History BrokenBase / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic

** More contentious was Discord himself and his plan. One side feel that this complete undid all of the CharacterDevelopment Discord had gone up to by this point by coming up with an extremely dangerous and poorly thought through plan (recruiting villains (two of whom were already imprisoned and he released and one who was dead) and making them even more dangerous by uniting them and showing them where to find Grogar's bell) without properly preparing for the possibility of them betraying him which put all of Equestria in danger (as well as making him indirectly responsible for Sombra's actions in "The Beginning of the End"). This same side also feel that he didn't deserve to be as EasilyForgiven as he was at the end of the episode. The other side feel that it was in line with Discord's flaw of making impulsive decisions to do what he did and that he did do enough to make amends for his mistake by risking his life to free Starlight and by helping the ponies take down the LegionOfDoom in the end.

** More contentious was Discord himself and his plan. One side feel that this was complete CharacterDerailment for all of the CharacterDevelopment he had gone up to by this point by uniting the villains (two of whom were already imprisoned and he released) and making them even more dangerous without properly preparing for the possibility of them betraying him and putting all of Equestria in danger (as well as making him indirectly responsible for Sombra's actions in "The Beginning of the End") and that he didn't deserve to be as EasilyForgiven as he was at the end of the episode. The other side feel that it was in line with Discord's flaw of making impulsive decisions to do what he did and that he did do enough to make amends for his mistake by risking his life to free Starlight and by helping the ponies take down the LegionOfDoom.

* "Non Compete Clause" once again brings back Applejack and Rainbow Dash's competitive nature, and they're shown to be much more petty due to wanting to get a Teacher Of The Month award. One side think it works well enough in order to show a competitive streak can't easily go away. The other side think that the characters become too petty, and the conflict would work better in seasons 1-2, but not season 8, where the characters have known each other for ''years''. Those who think the latter also point to how their competitive nature in episodes like "Fall Weather Friends" and "Castle Mane-ia" was more downplayed and mainly affected them, while here, they almost get the students hurt (and one almost ''drowned'').

** Related to the above, there's the matter of more overarching storytelling taking a long time, particularly with how stuff like Celestia getting her first focus episode, addressing AJ's parents' (implied) deaths, and Starswirl making his first physical appearance all happening in ''season 7'', or Scootaloo's family appearing in season 9, the ''last'' season. One side doesn't mind it since it means the staff can focus more on the quality of the episodes, while the other side wants the lore and world building sooner so as for the show to be much more groundbreaking.

* The season finales, particularly the latter ones, having TheMainCharactersDoEverything clause that usually only has the Mane 6 save the day while everyone else exists solely to be saved and/or congratulate them despite being perfectly capable in-universe. Justified due to the episode's run-time or poor storytelling? Note that situations that ''don't have'' the Mane 6 save the day (such as [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E25SchoolRazePart1 "School Raze, Part 1"]] and "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E25ToWhereAndBackAgainPart1 To Where and Back Again, Part 1]]") only came about because the narrative roles effectively switched, making them just as or if not even more divisive.

* It's revealed by Lauren Faust herself on 25 January 2020 that [[https://derpibooru.org/images/2256835 Celestia was the one who freed Nightmare Moon]]. Not everyone is happy with this development. There are people who support this due to ''finally'' getting an explanation to one of the series' biggest ElephantInTheRoom while being obvious in hindsight with Celestia's ability to move the sun and moon at that time, not to mention that the sun is also a star. Along with her [[PsychicPowers gift of prophecy]], it paints her as TheChessmaster that rigged the whole event from start to finish in her favour for the sake of Luna's salvation. A well-meaning manipulator like [[Franchise/HarryPotter Dumbledore]]. The detractors of this state that this [[VoodooShark opens up a whole new can of worms]]. Why did Celestia leave her sister in the moon specifically for 1000 years? How much control does she really have over NMM's imprisonment? Is her faith in Twilight restoring the Elements of Harmony so great that she got herself locked away when NMM broke out while willing to gamble all of Equestria? As shown in the Season 5 finale, why would Celestia release NMM anyway if there are no potential element bearers? All these issues paint her as a useless monarch ''at best'' who just orchestrated her retirement plan from the start using Twilight Sparkle, which is in line with Lauren Faust's idea of the show's ending. Not to mention, it also reveals implications that distant stars which were supposed to move on their own in "A Rockhoof and A Hard Place" can also be manipulated. It doesn't help that meta-wise, while Lauren was the writer, this answer came long after she left meaning that this whole situation is more like WordOfSaintPaul, meaning that this explanation can't even be applied properly. Lauren herself even [[https://twitter.com/Fyre_flye/status/1222966286696583168 says that her word no longer applies]] due to no longer being the main showrunner.

* Trixie's show in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E6BoastBusters Boast Busters]]" is either a case of "victims being bullied by a MilesGloriosus after calling out her bragging" or "obnoxious [[TheHeckler hecklers]] get comeuppance from arrogant performer for disrupting an apparently free show" based on who you ask, with debates about the nature of her show and who was in the right or wrong popping up to this day. This makes the ending either "antagonist getting LaserGuidedKarma after their lie is revealed" or "DesignatedVillain gets put on the spot and [[KarmicOverkill loses her home and all her belongings for it]]", again based on who you ask, with pretty much the one point of consensus being "[[TheScrappy those two idiots]] deserved worse than [[KarmaHoudini getting moustaches]] for [[TooDumbToLive luring a monster to town for fun]]."

