I’m gonna disagree as I feel like Applebuck is the first really good episode of the series myself. It was the first perfect example of the comedy that this show is capable of. While perhaps it may not be as good as some of the good episodes of later seasons. I still think it is a really good Season 1 episode. On an entertainment value standpoint, it may be the best of the first half of Season 1 for maybe the exception of Dragonshy. I think the only problem I’d say the episode had is that afterward it’d take a while before we’d get a substantial Applejack solo episode. And even that’s in dispute because some say in both AJ episodes in Season 2 she’s overshadowed by other characters for one reason or another (Last Round-Up = Derpy talking and the ensuing drama around the whole censorship, and to a lesser extent Pinkie, Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 = The Flim Flam brothers and there Monorail Man style song) and while Season 3 did provide two legitimately Applejack focused episodes. They were either so average it’s boring (Apple Family Reunion), or one of the worst episodes of the show (Spike at your Service). At least Season 4 however legitimately did both get episodes that focused on her and most of the episodes she had a big role in an episode were pretty good. One of the good things about Season 4 is we got a lot of more Applejack characterization, where until Season 4. Applejack’s only flaw seemed to be stubbornness and her dependability in episode where she isn’t actually the main focus. Unlike the others of the Main 6 there didn’t seem too much room for Applejack to grow as a character and we kept asking ourselves if Applejack’s character arc was basically already finished by the fourth episode of the show since the writers didn’t seem to know where else to go with Applejack afterward. And it’s a big reason why Applejack is the least popular of the Mane 6. Her biggest character development up until Season 4 was done within the first 4 episodes of the show. So it’s hard for a fan of the show to choose AJ as their favorite if the character doesn’t seem to have any more goals other then continuing to live as they’ve already have for a while now.

(You had many asks so I’m going to just compile them all in this one post. Your comments/questions will be in bold)

its-homerj: Also I actually thought that “Look Before You Sleep” is at least a better episode compared to “Applebuck Season” and “Boast Busters”. Largely because, of how entertaining and funny the exchanges between the characters and interactions are, as well as how it even served as good character development for both Applejack and Rarity.

We’ll just disagree on this. I personally kinda found Rarity and AJ’s arguing a bit annoying. And I already mentioned my problems with Twilight’s portrayal in the episode. It’s true that if you suspend your disbelief a bit that Twilight always wanted to have a sleepover when 7 episodes ago she had no interest in Friendship. That it can be pretty funny seeing what Twilight does in the episode. But I do wish that Twilight was at least a little smarter. I still stand she should of at least tried to help with the tree that crashed into the window instead of keeping her eyes glued to a book. Yes, Twilight’s favorite objects are books. But that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t go “By the book” all the time. That’s only something I’d expect out of Twilight if she weren’t a multi-dimensional character. Like I said, it seems like something a clone Twilight made from the Mirror Pool would do. Not the actual Twilight.

its-homerj: I also thought that the worst episodes of Season 1, in my opinion, are actually worse than even the bad episodes of Season 2. Which is saying a lot considering that season had the infamous “Mysterious Mare-Do-Well”.

I don’t really think so. Even though there are some Season 1 episodes I’m not a huge fan of. I can understand why they could be objectively better then some of the worst of later seasons. Mare-Do-Well was nearly a complete mess with perhaps the only shining moment I can think of is the brief moment where Rainbow is sad and alone on a cloud. In all of the episodes I don’t like too much in Season 1 there are at least a few more then one thing I like about them. Like for Boast Busters, I do love the scene where Twilight takes care of the Ursa Minor. And the one scene where Twilight conjures up a door and Spike goes through the door thinking it’s the exit only for him to open it back up and for both of them to have the most priceless faces xD And as much as I don’t like most of Boast Busters. Without it, Magic Duel wouldn’t have been made. And Magic Duel is like the direct opposite. It’s one of my favorites of the series.

its-homerj: Though I also respectfully disagree with how you regard M.A. Larson as the best writer of the series. Because, in my opinion, that honor actually goes to Dave Polsky, mostly due to how he’s a great comedic writer.

Eh, I think Dave Polsky is definitely the most improved writer. But I think he has to have another solid performance in Season 5 to really have any chance at becoming my favorite writer. And M.A. Larson just wrote a lot of episodes that I loved. Larson Episodes I enjoyed a lot: Sonic Rainboom, Cutie Mark Chronicles, Return of Harmony, Secret of my Excess, Magic Duel, and Magical Mystery Cure. While I don’t think all of Larson’s episodes are that great. I think Swarm of the Century wasn’t that good of a showing for him. And I find Luna Eclipsed a tad overrated in some ways. And while I did like episodes like It’s About Time and Ponyville Confidential. I don’t find them nearly as great as the ones I listed that I really liked. But considering M.A. Larson wrote 3 of my 9 Favorite episodes of the series (Even if Meghan takes up 4 episodes in my list. So technically by all means Meghan should be my favorite. But I think I still prefer Larson a little bit more for a few more reasons. That said Meghan is a definite second.) Cutie Mark Chronicles and Magical Mystery Cure are just two episodes that I love to death even among my 9 favorites. Even if I feel Seasons 1 and 3 are the bottom two seasons, those two episodes are something I could gush over for hours upon end that not even a lot of Season 2 and Season 4 episodes can say the same.