Hey guys, I've recently convinced a friend to watch an episode of MLP:FiM. This is my one chance to show him how awesome ponies can be, so I don't want to screw it up. Which episode do you guys think would best showcase MLP to a pony skeptic?
Hmm... an excellent beginners episode, but it should be noted that there have been very mixed reactions to the lesson's supposed religious overtone (although Lauren Faust personally stated that this was not the case) . I have had the best luck at converting through Bridle Gossip and Party of One. Applebuck Season is another good one. Fall Weather Friends may appeal to sports fans, and Over a Barrel to fans of Westerns.
It deends on the person your showing. Someone who likes cartoons with a good plot may want to watch the first two. Someone who likes cute cartoons may want to watch a Fluttershy episode. Someone who likes cartoons for the comedy may want to watch an episode based on Pinkie Pie. Basically, the episode with the most in common with the shows they already watch.
What I think actually worked for me was the Ponycraft 2 youtube video, but that's partially because I play Starcraft 2 and partially because it's short and somehow manages to perfectly mix a war game with ponies (and by now has more views than the official trailer, which is pretty amazing taking how well known the game is into account). I'm not sure about Feeling Pinkie Keen, not only because of the lesson, but also because Pinkie Pie suddenly has a power unrelated to the rest of the show. I personally love Fall Weather Friends, but think Sonic Rainboom could be a nice pick (also because of the cheerful intro).
I think you might want to consider which pony is the person like - for example, my wife is like Rarity (in all the best ways), so we watched Dog and Pony Show first, then some of the other Rarity episodes, and then she started watching the whole series. Also - Feeling Pinkie Keen has religious overtones?! Huh. I suppose I can see that, although I would never have thought that when I watched it. They seemed to be saying that some things jut can't be explained and we should just accept them, which kind of baffled me coming from Twilight. Mmm, better save any more comment for the proper thread on that episode.
I'd always recommend people to do as I did, namely watch the episodes in chronological order. At least start with the pilot which does the best to introduce the characters, and not watch certain later episodes too early. Avoid The Best Night Ever as long as they haven't watched certain key episodes first. And Call of the Cutie should really be the first CMC episode they watch.
Well, my first episode was the Sonic Rainboom and thats how i got hooked. But i'm not sure what would be best for another fellow who would like to give it a try. ^^
I think the pilot episodes literally wrap up and display what the entire series is about (that's its job), so they may as well start there. If they like any of the particular parts of the two episodes, then they'll find their own particular favourite episodes as they go through the series. Don't worry yourself too much, it's really up to them whether they like it or not, if they have a stigma about the show then they'll never be able to get into it, no matter how hard they try.
I think most people here had a stigma about the show. The first video I watched was the Ponycraft 2 PMV and it was easy to ignore my stigma because even if it would have applied to the show it could have been interesting to see how it would blend with a trailer for a war game. Also as soon as I got told about the show I went for a MLP avatar although that was mostly for the lulz and to see how people would react to it. The older generations still don't look interesting to me though and from what I've seen the animation for those older generations is pretty stiff (where the new generation is like the total opposite, which is why I love it).
Mmm good question. I'd probably go for bridle gossip or a dog and pony show since both have a relatively high level of humour (for mlp) and that's always attractive.
I think this episode works much better though when having seen more of Pinkie (although I have to say seeing a pony character go insane is a nice counter to what most people would expect from the show). Agreed that Bridle Gossip would be a nice pick as well.
I think it is nice to show a non brony some of the fan made MLP songs and videos such as Ponies The Anthology because it might relate to some of their other like and interests. As for the actual MLP episodes, I think Party of One and the Sonic Rainboom one, are the best episodes to start off with.
Bridle Gossip is what brought me into the series. Why not show them that? (I'm sure they'll lol at 'Flutterguy'.)
Oh yea! I totally forgot about that episode! I agree that would be a great starting episode because it is entertaining and silly =P Flutterguy singing while Pinkie Pie with a swollen tongue dances is quite an awesome sight. You should also show them the "what pinkie' pie's song actually sounds like/Fluttercussing" video after showing them that episode. ^^
A funny episode, yes, but in my humble opinion, newcomers won't understand the fun in Twilight Flopple, Appletini, Hairity, Spittie Pie, Rainbow Crash and Flutterguy if they're not really familiar with the mane cast yet.
Yes, having the episode which show the most rainbow dash give 20 % more chance to hook up someone at this show. I really can't decide which could be the best... personnaly i enjoyed the first one... but i think, when people at the show by following the episode... that their fate are sealed at the sixth episode... and from this one, they are forced to watch every single episode of the show... FOR-RE-VER !
