"Non-Compete Clause" Review

[@LotusMoon]

Ocellus as a sea pony was beautiful

[@gc1823]

So true

[@e1iteyoshi998]

She stole the show for me. Also she's so adorable! It's like the writers took the adorableness of Fluttershy and put it into a changeling.

[@ashebennett7726]

Lotus Moon omg yes. Ocellus is my favorite student like how Fluttershy is my favorite pony. ❤️😁

[@ASHERUISE]

This is true, she was stunning.

[@KororaPenguin]

That whole bit also appears to have been a shout-out to _Rescue at Midnight Castle_ (albeit without the musical number).

[@Speedy-vy4kq]

Learning to be better teachers would have definitely been a better lesson.

[@WayneThePony]

Funny enough in Fall Weather Friends, that one little moment where Rainbow Dash blows raspberry at AJ and AJ giggles afterwards kind of prove that they knew they were having friendly competition, until RD starts cheating and both become more and more competitive of course. Even season 1 RD&AJ felt more mature than recent RD&AJ. The competitions in Fall Weather Friends were also way more entertaining than this episode. The fights between RD & AJ are really cringy and severely predictable to see what obviously will happen. And then they start pretending to be nice to each other which is even worse. I really wish the episode went to way Dr. Wolf suggested, Fluttershy going along with the walk and supervise RD & AJ. Not only can we get why Fluttershy wins Teacher of The Month for 9 months, but it can also prevent the other two "professors" from being incompetent and cringy.

[@Dracomut]

Definitely the first truly bad episode of season 8, though two things i’ll give it: the student’s chemistry is still excellent and the episode overall isn’t as bad as bad episodes from previous seasons. Nevertheless, this was not the right way to bring back Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s rivalry

[@RedfurredPikachu]

As doc points out there was a much better way to do this too. Yeah it's kinda implied that this is triggered as a result of Fluttershy always winning, but they never really explore that so these two just seem really obnoxious with their rivalry. To the point were the kids get put in danger and later themselves.

[@rectoraakor8843]

Agreed. Also, Fluttershy best pony now show canon.

[@kukuandkookie]

I have to say I at least liked seeing the students interactions still, since they’ve been gone for awhile. They’re all so cute.

[@thadmaster7]

This episode sucks but matter of princibles Is mutch MUTCH worse

[@djpyroteknikz135]

The "nine months" bit could be a self-reference to this being the "ninth episode" of Season 8.

[@finnanima2413]

Or it could be a reminder that more time is passing in between each consecutive season; 1-3 covered one year: 4-6 covered at least two, etc.

[@azuredragon8388]

This whole situation can be blamed on Twilight. The Teacher of the Month award isn’t really necessary and she should’ve figured this could cause some sort of competition, especially if you turn it into a popularity contest based solely on opinion. She could’ve collected a poll from the students and each student would state 1 thing each of the teachers did right, and 1 thing they did wrong. Secondly, she paired RD and AJ together. On purpose. When Pinkie Pie thinks something is a bad idea, you know you’ve screwed up. Still one bad episode out of 10 does not a season make

[@steveeng1533]

Learning from failures is a valid approach. I went through several aftermaths to understand proper planning and decision making. I thought that Rainbow Dash and Applejack should had realized their mistake when they almost lost Yona.

[@pickles3128]

Steve Eng If Yona's whole character is going to be yelling "YAK BEST AT ___" and then crashing into something, I wish they would have left her in the water. Well, maybe that's a bit too harsh...

[@RedfurredPikachu]

See a shrink please.

[@MazoDragon]

Rainbow Dash and Applejack got hit with the idiot stick for the sake of the episode.

[@barsni4779]

When was RD the smart one?

[@BNuts]

Do you remember the 'Hoofball' episode, when AJ and Dash learned to take a backseat to allow Fluttershy and Pinkie to take center court for the sake of the game -- and how early they decided to do so? The lesson took place so quickly that the rest of the episode was about motivation methods and how they can differ from pony to pony. Now we get to this episode, and we have 'Fall Weather Friends' with different spectators. I agree this episode could belong in season 1 or season 2 with ease, but this late in the game? It makes about as much sense as the movie taking place as late in the story as it does. The episode certainly loses impact because it happens so late, but also because the School6 drew their own conclusions without any help from their so-called teachers. As to Best Teacher Fluttershy, I agree there have to be reasons why she's won so consistently. I have a feeling it comes down to her compassionate, non-competitive nature, and how she gives attention to each student when they need help. And the fact that she's picked up the award nine months in a row speaks volumes, as does the fact that she never tried to get the award in the first place. But I'm not sure having the award in the first place is such a good idea, as it brings out the competitive personalities in the teachers. While there's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, there is a point where it can become toxic. Maybe _that's_ the lesson they _should_ have gone for this episode.

