Episodes you can always go back to

Considering there’s a few threads regarding episodes and characters they hate, I thought I’d try make a more positive one.
 
Throughout the 7 years I’ve watched the show I have always gone back to one particular episode, It’s About Time. I’m not sure why but when I think of watching MLP, its usually the first episode that pops into my mind. The pacing is great and it has the craziness of Twilight without the borderline psychosis of Lesson Zero (although that’s another episode with a similar sentiment to this one).
 
The odd addition of Pinkie Pie and her interactions with Spike and Twilight throughout the episode is quite lovely too.  

 
I was just wondering if people feel similar to other episodes.

@Labyrinthine  
A few years back when Tiny Pop were constantly spamming MLP everyday day there were a few episodes that I’d always watch if I caught them even though I’d seen them loads before, including some s2 ones like Hearth’s Warming Eve and MMMMystery On The Friendship Express, which aren’t the most well-liked episodes but I always liked them.

For some reason, despite my preferences for S4-9, Season Two episodes have INCREDIBLY good rewatch value.
 
But besides that… Sleepless In Ponyville is my go-to. Always. It’s so heartwarming and sincere and the characters are so alive and realistic. And everyone had been begging for a Scootaloo episode ever since S1 and we got that plus the beginnings of the interactions with Dash that really made their connection so special for the rest of the show.
 
It also holds other memories besides. It aired on the day of my first ever meetup with our local pony group, during their first ever Christmas meet in 2012. Made a ton of friends that day, and interacted with other fans on that scale for the first time in real life.

@EquusStorm  
Good choice. Sleepless In Ponyville is probably the only 10/10 episode in Season 3 in my opinion.

@Labyrinthine  
Yeah it kind of seems weird that it’s even in the third season since that season has such a high percentage of lackluster episodes hah. Magic Duel and Wonderbolts Academy (while neither perfect) are also standout but Sleepless in Ponyville is just so great it stands far above the rest.

I do love Sleepless in Ponyville, as one should, along with Canterlot Wedding. But for the ones I not only can go back to and love, but still do, it would have to be either Pinkie Pride, Hearth’s Warming Tail or Crusaders of the Lost Mark. Pretty good writing or better, they’ve each got real moments but also laughs. There’s beauty in these episodes, whether it’s Pinkie overlooking Ponyville while she sings herself out of depression, Luna’s presence in a desolate winter wasteland or the culmination of the CMCs’ story arc and finding out it’s not the end of their place in the show. Fantastic songs all around, great even by MLP’s lofty standards!
 
Also, I like Hearth’s Warming Club.

Those three are stellar. I’m holding my breath to see which seasons have more rewatch value to avoid potentially burning myself out but yeah those are great. Ironically, Crusaders of the Lost Mark aired during another group meetup and we unexpectedly got to see that jaw-dropping episode as one big group… which was really special, seeing as I watched most of the show alone streaming on my laptop lmao.
 
I’d very much like to think Perfect Pear and Sounds of Silence, perhaps A Royal Problem too, will join that elite rank one day, as they’re still huge favorites now.

Any of the episodes from Seasons 1 and 2.

Sleepless In Ponyville was an episode I wanted since I first started watching, so that one holds a special place in my heart

Sonic Rainboom is still one of the best episodes of all time, and a masterclass in how to use the entire Mane Six while focussing on specific characters.

*Opens MLP wiki episode page on other screen*
 

 
Season 1:
 
Fall Weather Friends - The only S1 episode that I can watch on its own outside of a season marathon. Funny and so very enjoyable.
 
Season 2:
 
Luna Eclipsed - Reintroduced Luna, ‘nough said.
 
The Cutie Pox - An enjoyable Apple Bloom episode that’s also funny.
 
Sweet and Elite - A great Rarity episode and a bitchin’ song.
 
A Canterlot Wedding - Despite the BS let’s not believe our friend because plot! contrivance and the lack of apology at the end of the episode, I enjoy the fuck out of this episode. It introduced a likeable new character, a villain that was awesome, a villainous threat that was more grounded than either character-test challenge villain or I can’t believe it’s not Q from Star Trek, and awesome songs. It gave me hope for the future of the show after a season of suckitude (I’m noted as not being a fan of S2 in general), and given that my avatar is taken from that episode, you can tell that it left an impression on me.
 
Season 3:
 
The Crystal Empire - An interesting new location to visit with cool designs and a compelling backstory, and them outright killing the bad guy at the end of the episode equals great episode. TCE also has a special place in my heart due to it tying into what I was doing regarding Retake Mass Effect at the time, with ebin take thats against the ending by Ryan Lohner, and helping me predict how what would become Mass Effect Andromeda handle the endings to ME3.
 
Season 4:
 
The season opener and closer - Two-parters that feel like they’re tied directly into the narrative instead of feeling like side-quests, good use of the characters (including to my shock Discord), and great songs. Truly the golden age of FiM under Meghan McCarthy.
 
Three’s A Crowd - The TS and Cadence comedy (half-)hour featuring Discord.
 
Season 5:
 
The Cutie Map - A two-parter where the main characters don’t save the day!? That would be like a Paul Anderson Resident Evil movie where someone other than Alice is competent. Overall a great two-parter even if evil SG was wasted in the end.
 
Bloom and Gloom - Reminds me of one of my favourite Stargate Universe (fuck you it was a good show!) episodes.
 
Amending Fences - My tour de force episode of that season, because not only did it shed light on Twilight’s time in Canterlot and her friends and their personalities, but was a denouement to the first episode of the entire show up to that point. I compare it to meeting Vigil in Mass Effect 1.
 
Season 6:
 
Gauntlet of Fire - Funny, self-aware, and sheds light on the dragons and Spike’s relationship to them. Dragon Quest done right AFAIC.
 
To Where and Back Again - The B team saves the day. Nice to see that the competence ball getting passed to someone other than the main six when it comes to major threats.
 
Season 7:
 
All Bottled Up - A SG episode that doesn’t beat you around the head and quite funny too.
 
A Royal Problem - Fucking finally an episode centred around Celestia and Luna. Only took them SEVEN SEASONS.
 
Season 8:
 
The Hearth’s Warming Club - A Christmas episode that doesn’t suck! Also gives us insight into the cultures that the non-pony student six come from, which is great.
 
Sounds of Silence - Much better than it sounded (get it) when reading the synopsis. New culture with a great character to fill us in on it, and an awesome song.
 
And that about covers all the episodes I can always go back to and watch in isolation.

To Where And Back Again, The Crystalling, The Saddle Row Review, Sweet and Elite, She’s All Yak, and Magical Mystery Cure.

Yeah MMC holds up super-well upon rewatch, much to my surprise.

The ending of the ending , the beginning of the end, the last problem, pony life, equestria girls and my little pony a new generation

Fame and misfortune