MLP:FIM Every Little Thing She Does

This was the 6th episode written by Michael Vogal. He has become one of my favorite writers for this show. His previous episodes were A Hearth's Warming Tale, Spice Up Your Life, Stranger than Fan Fiction, and The Cart Before The Ponies.  This episode is the last episode storyboarded by Sabrina Alberghetti, who has been storyboarding for the show since the first season. Also storyboarding for this episode was Dave Wiebe, who has been storyboarding for the show since the first episode.

This is an excellent episode. Starlight is becoming one of my favorite ponies. In many ways she makes me think of Twilight of season 1 and 2, but is still her own character. In fact the similarities between her and Twilight, really make me happy to see these two characters together. She is always likeable even when she does something immoral. Because she tries so hard to be good and impress Twilight. Plus Starlight's stresses are so similar to my own, that I especially relate to the character.

On top of Starlight this episode has a great story, is very funny and is very well animated. Pinkie and Applejack are also delights to watch in this episode as are all the ponies. Applejack's stories are hilarious. Pinkie towards the end is also very funny. In fact this whole episode is just excellent.

By the way remember kids don't use mind control on your friends.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Viva Las Pegas

This is the second episode written by the team of Chris Wyatt and Kevin Burke. They had previously written the episode of The Times They Are a Changeling. While this episode might not as good as that first one, it is still a good episode. This episode was storyboarded by Megan Willis (who started storyboarding earlier this season) and Jeffery Amey.

The animation is really good. Impressively the crowds are extremely well animated (if anyone working on the show happens to read this I am very impressed by this and you should be proud of your work here). The characters are just as likable as ever. Fluttershy and the animals were adorable. Applejack's mistrust of the Flim-Flam brothers as well as both her and Fluttershy's uncomfortableness in Los Pegas are quite well handled. Gladmane was a fun villain, and use of Elvis as a basis for this character was fantastic.

Despite this episode having a lot going for it, it does feel like the show playing it too safe. The story feels like it has been done before on this show, and sometimes better. At times it feels like another map episode, and follows the guidelines of those episodes maybe a bit too closely. However watching much of the rest of this season, we know the show is not falling into this trap, and the episode is quite good in spite of this. Because even when this show plays it too safe, there is quite a bit to recommend as there is here.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM The Fault in Our Cutie Marks

This episode is the fourth was written by Ed Valentine his previous episodes have been Flight to the Finish, Threes a Crowd,  and The Cart Before the Ponies. It was based off a story by Megan McCarthy (who has been writing for the show since season 1) and Josh Harbor (who started writing for the show in season 4).  The storyboard artists for this episode were Karine Charlebois (who started storyboarding earlier this season) and Nicole Wang (who has been storyboarding for the show since season 1).

This episode introduces a great new character, a griffon named Gabby. She was voiced by Erin Mathews and designed by Kora Kosicka, Charmine Veragen and Fernanda Ribeiro. She is really a fantastic character and helps make this episode a great one. She is a funny character, and she also is extremely likable. The fact that we already care about this new character we haven't seen before is really telling why this episode is a fantastic one.

Beyond just Gabby, this episode is a great showcase for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. This is done both through the story and many great little touches. Scootaloo's looking at her wings when talking about believing in something impossible is one of the most heartfelt moments this show ever had and it made me tear up a little bit. I also love how we see little by little how much Sweetie Belle has been getting better at magic without ever calling attention to it. Even beyond this the episode has a great story and great animation.

Overall this is an excellent episode and one of the best this season (probably second best to Saddle Row and Rec).

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Buckball Season

This is the first episode to be written by Jennifer Skelly and it's a darn good start. This episode was storyboarded by Mincheul Park (who has been boarding for the show since last season) and Cat Tang.

This episode is quite a fun episode. What really makes this episode work is how well written both Pinkie and Fluttershy are. Both are as likable as ever. While this episode shows them doing something different (playing sports so well is of course something we more associate with Rainbow Dash or Applejack), they stay the same Pinkie and Flutters that we have loved since the beginning of the show. This is one of my favorite things about this show no matter what the story needs characters to do they still stay the same great characters. Also a lesser show would have made Rainbow Dash and Applejack unlikable in this episode, but they remain very likable. They just want to help Pinkie and Flutters but don't think it through very well.

This episode features some great humor as well. The facial expressions are extremely funny here, especially from Pinkie and Flutters. Also while Snails is usually far from my favorite characters, he is actually very funny here.

-Michael J. Ruhland