[Season 4] Episode 4: Daring Don't... seriously don't

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. In todays review, get your pith helmets ready because we're going on an adventure straight out of the pages of a fantasy novel. However, there are a FEW rules to go over before we can get started. 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, please don't hesitate to let me know. With that said, let's begin. Shall we?

Daring Don't is the 4th episode of season four and the 69th episode overall. Written by Dave Polsky, the story features Daring Do's first appearance. After finding out the next book in the Daring Do series has been delayed Rainbow plots a course to the authors, A. K. Yearling, residence to confront her. Little do they know things are more complicated than a simple case of writers block. Now it's up to Rainbow and the gang to help rescue the real Daring Do, Yearlings true identity, before her long time rival, Ahuizotl, can succeed. Will they succeed? Or will Rainbows inner egghead doom her favorite idol?

So, first off I'd like to applaud writer Dave Polsky for his impressive story writing and his nice homage to early Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider. Most of all I'm impressed with how this Rainbow Dash episode turned out overall. Normally Dash's episode usually conflict with her ego and her need for personal attention. This time, however, there was barely any of that. The story mainly focused on Dash's love for Daring Do and her need by her idol. Which was a lot more of a change as opposed to Rainbows usual need to "steal the show" all the time. In fact, a lot of Daring's best qualities are just as reflected in Dash in this episode. Daring, of course, is a novelist by day with a secret life as a treasure hunter who rescues rare treasures and often saves civilizations from time to time. Dash on the other hoof is a sky blue speed demon with a hunger to be in the spotlight while always testing herself to stretch her limits even further. The strongest difference, of course, is that Rainbow often relies on others to help her when she needs it most. Daring works alone.

Speaking of differences I strongly agree with Rainbows lesson about how sometimes you have to have faith in others and trust they can be their when you need them. It's not always easy to work alone. Sometimes it's easier to have a friend or an ally to help take care of business. After all, it's like they say, when push comes to shove will always be their to help you pull through.

Now for the hard part of this review. Admittedly, this episode was a huge step for Rainbows character and a nice throwback to classic adventure stories. And while her ego wasn't the biggest problem, I feel that if dash had a little more control over her inner egghead then things would have been a lot easier for Daring Do. Though part of me feels it was also a direct jab at generally hardcore fans everywhere. That being said though it still managed to have a lot more positive improvements than negatives which makes for a moderately impressive episode overall. Hopefully that same pattern continues in the episode and beyond.

Alright! This concludes my review of Daring Don't. Overall an impressive improvement over most rainbow dash episodes and definite recommendation from me. I give this episode a 9 / 10. Hope you guys enjoyed the review. Be sure to leave a like if you did. Also, don't forget to follow us for more updates. Got a suggestion for a review? Leave it in the comments section down below. This has been Culture Shock, your guide to all things cultural in Equestria and beyond, saying KEEP CALM AND BRONY ON!! PEACE!!