Episode of the Week

I've decided to spotlight an episode every week. There will be NO fan-made videos in this section. Every Monday, a new spotlight will be given. Feel free to leave your thoughts on the current spotlight as a reply to this thread.

Week of November 11, 2013
Spotlight episode: Sisterhooves Social (Season 2, episode 5)



Sweetie Belle wants to help Rarity out at her shop, but seems to keep messing things up. An upcoming "Sisters" celebration gives her an opportunity to bond with Rarity.

My rating: 3.5/5
Not a whole lot to say about this one, it speaks for itself.

This was the first episode I ever watched. It holds a special place in my heart.

Actually, it reminds me of my relationship with my own little sister.

Week of November 18, 2013
Spotlight episode: Hurricane Fluttershy (Season 2, episode 22)



Fluttershy struggles to overcome her fear of public humiliation so she can help Rainbow Dash and the other pegasi create a tornado powerful enough to lift the water required for the rainy season in the cloud-producing city of Cloudsdale.

My rating: 5/5
Raw, adorable, cuteness-overloading inspiration.

Week of November 25, 2013
New episodes: Princess Twilight Sparkle (Season 4, Episodes 1 and 2)



Episode synopses

Part 1: Twilight is a bit nervous about her new responsibilities as a princess. But that's the least of her problems when Celestia and Luna go missing and the Everfree forest starts to invade Ponyville.

Part 2: Twilight and her friends head off in search for the Tree of Harmony, where the Elements of Harmony were first formed, in hopes that it can help them find Celestia and Luna.

My rating: 3/5
A bit subpar when compared to, say, Return of Harmony, but still decent.

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Spotlight episode: It's About Time (Season 2, Episode 20)



When Twilight Sparkle receives a strangely vague warning about impending doom and disaster from her future self, she drives herself nearly mad in an attempt to stall a cataclysmic event, but her uncertainty makes finding answers difficult.

My rating: 4.5/5
Being a fan of Doctor Who, I love the paradoxical nature of this episode.

Week of December 2, 2013
New episode: Castle Mane-ia (Season 4, Episode 3)



Twilight and Spike are sent by Celestia to the ruins of her old castle for research, and unknown to each other, the rest of the ponies find their way there as well. Meanwhile, trap doors, secret passages and a dark presence known only as the Pony of Shadows await them.

My rating: 4/5
I'm a sucker for parallel story-lines and old booby-trapped castles.

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Spotlight episode: Over a Barrel (Season 1, Episode 21)



Twilight Sparkle and her friends find themselves in the middle of a territorial conflict between a pony town and a buffalo tribe.

My rating: 3/5
Educational, but falls a bit short in terms of entertainment. Still, I like the buffalo's designs.

Maybe you should have two weekly spotlights. One for the new episode on Monday, then maybe an older one on Wednesdays?

You know what? I'm going to start doing that. In fact, I'll feature both on Mondays! I'll edit previous posts to include both the new episode and an older one.

The fun has been doubled!

Week of December 9, 2013
New episode: Daring Don't (Season 4, Episode 4)



When the next "Daring Do" novel gets delayed, Rainbow Dash decides to go visit the books' author, A.K. Yearling, to get some answers. But when she meets her, Rainbow Dash discovers a shocking secret about the author.

My rating: 4.5/5
Daring Do's long-awaited return!

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Spotlight episode: One Bad Apple (Season 3, Episode 4)



The Cutie Mark Crusaders fall victim to yet another bully, Apple Bloom's cousin from Manehattan, Babs Seed, after failing to induct her into their ranks. The three fillies hatch a plan for revenge, but after learning a possible reason for Babs' sour behaviour, they must undo their sinister plan before it is too late.

My rating: 4/5
Babs is so darn cute, and I love her voice. Definitely one of my favorite characters. Also, that song is catchy as heck.

Week of December 16, 2013
New episode: Flight to the Finish (Season 4, Episode 5)



The Cutie Mark Crusaders want to carry the Ponyville flag at the Equestria Games, but after some hurtful remarks from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, Scootaloo wants to do more than just carry the flag.

My rating: 5/5
I really sympathized with Scootaloo. She's a lot like me, actually.

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Spotlight episode: May the Best Pet Win! (Season 2, Episode 7)



After realizing that she is the only one of her friends that doesn't have a pet, Rainbow Dash holds a contest to decide which pet is perfect for her.

My rating: 4/5
The song really made this episode for me.

Week of December 23, 2013
New episode: Power Ponies (Season 4, Episode 6)



Spike and the Mane 6 get transported to a comic-book world, where they must fight a supervillain in order to return home.

My rating: 4/5
This one seemed too short. I really hope they revisit this later on.

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Spotlight episode: Hearth's Warming Eve (Season 2, Episode 11)



Twilight Sparkle and her friends reenact the story of the founding of Equestria.

My rating: 3/5
It's always nice to know a bit of lore. This episode presented said lore in a unique way.

