Ranking The Episodes of FiM From Worst to Best, Version 5

Now that Season 7's airdate has more than likely been announced (unless they're planning to go straight through the summer, I really can't imagine they'd wait longer than mid April to air it. They'll want to have Season 7 done before the movie so that there's nothing to divert attention from it), it's time to update the episode list a little since some of my opinions have changed a bit. But of course, with 143 episodes to get through, trying to explain why each one ends up where it does would take way too long. So if you're curious, just comment. Here's the previous version, in case you want to see more in depth what has changed. And remember, this list is the result of my opinion, and my opinion alone, so it's not official by any means.

143. The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, Written by M. A. Larson
142. Over A Barrel, Written by Dave Polsky
141. Boast Busters, Written by Chris Savino
140. One Bad Apple, Written by Cindy Morrow
139. Green Isn't Your Color, Written by Meghan McCarthy
138. The Cutie Pox, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
137. Hearth's Warming Eve, Written by Merriweather Williams
136. Feeling Pinkie Keen, Written by Dave Polsky
135. Look Before You Sleep, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
134. The Mysterious Mare Do Well, Written by Merriweather Williams
133. Dragon Quest, Written by Merriweather Williams
132. Newbie Dash, Written by David Rapp, Story by David Rapp and Dave Polsk
131. Spike at Your Service, Written by Merriweather Williams and Dave Polsky
130. Bridle Gossip, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
129. Swarm of The Century, Written by M. A. Larson
128. Owls Well That Ends Well, Written by Cindy Morrow
127. Bats!, Written by Merriweather Williams
126. Rainbow Falls, Written by Corey Powell
125. What About Discord?, Written by Neal Duseadu
124. Three's A Crowd, Written by Meghan McCarthy and Ed Valentine
123. Filli Vanilli, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
122. Somepony To Watch Over Me, Written by Scott Sonneborn
121. Trade Ya!, Written by Scott Sonneborn
120. Appleloosa's Most Wanted, Written by Dave Polsky
119. Castle, Sweet Castle, Written by Joanna Leiws and Kristine Songco
118. Luna Eclipsed, Written by M. A. Larson
117. Princess Spike, Written by Neal Duseadu, Story by Jayson Thiesen and Jim Miller
116. Scare Master, Written by Natasha Levinger
115. Stare Master, Written by Chris Savino
114. The Show Stoppers, Written by Cindy Morrow
113. Applejack's "Day" Off, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox, Story by Neal Duseadu, Michael P. Fox and Will Fox
112. It's About Time, Written by M. A. Larson
111. Leap of Faith, Written by Josh Haber
110. A Bird in the Hoof, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
109. 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
108. The Cart Before The Ponies, Written by Ed Valentine, Story by Ed Valentine and Michael Vogel
107. Where The Apple Lies, Written by David Rapp, Story by Meghan McCarthy and David Rapp
106. Gift Of The Maud Pie, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox, Story by Josh Haber, Michael P. Fox and Will Fox
105. 28 Pranks Later, Written by F.M. De Marco, Story by Meghan McCarthy
104. The Return of Harmony Part 2, Written by M. A. Larson
103. The Return of Harmony Part 1, Written by M. A. Larson
102. Apple Family Reunion, Written by Cindy Morrow
101. Ticket Master, Written by Lauren Faust and Amy Keating Rogers
100. Winter Wrap Up, Written by Cindy Morrow
99. The Best Night Ever, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
98. Friendship is Magic Part 1 (Mare in the Moon), Written by Lauren Faust
97. Friendship is Magic Part 2 (Elements of Harmony), Written by Lauren Faust
96. Games Ponies Play, Written by Dave Polsky
95. Just for Sidekicks, Written by Corey Powell
94. May the Best Pet Win!, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
93. Sweet and Elite, Written by Meghan McCarthy
92. Tanks For The Memories, Written by Cindy Morrow
91. Bloom and Gloom, Written by Josh Haber
90. A Friend in Deed, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
89. Made in Manehattan, Written by Noelle Benvenuti
88. Power Ponies, Written by Meghan McCarthy, Charlotte Fullerton, and Besty McGowen
87. Griffon the Brush Off, Written by Cindy Morrow
86. Read It and Weep, Written by Cindy Morrow
85. Canterlot Boutique, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
84. Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
83. Top Bolt, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco, Story by Meghan McCarthy, Joanna Lewis, and Kristine Songco
82. Family Appreciation Day, Written by Cindy Morrow
81. Flutter Brutter, Written by David Rapp, Story by Meghan McCarthy
80. Daring Don't, Written by Dave Polsky
79. Buckball Season, Written by Jennifer Skelly
78. Twilight Time, Written by Dave Polsky
77. On Your Marks, Written by Dave Polsky and Josh Haber, Story by Dave Polsky
76. Magic Duel, Written by M. A. Larson
75. The Hooffields and McColts, Written by Joanna Leiws and Kristine Songco
74. Fall Weather Friends, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
73. Hearts and Hooves Day, Written by Meghan McCarthy
72. Too Many Pinkie Pies, Written by Dave Polsky
71. The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows, Written by G. M. Berrow
70. The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
69. Ponyville Confidential, Written by M. A. Larson
68. The Fault In Our Cutie Marks, Written by Ed Valentine, Story by Josh Haber and Meghan McCarthy
67. Every Little Thing She Does, Written by Michael Vogel
66. The Saddle Row Review (a.k.a Saddle Row & Rec), Written by Nick Confalone
65. It Ain't Easy Being Breezies, Written by Natasha Levinger
64. MMMystery on The Friendship Express, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
63. Maud Pie, Written by Noelle Benvenuti
62. Hearthbreakers, Written by Nick Confalone
61. Party Pooped, Written by Nick Confalone, Story by Jayson Thiesen and Jim Miller
60. Inspiration Manifestation, Written by Meghan McCarthy and Corey Powell
59. Viva Las Pegasus, Written by Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt, Story by Michael Vogel, Kevin Burke, and Chris "Doc" Wyatt
58. Baby Cakes, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
57. Putting Your Hoof Down, Written by Merriweather Williams, Story by Charlotte Fullerton
56. Flight to The Finish, Written by Ed Valentine
55. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?, Written by Scott Sonneborn, Story by Jayson Thiesen and Jim Miller
54. Castle Mane-ia, Written by Josh Haber
53. Call of The Cutie, Written by Meghan McCarthy
52. Dragonshy, Written by Meghan McCarthy
51. Rarity Investigates, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco, Story by Meghan McCarthy, M. A. Larson, and Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
50. No Second Prances, Written by Nick Confalone
49. Pinkie Apple Pie, Written by Natasha Levinger
48. The Last Roundup, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
47. Secret of My Excess, Written by M. A. Larson
46. Applebuck Season, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
45. The Times They Are A Changeling, Written by Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt, Story by Michael Vogel, Kevin Burke, and Chris "Doc" Wyatt
44. Sisterhooves Social, Written by Cindy Morrow
43. Amending Fences, Written by M. A. Larson
42. Rarity Takes Manehattan, Written by Dave Polsky
41. Make New Friends But Keep Discord, Written by Natasha Levinger
40. Slice of Life, Written by M. A. Larson
39. Equestria Games, Written by Dave Polsky
38. Crystal Empire Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
37. Crystal Empire Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
36. Wonderbolt Academy, Written by Merriweather Williams
35. A Canterlot Wedding Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
34. A Canterlot Wedding Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
33. The Cutie Mark Chronicles, Written by M. A. Larson
32. The Mane Attraction, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
31. Twilight's Kingdom Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
30. Twilight's Kingdom Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
29. Sleepless in Ponyville, Written by Corey Powell
28. The Cutie Re-Mark Part 1, Written by Josh Haber
27. The Cutie Re-Mark Part 2, Written by Josh Haber
26. The Crystalling Part 1, Written by Josh Haber
25. The Crystalling Part 2, Written by Josh Haber
24. Spice Up Your Life, Written by Michael Vogel
23. To Where And Back Again Part 1, Written by Josh Haber and Michael Vogel
22. To Where and Back Again Part 2, Written by Josh Haber and Michael Vogel
21. A Hearth's Warming Tail, Written by Michael Vogel
20. Suited for Success, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
19. Hurricane Fluttershy, Written by Cindy Morrow
18. Brotherhooves Social, Written by Dave Polsky
17. Dungeons and Discord, Written by Nick Confalone
16. The Cutie Map (a.k.a Cutie Markless) Part 1, Written by Scott Sonneborn and M. A. Larson, Story by Meghan McCarthy
15. The Cutie Map (a.k.a Cutie Markless) Part 2, Written by Scott Sonneborn and M. A. Larson, Story by Meghan McCarthy
14. Princess Twilight Sparkle Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
13. Princess Twilight Sparkle Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
12. A Dog and Pony Show, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
11. Magical Mystery Cure, Written by M. A. Larson
10. Stranger Than Fanfiction, Written by Josh Haber and Michael Vogel
9. Gauntlet of Fire, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
8. Sonic Rainboom, Written by M. A. Larson
7. Party of One, Written by Meghan McCarthy
6. Keep Calm and Flutter On, Written by Dave Polsky and Teddy Antonio
5. For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils, Written by Dave Polsky
4. Lesson Zero, Written by Meghan McCarthy
3. Pinkie Pride, Written by Amy Keating Rogers and Jayson Thiessen
2. Simple Ways, Written by Josh Haber
1. Crusaders of The Lost Mark, Written by Amy Keating Rogers

