A Dash of Awesome: Daring Doubt

 

I can't believe it but after three years, I've reached the end of A Dash of Awesome. This retrospective is a bit different than the first three that I've done. This is the first one that I've done where I have been able to review every single episode of the character that was featured in this retrospective. This is exciting but I do wish that there was a bit of a stronger episode to go out on. This isn't a bad episode but considering the era that we are currently living through, one of the messages of this episode has been tainted.

This episode says that we should listen to both sides and that there is more than one side to the story.  Normally, I would have agreed with that but considering our outgoing President has used the term Both Sides to defend White Supermaicists, it's a little harder to say that we should listen to both sides when we have seen so many on that side have made even MLP villains seem reasonable.  It's not hard to see why a show aimed at children would want to send a message of we shouldn't judge people without knowing their side of the story but after everything we've lived through, the message doesn't sit as well. 

And the worst part is that this all comes at the expense of Fluttershy, my favorite character. My girl had to be put in a position where I can't defend her.  

The Plot

A new author has come out and released a new book that has marred the image of AK Yearling. It's Cabellron. Let's just get that out of the way now.  He claims to be misunderstood and no one has asked him what his side of the story is. Okay, I get what the show is doing but it comes a bit late as at least three times before this, we'd see him try to harm and hurt Daring Do and the Mane Six.  So yeah, I get the idea but it doesn't work.

Flutters buys into what the doctor is selling and goes with him.  Which ties into a line from the beginning of the episode that just doesn't sit right with me.

Don't you think you should read Martingale's book first? Just to hear both sides of the story?

Again, I get the idea of what the show is trying to say but I don't think it exactly works. It's not a bad message but I can't get past how much the idea of both sides has been tainted over the years and that for me kind of ruins the message of the episode.  This causes Yearling's fans to quickly to turn on her and well things go from bad to worse for her. Always seems to be the case for her.  The doctor uses Fluttershy to get the newest artifact, a truth talisman. He is using Fluttershy as only a pegasus can touch the artifact. This is the case at first but the doctor does truly come to care for Fluttershy. Meanwhile,  Daring Do and Fluttershy are going to save her. 

Even though, she doesn't exactly need saving. And this is where we come across Ahuizotl, who ties Daring Do and Fluttershy up in vines to try and stop them.  They get to the truth talisman and this is where we find out the truth of what has been going on and the doctor was just going to sell it and that Daring Do thought she was protecting it.  As seen here.

Ahuizotl: Well... the thing is, I'm in charge of protecting this jungle. If another artifact goes missing on my watch, I'm going to be in so much trouble with the other guardian creatures.

Fluttershy: Awww. That sounds like a lot of responsibility.

Ahuizotl: [stammers] It is! And those two have taken so many relics from my land, my job is on the line! So... maybe I am a little violent and ferocious. Can you blame me? [blows nose]

Again, I get the idea and I think it's better presented here and Daring Do and  Caballeron promise to never steal another artifact that is protected by him again and instead release a book co-authored by the two of them about their latest adventure.  It's upstaged a new author though being Ahuizotl.  

This episode is just okay and if it had come at a different point in history, I'd probably be more okay with the message of the episode as it is, it doesn't sit right with me.

Characters

Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball

I think this episode wanted to show that Rainbow was in the wrong for being wary of this new book but I think she was right considering the history that they have had with Caballeron. Yes, I get things aren't always black and white but perhaps if they had just used a phrase other than both sides, this episode could have worked better.

Fluttershy voiced by Andrea Libman

Episode, why are you making me do this? Why are you making me say bad things about Fluttershy? I don't like this.  Again, I get the idea but I don't think it works one-hundred percent. And after everything we've been through, it just feels off. Fluttershy is the right pony to use for this message as she is willing to understand what everyone has to say. But that is ignoring the part where sometimes you can't reason with people and I question giving them the benefit of doubt when they have actively tried to harm your oldest friend.  Fluttershy girly, I love you but it doesn't sit right with me that you are taking this side over the side of Rainbow Dash, who you have known since you were both fillies. 

