MLP:FIM Once Upon a Zepplen

This was the first episode written by Brittany Jo Flores. It was storyboarded by Roxana Beiklik and Aynsley King, both of whom started boarding for the show for the season 4 premiere.

This is a really enjoyable episode even if it treads familiar grounds. Twilight's predicament is extremely relatable as we have all felt like this at times. She is of course very likable since all she wants to do is make everybody else happy. However even she has a point where her kindness can be taken too much advantage of and this again is very understandable. This episode also marks the return of Iron Will. I like this appearance much better than his first appearance. In that episode I never saw why we were supposed to see him as a villain because he did nothing wrong, and this got a little annoying. Here he actually does some mean and selfish things and because of this he works as a villain here. This episode also has some good humor as well as a familiar but charming story.

-Michael J. Ruhland   

MLP:FIM Marks and Recreation

This is the second episode written by May Chan (her previous episode was Not Asking for Trouble). It was boarded by Karine Charlebois (who started boarding in season 6) and Dave Wiebe (who has been for the show since the first episode).

This is a very clever and intelligent episode. It raises a very well thought out question about this world. There has always been a bit of this setting that felt kind of like the characters have predetermined future. However this is fully addressed in this episode. You can see how this isn't exactly true, and it is very well explained. On top of this the episode has a really catchy song and some good humor, as well as the characters being written very well.

MLP:FIM A Health of Information

This was the second episode written by the team of Sammie Crowley and Whitney Wetta (their first episode being A Flurry of Emotions). It was storyboarded by Thalia Tomlinson (who has been boarding since season 5) and Cory Toomey (who has been boarding for the show since season 2).


This is an excellent episode. What really makes it work is just how strong and likable of a character Fluttershy is. What is really interesting about Fluttershy in current episodes is she did actually learn how to assert herself much more. Despite this though she easily remains the same character, because her personality was much more defined than just this one character trait. Here her new assertiveness is used to its full advantage as it is used to help her friend. This is very touching and also something we hope is in each one of us. There is more to recommend about this episode though as it also has some good humor (the bake-off) and a simple but charming story. This is definitely a must watch for fans of the show.

-Michael J. Ruhland

  

MLP:FIM It Isn't the Mane Thing About You

Today's episode was written by Josh Harber and was storyboarded by Jae Harm (who as far as I can find is new to working on the show) and Kaylea Chard (who has been boarding for the show since season 3).

This is an entertaining episode, but not one of the show's best. There are some good jokes here and definitely some laughs to be had. However there is also a great setup to a joke, but the punchline unfortunately falls flat. The story itself is very predictable, but fun. Rarity is extremely likable here as are the rest of the ponies. Josh Harber makes sure that are sympathy is with Rarity and she never comes across as vain. We relate strongly to Rarity, because (while maybe not with our hair), we have had similar moments of panic where all seemed lost that seem small and insignificant now. While you can see that moral coming from a mile away, it is one that we can all use a reminder of from time to time. The main problem with this episode though is that it is easy to predict everything that is going to happen, and with this it feels like maybe we have seen this episode before. It doesn't do anything new or different to keep away from this feeling. Oh well it is still a fun episode and fans of the show will enjoy themselves.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

MLP:FIM Daring Done?

Today's episode is the third episode written by Gillian Berrow (following The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows and Fluttershy Leans In), and while this episode does have a few faults it is her best yet. This episode was boarded by Marta Demong and Desirae Salmark. This is both of their  second episode boarding for the show as they had both only previously worked on this season's Forever Filly.

This is an excellent episode. It has a good sense of humor throughout and I love how well Pinkie was written here. It also has a smart story. The idea of a superhero like character having to deal with the destruction she has caused. This is done with the upmost maturity and respect. This episode also adds great to the series' sense of world building. It adds a new environment as well as a bit of the world's history and both are very interesting and well thought it. If the episode has a problem it is simply that there is a twist which is all too predictable for anyone who has seen the two previous Daring Doo episodes. Luckily though it does not seem to drag out this revel like so many bad movies and TV shows would have done. Simply a great episode.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM To Change a Changeling

This morning's episode was the second written by Kevin Lappin, who previously wrote Honest Apple. It was boarded by Megan Willis (who started boarding for the show last season)
and Jen Davreux (who started boarding for the show in season five).

