New Episode is out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK2_Opop50Q

Rather liked it, actually. Some funny moments and the appearance of one character was handled rather nicely, fitting with fan mythology.

Hope that character will appear more often this season.

 

Gotta agree with Nemrut, this was a very nicely handled episode. Was definitely nice to see Rainbow back to being awesome after a couple of the missteps Season 2 made with her characterization.

I have to say, aside from the rather lacklustre season premier villain, all the episodes have been pretty solid.

 

I'm impressed. I was a little wary of having another CMC episode so soon after the last one, but it worked out well. Lots of humor, sibling hijinks, Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash finally getting some quality time, a nice little cameo (though I miss the shouting) and some cool visuals.

 

Well, the next episode leaked out early.

Handy Link (Link got taken down, just use the Youtube one below)

I quite liked it.

 

Yeah, that was a nice one. Probably should have expected a Top Gun-style episode for Rainbow Dash at some point. I particularly liked the RD/Pinkie Pie interaction -- disregarding all the fan shipping and whatever between them, it's nice that they've showcased their friendship some more, especially since Rainbow Dash seemed to interact more with Fluttershy than Pinkie Pie in the last season.

Also I think the last two episodes have made up for those previous episodes where RD came off as slightly callous and self-absorbed.

Oh, and I notice that they're actually advancing on this subplot with the Wonderbolts instead of leaving it as a vague reward for Rainbow Dash to work towards that she'd never actually attain. I approve of that, though I hope that doesn't mean they're trying to tie up loose threads before the end.

EDIT: The second issue of the comic was leaked too. Someone collected them in an Imgur album, but I don't know how long it'll be there for.

 

Completely irrelevant to the most recent episodes, but too funny to leave unshared:

 

That is both hideous and amusing. I approve.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpk3OI8Fees

Youtube link for those who were waiting for it.

Really liked it, Fluttershy and the YEAH pegasus were the highlights. Appreciated that they made Lightning Dust not an evil bully but rather the way they portrayed her as, the Aesop was more profound that way. But was it me, or did it seem overly shippy to you guys too?

By the way, season halfway done. Anyone know why there are only 13 episodes this time?

 

The episode was definitely a bit of a gift for anyone who ships Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

I also thought Lightning Dust was nicely handled. She made a really good foil for Rainbow Dash, and pulled off the always good for a cartoon balance of being the bad guy while also seeming fairly realistic.

For the thirteen episode season, apparently it's mostly a matter of economics. There have also been some rumors that a Direct-to-DVD movie is in the works.

 

Direct to DVD? Sigh. As much as I'd like to support Hasbro, they don't make it easy - I suspect it'll be another case of "We will publish it in Europe... Just give us a few years". You know, they haven't even shown the second series in the UK yet.

 

New Episode.

An alright episode. I thought it was predictable, following the general trend of Applejack episodes:
"No! I can do it by myself! And when I can't, I'll not ask for help!"

But the song was great. I've really liked some of this season's stuff (Ballad, and Babs), others have been a bit naff, but 'Raise This Barn' is, I reckon, a damned good one.

 

Some points of interest: bringing back Babs rather than throwing her aside and forgetting about her like certain other characters (*cough*Tank*cough*), Applejack finally getting a solo song, and those two shooting stars that are probably the closest we'll come to official word saying Applejack's parents are actually dead and not just conveniently absent on a long-term trip or something.

 

Well, not the closest we'll come to official.

The song wasn't amazing, but I was happy to finally have an Applejack one, so I'm not complaining. Now we just need a few more this season.

 

Nice enough episode but the weakest of the season for me, which is disappointing since Applejack is usually my favorite. Song got better at the end but wasn't really that crazy about. Guess it is fitting but it certainly wasn't "Winter Wrap up" or "May the best pet win".

 

So the episode leaked early. Only by a few hours, but it's still early, and it's happened more than once. What's going on with iTunes lately?

Spoiler

Anyway, I've gotta say, it's pretty meh. Definitely the worst of the most recent ones for me. I think the only good things out of it were the interactions between the Six that came secondary to the actual plot. Pinkie Pie in particular really delivered, despite only having a handful of lines overall.

The rest was a mishmash of bad characterization (since when was Spike so clumsy? He's always been known for his precision and dependability, actually) and plain stupidity (dragons are assholes. This has been shown to us numerous times. Where does some "honor code" the clearly lazy writer just made up on the fly fit into that anywhere?)

 

I actually really liked the episode and enjoyed myself watching it. Spike had some clumsy moments here and there, and I think the Dragon code thing was something he invented himself, after being disappointed by how real dragons behave and he made his own code on how a dragon should act.

Over all, amusing and entertaining, especially Pinkie.

 

Except when it was brought up to Twilight, she referred to it as something common to all dragons, not just Spike. Which is contrary to their already established, so-far universal (with Spike as the exception, as he was raised by ponies) greediness and selfishness. If it weren't for Twilight's line you'd probably be right.

 

I took it as "it was his dragon code" not THE dragon code but can't be bothered to check that part again, tbh.

 

New episode.

Spoiler

I'd say it's fairly good. Discord was as enjoyable as he was before, and I liked how Fluttershy was characterized here. However, I'm not fond of the idea that an elemental spirit of chaos can just be reformed against his very nature in such a short time. Granted they didn't make him do a complete 180, but... the whole "aw the bully just doesn't have friends" thing is very commonly used, and though I suppose that while the very title of the show is "Friendship Is Magic," maybe something like this could've been explored better with more time and depth. Rather than stuff it into one episode make it something they work at over the course of an arc, with a bit of improvement each time. Oh well.

Also, the season finale is supposedly about a "Princess Coronation." Like I said before, I really hope they aren't planning on making Twilight an alicorn or anything.

 

Unfortunately Hasbro does not seem to be slowing down with that conclusion of the finale...
http://youtu.be/38CIYwVc_8k
seen here in the commercial...
http://myponynews.tumblr.com/post/40869420612/giant-mlp-sticker-and-activity-book
or even in merchandise...
but there will always be hope that they will at least not make it permanent.