at least kinda interested, here's my breakdown of the bottom 5 and top 10!

I'm starting with Bottom 5 first so we can at least end on a good note. Although I guess that means we're starting off on a sour note.

Bottom 5

5. Call of the Cutie 1x12

I feel that this episode, for what it was trying to do, completely succeeded. It explained the concept of cutie marks, introduced the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, and gave the show the structure it needed to pursue greater storylines with the CMC. To use one episode to set-up something that'll be used for the rest of the show is very impressive within itself. But that's all it really is for me, just good set-up. Maybe it had to do with the fact that my first watch-through was kinda a mix between Season 1 and 2, so as I watched other CMC episodes before this one, this one felt like a complete retread. In fact, if I watched the show in the correct order, this episode may be more within the 50ish range, and that's probably my fault. But it's still one of the episodes I find myself coming back to the least. It's good set-up and has some cutesy moments, but it rarely keeps me coming back for more.

4. Games Ponies Play 3x12

Now, I'm not even that against Cadence, as I've said before. And that's not the problem with this; this episode's problems just stem from being the posterchild of forgettable. There are a few nice moments, and Ms. Peachbottom pretty much carried the episode. But they were too far and between, making this a very "meh" episode.

3. Twilight Time 4x15

Now we're getting into some of the bad stuff. There are some episodes, that upon watching the first time, I feel are really bad, but upon further rewatches, get better with time. (eg. Wonderbolts Academy, Bats!) This fulfills the former quite well, but never the latter. I felt that following a good string of episodes in Season 4, Episodes 8 to 14, this one completely wrecked the streak. And as I'll probably go over in my season overview blog, introduced a streak of its own. Absolutely forgettable, with nothing really that interesting. It's harmless yes, but it's in no way good in my opinion. Just very boring and predictable.

2. Equestria Girls Mx00

Admittedly, I may be a little harsh on this one because of my criteria. When choosing episodes, I was mostly thinking about episodes that I could see myself rewatching, and I suppose for EQG, its length was a problem. But nonetheless, the movie wasn't anything to write home about. I definitely don't hate it, but like Twilight Time above, it's harmless. But its cliches get the better of it. It doesn't deteriorate the franchise as much as people like to believe, but it doesn't do anything very interesting either. It's predictable in the worst way, without many strong moments to keep it afloat. I won't go into some passionate tirade about how much it "RUINED EVERYTHING 4EVERRRRRR!!!!11 TWILIGHT SPARKLE IS MY WAIFU FUCK FLASH", but it's just kinda there. I'm ambivalent towards it, you just won't find me watching it again anytime soon.

On the other hand, Rainbow Rocks was a welcome change. This feels more like the movie Equestria Girls should've been. While predictable in some parts, it has some funny and genuine warm moments to make it shine. The website didn't update for Rainbow Rocks, but I'd give it a 61.5 ranking. Not forgettable to be in the mediocre list, but not winning any kind of award or anything. EDIT: After rewatching for the umpteenth time, it's really grown on me. A 39.5 for sure. And Sonata is still best grill.

1. The Mysterious Mare Do Well 2x08

Surprising absolutely nobody. What else is there to say about this episode? Unlike everything else on the bottom half of this list, I legitimately dislike this episode. Everything else was mediocre or forgettable, but this is the only one I try to go out of my way from watching. Admittedly, it does have a few nice moments and the Mare-do-Well has some cool parts, which should make it stand out from the rest of the forgettable list. But all the common complaints that everybody has ragged on about this episode simply drag whatever good those parts have into the mud. There are episodes I don't like that much, like Dragon Quest, but they have some small moments that keep it slightly afloat. But whatever small moments this episode has, think of a Tom-pile of problems weighting that shit down. I've watched this episode twice and don't have any intention of going back to it again.

Anywayss, I think that's enough negativity. While it may be hard to believe after reading that, I do love the show. So let's get down to the fun part. Top 10!

I'm counting the two-parters as just one episode, which is why they're grouped together. They were meant to be watched together, so I group them together in my mind. So let's go!

Top 10

10. Party of One 1x25

I feel like you'll find from my Top 10s that my tastes are pretty predictable. Party of One is fantastic, and brings on a feeling of watching some old Looney Tunes cartoons, with a twist. Yes, it has a predictable outcome, but they have that one big unpredictable thing that completely blows out any problems out of the water. It amazed me when I first watched it, and it amazes me still.

9. Pinkie Pride 4x12

What an episode! After I first finished watching it the first time, my first impression was that the pace was definitely rushed. But then the rest of everything just came flooding back in. Rushed? Who gives a shit? This episode was superb. This was initially higher on my list (like, top 5 levels) the first time I found this ranking website (which was shortly after finishing Season 4), but I felt the need to make an updated list for this blog, given that I was still running a Season 4 high, and to get a more accurate view of my rankings. But don't get me wrong, this episode is still fantastic! Weird Al excels as always, and this was just a blast to watch. Funny, great, and a good example of Pinkie's character! And the music is some of the best it's been in Season 4! Though most of Season 4's music comes from this episode admittedly. And all of Season 4's music is pretty great. Well, I just keep coming back to it, so that's a sign of something good, right?

8. The Cutie Mark Chronicles 1x23

I believe general consensus is that this episode is good, but I don't think you'll find it on many top 10 lists. But I absolutely adore it. Learning how the mane six got their cutie marks is such a welcome touch, and each of theirs fits so well. I feel like this is a shining example of an episode to show others to get them a feel of the whole mane cast. Sure, the friendship letter at the end is a little tacky, but that doesn't matter. This episode captures everybody's characters perfectly, allows you to learn about their pasts, and is genuinely entertaining to boot! What more could you want?

