Ranking The Episodes of FiM From Worst to Best, Version 11 · 5:30pm Jun 24th, 2019
With Season 9 halfway over, it's time to yet again update the episode rankings so we can see where the newcomers fall and what has changed. With 209 episodes to get through, you'd better believe this list is gonna be a doozy. Of course, simply explaining why every episode ends up where it does would take forever, so just ask if you wanna know why something ends up where it does. And as always this list is purely the result of my personal opinion so please respect it. Here's Version 10, from just after the 200th episode.
209. Secrets and Pies, Written by Josh Hamilton
208. Non-Compete Clause, Written by Kim Beyer-Johnson
207. The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, Written by M. A. Larson
206. The Cutie Pox, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
205. Over A Barrel, Written by Dave Polsky
204. One Bad Apple, Written by Cindy Morrow
203. Sweet and Smoky, Written by Kim Beyer-Johnson
202. Hearth's Warming Eve, Written by Merriweather Williams
201. Boast Busters, Written by Chris Savino
200. Honest Apple, Written by Kevin Lappin
199. Fame and Misfortune, Written by M. A. Larson (Rewritten by unknown author)
198. Look Before You Sleep, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
197. A Matter of Principals, Written by Nicole Dubac
196. Dragon Quest, Written by Merriweather Williams
195. To Change a Changeling, Written by Kevin Lappin
194. All Bottled Up, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
193. Marks for Effort, Written by Nicole Dubac
192. Green Isn't Your Color, Written by Meghan McCarthy
191. Newbie Dash, Written by David Rapp, Story by David Rapp and Dave Polsky
190. Spike at Your Service, Written by Merriweather Williams and Dave Polsky
189. Swarm of the Century, Written by M. A. Larson
188. Owl's Well That Ends Well, Written by Cindy Morrow
187. Uprooted, Written by Nicole Dubac
186. The Mysterious Mare Do Well, Written by Merriweather Williams
185. Feeling Pinkie Keen, Written by Dave Polsky
184. Bats!, Written by Merriweather Williams
183. Rainbow Falls, Written by Corey Powell
182. Three's A Crowd, Written by Meghan McCarthy and Ed Valentine
181. What About Discord?, Written by Neal Duseadu
180. Filli Vanilli, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
179. Trade Ya!, Written by Scott Sonneborn
178. Somepony To Watch Over Me, Written by Scott Sonneborn
177. Appleloosa's Most Wanted, Written by Dave Polsky
176. Castle, Sweet Castle, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
175. Princess Spike, Written by Neal Duseadu, Story by Jayson Thiesen and Jim Miller
174. Scare Master, Written by Natasha Levinger
173. Luna Eclipsed, Written by M. A. Larson
172. Father Knows Beast, Written by Josh Haber
171. 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
170. Bridle Gossip, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
169. School Raze Part 2, Written by Josh Haber
168. School Raze Part 1, Written by Nicole Dubac
167. A Rockhoof and a Hard Place, Written by Kaita Mpambara
166. Fake It 'Til You Make It, Written by Josh Hamilton
165. Stare Master, Written by Chris Savino
164. The Show Stoppers, Written by Cindy Morrow
163. Applejack's "Day" Off, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox, Story by Neal Duseadu, Michael P. Fox and Will Fox
162. The Mean 6, Written by Michael Vogel
161. Campfire Tales, Written by Barry Safchik and Michael Platt
160. Yakity Sax, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox
159. Where The Apple Lies, Written by David Rapp, Story by Meghan McCarthy and David Rapp
158. Grannies Gone Wild, Written by G. M. Berrow
157. Friendship University, Written by Chris "Doc" Wyatt and Kevin Burke
156. The Break Up Break Down, Written by Nick Confalone
155. 28 Pranks Later, Written by F.M. De Marco, Story by Meghan McCarthy
154. The Cart Before The Ponies, Written by Ed Valentine, Story by Ed Valentine and Michael Vogel
153. Leap of Faith, Written by Josh Haber
152. Going to Seed, Written by David Rapp
151. The Gift of the Maud Pie, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox, Story by Josh Haber, Michael P. Fox and Will Fox
