Friendship is Magic's Wall of Shame, Version 2 (Seasons 1-5) · 5:54am Dec 21st, 2015
Back at the beginning of this year, I put down a wall of shame for FiM featuring episodes from Seasons 1-4. With Season 5 having ended, and Season 6 not likely to be due out anytime soon, I think it wouldn't hurt to update the list now.
If you're curious, here's the first wall of shame. Let's see what will be added this time around.
Boast Busters, Written by: Chris Savino (Season 1, Episode 6)
Looking back, I'm glad this episode didn't kill the show. The show was just getting started, and had only produced one good episode, and a few meh episodes (including the pilot). Hypocrisy can sometimes be funny, if you're clever enough to make it work, but this is anything but funny. This is a reminder of why "Protagonist Centered Morality" is bad, you make the so called villan look like a saint compared to three of the main characters we're supposed to sympathize with and root for. Even if Trixie is being a bit obxonious, there is nothing that indicates Rainbow Dash, Rarity, or Applejack are being forced to watch the show. They could choose to leave at any point, but they stay and complain about Trixie's behavior anyway, and then each become as big a show off as they claim Trixie is. Snips and Snails are offically the scrappy of FiM, they aren't funny, and don't face any consequences for their actions. Trixie takes all the blame for things that aren't her fault, and runs off rather than explain the Ursa Minor attack was a misunderstanding that she had nothing to do with.
Look Before You Sleep, Written by: Charlotte Fullerton (Season 1, Episode 8)
Even when nothing new was done with their friendship in "Made in Manehattan", at least Applejack and Rarity were not acting as immature as their younger siblings. Twiight missing the obvious isn't funny, and neither is any of the arguing Applejack and Rarity partake in. A key concept to keep in mind, is to make the arguing even, give both sides a point, or make them both in the wrong. Otherwise, the arguing is uneven, and it only favors one character. In this case, everytime there's an arguement, Applejack is in the wrong and Rarity is in the right. She doesn't even agree to help until Applejack admits to this fact, prefering instead to complain about the fact that she'll get dirty. Once again, it's a good thing this episode didn't get the show cancelled, seeing as it had only finally produced an almost flawless entry an episode prior.
Bridle Gossip, Written by: Amy Keating Rogers (Season 1, Episode 9)
Good comedy can only get you so far, especially with a moral as important as "Don't judge others based on appearances", though we really should stop trying to put this moral into kids shows if society is quick to give into fear mongering and racial profiling, as we're seeing with Donald Trump and some of the other Republican presidential candidates. The implications aren't a whole lot better, considering Zecora is a zebra, and Applejack is southern. On top of that, we have Apple Bloom, and the conflict she has here gets rehashed in two more episodes that appear on this list. She doesn't buy Applejack's overly paranoid behavior, and rightfully calls the ponies out for just assuming things about Zecora without any concrete proof. But when she does something stupid and dangerous later on in the episode (abandoning Applejack in The Everfree Forest and wondering off on her own), she is still treated as in the right. And she's only punished for trying to get closer to Zecora early on to understand her. But the worst moment of this episode, is when Twilight suddenly flip flops for no reason other than one line she heard.
Swarm of The Century, Written by: M. A. Larson (Season 1, Episode 10)
Season 1 had a really glaring problem with not only shoe horning Twilight into every episode, regardless of whether she could actually do anything, but also with treating the mane six like children, instead of young adults. This is the typical conflict brought on through misunderstanding, and it tries to blame it on a lack of communication, but no one ever asks the obvious questions such as "What's a parasprite?", "Why do you need to collect instruments?", "How do you know what that is?", or "What makes you think the parasprites are dangerous?". To make matters worse, when Fluttershy of all ponies knowingly keeps a parasprite, despite knowing what they do, and how they can multiply, the episode never calls her out on it. Yet when Pinkie Pie sabotages a control scheme that didn't seem to be going anywhere (what exactly did they plan to do after they sucked all the parasprites into a tornado?), she gets attacked and treated like an idiot, and isn't even apologized to when she saves the town. TheFireyJoker properly bashed Fluttershy for making the problem worse, but he and LittleshyFiM seem to be the only ones who've addressed that glaring flaw.
