Fillies, gentlecolts, and foals of all ages, welcome once again to another edition of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Recap/Review. We’re 10 episodes in to this season so far, and it’s time once again to shine the spotlight on Rainbow Dash. She’s the element of loyalty, but what would happen if her loyalty was put in question? Let’s find out where Rainbow Falls with this episode.
Rainbow Dash's extremely enthusiastic Ponyville team
We open the episode with Rainbow Dash talking to her relay team for the Equestria Games. This being the duo of Fluttershy, and muscular pony Bulk Biceps. Dash has the utmost confidence that she’ll be able to lead the team to qualifying for the games when they head to the Rainbow Falls to try out. However, it’s shown quickly that despite the enthusiasm of both Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps, things aren’t looking too good.
When the mane six make it to the falls for the qualifiers, Rainbow Dash is greeted by her heroes the Wonderbolts, who are competing for Cloudsdale in the games. Rainbow Dash continues to try and train her team, but it’s looking more and more like things aren’t going too well. However, when Soarin’ of the Wonderbolts injures his wing during practice, both Spitfire and Fleetfoot offer Rainbow Dash the chance to train with them. And despite Dash’s convictions to doing so, she agrees, since this a chance to train with her heroes.
Rainbow Dash feels the perks of being a wonderbolt.
After a montage of Rainbow going back and forth to both teams, she’s finally called out for her indecisiveness by Twilight, who isn’t happy with Dash deceiving her team. However, when the wonderbolts offer a shot at a permanent spot on the Cloudsdale team, Rainbow Dash is elated with the opportunity to join her heroes. But she’s quickly reminded by Twilight that the decision could lead to her friends not being able to qualify without her.
Since Rainbow is conflicted in the matter, she feigns an injury and gets herself laid up in the hospital. However, Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps are still having high hopes in their chances to win, since they’ve already found a replacement in…
DERPY!!!
Dash learns the truth from Soarin'
Dash also learns from Soarin’ that he was healthy for a while, but his partners decided to go with somepony else to qualify. After a flash of rainbow similar to that in “Rarity Takes Manehattan”, Dash leaves the hospital, and reveals the truth that she was never injured. She finally learns that she should have always stayed loyal to her team, and will join them once again to qualify. Soarin’ is also brought back to the Cloudsdale team, and in the end, both teams qualify to the Equestria Games. Spitfire gives Rainbow Dash a wonderbolt pin, as the episode wraps up with Rainbow Dash learning that while she loves winning, when it comes to choosing between winning and her friends, she’ll always choose them, as she loves her friends even more. And the pin that Spitfire gave Rainbow Dash glows just like the spool Rarity got.
Rainbow clue #2
So, what flew, and what fell in this episode? Let’s find out with some Rainbow Falls Pros and Cons.
PRO
Derpy is back! After over a season and more, Derpy is finally back on the show. And not just well hidden in the background, but actually used in part of a show’s story. Of course, she wasn’t named Derpy, nor did she speak, but if this is the best we can get if this means she’ll stay on the show, that’s more than fine by me.
Bulk Biceps was a fun character now that they’ve given him more of a character outside of the “YEAH”‘s that he always does. He’s big, somewhat moronic, proud of his physical strength, but especially pretty kind. I’m not much of a super shipper, but I do like the pairing of him and Fluttershy.
Lots of character callbacks in this one, especially with the Wonderbolts, and especially with Soarin’. I like that he isn’t as jerkish or ultra competitive like the other wonderbolts, but can be a pretty good natured pony. Good to see, especially when lately it’s been coming off more and more like the wonderbolts are kinda jerks.
CON
Rainbow Dash’s character was kind of an ass in this one. I get that it’s the whole star struck mentality of having a chance to work with her heroes, but she really never feels bad about it until she’s scolded by Twilight, and especially after she leans about Soarin’. After some great character development this season with her, she’s started to dip in quality since at least “Bats!”
The pacing seemed a bit mixed, and not a lot of extremely memorable or funny moments happened throughout the majority of the episode. Hell, after you see Derpy, you easily can stop caring about the main plot, because you’re too busy marking out.
Once you get past the return of Derpy, you realize Rainbow Falls wasn’t a bad episode. It did a good job giving more side characters bigger moments, but nothing in the main story itself was all that amazing. However, I do like that the show is slowly linking the element of harmony keys with certain stories. But compared to “Rarity Takes Manehattan”, this was definitely the weakest one of them yet. Let’s hope the other four have more interesting tests of their harmony.
RATING: 7 out of 10
Next week, a sister’s day out becomes shrouded in chaos. Twilight Sparkle is excited to finally have a chance to have a day to spend with her sister-in-law Princess Cadance, but her plans are put to a halt when a sick Discord is causing trouble, and seeks Twilight’s help. Will Twilight be able to cope, or is this a case of “Three’s a Crowd”? Find out next week.
Until next time everypony.