Okay, I promised screenshots, but apparently Mediafire is having problems uploading files. So, this post will be edited with all the screenshots I had planned later.
Anyways...
REVIEW WITH SPOILERS POST!!
So, in this episode Rainbow Dash gets accepted into the Wonderbolts Academy. You can think of it as the Army for Pegasi. Yes, the episode is reminiscent of the army cartoons I saw as a child. Right down to "the general who won't take any crap" and said general giving out ridiculous exercise regimens.
Previous cameos include Spitfire, who is the general that won't take any crap and gives out those ridiculous exercise regimens, and the muscle bound pegasus stallion with tiny wings from Hurricane Fluttershy. Yeah, he's actually a Wonderbolts fan. Go figure.
The plot seems to mainly revolve around Rainbow Dash being teamed up with a mint-colored pegasus named Lightning Dust. Think of this newcomer as a more cocky and jerky Rainbow Dash. The two are very similar in terms of personality and flight abilities. (Even matching Rainbow Dash in a 200-lap race.) It's just that Lightning Dust likes to push herself more. Which will become important later.
Anyways, I like the Wonderbolt Trainee uniforms, though I'm surprised they had one that fit the muscle bound pegasus stallion.
My favorite device they used was the Dizzatron, which is meant to simulate spin-outs in flight. Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust's scores in this are very close in this one. (Rainbow Dash's score being slightly better.) It's just that Lightning Dust asks for it to be set to maximum. So, it's no wonder she didn't do as good as Rainbow Dash.
I kind of liked the idea that Rainbow Dash had to earn the leader role. It helped flesh her out more and showed that she deserves to be a Wonderbolt. Also, Lightning Dust is given the leader role between the two because she likes to push herself more.
The episode also brought out a very important lesson that, while it is important for you to be the best at what you can do, it should not be done at the expense of others. This is Lightning Dust's major flaw. Though she wants to be the best, she doesn't care about others or how her actions might harm them, as demonstrated when she uses a tornado to get rid of the clouds. One that almost killed Rainbow Dash's friends.
Which lead to one of the most epic "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!" scenes ever (Will be up on YouTube in no time. Trust me.) and Rainbow Dash demonstrating how you can save non-pegasus ponies with clouds.
Rainbow Dash is so upset about how the Wonderbolts can allow someone like Lightning Dust to get away with something like that that she quits right in front of Spitfire, and do you know how she responds to that just before Rainbow Dash leaves?
Spitfire: How dare you storm out of my office without giving me a chance to respond! The Wonderbolts are looking for the best flyers in Equestria. But you were right, being the best shouldn't come at the expense of our fellow ponies. It's not just about pushing ourselves. It's about pushing ourselves in the right direction. You've shown your capable of doing just that.
She then takes away Lightning Dust's leader badge and banishes Lightning from the Wonderbolts Academy. (In just two swift motions I might add.) Spitfire then gives said leader badge to Rainbow Dash.
So yeah, Rainbow Dash is now permanently in the Wonderbolts Academy and we'll see if anything develops from that.
The one major flaw of this episode was Pinkie Pie. I understand it's important to be close to your friends and all, but this was seriously too much, though I wouldn't be surprised if RainbowPie/PinkieDash fans saw it differently.
If it weren't for her, I'd consider the episode one of my favorites.
Wow! Never thought I'd put in so much!
See ya later!
See ya later!