* [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E3LessonZero "Lesson Zero"]] divided fans between those who were willing to chalk up Twilight's SanitySlippage to RuleOfFunny, and those who either thought it was a massive TemporarilyExaggeratedTrait, and even a little mean, or found it too scary due to Twilight's expressions and/or the implication that she wasn't psychologically stable.

** Chrysalis defeating Celestia has divided some opinions on Celestia. [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation Either Celestia is still incredibly powerful and Chrysalis feeding on Shining Armor's love really did make her strong enough to defeat Celestia or Celestia is not as strong as she is credited to be]]. Considering that Chrysalis herself was extremely shocked that she managed to do it and Celestia had been shown to be strong enough to neutralize a spell ''Twilight'' produced with little effort, it's likely the former. It should be noted that, even as powerful as she had become, Chrysalis was visibly straining against Celestia's attack. It doesn't help that Celestia is so judicious in using her magic that fans had mostly been ''assuming'' that she is a PhysicalGoddess without much evidence, so the baseline they assumed before this, well, who knows if it's right.

** Similarly, whether or not Spitfire was in the right for punishing Lightning Dust for the tornado incident at the end. Answers vary wildly depending on whether said fan blames Lightning Dust for pulling the reckless stunt to begin with, or blames Twilight Sparkle and her friends for flying blind into a live training area. Was it actually a hazardous stunt that endangered everyone, or was it only dangerous because of the flightless ponies in the blimp who shouldn't have been there to begin with? Was Lightning Dust's punishment appropriate, or excessive in light of how other villains (and heroes) got off easier for as bad or worse.

* The very concept that Daring Do is real according to [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E4DaringDont "Daring Don't"]]. This idea alone pretty much split the fanbase with either loving this episode or hating it. While most were perfectly okay with this revelation, others did not like the idea at all, finding it jarring, and even pointless and illogical. Some fans were also unhappy with the amount of fan theories and head canon that this episode jossed, such as the idea that "Twilight's mother is the author of Daring Do" that the IDW comics and Gameloft mobile app hinted.

** The nature of the episode, as it's apparently a story about coming to grips with the death of a pet that evokes NeverSayDie and instead [[HibernationMigrationSituation focuses on a hibernation]]. Some feel that Rainbow Dash is being an unsympathetic whiner who can't handle her pet being gone for a couple months which {{Narm}}s the story up too much to justify her sadness and desperation. Others feel that it's absolutely in character for Rainbow Dash to overreact that much, and that it's heartwarming (and even funny) that she's so attached to her pet that being away from him for only a few months is as heartbreaking to her as a death. Other people don't see it as an allegory for death at all, but rather for loss in general, such as a friend moving away.

* [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E18BrotherhoovesSocial "Brotherhooves Social"]]: The whole concept of Big Macintosh [[WholesomeCrossdresser taking part in the Sisterhooves Social by attempting to disguise himself as a mare]] is either hilarious, or too cringeworthy. Similarly, the fanbase is split over whether the whole plot has a positive message about accepting crossdressers and trans people, is offensive and in bad taste, and those who feel that the episode really wasn't about any of that anyway since Big Macintosh only dressed in drag as part of a disguise.
* [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E25TheCutieRemarkPart1 "The Cutie]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E26TheCutieRemarkPart2 Re-Mark"]] gets this in spades along with ToughActToFollow. You either love it for its unique and different take on My Little Pony 2-parters, the return cameos of previous villains (with King Sombra in particular getting RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap), and the imagery and atmosphere of the different alternate realities, or you dislike it for the lack of buildup, lack of action and stakes, and the fact that the Mane Six besides Twilight and several other characters are DemotedToExtra or out of focus entirely. Then, of course, there's Starlight Glimmer (mentioned further down the page). Her [[FreudianExcuse backstory]], [[VillainDecay decline]] from a manipulative SmugSnake KnightTemplar to petty [[RevengeBeforeReason one-track-minded minded]] revenge villain, and her very sudden and very [[GoodTimesMontage quick]] HeelFaceTurn in the end, which may come off as either heartwarming or cliched and tiresome.

* "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]":
** This episode may have set a new record for how many different bases it shattered. Regarding character portrayals, the tone of the episode, and even the morality and intentions of certain characters.

*** One group thought that their treatment of Dash was unnecessarily petty (it doesn't help that the nickname they gave her is the same one that her childhood bullies came up with) and that their constant insults were childish and unprofessional. Another group notes that hazing the newbie is a pretty standard tradition in nearly any sort of team-based activity (especially as every other member of the Wonderbolts had been through it too). Not to mention that the Wonderbolts [[PoorCommunicationKills weren't aware of all the emotional baggage]] that the nickname had for Rainbow Dash. A third camp is of the opinion that the hazing the newbie tradition works, but the fact [[PoorCommunicationKills no one bothered to explain (or even try to explain) the tradition to Rainbow]] until the very end (not even Soarin or Spitfire, who Rainbow is personal friends with) when she brings it up made them look more jerkish than they needed to be. Course Rainbow didn't bother to tell any of them how much it bothered her even when one tried to comfort her about her performance, or ask at all about the other's nicknames. A fourth camp feels the Wonderbolts' actions would have been fine on their own, but their repeated instances of questionable behavior in previous episodes causes a problem by not providing enough of a contrast with the nicknames to make it come off as friendly instead of them being jerks.