Daring Do voiced by Chiara Zanni & Doctor Caballeron voiced by Michael Dobson 

It's actually a little annoying now that the last two Daring Do episodes have dealt with her reputation being ruined by Caballeron and now this episode wants us to hear his side of the story and understand why he is doing the things that he is because he's misunderstood. No, that doesn't work. Yes, I know MLP love redeeming its villains but that difference is with the other villains whether it be Sunset, Tempest Shadow or Discord is that those redemptions felt earned.  And at least with Sunset and Discord, there was time to develop the redeemed versions of those characters, that wasn't able to happen here as this was his last appearance. It doesn't work because he's redeemed in this episode and then never seen again.

My Final Thoughts

I really wish this wasn't the Rainbow Dash episode of the series because I just don't think the message works. I get what it's trying to say but it doesn't sit right with how they are saying it.  It's a shame that this character retrospective has to end on this episode. Ah well, another one for the books.  We are closer to finishing up the character retrospectives for the Mane Six. Speaking of I don't know when it'll start but I can tell you that the next character retrospective will be The Core Truth, where I look at every Applejack episode.

A Dash of Awesome: 2,4,6, Greaaat

 

I'm going to sound like a broken record as I've said this about two recent episodes that I looked at but it applies here as well. This episode's placement is odd and does not feel like it should be a final season episode. If this episode had come in the first four seasons, this episode would have worked because as it is, there is a lot of character regression on the part of Dashie in this episode. 

The Plot

Princess Celestia has set up a new Buckball league and the first game is between her school and Twilight's.  Dash is excited as she thinks that she's going to be picked to be the coach for said team. That's not the case and instead, she is picked to coach Cheer Squad. This is where my issue comes in as Dash acts so belligerent towards the Cheer Squad as she doesn't believe cheerleading is a real sport. Jeez, that is such an outdated belief and also one of the coolest cartoon characters was a cheerleader.

 

Rainbow Dash has no interest in helping the cheer squad get any better and actively ignores them. Which is a problem as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie wanted to see their performance before the Buckball game and to say that they were bad would be unkind to the word bad.  Rainbow Dash doesn't do anything to actually want.  It's actually rather annoying how much Dash ignores the cheer squad just because she doesn't like cheerleading. Thankfully, Smolder one of the Young Six does call Dashie out on her behavior.

.... everything's always awesome with you! Or twenty percent cooler! Or whatever! You're the most enthusiastic pony in Equestria when it's something you care about. I just wish we were one of those things.

This does help Dash to realize that she is going about things and because of this, she helps the cheer squad and helps them to deliver a stellar performance and this is where we find out that Twilight knew the lesson that Dash needed to learn before she did.

Rainbow Dash: Wait a second. Was this one of those things where you knew the lesson I needed to learn before I learned it?

Twilight Sparkle: You mean like how you don't have to care about a thing other ponies like as long as you care about the ponies who like it? Nope. Don't know what you're talking about.

Yeah, this episode is okay but this should not have been a season nine episode.

Characters

Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball 

This episode felt very much like a character regression for Dash. Dash is usually enthusiastic and willing to try new things for her friends or in this case her students. Sure, she may have put things down before she tried them like reading but that was season two and this is season nine.  Dash has had a lot of character progression since then. 

The Cheer Squad voiced by Shannon-Chan Kent, Devyn Dalton, Kelli Ogmundson, & Diana Kaarina, & Katrina Sailsbury 

I do like the cheer squad and I do like how the episode makes it easy to root for them. You really feel for them as Dash just straight up ignores them and doesn't care about them. They really do want to try and be better because they enjoy cheerleading. Just a shame that it takes until the end of the episode for their coach to care.

My Final Thoughts

This shouldn't have been an episode in the final season as this is a story and moral that Rainbow Dash shouldn't need at this point in her growth. It's actually a little annoying that this episode came so late in the show's run.  Again, if this episode came earlier in the series, it would've been fine but because of that, it rings hollow. Join me as we finally close out A Dash of Awesome by looking at the very last Rainbow Dash episode as we look at...

