Friendship is Magic's Wall of Shame, Version 3 (Season 6)

No new episodes from Seasons 1-5 made the cut here compared to the second version, which can be found here. So instead, we're just going to look at the episodes of Season 6 that failed, and then compare them to the totals from Seasons 1-5 and find out how many episodes of the show have been a let down so far. Remember, this list is not official by any means.

Gift of The Maud Pie, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox, Story by Josh Haber, Michael P. Fox and Will Fox (Season 6, Episode 3)
While more meh than outright bad, this episode fails for two big reasons. The first is that this episode is titled after the famous "Gift of The Magi" story, but it only follows the plot halfway through, if the episode weren't directly titled after it this would be alright but when you name your episode after a particular type of plot and then only follow it through halfway, it makes it seem like you didn't do your research. The second and more important flaw is that this episode shoehorned Rarity into a story that she had no purpose in, her inclusion opened up a plot hole that the writers clearly didn't consider (or chose to ignore) in that Pinkie could've asked Rarity to make the pouch for her and Rarity would've been more than happy to oblige. Sometimes, you have to scarifice humor for the sake of a coherent story.

Newbie Dash, Written by David Rapp, Story by David Rapp and Dave Polsky (Season 6, Episode 7)
The only true dud of Season 6, this episode just proves that cringe comedy is not one of the show's strong suits. Every time it attempts to do so, the end result is painful. And here, it is especially problematic, because it grinds the story down to a complete halt when it really didn't need to do so. It doesn't help that this is another one of those episodes that feels the need to continuously dial up Rainbow Dash's flaws to uncomfortable levels, just for the sake of her learning humility. You know, if you have to keep beating the same lesson over her head with a stick over and over again, maybe that's a sign that it's not sticking.

Applejack's "Day" Off, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox, Story by Neal Duseadu, Michael P. Fox and Will Fox (Season 6, Episode 11)
Just the end result of doing nothing and padding out the episode with stuff that's just there, this is why it pays to get an outside eye to look at your story. And this is yet another painful reminder of why Applejack focus episodes don't tend to do well, if all she is is a straight mare, then when she has no one to play off of and you refuse to give her new traits or flaws, she becomes stale and uninteresting. Also, this may come as a surprise to you, but hypocrisy is seldom funny and for good reason! Neal, you really should practice what you preach.

The Cart Before The Ponies, Written by Ed Valentine, Story by Ed Valentine and Michael Vogel (Season 6, Episode 15)
It's really saying something when cheerleader Cheerilee is the only good thing about this episode. Yes, I'm all for more screentime for her after Seasons 4 and 5 reduced her to a background pony, but it shouldn't come at the expense of having three of our main characters being thoroughly unlikeable, and the CMC whining almost nonstop. This is what happens when you let the moral dictate the story instead of the other way around.

28 Pranks Later, Written by F.M. De Marco, Story by Meghan McCarthy (Season 6, Episode 16)
Basically an attempt at being a redo of "The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well" but only fixing half the problem, the mane six having no excuse to resort to the nuclear option. But it comes at the expense of making the other problem that much worse, it's amazing how much you can make Rainbow Dash unlikeable when you really try, and by now there should really be no excuse for it. Sure, the zombie prank was amazing, and the moral is a good one to teach, but there should never be a need to make a character so thoroughly unlikeable and thick headed just to teach said moral.

P.P.O.V. (Pony Point of View), Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox, Story by Kevin Burke, Chris "Doc" Wyatt, Michael P. Fox and Will Fox (Season 6, Episode 22)
How do you manage to mess up on a plot type that so many other cartoons good and bad alike have had no trouble with? Maybe by not prioritizing this and having it be a few seasons too late? I mean, maybe in Season 1 or Season 2, heck even Season 3 this might be excuseable, but by Season 6 this kind of problem just feels absurd and makes three of the mane six look childish and pettty. Also, how does a sea monster tipping over the boat in shallow waters translate into a storm and a rouge wave on the open seas?

Where The Apple Lies, Where The Apple Lies, Written by David Rapp, Story by Meghan McCarthy and David Rapp (Season 6, Episode 23)
There was no need at all for this episode to exisit as it did, it didn't do anything to justify it being an Apple Bloom episode that was an Applejack focus episode. In fact, this episode ends up contradicting continuity more than it establishes more of it. The only new thing we learn, is something we could've learned at any point at all in the present. You could have this episode happen to any other character, or have them tell it to any other character, and the story would be the same. Heck, it would be probably be better since this episode now calls into question Applejack's defining trait. Was her honesty something she came to value, or was she always honest?

Season 6 Episodes Failed 7/26

Totals from previous seasons:
Season 1 Episodes Failed 11/26
Season 2 Episodes Failed 8/26
Season 3 Episodes Failed 4/13
Season 4 Episodes Failed 6/26
Season 5 Episodes Failed 5/26

Total Episodes Failed: 41/143

And there you have it. Come back tomorrow when we take a look at the Top Ten Opening Scenes of FiM, chances are you can guess what number 1 will be, but what about the others?