* Applejack's characterization in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E11ApplejacksDayOff Applejack's Day Off]]". While she's normally very competent and efficient (as shown in the spa), some fans complain that her ComplexityAddiction about her works in the farm is totally [[OutOfCharacterMoment Out of Character]]. Others find it funny.

** Naturally, this episode's premise, in which [[BaseBreakingCharacter Starlight Glimmer]] leads a group of reformed villains to save the Mane Six and the Royal Family from Chrysalis, will likely lead to this. However, the fact that some of the most powerful ponies in Equestria [[TheWorfEffect are easily defeated by changeling drones instead of Chrysalis herself]] also doesn't sit well, but it is provided a possible explanation in the very next episode and the reasoning behind it even ties into the main plot.
** Some people felt that basically everyone of importance in Equestria [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot being dealt with by the changelings offscreen with such ease and without a proper explanation]] seems awfully convenient for the plot, since it's the main reason Starlight and her squad ''have to be'' the ones to save the day. Some have suggested they could have chipped off small chunks of Chrysalis' throne to use in subduing the kidnappees; like an Equestrian krypronite. Others have pointed out that this in turn presents the question of [[FridgeLogic why don't they carry pieces of the throne with them all the time,]] if it is able to [[CurbStompBattle make your enemies' resistance basically nonexistent]]. With instant null powers, they wouldn't even need the whole infiltration thing. In essence, it feels like a cop-out that the reason for the whole adventure is that they just already had them captured offscreen, and it reduces the rest of the cast (the Mane Six especially) in many people's eyes. Some have said it would reduce them ''if'' they were shown being kidnapped by normal changelings, but it has been also pointed out that the entire plot reduces them regardless, so showing it or not wouldn't change the issue.

* The Mane Six's [[{{Pride}} overall]] characterization in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E2AllBottledUp All Bottled Up]]". With the rate they have constantly talked about their friendship, The Mane 6 came off as less cute and heartwarming, and more braggart and exceedingly arrogant, with the more extreme critics saying as if they're mocking the audience for not having the best and most true friendship around like them (or in worst cases, having no friends at all). Some were definitely annoyed by it, and thought it was totally out of line for a group that was otherwise seen as very [[HumbleHero humble]] (though Rainbow Dash has had her arrogant moments in the past), while others don't see an issue and were appreciative of the deconstruction of the show's protagonists, [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools giving them real flaws to learn a lesson]], and were quick to point out that [[SelfParody this was deliberate]], as the Mane Six also suffer a BreakTheHaughty moment when they fail to beat the room puzzle record, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero due to that same hubris]]. Even that is up for debate, as some people aren't fond of the fact that these characters they've followed for the past 6 seasons suddenly gained a newly shared character flaw that wasn't there prior (or in the case of some of the characters, should have died out early on).

** Including the shipping part of "Hard To Say Anything" however, was Sugar Belle really the best choice for Big Mac? Or is she just too stale of a character to really get invested in their three Season subplot? This is a minor one mind you, as most fans think she is the best choice for Mac, but for the fans who think she isn't, their alternatives vary. Should they have just stuck with Marble Pie as his love? Or was including actual romance in this show stupid from the start and it shouldn't have happened period?
* "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E9HonestApple Honest Apple]]": The episode in general. Some people enjoyed it for its moral about opinions and how sometimes BrutalHonesty is not the way to go (especially towards those involved in the arts). Others were turned off by the above-mentioned issues (Rarity asking Applejack to judge a fashion show; Applejack holding the JerkassBall in terms of her judging), Rarity's solution to have Applejack learn her lesson (having her confront someone who [[DoesNotLikeSpam doesn't like apples]]), and the whole "Everyone Wins" ending.

* With "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E14FameAndMisfortune Fame and Misfortune]]", this was pretty much inevitable, considering it's a giant TakeThat at the brony community. Some find the episode to be a fun jab at obsessive fans and necessary Aesop, others see it as the writers being petulant over legitimate criticism the show has received -- especially where the Mane 6's characterization is concerned. [[TakeAThirdOption A third group]] doesn't mind the episode's subject matter, but rather judge the episode as an actual episode, and found the Mane Six's treatment to be a bit too mean-spirited and the entirety of Ponyville to be more than a little unsympathetic. Yet ''another'' group argues that the background ponies are at the mercy of the writers and animators, and that the whole experience will blow right over by the next episode.

** The movie's GenreShift from a character-driven comedy/family-friendly film about Friendship to what is basically an over-the-top superhero squad movie didn't sit well with some fans of the previous films, especially ''Rainbow Rocks''. Others simply don't mind the shift and just have fun with it.

