>>4845
>We had some actual character development for Twilight - I can't remember the last time that happened other than
I'd argue that she actually has had a fair amount of development but it took a somewhat wonky path on her and her roll more on that coming up soon

>and the episode kept stuff more subtle, simply showing us how they kept the bird off their trail rather than pandering like usual.
I would agree too, at least in part, I don't know what your definition of pandering is though but I do like subtle moments.

>Twilight used a really stupid-looking electric style mic rather than using a megaphone or just speaking up a little, there weren't that many people there.
I do wonder if it's just the animation and where suppose to to consider there to be a larger audience or we take what we see on screen? The reason I ask this is that it has always been a debate from me how I'm supposed to take, say, the just a single waterspout being the source of all water for Equestria for a year or described traits that aren't portrayed on screen.

>this pretty much nails it. I'd probably bump it down to 9/10 myself, just because the scoring is relative to what went before, but all the same this is the first time in a while that I've enjoyed this show this much.
I can see bumping it down to a 9/10. TBH, I've been confused a bit in my ratings and indecisive in enjoyment vs execution
(I enjoyed it okay but it wasn't my favorite yet the plot was done perfectly). I've probably be bumping some ratings up and done pretty soon as I take final stalk. The reason why this ep scored so high was because it both was a sound plot and I enjoyed it.