It is great to see another episode centering on Starlight Glimmer and that the show is willing to do an episode not featuring the main characters but instead focuses on the side characters. The episode itself is enjoyable, but is not one of the show's best. The jokes are funny, the characters are very well written, and the environment is well done. However the story feels like one this show has done before. Because of this it is rather predictable, and there is never a moment when you can't see what is coming. The whole episode has a bit of a feeling like we have seen it before. Despite this though the episode is quite entertaining and still a good one, but it is also one with leaves me little to say about it.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Campfire Tales

This episode introduces us to two new writers for the show Barry Safchick and Michael Platt. The episode was storyboarded by Roxana Beiklik and Aynsley King, both of who started boarding for the show with the season 4 premiere.


This episode has the CMC being told three different stories from their big sisters. With this the episode does vary in quality depending on the story. The first story is rather weak. There is little interesting and the whole thing just feels rushed. The second story is by far the best. This story features compelling characters, a great sense of atmosphere and a great ending. This story also features the best animation of the three including a quite exciting action sequence. The third story is rather entertaining but nothing that special, it definitely could have been better if more time was devoted to it. Along with the second story one of the highlights of this episode is just the interactions between the CMC and their big sisters between the stories. This includes some good humor and excellent character writer. One of the things that makes this show special is that we love seeing certain characters interact with each other. Each of the main characters make the other ones stronger. This is especially true of the interactions between Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. There is something about these two characters together that is very heartwarming. You can see how much they truly care about each other completely.

-Michael J. Ruhland.      

MLP:FIM Triple Threat

This marks the second episode written by Josh Hamilton (the first one being Parental Glidance). The story board artists are Nicole Wang (who has been boarding for the show since season 1) and Dave Wiebe (who has been boarding for the show since the first episode).

This episode while not on par with Josh Hamilton's first episode is still quite entertaining. The story is very predictable and it is never hard to see how it is going to end. Despite this though there is enough fun here to make up for this. While some jokes fall flat here, the ones that work are quite funny. It is delightful to see Spike doing a Twilight like freak-out (and have Twilight try to calm him down), Ember not be able to tell the difference between Twilight and Starlight, and especially Ember eating Twilight's house (and of course the somewhat reprise of this joke with Derpy later on). The animation retains the high quality set by this series. Most importantly though the characters are always very likable and relatable throughout this episode.

Not one of the show's best episodes, but entertaining all the same.

-Michael J. Ruhland 

MLP:FIM Fame and Misfortune

This episode was written by M.A. Larson, who has been writing for this show since the first season. It was storyboarded by Cory Toomey (who has been boarding for the show since the second season) and Thalia Tomlinson (who has been boarding for a show since the fifth season).

This is a very self aware episode of the show and this is both its major asset and fault. This does not feel like an episode of this show. By acknowledging and even parodying the show's fandom, it no longer feels like we are in Ponyville, but in our real world. While this has been done in shows like The Simpsons for a while, it feels weird to see this here. Maybe that is because even though there is a lot of comedy, this is still a fantasy show first and foremost. An episode that purposely speak to the show's audience and more specifically the show's internet crazy audience in a self satirical way just has an odd feel to it. None of this means it is a bad episode however as it is not, but it just feels kind of out of place in a show like. On the other hand this is really funny episode. Most of the jokes hit home perfectly and do get quite good laughs. The satire is never mean spirited by just allowing the audience to laugh at its self. On top of this satirical comedy there is also quite a bit of character based comedy and this works quite well as well. With all the self referential humor the best joke was probably Starlight reveling why she knew the spell to copy a book. That joke feels perfectly in character with starlight and is on of the best examples of dark comedy this show has ever done.

Simply put this is an excellent episode but it does feel out of place compared to the rest of the show.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM A Perfect Pear

The second of today's episodes was written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco. They started writing for the show in season 5 and are currently the show's story editors. The episode was boarded by Jae Harm (his second episode. The first was Parental Glidance) and Kaylea Chard (who has been boarding the show since the third season). It features the guest voices of William Shatner and Felicia Day.

