This does not replace the season sets that have been available through Amazon (I am still waiting on seasons 2 & 3, c’mon Shout Factory) but this is one of the better overview DVDs of the series. “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” not only survived the relaunch of the brand with staying power, but the loss of the person behind its reinvention. The creative force behind this new series may have left at the end of the second season, but now it its 5th season this program shows no signs of stopping.
What we get here are six episodes drawn from the whole of the series, stretching all the way back to the first season on up to the current 5th. The titular episode, the second on the disc, comes from the 3rd season and is easily a “quintessential” episode. It features competition with character traits brought to the forefront with an emphasis in the end on being a good friend. Here is the full episode list:
“Fall Weather Friends” – season 1
“Games Ponies Play” – season 3
“Power Ponies” – season 4
“Equestria Games”- season 4
“Appleoosa’s Most Wanted” – season 5
“The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone” – season 5
If you (or your child) are new to the series you (or your child, more likely) might be thrown off a bit by some of the characters and the episodes progress on this DVD. There is a progression from the first season onward, and even within the seasons. One character in particular, Discord, while not one of the ponies, has had a great character arc and a large and lasting effect on the main cast. This isn’t evident on this DVD, but if the secondary characters have any sort of impact on the overall story, what do you think about the primary characters? Thankfully I’ve seen most of the series, so I’m not lost when I watch an episode out of context. Much of the 4th season was leading up to the Equestria Games, so that episode in a way loses some of its impact.
Despite this, if you need a video for the car or as an introduction to the series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Games Ponies Play will certainly fit the bill as one of the better ones available. There are no special features on the DVD. Now, Shout Factory, where are my seasons two and three DVD sets?