Feeling Pinkie Keen, Written by: Dave Polsky (Season 1, Episode 15)
Although I'm a Christian, and was raised by a Christian family, I don't believe that religious thinking always trumps scientific explanation, and I know my family thinks the same way. What you choose to believe is fine, as long as it's something worth believing in. Religion and science don't have to contradict each other, they can co-exist in peace. There are some things science can't explain, but "Avatar The Last Airbender" properly tackled this theme, the moral in "The Fortune Teller" was to be careful what you choose to believe in, and that different people can interpret the same event or outcome in different ways. Unfortunately, the implications here just seem to make Twilight into a strawman scientist, and it seems to claim you're better off not understanding how things work because that takes away the point of believing in them. It's important to realize when you and a friend have to agree to disagree, and if the moral had been worded better, this episode probably would've faired okay. It's the implications that really hurt it, although Twilight doesn't try to actually understand the 'Pinkie Sense' in a scientific way (the scientific method requires you to come up with a theory as to how something works, then conduct experiments with a controlled variable to see if you are right).
Stare Master, Written by: Chris Savino (Season 1, Episode 17)
It seems like Chris is the one writer who just wasn't cut out for the show at all, if this episode is anything to go by. Sure, it's better than "Boast Busters", but it's still far from enjoyable. The CMC are ungrateful, and not concerned at all for their safety, which makes their antics painful to watch. The logic behind 'The Stare' is also contradicting with what we see in later episodes, and it's only because of this special ability that Fluttershy is able to get the CMC to listen to her. And even then, they aren't listening to her because it's the right thing to do, they're simply listening because they don't want to get 'The Stare', and they just go right back to making trouble for the next pony they meet. There's also the now unfunny joke about Scootaloo being a chicken, early on it wasn't so bad, but by the time of Season 3 the fandom had run that joke into the ground.
The Show Stoppers, Written by: Cindy Morrow (Season 1, Episode 18)
It's amazing to think that the CMC finally got their cutie marks, and they weren't in the talents hinted at in this episode. Cindy Morrow's attempt at dramatic irony results in unfunny comedy that makes you want to be like Scootaloo when writing the song, and bang your head against a piano because of the stupidity. The song manages to do cringe comedy correctly, but even then it's so bad that Madeline Peters couldn't keep a straight face all the way through, and actually had to chuckle at how badly she was forced to sing. But perhaps the biggest problem with this episode, is the fact that it seemed like at first glance the focus was going to be on the CMC fixing up the clubhouse. But right after the theme song, we find out that plot was scrapped and glanced over off screen. That's as bad as the Modern Spongebob episode "Shuffleboard". If your original plot doesn't work, don't abruptly change direction, scrap it and start from scratch.
Green Isn't Your Color, Written by: Meghan McCarthy (Season 1, Episode 20)
"The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows" missed a golden opportunity to address the glaring flaw of this episode, forcing someone to keep a secret even when there is absolutely no reason at all for them to keep said secret, especially if telling the secret might actually make things better. Secrets exist for a reason, and there are times when a secret could cause trouble or ruin a friendship if revealed at the wrong time, or in the wrong way. It may make sense for Rarity to be jealous of Fluttershy, but Fluttershy thinking Rarity wouldn't want to know about her unhappiness with model life is wrong and not thinking very highly of your friend. Good friends don't try to live their dreams through someone else. It's not bad to have dreams, but sometimes you need to accept a dose of reality and realize your dream isn't going to happen. Dreaming big is fine, but don't dream the impossible, or you'll only set yourself up for disappointment.
Over A Barrel, Written by: Dave Polsky (Season 1, Episode 21)
Dave Polsky is, or at least WAS a comedic genius, seeing as he was part of "South Park" at the very beginning. But this whole episode feels like a stoner comedy akin to something like "The Big Lewboski", and I don't see the appeal of those films, since you'd have to be high in order to enjoy the humor, and getting high just because you want to laugh is not healthy, it could be very destructive. It doesn't help that Lauren Faust lacks subtelty, to the point where the buffalo have to obviously look like the Native Americans. The conflict is once again blamed on a lack of communication, but that's once again not the case. Both sides clearly wanted to go to war no matter what, and let one song justify not conducting talks to try and resolve the situation. And when you decide to declare war, you have to mean it. You can't bluff about declaring war, because war is serious. I'm all for giving peace a chance, and I firmly believe war should be a last resort if all other options fail, never a first choice to resolve a conflict. But I also believe that if you vow to declare war, you can't take it back.