[@justinriley]

No way around it, this was terrible. Not offensively bad, or misguided/mean-spirited bad like "Newbie Dash" or "Spike At Your Service", just aggressively mediocre and stupid bad like "The Cart Before The Ponies." To be fair to the writer, Kim Beyer Johnson, this is her first outing and you rarely get it right the first time, so there IS room for improvement and I'm willing to give her another chance, but, this is a poor first impression. Luckily, the next two episodes are a lot better than this.

[@jaketucker2559]

Dude no spoilers

[@justinriley]

Jake Tucker Don't worry. I won't spoil a thing. But I will say that people will be a lot happier with the next two episodes.

[@justinriley]

Rarity Howlter More power to you, I just consider it a misguided and mean spirited episode.

[@Zodia195]

For me, Newbie Dash was bad, but in a guilty pleasure sort of way. After all, it's the only episode to literally get me to laugh out of my seat (with the RariDash moment).

[@RedfurredPikachu]

Well the problem with that is that two episodes this season were written by new writers and both of them crushed it with their first episodes. One of which was a Rainbow Dash episode too.

[@jodieella6677]

I can honestly say this was the worst season 8 episode, I've ever seen. It was really confusing and I felt very sorry for The Young 6 Students. AppleJack and Rainbow Dash were too competitive and then they started agreeing with each other out of the blue. All this trouble for a "stupid trophy!?"

[@t-sparks7874]

Agreed The only good part was the students.

[@meloneyrolen8834]

Agreed

[@djpyroteknikz135]

@Jodie Ella - Considering the fact that the 9th episode of Season 7 (which I shall not mention here) was also considered one of the worst of that season, let alone the entire series of FiM.

[@SciRei7H3dEG3NeR4T3]

Agreed.

[@angelindenile]

I feel like this was a bit regressive of these two. Like how fluttershy had to learn over and over to stand up for herself, these two have to re-learn how to handle competition between each other. I can understand where it kindof works here, the idea as teachers they would get at least a little annoyed where there is a thing they could effectively 'win' as teachers. I think the execution was a bit of a bust, though, and I would have liked to see them realized the lesson themselves and save the students, not the other way around. The fact that Rainbow and AJ didn't actually learn anything... Doesn't work sit well with me. Sure the students did, but it would have felt a lot stronger a message if RD and AJ did too.

[@alexmalcolm6309]

This was not a good episode, but mostly as a result of being poorly thought out. Did the bit with the bridge remind anyone else of the Emperor's New Groove?

[@autumbreeze1129]

Alex Malcolm til now, no

[@alexatkin]

Agreed about poorly thought out. Its not that AJ and RD were out of character, competitive people don't just stop being so even when shown that it might be toxic. But they seemed to push it way too far in this episode. The "everything goes wrong because they start agreeing with each other" thing is NEVER a good plot device IMO, its more tedious to watch than the competitiveness.

[@goldenheart9503]

I think the reason Fluttershy keeps being their favorite and why she's so effective is because she is the most compassionate and benevolent. Those types of people are the best kind of people we need more of. Like you, Dr. Wolf. If you were a teacher and students could vote for "Teacher of the Month" at whatever school you would teach at? I'm 100% positive your picture would be on the wall to show it a majority of the time. :)

[@buttonsfan]

I feel like they should've shown the finished bridge, building it with vines and using branches to make it stable. I remember something like that from another kids show, neither material works on it's own, the only way to accomplish your goal is to use them together. Still makes a good Teamwork analogy.

[@GabbyIsFine]

I didn't like the episode much, I wish the students got more screen time. They should have been the focus of the episode, not the teachers. I feel like if they made disagreements between the students and how the teachers dealt with it the focus it would make for a better conflict. I really like how they used Ocellus's shape-shifting twice in the episode, though.