Week of December 30, 2013
New episode: Bats! (Season 4, Episode 7)



Applejack and her friends must deal with a vampire fruit bat infestation in Sweet Apple Acres, but when Fluttershy begins acting strangely, it's up to her friends to find out what's wrong.

My rating: 5/5
♪It comes down to just one simple fact
They've crossed the line, it's time that we attack!♪

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Spotlight episode: Ponyville Confidential (Season 2, Episode 23)



The Cutie Mark Crusaders begin a gossip column in their school's newspaper, and learn just how harmful a rumor can be.

My rating: 3.5/5
This episode speaks for itself.

Week of January 6, 2014
New episode: Rarity Takes Manehattan [Season 4, Episode 8]



When a rival designer steals Rarity's designs for Fashion Week, Rarity must quickly come up with a solution.

My rating: 4.5/5
It's worth saying, the music this season has been phenomenal. This episode is no exception.

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Spotlight episode: Baby Cakes (Season 2, Episode 13)



Pinkie Pie gets a taste of responsibility when she agrees to foal-sit the Cakes' twins.

My rating: 4/5
Two words: CUTENESS OVERLOAD.

I must say, your choices for the spotlight episodes are very good.

Thanks, Celestia. I try my best to pick only the best episodes for the spotlights.

You know, we never really hear your thoughts on the episodes you spotlight. Maybe you could start writing your thoughts as well?

Why not? I'll give it a go. I'll edit my previous entries as well.

Week of January 13, 2014
New episode: Pinkie Apple Pie (Season 4, Episode 9)



When Pinkie Pie learns that she may be Applejack's cousin, they set out on a road trip. Their destination: the home of Golden Delicious, who knows everything about the Apple family tree.

My rating: 2.5/5
I love everything Pinkie does in this one. Her antics are the only reason I don't dislike this episode.

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Spotlight episode: Feeling Pinkie Keen (Season 1, Episode 15)



Twilight is determined to figure out the secret behind Pinkie Pie's apparent future-sensing abilities.

My rating: 4/5
A lot of other bronies I know dislike this episode. I rather like it.

Week of January 20, 2014
New episode: Rainbow Falls (Season 4, Episode 10)



Rainbow Dash's loyalty is put to the test when she must choose between representing Ponyville or Cloudsdale in the Equestria Games.

My rating: 4/5
Bulk Biceps finally gets a speaking role! YEAH!!

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Spotlight episode: A Canterlot Wedding (Season 2, Episodes 25 & 26)



My rating: 5/5
This is my all-time favorite episode. So many feels. (I'm not ashamed to admit, I cried a little.)

Best aspect about the episode "Rainbow Falls":
She's back!

If only you could favorite posts...

Axle! Get on that, if you please!

Shadewing wrote:

If only you could favorite posts...

Axle! Get on that, if you please!

Unfortunately, there isn't any sort of favoriting system in this format. I would have to overhaul the entire forum. Perhaps, in the future...

NOTICE: Weekly episode spotlights will now occur on SUNDAYS.

Week of January 26, 2014
New episode: Three's a Crowd (Season 4, Episode 11)



Twilight and Cadance's peaceful day out is interrupted by Discord, who has fallen ill. Fluttershy is on a trip, so it's down to Twilight and Cadance to take care of their sick "friend".

My rating: 3.5/5
Discord's first musical performance... was terrible. Thankfully, Cadance's return more than makes up for it.

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Spotlight episode: Spike At Your Service (Season 3, Episode 9)



When Applejack saves Spike from a pack of timberwolves, Spike is determined to repay Applejack by working for her. However, Spike's "help" proves to cause more harm than good.

My rating: 4.5/5
This was the first episode I watched that included Spike. It really made me like him.

Week of February 2, 2014
New episode: Pinkie Pride (Season 4, Episode 12)



Pinkie's status as Super Party Pony is in jeopardy when the mysterious stranger Cheese Sandwich (voiced by Weird Al Yankovic) takes over planning Rainbow Dash's birthday party.

My rating: 4.5/5
If this episode didn't make you laugh even a little bit, you need serious help.

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Spotlight episode: Apple Family Reunion [Season 3, Episode 8]



Applejack is put in charge of organizing the annual Apple Family Reunion, but she goes a little bit overboard...

My rating: 4/5
I never would have guessed that Applejack was such a control freak.

Week of February 9, 2014
New episode: Simple Ways (Season 4, Episode 13)



Rarity tries to become like Applejack in order to impress a traveling writer that she likes.

My rating: 3.5/5
It was hilarious seeing Rarity in a hillbilly outfit!   

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Spotlight episode: The Crystal Empire (Season 3, Episodes 1 and 2)



Twilight and her friends must save the long-lost Crystal Empire from the clutches of the evil King Sombra.

My rating: 5/5
Amazing visuals, great music, epic amounts of tension... This episode has it all!