A Bird in The Hoof, Written by: Charlotte Fullerton (Season 1, Episode 22)
This episode is clearly attempting to be a grossout fest, but much like Disney when they tried to rip off "Ren and Stimpy" with "Shonkums and Meat", and more recently when they tried to rip off "Sanjay and Craig" and "Fanboy and Chum Chum" with "Pickle and Peanut", FiM doesn't try to go all the way with grossout humor. Naturally, because they play it way too safe, the episode becomes a bore, and the ending is an obvious rip from "Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets", to anyone who's either read the book or seen the movie, they'll know what I'm talking about. A key point for pop culture references of any sort, is not to make them completely obvious. You have to at least make them somewhat subtle, so that way it still works for those who don't get the reference.
Owl's Well That Ends Well, Written by: Cindy Morrow (Season 1, Episode 24)
Anyone who's seen "Toy Story" will recognize this plot in an instant. It's the typical "Old guy becomes jealous of a new guy, and thinks they'll be replaced" story told from Spike's perspective. Except for the fact that the mane six's affections seem petty and pointless because of a redundant scene, and the owl appears to be a Mary Sue due to the animators having most of the scenes take place in broad daylight. And that flat "Who" joke isn't funny even from the start, and it likely never will be funny.
Season 1 Episodes Failed 11/26
Luna Eclipsed, Written by: M. A. Larson (Season 2, Episode 4)
In the wake of "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?" this episode justifies appearing on this list. Here, Princess Luna is trying to move on from her past, and is trying hard to prove she is no longer Nightmare Moon. But every time she tries to do so, she gets reminded of her past, and is forced to embrace it in order to win the hearts of Ponyville's residents. It doesn't help that Pinkie Pie's behavior isn't excused, and only makes things worse. And Rainbow Dash gets away scot free with not caring who she hurts with her pranks, and not, getting zapped by a bolt of lightning from behind does not make up for her failing to care about the fact that she caused Spike to choke, and sabotaged Luna's attempt to befriend Pinkie Pie. Neither Pinkie Pie or Rainbow Dash's behavior is funny, and should not have been ignored. Once again "Protagonist Centered Morality" is a bad idea, because it only makes your audience hate the good guys and love the bad guys. And when you're trying to make the bad guys good, you do NOT want to make the good guys bad.
The Cutie Pox, Written by: Amy Keating Rogers (Season 2, Episode 6)
Filler, nothing but filler, that's what this episode is. It doesn't provide anything new or memorable, and you can probably skip it without missing anything at all. This episode probably should've just been a promotional short, not a full 22 minute display of scenes that go on for way too long, and an ending that blantantly hits the reset button.
The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, Written by: Merriweather Williams (Season 2, Episode 8)
Thanks to TheFireyJoker and LillyPeet, I realize now what this episode was trying to do. It was trying to have Rainbow Dash learn a lesson through the way she learns best, by direct experience instead of being told what she should learn. But that still doesn't make up for the hypocrisy of the mane six, or justify them destroying Rainbow Dash's reputation even if it was unintentional. Sure, Rainbow Dash is being rather egotistical, and we always want our heroes to do the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do. But just because someone does something right for a selfish reason, that doesn't automatically mean they don't care about anyone but themselves. One of the best Disney cartoons of the 90's was "Darkwing Duck", and the main character was a superhero who was in it for fame and fortune, not because he wanted to help others out of the kindness of his heart. But the cartoon showed that he still had a good heart, and even if his reasons for being a superhero were misguided, he was still doing good deeds. To me, Rainbow Dash here appears to be on the same level as Darkwing Duck. She's egotistical and obxinous, but she's still saving your life, so you really can't complain. "South Park" took this episode's concept for a superhero story, and did a much better job with it.