Daring Doubt 

A Dash of Awesome: Common Ground

Of all the characters to return to the show, the one I expected least to return was Quibble Pants. However, this episode hits a little differently as not only is Patton Oswalt in this episode but he is acting alongside his family including his wife, Meredith Salinger, and his daughter, Alice. There is a reason for this as the episode deals with Oswalt's character wanting to be accepted by the character played by his daughter. The basis for this episode is pulled from Oswalt's real-life as noted here. 

Quibble Pants is interested in having a relationship with another mare who had been married but either left her husband or became a widow (it's never indicated which, although it should be noted that all references to Wind Sprint's father, both professionally and personally, are in the past tense, making it much more likely that she's a widow), and who has effective custody of her daughter. In real life, Oswalt had his daughter, Alice, with his first wife, Michelle McNamara, who died 11 years after their marriage. Oswalt married Meredith Salenger a year later. This similar relationship led the show to seek out Meredith and Alice to voice Quibble's new mare friend and her daughter

Knowing the story behind why this episode exists is almost more important than the story of the episode itself. When looking at it through this lens, I find the episode rather interesting to talk about.

The Plot

Buckball has gained popularity with a new stadium and museum being built with the Ponyville team being the first inductees but that is truly just the set up for the episode as it's really about connecting as Rainbow Dash discovers that Quibble Pants is there and is shocked to see him. You and me both, Dashie. It turns out he arranged the trip as he wanted to try and connect with the daughter of his new special somepony, but she doesn't exactly like him.  Though there is a good reason as she thinks that Quibble is trying to replace her father. This isn't the case but yeah Wind Sprint isn't exactly open to this new stallion in her mom's life. How weird do you think it must've been for Patton to play opposite is his daughter in a story where she is rejecting him. 

Wind Sprint loves Buckball and Dashie tries to help Quibble learn about the sport as she thinks that'll help including setting up a game. Which doesn't go well as he ends up scoring a point for the other team. Rainbow after a while realizes that she was the wrong pony to come to for help as if he wanted to get to know Wind Sprint better, she should have asked about her interests and not go too far trying to please her with every little thing.  

This is a sweet episode and the why behind it makes it even better.

Characters

Wind Sprint, Clear Sky, & Quibble Pants voiced by Alice Oswalt, Meredith Salinger, & Patton Oswalt

I wanted to put these three together as they are a family because they are one in real life and also because that's the idea in this episode, Quibble wants to be accepted by his new family but he's going too hard. Clear Sky even points this out but Quibble is determined to do whatever it takes to get the approval of Wind Sprint.  I will say that Alice gave an okay performance and while I do think an actual voice actress would've been better with the lines, I get the reasoning behind using Oswalt's daughter as it helps to make the message of the episode even stronger

Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball 

While Rainbow Dash is important in this episode, she's mostly there for support. Granted, the wrong kind of support as she figures out. She tries using her connection with the Ponyville team but yeah, that goes awry. At least Dash is able to learn her lesson and help Quibble realize that she wasn't the right pony to come to.

My Final Thoughts

This is a good episode, the why behind this episode's existence is perhaps even stronger than the episode itself and you can't look at this episode without knowing the story behind its existence as it just makes the episode even better and helps sends the message of new parents do not need to overdo it when trying to bond.  Join me next time as we look at 

2,4, 6, Greaaat

 

A Dash of Awesome: The Washouts

My favorite version of Rainbow Dash is big sister Rainbow Dash. There is something just so charming about how Rainbow Dash has taken Scootaloo under her wing and wants to be the best role model that there is. However, like a similar episode with Rarity and Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash has to come to the realization that her little sister is growing up and can make her own decisions. This is where the theme of the episode comes in, Rainbow Dash is worried that she's losing Scoots and also worried for her safety while at the same time realizing that she has to let Scoots make her own decisions. 

