A Dash of Awesome: Testing Testing, 1, 2, 3

Hello & welcome back to Trotting Through Life and after a long hiatus, we return to A Dash of Awesome this month starting with Testing Test, 1, 2, 3.  A rather simple episode from season 4 that delves into something that so many people have issues with.  Studying and that is something that we see with Dashie as she has troubles prepping for History of the Wonderbolts Test.



The Plot


There's not a huge need to go into the depths of this episode as much like the Yaks' first appearance, this is in many ways, a rinse and repeat episode.   It starts with Dashies flying and Twily seeing her and realizing that she needs to study for her test with Dahie at first not understanding why she needs to know how this egghead stuff and then this episode shows the varying ways that Dash's friends try to help her study.   Twilight does the standard note taking, Fluttershy attempts a play with her animal friends, Rarity uses fashion.

And Pinkie does this






Yeah, I'll just let that sink in. Oh, what about AJ?  She doesn't have any suggestions.   She just knows all there is about apples.   One thing I appreciate here is that while her friends are trying to help and they mean well, we see Dash have a bit of an overload and feel as though that she'll fail the test.  That is one of the biggest things to keep in mind with Dash, she is a character that goes from one extreme emotion to the other.    And that can be observed here.

It's a small but effective moment that comes after Twily goes flying with Dashie and saves her from being hit by a helicopter and that gives Twilight an idea as we learn how observant, Dash is while flying.  She gets the whole town of Ponyville to help and set up reenactments and signs for Dash to see and listen to as she flies over town as a way to absorb the knowledge that she needs to pass her test.  And gives us his adorable image.

And does it work?  Well, I think the proof is in the grade.  Even though most grades are given as fast as Dash gets hers at the end of the episode.

In all, a simple episode that tackles an issue that a lot of students have trouble with. Finding the best way to study.


Character


Rainbow Dash voiced by Ashleigh Ball

I like this episode for Dash as it shows us a side that people tend to forget with her. She's vulnerable and can give up on herself quite easily when she thinks all hope is lost.  She is a go-getter but sometimes just needs a nudge to go in the right direction to get what she needs to do, done.



My Final Thoughts


A decent episode, not one too special but it has an important message for its audience.    Join me next time as we look at what is the best Rainbow Dash episode of the series...

Tanks for the Memories