Grieffon wrote:
Dibullba wrote:
I would not say without a flop. I still have my quips with Wonderbolt Academy. Aside from that, It by all means should be a very good episode. More Fluttershy in the spotlight is always a plus for me as well.
I actually think it is the best Rainbow Dash episode so far, and possibly the entire season. Well, opinions.
I can understand why people enjoyed the episode and have no intention of ruining that, but here is my reasoning in saying that it was a flop for me personally. The episode was doing fantastic through the first 2/3. As soon as it got to the end though, everything just sort of had a crumble effect.
Firstly, Pinkie Pie's side story. It was a pretty funny way to get the rest of the cast involved which I saw no issues with. However, when they headed to see Rainbow Dash. They just happened to be in the right place, at the right time to be caught in the tornado in order for Rainbow Dash to say that this was the last straw. This is a bit of a more minor nitpick, but I can not help in feeling that it is forced. Like would Rainbow Dash have said it was the last straw if her friends were not involved? Also keeping in mind, Rainbow Dash willingly created the tornado along with Lightning Dust and then blamed Lightning Dust for putting her friends in danger.
Secondly, the conflict resolution had me in a fit. When Rainbow Dash quit, I was willing to forgive the fact that she had blamed Lightning Dust for the incidents as it seemed she took responsibility for herself to do what she saw was right. Spitfire telling Rainbow Dash was right and letting her back in was a predictable given, yet none the less welcomed. That welcoming quickly dissipated when she literally kicked out Lightning Dust. She was talking about moving in the right direction, and Lightning Dust by all means was a great contender for being on the Wonderbolts compared to the lack luster others. So if Spitfire really learned her lesson by saying "moving in the right direction", then why was Lightning Dust kicked out rather than simply demoting her to wing pony to "MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!!!". Spitfire learned nothing, Rainbow Dash (although partly responsible for the incidents in the episode) did not progress in any way aside from becoming lead pony, and Lightning Dust was tossed away like trash.
Lastly, with mention of Lightning Dust being tossed away like trash. Anybody take notice to how her character progressed through the episode? At first, she was actually pretty cool and gave a decent friendly rival to Rainbow Dash. With the first team challenge, she even continued to fit the role of a risk taker outdoing Rainbow Dash with the descent. As it progressed though, she became more and more uncaring in order to force a conflict. Forgivable until the very last words she would say. She went from nice to uncaring to downright bitch to build towards the ending I despise with a passion.
Conclusion: Merriweather really needs to step up her game as a writer. Previous episode to this was Sleepless in Ponyville. That episode did amazingly well in keeping focused on a plot, creating believable conflict, and the resolution by far the best thing I have seen in any episode. Written by Corey Powell whom is a fairly new writer overall compared to the seasoned professional that should be Merriweather Lewis. Best episode from her imo though is Spike at Your Service which was not particularly plot heavy. I can handle if she were to take on comedic episodes to fill space as that episode is its own breed of entertaining compared to every other episode.