Yeah, I definitely think it's the best RD episode. It's up there for Fluttershy as well, although I think "Green Isn't Your Color" might beat it out.

EDIT: Pagetopper.

edited 19th Sep '12 7:32:08 AM by JapaneseTeeth

HNNNNNNNNNNNGH

My personal favorite Fluttershy episode is Stare Master.

FWUFF FWUFF FWUFF

edited 19th Sep '12 7:39:18 AM by edvedd

It's arguably the best Fluttershy episode for me. While it's a good sign of Character Development for RD, though, it's not really her defining episode. I'd say either Read It And Weep or Sonic Rainboom are that.

Generally I think the defining episode for each character is one where the story is created nearly solely from their actions and personality (eg. Twilight in Lesson Zero, Applejack in Applebuck Season).

edited 19th Sep '12 7:46:25 AM by Psi001

Good, because I don't have one.

I'm just into Hurricane Fluttershy for say it with me now...hot guitar licks.

Stare Master is my favorite FS episode too.

It gets credit for using a Jimmy Hart Version of You're The Best (what is it with cartoons and that song?).

@ Psi

Yeah, good point!

Here's my list:

Twi: Lesson Zero

AJ: Applebuck Season or SSC S6k...can't tell.

RD: SRB

Rarity: Sweet & Elite, or Suited for Success.

Fluttershy: Dragonshy or PYHD.

Pinkie: AFID.

My Favorite RD episode is a toss up between Read it and Weep, Sonic Rainboom and May the Best Pet Win. She's at her best in all three, so I can't really choose just ONE. XD

I think A Friend In Deed is a great Pinkie episode too, though maybe I just think so due to it being the first episode I watched in full. Party Of One is definitely...memorable however, and another episode rotated completely around her personality. A good point for Pinkie is that, while she's often just comic relief in normal episodes, her spotlight episodes have her character pretty much carry the entire thing.

I'd say Applebuck Season is the most defining for AJ since it revolves around her personality carrying things a lot more. She was okay in Super Cider Squeezy, but a lot more stuff was working the episode in that instance, the charismatic antagonists, the other Apples, RD's cider gag. Same for the Last Roundup (how could she compete with Derpy?).

As for Spike, a tie between Owl's Well That Ends Well or Dragon Quest (though the former may get credit since it revolves around his actions a lot more, plus Dastardly Whiplash Spike).

With that in mind, I do like a lot of duo episodes (eg. Look Before You Sleep, Fall Weather Friends) and they have similar character establishment.

edited 19th Sep '12 7:58:56 AM by Psi001

To me, the definitive episodes are the ones that either feature the characters 'song' (like AFID and S+E), or their signature move (SRB + TSM).

Every episode is the best episode for everyone

Applebuck Season I think is still the definitive AJ episode. Even then, I find that we very rarely get to see the focus on AJ. Even in her episodes, it is primarily other characters reacting to her feelings and actions. It's something that really bugs me.

Both Suited For Success and Sweet and Elite have songs for Rarity though so it's still in the middle. The latter's story is created more from Rarity's flaws and conflicts however so that one may win.

That's a problem I have with AJ as well, that's why I like Applebuck Season so much, she's carrying the episode for the large part. That said she gets some awesome duo episodes as well. She definitely holds Look Before You Sleep as much as Rarity for example.

As for CMC, hard to say. While they do get individual spotlight, I don't think they've really gotten establishing episodes just yet. AB at this point may have either Bridle Gossip or The Cutie Pox.

edited 19th Sep '12 8:07:04 AM by Psi001

I'm just gonna sit here and drink some tea.

AJ and Scoots need more of their own episodes :V

@Psi: Applebloom got Cutie Pox/Bridal Gossip, while Sweetie got Sisterhooves Social.

edited 19th Sep '12 8:10:27 AM by AceOfScarabs

Why don't we have a two for one and have an AJ and Scoots episode? I mean, no one would see it coming.

I know, but still even with their individual episodes, all three Cutie Marks don't really seem distinguished enough personality wise, like it's more their background and scenario that makes them different. Otherwise they just seem three interchangable Bratty Half Pints.

I point out Apple Bloom's episode because she does seem at least slightly more distinct from the others, being more impulsive and determined to prove a point. She also seems a bit more altrustic and honor driven, hense Bridle Gossip. Oh and she's a cowgirl of course.

edited 19th Sep '12 8:16:08 AM by Psi001

Late but I've never hated Angel. And Hurricane Fluttershy is possibly my favourite episode overall. It's between that one and Sonic Rainboom.

Isn't Hurricane Fluttershy a sort of role reversal of Sonic Rainboom?

Never thought about it that way. I kind of liked the evolving dynamic between RD and Fluttershy in the past couple of seasons. Compared to Dragonshy, where RD didn't have the time of day for her, she's evolved from making Fluttershy her tag along and "yes man" to outright becoming a caring big sister figure for her.

That second comic by IDW seems promising.

@Psi 001: It is one of the better things RD's character has going for her currently, though I don't think as many people pick up on it since the "Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are old friends from way back" fanon is so well entrenched in the mind of the fandom.