It's taken me around four months to get through S3, but here we are at last! It's been an interesting experience, though, with some things being just as I'd expected but also a few surprises along the way. My mean star rating for this season worked out at 2.92, not terrible but nevertheless significantly lower than the 3.38 that both the first two seasons managed.
Past the cut, you'll find my star ratings breakdown as well as some slightly more detailed ramblings.
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| Derpy finally making a clear (if very brief) S3 appearance was a huge deal at the time |
My original rating: 9/10 (=★★★★★)
IMDb score: 8.1
The one with Spike dancing Gangnam Style
Thoughts: And here we are at last! When this finale first aired, we still didn't know whether there'd ever be another episode of Friendship is Magic, though we were all relieved to finally see the end of the fandom's miserable months-long Twilicorn Wars. Few people were unspoiled as to Alicorn Twilight's imminence by this time, so the biggest surprise was the full-on musical nature of the episode. The songs are mostly excellent, and "A True, True Friend" may be my favourite FiM song of them all – it has a wonderful message, and that "PINKIE!" is pure joyous delight. That aspect, at least, was an unambiguous triumph. The actual story? Interesting but very, very compressed. This desperately needed 44 minutes rather than 22, especially for the cutie mark stuff, but Larson did a surprisingly good job with so little time to play with. Twilight saying a spell "to see what it did" was pretty stupid, but seeing Celestia bowing to her was quite a moment – although the actual "alicorn reveal" moment has inevitably lost some of its impact now. Nicole Oliver's lovely singing was the focus at the time, though! I know some have mixed feelings about "MMC" because of what it led to later in the show's run. But I'm judging it here on its own merits, and I enjoyed my rewatch a great deal. The rushed pace niggles a little more than it used to, so I'm nudging it down from its original five-star rating to a (high) four. It's still well up there, though.
Choice quote: Twilight: "Is there a book about being a princess I should read?"
New rating: ★★★★
And that's all for Season 3! I'll be rewatching S4 in due course, but before that (in the first half of January, I hope) there'll be a look back at S3 as I saw it this time around, including the ever-popular(?) star chart.
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| Strengthened changeling-minion-proof glass these days? |
My original rating: 7/10 (=★★★)
IMDb score: 7.2
The one with Coach Shining Armor
Thoughts: The big gimmick for this episode is that it takes place simultaneously with the events of "Just for Sidekicks". Which is great and all, but the episode itself is, for the most part, one of the dullest I've rewatched in all these three seasons. The extended period of mistaken identity at its heart is as contrived and tiresome as these things often are, for a start. And did we ever hear of "Mustangia" again? I can't remember it if so. About the most interesting part of the ep is the fun little bit with the pony pyramid act. That said, I do like the way that "Ms Peachbottom" (not actually named in the episode) is shown as claustrophobic, a thing you rarely see taken even halfway seriously in a fun cartoon – seeing that here was perhaps a slight surprise from a humour-loving writer like Dave Polsky. Mind you, we never did get a canon answer as to who the rainbow-maned stallion taking Filly Dash to the Games was. At the time there was speculation he was Rainbow's dad, but "Parental Glideance" in S7 put the tin lid on that idea. Despite a few fun moments, I don't really know why I enjoyed it so much in 2013, as I now feel I clearly overrated it back then. For some reason Ms Harshwhinny was adored by the fandom at the time, though I feel she was considerably better value in S4. As I did say back then, Pinkie is rather weirdly written, too. I'm taking back the three-star (equivalent) rating I originally gave this one and returning only two of those stars. Sorry.
Choice quote: Rainbow and Fluttershy: "Bump-cha!"
New rating: ★★
Next up is "Magical Mystery Cure", and we all know what that means. I'll say it right now: I like "MMC" despite its flaws, and I don't expect that to change. I know that's not a universally held opinion around here, but that's all right.