Hearth's Warming Eve, Written by: Merriweather Williams (Season 2, Episode 11)
It's never a good sign when you leave an episode with more questions than answers, especially when you're trying to expand your world and show off some of its history. The entire episode can be easily summed up like this "The mane six put on a play, and off stage they act like jerks, only coming together last minute because otherwise these mystical ice horses will freeze the land because of hatred.". "Ember Island Players" from "Avatar The Last Airbender" was a much better play based episode, because that episode made it clear the play wasn't to be taken at face value, and it was obvious the narration would not properly reflect the events depicted in it.
The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, Written by: M. A. Larson (Season 2, Episode 15)
I've gone on record so many times as to why this is the worst of FiM, and I'm not going to repeat myself. Check out all my other blog posts that mention this episode to see why it bombs so badly. Why Flim and Flam got to have their own bad future in "The Cutie Re-Mark" as opposed to someone like Trixie or Prince Blueblood, I'll never know.
A Friend In Deed, Written by: Amy Keating Rogers (Season 2, Episode 18)
This is largely on here simply because both Amy and Pinkie Pie improved significantly after this episode. Pinkie Pie was amazing in Season 5, and it's hard to imagine a time when her flaws were exaggerated to such a glaringly bad degree here. Pinkie Pie's behavior in real life could get you thrown in jail, or slapped with a restraining order. Respecting the privacy of others is important, as is not touching their stuff if they tell you not to. While Cranky probably should've accepted Pinkie Pie's apology (even if the album was important, blowing up at Pinkie Pie for what happened to it was wrong, that much was an accident), Pinkie Pie should've been on the reciving end of a moral that sometimes you can't make everyone your friend, even if you try your hardest. Still, this is better than "Nobody Doesn't Like T. J." from "Recess" which didn't give a reason for the kid not to befriend T. J. You can't not be friends with someone for no reason.
It's About Time, Written by: M. A. Larson (Season 2, Episode 20)
All that would've needed to happen to save this episode, was to give the time travel a purpose, instead of making it completely pointless. Yeah, everything that happens prior to that point is good, or at least decent. But the bad ending really hurts what would've otherwise likely been an enjoyable episode. It's really saying something when a two parter centered on time travel, involving visits to many different alternative timelines, made more sense than one episode dedicated only briefly to time travel, despite how confusing the subject tends to be.
Dragon Quest, Written by: Merriweather Williams (Season 2, Episode 21)
This is what the feminist movement has created, in their attempt to enpower woman, they have made it so that men must always be treated the way they used to treat women. If a man wants things to be even the slightest bit more balanced, they are heckled and berated, attacked for being an alpha male that wants things to go back to how they were. And this episode's existence is enough to show why bashing males is just as bad as bashing females. Not only did this episode not touch at all on Spike's origins, and make the mane six seem like a-holes, but it used the most obvious sterotypes and the most insulting implications. Thank the stars "Dipper v.s. Manliness" properly addressed the sterotypes of what it means to be male. I'm all for women having more rights, but they shouldn't completely tip the scales so that they hold all the power and men hold none. Both genders should be on the same level, at least in regards to rights in public.
Season 2 Episodes Failed 8/26
One Bad Apple, Written by: Cindy Morrow (Season 3, Episode 4)
It's still really hard to think that this is likely to be the lasting impression Babs Seed left, even if she changed by the end, and got one more episode to show off her new self. It's only harder to watch since we know that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon have changed significantly for the better, and will likely not stoop down to this level of villany ever again. The moral about bullying spits in the face of the victims of bullying who's parents either could not or would not take action to stop the bullying, and it also doesn't account for when the grown-ups are the bullies (such as in the case of domestic abuse like we saw in "Crusaders of The Lost Mark"). Telling an adult is where the moral begins, not where it ends. Not to mention, there are times when ignoring a bully's attempts will actually work. It doesn't work often, but for minor things like name calling it tends to resolve the problem before long. And if you've been bullied, becoming a bully yourself is wrong, perhaps just as wrong as committing suicide because of it. If you're being bullied, break the cycle, and stand up to the bullies. Sometimes, that may mean having to fight back, because some people will unfortunately not learn their lesson until they associate an action with a bad experience. But throwing the first punch makes you the agressor, so don't go beating up a bully just because you think it will get them to stop picking on you.
