Road to Season 6: Season 4

If you haven't read the previous post click right here.

Before starting I've to say that, although the first episode I watched was from season 2, technically I started here, 4 months after the finale, so I'm not that familiar with details like the "Save Derpy" project or even the hate towards Twilicorn, which were influenced in this season.

This is it. The big one. One of the biggest moments in animation history, the season everyone loves and considers the best of the bunch. And to be honest, of all the seasons the show has had, this is the one I like... the least. Ignore this idiot. I still think this is one of the weaker seasons, but it's not the weakest of the bunch anymore.

Not only the story quality dropped, but the addressing of negative aspects the previous ones had multiplied here, plus the new writers in general didn't wowed me. On top of that, there were an inmense, exaggerated number of episodes I didn't like and even those that I liked had aspects that harmed them, such as gimmicky concepts and forgettable one-shot characters. Finally, this was the point where the writers decided to focus more on the older audience and, therefore, decided to give more fanservice to them. Look, it's not bad to take ideas from the fans, but it's not good to base your work entirely on what they do either. But who cares?! Plot holes and incoherences?! What is that?! Lack of planning, degraded characters and special treatment to a concept that has not been fully exploited since its conception (alicorn Twilight)? Not at all! Just throw Discord, Derpy or another fan favorite in and the mediocrity of an episode can be forgiven!

Princess Twilight Sparkle (both parts): One of the worst season openers because literally nothing happens until the end, it feels very anticlimatic. 2/5.
Castle Mane-ia: The dynamic and concept of dividing the Mane 6 in groups of 2 is good, but wasn't well executed in the long run: the jokes aren't funny and none of the groups had enough screen time to develop correctly. Josh Haber became a cancer in the show that none of us saw in that moment. 1.5/5.
Daring Don't: Daring Do is real... Do I need to mention that this idea killed the character and the entire premise? Ignore this idiot, there are a ton of problems with this idea, but the action scenes are actually pretty good and, while most of the Mane 6 are just there, the duo between Rainbow Dash and Daring Do is interesting to say the least. 2/5.
Flight to the Finish: First good entry of the season, dealing with Scootaloo's impairment is touching and the song is good. 4/5.
Power Ponies: No comments. 1/5.
Bats!: When your script is the only excuse you have to show a gimmicky idea, no matter how well done it is, it harms the episode so bad that the entire premise doesn't matter, and sadly Flutterbat has this sin. Also the song is not that memorable. 2/5.
Rarity Takes Manehattan: We all know this has to happen sooner or later but it is always painful when the time comes: Rarity has, officially, her first bad episode in the entire series. Her selfish side is annoying, the abuse to Twilight is incoherent, the pacing is desperately slow, Suri, who was destined to be one of the great ones next to Trixie, Lightning Dust and the Flim-Flam Brothers, ended up being very forgettable, and Coco Pommel, a clone of Fluttershy with some of Rarity's personality, became one of the most overrated characters in the show, even the song is boring. 1.5/5.
Pinkie Apple Pie: The relationship between the Apples and Pinkie Pie is great as well as the song, however the concept of them being cousins feels out of place despite the best intentions. 4/5.
Rainbow Falls: I have a couple of savable moments here: Bulk Biceps graduates from background character to tertiary character, opening the doors to the Background 6 and MInuette for what will come next season and we have subtle proofs that Rainbow Dash is heterosexual. Aside from that this is one of the worst episodes in the entire series. 1/5.
Three's a Crowd: Ed Valentine, you're my hero. The interactions between the princesses and Discord is funny as well as the comedy, not to mention that Cadance has a little of character development here, she's still as plain, dull and unidimensional as always however. 4.5/5.
Pinkie Pride: The songs and Weird Al Yankovic make this one of the most memorable episodes in the season and perhaps the entire series. 4.5/5.
Simple Ways: Despite the boring first minutes, the fact that Haber officially destroyed Sparity and that Trenderhoof is forgettable, it's a funny one just to watch Rarity and Applejack switching personalities. 4/5.
Filli Vanilli: Another overrated episode for the wrong reasons: even with Pinkie Pie at her worst, the song is touching, the conflict is reasonable, Big Mac and Zecora have some utilities and Fluttershy is at her best. But the ending ruins what was, initially, a well-rounded episode. 3.5/5.
Twilight Time: The CMC's dealing with popularity is interesting, the spoiled brats develop a little more personality and we have more designs for the foals. It's a shame it's forgettable. 4/5.
It Ain't Easy Being Breezies: Forgettable and the breezies are annoying, also we have more Spike abuse. However, Fluttershy has a lot of development and both the situation and moral are relatable. 3/5.
Somepony to Watch Over Me: I actually like this episode despite the enormous fails. Also this scene has been more memorable than most of the songs in this season:

Consider it as a guilty pleasure. 2/5 (4/5 in my case)
Maud Pie: The fact that decides if you like this episode is Maud herself: although she has the same problems that both Shining Armor and Cadance has, the difference is that she was planned to be plain, dull and unidimensional from the beginning and she's cool because of that. Also this scene:

