Despite considering 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' one of the best and most addictive animated shows in recent parts, that is not to say that it is exempt from disappointing and even mediocre at best episodes. Actually think that each of the nine seasons has at least one disappointing episode. Expectations were not high for putting "Putting Your Hoof Down", due to trusted fellow fans intensely disliking it and considering it one of the show's worst episodes.
Watching it, there was no doubt about watching it being a fan, "Putting Your Hoof Down" was not as bad as expected. To me though, it is not hard to see why it is here one of Season 2's lowest rated episodes (although have always tried over the years to not take IMDb ratings to heart as it is all subjective) or why there are people that consider it one of the season's, and for some people the show's, worst. Along with "The Mysterious Mare Do Well" and "Dragon Quest" it is a bottom 3 Season 2 episode, where one awesome character deserved better.
That awesome character is Iron Will. The only properly likeable character and the most interesting and consistent in personality by far. Being somebody who is formidable but also surprisingly reasonable, and also being the character that learns the most from any mistakes even if that part is a bit rushed. Did feel bad for Fluttershy at times, though more frustrated by her, with her suffering hit quite close to home for me having been there myself. Also understood her point of view when she retalliated, verbal retalliation was my personal way with dealing with problems in school although it didn't get me very far.
Can't criticise the animation either, as colourful and handsome as ever, or the characterful music. The Bugs Bunny joke is great as is the voice acting, Trevor Devall being faring best.
Only Iron Will is properly likeable or interesting, although Fluttershy has her moments. There were times though where sympathy for Fluttershy was lost, especially her treatment of some characters which came over as extreme. She is though treated poorly in "Putting Your Hoof Down", in a way that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Absolutely hated the character of Angel Bunny, who is a distasteful bully of a character here. The physical abuse is too much and most of it is gratuitous and overly cruel. The other characters are horribly written, have not seen Rarity this much of a jerk in a while (a shame because Season 2 mostly did a great job with her) and certainly not to this extent at this point of the show's run. Same for Pinkie Pie. The resolution is far too unrealistically pat and completely undeserving.
"Putting Your Hoof Down" is a watchable episode but mainly for Iron Will. For compelling and relatable characterisation of the Mane 6, look elsewhere in episodes before and since. 5/10
Watching it, there was no doubt about watching it being a fan, "Putting Your Hoof Down" was not as bad as expected. To me though, it is not hard to see why it is here one of Season 2's lowest rated episodes (although have always tried over the years to not take IMDb ratings to heart as it is all subjective) or why there are people that consider it one of the season's, and for some people the show's, worst. Along with "The Mysterious Mare Do Well" and "Dragon Quest" it is a bottom 3 Season 2 episode, where one awesome character deserved better.
That awesome character is Iron Will. The only properly likeable character and the most interesting and consistent in personality by far. Being somebody who is formidable but also surprisingly reasonable, and also being the character that learns the most from any mistakes even if that part is a bit rushed. Did feel bad for Fluttershy at times, though more frustrated by her, with her suffering hit quite close to home for me having been there myself. Also understood her point of view when she retalliated, verbal retalliation was my personal way with dealing with problems in school although it didn't get me very far.
Can't criticise the animation either, as colourful and handsome as ever, or the characterful music. The Bugs Bunny joke is great as is the voice acting, Trevor Devall being faring best.
Only Iron Will is properly likeable or interesting, although Fluttershy has her moments. There were times though where sympathy for Fluttershy was lost, especially her treatment of some characters which came over as extreme. She is though treated poorly in "Putting Your Hoof Down", in a way that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Absolutely hated the character of Angel Bunny, who is a distasteful bully of a character here. The physical abuse is too much and most of it is gratuitous and overly cruel. The other characters are horribly written, have not seen Rarity this much of a jerk in a while (a shame because Season 2 mostly did a great job with her) and certainly not to this extent at this point of the show's run. Same for Pinkie Pie. The resolution is far too unrealistically pat and completely undeserving.
"Putting Your Hoof Down" is a watchable episode but mainly for Iron Will. For compelling and relatable characterisation of the Mane 6, look elsewhere in episodes before and since. 5/10