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| Dash being cute is relatively rare but generally rather adorable |
My original rating: 7/10 (=★★★)
IMDb score: 7.2
The one with balloon animal Rainbow Dash
Thoughts: Corey Powell gave us the sublime "Sleepless in Ponyville" on debut – but sadly lightning didn't strike twice. To be fair, this isn't the complete bore-fest I'd remembered it as being; I was convinced that I'd find my 2013 review to be absurdly generous now, but that wasn't really the case. It's actually one of Spike's best showings from the first half of FiM, not that that's saying a great deal. As far as the pets go, this is a good outing for Angel, and Powell nicely balances his annoying and cute sides, rather than just representing him as an unmitigated horror as (too) much of the fandom tends to. The CMC play a pretty nice supporting role, especially with their unauthorised (and very brief!) trip to the Crystal Empire. I can't say I'm massively enthralled by this episode, partly because the pets themselves aren't all that interesting, Angel again apart. Some oddities, too: why wasn't Spike invited to the Equestria Games thing? (He does get a somewhat painful star turn there next season, of course.) And how come it's Rarity's jewel that Spike chooses as the first one to give away? Still, I mentioned in 2013 the amusement value of having a scratchy relationship between Spike and Angel. I can't believe that was coincidence. Also, Fluttershy had that huge emerald, which I recall prompted minor discussion about where she actually gets her funds from – never really answered in canon, though fanfiction has had a few goes. So yes, I'm going to let this one keep its three-star rating. It's not that high in that band, but I'll admit it was a bit more entertaining than I had expected.
Choice quote: Rainbow: "You only want to get hit in the head by a flying turtle once."[Tortoise! –Ed.]
New rating: ★★★
Next up is "Games Ponies Play", which takes place at the same time as this episode but which I remember almost nothing about. It really is that forgettable, and despite my decent experience this time I don't have especially high hopes that this will change.
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| Four seasons later, this kind of thing was happening for real |
My original rating: 8/10 (=★★★★)
IMDb score: 8.0
The one with the Discord table lamp
Thoughts: There was a three-week break between "Spike At Your Service" and this one, so anticipation had had time to build. In the event, the first ep of 2013 turned out to be much more important than anyone really appreciated at the time. Even some of the little things, like at the end where Fluttershy says Discord is "a real sweetheart once you get to know him". However, I have more problems with the bulk of the ep than I used to. Rarity does have a point when she says Flutters is being "silly and gullible" – it's not at all hard to imagine her gamble going horribly wrong, although personally I think that would nullify her promise not to use her Element, so it probably wasn't quite as dangerous as it seems. Still, I think it might have been more convincing from the 'Shy of a few seasons later; here, it all feels a tad forced. There is a lot of fun in this episode, from the continuing subplot with the beavers to the Beauty and the Beast nod with the candlesticks. Rainbow is enjoyable as the main sceptical voice, too. Discord himself has become less of an outright threat than he was in S2, perhaps partly because he recognises that Twilight has more power to counter him, though that's theorising on my part. Not the near-classic I thought it was seven years ago, but still enjoyable. A high three, I think, though perhaps a part of that is because the likes of "Discordant Harmony" would never have beeh possible without this episode.
Choice quote: Pinkie: "Make that bunny cute again! Now!"
New rating: ★★★
Next up is "Just for Sidekicks", otherwise known as "the pet episode" and one of two remaining S3 eps for which my main thought at the moment is simply "Meh." Can it salvage some pride? Find out next time!
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| Why yes, I am picking this as my header pic because it's adorable |
S3E09: "Spike At Your Service"
Written by Dave Polsky
29 Dec 2012
My original rating: 6/10 (=★★★)
IMDb score: 6.3
The one with 24,567,837 blades of grass
Thoughts: This episode has long been considered a bit of a mess by most of the fandom. And, well, they're right. It is. I mean, it does have its moments: Rainbow Dash's self-insert fanfic is one of my favourite moments of the entirety of S3. Fluttershy also has quite a good episode: right at the start, we see her walking Winona, and later there's her mild sassiness ("If she needed help, I think she'd realise it") and her adorable part in the fake timberwolf setup. Rarity was fun in her all-too-brief "how to be a damsel in distress" masterclass, too. Talking of timberwolves, the real ones are really quite interesting monsters (and variously animated) and they could perhaps have been used a little more in future eps. On the downside, though... Spike's "Dragon Code" both comes from and goes to pretty much nowhere. It stretches credulity to think Twilight wouldn't even notice Spike saying he was off forever. Also, the central story itself feels like a subplot stretched (somewhat thinly) to main plot status. Considering the actual risk to life we see more than once, it's surprisingly emotionally uninvolving for the most part, too. But the worst thing about this episode is the way it treats Spike. He's shown as frankly a bit of a fool. Whatever faults he may have, he really is not that. This wouldn't be my pick as worst episode of FiM, far from it. But it's not a particularly good effort, not even by S3 standards. My review in 2013 was a little too generous; two stars it is now, then.