[@nash6568]

I enjoyed this episode, it though I feel Applejack and Rainbow Dash could’ve had a moment where they taught the students, I enjoyed the Young Six. Though Yona could’ve drowned I think that’s grounds for like a lawsuit 😨

[@CrashKinkaide]

The students absolutely saved this episode for me. The only problem with that is that these kids obviously understand Friendship entirely separate, and possibly in spite of, the involvement of the teachers. Also, I totally agreed with Pinkie Pie. I don't know if that makes her an audience insert, or just a Brony insert.

[@nash6568]

I enjoyed this episode, it though I feel Applejack and Rainbow Dash could’ve had a moment where they taught the students, I enjoyed the Young Six. Though Yona could’ve drowned I think that’s grounds for like a lawsuit 😨

[@briannacoutts5293]

This episode just brings Applejack and Rainbow Dash back to there season 1 characters when I started watching this episode I immediately turned off the TV

[@jumpiestudios5265]

You're not gonna address how AJ and RD were rewarded in the end for doing absolutely nothing to earn it?

[@gc1823]

Just finished this. The new ocellus forms and the humor was pretty cool, this was slightly above average. At least it wasn't as bad as *Princess Spike*, I mean, *The episode that shall not be named...*

[@NicolasDominique]

Oh no, our student is drowning. Let us stay still and watch it in horror in hope the students will help her themselves.

[@Jammerstelthzoe]

I will have to say this episode made me pound my head on the wall so many times and cheered for the students to bring common sense to them the ending of the episode was rather disappointing to me

[@RedfurredPikachu]

That ending could've been so bad if Twilight was'nt aware of Aj and Rainbow dash still arguing even after she scolded them.

[@joannamiral5898]

I think overall this episode would have been better if the students had gotten to interact with the two more often throughout it, or if perhaps the appledash conflict took a back seat and created a new conflict among the students. Maybe if they, influenced by their teachers fighting, disagreed or competed on something related, rather than having them be the voice of reason. After all, it seemed like they learned very little from this field trip. Perhaps seeing the bad influence they left on their students would cause rainbow dash and applejack to shape up. Using the students more effectively would have made this episode seem less like fall weather friends and more like a season eight episode.

[@brigidtheirish]

I think the timeline is less 'inconsistent' and more 'anachronic." That is, the episodes aren't necessarily written and aired in chronological order. Agree with you about the episode having strong points even if it's weak over all. One of the many things I like about your reviews is that you almost always manage to find the good in any episode. I heard this episode was by a new writer, which seems to be a bit of a pattern with the weak episodes. As a (mostly nonprofessional) writer myself, I sympathize. Learning to get inside the head of a character you didn't create is hard enough without adding deadlines and format constraints. Considering what did go right with this episode, I look forward to better ones from this writer in the future.

[@earnestbrown6524]

Guess the writers are hitting other members of the Mane6 with the "Forgetting the Lesson" stick now that Fluttershy filed a restraining order on them.

[@mlp-hot-rod5824]

This was one of the worst episodes I’ve seen in a while. It’s predictable, it’s annoying and wow! Did they seriously put their petty rivalry above the safety of their students? Just wow!

[@michaelaburns734]

MLP-Hot-Rod I was thinking of the same time the moral is having a plan for a the safety for the students over themselves

[@NekoTamer15]

It didn't surprise me that Fluttershy was consistently the teacher of the month, and not just because she's my favorite. Students tend to like teachers who are kind, and that's her element. As for the teacher part, she has proven that she likes to teach others about her interests, such as talking about Breezie magic to Mr. Cake, immediately pulling out a book to show tortoise hibernation to Rainbow, and telling Maud about spiders on a nature walk. She's nice and is a good teacher. It all adds up

[@randalllarson3323]

Ideally, I would like Fluttershy's teaching ability to be the reason every creature votes for her, but I keep hearing her in my head being a pushover in a so many ways. "Didn't you just use the restroom ten minutes ago? Well, you must really need to go." "I suppose you could hand in your homework tomorrow, instead. Or next week will do." "I thought we'd stay in the classroom today, but you're right, it is a beautiful day out there." I always liked teachers like that best.

[@noahharristheawesome]

I can’t say I loved how Pinkie said “Rarity Fluttershy me Spike this flower pot” that really made me laugh

[@AxelsVirtue]

Honestly, the students where the one saving grace of the episode.