I won't give much away so this will be a brief post. This episode is something we have all been waiting for and it delivers quite well. The story itself is quite clichéd and something every cartoon watcher has seen. However this story works better than it has in most other cartoons, because we care about the characters and what is going on. Because of this the story almost feels new. The story is also told expertly and is actually really touching at times. That is all I am giving away, definitely watch this one.

-Michael J. Ruhland.

MLP:FIM Discordant Harmony

So we come back to new My Little Pony and we could not have come back stronger. Our first new episode was written by MIchael P. Fox and Wil Fox. This is the fifth episode they have written. Preceding it was The Gift of Maud Pie, Apple Jack's "Day" Off, P.P.O.V and Forever Filly. The episode was storyboarded by Marta Demong and Desirae Salmark (this is both of their second episode boarding for. Forever Filly was the first).


This is an excellent episode and probably the funniest one of the season yet. All the jokes hit home very well. Discord is certainty nicer in this episode than he has been in any other so far, but this is also one of his funniest episodes. Discord trying to be normal is a very funny idea and it is done very well here. Just as funny is all his originally ideas for the tea party (the piñata is especially funny). The animation is nice and crisp and the characters are very relatable. I have a special fondness for Discord and Pinkie episodes, because they have a very cartoony sense of humor that is missing in many TV cartoons today. Just a delightful episode and one that definitely should not be missed.

-Michael J. Ruhland.    

MLP:EG Dance Magic

This is the first half hour Equestria Girls TV special. It was written by Gillian M. Berrow, who has written two episodes of the TV show (The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows, Fluttershy Leans In). It was directed by Ishi Rudell (who directed the last two Equestria Girls feature films and co directed the second one) and Katrina Hadley (who has worked as a storyboard artist for the show).

 To be honest it is entertaining but resembles the TV episode Rarity Takes Manehatten too much to really stand out. The similarities are very strong and it feels like you have seen this story before. The jokes work but are nothing too special to make this stand as anything new. Probably the most delightful part is the childlike drawing for Pinkie's fantasy. The characters are all just as likable as ever as well. Again the problem is this is pretty much a remake of an episode of the show without adding anything to make it stand out to the equation, but it is still quite entertaining.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Not Asking For Trouble

This episode introduces us to another new writer, May Chan. It was storyboarded by Megan Willis and Jen Davreux (both started boarding for the show last season).

This is a Pinkie episode and that means plenty of really cartoony humor. It seems rarer and rarer to find good cartoony humor in modern animation, and that is what makes these episodes such a delight. All the jokes really hit. This includes both the slapstick and the verbal humor. These jokes are perfectly timed to work as well as possible. The animation is really well done and supports the jokes very well. On top of that Pinkie is both at her most eccentric and funny and at her most believable and relatable. This is because all of her over the topness comes from places we understand. We relate to and feel all her emotions with her, which makes us understand her over the top reactions and slapstick humor.

If this episode has one problem it is that Applebuck Season already did the moral, but this episode is so enjoyable that that is not a big deal at all.

By the way Pinkie is a car.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MlP:FIM A Royal Problem

Sorry this is late I had a really busy day. Luckily for you I am staying up a tiny bit late to write this (Hooray!).

This is the eighth episode written by the team of Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco (who have previously written Castle Sweet Castle, Rarity Investigates, The Hofffeilds and McColts, Gauntlet of Fire, Top Bolt, Celestial Advice and All Bottled Up). This episode was storyboarded by Roxana Beiklik and Aynsley King, both of who started boarding for the show with the Season 4 premiere.

This is a really enjoyable episode and I am glad to see another Starlight episode as I truly love this character. There is much more to recommend about this episode though. The characters are written perfectly. It is great that in this season Princess Celestia seems to be handled with more depth than she has been in previous seasons. She is no longer presented as nearly faultless, but rather to have her own anxieties. This makes her much more interesting to watch, and it is handled very well here. Luna is equally relatable and also feels very real. Speaking of Princesses, it is so great to see Twilight return to her geeky and adorkable, as she was starting to become more bland as this stuff was shown less and less. This episode though showed her being written fantastically though and much of the episodes best humor comes from her. Of course this is a Starlight episode though and she is handled amazingly though. To show her admittedly regret what she did and worry that she messed everything up, just show how much she has grown as a character.