The Plot

The episode opens with Dash eavesdropping on her fan club however it is soon cut short as Scootaloo reveals that she has a new fan club, The Washouts. And Dash being who she is doesn't exactly take it well.  Dash informs the girls of Scootaloo's new obsession and worries that her fan/sis doesn't think she's cool anymore.  And this is one of the most important elements of the episode as Dash clearly loves Scootaloo and is afraid of losing her.  This is brought up later in the episode with an exchange between Twilight and Rainbow.

Rainbow Dash: But what if she chooses them over me? She's gonna get hurt!



Twilight Sparkle: I think I know somepony else who might get hurt if that happens.


Rainbow Dash: Um, maybe you're right. But this isn't about me. I'm just worried about Scoot.

Yes, part of this is Dash's ego. Make no mistake that Dash quite the ego on her but there is a bit more to look into with this relationship as it shows that Dash does care for someone other than herself. She isn't just concerned about losing someone she cares about deeply and her getting hurt but look at how Twily addresses her line to Dash, she's afraid that this bond will be severed. So, Scoots does take Dash to the show and this is where we learn that the Washouts are made up of ponies that washed out of the Wonderbolts and is led by Lighting Dust.  I was admittedly surprised to see her back and I'm not going to save it but unlike a lot of episodes where antagonists return, Lighting isn't reformed and she truly doesn't care about the safety of Scootaloo.  There's an open spot on the team because one of the members broke her wing. Scoots expresses interest in joining even though she isn't a Wonderbolt. This is where she considers joining the Wonderbolts just to wash out. Yeah, this where Dash goes into upset big sister mode and takes Scootaloo to the Academy so that Spitfire can hear this idea and we get an idea inspired by Chris Farely down by the River. 

Here's just an example of her monologue. 

Well, la-dee-doodle-dah! Lemme give you a different scenario. You're probably saying to yourself, "I'm young. I'm strong. I'm gonna go out there and stunt some tricks with my new friend Lightning Dust!" Well, I'm here to tell ya that if ya play that game, you're gonna find out it's pretty hard to "stunt tricks" in a FULL BODY WING-AND-HOOF CAST DRINKIN' THROUGH A STRAW!

Dash decides that they can back and tear up all of Scootaloo's Washouts posters.  And this is where Dash is in the wrong as Scootaloo has a line that really struck a chord with me. 

Just because I look up to you doesn't mean I have to be you! But based on your definition of what makes somepony great, I have bad news. I'll never be the best of the best or a Wonderbolt! Because I! Can't! Fly! Is that what you wanted to hear? But not being able to fly doesn't mean I can't do something awesome! Like strapping my scooter to a multi-stage liquid-fueled rocket and jumping twenty-two wagons lined up in front of a roaring crowd!

I'm of two minds with this line, this is something that Dash needed to hear as while she loves Scoots, she was expecting Scoots to become her as best Crusader pointed out but Scootalo's mindset is well misguided as she is going to end getting hurt because as pointed out Lighting Dust doesn't care about the safety of the orange filly. I mean for starters, a rational adult wouldn't let a kid join a stunt team 

 

Scootaloo is understandably excited and tries to tell Lighting that she's set up a fan club for The Washouts. She then sees that the stunt is actually rather dangerous and considers backing out but Lighting says if she doesn't do the stunt, she'll be impeached as the president of the fan club. Yeah, it doesn't go well and Dash ends up saving Scoots.  This is where the two come to an understanding and best sisters make up.

Scootaloo: I'm sorry for joining the Washouts. Lightning Dust wasn't who I thought she was. She didn't care about me being scared or putting me in danger. She only wanted a good show, even if it meant I got hurt. That's not the kind of pony I wanna look up to.

Rainbow Dash: I'm the one who should be apologizing for not acting like somepony who deserves a fan club. I've been lucky enough to have somepony who thinks I'm the coolest. But there's nothing cool about making you feel like you'll never be as awesome as me. I think we should cancel the Washouts Fan Club. Because I know a fan club that could use some new members.