** "Siege of the Crystal Empire". Whoo boy. It continued on from Sombra's Fiendship Issue where his portrayal as a TragicVillain DrivenToVillainy was almost universally loved (even the comic's ''{{Hatedom}}'' admitted to liking it), except halfway through it [[MoodWhiplash shifted tone violently]] from a dark and serious plot to one that was ''very'' comical and lighthearted (with the [=CMC=] able to battle the [[AlwaysChaoticEvil Umbrum]] using slapstick and cartoon physics, among others), and ended with King Sombra [[HeelFaceTurn fully reformed]], [[EasilyForgiven received by the princesses as a hero]], and given a "happily ever after" ending with his LoveInterest / MoralityPet Radiant Hope. Half the readers felt this was the pinnacle of terrible writing, effectively negated everything that happened in his Fiendship issue, that Radiant Hope was horribly portrayed, Sombra had done far too many horrible things to be forgiven like that and didn't deserve a happy ending, and that it had the misfortune of [[ToughActToFollow following the Season 5 Premiere]] which gave Sombra a badass portrayal as an irredeemable monster who was using [[MindControl mind-controlled]] innocent slave civilians as his own army to thrash Equestria. The other half felt he was ''still'' a redeemable victim all this time, that he deserved his redemption and a happy ending after everything he had suffered, that it blew his portrayal in the show clear out of the water, and that it ended on a beautiful heartwarming note. Either way, what ''definitely'' didn't help its case was that it directly referenced the heavily contested Reflections Arc mentioned above, which some fans even felt was a not so subtle TakeThat against those who had criticized it. It helps that the Season 9 premiere evoked CanonDiscontinuity on it by having Sombra return, evil as ever, with no mention of Radiant Hope or the Umbrum (instead he's referred to as a unicorn in a later episode), and has him ultimately KilledOffForReal... which just Broke the Base more than ever, as now there are three camps: those who prefer his Darth Vader-like characterization here, those who prefer his CardCarryingVillain characterization in S9, and those who prefer his original characterization as an enigmatic NoNonsenseNemesis in S3-S5.

With the fandom as large and diverse as it is, infighting is inevitable. Some dividing factors include the Aesop of some episodes [[BrokenAesop coming off the wrong way to some fans]], the portrayal of fan-favorite characters, and whether or not {{Fandom Nod}}s are good for the show.

* Given the sheer size of this page and how [[ArchivePanic all nine seasons and nearly all of its ''two hundred twenty-one'' episodes]] are discussed in great detail: It should go without saying that: While some episodes are definitiely more respected than others, none of them are ''universally'' respected. And even the most beloved or hated episodes will have at one person who likes or dislikes said episode(s).

* Given the sheer size of this page and how [[ArchivePanic all nine seasons and nearly all of its ''Two Hundred Twenty-One'' episodes]] are discussed in great detail: It should go without saying that, while some episodes are definitiely more respected than others, none of them are ''universally'' respected. And even the most beloved or hated episodes will have at one person who likes or dislikes said episode(s).

** The fact that Cozy Glow, ''a child'', is sent to Tartarus is either a refreshing change of pace after the numerous and highly controversial villain reformations, or it makes the main characters look hypocritical/stupid and brings up frightening implications about the Equestrian Criminal Justice System.

With the fandom as large as it is, infighting is inevitable. Some dividing factors include the Aesop of some episodes [[BrokenAesop coming off the wrong way to some fans]], the portrayal of fan-favorite characters, and whether or not {{Fandom Nod}}s are good for the show.

* When did the show suffer SeasonalRot, if it did, and did it ever recover? Opinions vary wildly.
** Some say the Rot began as early as Season 1, since it was the only season where Creator/LaurenFaust was fully on board, and Season 2 had a tonal shift that turned Season 1 purists away.

** Season 3: Worst season ever or was it just underrated?

** Season 8: A good season overall with some interesting world building and themes, a decent season with a rather uneven mix of good and mediocre episodes, or a bad season on par with Seasons 3 & 6 that further proves the show’s staff is out of ideas?

* After Starlight Glimmer's HeelFaceTurn at the end of the fifth season, a lot of debate amongst bronies rose over the tendency for the majority of the show's villains to be [[HeelFaceTurn redeemed or otherwise easily forgiven for their actions]]. Some feel that it fits the overall message of the show on ThePowerOfFriendship perfectly, and showing that [[RousseauWasRight some people are capable of changing for the better]] is an important life lesson for everybody. Others feel that the villains [[MoralEventHorizon couldn't possibly earn forgiveness for some of the things they've done]], and point out even if it ''could'' happen, [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids forgiveness is NOT as simple as the show makes it out to be]]. [[TakeAThirdOption A third group]] says they don't ''mind'' a few villains being reformed -- bullies like Gilda, Diamond Tiara and Trixie, in particular -- but they think that the world-ending threats getting the same treatment takes it too far.
** On the flip side, the fact that some villains don't get redeemed has also proved divisive, mainly on who isn't redeemed. For example, the fact that those like [[ConMan the Flim Flam brothers]] are still con artists even after so many seasons. There are those who think it works well enough in order to show how reformations don't always work. The other side thinks it brings up bad implications (ie never trust a business).
* Musical-based episodes. Fans who like them say they explore HiddenDepths of the characters and that they showcase the cast's fabulous singing. Then there are fans that think the excessive songs detract too much from the episode's storyline or even act as {{padding}}, leading to dragging or rushed plots.