And there you have it. If you're curious as to the overall rankings, allow me to explain a bit more in detail. The episodes fall into the following categories: 143-114: Terrible, 113-82: Meh, 81-46: Good, 45-1: Excellent

Updated episode rankings for Seasons 1-6 will follow in the coming days.

Comments

[doomie-22]

Not surprised that "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" is on this list. I consider it to be my all-time favorite episode. My favorite episode of season five and my favorite episode of the whole series!

[yodajax10]

Out of curiosity, what made you rank Stare Master lower than The Show Stoppers?

[SuperPinkBrony12]

4452012 Some of these episodes changed due to personal taste, but episodes like Stare Master have become increasingly harder to watch in the wake of some real world events. At least in The Show Stoppers, the CMC's stupidity never hurts anyone but themselves and at least it kind of makes sense. Children don't always like being told what to do, but school aged kids usually think "if a grown-up says not to go into some place, they must have a good reason for it." so it's really hard to wonder why they'd choose to go into the Everfree Forest, knowing it's dangerous and that undeniably every grown-up they know would probably tell them it was dangerous too.

[Frankie2]

To each their own. Is there a chance of you doing a 'What If?' based on 'Castle Mane-ia'?

[SuperPinkBrony12]

4453760 No, though I did sort of rewrite in my Stallion Six fic.