MLP:FIM To Where and Back Again Parts 1 & 2

We have reached the season finale of season 6. It has been great writing and sharing some background information as well as my thoughts on these episodes with everypony, and I look forward to doing the same for Season 7. However right now I have 2 episodes to write about.

These episodes were written by Josh Haber (who has been writing for the show since season 4) and Michael Vogel (who started writing this season, but had been working the production department since season 2), These episodes were storyboarded by Megan Willis (Who started boarding for the show this season) , Jeffery Amey (who started boarding for the show this season), Thalia Tomlinson (Who started boarding for the show since season 5) and Karine Charlebois (Who started boarding for the show this season). The Changling hive was designed by Tanya Lehoux. The new Changling designs were by Kora Kosicka, Charmaine Verhagen and Fe Ribeiro.

This is a fantastic episode. While it is a big villain vs. heroes episode, the main focus is Starlight stress about being a leader and whether she is really reformed. This is very relatable as we all (or at least me), have stresses of weather or not people will forgive you when you have don e something wrong. This is so real and understandable, it makes this very fantasy based story more personal and real. However the big fight with the villain, and the element of fantasy are still quite exciting.

It is also great to see the show trying out new things like they do here. While the big villain episodes have been done before, this is the first time one didn't center around one of the main six. It doesn't hurt that Starlight is one of my new favorite ponies, and she is handled so well here. However Trixie, Discord and Thorax are all delightful here.

See you for season 7 everypony, and remember friendship is magic.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Top Bolt

This episode is 5th episode written by the team of Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco. They had previously written Castle Sweet Castle, Rarity Investigates, The Hoffields and the McColts and Gauntlet of Fire. This episode was storyboarded by Mincheul Park (who started boarding for the show last season) and Cat Tang (who started boarding for the show this season).

This episode introduces two new characters, Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger. Vapor Trail was voiced by Ronda Ress, and Sky Stinger was voiced by storyboard artist Emmett Hall. These character were designed by Kora Kosicka, Fe Riberio and Charmaine Verhagen.

These new characters are quite good and fit the story perfectly. However what really makes this episode is Twilight and Rainbow Dash. They are extremely well written here. Twilight seemed to be getting less nerdy in seasons 4 & 5, but here she is the same adorable nerd she was in seasons 1 &2. Rainbow Dash is very likable here as her attachment to her friends and her dedication to the Wonderbolts are very charming.

This is a fantastic episode it is very well written, the animation is great, the story is good, and everything just works.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM Where the Apple Lies

This episode is the third episode written by David Rapp, who also wrote Newbie Dash and Flutter Brutter. This episode was storyboarded by Michelle Ku (who started boarding for this show earlier this season) and Cat Dela Cruz (who also stated boarding for this show during this season).

This is a really good episode. I really like the design work, the animation is great, it is quite funny, and it has a good story. I really like the younger Big Mac, and not just because he is different from the Big Mac we know and that is funny, but because he is a very good character on his own. The facial expressions on Applejack as she lies are also very funny. The whole section is the hospital is excellent. On top of that while the moral is nothing new for this show it is told fairly well here.

By the way look for some really great stuff in the background of the hospital. Especially Derpy's origin story, and a bizarre but hilarious reference to The Shining. 

-Michael J. Ruhland 

MLP:FIM P.P.O.V (Pony Point of Veiw)

This is the third episode written by Michael P. Fox and Wil Fox. Who had previously written The Gift of Maud Pie and Applejack's Day Off. Helping come up with the story was the team of Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt. This episode was storyboarded by Hanna Lee (Who has been storyboarding for the show since season 2) and Ward Jenkins (Who started boarding for the show earlier this season).

This is an excellent episode. The humor is spot on. Applejack as a pirate is particularly great (and of course the picture above is a hilarious moment). The animation is also excellent.

The design work is fantastic. The seaside town was designed by Laura Bifano and colored by Krista Hout. Layout artist Greg Roth designed the waves. There was also some great costume design by Kora Kosika and Charmaine Verhagen. Charmaine Verhgen also designed the knew creature.  All of them did fantastic jobs and helped make this a great episode.

Most of all though this episode was just a lot of fun and whoever knew Rashomon with Ponies could be this much fun.

-Michael J. Ruhland

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