Ranking the Applejack Episodes (From Worst to Best), Version 2 · 4:12am Sep 7th, 2019
Expect more updated ranking lists like these in the coming days and weeks as we get closer to the end of the show. Having watched ahead to Episode 23, I can now safely say that Applejack has gotten nomore focus episodes. She got only one this season, which brings her total out of the entire show up to 27. That's actually impressive when you consider her reputation as a "background pony", the one who tends to be forgotten and ignored. But where exactly did her final focus episode land compared to all her other ones, and with a new episode to consider how did the overall rankings change? Well, that's what this list is going to find out. Here's the first version, from February. Let's see what changed.
27. Non-Compete Clause (Season 8, Episode 9)
Why it stayed on the bottom: Well at least I can say that Applejack didn't sink to as deep a low in Season 9 as she did here, so I guess that's an improvement for her (I can't really count "The Summer Sun Setback" as her episode even though she was the only one who suggested telling Twilight the truth, that only came into play for a little while). With Rainbow Dash it's kind of believable that she might stoop this low, but not Applejack. You would expect Applejack to realize that competition isn't worth endangering lives, especially when Yona nearly drowns! Yet for whatever reason, the writers tried to come back to this rivalry that was supposed to be resolved.
26. Honest Apple (Season 7, Episode 9)
Why it moved down: Applejack also didn't sink to as deep a low as this for Season 9. At least this episode did try to explain why Applejack was a judge for a fashion contest. It just didn't do a very good job of it, and ultimately it ended up undermining Applejack's character and making her nearly ruin Rarity's plans. The Applejack we see in this episode isn't Applejack, it's a poor man's Rainbow Dash pretending to be Applejack and doing a very bad job at it!
25. Look Before You Sleep (Season 1, Episode 8)
Why it moved down: It's really moving down because another episode is being added, so it's not in the same numbered spot as it was before. It's interesting to note that Applejack got into the most arguments in Season 1, with Twilight, with Rarity, and with Rainbow Dash. And this episode more or less addressed her tendency to seek conflict, something that would only occasionally surface when it served the plot. However, Applejack suffers along with the rest of the cast in this episode from acting like a little kid even though she's perhaps the most emotionally mature of the mane six (it could go either way between her and Rarity for greatest level of emotional maturity).
24. The Cart Before The Ponies (Season 6, Episode 15 in production order/14 in airdate)
Why it moved down: Applejack and Apple Bloom's sibling dynamic seemed like the one that most often got put through the blender whenever the episode demanded it. And as we'll soon see this isn't the most blatant example of it. At this point though, Applejack should know better. She knows about Apple Bloom's fears of the family disowning her, and for whatever reason she takes offense to the idea that her little sister might dare to desire something besides what the family's always gotten! Plus, for all her concern about Apple Bloom's safety, it all goes out the window when the crash happens.
23. Applejack's "Day" Off (Season 6, Episode 11 in production order/10 in airdate)
Why it moved down: There's character exaggeration, there flanderization, and then there's character assassination. And this is what happens when the last one is put on full display. Character assassination as displayed in this episode is taking everything previously established about a character and just tossing it out the window to serve the plot. Applejack has no reason to add more steps to her routine once the fence stops squeaking. She even admits that the last part was unintentional, it happened only once when she was doing her routine that she didn't need to do. And like so many other episodes, it shoes away anyone who could've or should've been able to get to her to see sense. And this is yet another of those episodes that makes it seem like the writers mistake Applejack for Twilight (and even for Twilight this would be pushing it).
22. P.P.O.V (Pony Point of View) (Season 6, Episode 22)
Why it moved down: Applejack feels the most out of place in this episode despite her connections to Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Applejack has never displayed the love for adventure that this episode claims she has. And while she does admit to partially causing the problems on the boat trip, she still remembers things that didn't happen and we never learn how or why she thinks that way. At this point in the show, Applejack should be the last pony to assume Rarity is stuck up and selfish, or that Pinkie Pie is just stupid for no reason.
21. Where The Apple Lies (Season 6, Episode 23)
Why it moved down: This is nothing but the cliche "Liar Revealed" story that barely even connects to the plot kickstarter of Apple Bloom telling a lie. And even then it was nowhere near as bad as the lies Applejack told in the flashbacks. Not to mention that this episode opened a huge contradiction with the timeline that even when the show tried to fix it in the final season it screwed up. But we'll get to that later.
20. Somepony to Watch Over Me (Season 4, Episode 17)
Why it moved down: The "dead parents" angle might explain a little bit about Applejack's overprotectiveness of Apple Bloom, but nowhere near the extent that would've justified her behavior here. She becomes a walking contradiction when she decides to just go back and check on Apple Bloom for no reason, and claims that family is more important even though she's shirking her responsibilities for no reason. When she later calls Rarity to watch Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle while she goes to look for Apple Bloom, you have to wonder why she didn't just do that in the first place (aside from the fact that doing so would mean there'd be no plot)? And the way Applejack tries to protect Apple Bloom is really unsettling and out of nowhere, nothing justifies it.
