Another character goal has once again been reached in this show. And this time it’s a goal that’s even older then the CMC’s search for the Cutie Mark, We’ve known since the pilot that Rainbow Dash’s dream is to become a part of the Wonderbolts and 5 Seasons + 7 episodes later. She’s finally got there. I can’t stress enough that I love it that this show isn’t afraid of having it’s characters reach longtime goals before the series is actually officially over, as I feel it helps teach that even when you reach goals you’ve strived for all your life, there’s new challenges that await you once you’re there.

There have been 4 times now in the show that a character(/s) have reached a goal of some sort while the show continues on to show how that change to the character effects things. Starting with Twi’s ascension to Princesshood, Rarity’s fashion business expanding, the CMC getting their Cutie Marks, and Rainbow becoming a Wonderbolt. And I’m starting to wonder if this may mean the show is winding down at least a little. Because Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow, and the CMC all had things to aspire for. While I’m pretty sure Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Applejack are fine where they are already in terms of occupation, it’s only in terms of character development that those 3 needed to go through. So while I’m certain there will still be episodes that relate to all of these characters dealing with their newfound success, without any more major goals to reach. Could Friendship is Magic be coming to an end?

Now before I make any of you panic, I’m pretty sure there’s at least one more year for the show. Because we have that movie in late 2017. I’m just wondering if that could be the show’s big Finale. And I wonder if we’ll even have a Season 7 to help tie us over till’ the movie. Though even if there is a Season 7 prior to the movie, I’m willing to guess it will be another 13-episode season like Season 3 so there’s more time focused on the movie. But I could very well see us have a decent-sized hiatus between the end of Season 6 and the Movie. So all the effort can be spent on the movie, and then it’d be up to Hasbro after the movie if they wish to continue the series afterward. (Which could go either way, for better or for worse. Given a certain Yellow sponge show is generally agreed that the series went downhill after that first theatrical movie).

But I suppose I should start covering the actual episode now. From what I’ve seen fo the responses, the reception was mixed. There isn’t a general consensus on this one as of yet. I will say though I’m one of those that fairly liked this one. I wouldn’t say it’s best of the season or anywhere near the series. But I also don’t think it was too bad either. And maybe that could be a surprise to some of you given how harsh I was to Rainbow Falls given that was also a Rainbow Dash + Wonderbolts episode. Of course that would be implying I just hate every Wonderbolt-related episode which is by far not the case. Wonderbolts Academy and Testing Testing 1 2 3 are both in my Top 20. The former even remains my favorite Rainbow Dash episode. I’ve always supported Dash’s desire to become a Wonderbolt, I just felt Rainbow Falls went off the deep end on a few vital things. Besides, the only vaguely similar thing between Rainbow Falls and this episode is that the Wonderbolts treat Dash somewhat unfairly in both episodes. But I think miscommunication between Rainbow and the Wonderbolts is a more forgivable issue then the team blatantly leaving Soarin’ in the dust to recruit somepony with seemingly no concern for their injured teammate.

But back to to the episode at hand. I feel the introduction is excellently done. Rainbow Dash’s reaction to officially being a Wonderbolt, as well as what the rest of the Mane 6 do. I think it’s a great set up for the rest of the episode that after Rainbow boasts a bit, Twilight reminds her that the Wonderbolts are going to be great flyers too. Of which Rainbow then says thing she should do to stand out. A point of this episode I think is that it’s standing out from all the other flyers that got Rainbow noticed by the Wonderbolts, but now Rainbow has to learn to be a team player.

