Ranking the Princess Episodes (From Worst to Best)

Even after Twilight joined their ranks and Flurry Heart was added to the cast the princesses have unfortunately not gotten as much love and attention in the show as they have obtained within the fandom. It wasn't really until Season 7 that any effort really went into exploring their characters outside the expanded media (which has done so to varying results). Yes, I know that technically there's also Princess Ember and Princess Skystar to consider, but the former is a princess in name only since she's much more of a leader while the latter has been confined to just the movie so far.

Much like with the CMC and Mane Six/Seven/Eight episode lists, this one is going to be split into a few different categories. We're not going to consider episodes focused on Twilight post ascension, since we already talked about them back when we ranked the Twilight Sparkle episodes and I don't want to be redundant, plus they haven't really been focused on Twilight's role or title outside of the occasional display. But we are going to consider each of the remaining princesses (Celestia, Luna, Cadence) on their own and then see how all 13 episodes focused on the princesses stack up overall. Like always my personal opinion is involved so please respect it, and of course we're going to be looking at how the episodes actually represent and treat the princess (or in some cases princesses) they're focused on.

First up is the one that now sadly garnered the least attention within the show, Princess Cadence. She has 4 episodes to consider, including a two parter ("The Crystal Empire" and subsequent episodes based in it don't count, since they've never really shown Cadence ruling over it or even explained exactly how or why she is the heir to the throne. The most we've got to go on is her having the same last name as Queen Amore and having the Crystal Heart for a cutie mark).

4. Three's A Crowd (Season 4, Episode 11)
Why it's on the bottom: You would think there'd be nothing wrong with just a CadencexTwilight episode focused on the two youngest princesses that are now sister-in-laws. But apparently they just had to throw Discord in for the sake of giving him an episode between Season 4's premiere and finale, and unfortunately he sucks all away the focus and screen time, to the point where by the time he actually crashes at Twilight's place the episode is half over. Even then the only thing Twilight and Cadence actually do together is fight the tatzulworm, and then Cadence basically throws Shining Armor under the bus to make Twilight happy since Discord clearly enjoyed ruining her day with Cadence.

3. Once Upon a Zeppelin (Season 7, Episode 21 in production order/22 in airdate)
Why it's not on the bottom: The extended media is what deals Cadence's role a death blow here, particularly the comics which are canon unless contradicted by the show. The comics, or at least the one Friends Forever issue focused on Cadence depicted her as unhappy with her role as a princess and even "Three's a Crowd" sort of lends credit to the idea. Sure, maybe she's gotten over it but even then her advice feels more like something Luna or Celestia should be giving Twilight, considering they've been around longer. And that's really the most that Cadence gets in terms of a major role, especially since we have the repetitive joke of Shining Armor being airsick and most of the screen time going to Twilight's parents (not that that's a bad thing).

2. and 1. A Canterlot Wedding Parts 1 and 2 (Season 2, Episodes 25 and 26)
Why they're on the top: Yeah, shocker of all shockers that Cadence's debut episode (or I should say episodes) in which she spends most of it abducted and replaced by an evil imposter is her best outing, despite her being introduced so abruptly. Even moreso than Shining Armor it makes sense that Twilight never brought Cadence up, not because she's a princess but because let's face it even if you had a babysitter or caretaker you were fond of as a child you probably never mention it to everyone you meet. We see just enough of Cadence in order for us to get invested in her character, and thus we're right there celebrating when she earns her happy ending. I also detest the argument that she had no character here, because she did. Maybe not much, but she's not some throwaway character. I do have to commend "Best Gift Ever" for turning her and Shining Armor into an adorable battle couple though, that's a nice detail that I would love to see followed up on but sadly probably won't.

Now we move on to the fan favorite character, Princess Luna. She was the first one to truly get some development and time in the spotlight all to herself, and fittingly she has the most focus episodes out of all the princesses at 6 total, though three of them fall under an unofficial trilogy (largely because they share a similar theme and role for her).

6. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? (Season 5, Episode 13)
Why it's on the bottom: I can buy that Luna hasn't fully overcome her guilt for Nightmare Moon and feels she got off too easy in punishment, but the existence of the tantibus ends up raising a lot of unfortunate implications. What's even worse is that Luna doesn't consult with the one pony who deserves to know about this more than anyone else, Celestia. Celestia would be shocked to learn her little sister has still been torturing and tormenting herself over something that happened so long ago, especially since Celestia herself likely feels guilty for not paying more attention to her sister all those years ago. While we do get some better imagery from this dream episode (including the embracing of the idea "In a dream, anything is possible") Luna's doubts still feel very sudden and the speech at the end is one that really should be made by Celestia, not by the mane six who still barely know Luna.

5. Bloom and Gloom (Season 5, Episode 4)
Why it's not on the bottom: Rounding out the trilogy of LunaxCMC episodes, this is the one that takes the longest to reveal itself as one even though by the third act it becomes obvious that it is a dream. And when it does it's used to more or less join the CMC together at the hip, all the while there's a whole lot of questions about Babs Seed and her abrupt writing out that the episode doesn't want to answer. Luna's message about fear is nice, but also kind of redundant since Apple Bloom really was trapped in a nightmare. And all it really would've taken to ease Apple Bloom's concerns was for Applejack to take some time to actually give Apple Bloom some reassurance instead of just brushing them off as "worries for another time".

4. A Royal Problem (Season 7, Episode 10)
Why it's in the bottom three: As nice as it was to get a royal sisters episode, and as much they carry the episode when they're allowed to shine on their own, there are a great deal of problems concerning their behavior. Namely there's the fact that the both of them are acting more like petty teenagers than fully grown adults, though at least Luna has the excuse of sleep deprevation. Her worrying about the children makes sense, we've seen that Luna has a soft spot for them and wants to be their friend. Even then, Celestia being powerless in the dream realm doesn't make much sense, the best I can come up with is that it was a power she willingly gave up during Luna's banishment because she felt it was too much for her to wield on top of all her other powers.

3. Luna Eclipsed (Season 2, Episode 4)
Why it's in the top three: It's not Luna's fault this episode is so mean-spirited. I don't see what's so funny about watching poor Luna try to make amends and change her image, but everyone (especially Pinkie Pie) keeps getting on her case and bringing up bad memories she wants to forget. Yet the solution to it all is to just play along and basically be what everypony keeps labeling her as, and that's what makes them realize she's not so bad and isn't who she used to be? Also, an interesting fact about Luna's design here, Lauren Faust's vision stated that this was not her original form from before her banishment and she was still regaining some of her power. Of course, once Lauren Faust left that got tossed aside.

2. Sleepless in Ponyville (Season 3, Episode 6)
Why it's not on the top: Luna first appears in this episode in a blink and you'll miss cameo, it isn't until later on that we learn that wasn't just a throwaway cameo. At the time we didn't know about the dream realm, so while Luna's appearance was quite welcome it was sort of confusing as to how it functioned. What really helps Luna here is how she functions as a mentor, she is kind and reassuring but also straightforward with her warnings and capeable of seeing through a facade. We still don't know if she had any role to play in waking up Rainbow Dash or why she was suddenly expelled from Scootaloo's dream though.

1. For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils (Season 4, Episode 20 in production order/19 in airdate)
Why it's on the top: This really feels like a role that only Luna could play, and it helps that she is revealed fairly early on into the episode. She is understanding of Sweetie Belle's problem and senses that they have a similar problem. But she is determined to prevent Sweetie Belle from making the same mistakes that she made. Even the bad future doesn't feel like a stretch since the intention is to scare Sweetie straight, it doesn't necessarily mean all those events will happen Luna just wants to make Sweetie realize what her actions will cause. Luna's appearance toward the end does feel a bit abrupt, especially with her voice change. But that's about the only true complaint for an otherwise fantastic outing for her.

