N00bey Crash Flash Smash Dash Bash... I think that got away from me a bit [SPOILERS]

Maybe it's because I heard some of the bad buzz on this episode going in and my expectations were thus lowered, but I didn't really mind this episode as much as everyone else seems to. The bit with her imitating everyone is kinda cringey, but it isn't really that long a scene, and the rest of the episode was pretty good. I knew there would have to be some growing pains when she finally got into the Wonderbolts, so all told, I think it could have been much worse. The nickname and general harassment really didn't bother me, and I think RD needed to take a bit of a blow to her pride.

And hey, she's in the Wonderbolts now!

It's remarkable to see this, and look back on the early days when we never thought we'd see it happen. RD is a Wonderbolt, the CMCs have their marks, and Rarity's got stores in Canterlot and soon, Manehattan. Everyone's moving up in the world.

Look at these two.

Overall, I'd rate this a four out of five hilariously awkward impressions of one's best friends.

And my ranking thus far, now that we're a quarter of the way through the season:
1. Gauntlet Of Fire
2. No Second Prances
3. The Gift Of Maud Pie
4. Newbie Dash
5. On Your Marks
6. The Crystalling

Comments

[Emeral Bookwise]

This was actually the episode that more or less saved the season for more. So for me at least that makes it a 5/5 default. Not necessarily in comparison to other best episodes of the series as a whole, but at least within in the context of this particular season so far. That said, the episode still might make my top list for possible being my favorite Rainbow Dash episode. Which isn't to say it's the "best" Rainbow Dash episode, just the one I personally enjoyed most and where I found myself most able to relate and empathize with her as a character.

Anyway, for whatever it might be worth, my own rankings so far would be something like...

1: Newbie Dash
2: The Crystalling
3: Gauntlet Of Fire
4: On Your Marks
5: The Gift Of Maud Pie
6: No Second Prances

...although I find it probably most difficult and potential unfair to include The Crystaling. Two-parters, especially season premiers and finales, are kind of their own beast and not entirely comparable to more typical episodes. Still, where this premier really scores high marks for me is by following-up to last season, relieving (though not eliminating) lingering concerns I had over Starlight's rushed reform and forced addition to the main cast. It also got bonus points for utilizing Celestia and Luna in a way that made them actually helpful for change, albeit in a largely off-screen capacity that amounted to little more then staving off the investable. Still, that's far better than other similar episodes where they've either sat around helplessly or even escalated the problem through incompetence.

By contrast, Gauntlet of Fire while a very good episodes in many ways, especially for a Spike episode, still loses points for the way Twilight and Rarity really serve no purpose in most of the plot and their repeated ability to seemingly bypass all the challenges and traps without effort rather undermines any sense of dramatic tension, not to mention wasting screen time that could have possibly been otherwise better used to further flesh out Ember.

[ColdGoldLazarus]

3942325

This was actually the episode that more or less saved the season for more. So for me at least that makes it a 5/5 default. Not necessarily in comparison to other best episodes of the series as a whole, but at least within in the context of this particular season so far.

Huh, okay.

Which isn't to say it's the "best" Rainbow Dash episode, just the one I personally enjoyed most and where I found myself most able to relate and empathize with her as a character.

That makes sense.

...although I find it probably most difficult and potential unfair to include The Crystaling. Two-parters, especially season premiers and finales, are kind of their own beast and not entirely comparable to more typical episodes.

Quite so.

Still, where this premier really scores high marks for me is by following-up to last season, relieving (though not eliminating) lingering concerns I had over Starlight's rushed reform and forced addition to the main cast.

Yeah, it did a pretty good job with that. I kind of wish that had been the main focus rather than the B-plot to the whole blizzard thing.

It also got bonus points for utilizing Celestia and Luna in a way that made them actually helpful for change, albeit in a largely off-screen capacity that amounted to little more then staving off the investable.

It was very nice to see them again, yes. Whether they were actually useful is more debatable. Multiple fanfics have already pointed out this issue, particularly This chapter of Letters From An Irritated Princess.

Still, that's far better than other similar episodes where they've either sat around helplessly or even escalated the problem through incompetence.

I can definitely agree with that, though. Twilight's Kingdom comes to mind.

Gauntlet of Fire while a very good episodes in many ways, especially for a Spike episode, still loses points for the way Twilight and Rarity really serve no purpose in most of the plot

I actually didn't mind that. They were present, not coming across as neglectful by allowing him into such a dangerous situation without any sort of supervision, yet not undermining his moment, meta or in-universe. Plus, their presence did contribute to the storyline with Ember, both in her lying on their behalf in front of Garble and then when Spike saved Rarity from the lava.

and their repeated ability to seemingly bypass all the challenges and traps without effort rather undermines any sense of dramatic tension

My money's on Teleportation. Plus, while they might be able to get through fine, Spike and Ember still had to work for their progress, and the unicorns probably couldn't help with that without violating some conditions of the challenge, what with it being dragons-only and all.

not to mention wasting screen time that could have possibly been otherwise better used to further flesh out Ember.

Eh, I'll give you that one.