Talk:Marks for Effort/@comment-4531340-20180603105922

This was a great episode, easily the best one since Surf and/or Turf and Horse Play (even if I don't think it's quite as good as those two, or the premiere).

Maybe I'm biased because I love the CMC, and Starlight Glimmer, and the School of Friendship, but I just had an absolute blast watching this episode - those 22 minutes just flew by. The CMC's antics were great as usual, and it was entertaining to see just how bad of actors they are (they're practically on Celestia's level!). It was also really great seeing how well they did at tutoring Cozy Glow - it really showed how they've grown (and grown close) over the course of the series. And I was hoping they'd become official School of Friendship tutors - it really fits them.

Speaking of Cozy Glow, I'm intrigued - she definitely seemed like more than just a one-off character, so I wonder how she'll be used going forward. From what I had heard, however, I was honestly kind of surprised that she had good intentions when she got the CMC in trouble like that. (also, wow, a "your mom" joke in FiM - it was almost as surprising as the... *ahem* male anatomy joke we got in the movie)

And then Starlight - while she didn't have a big role in the episode (until the ending), what a great role it was. Twilight definitely made the right choice, having her as the guidance counselor. From the faces she made to her lines, it was all really great. If the premiere and this episode shows something, it's definitely that Nicole really knows how to use her well.

Going back and looking at the episode now, was Twilight's anger a little over-the-top? Eh, maybe, and it might have been nice had she apologized outright, but I feel the honorary diplomas for the CMC were a good enough gesture, and the anger didn't bother me when I was watching the episode, so I'm gonna let it slide.

Also, crap, I just realized, this episode makes it now 3 10/10 episodes I have to somehow sort for GoldenBluebird's Let's Compare blog