The storyline is really good, except for one problem. It raises a question that will probably never be answered. If Celestia can't handle Luna's job, how did things work when Luna was imprisoned. This does not make much sense at all. However the storyline is told so well and despite this is a good self contained story, that if you simply overlook this you will see that this is truly an excellent episode.

-Michael J. Ruhland        

MLP:FIM Honest Apple

This episode introduces us to another one of the show's new writers, Kevin Lappin. The story board artists were Steve LeCouilliard and Mike Alcock. Both our new comers, This is Mike Alcock's first episode as a storyboard artist and Steve LeCouilliard's second (All Bottled Up was his first).

Personally I'm looking forward to Kevin Lappin maybe writing an episode that centers around Pinkie. She was perfect in this episode. By far my favorite part was her keeping a guitar in her mane. Pinkie was really funny in this episode, but fully remained her very caring self. She was in many ways the episode's comedy relief but she was put in here perfectly and each joke she was given was fantastic.

On to the story itself and it was good. The story was may be a bit too predictable, as you can always guess what is going to happen next, however the episode is more than fun enough to make up for this. Applejack's comments can be quite funny, and Rarity trying to defend her friend is quite touching. Both characters remain very relatable. We understand how hard it is for Applejack to talk about something she doesn't care much for and her desire to be honest and make her friend happy. Rarity we also understand perfectly. We know what it is like to want to stand by a friend when they mess up. Even if we haven't been through that situation before, we know it would be hard for us to decide between those we love and what we feel we need to do. If I had one compliant about the characters (minor spoilers) it is that I think Applejack should have realized what she did was wrong earlier.

While not one of the show's best episodes this is a very enjoyable one, and Pinkie is so great everypony that likes her needs to see this episode.

By the way it is strange that with this being the 7th season, they had not actually used the title Honest Apple before this.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Hard to Say Anything

This episode introduces us to a new writer for the show, Becky Wangberg. It was storyboarded by Cory Toomey (who has been boarding for the show since the 2nd season) and Thalia Tomlinson (who has been barding for the show since the 5th season).

This episode may be nothing spectacular, but not every episode of a show needs to be. This is instead just a nice enjoyable episode. The best thing about this episode is the humor. If Scootaloo got to shine last week than Sweetie Belle gets to shine this week. Her love of fairytales was charming and her line about growing older because it was a long ride there was quite funny. I also love how when she tries to pass it off as she used to love fairytales, she just happens to have the book with her (also in the illustrations why do the princesses not have wings?). Also helping the episode out is Big Mac's song. Again Daniel Ingram can really write a country song and I love whenever a song from this show is in that genre. Even though that ends up leading into a comedy sequence, the song before than is actually quite good. Though I know it is part of the story, I was kind of disappointed when Feather Bangs interrupted it. The relationship between Big Mac and Sugar Belle is fully believable and charming.  My fellow Disney fans should also enjoy a great Beauty and the Beast reference in this episode.

However this episode does have its flaws as well. Feather Bangs, is kind of a bland character and feels like he was made for plot convince. The story also feels like it has been done before, with little new added. However the episode is certainty fun enough to make up for these faults.  

-Michael J. Ruhland   

MLP:FIM Parental Glideance

This episode was the first episode written by Josh Hamilton and was storyboarded by Jae Harm and Kaylea Chard. This is the first episode Jae Harm storyboarded for, and Kaylea Chard has been boarding for the show since season 3.

Ok usual I avoid any spoilers, but there is simply no way to talk about this episode without mentioning this. We meet Rainbow Dash's parents, and get much more confused about Scootaloo's parents. Since I already reveled that simply don't read any of this if you do not want more spoiled, because more spoilers make this episode much easier to talk about.

