We open the episode at Twilight Sparkle’s library, as she and Spike are working on the checklist of items needed to create a checklist. After the slightly updated theme song, we see the two heading into town with their massively long checklist of things to do. They head to Sugar Cube Corner to pick up cupcakes for a picnic they’re having with the other ponies later on. However, Twilight becomes a bit concerned when her dozen cupcakes ends up being a baker’s dozen and believes there may be an issue with too much icing. This scene pretty much shows what will be the general theme of the episode, which is Twilight’s major OCD problem.
Magic kindergarten!
JESUS!
With time running out, Twilight finally loses her sanity. Since she’s unable to find any friendship problems, she decides to make one. She heads to the park, and encounters the Cutie mark Crusaders. Twilight offers them her old and dirty doll Smartypants. However, the three quickly decline the offer, forcing Twilight to use a spell that makes everyone fall in love with the doll at the very sight of it. This causes the three to fight over the doll. Twilight tries to get Big Macintosh to intervene, but he ends up falling under the spell, and taking the doll for himself. This escalates further as everyone in Ponyville begins to fight over Smartypants. Princess Celestia Intervenes, putting a stop to the spell, and ordering Twilight to see her.
Celestia sets Twilight straight that she doesn’t need a letter every week to know that Twilight is a wonderful student. The other ponies try to defend Twilight as well, saying that they learned that they should have taken Twilight’s feelings seriously and helped her out. Celestia decides not to punish Twilight, but informs the other ponies that they must each send friendship reports whenever they learn something. As Celestia leaves, Twilight asks how she found out. Celestia tells her that it was Spike that told her. Twilight gives Spike a hug as the episode ends with them all sending Princess Celestia their friendship report.
Lesson Zero is easily one of the best episodes of the series so far. Seeing Twilight Sparkle’s OCD get to the point of madness was very fun to see, and led to some of the funnier moments of the episode. It also continues to show just how many dimensions these characters truly have, and just how many minor things can lead them to utter madness. The plot of the episode was solid, and worked for the entire half hour ep. However, I do feel there were a few problems. The pacing at times felt a bit rushed, and they never really had much time to show enough good examples of Twilight’s attempts to help her friends be dashed.
Speaking of Dash, I actually wasn’t too fond of the nuclear rainboom scene as it only seems to continue making Rainbow Dash far too overpowered. There was no use of Pinkie Pie in the episode, which would’ve made for some great interactions with Twilight slowly losing her sanity under pressure. Considering Pinkie’s past with mental breakdowns, this would’ve been amazing. However, despite some issues, this was still an enjoyable episode. Also, for being the first episode since Lauren Faust stepped down as executive producer, it easily proved that the show is still easily in good hands. While the episode may not be for everyone, it worked wonders for me.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Next week, it’s the long awaited return of a certain moon raising alicorn. And what else will happen as the ponies celebrate Nightmare Night? We’ll find out next week with “Luna Eclipsed”.
Until next week Bronies.