>>12787
There is very little I can add to the rest of the episode: it is perfection, absolute perfection. A clever underlying theme throughout the episode, which would have already been presumed without it being woven in but which nonetheless helps out, is Rarity's aversion to mess, disorder and getting herself dirty. That, combined with what we've already learned of Rarity's character in the show, makes what she puts herself through with the mud, the race itself, and even wearing Applejack's potentially unfashionable hat, it's sincerely powerful stuff to see Rarity make this sort of self-sacrifice for Sweetie Belle. As in, powerful enough to make me tear up a little. It's such a genius resolution, it ties everything together from the episode so excellently, so neatly, and exemplifies the lesson beyond even the simpler words that the conclusion with Spike and the letter to Celestia puts it in. This is the kind of sacrifice one should be willing to make for others, and that's something which is more powerful through seeing the lesson lived out, than merely described.

The episode to me is largely a set-up for the conclusion, for that race at the end, but it builds up towards it so well that I think that's really the point. So, I would say it's one of those interesting episodes where it's not 10/10 throughout, but the conclusion is so worth it that I am tempted to call it perfect overall. I really can't think of anywhere where I'd say something should have been done differently. I have to really grasp at straws to think of anything - the sheep slightly irked me, but it was a funny joke and I understand that it's literally just me being me that's somewhat, well, not even bothered by it as such but pricked with the tiny little needle of the temptation to overthink to such an extent that I forget about the rest of the episode! Maybe Rarity's parents being somewhat unfair? I don't think they're being all that bad about things really, beyond just not telling Rarity in advance. They're in their rights to ask that Rarity look after Sweetie Belle, I think, it's just that they ought to do exactly that: ask. So with score, it just comes down to that comparison to other episodes: Winter Wrap-Up is my 10. This is similarly perfect, like that episode, but WWU is just a bit comfier, just slightly more rewatchable, and blows me away with parts just that little bit more. So, I'm going with 9.9! Fantastic episode.