Welcome once again bronies and pegasisters to another My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic recap/review. For the last few episodes, we’ve taken the spotlight away from the mane six, and focused more on the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Two weeks ago, it was Sweetie Belle, and last week it was Apple Bloom. So, the logical thing to do would have to be an episode based on Scootaloo, right? Well, our favorite chicken/dodo hybrid will have to wait her turn. For this week, we return to the mane six’s misadventures. Particularly those of Rainbow Dash. In this episode we find out if there’s a pet that can keep up with a pony who is 20% cooler. But who can live up to the challenge? Well, let’s see in “May the Best Pet Win”.
We open the episode with Rainbow Dash doing what she does best. And that of course is flying fast, and showing off. However, in the midst of her aerial acrobatics, she is joined by Twilight Sparkle’s pet owl Owlowiscious. All things seem fine until Owlowiscious suddenly gets the head of Applejack’s pet dog Winona. Then suddenly the head of Angel, Fluttershy’s bunny. And the body of Gummy, Pinkie’s pet gator. Then…
SWEET CELESTIA!!!
However, as you would expect, this is all just a bad dream. Rainbow Dash has been awakened from her tree nap by the pets of her friends. It appears that they just happened to schedule their weekly pony pet play date at that time. And they figured that since Rainbow Dash isn’t a pet owner, that it would be okay to keep her out of the loop. At first Dash is fine with this, until she realizes that she wants a pet of her own. This news pleases Fluttershy, who takes Dash to her place to pick out a pet.
This leads to the first song of the season. Throughout the song, Fluttershy shows Rainbow Dash several cute animals from cats to bunnies. However, Dash would much rather a pet that’s cool, and can fly. This then gives her an idea to hold a contest to see what pet can live up to her insanely high expectations.
Later that day, Rainbow Dash lines up all the worthy challengers, and gives them a drill session about her requirements in a pet. However, during the speech, Fluttershy suggests that Dash gives a tortoise a shot at the competition. Dash is against the idea, but it’s physically impossible to say no to Fluttershy, so she gives in. What follows is a series of contests to see what pet can make the grade. The contests include a race, a photo shoot, a talent show, and even a test to see who can take the pet mouse from Rarity’s pet cat Opalescence and survive. All the pets succeed, except for the tortoise, who continually fails despite his best efforts. Dash tells the tortoise to that he simply isn’t awesome pet material.
With only the owl, bat, falcon, and eagle remaining (and the tortoise who refuses to give up), Dash tells them that the final contest is to see who can keep up with her as she flies through Ghastly Gorge. The race is underway (Set to Ride of the Valkyries, making it even more epic) as Dash flies through all the obstacles with ease, including giant eels, and a massive thorn pit. However, before she can make it to the finish line, an avalanche occurs, and she gets hit. She ends up with her wing caught under a boulder. What’s worse is that all the pets pass her by, leaving her stranded.
But before this whole episode turns into a full on 127 hours parody, she is is rescued by the tortoise. All the pets pass the finish line, as the other ponies begin to get concerned about Rainbow Dash. However, she soon arrives, being carried by the tortoise. The falcon wins the race, but Dash decides to make the tortoise her new pet since he actually stayed and saved her. She christens him ‘Tank’, since he’s, well… like a tank. She writes the letter to Princess Celestia this week about how it’s not about how cool the pet is, but how it’s spirit is. The episode ends with all the ponies on a pony pet play date, including Rainbow Dash…
And an upgraded Tank.
The best pet may have won, but was this episode a winner? Let’s break it down with some pros and cons.
PRO
It took seven episodes, but we finally got a song this season. And boy, was it worth the wait. The songs continue to pick up with every new one in the series, each slowly gaining an almost 90’s Disney level of quality. It looks at this point like the songs will be a bit more spaced out throughout the season, and possibly less than the previous season. But if this is any proof, it’s definitely a case of quality over quantity.
Tank is a great pet character. Adorable, hilarious, and tons of personality. Definitely the traits of not just a great pet, but a great character for this series. Hopefully he has plenty more appearances to come.
After such a long time, it was great to see an episode with all six of our protagonists again. Especially Fluttershy, who as always steals the show with her cuteness.
The best pet competition was a great segment, with all of the pets showing off some amazing talents. Where else will you see a bat making music with wine glasses (Perhaps stolen from Berry Punch?), or a butterfly use super hypnosis? Further proof that the cast of creatures gets more entertaining as the series progresses.
I marked hard for the use of Ride of the Valkyries during the final contest. Though for a minute I was kinda hoping that Daniel Bryan would show up and cash his Money in the Bank briefcase on Rainbow Dash. Hell, he may have a better chance winning with it there than he does in real life.
CONS
The pacing again was a bit wonky at times. Not as bad as episodes prior, but it definitely seemed like some things went too long, while some things went way too quick.
They made Tank being the winning pet too obvious way too early in the episode. Particularly during the song. It kills the suspense of wondering just what pet would win the contest. But in the end, the right pet won. Though the Falcon was robbed. Lest we ever forget the Ghastly Gorge screwjob.
Rainbow Dash’s arrogance was turned up a bit too high in this episode. Especially in the middle. Yes, I know this was important to the plot, as her own arrogance, and ignorance to what makes a pet great would be her downfall by the end. But she still came off as a major douche some times. But that could just be me, and my mild bias against Dash talking.
This episode was another solid episode for the show overall. There were a couple minor issues, but in the end it was cute and enjoyable. As well as filled with the action that was missing from the last few episodes. This is definitely a must watch episode for anyone getting into the show.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Had enough Rainbow Dash yet? Well too bad! Because she’s the star of next week’s episode.
A superhero has arrived in Ponyville, and is stealing Rainbow Dash’s thunder. What will happen as Dash tries to get back her notoriety, and faces off with “The Mysterious Mare Do Well”? We’ll find out in seven.
Until next time Bronies and Pegasisters.