[@tylere.8436]

Worst episode for me. Regressing back to S1 and harming the Students in the process, made me h8te RD and AJ. When an episode makes me loathe 2 of the Mane 6, the episode fails.

[@jolly-commando8772]

Coming back from 2024 anyone here in 2024

[@justinriley]

The Ducktales episode "The Infernal Internship of Mark Beaks" handled the concept of a friendly rivalry much better. In that episode, Huey and Dewey are both competitive with each other, but Dewey relents that his brother bests him in areas.

[@RedfurredPikachu]

This show has handled that better in other episodes as well.

[@Blueflag04]

yeah

[@justinriley]

Poof and Foop are meant to be friends7 You'd understand what I'm saying if you've seen it.

[@MegaDynamiteDan]

I'm glad you mentioned Ducktales because it handles so much better than Seasons 7,8, and 9 did better villains better finales and more funnier rivalries

[@MikeDragon]

Swing the trap has some logic to it, though the problem with that is that the vines clearly were too weak. Remember, they snapped on their their own just from holding the weight of the trap and the ponies alone. Swinging would cause that weight to increase and thus, force the vines to snap more quickly, causing the ponies to fall in the water below, most likely before the students could come up with a plan on how to rescue them.

[@earthbind83]

I liked the reference to the Pirates of the Carribean. But other than that, the second half was too cringey, when RD and AJ agreed to each other too much. That was so out of character. Sometimes the staff has to dumb down their characters too much just to make the plot work.

[@AeroRanger100]

Two things: 1. I'd rather watch Fall Weather Friends again. 2. When are the Student 6 finally going to get their own story? Could they please stop being the backing group to such dumb/rehashed plots for once?

[@jonbilgutay8797]

I would like to think the moral of this episode is that you can learn good lessons from bad teachers; like what not to do and what not to be.

[@autumbreeze1129]

jon bilgutay well, I can certainly remember vague good lessons from a bad teacher during high school. Mr. Jacobs, if you're reading this, you sucked as my teacher. If someone can't understand the way you explain a question, say it differently. Don't just repeat yourself over and over, expecting it to click. Also, don't give detention to a student for reading a library book IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY! Seriously, where was the logic in that?!

[@justinriley]

If the writers want to showcase the students, that's fine, but there's ways to build them up without knocking down and regressing the established ones. I'm starting to think that Chancellor Neighsay has a point about the school being a bad idea.

[@t-sparks7874]

Right I think the school is fine But dash and Aj should be fired now. I like that Twilight called them on their bullshit and didn't get fooled by their "lesson"

[@Br0wnEyedQueen]

It's also very confusing at the moment on how this all works, we know twilight writes the curriculum but how can AJ cover rainbow's LOYALTY (I don't know how to italicise in a comment :/ ) classes if she's the element of HONESTY

[@vidyogamenurd]

Br0wnEyedQueen _Italics_ are done by putting an underscore before and after the word

[@RedfurredPikachu]

Well the thing is every one else other than Applejack and Rainbow are in character here. Which is what keeps this episode from being bad in my opinion.

[@t-sparks7874]

My gramer software was turned off thanks.

[@frankbrislin4378]

I think the whole Fluttershy thing was a nod to how much the fandom (myself included) loves her. Also, my favorite part of 'Fall Weather Friends' was Dash and AJ trolling Twilight at the starting line. They definitely need more Rainbow laughing; and I love her voice crack.

[@realJoeMavro]

Not that it justifies this episode, but I would point out: 1. When two opinionated adults are working together, it's pretty much inevitable that they start butting heads. 2. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both have egos and an almost pathological need for recognition.

[@TailsThewolfcat]

The ending made no sense and had absolutely no good message. It basically let the two get away with their actions without consequence. Even Twilight, knowing full well what had transpired, did nothing even though AJ and RD's actions put their student's lives in danger, even admitting to knowing what they had really been doing the entire time and laughing it off. Also, they weren't suddenly agreeing with each other, they were pretending to get along in front of everyone after Twilight lectured them. It wasn't like they both had a sudden change of heart. This episode just brought everyone back to season 1, and not in a good way. I'd give it a 2/5 rating.

