"No Second Prances" did have potential to be great. It was interesting to see Trixie back, disliked her in "Boast Busters" but was really taken with her in "Magic Duel". Starlight Glimmer's character writing was one of Season 5's biggest revelations, though her Season 6 onward personality took a lot of getting used to. Twilight Sparkle was a very well developed character throughout 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' run. Plus the concept sounded great.
On first watch, "No Second Prances" disappointed me somewhat. Loved what was done with Trixie and did appreciate Starlight's development, though Twilight's character writing really turned me off and it was at a time too where Starlight's 180 personality didn't strike me as interesting or as believable as when an antagonist. Decided to give "No Second Prances" a second chance on recent re-watches of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' episodes, after the end of the final season prompted me to do so, and it was a good deal better on re-watch.
It still isn't perfect, with Twilight's character writing being a major negative and really jarring with everything else. After seeing a lot of complex character development in previous episodes, we see an unusually mean-spirited (in alternative to the usual "with good intentions" sort of character) side to her that felt out of character and borderline distorted. This was the sort of episode that could have been one of those fixing past relationship problems and situations that was done so well in Season 5's "Amending Fences" for example but here it was like that episode and also "Magic Duel" didn't happen.
Didn't like how Celestia was written either, though she didn't fare as badly. Here she struck me as completely wasted and really her presence was pointless when she was given next to nothing to do. Some of the antics are too on the silly side.
There is a lot to like about "No Second Prances". Trixie is just great here in an appearance that is perhaps even better than in "Magic Duel", she is true to character, very entertaining and appropriately full of bravado while not overdoing too much her flaws (the episode also furthers her character and makes her more investable and shows that there is more to her than what was seen before). Although it can be argued that it is still too soon to get fully behind Starlight's reform (still a little too early for me), her development here was appreciated and there are real signs of progression and moving forward. With her and Trixie's friendship, her new personality makes more sense and easier to warm to. Their friendship has a lot of heart and warms the heart.
Also great was the poignant climax, one of the most poignant of Season 6. The message is not subtle here but it's a good one delivered with good intentions and plausibly. The writing wasn't perfect but the rapport between Starlight and Trixie stood out as intelligent and fun to listen to. The chemistry between the two and the way they are developed are where "No Second Prances" has the most heart and the episode delivers beautifully in both respects. The animation is vibrant and meticulously detailed and the music is dynamic. All the voice acting is on point.
In conclusion, pretty good but not great due to Twilight really bringing things down. 7/10
On first watch, "No Second Prances" disappointed me somewhat. Loved what was done with Trixie and did appreciate Starlight's development, though Twilight's character writing really turned me off and it was at a time too where Starlight's 180 personality didn't strike me as interesting or as believable as when an antagonist. Decided to give "No Second Prances" a second chance on recent re-watches of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' episodes, after the end of the final season prompted me to do so, and it was a good deal better on re-watch.
It still isn't perfect, with Twilight's character writing being a major negative and really jarring with everything else. After seeing a lot of complex character development in previous episodes, we see an unusually mean-spirited (in alternative to the usual "with good intentions" sort of character) side to her that felt out of character and borderline distorted. This was the sort of episode that could have been one of those fixing past relationship problems and situations that was done so well in Season 5's "Amending Fences" for example but here it was like that episode and also "Magic Duel" didn't happen.
Didn't like how Celestia was written either, though she didn't fare as badly. Here she struck me as completely wasted and really her presence was pointless when she was given next to nothing to do. Some of the antics are too on the silly side.
There is a lot to like about "No Second Prances". Trixie is just great here in an appearance that is perhaps even better than in "Magic Duel", she is true to character, very entertaining and appropriately full of bravado while not overdoing too much her flaws (the episode also furthers her character and makes her more investable and shows that there is more to her than what was seen before). Although it can be argued that it is still too soon to get fully behind Starlight's reform (still a little too early for me), her development here was appreciated and there are real signs of progression and moving forward. With her and Trixie's friendship, her new personality makes more sense and easier to warm to. Their friendship has a lot of heart and warms the heart.
Also great was the poignant climax, one of the most poignant of Season 6. The message is not subtle here but it's a good one delivered with good intentions and plausibly. The writing wasn't perfect but the rapport between Starlight and Trixie stood out as intelligent and fun to listen to. The chemistry between the two and the way they are developed are where "No Second Prances" has the most heart and the episode delivers beautifully in both respects. The animation is vibrant and meticulously detailed and the music is dynamic. All the voice acting is on point.
In conclusion, pretty good but not great due to Twilight really bringing things down. 7/10
