History YMMV / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E4OneBadApple

* VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Twice in the song "Babs Seed", the CMC are being chased on a two-dimensional plane and then the camera angle changes to the edge of the plane, which the CMC fall off, in a three-dimensional fashion!

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The big criticism of the episode is that Babs' bullying came off as far worse then what her FreudianExcuse was meant to cover. Her bullying the CMC in excess of, even without, [[PeerPressureMakesYouEvil Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's influence]], and the lack of any visible remorse for her actions while she was bullying them resulted in many finding her [[KarmaHoudini lack of consequences undeserved]] and undermined the anti-bullying aesop. Luckily, her [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E9AppleFamilyReunion subsequent appearance]] onward was positive enough to show her deserving of forgiveness, letting Babs increasingly [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap live her bad rep down]].

* BaseBreaker: Babs Seed. She's either a [[JerkassWoobie complex, sympathetic character]] or her actions and the [[KarmaHoudini lack of punishment]] for those actions have made it difficult to sympathize with her.

** Of special note: this is the first time since [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E18TheShowStoppers "The Show Stoppers"]] that we hear [[HollywoodToneDeaf Scootaloo]] sing[[note]]not counting [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E17HeartsAndHoovesDay "Hearts and Hooves Day"]] since she didn't actually sing[[/note]], and she has [[CharacterizationMarchesOn improved]] [[MostWonderfulSound greatly]].

* AssPull: Babs Seed's FreudianExcuse for bullying the crusaders comes from out of nowhere and it forces CMC to withdraw their plans for revenge.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The big criticism of episode is Babs' bullying came off as far worse then what her FreudianExcuse was meant to cover. Her bullying the CMC in excess of, even without, [[PeerPressureMakesYouEvil Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's influence]], and the lack of any visible remorse for her actions while she was bullying resulted in many finding her [[KarmaHoudini lack of consequences undeserved]] and undermined the anti-bullying aesop. Luckily, her [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E9AppleFamilyReunion subsequent appearance]] onward was positive enough to show her deserving of forgiveness, letting Babs increasingly [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap liver her bad rep down]].

** Applejack never tells the CMC that Babs was bullied for being a blank flank back at home, because she did't want her to feel singled out. Even though it is abundantly obvious that the CMC are absolutely obsessed with cutie marks, and they were immediately pestering Babs about it from the beginning.

* HarsherInHindsight: When we meet Diamond Tiara's mother two seasons later, it turns out Babs telling her about everything wasn't actually much of a threat.

* UnfortunateImplications: The moral, detailed above in FamilyUnfriendlyAesop, in torn apart in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXDAzT355Tc review]] by [[WebVideo/TheMysteriousMrEnter someone]] who ''actually was a victim of bullying''.
* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The big criticism of episode is Babs' bullying came off as far worse then what her FreudianExcuse was meant to cover. Her bullying the CMC in excess of, even without, [[PeerPressureMakesYouEvil Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's influence]] resulted in many finding her [[KarmaHoudini lack of consequences undeserved]] and undermined the anti-bullying aesop. Luckily, her [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E9AppleFamilyReunion subsequent appearance]] onward was positive enough to show her deserving of forgiveness, letting Babs increasingly [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap liver her bad rep down]].

** Babs rams into Pinkie Pie's float while Pinkie happens to be driving it. Despite now being a witness to Babs' bullying, [[AdultsAreUseless Pinkie doesn't even react]].

* BaseBreaker: Babs Seed. She's either a [[JerkassWoobie complex, sympathetic character]] or her actions and the [[KarmaHoundi lack of punishment]] for those actions have made it difficult to sympathize with her.

* BaseBreaker: Babs Seed. She's either a [[JerkassWoobie complex, sympathetic character]] or her actions and the lack of punishment for those actions have made it difficult to sympathize with her.

** Don't try to stand up to a bully. If you do, you're no better than whoever is picking on you.

** If you tell an adult about your bullying problem, they will make it stop immediately. (Which in RealLife, is sadly rarely the case.)