The moment that comes next is so sweet as Rainbow calls to meeting the Scootaloo Fan Club.  This episode is so sweet because it takes me back to Sleepless in Ponyville where Scootaloo asked Dash to take her under her wing and we first saw these sisters hug and now this episode shows that even sisters that aren't related by blood will still have growing pains to come to an understanding. It hit hard and this being the last Scootaloo and Dash episode in the series hits even harder because it speaks even to how much this sister pairing was loved by the fans.  For so many years, Scootadash was the most popular sister pairing and there are so many Scootadash stories on Fimifcition where Dash adopts Scoots as her little sister. This was before we met her parents.  You know, I think I need this picture. 

 

Characters

There were two new Washouts introduced but they are so minor to the episode that I didn't even feel the need to bring them up. They're really just comedic relief. Anyway, let's look at the characters that matter.

Main Characters

Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball 

A big part of this episode is showing that while Dash loves Scootaloo, she sometimes thinks that Scootaloo has to be her. And this is where Dash sees her little sister growing up and is having a hard time as she has to let Scoots make her own decisions, even if they are the wrong decision. It's part of growing up and not just for Scootaloo but also for Dash as she has to come to terms with Scootaloo being her own pony. It's hard yes but it makes it all the more rewarding when they make up in the end.

Scootaloo voiced by Madenline Peters 

You know how Wonderbolts Academy was an important episode for showing Dash maturing and growing up. This episode is similar in a sense for Scootaloo as she isn't the filly that was scared to talk to Rainbow Dash back in the early days of the show. She's becoming her own pony and she is becoming well a teenager. It's hard to Dash to see as she isn't used to Scootaloo having interests other than idolizing her. Though, this shows it is important for her to develop other interests and be allowed to make her own decision, even if they are harmful.

Antagonist

Lighting Dust voiced by Brit Irvin 

It's interesting to see a former antagonist return and not be reformed as that is a common tactic of the show. The Holy other two minor antagonists that aren't reformed are Flim and Flambut they are more recurring. The last time  Lighting Dust was seen was back in season three and this episode didn't come about until season eight.  This episode shows that Lighting Dust is still reckless and doesn't care about the safety of any pony except herself and if the stunts she does look cool or not.  She never takes into consideration how dangerous things could be. 

My Final Thoughts

I love this episode. It's one of my favorites from later seasons as it really helps to highlight the great sisterly bond of Scootaloo and Dash. It also shows how much Scootaloo has grown and is becoming a young lady in her own right. While it may be hard for Dash to see, she does come to accept it and that is important for both sisters as it'll help them to have a stronger relationship in the future. Join me next time as we look at another emotional episode...

Common Ground 

 

A Dash of Awesome: The End in Friend

 

The placement of this episode is a bit odd considering that this episode takes place in the second-to-last season of the series. And there hadn't been many Rarity and Rainbow episodes up until this point, maybe only two.  I think this episode might've worked better if it were a Rarity and Applejack episode but that's not what we got. 

The Plot

Twilight wants to highlight how two very different ponies can still be friends and decides to use Miss Rarity and Dash as examples. Not a bad idea perse but this is where the episode rings hollow for me, Rares and Dash are meant to have a day of fun planned.  But they just end up annoying each other as, during a Buckball game, Rarity isn't paying attention or when looking for gems, Dash ends up taking things a bit too far and breaking some of the gems.  The two decide they aren't friends anymore.

The student counselor Starlight tries to help and yeah, things go about as well as you might expect. Though I do give her props for suggesting that they read each other's favorite books. Though that doesn't work.

When all else fails, Twilight tricks the two into finding a fake Equestrian relic. 

As Rarity and Rainbow Dash's arguing draws attention from nearby ponies, Starlight returns and alerts them to a problem back at the school. In Twilight's office, Twilight searches frantically for something. When Starlight arrives with Rarity and Rainbow, she explains that the Amulet of Aurora, one of the magical artifacts that Princess Celestia gave to the school, has gone missing. She explains further that the amulet can control water tides and summon tsunamis and that they must find it before it falls into the wrong hands.

Yeah, this is where things start getting better as the girls finally start getting along again and Rarity using her love of mystery books and also noticing the trail of glitter is a different color than the stilettos she'd been wearing, her and Dash head through and to get past a rather large frog-like creature with bad breath that can tell them where the relic is.  Rarity gives this thing something for this breath and unlike some people in 2020 knows to wear a face covering. 

