Favorite Episode Countdown #1 !!!! · 3:51pm Mar 23rd, 2018
Here it is! The moment we've all a few of us have been waiting for! My favorite episode of all time is...
SECRET OF MY EXCESS
For those of you who know me well, this probably doesn't come as a major surprise. But, for those who don't, now you know.
What can I say about this episode? It was far and away the most inspirational episode to me in terms of my writing and my descent into the fandom. It also happens to be a really great episode from start to finish. Let's dive right in and start dissecting why I love this one so much.
Overall Story
I love the story of this episode. It's extremely sweet and very refreshing. It really shows us the best of what the main characters have to offer in terms of their base personality as well as teaches a valuable lesson about kindness and caring for one another. Those are two life lessons that never get old.
You get Spike giving Rarity a beautiful gem he was going to keep for himself which she loves at first sight. You then get Spike giving into his base desires and rampaging the town, only for Rarity to save him and turn him back. And then it follows up with an adorable ending sequence between the two. It was just awesome.
But, to be specific as to why I found this episode to be personally refreshing and unique: It was the first real episode that featured Spike at the forefront. Sure, he'd had roles in other episodes, some of them important, but this one let him be the star and that was pretty cool to see, even before I was any kind of a fan of him.
THE CHARACTERS
I touched on it briefly already, but I'll go a bit more in-depth here.
The characters were written with the utmost care and quality in this episode. You had Rarity go from being a bit vain, as usual, and then flipping it around into pure generosity and loyalty to Spike. On the flip side, you've got Spike being incredibly sweet, getting a bit greedy as dragons are oft to do apparently and then twisting that around at the end as well, leading both of them to a satisfying conclusion together.
What's great about this episode is really how much emotion and thought of the characters they cover in such a short time-span. We learn more about Spike in twenty minutes then we had in the series until that point. Whereas he was always used as the butt monkey of the jokes and such, he actually displayed real emotions, real desires and real care and affection in this one. It was a huge moment for him and really set the tone moving forward.
IMPACT
Of course, we've gotta bring this into the fray. The impact this episode had, not only on me but the fandom as a whole is beyond words and frankly doesn't need them. But, I'll elaborate.
Let's start with just me. Personally, I wouldn't be writing in this fandom without this episode. The main reason I ever wanted to release a story on here at all is that I had a Sparity idea I wanted to share and it was largely influenced by that episode. Although he had a crush on her, the connection they have would have never been so strong had this episode not taken place. Rarity and Spike play off each other really well. And, to be honest, I still use that episode as a point of reference to this day. Anytime I write a scene of banter between the two or a soft, sweet scene of friendship what have you, I always reflect back to their interactions on that episode. It made a huge impact on me and my writing, no doubt.
Now, as for the fandom as a whole, this episode is largely responsible for one of, if not the biggest ship in the fandom's history: Sparity. You can't really deny it either. Why? Because I guarantee you everyone in the fandom and their grandmother has thought about it or had it shoved in their face at least once. Add to that that it's never really taken a step back throughout the entire 7 years of the fandom and you've got a recipe for a successful ship.
And it's all thanks to this one episode.
Plus, you can also go ahead and throw in all the other creators who may never have gotten their start without Sparity and this episode. Long story short, this episode was not only a fun one for the fandom, but it was one the fandom needed, to be perfectly honest.
Anyhow, that's it for my top 7 list. Honestly, it's always at risk to change based on what new episodes greet us this season, but we'll cross that bridge starting tomorrow.
Keep it real guys and keep rockin'!
-Famous
It's also one of those 'watch what is shown, not what is said' episodes. There's some discrepancy between the explanation of what happens and what characters claim is happening... particularly regarding whether it's really greed that causes Spike to grow. That inspired one fic of my own, actually.
My personal favorite is still May the Best Pet Win, but then my criteria aren't the same, suppose. It's been interesting seeing someone put their thoughts on these matters down. Here's hoping we get more good stuff, from pony and non-pony things.
Incidentally, are you looking forward to anything non-MLP, too? Filly Funtasia, Valt the Wonder Deer, Niko: the New Adventures, Uma Musume Pretty Derby?
4823262
I don't watch a whole lot of TV, to be honest. It's a matter of time, these days.
But, I am really looking forward to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. I've been a fan of the Jurassic Park series since I was a toddler.
Awesome episode. So much Sparity. Thanks for the countdown, I really enjoyed it!
Ayyyy Rarity didn’t die
4823392
Probably ;)
4823479
I always really enjoyed this episode, too, but I'm just gonna warn you here and now: I'm pretty dang sure SunLight's trying to take over Sparity's spot, if it hasn't already. And I probably shouldn't even count super-canon stuff like Shiningdance.
Anyway, I like both ships, so I'm cool either way.
4823718
You see, ShiningDance has to be excluded because it's an actual thing. Hence, it goes from shipping to canon relationship.
But I refuse to live in a world where SunLight becomes a thing. The dude is such a weirdo. Sure, the childhood friendship thing is cool but as prominent as Sparity? I think not.
...But to be fair, any Starlight ship that's not StarSpike rubs me the wrong way for some reason. I think I might have a problem...
4823720
Of course, canon relationships are exempt from this.
And the fact that I was thinking of Sunset/Twilight and you were thinking of Sunburst/Starlight when I said SunLight really highlights how similar the names can sound in MLP sometimes. I think the latter tends to be called Starburst since EqG shippers got to SunLight first, but it’s still a bit confusing.
That and Sunburst is practically the grandpa friend. Cares for children, likes antiquing, a little bit awkward, the facial hair...I’m cool with him staying single and just being everyone’s 20-something grandpa.
4823728
Oh gosh, Sunset and Twilight... I don't hate it, but I prefer her to be with Flash Sentry or one of the random nerdy background guys. I love the aesthetic of it.