7. A Canterlot Wedding 2x25 & 2x26

As I said in the Chapter 33 blogpost, despite all the picking apart Loose Change did of this episode, this is still one of my favorite episodes. But it's the case where Part 2 picks up most of the slack. In fact, when you think about it more, there's a lot of problems with this episode; the Royal Couple for one, Twilight's friends, etc. But it was just such a wild ride throughout it all that I just can't help but look past it. This episode is anything but flawless, but it's still a fun time every time I watch it. And I can forget all those small details for the fantasticness of that mane six smackdown at the end. Not perfect, but a crowdpleaser through and through.

6. Sisterhooves Social 2x05

I love this episode. Maybe it's more personal to me, but there is quite a bond between siblings. And this episode was heartwarming through and through. The moral's never shined more clearly in my eyes, and as a friendship letter episode, this is one of the few that gains a perfect rating from me. You really feel for Sweetie Belle and Rarity's relationship throughout the whole thing, and it reaches a fantastic point at its ending. This is just an example of an episode that shines in every way.

5. The Return of Harmony 2x01 & 2x02

What can I say? One of my all-time favorite two-parters for the longest time. And what praise can I lay on this episode that hasn't already been said? It's great, has a fantastically played villain and character, and really makes you feel that Twilight, and the friendship between the mane six, has grown. And once you accomplish a feat like that, you know you've done something really fantastic.

4. Twilight's Kingdom 4x25 & 4x26

I can't tell you how many times I rewatched this episode. Fantastic on all fronts, horns blasting. While The Return of Harmony, my previous favorite two-parter, was something really grand, this episode continues to pile on bigger and bigger things on. It has a great villain, and a story with stakes that could be made into a movie. And throughout it all, it feels like a natural progression for Twilight and her friends. Where The Return of Harmony focused on character and dynamics (and absolutely nailed that aspect), this episode feels like an epic, piling on bigger stakes and twists. An absolute thrill-ride to watch. And don't get me started on that fight, one that made bronies across the world gasp in collective amazement. The keys throughout the season were ingenious, and towards the end when you see the camera go through all of the key(givers? something?) reappear, it really makes you feel like that something big was accomplished. The season had some glorious purpose, and Twilight and her friends really were meant to spread the magic of friendship. And the music! And the visuals! Just great on every front. In fact, this episode could have served as the series finale, and I would've been completely satisfied. What a way to end a great season.

3. Sleepless in Ponyville 3x06

I remember when I first finished watching this episode, I immediately went back to watch it again. And then again. And somehow, even now, I still keep coming back. They waited two seasons to give Scootaloo an episode and what a spectacular episode it was. It plays on her insecurities and fears, something I'm sure many, at least once in their lives, shared with her, and with the conclusion of the episode, makes you feel that she really did overcome and become a better person pony for it. And this episode was just fantastic in general. I love Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo as a pair. And this was one of the few episodes to really make me feel strongly for the characters, and happy when they overcame it all. I knew as soon as I finished watching it that this was something special. And it sure as hell is.

2. Hurricane Fluttershy 2x22

Often I feel that Sleepless in Ponyville and this episode hover around the same point. They both accomplish what they set out to do (both being very similar within itself), and completely nail it on everything. I can't tell you how many times I've watched this episode too. But I feel this episode very nearly edges out Sleepless in Ponyville by a hair with its humor. Funny, heartwarming, fantastic, this episode is one of the penultimate Fluttershy episodes, if not standout episode in all of My Little Pony. Fluttershy faces the challenge, falters, but ultimately overcomes, and what a moment it is. And what an episode this is. 10/10! A+! 5/5!

1. Lesson Zero 2x03

Fan-favorite episode winning first? What else is new? This episode completely subverts expectations. And that's something that's always important to me. The best episodes, in my opinion, are the ones that completely throw you for a loop. One of the reasons why I never got into the show earlier was that upon watching some episodes, it seemed very ordinary. The show was great sure, everything was top-notch. But I never really got into the show because it felt typical. And that was through no fault of its own, the show doesn't have to blow all expectations out of the water. The show was what it was, a top-notch children's cartoon. The first episode I watched was Sonic Rainboom, and I appreciated it, but it never wowed me. I knew how exactly things would go down, and there were no real surprises. But I was drawn back into the show through listening to some of the music (Ingram, you magnificent beast, you), and gave some more episodes a try. They were good and all, and I started liking the show more and more, but nothing astounded me. And then I hit Lesson Zero. My god, what a wakeup call that was. One of the few episodes of the show that blows apart your expectations, and blows them apart again. And after watching it, I finally knew, that this show was really something special. Of course, I know that Lesson Zero is hardly representative of the show as a whole, but it opened up my eyes. To see what the show really was. It got me invested, it made me a fan. And goddamn, that episode was freakin' hilarious to boot. A masterpiece of My Little Pony, even if it may not represent the show in the best way. If I wanted to show somebody something that was more representative of the show, this episode wouldn't be high up there at all. But to make them realize the heights that this show can go, definitely.

I'm sure there's to be some disagreement over worst and best episodes! Of course, my list is totally subjective, but feel free to leave a comment or something! Or better yet, make a list of your own!

Anyways, I think that's long enough! Until next blog post!