* FridgeBrilliance: In the CMC's [[TheVillainSucksSong song]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUorBvADBOs Babs Seed]], fans have noted how Scootaloo's vocals are noticeably [[{{Autotune}} Autotuned]]. Makes sense, considering her poor singing voice. It's more likely that her voice actor (who has absolute pitch) is allowed to finally show her talent.
* FridgeHorror: Babs Seed's bullying is more physical compared to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's verbal taunting. Then it's revealed that Babs is a victim of bullying. Which makes you wonder how bad her bullying was compared to the CMC. There's also the fact her tail is ''much'' shorter than any other character which some have taken as an implication it may result from her being bullied. Plus, Babs may have been bullied in Manehattan for more than just not having a cutie mark. For one thing, her size alone makes her a prime target for bullying. [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E8RarityTakesManehattan Once we actually see Manehattan]], it only substantiates that what she got could have been worse then anything seen in Ponyville.
* FridgeLogic:
** So... did Scootaloo keep Babs blindfolded with her hooves all the way from the train station to the treehouse? Is she adept at walking on her hind legs, or was she riding on Sweetie Belle's shoulders the whole time?
** The means of propelling the floats during the parade. They are clearly run by some unseen motive force (there's pedals in the cabins but these are like standard car brake and acceleration pedals). While we've got the steam engine locomotive for the Friendship Express, and Flim and Flam's magic for their cider machine, it's unlikely the CMC had access to these. Yet the show gives a possible hint, considering the workings of a standard kitchen timer, like the one the CMC borrowed from Granny Smith. A spring-loaded mechanism would be more than sufficient to propel the floats for the short distances of the parade course.

** The second float built by the [=CMCs=] resembles a golden apple - which is what the original AppleOfDiscord looked like.

* RonTheDeathEater: Applejack gets a lot of heat from the fans for not telling the [=CMCs=] about Babs' problem back in Manehatten, and also for not attempting to stand up to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon when they mock the Crusaders again but by the looks of it, Applejack ''would'' have stepped in, but Babs defends them, so Applejack may have felt she didn't need to.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The big criticism of episode is Babs' bullying came off as far worse then what her FreudianExcuse was meant to cover. Her bullying then in excess of, even without, [[PeerPressureMakesYouEvil Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's influence]] resulted in many finding her [[KarmaHoudini lack of consequences undeserved]] and undermined the anti-bullying aesop. Luckily, her [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E9AppleFamilyReunion subsequent appearance]] onward was positive enough to show her deserving of forgiveness, letting Babs increasingly [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap liver her bad rep down]].

* FridgeHorror: Babs Seed's bullying is more physical compared to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's verbal taunting. Then it's revealed that Babs is a victim of bullying. Which makes you wonder how bad her bullying was compared to the CMC. There's also the fact her tail is ''much'' shorter than any other character which some have taken as an implication it may result from her being bullied. Plus, Babs may have been bullied in Manehattan for more than just not having a cutie mark. For one thing, her size alone makes her a prime target for bullying.

* AccidentalAesop: This episode might gives the audience impressions that...
** If you reveal a FreudianExcuse for your actions, you will be forgiven easily (which doesn't happen in RealLife).
** It is normal to bother people to be your friend (the way the [=CMCs=] were bothering Babs in the beginning).
** Fighting back against a bully in any way is as bad as bullying itself.

* BaseBreaker:
** Babs Seed. She's either a [[JerkassWoobie complex, sympathetic character]] or her actions and the lack of punishment for those actions have made it difficult to sympathize with her.

* FamilyUnfriendlyAesop: Don't stand up a bully. If you do, you're no better than whoever is picking on you. Plus, they may have a reason for it.
* FanficFuel: Babs Seed in general. Not only is she an Apple relative, she's also got a nice bit of background set up. She leaves at the end of the episode to start a Manehatten branch of the CMC]], which on its own is prime FanficFuel.

** The means of propelling the floats during the parade. They are clearly run by some unseen motive force (there's pedals in the cabins but these are like standard car brake and acceleration pedals). While we've got the steam engine locomotive for the Friendship Express, and Flim and Flam's magic for their cider machine, it's unlikely the CMCs had access to these. Yet the show gives a possible hint, considering the workings of a standard kitchen timer, like the one the CMCs borrowed from Granny Smith. A spring-loaded mechanism would be more than sufficient to propel the floats for the short distances of the parade course.

* JerkassWoobie: Babs turns out to be one when it's revealed that [[FreudianExcuse she herself was a victim of bullying]].]]

** Babs Seed. She's either a [[JerkassWoobie complex, sympathetic character]] or her actions and the lack of punishment for those actions have made it difficult to sympathize with her. And it really doesn't help that the comics show her ''Equestria Girls'' counterpart to be completely lacking her redeeming values.
*** Although the comics also feature a quite moving scene where she and Trixie bond over being reformed villains who have to prove every day that they're not slipping into old habits, which has helped a lot.
*** Then it got worse again with her being the first CMC member to get her cutie mark.
** There's some who are annoyed by Applejack [[spoiler: deciding not to tell about Babs' past until ''after'' the CMC have booby-trapped their float,]] although Applejack [[spoiler: didn't actually know about the booby-trapped float while she was telling Babs' story, and in fact was under the impression that Babs and the CMC were getting along.]]