Spike At Your Service, Written by: Merriweather Williams and Dave Polsky (Season 3, Episode 9)
This episode was all but dead on arrival because of how horribly Merriweather's dramatic storytelling clashed with Dave Polsky's then comedic storytelling. But words cannot describe how much of a disappoint this episode was, none the least of reasons being how predicatable it is. The "Life Debt" plot has been done far too many times in just about every media you can think of. Sometimes it's been really well, such as in "The New Adventures of Winnie The Pooh", but sometimes it's been really poorly, as is the case here. Everyone but Spike and Twilight are in character, at least when they're not being forced to continue the story which makes absolutely no sense.
Just For Sidekicks, Written by: Corey Powell (Season 3, Episode 11)
This and the episode listed directly above it are the Spike episodes that the writers seem to want to come back to whenever they want to write a Spike episode, and I don't really understand why. This episode was largely just an attempt to try and ride the success of the "Littlest Pet Shop" cartoon done by DHX with M. A. Larson and Merriweather Williams both writing for it at various points, and while the struggle Spike faces with his greed isn't bad, it's not very enjoyable. And the CMC are kind of ungrateful to Spike since he's technically older than them, albeit not by much. Spike really didn't deserve to be cut out of the next episode, seeing as he helped to save The Crystal Empire, and we would later learn that he is treated as a hero there.
Games Ponies Play, Written by: Dave Polsky (Season 3, Episode 12)
Basically, this episode tried to be a "Faulty Towers" comedy of errors, only without the comedy. "The Inspector's Coming" is a plot that can be done well, assuming the actions of your characters are justified and make sense. And the suspension of disbelief is stretched way beyond the breaking point in regard to why the mane five (Rarity got shoved to the side in this episode, thus preventing her only remaining chance at having a foucs episode in Season 3) don't ask what should be the most obvious question. And the jumbled mess of a resolution that is used for the reset button is impossible to really comprehend. I know this was done intentionally to build hype for "Magical Mystery Cure", but in the long run it makes this episode almost a bore to sit through.
Season 3 Episodes Failed 4/13
Bats!, Written by: Merriweather Williams (Season 4, Episode 7)
Poor Merriweather just seems to have not been cut out for this show, seeing as this remains her swan song for the time being. And the only episodes of hers that haven't appeared on this list are "Putting Your Hoof Down" (a collab with Charlotte Fullerton) and "Wonderbolt Academy". One of the biggest problems with Season 4 was how much it shoehorned all of the mane six into stories they probably didn't belong in. Here, everyone is thrown into a conflict where they take sides, and all logic indicating where they would stand is thrown out the window (Twilight especially should be remaining netural). Fluttershy's logic is faulty at best, and practically uncompelling at worst. Even Flutterbat can't make up for the flaws present in this episode, especially since Fluttershy is rewarded for caving into peer pressure, and Applejack makes a scarifice that wasn't really hers to make.
Rainbow Falls, Written by: Corey Powell (Season 4, Episode 10)
Meghan's reputation as a story editior seems to have been restored as of Season 5, but this episode made it seem that, for a while at least, she was asleep at the wheel. Probably because of the backlash against this episode by most critics, Corey Powell left the show after one more Season 4 episode, and hasn't come back yet. I can buy Fleetfoot deciding Soarin should be replaced, since the IDW comics show she is egotistical, and thinks so highly of herself that she believes The Wonderbolts would fall apart without her. But Spitfire I cannot buy deciding to just dump Soarin, even if it was all a secret test of Rainbow Dash's loyalty. I appreciate the return of Derpy, and this being one of the only Season 4 episodes where Fluttershy seems to remember her character growth instead of ignoring it. But everything else in this episode reeks of poor writing choices and badly written dialogue not unlike that of the "Star Wars" prequels.
Three's A Crowd, Written by: Meghan McCarthy and Ed Valentine (Season 4, Episode 11)
Pretty much everything wrong with FiM up to that point was represented in the first 11 minutes of this episode, which was packed full of filler material that wasn't very entertaining. And it's just really insulting to see Discord be treated like some plague to be avoided, even after the mane six lost the only thing they could hide behind to keep him in line, and Discord seemed willing to make up for his past mistakes. The implications don't get much better in the second half, to the point where Twilight has to pretend she cares about Discord so as not to look bad in front of Cadence, who seems to become ungrateful by throwing Shining Armor under the bus to make Twilight happy. This episode's treatment of Discord would carry on a Season 5 episode that will make this list.
