Well this episode didn’t really provide a clear answer on whether Scootaloo is not able to fly. It’s probably for the best, because people who prefer she’s disabled can say that’s how it is. And others who don’t can simply say she’s a late bloomer.

But overall the episode was good for your average CMC episode. I don’t think it’s better then Sleepless in Ponyville, but I certainly believe it’s above One Bad Apple. Though “Hearts as Strong as Horses” I felt was rather bland compared to “Babs Seed” from that episode and “Perfect Stallion” from Hearts and Hooves Day. I’d say as far as CMC episodes go it’s in the Top 6 (Other 5 good CMC related episodes I’d say are Cutie Mark Chronicles, Sleepless in Ponyville, Sisterhooves Social, Ponyville Confidential, and Family Appreciation Day

For at least a short time, I thought that there was a possibility that maybe Scootaloo was getting her cutie mark. Especially when near the end when it had Scoots look at her flank. But that was cut off a split second when Scootaloo did the “Cutie Marks in Flag Carrying” thing. Then again if she did get her Cutie Mark there’d only be a few seconds to celebrate it, and it would of been a little while before the next CMC episode to elaborate on it.

All I know though, is I’m glad this didn’t have the worst ending possible where Scootaloo suddenly knows how to fly by the end of the episode because she just happened to work so hard.

One thing I really like is the idea that Ponyville isn’t just a place for Earth Ponies, which a huge part of the economy being the Apple family may suggest. And it is indeed represented as a town where all three pony types live together in peace. Which considering Hearth’s Warming Eve, makes sense.

This episode makes me wonder when the Equestria Games are going to come into play in the Season though. We’ve had Games Ponies Play and now this episode to build up to it.

Rainbow Dash was pretty good in this episode. But her best part was at the end by far where she again shows she’s the element of Loyalty in telling the CMC to stick to their team and even going straight back to Ponyville to have them talk with Scootaloo and providing the rather vague word on whether Scootaloo can fly or not. Honorable mention as well to Rainbow Dash’s expressions not only in the first half of the episode but her reaction to Scootaloo’s remark on the Flag carrying Cutie Mark at the end.

But anyway the big thing of the episode of course was to provide more details on why Scootaloo hasn’t shown herself to be a good flier yet. Does it deliver? Well it’s actually up to everyone to think about. Which depending what you wanted from the episode either means it’s underwhelming since it doesn’t provide more clearance on whether Scoots is a disabled pegasus or not. But it’s not nearly as vague as say Applejack’s parents’ death being represented as comets in Apple Family Reunion. There is a basis that Scooaloo could be disabled, maybe eventually she will fly but she won’t be able to do it like normal Pegasi because that’s just how it is with her condition. And from this look into the episode, this episode does bring some brilliance to the entire series. If Scoots is even mildly physically disabled, everypony still treats her like any other pony around and they don’t consider Scootaloo a filly that has special needs all the time. As Scootaloo has even shown as much confidence and big dreams that rivals Rainbow Dash’s own on her good days. It even provides more brilliance to the whole Ponyville representation besides just the “three types of ponies are friends” they’re accepting of all kinds of ponies. Including ponies that may not be able to do what’s considered normal for Ponies. It’s especially heartwarming and excellent of Rainbow Dash’s character to believe Scoots is awesome whether or not Scoots will fly considering she’s one of the best fliers in Ponyville. She’s willing to let Scootaloo be like a little sister to her as shown in Sleepless in Ponyville despite the vastly different skill in flight. And is even proof that Scoots looking at Rainbow as a role model is rewarded in she finds a role model where she wishes she could fly as good as her, and she’s able to comfort Scoots herself when she’s down. And it makes sense since Scootaloo isn’t the only pony she’s done this for, as you remember Hurricane Fluttershy where she showed how supportive she is of Fluttershy in comparison to her abrasiveness in Dragonshy.

If this episode had more of the heart that was in the scene where Rainbow and the CMC go back to Ponyville to see Scoots, this episode would be hailed as one of the greatest episodes of the show. For some maybe it already is, but I think there’s more that could of been done. But I’m sure every bad episode would of liked their only problem be that the episode didn’t do enough rather then actual huge errors. So definitely consider Flight to the Finish a passing episode of the Season. Right now my least favorite episode of Season 4 is Castle-Mania, and that one isn’t that bad. So I’m liking where things are going right now. Let’s hope Season 4 continues providing quality after quality.

(If you need a little more clearance about what the Genie Twi response to this episode is about. Scootaloo could wish for Twilight to give her flight, but she heard that Rainbow Dash refused to become a wonderbolt with a wish. And Scootaloo decides to follow in those same footsteps with flying. Scoots in Genie Twi won’t accept a flight ability she didn’t learn. Much like how Rainbow won’t try to become a Wonderbolt with a wish. Though as Genie Twi says, the Wonderbolt thing wouldn’t actually work out well even if Rainbow did try)