Just to say before starting, and this is going to be said until something is done about it, the dishonest, insulting, callous, excessive and done-for-no-reason serial down-voting review abuse, done clearly without even reading the reviews in the first place and clicking no as they go along (truly disrespectful to nearly 11 years of a lot of care and effort!), is to stop right now, unless the responsible (prohibited from going near me) wants to contribute further to increasing anxiety and another life-and-death health scare.
Season 1, on a relevant note, of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', one of my personal favourite animated shows in recent years that was so surprisingly easy to get into and made me wanting to see more and more, has its downs (with two episodes in particular). At the same time, it also has a number of ups, more ups than downs thankfully, with the very best being show high-points. Although not entirely consistent the first season was well and often remarkably great.
"The Best Night Ever" is a real gem. One of the best episodes of Season 1, top five perhaps, and a show high-point. Of all 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' season finales, "The Best Night Ever" is one of the better ones, if not quite the very best, and rounds off such a promising season perfectly. It is as great a way to end a season for any show as one can get and does make one want to continue further with the rest of the show.
Next to nothing to criticise really, the closest thing to a criticism being the unlikeability of Prince Blueblood. Even that though was not done in a distasteful, too over-the-top or off-putting manner, also felt that he was not meant to be a likeable character.
Great things with "The Best Night Ever" are numerous. It was a premise that was first introduced in the show's third episode "The Ticket Master", builds upon it and rounds it off in a way that was truly fullfilling. It takes full advantage of the setting, showing it as a world of glamour and elegance on the outside but deep down not being as it seems. Some may dismiss some of the other characters as snobs, to me it is a case of them having a different idea of fun (which is a very realistic idea of fun, personally have a different and quieter idea of fun than my more out-going friends for instance) and in this case the ponies are not entirely innocent here either. It was good for the episode to show their flaws though, without going overdone, and not make them above criticism. Some may not like the Fluttershy breaking out of character moment, as insane in a quite scary way as it may have been compared to usual it was a character defining moment that showed her have more assertiveness which was actually great, it was a good thing that the ponies showed development and progression early on.
Plenty of very funny moments and parts that shock (especially that aforementioned part with Fluttershy), with the writing balancing humour and pathos beautifully. "The Best Night Ever" excels too in making all the Mane 6 compelling and disinct characters, with nobody worth disliking despite their flaws, and the balance between the stories for each pony and connecting them. Remarkable for so much going on in a short space of time. Spike gets some of his best ever material of the whole season, so much better than anything from "Owl's Well that Ends Well" which is enough to make some go right off him, his screen time is short but so worthwhile.
Here in "The Best Night Ever", the moral is as ever, well most of the time, with the show a relevant and relatable one dealt with tact. The animation is rich in colour, is neat in drawing (Fluttershy in that defining moment coming off most memorably) and with very detailed background art. The music is never at odds with the action and the "At the Gala" song was very catchy, have seen criticisms for it but it was fine with me. Andrea Libman (shining just as much as she did to having-a-ball levels in "Party of One") is a joy as Fluttershy.
Altogether, wonderful episode and ends the first season perfectly. 10/10
Season 1, on a relevant note, of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', one of my personal favourite animated shows in recent years that was so surprisingly easy to get into and made me wanting to see more and more, has its downs (with two episodes in particular). At the same time, it also has a number of ups, more ups than downs thankfully, with the very best being show high-points. Although not entirely consistent the first season was well and often remarkably great.
"The Best Night Ever" is a real gem. One of the best episodes of Season 1, top five perhaps, and a show high-point. Of all 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' season finales, "The Best Night Ever" is one of the better ones, if not quite the very best, and rounds off such a promising season perfectly. It is as great a way to end a season for any show as one can get and does make one want to continue further with the rest of the show.
Next to nothing to criticise really, the closest thing to a criticism being the unlikeability of Prince Blueblood. Even that though was not done in a distasteful, too over-the-top or off-putting manner, also felt that he was not meant to be a likeable character.
Great things with "The Best Night Ever" are numerous. It was a premise that was first introduced in the show's third episode "The Ticket Master", builds upon it and rounds it off in a way that was truly fullfilling. It takes full advantage of the setting, showing it as a world of glamour and elegance on the outside but deep down not being as it seems. Some may dismiss some of the other characters as snobs, to me it is a case of them having a different idea of fun (which is a very realistic idea of fun, personally have a different and quieter idea of fun than my more out-going friends for instance) and in this case the ponies are not entirely innocent here either. It was good for the episode to show their flaws though, without going overdone, and not make them above criticism. Some may not like the Fluttershy breaking out of character moment, as insane in a quite scary way as it may have been compared to usual it was a character defining moment that showed her have more assertiveness which was actually great, it was a good thing that the ponies showed development and progression early on.
Plenty of very funny moments and parts that shock (especially that aforementioned part with Fluttershy), with the writing balancing humour and pathos beautifully. "The Best Night Ever" excels too in making all the Mane 6 compelling and disinct characters, with nobody worth disliking despite their flaws, and the balance between the stories for each pony and connecting them. Remarkable for so much going on in a short space of time. Spike gets some of his best ever material of the whole season, so much better than anything from "Owl's Well that Ends Well" which is enough to make some go right off him, his screen time is short but so worthwhile.
Here in "The Best Night Ever", the moral is as ever, well most of the time, with the show a relevant and relatable one dealt with tact. The animation is rich in colour, is neat in drawing (Fluttershy in that defining moment coming off most memorably) and with very detailed background art. The music is never at odds with the action and the "At the Gala" song was very catchy, have seen criticisms for it but it was fine with me. Andrea Libman (shining just as much as she did to having-a-ball levels in "Party of One") is a joy as Fluttershy.
Altogether, wonderful episode and ends the first season perfectly. 10/10