[@gerardorodriguez7500]

DRWolf001 Can Fleur Dis Lee, Pipsqueak, Diamond Tiara, Princess Ember, Upper Crust and Jet Set be in your Therapy Visit series?

[@rocklobsterjwt]

He's done Diamond Tiara

[@christopherjones7023]

8:06 YESSSS! Thank you sir! Glad I'm not the only one who remembered that reference immediately!

[@MrConredsX]

This episode was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAAAAAAD!!!

[@pinkiepoolgamerbrony2789]

more like BOOOOORING!

[@thadmaster7]

Its crap but matter of princibles is mutch MUTCH WORSE

[@thedragonden3294]

I'm noticing a theme in this season of returning to original roots but with a fun twist

[@bullinmd]

Makes me wonder if the students were NOT the equivalent of college-age students. If they were college-age equivalent, Fluttershy may be getting the award for other reasons such as the grades she gives. I have taught college courses and college students tend to be very happy when good grades are being given to them and very hostile when they find the going tough or get caught cheating or plagiarizing.

[@Galimeer5]

The students' and Twilight's reactions towards Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's childishness made up for the aforementioned childishness (to me at least). I often make a lot of snarky remarks while watching episodes, much like the ones the students were making, so I felt right at home watching this episode.

[@juliomontoya8824]

Is it weird that I think Rainbow is probably the worst suited Maine 6 to be a teacher? I mean, Pinkie is good with kids, Rarity is a profesional, Flutters is calm and understanding, AJ is levelheaded, reasonable and experienced (save for this little incident) and I dont think i have to mention Twi. Rainbow, meanwhile, is still pretty inmature, lazy and her position in the wonderbolts, Id imagine, would demand more from her than the others. Anyways, when I heard this episode's premise, I feared it would be a re thread of "Fall Weather Friends". But the lesson of that episode I thought was about being a good sport mostly. I dont think RD and AJ regresed, as that was back in season 1 and they havent shared that many episodes since (as similar as they are, AJ shares more episodes with her opposite, Rarity, while most RD episodes center around herself) so Id believe they'd have some ground to explore when it comes to competitivenes. Them agreeing wasnt as annoying to me and in fact, I found it kind of funnier, as it was so OOC. And I sort of like that they were the providers of the conflict while the lesson was more for the kids (wether that's good or bad, is up to you) But it wasnt as funny as "Horse Play" "Maud Couple" or even "Parent Map". So I do agree with Doc in that there isn't much of a reason to rewatch this one, unless you want to see Rainbow and AJ compete again.

[@AtrusOranis]

Even then I think Applejack was level headed for the first half, wanting to build a sturdy structure and wanting to focus on TEACHING good rowing technique (and avoid pony eating fish).

[@marismcgarveyhenderson6328]

I also thought about Pirates of the Caribbean during that scene.

[@TheCommenterDragon]

It was a pretty good episode,i mean other than the fact that 3 characters (Yona,Applejack and Rainbow Dash) managed to escape death in one episode...( i say that because Yona almost drowned and Aj and RD Almost got eaten by a school of carnivorous fish.) but apart from that it teaches a good lesson about team work and such.

[@doobie_mouse2083]

This was a bit a a poorer showing. It was pretty out of place for this late in the show's run. I can totally buy Applejack and Rainbow getting at it over teacher of the month tho.

[@RedfurredPikachu]

There was a better way to structure this episode that could've made it good.

[@iSkeleton]

It's a mostly boring episode. What confuses me is that AJ and RD are suppose to be teaching "teamwork" but the students work well together regardless? Whether under pressure or at their leisure the students don't compete with eachother, they don't snap at eachother, they don't argue... the students are good friends and good students. So what was the point of having all 6 students accompany AJ and RD when they've already "mastered" team work? It would have been more interesting if they only took a few students who were more than likely to buttheads along the road. Yona and Gallus got into a scrap the first episode of season of season 8, Gallus/Smolder vs Silverstream (deadpan/blunt vs unbelievably peppy), Gallus/Smolder vs Ocellus (deadpan/blunt vs timid).

[@GPischke]

Between this and Grannies Gone Wild, AJ and RD clearly have it out for each other for whatever reason.

[@lazlow8788]

It's been a long time since we've competitiveness between AJ and Rainbow. I thought this episode was pretty good.

[@josephmarrison4606]

This episode was Fall Weather Friends done wrong.