19. Going to Seed (Season 9, Episode 10)
Why it's low: It's hard to say where this episode really belongs as an Applejack focus episode, because it feels more like an Apple Bloom episode hastily retooled into an Applejack episode at the last minute. The real problem is how Applejack decides to just be a wet blanket and ruin the fun because of her own bad experience from her childhood. And yet she easily worked out a solution with Apple Bloom part way through the episode so why she was making such a big deal out of it? Heck, why did she keep it all to herself instead of talking to Goldie Delicious? As for the flashback, not only did they use the wrong models, but why did getting stuck in a hole until I can only assume she was rescued cause Applejack to give up on the Great Seedling all together? A fan comic by BobtheDalek presented a much better scenario, one of her traps catching her parents by mistake. Sort of like a child catching their parent as Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy.
18. Made in Manehattan (Season 5, Episode 17 in production order/16 in airdate)
Why it moved down: They really want to hammer home how Applejack is out of her element and out of place in a big city environment like Manehattan, but in doing so they don't allow us time to focus on anything else. Nothing happens for most of the episode because we spend it on a montage of Applejack doing hard work all on her own and getting nowhere. And this is supposed to be a map mission, a team up with Rarity. We know the writers loosely considered a plot in Fillydelphia with Flam as the mayor and banning cider (likely an homeage to prohibition), so maybe this episode's story was a hasty replacement when Hasbro rejected that plot?
17. Sounds of Silence (Season 8, Episode 23)
Why it moved down: Another map mission that puts too much focus on Applejack and neglects her teammate. This time, Applejack is the only one who is shown making an effort, because all of Fluttershy's progress happens off-screen. But they spend too much time on Applejack refusing to listen, make her hog all the screen time she get that doesn't go to Autumn Blaze. It's like they were told what the usual problem with Applejack is in a focus episode, and tried to compensate too hard in the opposite direction (ensuring she couldn't be ignored even to the determent of other characters).
16. Apple Family Reunion (Season 3, Episode 8)
Why it moved up: At least the initial plot is something Applejack would believably do, take over planning a reunion or other major event from someone else and try to make it memorable. It's just that such a plot couldn't constitute a full episode, and the writers didn't want Applejack to be overshadowed again. The problem is that in doing so they make her shut down all possible points before they can get started. Even then, Applejack finally get her own song ends up overshadowed by a not so funny mishearing of the lyrics (though I have to ask if anyone ever tried to set dance steps to "Raise This Barn", it seems like it would be doable).
15. Hearthbreakers (Season 5, Episode 20)
Why it stayed moved down: When Applejack admits to what she should've done in the first place, it's hard to sympathize with her when she ends up not doing that and instead takes over the holiday to try and impose her traditions. It makes her feel pretentious and self-centered, which in an episode like this that's about traditions and family raises a lot of unfortunate implications. Heck, she's the only one who takes any offense to the Pie family's way of celebrating, the rest of her family goes along with it just fine. To be fair though, it's not like Applejack shows up, complains, and immediately takes over. She does try to give the Pie's traditions a chance.
14. Leap of Faith (Season 4, Episode 21 in production order/20 in airdate)
Why it moved down: While it was nice to see them show how honesty can be used for evil or selfish purposes, the moral dilemma was one that Applejack was pressured into a ways into the episode and one that she essentially got to cheat her way out of. Flim and Flam encouraging Granny Smith to be reckless and Applejack saving Granny Smith pretty much guarantees that she has to tell the truth to avoid another incident. And her revelation about lying is quickly brushed aside when Silver Shill confesses and snitches on Flim and Flam for selling something that's not even a tonic. I understand that a show like this probably wouldn't go into details about when it's more beneficial to lie or not tell the whole truth, but "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies" and even "Rarity Takes Manehattan" did more to show how their respective virtues could be misued or lead to cruelty either by your own doing or by the doing of others.
13. Buckball Season (Season 6, Episode 20 in production order/19 in airdate)
Why it's not in the top twelve: This is a tricky one because Applejack is sharing the spotlight not only with Rainbow Dash but also Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, not to mention Snails. It's a little more understandable here why she gets so serious, family can get surprisingly competitive (at the time it seemed like Braeburn was one of Applejack's less popular relatives but considering developments in Season 9 it looks like she actually doesn't mind seeing him all that much). But even then Applejack should at least be aware that Fluttershy still kind of has performance anxiety and doesn't do well under pressure. I'll give her credit for coming to her senses sooner than Rainbow Dash though, in a way it kind of feels like as coach she let Rainbow Dash take charge almost entirely, which may explain her absence from future buckball episodes.