* CharacterRerailment: Of a sort. After Silver Spoon's PetTheDog moment in "Family Appreciation Day" and being absent from the plot of "Ponyville Confidential", some fans were getting used to the idea of her being much nicer than she lets on. This episode reminds us she's still as mean as Diamond Tiara.
* CrowningMusicOfAwesome[=/=]EarWorm: ''Babs Seed, Babs Seed, what we gonna do? Got a bully on our tail, gotta hide, we gotta bail...''

* FanficFuel: Babs Seed in general. Not only is she an Apple relative, she's also got a nice bit of background set up. [[spoiler:She leaves at the end of the episode to start a Manehatten branch of the CMC]], which on its own is prime FanficFuel.

* FridgeHorror: Babs Seed's bullying is more physical compared to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's verbal taunting. Then it's revealed that [[spoiler: Babs is a victim of bullying. Which makes you wonder how bad her bullying was compared to the CMC.]] There's also the fact her tail is ''much'' shorter than any other character [[spoiler:which some have taken as an implication it may result from her being bullied.]] Plus, [[spoiler: Babs may have been bullied in Manehattan for more than just not having a cutie mark. For one thing, her size alone makes her a prime target for bullying.]]

* JerkassWoobie: [[spoiler:Babs turns out to be one when it's revealed that [[FreudianExcuse she herself was a victim of bullying]].]]

* NightmareFuel:
** In general, Babs has surprisingly (but fittingly) menacing stares but [[http://images.wikia.com/mlp/images/9/9e/Babs_smiling_closeup_S3E04.png the one]] she gives [[spoiler:to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon]] at the end is particularly unnerving.
** Babs drinking from a soda cup. That doesn't sound so bad out of context, [[https://derpibooru.org/162174 but damn.]] It looks like that poor cup is getting its brains sucked out.

** As another example, [[spoiler: the CMC go way too far in fighting back against Babs and almost get Babs severely injured, but they ''did'' in fact have a legitimate reason to fight back in the ''first'' place. If it weren't for the fact that they had another option (telling Applejack) and didn't take it, some viewers would have felt that the CMC had a point.]]
*** On the other hand [[spoiler: The CMC themselves came out completely unscathed from their own trap, so it's highly unlikely Babs would have been hurt had she remained in the float.]]

* TearJerker: Sweetie Belle crying. Unlike [[{{Narm}} other times where ponies in the show cry]], Sweetie Belle's is [[PlayedForDrama actually quite realistic]] and can hit close to home for victims of bullying.
* [[UnfortunateCharacterDesign Unfortunate Prop Design]]: The red item on the stick on the theater screen is supposed to be a candy apple, but some have noted it looks more like a plunger. [[PottyEmergency Maybe it's supposed to represent the after effects of all those snacks]]?

** There's some who are annoyed by Applejack [[spoiler: deciding not to tell about Bab's past until ''after'' the CMC have booby-trapped their float,]] although Applejack [[spoiler: didn't actually know about the booby-trapped float while she was telling Babs' story, and in fact was under the impression that Babs and the CMC were getting along.]]

* BrokenBase: There's a lot of argument over whether the issue of bullying and the aesop of the episode were done well, or in a unrealistic manner, especially in regards to how the CMC got Babs to stop bullying them.

* FamilyUnfriendlyAesop:
** Is the new kid in town picking on you? Don't stand up the bully as they may have a reason for it.

** [[spoiler: Bullied at home?]] Don't worry, you can fit in a new town by picking on total strangers.

* TearJerker: Sweetie Belle crying. Unlike [[{{Narm}} other times where ponies in the show cry]], Sweetie Belle's is [[PlayedForDrama actually quite realistic]] and can his close to home for victims of bullying.

* WhatAnIdiot: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon at the end of the episode, insulting the CMC as Applejack is standing ''right next to them''! Sure, it was Babs that stood up to them in the end but Applejack looked ready to do it before Babs jumped in.

** Bullied at home? Don't worry, you can fit in by picking on total strangers.

** Of special note: this is the first time since [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E18TheShowStoppers "The Show Stoppers"]] that we hear [[HollywoodToneDeaf Scootaloo]] sing[[note]]not counting [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E17HeartsAndHoovesDay "Hearts and Hooves Day"]] since she didn't actually sing[[/note]], and she has [[CharacterizationMarchesOn improved]] [[MostWonderfulSound greatly]].

* [[ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow Complaining About People Not Liking The Episode]]: In many blog posts and forums, fans would contest and argue about someone's (mostly bad) opinions of the episode.

* FridgeHorror: Babs Seed's bullying is more physical compared to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's verbal taunting. Then it's revealed that [[spoiler: Babs is a victim of bullying. Which makes you wonder how bad her bullying was compared to the CMC.]] There's also the fact her tail is ''much'' shorter than any other character [[spoiler:which some have taken as an implication it may result from her being bullied.]]