Two because while I managed to see 7 live when it aired, I have been lazy:
I was really looking forward to seeing the promised Rarity episode. (I'm pretty sure the way this season is going we'll get one for every pony.) And I was a bit disappointed when I heard 7 was going to be about Applejack and fruit bats...
... but I loved this one!
...and nothing against her but Applejack wasn't the real star I think...
One there is a song and one of the best so far!
Also liked Pinkie doing Dig Dug and carrying a flashlight with her hair. And Twilight's apparently horn-based computer. And Rarity's whole reaction to everything, including her hazmat suit and the bat licking the visor of it!
And the best part is FLUTTERBAT. It's guess it's really to easy to make Fluttershy break character and be some kind of "monster" either in personality or form - and I didn't like her Hulk transformation from the previous episode. But for some reason Flutterbat really works. Maybe it's that combination of creepy and cute. And if the flood of art based on it *starting that day* is any indication, Flutterbat struck a chord with the fandom.
And I guess that's that for the rumor that she would turn into a dragon.
Notice how almost every episode has ended on some kind of cliffhanger or hint at something future - the shadow thing in Castle Mane-ia, the disappearing comic book and now Fluttershy's fang?
I really liked this one but I love Rarity and I love NYC. (I've lived there and miss it very much.) So maybe I am biased. But it was really good.This one, Bats! and Castle-Mane-ia are my favorites so far.
I loved seeing Manehattan. It was a bit more fleshed out than Mare-tropolis.
There is a song! Rarity's songs have been among my favorites. I don't think this one is as good as "Art of the Dress" (which is Sondheim after all) or "The Pony Everypony Should Know" but it is up there.
I identify with Rarity and her problems a lot but I have never had that particular nastiness happen to me, that was horrible. I loved her character development and the voice acting.
Also Photo Finish, Hoity Toity and Sapphire Shores (who I have been really wanting to see again!) are in it. People have also noticed Fancy Pants, Fleur and Derpy, but I missed them so I will go back and watch.
I was kind of excited when Rarity said she'd be living and working in Manehattan for the upcoming show. Cuz I would really want to see that. But I guess Coco will do the work and Rarity will stay in Ponyville. At least she will be available to go on more adventures with the other 5!
I guess The Hinny of the Hills is more Heidi than Sound of Music but it was funny because I though "still better than Carrie Underwood".
And notice the spool at the end? ;)