Filli Vanilli, Written by: Amy Keating Rogers (Season 4, Episode 14)
Regardless of how this episode turned out, Amy still didn't deserve to recieve all those death threats. This episode was undeniably bad, for reasons beyond just Pinkie Pie's most OOC potrayal of all time (it's so hard to watch, and not cringe), but that did not mean anyone had the right to send Amy a death threat. It's fine to not like an episode and not be satisfied with who wrote it or the explanation of a scene that you felt was bad, but sending death threats is only going to hurt your cause since no one will listen to what you have to say, and you will seem extremly ungrateful. In regards to what this episode actually does wrong besides potray Pinkie Pie in the most horrific light possible, it also has Fluttershy backpedal from her character growth and tries to justify it with "Baby Steps", which even "Scare Master" at least acknowledged was stupid. Even a full out refernece to one of the greatest music scandals of all time and the return of Flutterguy could not redeem this episode.
Somepony to Watch Over Me, Written by: Scott Sonneborn (Season 4, Episode 17)
What a difference a season can make. Scott went from being one of the most despised writers on the show with episodes like this, to one of the more highly praised writers with episodes in Season 5 such as "The Cutie Map" and "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?", albeit both written in collabaration with others. This feels almost like someone's regression fetish brought to life in the worst possible way, albeit not quite as creepily as "Squid Baby" which actually featured an adult in a diaper. That doesn't mean this episode isn't uncomfortable to watch though, because it is. Applejack's behavior may make some sense from the whole "Dead Parents" angle, but that still doesn't justify her ignoring Apple Bloom's pleas to stop. And just like with "Bridle Gossip" Apple Bloom gets punished for things that are beyond her control, but put in the right when she does something stupid and life threatening. The only good thing to come out of this episode, was the closet filled with extra hats for Applejack, and extra bows for Apple Bloom.
Trade Ya, Written by: Scott Sonneborn (Season 4, Episode 19)
Even finally acknowleding Twilight's princess status amongst citizens of Equestria beyond just Ponyville couldn't make up for the three plots that were all ruined by bad decisions in this episode. We have a RariJack plot that tries to recreate "Look Before You Sleep" and makes both of them look petty and selfish, even if there's some good comedy here and there. We have a FlutterDash plot in which not only does Fluttershy backpedal from her growth to a disappointing degree, but she is rewarded for not standing up for herself when Rainbow Dash tries to sell her for a book, and is the only one to get what she wants out of the exchange without compromising, instead of learning that if you're being taken for granted (or feel like you are) you should speak up, because no one has the right to treat you that way. And we have a TwiPie plot that turned out to be pointless and made it seem like Twilight was going to become a hoarder, all because of the ending.
Season 4 Episodes Failed 6/26
Castle, Sweet Castle, Written by: Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco (Season 5, Episode 3)
This episode is the very definition of wasted potential for me. It could've been so good, if it had kept the focus on the heart and on the A plot of Twilight trying to come to grips with the loss of The Golden Oaks Library. Instead, we focus so much on the insulting B plot of the rest of the mane six decorating the castle according to what would make them feel at home and not what would make Twilight feelt at home, that when we finally get to what the A plot promised to touch on, it's only for a brief moment and then it goes right to something else. "Make This Castle A Home" is probably one of the worst songs ever produced for the show, and considering how great the songs usually tend to be even in bad or meh episodes, that's saying a lot. I guess this is why DHX should try to pair up writers to episodes according to their strengths, and give the important episodes to writers that know what they're doing instead of gambling on new writers that may or may not work out. But hey, at least Joanna and Kristine managed to improve by the end of Season 5.
Appleloosa's Most Wanted, Written by: Dave Polsky (Season 5, Episode 6)
Appleloosa seems to bring out the absolute worst in our characters, whether they be horribly stupid like Braeburn, horribly stubborn and irresponsible like Applejack, horribly manipulated for no reason like Sheriff Silverstar, or horribly annoying and unconcerned for their safety like the CMC. It doesn't help that this episode only became important in hindsight, and many people still consider it boring. Not to mention, who's to say Troubleshoes wouldn't lie to the CMC to make himself look better than he actually was? A wanted criminal would obviously lie if they felt it could convince someone not to turn them in.