150. A Bird in the Hoof, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
149. It's About Time, Written by M. A. Larson
148. The Return of Harmony Part 2, Written by M. A. Larson
147. The Return of Harmony Part 1, Written by M. A. Larson
146. The Ticket Master, Written by Lauren Faust and Amy Keating Rogers
145. Games Ponies Play, Written by Dave Polsky
144. Just for Sidekicks, Written by Corey Powell
143. Triple Threat, Written by Josh Hamilton
142. The Best Night Ever, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
141. Tanks For The Memories, Written by Cindy Morrow
140. Power Ponies, Written by Meghan McCarthy, Charlotte Fullerton, and Besty McGowen
139. A Flurry of Emotions, Written by Sammie Crowley and Whitney Wetta
138. May the Best Pet Win!, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
137. Not Asking for Trouble, Written by May Chan
136. Apple Family Reunion, Written by Cindy Morrow
135. Bloom & Gloom, Written by Josh Haber
134. Winter Wrap Up, Written by Cindy Morrow
133. A Friend in Deed, Written by Amy Keating Roger
132. Top Bolt, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco, Story by Meghan McCarthy, Joanna Lewis, and Kristine Songco
131. Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
130. Parental Glideance, Written by Josh Hamilton
129. Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?, Written by Scott Sonneborn, Story by Jayson Thiesen and Jim Miller
128. Made in Manehattan, Written by Noelle Benvenuti
127. The Point of No Return, Written by G. M. Berrow
126. Sweet and Elite, Written by Meghan McCarthy
125. Fluttershy Leans In, Written by G. M. Berrow
124. Canterlot Boutique, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
123. Griffon the Brush Off, Written by Cindy Morrow
122. Friendship is Magic Part 1 (Mare in the Moon), Written by Lauren Faust
121. Friendship is Magic Part 2 (Elements of Harmony), Written by Lauren Faust
120. Family Appreciation Day, Written by Cindy Morrow
119. The End in Friend, Written by G. M. Berrow
118. She's All Yak, Written by Brian Hohlfeld
117. Sounds of Silence, Written by Gregory Bonsignore
116. Read It and Weep, Written by Cindy Morrow
115. Twilight Time, Written by Dave Polsky
114. Flutter Brutter, Written by David Rapp, Story by Meghan McCarthy
113. Daring Done?, Written by G. M. Berrow
112. Magic Duel, Written by M. A. Larson
111. Daring Don't, Written by Dave Polsky
110. The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
109. On Your Marks, Written by Dave Polsky and Josh Haber, Story by Dave Polsky
108. It Isn't the Mane Thing About You, Written by Josh Haber
107. Buckball Season, Written by Jennifer Skelly
106. The Cutie Re-Mark Part 2, Written by Josh Haber
105. The Cutie Re-Mark Part 1, Written by Josh Haber
104. Every Little Thing She Does, Written by Michael Vogel
103. Molt Down, Written by Josh Haber
102. The Hooffields and McColts, Written by Joanna Leiws and Kristine Songco
101. The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows, Written by G. M. Berrow
100. The Times They Are A Changeling, Written by Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt, Story by Michael Vogel, Kevin Burke, and Chris "Doc" Wyatt
99. The Fault In Our Cutie Marks, Written by Ed Valentine, Story by Josh Haber and Meghan McCarthy
98. The Parent Map, Written by David Rapp
97. Too Many Pinkie Pies, Written by Dave Polsky
96. Party Pooped, Written by Nick Confalone, Story by Jayson Thiesen and Jim Miller
95. Ponyville Confidential, Written by M. A. Larson
94. The Crystalling Part 1, Written by Josh Haber
93. The Crystalling Part 2, Written by Josh Haber
92. To Where And Back Again Part 1, Written by Josh Haber and Michael Vogel
91. To Where and Back Again Part 2, Written by Josh Haber and Michael Vogel
90. No Second Prances, Written by Nick Confalone
89. The Best Gift Ever, Written by Michael Vogel
88. The Hearth's Warming Club, Written by Brian Hohlfeld
87. Fall Weather Friends, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
86. The Crystal Empire Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
