@Background Pony #CB7C  
Although I’m not all that fond of Bats! for a number of reasons, it’s a far cry better than some of Williams’ other work, definitely.

@Background Pony #7BD1 I seem to recall both of those getting high marks, but then /mlp/ aren’t bronies and bronies aren’t /mlp/. Just For Sidekicks was definitely far and away the better of the two Crystal Empire/Games-related episodes. Maybe it was just how bad the second one was that it made it look good in comparison though. Idk the only ridiculous thing about it was the premise of Spike taking the gemstones with him.

@Background Pony #CB7C
 
Ahem

Bats! couldn’t have been written by Merriwether Williams, Bats! is good.

@Background Pony #D3E4  
Hm, indeed. But again, they’re not entirely mistaken. Without that element, the writers would have needed to amp up the dialogue a bit to carry the episode, and, well, that’s becoming a lost art it seems..

@Millennial Dan  
Well, there’s @Background Pony #6BDB (“the episode in general was bad and people are only liking it because of Flutterbat”) and @OneAmongOthers (“I can tell you what carried this episode and it wasn’t the writing that’s for sure. It was a pony that turned into a BAT!”) and @SeraphimDawn (“If it wasn’t for Flutterbat, this episode would’ve been worse than a run off the mill episode.”).

@Background Pony #DCE0  
I don’t think I see any comments saying that, but just for the sake of argument, I’d suggest that the episode could have been done without Flutterbat, but would it be better for it? Not necessarily.

@Millennial Dan
 
There saying the episode wouldn’t be good without Flutterbat.

@Background Pony #DCE0  
I don’t think anyone is saying that.

It’s incredibly stupid to say the episode wouldn’t be good if we take out the main plot point.
 
What kinda of stupid logic is that? That like saying the Discord two parter wouldn’t be good without Discord.
 
Do you guys realize how flawed that type of logic is?

@SeraphimDawn I have no idea. When SAYS happened I looked up their profiles, but I don’t see any past-show-compatibility that would imply a reason for favouritism. Maybe it’s someone in corporate who thinks ‘we’ll get more street cred with the writer of the incredible Spongebob on our side! Give her at least 2 episodes a season!”

@Niggoslav_Krawczyk  
Why do they always give what potentially could’ve been great ideas for her to “mess up” on?

@SeraphimDawn  
Pretty much anyone really. Merri seems to have a lot of bad habits nobody bothers to correct her on, for whatever reason (such as always pitting all 5 against one of the others). But as far as the story idea, this one was pretty great, even if it vaguely resembles Swarm of the Century. Perhaps Corey or Larson? (who wrote the original Swarm) Morrow might be decent as well, but I find her hit or miss. I either really love her episodes (One Bad Apple, Sisterhooves Social) or find them the worst of the entire show (Hurricane Fluttershy and Apple Family Reunion)

@Niggoslav_Krawczyk  
Who do you think should’ve wrote this episode?

@Niggoslav_Krawczyk  
The numbers disagree with your assessment of EqG. Plenty of fans like it, despite the insistent howling of complainers like yourself.

@MooseMcgillycuddy I’d say the rest of the movie was pandering, because I can’t conceptualise how any rational being could greenlight that monstrosity and claim it was good outside of thinking maybe one single fan out there wouldn’t broil them alive for it.
 
As far as Merri goes I think she should be with the storyboard staff and not the writing staff. This episode just kind of sealed the deal for me. Great ideas abound, but utterly ooc writing. It seems like she always has to single out one of the mane 6 as either ‘the one that is wrong’ or ‘the one that is right’ and then everyone else gangs up on her. Meanwhile in other S1 and S2 friendship conflict episodes, they split into groups with differing opinions, such as Rainbow and Pinkie vs AJ in over a barrel.

@MooseMcgillycuddy  

 
And there is no possible way that they were referencing the original joke that was made in-show about scootaloo being a chicken? The very same one that started the scootachicken thing to begin with?

@Millennial Dan  
…Perhaps it’s just that I like seeing fictional characters being occasional assholes to their friends. IRL, I’d be almost completely different with my attitude towards this.

@SeraphimDawn  
Intimidation was going too far though. As it turns out, she was making good points, but even if she wasn’t, she would have cooperated without the need for them acting like that.

@Millennial Dan  
>I really didn’t like the way Shy’s friends were intimidating her. It seems to be a trademark Williams thing in MLP to make them kind of act like jerks to each other.
 
I didn’t like it either. But it was somewhat justified. Ponyville’s food supply was basically at stake. They had to convince Flutters to go with their plan. Fluttershy isn’t exactly all budgey when it comes defending animals.

@OneAmongOthers  
After everything I’ve seen over the past couple of days, I can safely say it depends on whom you ask, as usual. There were parts I liked well enough, but the song was unfortunately not one of them.
 
I really didn’t like the way Shy’s friends were intimidating her. It seems to be a trademark Williams thing in MLP to make them kind of act like jerks to each other.

@Background Pony #D3E4  
You have to admit… this episode was rather weak. Even the song was somewhat underwhelming.

tldr

@ziharkinuzuka  
When writers and artist make something good, people expect good things.

This is the danger of making an extremely well done season (2) and not being able to live up to it afterwards. It’s kind of how many thought Korra was crap because because it didn’t live up to the original Avatar (And lets be honest, we knew that wasn’t gonna happen. It’s the best animated series of the generation). Now, I personally didn’t care for bats, and I agree that the bat thing was the only thing that carried the episode, however, it’s also foolish to try to sway others into thinking what you do. I might not like it, but that doesn’t mean others shouldn’t like it, because while many go out and say “this show isn’t as deep and engaging as we want it”, you’re forgetting that this series is called My Little Pony, and while it can be deep at times (generally thanks to the former direction of Lauren), it wasn’t always the grand master of writing. Even season 2 had hiccups (again, thanks Merriwether :I).
 
But really, we should be able to share opinions without getting offended at the drop of a hat. If someone didn’t like it, cool. If you did, cool as well. As long as you aren’t belittling others opinions, and allowing those who do like the episode to have their fun, and vice versa, not forcing those who didn’t like it to watch it again and see “how amazing it is”, all I can say is this:
 
“Enjoy what you want, bro. It’s alright with the world”