Princess Spike, Written by: Neal Dusedau, Story by Jim Miller and Jayson Thiesen (Season 5, Episode 10)
"Slice of Life" was a tough act to follow, there's no denying that. But it seems like Neal didn't even try, he just hastily wrote what came to mind, and Jim and Jayson made a few adjustments to turn the episode into the jumbled mess it ultimately became. This is the one Season 5 that pretty much everyone is in agreement on in that it sucked, and sucked big time. And for good reason, after Spike episodes seemed to improve in Season 4, this episode seemed to sink back down to the bottom of the barrel. Even "Power Ponies" at least allowed Spike to save the day in the end, instead of implying he can't even fix his own mistakes. And I haven't even touched on how badly Princess Cadence was handled here.
Scare Master, Written by: Natasha Levinger (Season 5, Episode 15)
So when Fluttershy finally starts to show a backbone in Season 5, and remember her character growth, you think the writers would let that carry over to her only solo focus episode. But no, they instead throw that growth right out the window and reset Fluttershy's growth to Season 1 levels, to the point where it becomes pathetic and insulting to see her hiding under her bed like a little kid just because she doesn't like a particular holiday. It doesn't help that this episode suffers from the same problem as the one directly above it, in that it switches direction three times, and got leaked almost a month in advance of when it was going to air. Just like how "Filli Vanilli" couldn't save itself with the return of Flutterguy, this episode couldn't save itself with the return of Flutterbat. Stop using fanservice to make up for not writing a character properly when they get the spotlight. Fluttershy deserves much better than this.
What About Discord?, Written by: Neal Dusedau (Season 5, Episode 22)
Boring probably doesn't best describe this episode, although the constant barrage of running jokes that aren't funny, and visual jokes and references that don't amount to anything certainly make it seem that way. Twilight is handled absolutely horrible here right from the get go, gets turned into the straw man scientist she was in "Feeling Pinkie Keen", and then ultimately gets proven right when Discord outright admits he acted villanous by intentionally exlcuding Twilight to make her feel jealous, and the episode still tries to make it seem like he's changed. Then it hits us with a dose of hypocrisy because why not? I'm sick of Discord having to constantly be treated like he's still an antagonist. "Make New Friends, But Keep Discord" showed that Discord could hold an episode on his own, learn a lesson, and still be something other than the trickster mentor and a plauge to be avoided by his so called friends.
Season 5 Episodes Failed: 5/26
Total Episodes Failed: 34/117
And there you have it.
In fact, some of the greatest scientists have been Christians, Mendele, AKA phenotype, punnet square dude, as well as the guy who basically started the Big Bang Theory, were monks, if I recall. Heck, I'm Catholic, and one of my best friends is Neo-Pagan. I'm fine with someone being of another religion or none at all, as long as they aren't a giant dickmagnet
Boast Busters is one of my favorite season 1 episodes, but more because Trixie was so enjoyable.
And, to be fair to Swarm of the Century and Green Isn't Your Color, conflict arising from misunderstanding/people not asking obvious questions is very common in fiction. There's a reason the trope "Poor Communication Kills" exists, after all. So, it didn't really bother me in either episode.
As for The Showstoppers, it's another of my favorite season 1 episodes. And I chalk the CMC's behavior in that episode up to child naivete. Plus, I genuinely enjoy their song.
But if you think the original version is bad, try the Ukranian dub of the song.
The Mysterious Mare Do-Well is an episode that I consider to be overhated, though not as much as another RD episode. I actually think it's one of season 2's best, and as to why, just watch Josh Scorcher's review of it. He explains why it's a good episode much better than I ever could.
Because they bought the other villains off. Or they just kept their eyes on Ponyville, while the other villains attacked the rest of Equestria. Either way works for me really.
As for "It's About Time", I actually think the ending becomes justified in hindsight. Her learning not to worry so much about the future comes into play in "Twilight's Kingdom".