85. The Crystal Empire Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
84. Hearts and Hooves Day, Written by Meghan McCarthy
83. The Saddle Row Review (a.k.a Saddle Row & Rec), Written by Nick Confalone
82. The Maud Couple, Written by Nick Confalone
81. It Ain't Easy Being Breezies, Written by Natasha Levinger
80. School Daze Part 1, Written by Michael Vogel and Nicole Dubac
79. School Daze Part 2, Written by Michael Vogel and Nicole Dubac
78. Hearthbreakers, Written by Nick Confalone
77. MMMystery on The Friendship Express, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
76. Maud Pie, Written by Noelle Benvenuti
75. Inspiration Manifestation, Written by Meghan McCarthy and Corey Powell
74. A Health of Information, Written by Sammie Crowley and Whitney Wetta
73. Surf and/or Turf, Written by Brian Hohlfeld
72. Putting Your Hoof Down, Written by Merriweather Williams, Story by Charlotte Fullerton
71. Dragonshy, Written by Meghan McCarthy
70. A Royal Problem, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
69. Celestial Advice, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
68. Flight to The Finish, Written by Ed Valentine
67. Viva Las Pegasus, Written by Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt, Story by Michael Vogel, Kevin Burke, and Chris "Doc" Wyatt
66. Baby Cakes, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
65. Rarity Investigates!, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco, Story by Meghan McCarthy, M. A. Larson, and Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
64. Between Dark and Dawn, Written by Gail Simone
63. Call of the Cutie, Written by Meghan McCarthy
62. Pinkie Apple Pie, Written by Natasha Levinger
61. Secret of My Excess, Written by M. A. Larson
60. Castle Mane-ia, Written by Josh Haber
59. Rock Solid Friendship, Written by Nick Confalone
58. The Last Roundup, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
57. Twilight's Kingdom Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
56. Twilight's Kingdom Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
55. The Last Crusade, Written by Nicole Dubac
54. Applebuck Season, Written by Cindy Morrow
53. Student Counsel, Written by Josh Haber
52. The Beginning of the End Part 1, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
51. The Beginning of the End Part 2, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
50. Spice Up Your Life, Written by Michael Vogel
49. Make New Friends But Keep Discord, Written by Natasha Levinger
48. Road to Friendship, Written by Josh Haber
47. Rarity Takes Manehattan, Written by Dave Polsky
46. Marks and Recreation, Written by May Chan
45. The Washouts, Written by Nick Confaloe
44. Once Upon a Zeppelin, Written by Brittany Jo Flores
43. Discordant Harmony, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox
42. Horse Play, Written by Kaita Mpambara
41. A Canterlot Wedding Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
40. A Canterlot Wedding Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
39. Sisterhooves Social, Written by Cindy Morrow
38. Amending Fences, Written by M. A. Larson
37. Slice of Life, Written by M. A. Larson
36. Equestria Games, Written by Dave Polsky
35. Wonderbolts Academy, Written by Merriweather Williams
34. A Hearth's Warming Tail, Written by Michael Vogel
33. The Cutie Mark Chronicles, Written by M. A. Larson
32. Sleepless in Ponyville, Written by Corey Powell
31. The Mane Attraction, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
30. Sparkle's Seven, Written by Josh Haber and Nicole Dubac, Story by Ashliegh Ball, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain, Tara Strong and Cathy Wesluck
29. Dungeons and Discords, Written by Nick Confalone
28. Hard to Say Anything, Written by Becky Wangberg
27. Hurricane Fluttershy, Written by Cindy Morrow
26. Suited for Success, Written by Charlotte Fullerton
25. Shadow Play, Part 1, Written by Josh Haber and Nicole Dubac, Story by Josh Haber
24. Shadow Play, Part 2, Written by Josh Haber and Nicole Dubac, Story by Josh Haber
23. Uncommon Bond, Written by Josh Haber and Kevin Lappin
22. Common Ground, Written by Josh Haber
21. Brotherhooves Social, Written by Dave Polsky
