Despite not being the most ambitious premises of all the Season 9 episodes, "Student Counsel" did have more of the more appealing and more entertaining-sounding ones. It was interesting to divert away from the Mane 6 once in a while, like "Frenemies" did when it centered upon the show's villains, and concentrate on other regular/recurring characters. While liking Starlight, loving Maud and Trixie has grown on me, Sunburst and Mudbriar didn't strike me as interesting or likeable up to now.
"Student Counsel" is a breath of fresh air after a quality dip with the conceptually interesting if mixed feelings "Sweet and Smoky" and the watchable but bland "Going to Seed". It is not just Season 9 on the right track, it is a return to form, the best episode since "Sparkle's Seven" and one of the few outstanding episodes of Season 9. Everything that always impressed before did so, and there were other aspects that come off much better than expected. Would have liked a little more Silverstream but that is such a small nit-pick it's overlookable.
When the weakest aspect is Mudbriar and that he is still actually tolerable and even amusing (didn't like him at all in "The Maud Couple" you see, so this was a surprise) says a lot about "Student Counsel's" exceptionally high quality. The characterisation is spot on, Maud's deadpan comic timing is irresistibly hilarious and Sunburst is a lot less selfish and insensitive than he was in previous episodes. The best faring characters though are Starlight, in the straight role of the group, and Trixie, who is funny and not annoying or with overdone negative characteristics.
The story, playing to the hilt one of the more appealing premises of the season, mixes genuinely funny comedic moments with moments of poignant drama. The script is both thoughtful and enormously entertaining, especially Trixie's priceless and wonderfully varied irritated and frustrated reactions and dialogue. All without being over the top or over-silly.
Animation is vibrant, full of atmosphere and rich in detail. The expressions are also very nuanced and at times wonderfully wacky. The music is dynamic with the action and is very easy on the ears. All the voice acting is on point, Kelly Sheridan and Kathleen Barr particularly as both seemed to be having so much fun with their material.
In conclusion, outstanding and one of the season's best. 10/10.