* [[NothingIsTheSameAnymore The irreversible changes in status quo]] that have been cropping up for seasons at a time. Some see this as nice additions that [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks keep the show from being too stale]] for a given amount of time, while others see them as either happening too frequently, or that they change too much without making sure every element of the show has also evolved with it to make it work. It's gotten to the point where some fans who were fine with Season 3 and 4 originally [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny don't like them as much]], due to Season 5, 6, 7 and 8 adding even more status quo changes to the point that it's barely the same show it was in Season 1 and 2.
* The fact that the show still keeps the TV-Y rating even after dropping the e/i subtitle is also somewhat divisive. On the hand, it allows the show to not carry some of the [[TooBleakStoppedCaring potential baggage]] from older skewing kids shows, especially more serialized shows, by intentionally holding itself back to let the more serious elements stand out. On the other hand, doing this too much under this rating means the show can't go far enough when dealing with more mature subjects, possibly resulting in unfortunate implications. Some episodes in particular have been accused of this, particularly [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E4OneBadApple "One Bad Apple"]] with its portrayal of bullying, [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E13DoPrincessesDreamOfMagicSheep "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?"]] with its portrayal of low self-esteem, and [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E14FameAndMisfortune "Fame and Misfortune"]] with its portrayal of toxic fandom.

* Given that "The Perfect Pear" heavily implies but [[UncertainDoom never outright says]] that Applejack's parents are dead, it makes one wonder if the show adheres too much to the NeverSayDie mentality. Some fans see it as just fine knowing that actions speak louder than words, and the writers have to understand the limitations of TV-Y rated shows. On the other hand, many fans see it as shying too heavily away from a world subject, and seeing as how there have been other TV-Y rated shows (like ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'', ''WesternAnimation/ElenaOfAvalor'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Vampirina}}, ''WesternAnimation/FancyNancy'', and ''WesternAnimation/LetsGoLuna'') that tackled the material well, they think the show has no excuse not to talk about it ''unambiguously''.

* Many fans considered [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E15FeelingPinkieKeen "Feeling Pinkie Keen"]] the funniest episode of the season 1, but it also drew a great deal of heat due to the [[AnAesop Aesop]] being interpreted as being [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory about religion and atheism]], or being a ScienceIsBad message.

** Season 4 ended with Golden Oaks Library being destroyed and Twilight getting her castle and formal title as Princess of Friendship, intensifying the alienation of those turned off by [[FanNickname Twilicorn]]. The season also had a lot of "gimmicky" episodes with [[BizarroEpisode strange plotlines]] (Daring Do turns out to be real, Fluttershy becomes a vampire-like creature, the ponies are sucked into a magic comic book) or a focus on a side character to the detriment of the main cast (Cheese Sandwich, Maud, the Breezies), which gave the season a different tone. This continued into Season 5 with the same complaints; while 5 got better reception than 4, some say the continued featuring of side characters and unusual plotlines contributed to the dilution of the show's tone and focus on the Mane Six. This complaint would continue to persist through the rest of the series to varying degrees.

** Another point of contention is that there was a lot of buzz and buildup over the concept of Starlight leaving Ponyville and thus [[PutOnABus the main cast.] Fans were split over whether or not she should stay or go and arguments were raised for both sides. In the end, Starlight's decision to stay further angered fans because at that point, many didn't see why the writers were pretending she was going to leave in the first place.

* For "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E1CelestialAdvice Celestial Advice]]", many were skeptical about Starlight having earned a graduation so soon, after the things she did in the last season and having only one big adventure under her belt. On the other hand, since it actually [[StatusQuoIsGod didn't end up changing much]] about Starlight's story compared to her status from the previous season, a lot of people are accusing the whole "graduation" and everything leading up to it being there effectively just as an opportunity to [[CharacterShilling praise Starlight]], not helped by how the story isn't at all subtle about how awesome Twilight thinks Starlight is. And then some people got worried about Celestia's in-passing mention of letting a student "spread her wings" being an obvious foreshadowing of Starlight ascending to alicornhood somewhere along the line (and they felt this was a bad thing because they thought that would make Starlight overpowered or cause there to be too many alicorns). Others feel that a lot of it is just unnecessary doomsaying, since, for the most part, everything stayed the same and Celestia's take on the issue made the whole story a lot more meaningful. At the end of it all, the episode was just that: mostly harmless.

* The design of the pony's armor from ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDWAnnual2017 Guardians of Harmony]]'' being lifted [[https://derpibooru.org/1376410 directly from fan artist Equestria-Prevails]] earlier works, and it being done by the already divisive Jay Fosgitt[[note]]His very off-model designs are either beloved for their cartoonish appearance or despised for their weird anatomy and laziness[[/note]] is probably a hotter topic than the plot of the comic itself. One chunk of the group were quick to call foul play and call the artist out for stealing the designs of a fan artist without crediting him, with another claiming it to simply be proof of laziness and lack of standards on [=IDW's=] part as the image was likely lifted from Google without realizing it wasn't official ([[https://trixiebooru.org/tags/prevailing+armor Its tag on Derpibooru]] is an obvious reference, and possibly even TakeThat, to this), while a third group defends and praises it as a (intentional or not) fandom nod instead. The artist publicly stating he was happy his designs made it into an official work and that he himself was a fan of Fosgitt's work helped to quell some of the arguing, but it's still one heck of a stirred up hornet's nest that likely won't quiet any time soon.
* The response to [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDWHolidays2014 the 2014 Holiday Special]], in which Sunset Shimmer is {{misblamed}} for cyber-bullying, was very negative. Even so, it's inspired debate among fans. Was it a terrible story for [[CluelessAesop a moral that's poorly delivered and at odds with the themes of the issue]]? A good story for dealing with a very serious issue whose critiques are forgivable attempts to make it more accessible to younger readers? Or were two story components (the holidays and cyber-bullying) okay stories on their own but just didn't work well together?