12. Bats! (Season 4, Episode 7)
Why it moved up: Despite the sacrifice not being hers to make (Applejack didn't grow the apple that gets sliced open) the conflict puts Applejack in the right even though it treats her as in the wrong. The farmer who wants to use pest control to repel a creature that threatens their crops is well within their rights to do so, because it's their livelihood at stake. Even then Applejack isn't advocating cruelty, she doesn't want to outright exterminate them. She just wants to drive them away from the orchard, and she knows from her family's experiences that they are too dangerous to be left alone. The only thing that hurts this episode is that the whole Apple Family should've been included for at least the original threat of the vampire fruit bats. They too were threatened by the bats and they too would have a say in what to do with them.
11. The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 (Season 2, Episode 15)
Why it stayed the same: Initially, Applejack doesn't look too good here. Like the rest of her family she is ignorant of the terrible business practices that are causing customers to complain (this is why businesses often have the motto "The customer is always right", because without customers your business cannot succeed). And when Flim and Flam show up she never tries to negotiate a better deal with them, or tell them why her family needs the money from cider season. But she scores a lot of points come the cider making competition when she declares "There's no point in winnin' if we cheat." and ultimately her family doesn't win even though they played by the rules. I appreciate that, because far too often people are willing to do anything to win and won't think twice about bending the rules (professional sports in particular is notorious at this). A true test for anyone is when their morals and values are tested, and they choose to stick to them even though they might be tempted to do the wrong thing (even if others would argue that they have no choice).
10. The Last Roundup (Season 2, Episode 14)
Why it moved down: Again, Derpgate overshadows everything about this episode. But even looking at the actual content of the episode, Pinkie Pie is at her comedic best here and easily steals every scene she's in. So it's easy to forget who the episode is supposed to be focused on. Here, despite a clever reference to I Love Lucy, Applejack's behavior seems really questionable even considering the circumstances she finds herself. So because she came up short in the rodeo in Canterlot she decided not to come home to Ponyville at all, not even leave a note or a telegram announcing her decision, and decided to just run away to work for Cherry Jubilee until she'd earned enough money to fix up town hall. For somepony who values family so much, Applejack seems to write them off very quickly here, and even scolds her friends for daring to come after her because of it. And then we see her willing to weasel her way out of a promise to confess, albeit by finding a loophole (she promised to tell the truth about breakfast, but if she never came to breakfast she isn't technically breaking her promise). A good deal of this can be traced to Mayor Mare all but demanding Applejack bring back the money, but Applejack never promised to do so (likely because she knew it was a promise she couldn't keep despite how skilled she was). I do wish we'd gotten to see Applejack's rodeo career be utilized more like it was here, this was probably the last time she had any kind of goal or ambition that took her off the farm without her family or friends getting involved. It's because of that that Applejack isn't hindered too much by her portrayal here (though it does feel in character for her).
9. Pinkie Apple Pie (Season 4, Episode 9)
Why it moved up: Family, cant live with 'em and can't live without 'em. An episode like this shows how Applejack's signature stubbornness might run in the family and it might be necessary in order for her to survive. She doesn't automatically assert leadership, she's willing to defer to others when they offer a chance to show their skills. But she gets understandably frustrated when they mess up and get them further lost. She's right to be concerned about the possible link between her family and Pinkie Pie's family (though considering Pinkie said she was raised on a rock farm just outside Ponyville I don't think it's a stretch to assume her family has Apple blood in it). But with a crowded cast Applejack is taking a back seat to lots of other characters, so this isn't just her episode.
8. Spike at Your Service (Season 3, Episode 9)
Why it moved up: Applejack feels like the one who suffers the least in terms of characterization here when this episode wants the plot to move along. It's a conflict she would believably have, and a conflict that she would understandably need help figuring out how to resolve. She even does try at one point to get Spike to stop helping and go back to Twilight, and you can tell that she does appreciate Spike's help (or willingness to help). We probably never will know just what changed from the original planned script with Rarity, so it's hard to put this episode any higher for Applejack.
7. Sisterhooves Social (Season 2, Episode 5)
Why it moved down: Applejack is mostly giving advice and helping to deliver the moral here. She and Apple Bloom are there to show what a true sibling bond looks like, and give Rarity a chance to learn where she went wrong. I just have to wonder if it was really necessary to have Applejack hold her breath for so long in the mud pit. She could've climbed out after the swap without being seen. And I feel like it's a little bit sudden for her to laugh at Rarity's suggestion of going to the spa with Sweetie Belle after all that just happened. If anything, Applejack should be supporting Rarity and encouraging Sweetie Belle to try it (compromise works both ways).
