"Family Appreciation Day" could have gone either way as an episode. It could have been cute, amusing and emotional, where the characters appealed and the story was much more interesting than it sounded on paper (hence what was meant by the episode being one that could have gone either way). Or it could have been bland and cloying, where crucial components felt thin and the characters either didn't engage or annoyed.
Luckily, "Family Appreciation Day" was an example of the cute, amusing and emotional type of episode. It may not be one of the best Season 2 episodes (it nearly was though) or the best of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' in general, with one character being a major drawback and dragging it down, but it made me laugh, cry and warmed my heart. And seeing more character development for Applebloom was appreciated, it was great that Season 2 signalled the start of the Cutie Mark Crusaders being properly interesting.
The animation is still colourful and beautifully detailed. The music is also still dynamic, especially great in the beautifully scored flashback. Everything in the classroom is hugely entertaining and a lot are likely to relate, especially if you have been there yourself. That is something that has always been great about 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. "Family Appreciation Day" has another message that hit home with me, another one of the show's strengths (relatable morals that is). One of the episode's standout scenes is the entire flashback, for me one of the second season's, and the show's, most powerful scenes.
Loved the bond between Applebloom and Granny Smith which was very heart-warming, and Applebloom's character writing here is some of her best and most easy to identify with. Same with Granny Smith. The other standout scene of "Family Appreciation Day" is the very touching and unforced ending, where one is literally cheering "Go Applebloom" in one of her shining moments. There are some genuinely funny moments like with Sweetie Belle and the voice acting is never less than very good.
It is a shame though that there is one thing that significantly brings down the episode. That character is Diamond Tiara. This could easily have been one of the season's and show's best ever episodes and was very close to being, if Diamond Tiara's character wasn't so obnoxious and so much of a bully. There is no depth or likeability whatsoever to her.
Also found her mocking really uncomfortable to watch, being somebody who went through hell in school being mocked and bullied on a daily basis it didn't sit right with me. Sure, mocking is not a good thing and should be characterised as not being but the mocking just went too far and the writing exaggerates it too much, hence what was meant by being uncomfortable with it.
On the whole though, very good and with a lot of outstanding things. 8/10
Luckily, "Family Appreciation Day" was an example of the cute, amusing and emotional type of episode. It may not be one of the best Season 2 episodes (it nearly was though) or the best of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' in general, with one character being a major drawback and dragging it down, but it made me laugh, cry and warmed my heart. And seeing more character development for Applebloom was appreciated, it was great that Season 2 signalled the start of the Cutie Mark Crusaders being properly interesting.
The animation is still colourful and beautifully detailed. The music is also still dynamic, especially great in the beautifully scored flashback. Everything in the classroom is hugely entertaining and a lot are likely to relate, especially if you have been there yourself. That is something that has always been great about 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. "Family Appreciation Day" has another message that hit home with me, another one of the show's strengths (relatable morals that is). One of the episode's standout scenes is the entire flashback, for me one of the second season's, and the show's, most powerful scenes.
Loved the bond between Applebloom and Granny Smith which was very heart-warming, and Applebloom's character writing here is some of her best and most easy to identify with. Same with Granny Smith. The other standout scene of "Family Appreciation Day" is the very touching and unforced ending, where one is literally cheering "Go Applebloom" in one of her shining moments. There are some genuinely funny moments like with Sweetie Belle and the voice acting is never less than very good.
It is a shame though that there is one thing that significantly brings down the episode. That character is Diamond Tiara. This could easily have been one of the season's and show's best ever episodes and was very close to being, if Diamond Tiara's character wasn't so obnoxious and so much of a bully. There is no depth or likeability whatsoever to her.
Also found her mocking really uncomfortable to watch, being somebody who went through hell in school being mocked and bullied on a daily basis it didn't sit right with me. Sure, mocking is not a good thing and should be characterised as not being but the mocking just went too far and the writing exaggerates it too much, hence what was meant by being uncomfortable with it.
On the whole though, very good and with a lot of outstanding things. 8/10