** Finally there's Season 9, which had a running plot of Celestia and Luna stepping down to hand their crowns to Twilight, something some fans didn't care for the idea or disliked how it was being handled in-universe, with Celestia and Luna springing this on Twilight very suddenly and without asking. The series finale (not counting the DistantFinale) had two ''very'' controversial developments: [[spoiler:the reveal that Grogar had actually been Discord in disguise]], and [[spoiler:the villains being turned to stone instead of being offered redemption.]] Given that the entire season was building up a showdown between Twilight and the LegionOfDoom, some feel that the pay-off was not satisfactory and it sours the season.

** On the flip side, the fact that some villains don't get redeemed has also proved divisive, mainly on who isn't redeemed. For example, the fact that those like the Flim Flam brothers are still con artists even after so many seasons. There are those who think it works well enough in order to show how reformations don't always work. The other side thinks it brings up bad implications (ie never trust a business).

* The fact that the show still keeps the TV-Y rating even after dropping the e/i subtitle is also somewhat divisive. On the hand, it allows the show to not carry some of the [[TooBleakStoppedCaring potential baggage]] from older skewing kids shows, especially more serialized shows, by intentionally holding itself back to let the more serious elements stand out. On the other hand, doing this too much under this rating means the show can't go far enough when dealing with more mature subjects, possibly resulting in unfortunate implications. [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E4OneBadApple Some]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E13DoPrincessesDreamOfMagicSheep episodes]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E14FameAndMisfortune have]] been accused of this.
** Related to the above, there's the matter of more overarching storytelling taking a long time, particularly with how stuff like Celestia getting her first focus episode, addressing AJ's parents deaths, and Starswirl making his first physical appearance all happening in ''season 7'', or Scootaloo's family appearing in season 9, the ''last'' season. One side doesn't mind it since it means the staff can focus more on the quality of the episodes, while the other side wants the lore and world building sooner so as for the show to be much more groundbreaking.

* Given that "The Perfect Pear" heavily implies but [[UncertainDoom never outright says]] that Applejack's parents are dead, it makes one wonder if the show adheres too much to the NeverSayDie mentality. Some fans see it as just fine knowing that actions speak louder than words, and the writers have to understand the limitations of TV-Y rated shows. On the other hand, many fans see it as shying too heavily away from a world subject, and seeing as how there have [[WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard been]] [[WesternAnimation/ElenaOfAvalor other]] [[WesternAnimation/{{Vampirina}} TV-Y]] [[WesternAnimation/FancyNancy rated]] [[WesternAnimation/LetsGoLuna shows]] that tackled the material well, they think the show has no excuse not to talk about it ''unambiguously''.
* The season finales, particularly the latter ones, having TheMainCharactersDoEverything clause that usually only has the Mane 6 save the day while everyone else exists solely to be saved and/or congratulate them despite being perfectly capable in-universe. Justified due to the episode's run-time or poor storytelling? Note that situations that ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E25ToWhereAndBackAgainPart1 don't]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E25SchoolRazePart1 have]]'' the Mane 6 save the day only came about because the narrative roles effectively switched, making them just as or if not even more divisive.

* It's revealed by Lauren Faust herself on 25 January 2020 that [[https://derpibooru.org/images/2256835 Celestia was the one who freed Nightmare Moon]]. Not everyone is happy with this development. There are people who support this due to ''finally'' getting an explanation to one of the series' biggest ElephantInTheRoom while being obvious in hindsight with Celestia's ability to move the sun and moon at that time, not to mention that the Sun is also a star. Along with her gift of prophecy, it paints her as TheChessmaster that rigged the whole event from start to finish in her favour for the sake of Luna's salvation. A well-meaning manipulator like [[Franchise/HarryPotter Dumbledore]]. The detractors of this state that this opens up a whole new can of worms. Why did Celestia leave her sister in the moon specifically for 1000 years? How much control does she really have over NMM's imprisonment? Is her faith in Twilight restoring the Elements of Harmony so great that she got herself locked away when NMM broke out while willing to gamble all of Equestria? As shown in the Season 5 finale, why would Celestia release NMM anyway if there are no potential element bearers? All these issues paint her as a useless monarch ''at best'' who just orchestrated her retirement plan from the start using Twilight Sparkle, which is in line with Lauren Faust's idea of the show's ending. Not to mention, it also reveals implications that distant stars which were supposed to move on their own in "A Rockhoof and A Hard Place" can also be manipulated. It doesn't help that meta-wise, while Lauren was the writer, this answer came long after she left meaning that this whole situation is more like WordOfSaintPaul, meaning that this explanation can't even be applied properly. Lauren herself even [[https://twitter.com/Fyre_flye/status/1222966286696583168 says that her word no longer applies]] due to no longer being the main showrunner.

* Trixie's show in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E6BoastBusters Boast Busters]] is either a case of "victims being bullied by a MilesGloriosus after calling out her bragging" or "obnoxious hecklers get comeuppance from arrogant performer for disrupting an apparently free show" based on who you ask, with debates about the nature of her show and who was in the right or wrong popping up to this day. This makes the ending either "antagonist getting LaserGuidedKarma after their lie is revealed" or "DesignatedVillain gets put on the spot and [[DisproportionateRetribution loses her home and all her belongings for it]]", again based on who you ask, with pretty much the one point of consensus being "[[TheScrappy those two idiots]] deserved worse than [[KarmaHoudini getting moustaches]] for [[TooDumbToLive luring a monster to town for fun]]."

