I loved the Magic Duel! It was so awesome that I was blown away by it and forgot to give my thoughts on. Warning, major spoilers for those who haven't seen it.

First, the return of Trixie. One of my favorite antagonists from season 1 is coming back? FUCK YES! Seriously, Trixie is the kind of villain that I want to see more of in fiction. The kind that is threatening but you can still see where they are coming from and why the are the way the are.

I found Twilight training with Zecora awesome with a very nice nod to Star Wars. And Fluttershy going a head with the mission she's given despite being scarred shitless was funny.

Seeing as this is a Twilight episode I don't feel that I've properly expressed why Twilight is my favorite of the main six. Well that's simply because she just brings out the best in the other characters around her. A Twilight episode isn't normally just a Twilight episode. With few exception, must episodes that focus on Twilight focus more on how her struggles and her actions effect the people around her and nowhere is it more prominent then in this episode. A majority of "the Magic Duel" is mostly spent with not Twilight plotting her return to Pony Ville after she's banished (in fact she's pretty much given up by that point), no it's her friends that plot to bring her back even by force if they have to. (well, that's how I saw it)

Now I know that might sound overly corny but it's true. Some enjoy Rarity or Rainbow Dash, others laugh kicking themselves with Pinkie Pie or Applejack and some cower in fear with Fluttershy. But I'm content in sticking with the glue that holds them together. and that's why Twilight Sparkle is my favorite pony...

Alright fine, call me a brony if you want to. I think I'm already way too far down the rabbit hole at this point.

I loved Magic Duel, too. Not only was Trixie's return rather fun, but just the entirety of the episode was so much fun.

As for Twi, I do agree that she does hold the cast together (Hell, Look Before You Sleep practically confirmed Rarity and AJ weren't anywhere close to being friends before Twilight arrived).
I would try to detail why I love Rarity over the rest of the cast, but I'd first need to sort out what's solid facts and what's just me gushing :lol

I mainly meant that both came literally out of no where with a history with Twilight. If that doesn't reek of bad fanfiction, I don't know what does.

And come on, Cadence is a god damn Alicorn for crying out loud! I thought the reason for Celestia and Luna being the rulers of Equestria was because they were the only two Alicorns in existence. If there are others, then who selected Celestia and Luna to rule? Cadence could've easily been a regular Unicorn, she really has no reason to be an Alicorn.

Yeah, I can honestly see you going a little overboard with that... Be sure you mention Art of the Dress though.

You serious? I HATE her, in fact, she's the only character in the show that I hate. For crying out loud, she even fails at being a jerk "Lamekin" really?

and no, I didn't know that...so who do we have in MLP now from Gundam SEED?

Gerard Garcia: Chief Thunderhoof/Flam
Athrun Zala: Flim
Flay Allister: Rarity/Luna/pretty much everyone
Muruta Azrael: Shining Armor
Mu La Flaga: Fancy Pants
Kira tamato: Soarin'

Cadance being an Alicorn is rather odd, but she was originally a unicorn by design (Altered so that Hasbro could have a pink Princess on the shelves to make Celestia more show accurate (Ironically, Celestia is still released with pink toys)) and later, a Pegasus who was transformed into an Alicorn (Not a spoiler since Cadance's pegasus back story wasn't in the show or comics).

It's odd, but I guess being a Princess just means you get to be an alicorn.
Also, why does no one complain about the Hearts and Hooves Day Alicorn?
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...06818530_n.jpg

Oh, trust me, the entire episode of Suited For Success is one giant "Why Rarity is the greatest pony of all time" speech.

Probably because that was from a fairly tale and can be shrugged off as fiction not fact.

Fairy tale?
The book pretty much said it happened :lol
Those two were the entire start of the holiday.

Hm...

Cool!

I'm glad you liked it, I personally don't like Trixie, but that's just me. I did like the episode, though.

and you haven't done that until you've bought toys. :lol

Well...one can argue that we never saw Shining Armor, because he's captain of the Royal Guard. One could also argue as to why we never saw Cadence previously, because Twilight was so busy with her studies. Granted, from a technical, show standpoint, they were created for the season 2 finale.

There's also the fact that, prior to the S2 finale, they've been to Canterlot a whopping 6 times.
They weren't visiting super often, so it's only natural that they wouldn't be reoccurring characters.