[@skarkris]

Joseph Marrison That's what I said to myself right after watching this episode. It's a less advanced (how the hell though in season 8?!), poorly executed SoF variant of FWF. This is the first episode I decided to give a "failed" rating (☆) (If you want to ask me about my rating system it's very similar to MrEnter's) Just in case: SoF-School of Friendship FWF-Fall Weather Friends

[@blaa6]

I didn't like this one at all.

[@thebeavpercabethftw9604]

Honestly, from what I've been hearing this is probably going to be one of the episodes I'll skip. I'm looking forward to Break-Up Break-Down though.

[@alexatkin]

Its not an episode I enjoyed either but I would NEVER skip an episode, that just seems foolish. If I always paid attention to what other people said I would have missed out on a lot of TV, Films and video games I love.

[@NaviDoodlez]

upon reflection, i actually think this episode was oddly genius. if you take a step back and look at the big picture of the episode, it's a story of how different generations approach teamwork and the issues that come with it. Applejack and Rainbow Dash have always been the most competative ponies, as established in Fall Weather friends, and where one thinks that they should have learned their lesson there, and for the most part did; i don't believe that is the true focus of the episode. I think that it was using nostalgia to bring us back to when AJ and RD were fighting back then to put us in a state of mind that is in line with the first season, but then compare it to the student 6, as a new guard sort of situation. The student 6 didn't have to have the lessons told to their face, and in fact have been consistently been told the opposite by applejacks and rainbow dash's actions, yet they never devolved to their level; instead seeing how their actions and attitudes ultimately ruined everything they did. And when problems did arise through the episode, the student 6 naturally helped eachother in their own unique ways. and that's my third point, in that it highlighted the unique ways of the student 6 helping eachother, and not focusing on any of them thinking or saying that their way is best (except Yona, but that is because yak is best). instead, we have two pony characters doing that for them in AJ and RD, and while a pegasus and earth pony are different, they are much more similar than a yak and changeling to eachother. This goes to further show that even extreme differences in shape, strength, talent, and size can come together if their attitudes and hearts are in the right place. thinking back, it feels like the Student 6 are the youth of today looking at the older generations. people that constantly fight, argue, and try to one up eachother, yet almost hypocritically saying that "working together is best" and choosing and working to do the opposite. The kids are smart, and will grow beyond the antiquated mindsets of the past not blinded by nostalgia that we have today

[@finnanima2413]

1:24 not to mention it’s canon that S1 and S4 openings were exactly one year apart

[@ShdwZro7]

Hello Dr Wolf. I had the same thoughts on this episode. Non-Compete Clause felt like a rehash of Fall Weather Friends from Season 1 even though the show is in its 8th season.

[@MrGabeanator]

I don't regret flipping back and forth between this episode and Pocahontas the first time

[@verzeihturncoat27]

Fluttershy is to kind to give homework. Best Teacher.

[@chupacabraazul6669]

The best part of this episode was the interaction between the students.

[@richardwillett]

A week story! like to see stories about the individual students! We need a Yona story! And what the heck happened to the Pillers? What's going on with Starswirl?

[@MikeHathawayMusic]

the first thing i thought of with that stick and vine part was pirates of the carabien

[@jademuseplays]

As per your concern of the timeline of Equestria, I should have that finished today. Would love to send it to you.

[@pinkiepoolgamerbrony2789]

if you ask me the whole competitive course with Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash to be NOT Only Boring But rerating to sit through out the episode and it felt like a re-hash of Fall Weather Friends from Season 1 it felt like a filler episode without the charm or the moral thrown in so yeah NOT A Good Episode But it could have been better if the episode was more focused on Fluttershy going on the field trip with the students that could have been better overall Non-Complete Clause is just Meh :/

[@thunderspark1536]

I made a new thing to say what they both did in the second half of the episode, Fluttershying. What would happen when two Fluttershys meet.

[@williamcrowe2576]

I haven't seen the episode yet, but it does feel like a "How NOT to Do Things" segment from an episode of Out of Control (a comedy series from my childhood).

[@siraran2077]

I thought that the teacher of the month award should be the teacher of the year award.

[@davideostudio2664]

How could a lifejacket get ripped off so easily by a branch? Yona was wearing it just fine and it ripped off like it was nothing

[@thinthle]

It should have started with them agreeing and then introducing something we haven't seen yet.

