The concept for the story was not an original one but it was regardless a quite fun and interesting one if done right and 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' frequently take plots that are not necessarily new on paper but bring a lot of freshness to them and the best episodes turning cliches on their heads. When Rainbow Dash is written well, a major example being "Sonic Rainboom" as far as previous episodes go, she is a very compelling character but whenever she's out of character it's frustrating (not as much as Applejack though).
While "Sonic Rainboom", comparing very briefly mind, did Rainbow Dash justice, "May the Best Pet Win" is one of the biggest examples of episodes that didn't. There are a good number of great things here, but the characterisation (often one of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' primary strengths) has been much better and with a more compelling story that went less down the predictable route there was a much better episode in there that doesn't completely come out.
"May the Best Pet Win" certainly has a lot of things that work. Have no issues with the animation, where the colours are a mix of vibrant and atmospheric and the attention to detail is remarkable. The music is as ever dynamic, complete with a very catchy and cleverly written main song. A big standout scene is the nightmare sequence, which is deliciously creepy and some of the episode's best animation can be seen here.
Also found the race itself to be inventively handled and that the moral was good and showed a good deal of depth. The animals are cool, while the voice work from Ashleigh Ball and Andrea Libman is great. The dialogue is thoughtful and amusing enough.
Rainbow Dash on the other hand is very underwhelmingly handled. Up to this point of the show, Rainbow Dash is easily at her least likeable. Usually find her a very compelling character, but her behaviour and treatment of the rest of the characters here in "May the Best Pet Win" is incredibly shallow and egotistical for reasons difficult to fathom, enough to make one possibly go off her. All of the characters in fact have been far more interesting and easier to endear to before and since, at times almost being as bad as Rainbow Dash.
While starting off terrifically and ending just as satisfyingly, most of what happens in between is pretty bland and has far too few surprises and too little tension. The outcome of the race is not that unpredictable.
In conclusion, has things worth liking but the character writing for Rainbow Dash particularly put me off. 6/10
While "Sonic Rainboom", comparing very briefly mind, did Rainbow Dash justice, "May the Best Pet Win" is one of the biggest examples of episodes that didn't. There are a good number of great things here, but the characterisation (often one of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' primary strengths) has been much better and with a more compelling story that went less down the predictable route there was a much better episode in there that doesn't completely come out.
"May the Best Pet Win" certainly has a lot of things that work. Have no issues with the animation, where the colours are a mix of vibrant and atmospheric and the attention to detail is remarkable. The music is as ever dynamic, complete with a very catchy and cleverly written main song. A big standout scene is the nightmare sequence, which is deliciously creepy and some of the episode's best animation can be seen here.
Also found the race itself to be inventively handled and that the moral was good and showed a good deal of depth. The animals are cool, while the voice work from Ashleigh Ball and Andrea Libman is great. The dialogue is thoughtful and amusing enough.
Rainbow Dash on the other hand is very underwhelmingly handled. Up to this point of the show, Rainbow Dash is easily at her least likeable. Usually find her a very compelling character, but her behaviour and treatment of the rest of the characters here in "May the Best Pet Win" is incredibly shallow and egotistical for reasons difficult to fathom, enough to make one possibly go off her. All of the characters in fact have been far more interesting and easier to endear to before and since, at times almost being as bad as Rainbow Dash.
While starting off terrifically and ending just as satisfyingly, most of what happens in between is pretty bland and has far too few surprises and too little tension. The outcome of the race is not that unpredictable.
In conclusion, has things worth liking but the character writing for Rainbow Dash particularly put me off. 6/10
