Secrets and Pies

All the previous six seasons of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' has at least one Pinkie Pie-centric episode, or at least one where she plays a key role. All also have at least one episode with her that is particularly wacky in humour, pace and visuals, the wackiest to the point of surrealism. While not every Pinkie Pie-centric episode is great, the best ones (i.e. "Pinkie Pride", a show high point) are brilliant. "Secrets and Pies" is that kind of episode for Season 7.

In regard to the episodes centered around Pinkie Pie for Season 7, "Secrets and Pies" is not as good as "Rock Solid Friendship", as an overall episode if more for Maud than Pinkie Pie, but it is better than the uneven "Not Asking for Trouble" despite liking her a lot in it. It is not one of her best episodes and it is understandable as to why others didn't like it, but to me there was a lot to like about "Secrets and Pies" and it is a long way from being one of the season's worst.

Rainbow Dash did strike me as very unlikeable (up to a point) for much of the episode. Not liking something is not a problem and being afraid to say so is relatable (have been there myself more times than can be counted), but she did strike me as initially very selfish and her lack of honesty and the way she goes about it is so disrespectful. Pinkie Pie's reaction when finding out was not just completely understandable but also exactly how many would feel finding out in the way she did, though the actual aggression admittedly was overkill (craziness had not been this disturbing on the show in a long time). The story was charming enough but did strike me as a bit too thin structurally with something that can be resolved quite easily quite quickly.

The reason about Rainbow Dash and pies, which actually was one that was identifiable to me, could and should have been revealed a good deal earlier, which would have made a difference to how one would have had perceived her and even if it wasn't the episode could have made her less dishonest. Pinkie Pie definitely would have been understanding and would have compromised, even with her enthusiastic and eager personality. Despite Rainbow Dash actually having good intentions, far too much of the episode it actually didn't feel like that as that wasn't very clear for a while so those saying that her behaviour was justified can't really blame or judge those that didn't feel that way.

However all that aside there is a lot to like about "Secrets and Pies". The animation is full of vibrancy and wonderfully hyperactive, especially in the expressions and reactions. The music is dynamic and infectious as always and the voice acting is great from Andrea Libman and Ashleigh Ball. The moral is a universal one and not only is it so relevant it is one that should have been addressed even more than it is, doing so with force without laying it on too thick.

"Secrets and Pies" is also a very funny episode, with some wildly witty dialogue akin to classic Looney Tunes and a chockful of very imaginative gags and allusions. The ending is a standout here and a good deal of the funny moments are in the visuals with the expressions and reactions. While thin structurally, there is a lot of energy in the storytelling and it does charm and entertain generally. While having big reservations about Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie on the most part was a lot of fun. Their chemistry is well contrasted, another example of an odd couple in personality gelling surprisingly well. When the truth is revealed that was sincere and made both the characters likeable again.

In conclusion, not one of my favourites of the season but has a lot to recommend. 7/10.