[@pxprof5893]

I was thinking about the "Teacher of the Month"-Voting. 1. Are it really 9 Months since the Opening of the School? 2. What are Applejack and Rainbow Dash so intent to get the Votes of this 6 Students? But what if there is a solution to both Problems. What if each Class has a seperate voting and Fluittershy didn't win the Teacher of the Month"-Voting 9 Months in a row, but for this Month in all 9 classes?

[@Superplay64]

Regarding swinging the vine-stick trap, it was very obvious the vines were weak, so it probably would've been too dangerous to try and swing it, else Dash and AJ risk dropping themselves into the Bitacuda zone of the river.

[@eddog6666]

Don't worry I am working on a timeline that hopefully make sense.

[@TailsFan369no2]

Reminds me of some scouts trying to cook mac n cheese in the wild, only to make it too soupy NOT! HAPPENING! AGAIN!

[@annikalapudas9742]

I like that you don't completely trash the bad episodes like many other reviewers do, instead you critic kindly!

[@RedfurredPikachu]

ehh sorry doc but I disagree here. This episode does contradict others we've had since Castle mania focusing on Rainbow dash and Applejack. Their competiveness has also never been this bad before either. When they did nothing to try and save Yona that's something neither of them would allow happen and I have a big issue with that. Everyone else in the episode is pretty much in character except for these two.

[@NthDoctorWho]

"It was too soon to (re)use the idea" No, I'm pretty sure it's just new writers not having seen every episode, and the head honchos in charge of the show don't give a single flying heck about that thing Silver Quill is always on about but the fandom bends over backwards to make work Or maybe it's just a sign that maybe the Mane 6 aren't cut out for the stress of school and this was a dumb idea from the word go Or perhaps we the Fandumb are thinking way too hard about a kids show aimed at a demographic 1/3rd our age

[@MerryMohProductions]

If I were Twilight, knowing full and well how much competition would cost others, I'd just abolish The Teacher of The Month Award altogether for everyone's good so nobody else would never EVER get caught up over some trivial prize again. Sometimes being good is it's own reward, it's not about some prize via picture on the wall every month, it's about doing your best to help others achieve their own goals and try and make things better for everyone. That's an important virtue of friendship; and why it frustrates me so much to watch this episode, seeing Applejack and Rainbowdash regress (yet again) and learn nothing at the end of the day, there is no consequence for their actions; sure others may have been at risk of their competition but at least the students learned how to work together properly, if only because they learned from their teacher's mistakes; but AJ and RD didn't get any form of resolve or retribution, no humility, no reconcile for their judgement, no form of discipline, not even guilt.

[@angbandsbane]

I usually love AJ and Dash's chemistry, but this is...well, I'll be blunt: this is the second episode ("Princess Spike" was 1) that I straight up couldn't finish. That hurts to say, but there you have it.

[@fletchergilmore5020]

Well now matter how those two do their jobs, I still don’t think they’ll become teachers of the month 😒

[@barsni4779]

It's student vote.

[@anacleos345]

and to think Aj and RD were past the whole" I"m better than you" thing

[@SciRei7H3dEG3NeR4T3]

Okay, gonna focus on the most interesting and possibly the only interesting part of this episode (aside from the students), the timeline; I feel as if episodes are scrambled carelessly across the timeline. The episodes seem to be stretched or squeezed within when they take place, like for the *_It’s Not The Mane Thing About You_* episode where Rarity waited “months” for her mane to grow back, that means we know Season 7 to Season 8 has gone for at least more than a year, but according to Season 4’s premiere, the time between Season 1 and Season 4 consisted of a single year, Season 5 and 6 is still undetermined, but the way it was set up, I’d educatedly guess two years and a half. With these in mind all these events seem to compile up to... four and a half years... what do you guys think?

[@kylgrv]

I didn't really like this episode because of Rainbow Dash and Applejack's arguing, but I did like seeing the Student Six again, and seeing them work together. Also, I'd vote for Fluttershy as Teacher of the Month anytime (or Twilight, Rarity or Pinkie Pie).