For Spike at Your Service, while it's not one of season 3's best, I don't think I can call it one of the worst of the season or of the show either. It's more middle of the road than anything else. I recommend reading this blog to get another perspective: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/575344/i-just-rewatched-spike-at-your-service
For Rainbow Falls, I've said it before and I'll say it again: I consider it to be RD's second best episode behind Tanks for the Memories, and it's the third best episode of season 4. Everything in it has an explanation, or is minor enough because I find the episode so enjoyable.
For Filli Vanilli, I actually found Pinkie hilarious. And she actually turned out to be surprisingly helpful. And in regards to FS's character growth, I actually think it worked pretty well, seeing as "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies" hadn't happened yet.
As for Somepony to Watch Over Me, while I do agree that it's the weakest episode of season 4, I think it's more hurt by the fact that it feels like it should take place relatively early in the show's timeline despite airing relatively late in broadcast order.
For Castle Sweet Castle, I disagree on the plot of Twilight and Spike missing the Golden Oak Library not being fleshed out enough. The scene we got was just long enough where:
a. It didn't get downright depressing.
b. It was still addressed that they miss it.
As for the CMC in Appleoosa's Most Wanted, keep in mind that they're still kids. They're a bit older now, yes, but still kids. So, I wasn't surprised that they didn't care about their safety at first.
For Princess Spike, I agree that it is pretty weak. But, I wouldn't call it season 5's weakest (that title goes to AMW), and it would probably only barely make my bottom 20 episodes of the show. And I say that for one simple reason: It was actually kind of funny.
And lastly, in regards to What About Discord?, I actually loved Twilight's behavior in it. Her freakouts are always hilarious, and her spending 3 days sorting books is actually in character for her.
I think you mean 'Stare Master'
Looking back at all of them, it's staggering that the writers write a good episode one minute, then forget everything the next time they pencil in an episode. Although the moments where a poor episode is written is still present, thankfully that seems to have happened a lot less in Season 5.
Luna Eclipsed shouldn't be on the list. It was great because it gave Luna so much character. Pinkie Pie actually holds the final solution to the conflict and turning your weakness into a strength is a pretty good moral. However most of all Luna's personality is so awesome. Actually "Do princesses dream of magical sheep" should be on the episode. It was a real degrading of Luna's character and made her far more superficial. It also is quite poorly constructed with them mentioning the tentabus more times than needed and that Luna created the tentabus also is problematic.
In defense of "what about Discord" it actually had some character development from Twilight and it was a really good one. Twilight is becoming more and more obsessed with her princess title and she needs lessons like these and Discord is the only one that can do it. Also Twilight's personality is fairly well handled, you can see her obsession with friendship but she is thinking about it in the wrong way.
Also in Princess Spike you say that he wasn't trying and I think he was really trying. I can see what he was going for and it really was a good idea. He just didn't construct it all that well. Also I don't see what everyone's problem is with Spike there. I think it was his best appearance in any episode. He was displayed as loyal, determined, resourceful but still having the temptations of dragons and the nativity of a child. It seems to me like the perfect way to portray him. He can never overcome his greed, it's just a part of who he is. Also Twilight's growing stature is going to cast a big shadow and I'm glad that was addressed.
I strongly disagree with what you're saying in "Three's a crowd". Discord's treatment was perfect, it made his reformation much more believable and also gave him a new purpose to exist. What he does in that episode is pretty much what Fluttershy did to him; abusing friendship to gain leverage. Fluttershy was justified in doing that since it was the only way but it's still nice to see that being addressed. With Twilight no longer being Celestia's student Discord is the only one that can truly challenge her character.
Also what do you mean that she throws Shining under the bus? Can you explain that?
Scot Sonnenborn still really messed up a lot. The opening of season 5 is not very well put together and the turning of the crowd comes out of nowhere. Also he really degraded Luna's character in "Princesses dream of magical sheep".
However I think the episodes you have to put in there is the season 5 finale. It just completely falls flat, the construction is extremely poor and half of it doesn't make any sort of sense. It's full of moments that aren't needed and therefore none of them get fleshed out enough to make an impression. Starlight's motivation is extremely pathetic and Twilight seems weaker than a normal unicorn for some reason.