[Season 2] Episode 19: Putting Your Hoof Down ... on a landmine

HELLOOO everybody and welcome to Cultures Compendium of Reviews! As always, I am Culture Shock. Your guide to all things cultural in Equestria and beyond. Today, we learn how not to be a doormat without scaring others flat. Before we begin, let's review the rules. First off, all content within this blog is expressly the opinion of its author. It does not, nor should it ever, reflect the overall opinion of the fandom. Lastly, if any of you notice any mistakes, be it typos or otherwise, don't hesitate to let me know. With that said, let's begin. Shall we?

Putting Your Hoof Down is the 19th episode of season 2 as well as the 45th episode overall. Written by Merriweather Williams, the episode centered around Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie and was the first episode Iron Will appeared in. Fed up with being a pushover, Fluttershy attends a seminar on assertiveness taught by the muscular Iron Will. Which pays off, in all the wrong ways. Has Fluttershy's new persona gone too far? Or can old Fluttershy still be saved?

This. Episode. Stank. There, I said it. And I in no way am ashamed of it considering how much time I wasted watching it. I mean get how it was meant to show Fluttershy progressing  past that timid little ball of jello from episode 1 of season 1. But this episode just took what Stare Master and Dragonshy already did in the dumbest direction ever.

Granted, the lesson in this episode is about the only good thing there is. About how you can be assertive without being aggressive. You just know how to balance an iron will with a cool and leveled head.... No pun intended.

For the most part, the episode probably would have been decent had it been more thought out and premiered first. But no. Instead we get an episode full of emotional nothing and a funny pokemon reference. Not even worth effort to track down imo.

Alright! This concludes my review of Putting Your Hoof Down. Frankly, this episode was dull save for the more emotional scenes. I recommend checking out Shy's earlier episodes before clicking on this one. I give this episode a depressing 5 / 10. Hope you guys enjoyed the review. Be sure to leave a like if you did. Also, don't fforget to follow us for more updates. Got a suggestion for a review? Leave it in the comments section down below. This is Culture Shock, your guide to all things cultural in Equestria and beyond, saying KEEP CALM AND BRONY ON!! PEACE!!