Choice quote: Spike (to Rarity, natch) : "You even look good when you're chewing!"
New rating: ★★
Next up is "Keep Calm and Flutter On", a considerably more significant episode in retrospect than was immediately apparent at the time. Also an ep that divides opinion to this day.
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| "Whaddayamean, ya never heard of batway surfin'?" |
Written by Cindy Morrow
22 Dec 2012
My original rating: 5/10 (=★★)
IMDb score: 7.1
The one with firelighter Spike
Thoughts: Surprise afternoon episode review! Back when I first reviewed this, I didn't think much of "Raise This Barn". My opinion of that song has improved quite a bit since, but what about the episode as a whole? Well, that has too. I still wouldn't put this in the same class as "Sleepless in Ponyville", but these days I find its down-home feel comforting in the way I do much of S1. Applejack also gets a proper letter to Celestia after her amusing get-out last season, and the moral she finds in the Reunion's events is one that I think has a lot of resonance for many of us in 2020 looking forward to seeing our family and friends again. There are some nice little touches – the fruit bats, baby Applejack, and of course the shooting stars representing AJ's absent parents – and Cindy Morrow gives the character interactions a warmth that I didn't quite grasp first time around. It's a real shame Babs never had a proper role again, as she had potential. Oddly, Braeburn doesn't get a speaking line, either. All in all, this goes into the "superior filler" category for me nowadays, and instead of the original two-star rating I gave it, I'm bumping it up to a solid three.
Choice quote: Applesauce: "A lady never reveals the age of her teeth."
New rating: ★★★
Next up is "Spike At Your Service", one of the worst received episodes of the first half of the show's run – but one I didn't actually mind too much at the time. Now? We shall see!
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| This shot really underlines how Rainbow has matured emotionally and LD hasn't |
Written by Merriwether Williams
15 Dec 2012
My original rating: 7/10 (=★★★)
IMDb score: 8.2
The one with Pinkie emerging from the mailbox
Thoughts: For reasons I now can't remember, The Hub had a two-week gap between "Sleepless in Ponyville" and this next episode. For my money, it's one of Merriwether Williams' few definite hits. Lightning Dust is a hugely watchable character, though it's a bit of a shame that (as we learn five seasons later) she doesn't really learn much from her ejection from the Academy. Rainbow herself demonstrates how she's matured since the start of the show, and that's something I really do appreciate. As for Spitfire? I've softened a bit towards her portrayal, but this is a kid-friendly version of Sgt Hartman, a character type I find frankly tiresome. (Most real-life militaries do not take this very American "break them before you make them" approach, incidentally.) The two best scenes are confrontations: first when Rainbow snaps at Lightning Dust for her who-cares attitude to the tornado's consequences, and second when Dash quits. That scene had a real gut-punch impact when we saw it the first time. A bit less so now we know Rainbow's future, but still. Pinkie's portrayal can feel a bit over the top for this late in the series, and I'm afraid I still don't much like Bulk Biceps. Nice to see Twilight Sparkle's Balloon, though! Overall, an entertaining episode with a little extra emotional punch, but slightly let down by its flaws. I'll stick with a three-star rating.
Choice quote: Applejack: "Is anypony else followin' this?"
New rating: ★★★
Next up is "Apple Family Reunion". I was distinctly underwhelmed with that episode in 2012, but I'm cautiously hopeful I may enjoy it more this time around.
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| Lighting effects really do help the atmosphere of this episode |
S3E06: "Sleepless in Ponyville"
Written by Corey Powell
1 Dec 2012
My original rating: 9/10 (=★★★★★)
IMDb score: 8.7
The one with sleep-scootering
Thoughts: Well, here we are: the first episode I ever reviewed for this blog! Back then I called it "a flawed classic, but one in which the flaws didn't hurt it much at all", and I stick by that. I'd change a few details, for example the "flight" at Winsome Falls would be my closing scene, but not much significant. I love Applejack in this episode – she clearly knows what's going on with Scootaloo, but she doesn't want to embarrass her by saying so openly. I'd forgotten how long it takes for Luna to show up at all; this is her first dreamwalking episode, so it's very significant lore-wise. Rarity is perhaps not at her best in terms of her treatment of Sweetie Belle, but I have to admit she's immensely entertaining to watch. Rainbow I didn't mind so much, as I felt her slight emotional insensitivity worked here while Scoot was trying way, way too hard to impress her idol. Besides, Dash showed another side to her character – when nopony else was looking! – at the end, in a heart-melting scene that I unashamedly adore to this day. Objectively, this is probably a four-star episode: very good, but not perfect. But you know what? I'm not going to be objective. I love "Sleepless in Ponyville", and it's a major reason Scootaloo is my favourite CMC and second favourite character overall. Corey Powell went on to write a few more eps, but as we'll see none of them could touch her remarkable debut here. This episode remains, seven years on, a five-star gold slice of Pony for me.
