Favorite Episode Countdown #7 - The Best Night Ever · 4:25pm Mar 17th, 2018
Hello, one and all!
As promised in my blog yesterday, we're kicking off the countdown to Season 8 today with a week-long list of my favorite episodes, one per day, leading up to the premiere. It wasn't easy deciding my top 7 as I have a lot of favorites. But, I was able to narrow it down and put it together.
With each blog, I plan on doing a relatively in-depth look at why I love it and what it means to me, personally. It's something I've never really done before, so I think it could be fun to share the episodes I love and why I love them with you all.
Anyhow, if you're interested, check below the break for my 7th favorite episode, The Best Night Ever!
So, before we go headlong into the list, I wanna just post a short list of episodes that almost made the list. Basically, what I did was I went through every season and picked out my favorite episodes. From that list, I then narrowed it down to my seven favorites. So, here are the episodes that didn't quite make the cut and a brief description of why I like them.
Fame and Misfortune - This episode was hilarious and really put a lot of fandom complaints on display. I loved it. Also, the We're Not Flawless song. 
Hard to Say Anything - This episode was adorable, introduced Sugar Belle to Big Mac and had awesome music. Can't hate.
To Where and Back Again - Trixie and Starlight on display with Thorax and Discord. I love those characters and I love snark.
Brotherhooves Social - I have a sister that I'm close with, as well, so this episode pulled those heartstrings.
Make New Friends but Keep Discord - I'm a sucker for Fluttercord episodes, plus Tree Hugger is awesome.
Dragon Quest - A big moment for Spike and it helped feed a lot of my headcanon about dragon culture.
A Royal Problem - Starlight gets to shine and the Princesses learn a classic lesson. Lovely.
Alright, now that that's out of the way, let's get to the meat of this presentation!
The Best Night Ever
Okay, why is this one on the list? Let's break it down.
I'll admit, season 1 has a lot of hit and miss episodes with me. For every awesome one like this or Winter Wrap=Up, you've got some lackluster ones as well. But, I'll tell you what, when this season hits, it hits hard. Thus, The Best Night Ever enters the ring.
It's such a simple episode. Takes place over the course of a single event, but during that time, it's just completely awesome. You've got the characters getting humbled, Fluttershy going crazy, Spike getting drunk off donuts and punch... The list goes on. But probably the biggest draw of this episode for me is—Well, second biggest draw— is the fact that you learn a lot about how the characters think, what their personal goals are and how they react in awkward situations.
You learn that Rarity is kind of a hopeless romantic with dreams of grandeur, AppleJack wants to help the family farm at every opportunity, Pinkie wants to see everyone happy all the time, Fluttershy loves animals... albeit a bit too much and Twilight just wants to make the Princesses proud.
You see, those are all well-known facts and staples at this point. We all know these things, but this episode came out in season 1. The characters were still progressing, we were still learning about them. This episode is what really solidified what these characters were about. And for that reason, we have the means to take those aspirations and goals of the characters and use them to create awesome works of fanfiction, art and so on. So, every Rarity story we have where she's running her own business or falling in love yet again in a fleeting moment can in some way, shape or form be contributed to this episode. I could go on about the other characters as well, but I'll spare you the time.
However, there is one thing about this episode that really really makes me love it. You know what that is?
At The Gala just might be my favorite MLP song across all seasons and media. It's so good. I wouldn't say it's quite on Disney level of production and quality, but it's about as close as you can get in a cartoon and I can still jam it even though it's been 5 years since I first heard it.
Anyhow, that sums it up for number 7. Remember, this is just my opinion on not fact, so it's cool if you guys don't agree or even hate the episodes I feature. We've all gotta bounce to our own beat.
Keep it real, guys, and keep rocking!
-Famous
This one probably sealed the deal for a lot of bronies, considering how the moral and setting of it were carbon copies of a real life and relatable situation: you go to a dance or prom, thinking it'll be the best time ever, but in the end you just end up chatting the night away with your friends.
4819000 And that's just the best thing you can ever do :D
The Best Night Ever was the first full episode I ever watched. A real classic that played a significant part in my becoming a longtime fanboy. Good choice.
4819000
You mean back when the show was more grounded?
I enjoy this episode, knowing that their expectation didn't become a reality made it so relatable. Also, the song got stuck in my head.
Oh yeah, A Royal Problem, Hard to Say Anything, and Make New Friends but Keep Discord are awesome. Tree Hugger most chill pony.
4819209
The show was never too hot on consistency, but sure, let's go with that.
4819456
Grounded, not consistent. The show is set in a fantastical world of technicolor horses, yet it still employs a very human element to its characters. The show makes it very clear to its own characters that their world doesn't revolve around them, and that's stated bluntly to them in The Best Night Ever.
This isn't a show where Prince Charming comes in to sweep some milk maid off her feet. Instead, Prince Charming quirks an eyebrow and asks why the peasant is making a pass at him. Even though it's set in an impossible world, the characters in it act as anyone would in their own world. Their world doesn't exist, but the way they interact with it makes it almost seem real. Sadly, this element has been lost in the last few seasons, and I think it's what I've missed the most.
The Best Night Ever is definitely my favorite season 1 episode.