Season 7 was mostly a solid season, even if again not every episode was great. While preferring Seasons 1-5, it is to me is a lot better than Season 6. That season didn't really have any 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' high-points, whereas this had "A Royal Problem" and "The Perfect Pear", at the same time none of the lesser episodes of Season 7 ("Marks and Recreation" and to a lesser extent "Honest Apple" being the worst) were on the same level as the worst of Season 6.
'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' actually fared better and more consistently with its season openers than its season finales. While Season 4's "Twilight's Kingdom" was brilliant and gets my vote as the best of the show's season finales, Season 6's "To Where and Back Again" disappointed. The "Shadow Play" two parter is neither one of the best or worst season finales of the show, if anything it's firmly in the middle. While there are a lot of fantastic things here, with such a good premise this had potential to be a great two parter but was a little bit of a missed opportunity.
Of the two parts, Part 1 is the slightly weaker one. Again a lot of fantastic things but some serious shortcomings as well. Am going to start with what "Shadow Play Part 1" does well. The animation is colourful and full of atmosphere and meticulous detail. Also doing such a great job at immersing one into the setting and the lore. The music is the kind that will appeal to children, being current and not being too old, and should have a nostalgic feel for older viewers. The voice acting is excellent, Kelly Sheridan and Tara Strong both give deeply committed voice work.
There are enough moments of good writing, it does flow well, it does provoke thought and some of it amuses. The episode does do well with the anticipation factor, making me excited for what was going to happen in the second part (Part 1 is basically setting things up). With how the villain is made out to be in description, great things are expected. A great job is done with the atmosphere and the lore, everything with the Pillars is a lot more fascinating than it was in "Campfire Tales". Starswirl is an interesting character and his exchanges with Twilight have intensity. Twilight gets her meatiest material of the season and it was difficult to resist her chemistry with Starlight, got a lot out of seeing them together. We also have a lovely little short scene between Spike, Garble and Rainbow Dash, makes one think and hope that we can see more of the likeable Spike with strengths.
For all those strengths, there were to me flaws as well. "Shadow Play Part 1" is too exposition-heavy in the writing, meaning that most of the episode is setting up the events that would come later and the lore without much happening plot-development-wise. It could have done with a tighter pace and less talk.
Already, although not as much as the second part, "Shadow Play Part 1" felt over-stuffed. Too much information in too little time, too many characters with most underused (apart from Starlight, Twilight and Starswirl).
In conclusion, worth watching if disappointing. 7/10.