First off yes it is really cool to see Rainbow Dash's parents, but I am here to talk about the episode itself, and to be honest this episode is............ really good. While the whole being embarrassed by your parents plot has been done so many times in cinema and TV, it usual doesn't feel this real (yeah I know I am calling an episode about a talking Pegasus real). However it is. Image someone you loved achieved their lifelong dream, would you not be attempted to react like they did? I know I would, and if I were Rainbow Dash I would be embarrassed to. The scene where Rainbow Dash yells at her parents and immediately feels terrible afterwards is almost heartbreaking, because these ponies simply feel so unbelievably real.

However what really makes this a great episode is so great is Scootaloo. While she is funny, she is far from comedy relief here. She is not only important to the story because of telling Rainbow's parents that their daughter is a wonderbolt, but she is essentially the heart of the episode. Her pride in Rainbow Dash, her longing to have parents like Rainbow Dash does (does she have neglectful parents, no parents or what? This needs to be explained in a future episode). and the heartbreak she has when Rainbow yells at her parents are so utterly believable and some of the most moving scenes in this show's history.

Wow this is such a great episode. I am excited to see what Josh Hamilton writes for this show in the future, he had a fantastic start here.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM Forever Filly

This episode was written by Michael P. Fox and Wil Fox. This is the fourth episode written by them as they previously had written The Gift of Maud Pie, Applejack's Day Off, and P.P.O.V.. The episode was storyboarded by Marta Demong and Desirae Salmark. This seems to be the first episode for both of them, though Desirae Salmark has storyboarded on the feature film, My Little Pony Equestra Girls: Legend of the Everfree.

This is a quite enjoyable episode with a good lesson. What makes the episode work is the characters (though this can be said of so many episodes of this show). These characters feel real to us and because of that we believe what is happening to them. We understand Rarity wanting to hold onto the past and we also understand Sweetie wanting to be treated as an adult, without hurting her sister's feelings. Along with this there is also some good humor, such as the photoshoot and the scene before the theme song.

On the downside, while the side story about the dog is enjoyable, it does feel kind of tacked on to drive the lesson further home, and we have seen this story done elsewhere before. There is still more good in this episode than faults and these good points easily overcome the faults.

Overall this is definitely a good episode, even if it isn't one of the show's best.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Fluttershy Leans In

This marks the second episode of the show to be written by Gillian Berrow (the first was the excellent The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows). The episode is storyboarded by Carrie Mombourquette (who started boarding for the show in season four), and Megan Willis

(who started boarding for the show last season). Dave Wiebe (who has boarded for the show since the first episode) provided some assisted with some of the storyboarding.

This is an excellent episode even if in many ways it differs from the average episode of this show. This is a much more slow paced episode, and there is less humor or action compared with the average episode. However this works to the episodes advantage making it feel more unique in the show's line-up. The whole episode sort of has a relaxed feel that just makes it quite enjoyable. Also really helping this episode is the writing of Fluttershy. I really appreciate that this show allows one of its main characters to grow this way. She has learned from previous episodes to be more assertive, yet through all this there is never a second of this episode where she does not feel like the Fluttershy we know and love.

Overall a great episode.

-Michael J. Ruhland
  

MLP:FIM Rock Soild Friendship

This episode was written by Nick Confalone, who wrote what is my favorite episode of last season, The Saddle Row Review. This is his sixth episode, his previous ones were Party Pooped, Hearthbreakers, No Second Prances, The Saddle Row Review and Dudgeons and Discords. He is currently one of my favorite writers on the show. The storyboard artists are Sherann Johnson (who has been working on the show since the first episode) and Ward Jenkins (who started on the show last season).

This is an excellent episode that brings together my two favorite ponies besides the mane six or the CMC. This is Starlight Glimmer and Maud Pie. Luckily these two characters have great chemistry. You really believe their friendship and it feels so natural. It is just a joy watching these two work together.

There is much more than this to recommend the episode though. Pinkie, while she annoys the characters, never comes off as annoying to the audience. This is something that is done all together wrong too often in cinema and TV, and it is great to see it done so well here. She is actually funny and gets some good laughs and we can always see her heart is in the right place. On top of all this the humor in this episode is fantastic, Maud's delivery of comic lines has lost none of what makes it so great. A flashback scene (which I will not give away here) gets very huge laughs.