20. The Cutie Map (a.k.a Cutie Markless) Part 1, Written by Scott Sonneborn and M. A. Larson, Story by Meghan McCarthy
19. The Cutie Map (a.k.a Cutie Markless) Part 2, Written by Scott Sonneborn and M. A. Larson, Story by Meghan McCarthy
18. A Dog and Pony Show, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
17. What Lies Beneath, Written by Michael Vogel
16. Princess Twilight Sparkle Part 1, Written by Meghan McCarthy
15. Princess Twilight Sparkle Part 2, Written by Meghan McCarthy
14. Magical Mystery Cure, Written by M. A. Larson
13. Forever Filly, Written by Michael P. Fox and Will Fox
12. Stranger Than Fan Fiction, Written by Josh Haber and Michael Vogel
11. Keep Calm and Flutter On, Written by Dave Polsky and Teddy Antonio
10. Gauntlet of Fire, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
9. Sonic Rainboom, Written by M. A. Larson
8. For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils, Written by Dave Polsky
7. Party of One, Written by Meghan McCarthy
6. Lesson Zero, Written by Meghan McCarthy
5. Pinkie Pride, Written by Amy Keating Rogers and Jayson Thiessen
4. Simple Ways, Written by Josh Haber
3. Frenemies, Written by Michael Vogel
2. Crusaders of the Lost Mark, Written by Amy Keating Rogers
1. The Perfect Pear, Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
And like with the last couple of versions, here's a quick guide to the overall rankings for the episodes. 209-164: Terrible-Bad, 163-115: Meh-Okay, 114-79: Good, 78-53: Great, 52-4: Excellent, 3-1: Amazing. Now, I would normally do a Mane Eight Ranking update for the mid way point of a season, as well as updates to things like songs, villains, and redemptions. But I wanna wait until after "Rainbow Roadtrip" to do so this time, I don't expect it to really change my opinions on the mane eight after half of Season 9, but I'd rather wait than have to change it because of something that could happen in the special. And I'm almost certain that we're going to get more songs, another villain, and possibly another redemption out of it all (Hasbro's been pretty good at keeping details about it under wraps). But I'll be out of town on Saturday and Sunday, so the review of "Rainbow Roadtrip" won't come until Sunday night at the earliest.
Why are Forever Filly and Magical Mystery Cure so high?
5079686 "Forever Filly" manages to do what almost no other episode could manage, a conflicting loyalities story where it's possible to root for both sides. We know Rarity's in the wrong, but it's easy to see why she's acting the way she does and despite how jarring it is to have her go through what's basically a mid-life crisis, the idea of wanting to have more memories of doing fun things with her sister is enjoyable. Plus, Sweetie Belle manages to carry her side of the story really well, showing that she and the CMC are getting older.
"Magical Mystery Cure" may be a little bit rushed, but the songs help the pacing to not feel too jarring and there are some good character moments. Had the show stopped there I'd have been a little saddened and disappointed, but I would've felt it ended on a high note.
Just found this, and I always love seeing what other people think of episodes. Probably about 75% of it is at least roughly the same as how I'd rank them if I ever got around to putting in the effort. I suppose it's the episodes where we differ greatly that interest me. I won't spam this thread with a full list, but as a couple of examples:
* "Green Isn't Your Color" would easily be in my top 50, perhaps higher, though I'll need to watch it again as I haven't seen it for ages. I think my liking for it is in large part because I really like the dynamic between Fluttershy and Rarity, which I wish we'd seen more often in the show.
* At the other end of the table, "Simple Ways" is a meh episode for me, enlivened chiefly by Tabitha St. Germain's brilliant voice acting. I like it a little more than I did on first watching, but I still find Trenderhoof irritating and I'd go for "Filli Vanilli" (one you don't like!) over it every time.
Anyway, thanks for putting in the effort! As I say, it's always interesting.