I...really don't like chapter 2, I'm sorry. I enjoy the characters (mostly) but I really have problems with how the story is progressing. They set up for major questions and plot points (like where did sparky come from if there are no dragons in Equestria? Where did they go? Is all dragon fire special or is it just sparky? Opaline wants more power and to rule Equestria, and had a confrontation with Twilight in the past, but we never elaborate more. Why are the crystals so fickle with how their magic operates? Why does the lantern have magic now?). These are all questions I think would be excellent episode ideas, and could be very interesting to see. But in all 8 total episodes, we get barely anything, instead getting "we need to chase <item> around" or a smidgen of character development. "But its only 8 episodes" I told myself. I couldn't expect much of just 8. But then I revisited the first season of Friendship is Magic. In the first 8 episodes alone, we are introduced to nightmare moon, the conflict between luna and celestia, the elements of harmony, the grand galloping gala, griffons as a thing that exist, the idea of most unicorns only having magic suited to their talent (unless that talent is magic), a full grown dragon and a bit of dragon culture (specifically the dragons horde of treasure). There is a lot you can do in 8 22 minute episodes, and Make Your Mark instead decided to use none of the worldbuilding or questions it poses. And you can't tell me its "just for kids, so it doesn't need to have worldbuilding/questions answered" because other shows for the same age group have done it. I just feel like the show has so much potential, and the writers haven't done much with it. They traded lore and important events that move an overarching plot (which they've made clear they have with opalines quest to become more powerful) in favour of having a bunch of ponies running around.
I will admit though, I am a fan of opaline and misty *kind of*. I feel like I would enjoy opaline as a villain more if she had more to her than "I want more power and constantly berate my henchpony who I will absolutely betray at the end.". Similar arguments with misty, I feel like she truly has potential to be a great character. Her motivations are clear and she's probably going to learn a lot of hard truths about the world around her. Both characters could be great if the writers were just willing to do something with them.
Sparky though...I feel like sparky exists less as an actual character and more as just plot fodder. Sparkys sole purpose is to exist for whatever the writers need with little explanation. Need something to swap cutie marks? Sparky can do that for...some reason. Need something for the ponies to look for? sparky. I know he's just a baby, but he feels like less of a baby character we can see grow as the series does, and more as a magical plot device. You could replace sparky with a moving candle with magic fire, and get the same results.
Overall, I am sincerely hoping the stagnation of the first 8 episodes is just a team that's hesitant to take a leap, and will do more as they become more comfortable with the characters. This generation had such a great start, and I don't want that squandered away.