Frenemies

I don't think I've enjoyed an episode this much since the CMC got a their cutie marks. It was nice to see the villian trio interact with each other and sing the best villian song of the series.

It was interesting to have a 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' episode centered around three of its villains, a change of pace. They being Queen Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow. Have been mixed on them as characters throughout the show's run. Queen Chrysalis was fantastic in Season 2's "A Canterlot Wedding" but a missed opportunity in Season 8's "The Mean 6". Tirek proved himself to be one of the show's best villains in Season 4's "Twilight's Kingdom" but too dumbed down in Season 8's "School Raze". Loved Cozy Glow in Season 8, less so in Season 9.

"Frenemies" does a great job with two of the three but underwhelms with one. To me, it's a very good episode but falls short of being classic. It's not the best 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' episode or one of them, it is not even the best episode of Season 9. Which was one of the weaker and more inconsistent seasons of the show, have seen a good deal of hate for it even, but did have bright spots. As far as Season 9 episodes go, "Frenemies" is one of the better ones. One that had a good deal of potential and mostly lived up to it, unlike episodes of Season 8 that sounded ambitous but became a missed opportunity.

By all means, "Frenemies" isn't perfect. Its weak link is Cozy Glow, who made quite an impact in the Season 8 finale "School Raze" but here she is too bratty and unlike Chrysalis and Tirek a reason or motivation is not given for why she acts the way she is, what her goal is and what drove her to be that way.

Thank goodness that it is the opposite with the other two. Of the three villains, Chrysalis fares the best. She is back to what was so great about her, and actually even better, in "A Canterlot Wedding", with more learnt about her. She comes over as a dangerous threat, obvious with her gruesome modus operandi, and is not the bumbling, anaemic and underused character she was in "The Mean Six". Tirek also fares well, he is more of a bully here in his want of power and being stronger but the episode manages to provide a reason for why, or at least we start to see why and where those feelings come from. The chemistry between the three is both hugely entertaining and tense.

Did like the story, it may not be complex but it is not over-slight and it does so well with providing insightful development and motivations for Chrysalis and Tirek. It was a unique idea for the show and one of only two episodes to focus solely on the villains, and the potential isn't squandered. Setting one up for something really promising in a fast-paced story with enough intrigue and suspense made even better by the villain's chemistry. The script has laughs and tension, thankfully not being too talk-heavy.

Animation is excellent throughout, especially for Chrysalis. The music has a wide range of emotions and fits like a glove. "A Better Way to Be Bad" is easily the best song since Season 9 and one of the best of the show in a long time. The voice acting is without complaint, with Kathleen Barr clearly having a ball as Chrysalis.

Overall, very good episode if not one of my favourites of the show. 8/10.

I think the writers are hellbent on destroying the integrity of this series. These villains, save for the filly, were great villains. This episode turned them into a laughing stock. Very disappointing.

Tirek and Chrysalis are great villains and Vogel has turned them into laughing stocks. This is a pathetic episode in the middle of a pathetic season.

This episode is amazing. Amazing humor, amazing and supercatchy song "Better Way To Be Bad". We have seen another side of the villains. Watching their interactions was pretty fascinating. Bonfirescene is great. To conclude, I enjoyed "Frenemies" so much. Great work. I love this episode. Tirek stole the show.

Cozy Glow: This is not the real me! I'm cute and lovable! Lord Tirek: No, you're not. You're annoying, and you snore. Cozy Glow: I do not snore! At least I don't talk to my Gram-Gram in my sleep. Lord Tirek: Don't you dare bring Gram-Gram into this!