Best "Starting Episode" of MLP:FiM

Thank you for a good argument, Pro. First of all, I'll concede that Party of One is a very good episode. In some respects, better than Dragonshy. However, this debate isn't about which episode is better overall, but which would appeal more to someone new to the show. Here is my first argument: Party of One could give unrealistic expectations about the show. Pinkamena is hugely funny. Those new to the show could easily get the joke, as Pinkie's personality is well-covered. However, it's even better if viewed after having seen Pinkie Pie be the constantly upbeat comic relief for a few episodes, then see her personality unhinged. Part of the episode's joke is that fans think they know Pinkie Pie, but it peels back a layer to reveal hidden insanity. Before I go into detail as to why Dragonshy is superior, I must argue: is Friendship is Magic really mature or dark? I disagree; most episodes (I'd say about 85% of the ones I have seen) are lighthearted and fun. I will venture to say that the show is definitely childish and girly, being (originally) aimed at small female children. It makes clever nods and homages, yes, but in the end, it's always child-friendly. Some do have a "dark" outcome, like A Canterlot Wedding and The Return of Harmony, but these are few and far between. Dragonshy, I'll admit, is friendlier to small children than Party of One. However, it would work better as an introductory episode because it captures quite well the show's usual tone. You can condescend it as "childish" if you choose, but that is only to be expected from a children's show. I enjoy this show for what it is, but I wouldn't quite label it "complex". It has its moments, when Lauren Faust's original vision is allowed to shine through. This episode focuses on what I think the show is really about: the characters. Throughout the episode, characters are constantly working their personalities off of each other, not allowing a dangerous journey to dim their interactions. In Party of One, the characters seem more like devices, only working off Pinkie when needed. Though Fluttershy is the focus of this episode, other characters get their own moments too. I'll now look at the development of characters throughout the episode as you have, because I have some differing opinions. --------------------Party of One-------------------- Pinkie Pie: Fantastic in this episode. Starts out upbeat, hyperactive, and oblivious to her friends' reluctance to attend her party. Spirals into rage when she suspects her friends of betrayal. After she discovers the "double-crossing", she snaps and goes psychotic from her jealousy. Not exactly Shakespearean character development, but excellent for a cartoon meant for young children. Twilight: The craftiest out of all the ponies, the only one not to fumble when lying to Pinkie. Applejack: You could argue that her being a bad liar puts insight on her honest character, but Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity are all just as bad. Rarity: Discreetly gets rid of her punch to avoid offending Pinkie, but openly thrusts her head in a garbage can to avoid attending her party. This is slightly contradictory. Rainbow Dash: Doesn't do much in this episode. Is pretty goofy, and slightly out of character, being more easily frightened. Fluttershy: Again, doesn't do much to differentiate herself from Rainbow Dash. Helps make up a ridiculous lie with her. Spike: This episode is better at showing Spike's character. His greed and weakness to temptation is shown. He is shown to be rather selfish and unaware of Pinkie's angst, showing how bad he is at reading people/ponies. --------------------Dragonshy-------------------- Fluttershy: She's hilarious in this episode, being such a cowardly nervous wreck, and she is easy to root for, being the loner of the group in this episode. And when she finally confronts her fears and faces the dragon, it manages to be one of the most awesome moments of the entire series. She is adorable, of course, and watching her stand up for her friends is both silly, with the dragon's reaction, and cool, with her steely resolve against a creature hundreds of times her size. Twilight: The leader of the group who tries her best to hold everypony together. She understands that Fluttershy is a burden, but knows her presence is a necessity. Keeps the group in check and focused on the mission, in spite of her rapidly fraying temper. Applejack: I disagree with your analysis. In this episode, her tendencies to be the "mom" of the group really shine. She is the only one comforting and encouraging Fluttershy. Rarity: She is crafty and selfish, only tagging along on the mission for her own purposes of greed and lavishness. She uses flattery well to win over the dragon (or try). Rainbow Dash: In this episode, she barely hides her disinterest and contempt in Fluttershy around. She clearly resents her meekness and being a burden, and is rather annoyed and grumpy for the duration of the episode. This marked a change in her character where she would from then on treat Fluttershy with more respect. She is reckless and choleric as usual, ramming into the dragon without thinking. Pinkie Pie: Though she helps Fluttershy alleviate her fears of jumping across a gap in the mountains (through a very silly song), everything else is simply comic relief. Spike: Gets a brief cameo. Doesn't really do anything. In short, I rebuke your claim that Party of One has better character development. Pinkie Pie has one of the best episode-wide character arcs, but the other main characters are put to the side for that occasion. Dragonshy is more even, giving each character a different motivation, and introduces them better. It's a good episode when compared to a lot of children's TV, and I disagree that it needs to be "haunting" to make the viewer want to watch more. Dragonshy succeeds in subtly developing some character, with Fluttershy being less cowardly and RD's that I mentioned. Party of One shows Pinkie's insecurities that are touched upon in later episodes, which is an interesting idea that the show understandably never quite addresses. Dragonshy is better at showing the personalities of characters, and Party of One portrays the personality of just one character great while the rest are just written to fit the plot. The theme of overcoming fear serves as a better moral, too, unlike Party of One's core "misunderstanding" plot. As for the production itself, they are both some of the series' better episodes. Both were written by Meghan McCarthy [http://mlp.wikia.com...], a great writer for the show who has also done A Canterlot Wedding, Green Isn't Your Color, and Lesson Zero. Storyboard artists Sabrina Alberghetti and Nicole Wang were better in Dragonshy, with good wide views and varied angles, than Tom Sales and Sam To, who did Party of One, mostly keeping the focus on characters, sometimes for a little too long. [http://raveneesimo.deviantart.com...] SUMMARY: In short, one may believe Party of One gives the show a more "mature" vibe, but the show itself is not that mature to begin with. Dragonshy, though more like a standard episode, does it very well, and shows more characterization than Party of One. Party of One could be seen as more intriguing for the shock value of going one step farther than most shows for that age. However, it misleads the viewer from the show's actual tone. Dragonshy matches that tone and portrays it very well. Though it doesn't show that "MLP is a good show for children and adults", I contest that it certainly isn't for all adults. Many adults do like the show, but it takes a certain attitude and openness. I won't pretend that MLP is a great show or one of my favorites, but I simply happen to enjoy it and understand if somebody else does not. Thank you, and I will now await Pro's rebuttal.