A good analogy for this is any sport that has a minor-league of some sort. For the sake of making this a little easier to word. I’ll compare it to Professional Hockey with the NHL and the AHL. Let’s say a person that like Rainbow Dash being a superstar Hockey Player has been their dream since Childhood. And to be fair they are really, really good at playing Hockey. From Pee-Wee to College, and even the AHL they rock nearly every movement they perform. And when you impress enough in the AHL, then the NHL team calls you up to show your stuff in the big leagues. The problem is of course is that there’s usually a huge difference between the skill of the best teams in the AHL then there are the best teams in the NHL. So perhaps our player like Dash gets a little cocky the first time they’re called up to an NHL Squad thinking all the tips and tricks that worked in the AHL will work there. When the opposing team actually may anticipate such attempts at taking over the game single-handedly and may turn that player’s greatest skill into their first big mistake(/s). So that player either must understand quickly that what they do best in the minor leagues will likely not work as well in the big leagues or else they’ll have a humbling experience of some sort. Rainbow Dash is an excellent flyer, and she’s even got a chance to fly with and against the Wonderbolts but part of this is Rainbow’s ego getting the best of her telling her she needs to continue to try to dazzle the crowds individually rather then work completely with the team which leads to the crashes Rainbow has throughout the episode.

And now I think I’d like to address something. You see, on a different site I frequent. When I expressed my positive thoughts about the episode, I actually got accused of defending bullying for saying that I liked the episode overall. While admittedly the episode could of presented it better then it did, it’s pretty clear by the end of the episode that the Wonderbotls didn’t mean it to be bullying. As of course it’s ribbing that the team gives each other based on rookie mistakes they’ve made. It’s just unfortunate that the name the Wonderbolts chose just happened to be the same name as something she was called as a filly that she still hates. The Military forces in real life also tend to rib new recruits to get them accustomed to the tough training as well as build a team as everyone gets to know eachother’s “nicknames”. Even just regular friends sometimes rib each other more then actually compliment each other, and to outsiders who aren’t used to that may not understand how those people are friends if they’re tossing such words at each other. But for some people that’s normal. (Best media example that comes to mind is when Lando and Han Solo confront each other in Empire Strikes Back. At first it looks like they hate eachother’s guts, but then Lando smiles and gives Han Solo a big hug). I won’t fault anyone for thinking they should have presented it better, but yeah let’s just say that someone who threw those accusations at me and other people definitely interpreted the episode in the worst possible ways.

And ok, if there’s one thing this episode will be remembered for other then Rainbow Dash officially becoming a Wonderbolt. It’s Rainbow’s impressions of her friends (For better or for worse seemingly, since I see a decent amount of people found it kinda cringeworthy. I personally didn’t as much cause I found it pretty funny but that scene seems to be the make or break scene for many others). She gets her friend’s advice all wrong and tries to stand out like each of her friends do in an attempt to have the Wonderbolts change her nickname. Doing a Pinkie impression (Note that this is the 2nd time this season a Mane 6 member has done an impression of her), Applejack (Which is hilariously meta when you consider Applejack and Rainbow have the same voice actress), Twilight (Though oddly enough Rainbow’s Mane doesn’t change, which is weird because that has happened before in the Griffonstone episode. Still Rainbow with Glasses is kind of cute), Fluttershy (Rainbow actually does a really good impression for her which is impressive given the personality difference, but maybe that’s part of how Rainbow knows Fluttershy longer then the others), and Rarity (Which will probably bring up the ol’ “Rainbow Dash Always Dresses In Style” jokes for a while)

Now I’ll conclude with something I’ll admit could be seen as a flaw that could break the episode for some people if they’re that upset by it. Rainbow and the Wonderbolts probably should have communicated things earlier about the whole nickname thing. Either Rainbow should have told Spitfire or the other Wonderbolts that Rainbow Crash is a name she’s hated for a long time, or the Wonderbolts should have made it clear from the very start that it’s just ribbing that the team likes to play on one another. And that unfortunately may just be a problem of having the episode say they’re going to make Rainbow Dash a wonderbolt at last, but have trouble how to fit something like that in 22 minutes. So if anyone feels the episode dragged on with something that should of been an easy fix, I won’t fault you for disliking the episode on that front cause even I admit as someone who likes the episode is a fair point. What I do like about the episode isn’t ruined by this however, as Rainbow Dash shows those secret insecurities that she often hides with her boasts that helped her show some depth since Sonic Rainboom (the episode). And I am very much glad that Rainbow Dash has finally become a Wonderbolt. As someone who’s chosen Rainbow to be second only to Twilight for favorite ponies, I do feel quite a bit proud of her right now regardless of how rocky the journey, and even the start as a wonderbolt she’s had.