[@QueenTwilightSparkle1]

Sure this is episode may be BAD! But trust me. There are PLENTY of good episodes coming. Marks for Effort and The Mean 6 are two episodes i am looking forward to.😊

[@wendydomino]

I agree they should have asked the students what they liked so much about Fluttershy

[@Darkdragon659]

I'm torn on whether the students genuinely thought that they were doing it wrong on purpose. When I watched the episode I actually got the idea that the students were only saying that to try and stop any more ridiculous competitions. Or some of them were at least. Overall I just found this episode fun, though I really hope they have the students and teachers being more mutual with each other in the future. If RD and AJ had asked the students what they wanted from teacher of the month, that would have been good. I just think the episode should have had a bit more focus on the students than the AJ and RD bit. We've seen that already, we haven't seen the students. So, while I did enjoy it...yeah it wasn't the best episode by a long shot.

[@CallMeMONGOOSE]

_Reminded me of Emperor's New Groove XD_

[@BradShadowDog]

Isn't the award decided on who the students voted for, that doesn't necessarily mean fluttershy is a good teacher, just a well liked teacher. Maybe the students vote for her b/c she lets them get away with things like sleeping or skipping class.

[@justinriley]

I just found out that Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco didn't write any episodes for this season. That's unfortunate.

[@royveldboom7266]

They were hired away from MLP to work on a live-action sitcom, which pays better.

[@justinriley]

@@royveldboom7266 Said show was canceled, so, theoretically, they could come back for Season 9.

[@royveldboom7266]

First I've heard about this. Poni show would have to be crazy not to want them back if they can get another shot at them, after what they accomplished last time.

[@jamesrichardsoniii4801]

Part of the reason I think this episode is alright is because of the students. Their moments, though brief, were interesting to see. Then again, I would like to know WHY Fluttershy won Teacher of the month 9 TIMES.

[@tristanmilner9511]

Curious why you don't cover the EQG shorts? Flutter's song, So much more to Me, is really good.

[@crovax1375]

I really did like this episode for a few good reasons, and I feel that it's worth a rewatch. First, one of the main complaints of the season opener was ,"What experience does the main 6 have in being teachers?" And I feel that this episode shows that there is a defencicy issue in the teaching ability of some of our favorite ponies. Second, we got to experience our frustrations with the students, whom was also as annoyed by their "professors" as we were. And finally it was hilarious when the students took charge and made decisions when Rainbow and AJ couldn't reach an agreement. My biggest issue with the episode is that Rainbow and AJ didn't seem to care that one of their students ALMOST DROWNED! Other then that...Not the worst season 8 episode.

[@phoenixamaku5551]

Agreed, felt like they both a set up on the episode of where they wanted the metal till Twilight Figured out which is pretty coool. Also Doc, mind explaining why you haven't been going to your animaitons of episodes lately?

[@SilverSpoonRiche]

The very first episode focusing on the school and Chancellor Brain I mean Nay Say is proven to be absolutely right on the level of incompetence on the part of the teachers. 1. They can't get along (big surprise). 2. Applejack uses her students as basically slave labor. 3. A student nearly drowns 4. The "teachers" nearly get killed themselves by flesh eating fish. 5. This was ALL Twilight's fault putting them together on this assignment to begin with. Good job, Princess.

[@Brony22]

I'm starting to miss your short 5-6 minute reviews :(

[@Secret_Moon]

I have but one thing to say about this episode: TWILIGHT IS SUPER TALL!!!

[@aoyukinana]

I have to say this episode was one of those meha episodes this was a first for me and I don't think they now were to go with this episode I wonder if it was a new writer

[@dashzilla9358]

Maybe the writers wanted to make a Spongebob reference with that whole Fluttershy bit. But as for the episode in itself, the students were the best part because their expressions summed up what most of the audience was thinking. I did see some nostalgia when it came to AJ and RD's competitive natures, but that shtick can get old down the line. third act actually got me to yell at my screen telling those two to 'Shut Up!'. That's how annoying it got. Even Twilight was fed up with them.

[@titanhades4331]

Starlight would have been a much better choice to teach teamwork and cooperation. She was able to get a lead a team of Discord, Trixie, and Thorax and save Equestria. A team with two characters who have the biggest egos in the show.

[@pancudowny]

During the first scene, if you pause at the right moment, Fluttershy appears to be giving Rainbow Dash a look that says "Really, pega-sister...?😒" 😄

[@jolly-commando8772]

Well I agree with you Drwolf001 you do have a point there