Choice quote: Scootaloo: "Here, branches branches branches..."
New rating: ★★★★★
Next up is "Wonderbolts Academy", which I quite liked but which I know some people find really irritating. I'll be interested to see what I make of the first appearance of Abrasive Spitfire.
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| The bunny suit is cute, but it makes absolutely no sense |
S3E05: "Magic Duel"
Written by M. A. Larson
1 Dec 2012
My original rating: N/A
IMDb score: 8.4
The one with Saddle Arabians
Thoughts: Trixie's (first) return is more popular with the fandom as a whole than it is with me. I dislike the way it treats Fluttershy, for a start: in particular that bit near the start where she threatens Twilight, but also the way she reverts to almost early-S1 levels of timidity. From a writer as accomplished as Larson that's a real disappointment. Thankfully there are a number of good things, starting with the (at the time) eye-opening look at the less salubrious backstreets of... well, probably Canterlot, but who knows? We also get the first use of the word "alicorn" in the show thanks to the eponymous Amulet, as well as Zecora playing a major supporting role with both actual magic and what Granny Weatherwax would call "headology". The spells in the first magic duel are variable: the age spells are a bit dull, the gag with Pinkie's removed mouth is funny but slightly overused, and so on. The tricks Twilight uses in the second one are nice (double Rainbow!) though it's best not to consider too closely how convincing they'd actually be. I'm also not sure I quite buy Trixie going as far as getting the Alicorn Amulet in the first place, though the "magical item corrupts wearer" thing is straightforward enough. I didn't like Trixie at this point and still don't find this ep as strong as a lot of the fandom do. It's probably right at the top of the two-star band for me these days. Among my least favourite Larson episodes, at any rate.
Choice quote: Trixie: "The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't trust wheels."
New rating: ★★
Next up is "Sleepless in Ponyville", which I have adored ever since I first saw it. I cannot imagine it will get a low rating: unless something remarkable happens it'll merely be a question of whether I rate it four of five stars.
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| I remember this gag being very widely appreciated back in 2012 |
| This extraordinary (even for Pinkie) G3 moment was sadly spoiled by a pre-season trailer, but still |
| My PC has rather mangled this screenshot, but it does look gorgeous in the episode! |
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| The shadows in this early scene were really remarked upon back then |
All being well, I will shortly start the next chapter of "My Little Repeats" as I rewatch S3. This, of course, is the first season where I got to experience the hype and the build-up as it happened – see video above! I remember having huge expectations for the S3 premiere, along with much of the fandom... and being disappointed, along with much of the fandom. That may – may – change this time around, since I now know what comes later.
One thing that thankfully won't be happening alongside the season now is a seemingly interminable fandom-spanning argument. Not that one, anyway. Twilicorn was, I think, the most miserably wearying row that I experienced in the entire run of Friendship is Magic. It seems almost quaint in 2020 that people were so exercised about whether a picture of Twilight with wings was real that some left the fandom over it, but that's the way it was.
S3 is also of course the only half-length season. I can remember many people predicting that 65 episodes would be all we'd get, I think because that was some magic number in terms of syndication on US television. (Come to think of it, even the idea that TV is the be-all and end-all also seems almost quaint today.) That brevity does hurt the season a little, I think, though perhaps not as much as most of us felt it did back in 2013. Having a one-part finale definitely did hurt, though.
That finale provided another long-running, though generally less heated, argument: did the episode work? I generally come down on the side of yes, but not as well as it could have done. Being the first of several musical eps gave it a different texture. The season doesn't have an awful lot of other obvious highlights, though: "Sleepless in Ponyville" is really S3's only cast-iron classic. Though maybe I'll change my mind about that as well! As always, we shall see.
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| "Oh no, Twilight, pretty soon you won't be the right height for this any more" |
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| Twilight Sparkle does her celebrated impression of the Sphinx |
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| 16, zero, minus pi, draw a heart shape in the sky! |