6. Fall Weather Friends (Season 1, Episode 13)
Why it moved up: Applejack is willing to be a good sport here. She's willing to admit to her own mistakes and only resorts to playing dirty after Rainbow Dash sabotages her and nearly gets her eliminated from the race completely. It's odd that in the Iron Pony Competition she's the only one to take offense to Rainbow Dash's cheating even when it's happening right in front of everyone. And it's interesting how a super competitive rivalry like this one evolved into a much friendlier one in future episodes, as well as mutual understanding and respect. But we never quite learn what was up with the original game of horseshoes, was it just a friendly match or a test of skills?
5. Simple Ways (Season 4, Episode 13)
Why it stayed the same: From here on all the episodes are as they were in the original version of this list. So I won't repeat myself too much from this point onward. It was nice to see the role reversal between Rarity and Applejack, even if in Rarity's case her character had to be tweaked to make the plot work just right. This episode proves why it's so hard to do ships for Applejack (straight ships anyway), she doesn't seem very interested in romance or romantic affection. Though she seems perfectly fine with Trenderhoof dancing with Granny Smith at the end of the episode (I doubt Trenderhoof is anywhere near as old as Granny Smith).
4. The Perfect Pear (Season 7, Episode 13)
Why it stayed the same: Applejack does take charge toward the end of the episode, and this time around when Apple Bloom asks a question Applejack actually stops to consider her sister's point of view. But the real focus is on Applejack's parents, how they met, and how they fell in love. We do get a few hints of how they influenced Applejack, but nothing is ever shown to us directly. And in many ways, Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom seem to be more affected by this (Big Mac because his parents' deaths meant he had to grow up before he would've liked to, and Apple Bloom because she never got to know her parents before their passing). It still counts as an Applejack episode just barely, and it's a shame that when they finally let her parents be parents in a flashback, they messed up by using the wrong models.
3. Viva Las Pegasus (Season 6, Episode 20)
Why it stayed the same: Aside from the "You never lie" plot point (Flim and Flam should especially know better considering they actually forced Applejack into a situation where she chose to lie) this episode treated Applejack's perspective quite well. It didn't demonize her for not wanting to help Flim and Flam, and it showed that the map had specifically planned for this so that Applejack would discover the true friendship problem. Even then it's obvious that she isn't completely on board with trusting Flim and Flam, which is something that would've been nice to see in other episodes (Applejack probably would've taken the longest to come around to having Starlight as part of the circle of friends).
2. The Mane Attraction (Season 5, Episode 24)
Why it stayed the same: Even though Applejack is focused on here, it's so that we the audience have someone to relate to, sympathize with, and root for in the conflict. The main focus is on Rara a.k.a Countess Coloratura, and her manager Svengallop who is abusing his position to get all kinds of benefits. Applejack is able to see through Svengallop's charade, but she ends up gambling on the wrong option to get through to Coloratura, hoping a direct confrontation will make Rara back down. She probably does sort of learn that the direct approach isn't always the best, but for the most part she's just the straight man in the spotlight. The only time that the show could really pull it off successfully.
1. Applebuck Season (Season 1, Episode 4)
Why it stayed on the top: Applejack's first focus episode remains her best without question. This episode resolved her biggest character flaw right away, her stubbornness to the point of refusing to admit she was wrong or accept help. When she overcame that in this episode, her character had already become as perfect as possible because she no longer had any major goal to strive for or any kind of personality that could spark conflicts or lure her into plots. This was also back when people thought Applejack and Rainbow Dash should swap elements, considering Applejack emphasizes her loyalty more than her honesty (though keeping commitments to others is just as much a show of honesty as it is loyalty). And there's the line that made people think Applejack was dumb: "Don't you use your fancy mathematics to muddy the issue!". Considering what we've seen since, Applejack is many things but dumb isn't one of them (though at times it feels like she too easily fell into the country/southern stereotypes you might associate with her kind of character). Try as they might, no other Applejack episode could truly compare with this one, the one that focused on Applejack the most.
And there you have it, come back tomorrow when we'll update the rankings for the Rarity Episodes.
Here's how I personally rank them (though I ended up just ranking them based on how much I enjoy them, since it was just easier that way):
Everything from NonCompete Clause to Going to Seed more or less rotates depending on my mood.
The three episodes you count that I don't, I consider them to more feature Applejack than give her enough focus for me to count them as her episodes.
I'm pretty sure that when Applejack said get rid of them, she meant exterminate. Just the tone of the episode made me think of that rather than pest control. But that's a possibility too,
5117284 I forgot about "Buckball Season" definitely going to need to put it somewhere. "Over a Barrel" is a mane six episode.
5117415
I consider Over a Barrel to be an Applejack episode that heavily features the others