Top 6 My Little Pony Season 3 Episodes

Hello everyone. I'm SilverEagle91. Today, I will countdown my 6 favorite episodes of My Little Pony season 3. I know I'm in the minority when I say this, but I think season 3 was better than season 2. Though, that may be due to the fact I started watching MLP the day "Magical Mystery Cure" first aired, and I was already absorbed into Littlest Pet Shop for 2 months. More to the point, let's begin.


6. The Crystal Empire

Writer: Meghan McCarthy

Date: November 10, 2012

Synopsis: "The episode centers on the reappearance of the Crystal Empire after previously being cursed over a thousand years ago by its tyrant ruler King Sombrabefore his banishment. Fearing that the power of the Crystal ponies of the Empire could be used for evil, Princess Celestia sends Twilight Sparkle and her friends to help Princess Cadance and Shining Armor to protect the Empire from King Sombra's attack."

We have a controversial choice here. Let me address the elephant in the room. Yes, Sombra didn't have much screen time, but he still proved to be an effective antagonist by actively trying to stop and psychologically torment Twilight and making sure she lost. I give props to Jim Miller for pulling off a good performance. Twilight herself is well characterized since she wants to help Princess Celestia, but also wants to protect the empire. We also see Shining Armor and Cadence again as rulers of the Crystal Empire. Speaking of the Crystal Empire, I do like the mythological side of the empire, and how we find out more about it. Twilight and Spike look for the Crystal Heart while the other ponies try to keep the crystal ponies happy with the fair. It's see there we see Twilight and Spike's fears that thankfully make you care more for them. The humor is well done, the climax is great, and the moral of self sacrifice is great. Meghan McCarthy started season 3, as well as her position as the new show runner, on a high note.


5. Magic Duel

Writer: MA Larson

Date: December 1, 2012

Synopsis: "When Trixie returns to Ponyville, she defeats Twilight and banishes her from town."

Season 3 is essentially a fan service season. Fan service is good thing depending on how you use it, and this is a good example of how to do it well. In this episode, Trixie returns to Ponyville and challenges Twilight to a magic duel. Trixie here is much more enjoyable with her over the top behavior. She has a dictator vibe emanating from her, and it's awesome. Twilight is pretty good. We see how far she came in her magic, and how much she has to learn. Zecora proves to be a pretty good mentor with her strange methods. The duel scenes are pretty fun, and the mean spirited humor is well done since Trixie, the corrupted antagonist, is doing the bad deeds. The moral is a bit rushed, but everything else is great. It's sweet!


4. Sleepless in Ponyville

Writer: Corey Powell

Date: December 8, 2012

Synopsis: "Rainbow Dash tells scary campfire stories, which give Scootaloo nightmares, but Scootaloo doesn't want to tell anyone about her bad dreams for fear of being made fun of."

Season 3 is definitely a fan service season. People have been begging for a Scootaloo episode since Sweetie Belle and Applebloom each got at least one. You'd think Meghan McCarthy would write it since she wrote "Call of the Cutie", which fleshed out Applebloom's character, or Cindy Morrow, since she wrote "Sisterhooves Social", which fleshed out Sweetie Belle's character. That's not the case. This episode is written by Corey Powell, best known for writing for preschool shows. Of course she'd write it, and she struck gold. Scootaloo herself is well handled. We know she's tough as nails, but this episode shows another side to her. She's scared, but in a realistic manner. Rainbow Dash is her usual self, but shows a sisterly side to her at the end. The imagery here is pretty dark, but in a way that fits. We get some Luna world building and a good moral on facing your inner demons, even if it's not worded that way. Good job Corey.


3. Too Many Pinkie Pies

Writer: Dave Polsky

Date: November 17, 2012

Synopsis: "Overwhelmed with having to choose just one friend to spend time with, Pinkie Pie uses a magic mirror to clone herself."

Even though Dave Polsky was absent during season 2, he came back with a bang in season 3. Pinkie Pie is well characterized. We've always wanted to spend time with our friends, but can't choose who to spend time with. She's pretty believable. Naturally, there's a lot of hilarity with Pinkie Pie, as she has one clone, but the clone creates another clone, and more clones after that. It's a pink apocalypse. Though Twilight's behavior at the paint drying scene was questionable, the humor and heart make the story work. It ends on a good moral on how you have to make tough choices, but your friends will understand. Good job Dave.

2. Wonderbolts Academy

Writer: Merriwether Williams

Date: December 15, 2012

Synopsis: "Rainbow Dash receives an invitation to attend the Wonderbolt Academy, but questions whether she is Wonderbolt material."

This episode is like a reverse "Mysterious Mare Do Well". It even has the same writer. Lets talk about this. Rainbow Dash receives an invitation to join the Wonderbolts for a week. It's there she meets Lightning Dust, who hits it off with her. I have to say that Rainbow and Lightning are both pretty good. Rainbow Dash will do what she can to be the best, but is also shown to have a moral compass when sees Lightning Dust hurting other ponies to get what she wants. Yes, Lightning Dust's behavior is bad, but it's understandable, at least from her point of view. Plus, Spitfire seems cool with it. It makes sense. She's a drill sergeant. She expects the best from her students no matter what they do. The flight sequences are well done and the humor on Pinkie Pie's side is real funny. What makes the episode great is the ending, not including the ambiguity. When Rainbow Dash sees that Lightning Dust's actions almost hurt her friends (they were in a tornado), she realizes that her dream isn't worth it if she has to be reckless in order to maintain her status, and quits. That is bold. Spitfire then comes out and takes away Lightning's badge, and makes Rainbow a lead pony. That's nice. Good job Merriwether.

Side Note: Lightning Dust is played by Britt Irvin, who voices Amanda Highborn on Packages From Planet X. I bring this up because Tabitha St. Germain (Rarity, Luna, Granny Smith) voices Calimary, a mutated squibbon, which is a cross between a squid and a monkey.


1. Magical Mystery Cure

Writer: MA Larson

Date: February 16, 2013

Synopsis: "When Twilight casts a spell that switches her friends' cutie marks and destinies, the only way to reverse the spell is by inventing her own magic."

Since I started watching MLP the day this episode first aired, it's only natural it would be number 1. Let's talk about this. The only real issue I have is pacing since everything goes by so fast. That's the only issue I have. Now for the good, which is everything else. This episode is a musical, and I'm a sucker for musicals since I really like songs, and all the songs here are great. The story itself is interesting and does bring up an interesting idea about cutie marks. Twilight herself is pretty good. You feel bad for her when she screws up and want to see her succeed. It's pretty cool when she creates new magic through her bonds of friendship, and unlike some people, I think she earned her alicorn status. Look at Celestia's Ballad. This is one of those episodes that rewards you for sticking around with the show and makes you proud of a character. The moral is interesting to say the least. It's a pretty good episode and a good way to wrap up season 3.

Thanks for reading. Have a good day.