* Depending on who you ask, [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E8LookBeforeYouSleep "Look Before You Sleep"]] is either a funny and simple character-driven delight, or a boring and childish mess (childish due to the ponies' petty squabbling), or SoOkayItsAverage.

* Derpy's cameo in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E14TheLastRoundup "The Last Roundup"]]. Was it a nice tribute to the fans of the show, obnoxious pandering to those fans, possibly offensive to disabled people, or all/none/several of the above? Things got at least 10 times worse after the edits[[note]]Which edited out Derpy's name, changed her voice, and switched her crossed-eyes to correctly aligned eyes.[[/note]] that were made.

** Angel's [[DomesticAbuse treatment]] of Fluttershy. It can either come across as funny slapstick or cruelty.

* Fans are divided on the scene in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E23PonyvilleConfidential "Ponyville Confidential"]] where the CMC are shunned by the whole town once their identities get found out somehow, whether everypony's reaction believable or not, and more so, was [[LaserGuidedKarma justified]] or [[DisproportionateRetribution hurtful]].

* Fandom opinion over the treatment of [[ThoseTwoGuys Snips and Snails]] in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel "Magic Duel"]] is sharply divided. Was Trixie's handling of them over what happened [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E6BoastBusters the last time we saw her]] [[TakeThatScrappy justified]] or did she [[DisproportionateRetribution go too far in]] [[WouldHurtAChild mistreating]] [[TheWoobie her biggest fans]]?

** Pinkie's behavior in this episode. Either it's funny, sad, or annoying.
** This episode. It's either Merriwether's "best episode since ''Hearth's Warming Eve''" or "SoOkayItsAverage but least it's not ''Mare Do-Well'' since the whole episode is written better".

** Peewee's offscreen departure. Some fans were upset at Spike keeping Peewee rather than returning him to his parents and thought this was a fix. Fans who liked the idea of Spike having a pet though view it as TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter.

** Fans are even divided on Zecora's role in this episode. Granted, her intentions for donating one of Spike's gems to charity were good, but it's hard for fans to decide whether it was an all-around good deed to get Spike to think straight or a major DisproportionateRetribution (considering how some even interpret the way Zecora went about it and compare Spike's greed in this episode to his greed in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E10SecretOfMyExcess "Secret Of My Excess"]], and that this time around Spike's motivation wasn't greed at all but the perfectly justifiable intent of earning some gems to bake a cake). It doesn't help that [[SkewedPriorities she leaves Spike to handle the pets alone afterwards]], the problem he wanted her to help with in the first place. Even worse, her action becomes even more glaring when the episode's climax reveals that Spike ''cannot'' control his hunger for gems.

** The episode in general. On one side of the coin, we have fans who are happy Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo got some bonding throughout the episode, and like [[AnAesop the moral]] [[BeYourself of the story]]. On the other side, some believed what made earlier [=CMC=] episodes was lost, claiming that the episode pacing was off and the plot involving Scootaloo's flying issues didn't live up to its full potential.

** As for the episode itself: was it a funny and weird little romp with a cool transformation, or was it a silly and ridiculous idiotic that seemed ripped from a fanfic?

** Goldie's hoarding is played noticeably straight, as is her animal abuse (via neglect, not physical abuse). This gets a negative reaction from some who think it's PlayedForLaughs, while others find it genuinely amusing. There's also the camp who [[TheyPlottedAPerfectlyGoodWaste view it completely straight]], since the whole Apple family is visibly shaken by the sight.

* [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E13SimpleWays "Simple Ways"]], for focusing on romance. Some don't like it because they feel it violates Creator/LaurenFaust's stated intention of the show being NoHuggingNoKissing[[note]]''which was never true; Rarity was interested in romance right from the start''[[/note]]. Others don't mind since it illustrates the general "BeYourself" moral well. Still others consider it a non-issue due to RuleOfFunny.

** Some love the episode for the emotional moments and comedy, others hate it for Rainbow Dash acting irresponsible and mean in her efforts to stop winter, while still others are a mixture of both.

** Re-introducing Gilda and making her a more likable character is this for some fans. While a majority really does like her return and gave her a huge [[TookALevelInKindness character change]], there are still a small number of fans [[NeverLiveItDown that still won't forgive her for]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E5GriffonTheBrushOff yelling at Fluttershy and making her cry]].

** There's some debate over which is better: this episode, or the Nightmare Arc of the [=IDW=] comics, since both tackled Luna's insecurities which end up nearly bringing destruction to Equestria. The comic was more focused on the Nightmare Forces and Nightmare Rarity than Luna, yet it brought a face to Nightmare Moon and had Luna confronting her fear more directly. This episode has Luna in a more passive role for the climax that makes it feel more scaled down, but the focus was kept on Luna's character, and the Tantabus being a personification of her guilt rather than the force that made her Nightmare Moon adds to Luna's status as TheAtoner.

** Starlight's portrayal continues to be a bit of a crowd divider. Some were symphathetical about Starlight strugling to fit in with her magical powers while lacking in social skills, and were also glad that she wasn't simply being mopey all the time like in the season premiere. Some felt that since this was done at the expense of bringing in characters to the story just to portray them either as uncharacterstically or [[JerkassBall as unfavorably as possible]], [[CharacterShilling the narrative was going out its way to make Starlight look good]]. Others on the other hand felt that the absurdly skilled neurotic wizard without social skills niche had already been done with Twilight a few seasons ago.