Following the words of the creature and working together, the girls can get where he said he saw the relic go, and after using her boot to unlock the door, it leads back to the school. And they learn the prop was just a relic and Twilight did this to get them to stop fighting. Which they did and they went off shopping realizing they can still be friends.

Characters 

Rarity & Rainbow Dash voiced by Tabitha St. Germain & Ashleigh Ball 

The fighting in this episode was really uncomfortable as fighting often is but also as I said, this episode just felt odd with its placement. And I feel like the wrong character pairing was used for this because Dash and Rarity really don't have much of a past before this episode to help build off of this.  I get the idea but I dunno.

My Final Thoughts

I don't exactly hate this episode but it's one I feel the need to ever return to either.  I at first thought I outright hated this episode. it admittedly was annoying to watch but more because I'm befuddled by it. I get what it's trying to say, and it is a good message, but I don't think it's delivered rather well.  Join me next time as we look at...

The Washouts

A Dash of Awesome: Non-Compete Cause

The fact that this is a season eight episode is a bit odd.  This is the second to last season and you would think that the characters had grown by this point. And for the most point, that's correct and this episode even wants to focus on that as this episode is dealing with Dash's and AJ's competitive nature.  But okay, it's season eight, we are expected to treat them like adults now and young whatever ages they were in the early seasons. They have jobs and responsibilities and that is something that does come up as they are meant to be doing a job here as they are teachers for the Friendship School.  I decided to go back and look at my review of Fall Weather Friends from when I started this character retrospective and my takeaway there was that while it wasn't a bad episode.  And while I still enjoy that episode and am fine with the competitive nature, it feels strange to see it a season eight episode when these characters had developed so much beyond this point. I know a big part of this is that they seem to love having Ashleigh Ball play herself in these episodes but it gets old really fast.

The Plot

Well, I already mentioned the main plot, Dash and AJ are competing with each other for the Teacher of the Month spot at the Friendship School after they find out that Fluttershy has been selected for that by the students.

So, of course, the Apple Farmer and the Wonderbolt get competitive because they want that spot. And well, there is an upcoming field trip. And this is one of my biggest issues, the two start competing with each other while on the job and actively put the lives of their students on the line. And considering the trouble that Twilight went through to get this school set up and as we will see when we get to her retrospective, it was accredited because it accepted non Pony students, if word got out that two teachers had put the lives of their students at risk, the school could've been shut down. I mean they even make building a shed competitive and almost have it dropped on one of the students and another student, Yona almost drowns and it's only because of two of her classmates that she's saved.  

Twilight decides to come and check in on the field trip and she is less than impressed.  She decides to take over and lead a nature walk as she believes that something AJ and Dash cannot turn competitive yet they do by insisting each go first and end up in a trap that I'm pretty sure I saw Jack Sparrow in.

The students end up saving AJ and Dash and they are taken back to the school and the conclusion that they come to is something else as they believe  AJ and Dash were showing them what not to do concerning teamwork. I'd call it out by Twilight realizes that they were just completing the whole time.

Characters

Applejack & Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball 

 

If this episode had come earlier in the show's run, I'd be more okay with how AJ and Dash act throughout. But this is a season eight episode and we've seen them grow and mature. Yes, the episode I think is showing that they need to move past this competitive rivalry. But I dunno, where this episode is placed in the series' run doesn't really work.

My Final Thoughts

The way that Dash and AJ act throughout this episode is odd to me because you would think they would've moved this petty part of who they are. If this had been a season 4 or 5 episode using the CMC instead of the students, I think that I would be more okay with the story being told.  Join me next time as we look at another so so episode as I look at...

The End in Friend 

A Dash of Awesome: Grannies Gone Wild

My favorite sitcom of all time is The Golden Girls. And a large part of it is the characters, the core four ladies of Dorothy, Rose, Sophia, and Blanche show that even you might be in your golden years, that doesn't mean that you have stop living. 

