Thoughts on Boast Busters

Hello, everybody! I’m back! Have I talked about my hatred for Magic Duel yet?

(Reader screams in frustration)

Okay, a few times. Yes, I have stated before that I think Magic Duel is the worst episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. But I have stated once that I didn’t think the first episode to feature The Great And Powerful Annoyance, Boast Busters isn’t really that bad of an episode. But did I really mean what I said? Let’s find out:

The Imagery:

What can I say about the animation of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? Sure, there were some times where the animation was absolutely amazing in episodes like Sleepless in Ponyville or Twilight’s Kingdom, but for an episode like this one, it’s still pretty good. But the one problem I always had with the animation of this series is when it tries to do slapstick humor. Sure there are good ones like Pinkie Pride, but sometimes, the animation and timing on slapstick honestly feels really slow, it’s almost like the characters are underwater half the time. But still, the animation on this series and this episode still look really good with good colors and scenery. 4/5, Good

The Writing:

For this episode, the writing and characters may have similar topics when I talk about them. The story is actually set up nicely. For the most part, it has a good execution for it’s story. Now for a certain character I will get to, keep in mind that I said ‘For the MOST part’. It also has a good way of presenting the moral. On what and when is the best time to show your talents. It’s something I personally relate to, being nervous of showing what I can do. Also, people say that the ponies were in the wrong for being mean to Trixie, but the world established that magic is a normal thing for ponies in this world, so Trixie could only be boasting about herself in front of everyone like an absolute twit. The ponies I think are in the right on how she’s not better then anyone else. I also love this episode’s world-building, mostly on the twist involving the Ursa Major. I’m not gonna spoil it, but I personally LOVED it. 4/5, Good

The Cast:

Now this the big thing most people really take issue with, the characters. The character I’m going to start with is the only one people like in this episode, Trixie. And I’m sorry if I sound like a broken record, but Trixie is one of the worst characters in the entire series or in general. She seriously makes Jar Jar Binks look like Bugs Bunny. She has no personality outside of boasting about her talents, she’s annoying, she’s not interesting, she’s ungrateful, she never learns anything, she’s not funny, she’s not charming and her voice is absolutely PAINFUL to listen to. It sounds like I’m listening to a bratty teenager who whines about her cell-phone. And she really didn’t do what Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity did any better, she just humiliated them in front of the town. There’s plenty more ways to make a living then bragging about yourself, Trixie. Grow up. 

Now for Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity. I explained why they were annoyed by Trixie before, but the reason they took Trixie’s challenge was because she was teasing Twilight like a bully. Applejack was trying to stand up for Twilight, and in return Rainbow Dash tried to stand up for Applejack. Heck, Rarity didn’t even want to pick a fight, she only did that when Trixie rudely insulted her. 

People also say that Spike was annoying for praising Twilight. Yeah, how dare Spike try to make his best friend/mother figure feel special, the nerve! And the reason Spike kept telling Twilight to better Trixie is because he wanted her to stand up for her friends after Trixie bullied them.

Now for Snips and Snails. I honestly don’t find them as annoying as most people do. Sure, they did bring the Ursa Major into Ponyville, but after that, Snails said and I quote; ‘We deserve whatever punishment you give us.’ Remember that scene in the SpongeBob Squarepants episode Karate Choppers where SpongeBob was ready to take consequences for his actions in a mature way? This episode felt similar to that. And also, they were told to clean up the destruction the Ursa Major caused, that seems like a reasonable punishment. Which makes the torment they got in Magic Duel even more mean-spirited and cruel. So, really the whole mustache thing didn’t really anger me, but more confused me, on what that even meant.

And then we have Twilight. Like I stated before in the writing. I really relate to Twilight in this episode. I never knew when the right time is to show your talents and not boast about it. And I really like that about Twilight, she’s just a regular individual with amazing abilities in reading and magic. (I don’t mind that she’s a princess now, but they don’t really do anything with that in later seasons outside of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Twilight’s Kingdom.) 4/5, Good

Final Rating:

Honestly, Boast Busters is really not that bad of an episode. I wouldn’t say it’s as good as Lesson Zero, Sisterhooves Social or Sleepless in Ponyville, but it still works in my opinion. It has good scenery, good world-building and has good characters outside of Trixie. So in my eyes, this episode is good. 4/5, Good.