In other words this is just a great episode.

-Michael J. Ruhland   

MLP:FIM Flurry of Emotions

This episode introduces us to two new writers for the show, Sammie Crawley and Whitney Wetta, who do a fantastic job on their first episode. This episode is storyboarded by Elise Stevens (who as far as I can tell is another newcomer) and Tim Maltby (who started boarding for the show last season).

This is an excellent episode that manages to be adorable without ever feeling forced. Much of this is achieved through Flurry Heart. I know there have been many baby characters in many shows over the years, but this one works better than so many others I have seen. This is because so many of those characters are either trying too hard to be cute or can be more annoying to the audience than to the characters. Flurry works so well because she just seems so natural. She is cute and the episode lets us get into her mind enough (without the use of dialogue I may add) that when she does misbehave we understand and aren't annoyed by her doing so. As well as Flurry all the other characters are great. Twilight seems to be back to her worried freaking out adorkable self and the episode is all the better for it, Pinkie only gets a brief appearance but it is delightful and Spike is proving that he is a truly great straight man to Twilight's freak-outs, and on top of this is given time to shine as a comic at the episode's end and does a great job.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM All Bottled Up

This episode was written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco (who have been writing for the show since season five). The episode was storyboarded by Steve Lecoulliard and Kelli Bort.

This episode is not as good as the season premiere and definitely has its share of problems but it is not a bad episode just below par for the show.

The problem with this episode is simply that Trixie is not that well written here, and she feels out of character. While Trixie did first appear in my least favorite episode of the show (Boast Busters), I have grown to like her a lot. So it is disappointing how not well she is written here. She seems more like a plot device to make Starlight angry than really a real character. Also her obliviousness to doing anything wrong simply isn't believable, because it doesn't quite mesh with her previously set personality. However there is enough good humor in this story to keep this from being too distracting, and the idea of Trixie trying to learn real magic is a very good one that I hope they expand on in a more fulfilling episode in the future. Also Starlight remains very likable through this whole episode and also keeps a poorly written Trixie from ruining the episode.

The subplot however is near perfect. It is such a small story and doesn't need much time devoted to it. Therefore it works great as a subplot as it is given exactly as much time as the plot needs. It also has the best humor of the episode and the joke about the song number is fantastic. All the Mane Six are perfectly within character and joy to watch even if this is only a very brief subplot.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Celestial Advice

Here we are and yes I am glad to be back talking about more episodes of this great show. Of course right now I will be talking about the season premiere Celestial Advice. We got two new episodes this morning and this is the best of the two. In fact it is a fantastic episode.

This episode was not only written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco (who joined the show in season five), but was the very first episode in which the two were the story editors. From the look of this episode they will do a great job at it. This episode was storyboarded by Kaylea Chard (who has been boarding for the show since the third season) and Mike Myhre (who started boarding for the show in the fourth season).

This is a very interesting episode and definitely different from previous season premieres. What separates it from those other episodes is the fact that there is no real villain, or much action like other season premieres. Rather it focuses on an internal conflict. It does this very well and the episode is not only fascinating but a lot of fun to watch as well. Twilight's conflict seems very real as does Starlight's reaction to it. They both love each other and never want to leave the other, but they are unsure of where to go from here. How to deal with being so unsure is an amazingly complex thing for the show to deal with and it doesn't sugarcoat it and it doesn't say there is a real right or wrong answer as often times there isn't. This is kind of profound really. On top of this seeing Celestia deal with anxiety over her decisions makes her real and in many ways more human in a way the character isn't always presented as. I find this refreshing and a very nice touch.

This does not mean the episode is just a character study as it is also quite funny. Twilight's fantasies and the ways they go horribly wrong in the most absurd ways possible is really funny. Also like last season's finale proved Trixe and Discord have great chemistry and it was a joy to watch they work off each other here to.

Also I am a huge Starlight fan so seeing her in the spotlight is always a joy for me.

-Michael J. Ruhland