** After five seasons of build up, Dash finally gets to be a Wonderbolt and achieve her dream... and it's devoted to her getting a bad nickname and trying to deal with it. On top of that, the completion of her dream happens in the lead-in to the show. Some feel it's a good episode, as it reflects the first experiences of a lot of people in this type of work; others feel it's a waste of the episode where Rainbow ''finally'' reaches her dreams and a lot more could have been done with it. This includes some who liked the episode and found it SoOkayItsAverage.

* Applejack's characterization in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E11ApplejacksDayOff Applejack's Day Off]]". While she's normally very competent and efficient (as shown in the spa), some fans complain that her Complexity Addiction about her works in the farm is totally Out of Character. Others find it funny.

** The problem ultimately lies with the handling of Rainbow Dash's character. While those who liked the episode liked that it didn't repeat the same problems that plagued MMDW, its detractors didn't like that it came at the cost of Dash holding the JerkassBall, especially since her jerkish behavior had been toned down since Season 2. As a result, many feel this episode would have worked much better as a Season 1/2 episode instead.

** Everypony's vehemence that a changeling can't be good, as well as their hostility and panic in regards to Thorax, can seem painfully excessive to some viewers, especially considering the well-known reformations of villains like Starlight Glimmer and Discord. On the other hand, Shining Armor and Cadance in particular have pretty good reasons to feel the way they do considering their last encounter with changelings, so other viewers argue their reactions are realistic. In direct contrast, the [[AntiClimax anti-climactic]] ending has many viewers wondering if the ponies fully accepting Thorax (to the point that Cadance ''brings Flurry Heart right under his nose'') after nothing but a quick song was in any way reasonable. Others feel that having ''both'' Spike "The Brave and Glorious" and Twilight "The Princess of Friendship" being willing to give Thorax a chance carried enough influence to have it make sense, especially for Cadance and Shining Armor due to their own past experience and Twilight being family.

* [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E25ToWhereAndBackAgainPart1 To Where and]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E26ToWhereAndBackAgainPart2 Back Again]]:

** Including the shipping part of "Hard To Say Anything" however, was Sugar Belle really the best choice for Big Mac? Or is she just too stale of a character to really get invested in their three Season subplot? This is a minor one mind you, as most fans think she is the best choice for Mac, but for the fans who think she isn't, their alternatives vary. Should they have just stuck with Marble Pie as his love? Or was including actual shipping in this show stupid from the start and it shouldn't have happened period?
* "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E9HonestApple Honest Apple]]":
** The episode in general. Some people enjoyed it for its moral about opinions and how sometimes BrutalHonesty is not the way to go (especially towards those involved in the arts). Others were turned off by the above-mentioned issues (Rarity asking Applejack to judge a fashion show; Applejack holding the JerkassBall in terms of her judging), Rarity's solution to have Applejack learn her lesson (having her confront someone who doesn't like apples), and the whole "Everyone Wins" ending.

* "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E19ToChangeAChangeling To Change a Changeling]]": Given the divisive nature of the transformed Changelings, this is inevitable; those who found the whole business hokey and {{narm}}y (or just don't like the new designs) aren't keen on being force-fed a second helping, while others are happy to have Thorax back and eager to see how this plays out. In addition, the fact that this is yet another Starlight-centric episode has annoyed fans who believe Spike should have this role since he was Thorax's first friend, while others counter that Starlight helped Thorax to transform and thus has a stake in the fate of the Changelings and belongs here.*

** While some would agree that Chrysalis and Tirek deserved to be turned to stone as punishment for their crimes, there's the matter on whether Cozy Glow, '''''a child''''', deserved this fate. Those for it argue that she's been such an irredeemable monster that this comes across as cathartic. Those against it feel it comes across as unnecessarily cold since '''''no one''''' tried getting through to her.
** The fanbase is divided on whether or not the villains should have had a HeelFaceTurn instead. Half of the fandom believe that it follows the friendship message of the show and that the villains were portrayed more sympathetically, while the other half believe that the villains were irredeemable, and rejected the offer to be good.

With the fandom as large as it is, infighting is inevitable. Some dividing factors include the Aesop of some episodes coming off the wrong way to some fans, the portrayal of fan-favorite characters, and whether or not {{Fandom Nod}}s are good for the show.

* The season finales, particularly the latter ones, having TheMainCharactersDoEverything clause that usually only has the Mane 6 save the day while everyone else exists solely to be saved and/or congratulate them despite being perfectly capable in-universe. A case of AcceptableBreaksFromReality due to the episode's run-time or poor storytelling? Note that situations that ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E25ToWhereAndBackAgainPart1 don't]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E25SchoolRazePart1 have]]'' the Mane 6 save the day only came about because the narrative roles effectively switched, making them just as or if not even more divisive.

* The season finales, particularly the latter ones, having TheMainCharactersDoEverything clause that usually only has the Mane 6 save the day while everyone else exists solely to be saved and/or congratulate them despite being perfectly capable in-universe. A NecessaryWeasel due to the episode's run-time or poor storytelling? Note that situations that ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E25ToWhereAndBackAgainPart1 don't]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E25SchoolRazePart1 have]]'' the Mane 6 save the day only came about because the narrative roles effectively switched, making them just as or if not even more divisive.