Check that: probably gonna need to post my thoughts anyway . . . . · 4:41pm Mar 26th, 2016
Fast as lightning, sharp as a sword
So, I went to a live stream of the episodes on YouTube, but the lag combined with my computer's bad performance means the footage I got was sub-par, at best. 
I might have to wait until I have a chance to re-record everything.
In the meantime, here are my thoughts, which I said I wouldn't do, but after what's happened, I kinda have to now.
This will sound extremely petty, but I'm not gonna lie: I enjoyed seeing Starlight writhe. She didn't get off that easily after all. 
At least they actually addressed what Starlight did wrong in the last episodes . . . . it's almost like they want to establish continuity! After "Twilight's Kingdom", they could have fooled me! 
Spike seems to be bonding with Starlight. Great, now she'll never leave . . . .
Obligatory "Rainbow Dash is obnoxious just by opening her mouth" comment here. Don't waste my time addressing it. Deal with it. Move on.
Hmm . . . baggy eyes, slurred and repetitive speech, frizzy hair . . . yep, Shining Armor is a dad now. 
I wanted to give the baby princess a chance, because I thought she was cute. But I found her a little annoying. Don't get me wrong, she's still cute, but flying around, destroying shit, shattering the Crystal Heart . . . yeah, that gets on one's nerves.
So, Sunburst has no idea of what Starlight did after they parted ways as kids, and he's secretly a magical novice. This episode had so much potential, and already, it's suffering . . . .
Yes, Spike is the hero of the Crystal Empire. We get it, writers, you establish continuity when you feel like it. You wanna try some of that on the traitor the troll Discord?
So, the Crystal Ponies are kinda assholes. Not shocked. Have you been to Canterlot recently?
More annoying baby shenanigans (destroying the spellbook they need to save the city shouldn't count as "shenanigans". 
)
Please let Sunburst have suffered in school because Starlight wasn't there . . . please . . . please . . . . . . FUCK!! I knew they wouldn't do it the logical way . . . .
Starlight just confessed all of her crimes, and the most he can say to that is "You went back in time?" Dude, we need to talk . . . .
Also, Starlight is throwing around that stupid "my friend moved away" sob story again, and Sunburst has the audacity to apologize? For what?! For moving away? Having a better life? NOT acting like what would happen if Angelica Pickles and Hitler did the Fusion Dance?! Fuck this episode . . .
On the other hand, Sunburst is also a genius at magical theory. So, there's that.
Celestia and Luna are worthless. They're getting bad about that, and I wish they wouldn't . . . .
Hey, we get to hear Twilight's parents talk! Cool!
So that's why her name is "Flurry Heart". Makes sense.
This episode would have been fine if not for one line from Sunburst that irked me to no end:
"Like I'd ever lose touch with my closest friend."
Fuck you, Sunburst. Literally fuck you, hard, in the ass, with a rusty rail spike.
*deep inhale, long exhale*
Well, not the best opening, but not horrible. I like how they didn't cater to Starlight throughout the episode, and I like how Sunburst was actually the hero (if not for that one irritating line). This could have had a lot of potential, but it seems Josh Haber has a tell when writing episode two-parters: he has a decent buildup in the first episode, then everything starts falling apart around the end of the first that ruins the second half. Sorry, Mr. Haber, but if you want to rinse away the stain that was "The Cutie Re-Mark", you'll have to do better than that.
This won't ever top "The Return of Harmony" or "The Cutie Map" as a season opener, but it wasn't complete garbage either. At least they addressed what Starlight did wrong, made her guilty and hesitant about her new role (as she should be), and didn't make her out to be some impossible-to-defeat Mary Sue.
That seems to have fallen on Flurry Heart. And no, being a baby doesn't count as a flaw . . . .
Anyway, that was my view on it. I'll give the season another chance to reel me in, so hopefully, the next ep will be better.
I'll do my best with my video. Wish me luck. 
Stay quick, stay sharp, and thanks for reading.
You took that well ^^'
Pride time?
I noticed Celestia and Luna are not born Alicorns, as they said when they were with the baby....
3828155 Patience. Wait for the wave to ebb. I'll post the last chapter later this afternoon.
3828156 This gives me some interesting details to work with in a future fic . . . .
Could have been worse. For what it was, it wasn't that bad. They could have made Starlight a Mary Sue, and then it would have been worse.
3828162
I was gonna suggest that fic idea as one to start now, since the episode just aired and folks are more likely to pounce on things that correlate to recent episodes (since you'd mentioned wanting to recapture limelight). I've got m' own saga going on at the moment, and don't much think trying to do two at once is wise. I can see the title now, asked by Twilight sometime after the fact, "How Did You Get Your Wings?"
XD
I couldn't read the spoilers cause I don't like other seeing my pony-related activities, but.... Eh. That's what I thought.