While watching this episode and seeing Granny Smith with her, The Gold Horseshoe Gals, it's hard not to think of The Golden Girls. Now, I can't find any confirmation that this episode was indeed influenced by this great sitcom but it does feel like it.  You know there is something rather apt for this review.

The My Little Pony: The Movie soundtrack had a cover of Thank You for Being a Friend, which was used as the theme song for my favorite sitcom.  Thankfully unlike the last episode that we looked at Dash does come off in a better light, if anyone comes off looking bad, it's Applejack. Even though, she isn't much of a character in the episode. Rather, she serves as Dash's conscience. Though I'm not going to bring her up in characters 

This is another episode where the characters are more important than the plot. Which is something that I will touch upon as there is truly no need for a scene by scene breakdown of the episode. With that out of the way, let's begin.

The Plot

This episode opens at the Wonderbolts Training Academy with Dash learning about the most awesome roller coaster in Las Pegasus.  I don't believe that I've touched upon Las Pegasus in any of my reviews up to this point partly because this is the first character retrospective to reach an episode that takes place. Las Pegasus as you can observe from the name is a Pony version of Las Vegas a la Manehattan. 

Now, what's interesting is that even though this location wasn't introduced until season six, this episode highlights that the Hold Horseshoe Gals had been going there for years. I at first thought this was a continuity hiccup because I mistook the hotel as being owned by Flim and Flam when the location first debuted but that's not the case at all. They didn't own it until the end of that episode along with the aid of AJ and Fluttershy. 

Anyways, moving beyond that, Dash gets to AJ and explains that Granny Smith and her friends go on an annual trip to Las Pegasus every year. Big Mac usually chaperons but would love a break and this is when Dash volunteers instead. And this is when we are introduced to The Gold Horseshoe Gals. 

Dash is given a list that is rather restrictive in what the ladies can and cannot do such as they should only have soup or jello. This is seen at one point when Granny Smith tries to eat nachos and Dash stops that. Rude much.

One of the biggest factors that pop up is the gals get to be a part of a magic show and well, the act is for him to escape from a tank full of water. Dash gets nervous and knocks the tank over.  This is where I wanna bring up AJ. As I mentioned AJ kind of acts as Dash's conscience. In that Dash is trying to be responsible and remember what her friend told her and protect the ladies. However, where this fails is that how Dash is looking after the gals is coddling and not letting them live their lives because Dash has fear put into her by what AJ told her.

This is where my issue comes in as Dash learns that older people can live and still have fun but feel like there should've been an epilogue scene with AJ and Granny Smith where Granny Smith says that while she understands her granddaughter's concerns, she doesn't need to be coddled.  There is a hint of this when Dash reveals that AJ told the rules to follow with the character of Auntie Applesauce.

Applejack put you up to this?

There's a note of disbelief and annoyance that Applejack would do this.  They come to an understanding and get Dash on the rollercoaster and even sit upfront and on the way home, Dash is made an honorary Gold Horseshoe Gal.

This is a good episode with a great lesson. And yeah part of the reason I like it is that it's basically a pony version of The Golden Girls but those are two things I like and if it works, it works. 

Characters

Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball 

This was a good episode for Dash as she was truly trying to do her best to follow the rules that AJ had set up for her to follow. Sure, she may have gone overboard a bit but that's just who Dash is, hen she goes in. She goes all in.

The Gold Horseshoe Gals voiced by Tabitha St. Germain, Peter New, Marcy Goldberg, & 

Shirley Millner

The Gold Horseshoe Gals are great characters and there are notes of the Golden Girls in them with Granny Smith being like the Sophia of the group.  And heck, one of the characters is even named Apple Rose.  Sure, that could be a stretch but come on. Sure, we've seen her before but Rose Nylun is a beloved character from The Golden Girls and we even see one of the Gals be sweet on the bellhop in a child-friendly manner that is reminiscent of Blanche. 

My Final Thoughts

This is a decent episode that I really like and is a nice light after yesterday's and before going into tomorrow's as that's gonna be more painful. Join me next time as we look at

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