Noelle Benvenutti, welcome aboard. 5/5.
For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils: Not only we have more moments with Rarity and Sweetie Belle, not only this is the best of the CMC's-Luna trilogy but we also have the darkest moment in the entire series thanks to this scene:

5/5.
Leap of Faith: Applejack dealing with Flim and Flam's return, trying to save Granny Smith of making a mistake. And what do everyone remembers? This:

It's The Last Roundup all over again. 2/5.
Testing Testing 1, 2, 3: Rainbow Dash redeems herself with an excellent concept about the educational system. Also this scene:

4.5/5.
Trade Ya!: It has the same problems Castle Mane-ia had but worsen: Rarijack barely has screen time, Twinkie goes to nowhere and Flutterdash, for being the couple who has more screen time, relies on the most cliché story of the bunch. Not to mention, it's BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING as hell. 0.
Inspiration Manifestation: The problem is believable, Rarity in crazy mode is awesome and even Spike shines a little, if it had been longer it could be perfect. 4/5.
Equestria Games: Spike has a ton of development here and the conflict itself is good, however it's not enough to compensate his other entries throughout the years. 4/5.
Twilight's Kingdom (both parts): Another overrated entry: the song is forgettable, the product placement is too notorious, the plot device is another misused MacGuffin, the main concept was wasted (if you noticed the key episodes rating, one was good, one was meh and the rest were bad), Tirek lacks charisma and worst of all: it gives the reason to the people who hated Twilicorn. I don't care if Discord's scenes were enjoyable and touching or that the fight scene is awesome, THIS EPISODE FAVORED THE HATERS! Think about it. 3/5.

Top:
10. Simple Ways
9. Flight to the Finish
8. Inspiration Manifestation
7. Equestria Games
6. Pinkie Apple Pie
5. Pinkie Pride
4. Testing Testing 1, 2, 3
3. From Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils
2. Three's a Crowd
Honorable Mention: Twilight Time, Somepony to Watch Over Me
1. Maud Pie

Season Average Score: 3/5.

Next one will be the last one...

Comments

[Silver Malice]

I have to agree the whole point of Daring Do seemed to be ruined when you find out oh hey it’s actually real, that the big surprise, rather than have an episode about Rainbow helping a struggling author who maybe uses the athletic Pegasus as inspiration for more Daring Do...nope we’re going to make her Daring do and make it all real...and yet for someone reason this author writes about her own adventures but then still pretends to have a secret identity...its like if Superman as Clark Kent wrote about stuff that only superman and or his villains would know, and then still kept the Clark Kent identity.

Flight to the Finish is like my third favourite episode of all time, just because i like how they discussed, “Hey why has Scootaloo never really used her wings?” what is it like for a Pegasus who can’t fly? (Flutter shy can fly she just doesn’t like to) etc. etc.
And the whole Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo moments are always genuine and heart-felt.

Maude Pie works because it is the perfect family foil for Pinkie to be related to dull, bland, and non expressive family members like Maude, Not too mention the fact that it shows there are different ways to express and communicate from what we perceive...for example some people don’t do well with smiles and or banter, and instead rely on body language or other aspects to carry meaning or feelings.

For whom the sweetie bell toils was great and is what i call the Christmas carol episode done right...I love anything to do with Rarity and Sweetie bell especially when sweetie bell is the one who needs to learn the lesson, i feel like too many shows make the big sister the villain or source of conflict too much.

Testing Testing 1,2,3 may be the best episode of the whole season, mainly just because of how it seemingly allegories the downsides and consequences to how we test and teach kids (like you said) but also how someone like Dash whose not the biggest “egg head” feels and or has trouble with such exams. Also to see Pinkie have her Tupac/50 Cent moment was the most bizarre, hilarious and weird thing I have seen in a long time.

Twilights Kingdom i always felt seemed like a final series ending episode.

I liked the song “you’ll do your part", because it was basically Twilight having to actually act like a princess, and wield the power, where her responsibility as a princess was now being put to the test.

I liked tirek, i liked his story, i liked how they referenced his poor relationship with his brother, but the character himself is really no different then Sombra, a generic megalomaniac who of course only appears for that one episode/two-parter and is defeated at the end never to be seen again.

I also agree with you Discord switched sides a bit too quickly and without good cause, it did seem like the writers just wanted to have a reason why discord would be helping tired, which was really stupid.

Although one of the best scenes in the whole series was when Triek melts the twilight glass pane...just that animation and scene was amazing to witness, as well as the destruction of the tree library...unfortunately twilight castle was so toyetic and stupid (though i like the idea of the tree of harmony)

That being said the problem with it is they made the final battle too grand...which ruins a lot of chances for future episodes, because now who are you gonna get Twilight to fight? Once you’ve taken on an all powerful god like being, held your own, and defeated them, most of the rogue’s gallery in equestrian doesn’t seem to cut it anymore.

Hence why starlight glimmer is such a great character, but she only appears at the beginning then the end of the fifth season.