Here are my lukewarm takes:
Great episodes that I LOVE to watch! -Rarity takes Manehatten: Probably my FAVORITE episode of all time. Rarity's character is a delight to see and I love basically everything about this episode. The subtle lesson about idols, the fun black and white scenes, Rarity's monologue, the fun Rarity+Rainbow Dash interactions. I have seen this episode so many times over it's not even funny.
-Winter Wrap Up
-Suited for Success
-The Cutie Mark Chronicles
-Best Night Ever: This was a delightful season finale. I love the message a bunch too, and it's just fun to see all the ways a dream can go awry. The song is also nice.
-Ponyville Confidential: Not sure why I like this episode so much, maybe it's just fun to watch everyone gossip?
-Castle Mane-ia:
Rarishy shipping aside I like the episodes that can take a fun scenario and really stretch it out without it feeling tired. I think the gag with Pinkie ringing the bell is funny, which just adds to it. Pairing up the characters is always fun and lets us see how their individual friendships can work.
-The Cutie Map: For as controversial as Starlight is, her debut was a very fun episode.
-Amending Fences: This was a wonderful breath of fresh air when it came out. Simple, sweet, it feels like a season 1 episode all over again. Probably made me cry the first few times because it's a relatable struggle.
-The Saddle Row Review: Having that fun way to tell the story really helps out and lets the writers work in a lot of fun gags. Also, the sweep song is very catchy.
-The Mean 6: I'm mean, I like to see the characters be jerks to each other. All was well in the end, and we got to see Mean Twilight rub her wings together (very cute and funny).
Bad. No. Bad.-Brotherhooves Social: I hate this one so much. I watched it once, and I'll watch clips of the episode's ending, but I hate this one. It made me incredibly uncomfortable to watch and feels horribly dated. Whether or not the episode was actually offensive is a whole other conversation, but I avoid this one like the plague.
-Over a Barrel: So uncomfortable
-Newbie Dash: Had an awful message. It's sad that the lifelong dream episode has to be one that I hate because of "It's just teasing
haha"
-Spike at your Service: I don't care for Spike episodes.
-Just for Sidekicks: See above.
-Daring Do episodes period: I don't HATE them all I just do not care in the slightest. I am the least interested in Daring Do and her episodes fail to make an impact on me.
-The Hooffields and McColts: I REALLY don't care about the Hooffields or the McColts but I appreciate the Twishy interaction, it feels like they don't interact nearly enough. I still don't like this episode despite that, though.
-Parental Glideance: Bad message? Well, uncomfortable message.
-The Break Up Breakdown: I hate these stories. Bad.
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I do not dislike Slice of Life as much as many others do (I think because I grew up alongside the headcanons for the ponies so I'm just used to it. It wasn't great so I just leave it) but I could certainly see how it could be confusing or annoying to those who are not exposed to/avoid the brony scene. Same with Fame and Misfortune, which was a stupid premise for an episode but has an alright enough song+plays along with the ideas well enough that I can forgive it somewhat. Imagine being a child and watching that episode though? Weird.