Last but not least we have the first princess, Princess Celestia. She originally didn't have any episodes truly devoted to her and only had one that could kind of count after four seasons, it took until Season 7 for that to change, so now she has 4 episodes to consider.

4. Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 2 (Season 4, Episode 2)
Why it's on the bottom: Why is this a Celestia episode, you ask? Well, because it offers a glimpse (albeit briefly) into her past, showing some of the tough decisions she made and some of the battles she fought. Granted it's just for two or three flashbacks and that's it, but it offers the first real hints as to what makes Celestia tick.

3. A Royal Problem (Season 7, Episode 10)
Why it's not on the bottom: Celestia really has no excuse at all for her juvenile behavior, she's already banished her sister to the moon once so exactly why would she get into an argument with her over such trivial things? I find it hard to believe she doesn't notice the lavender her sister hangs in the castle hallways every night. It does make sense that she would be so calm at first with Luna's powers, considering she did it all before. And I like the revelation that she enjoys others company and doesn't want to be alone. Daybreaker is also a cool concept for what an evil Celestia would look like.

2. Celestial Advice (Season 7, Episode 1)
Why it's not on the top: This only truly becomes a Celestia episode in the last few minutes when we get to learn about why Celestia sent Twilight away, and how worried she was about doing so. Prior to that Celestia is mostly just a witness, watching Twilight obsess over possibilities and only occasionally chiming in with her own thoughts. We do get one or two meta moments from her, but that's about it. It's just that those few moments towards the end where we get to see her perspective easily stands out in an episode that otherwise was truly void of substance or conflict.

1. Horse Play (Season 8, Episode 7)
Why it's on the top: For those who wonder how Celestia can be such a bad actress and yet still manage with all the delegates and diginatires in Canterlot, there's a difference between putting on a mask to please a crowd and getting into character for a play. One is necessary for a job, particularly a taxing and stressful one such as ruler, the other often involves a flare for the dramatic and a tendency to exaggerate and express. One surpresses emotion, the other promotes it. Acting is never as easy as it may look, it takes a lot of effort to be able to express and convey yourself on cue. But if the episode was solely about Celestia being a bad actress it probably wouldn't have the same impact that it did when it focuses on Twilight's idol worship of Celestia, and how hurt Celestia is that Twilight would keep the truth hidden from her. In a lot of ways it feels like a conversation Celestia wanted to have a long time ago, but never got around to. And in the end she gets a chance to show how she can function and that she isn't completely helpless. So for all those reasons, I'm gladly putting this one in the top spot.

And now we'll rank all 12 episodes featuring the princesses, but I won't repeat myself on their placements.
13. Princess Twilight Sparkle Part 2 (Season 4, Episode 2)
12. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? (Season 5, Episode 13)
11. Three's A Crowd (Season 4, Episode 11)
10. Bloom and Gloom (Season 5, Episode 4)
9. Luna Eclipsed (Season 2, Episode 4)
8. A Royal Problem (Season 7, Episode 10)
7. Once Upon a Zeppelin (Season 7, Episode 21 in production order/22 in airdate)
6. Celestial Advice (Season 7, Episode 1)
5. and 4. A Canterlot Wedding Parts 1 and 2 (Season 2, Episodes 25 and 26)
3. Sleepless in Ponyville (Season 3, Episode 6)
2. For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils (Season 4, Episode 20 in production order/19 in airdate)
1. Horse Play (Season 8, Episode 7)

And there you have it, come back tomorrow when we'll rank the Discord episodes in all their many ups and downs.

Comments

[superfun]

For me, the Celestia episodes go:
1. A Royal Problem
2. Celestial Advice
3. Horse Play

The Luna episodes more or less rank the same.

Also, you got the title for the Cadance, Twilight, Discord episode wrong.
Triple Threat is the Spike one.
You're thinking of Three's a Crowd