[Season 4] Episode 5: Flight to the Finish... only one can win

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, we learn how to be the best you that you can be. 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?

Flight to the Finish, a play on the term "Fight to the Finish"< is the 5th episode in season 4 and the 70th episode overall. Written by Ed Valentine, the story follows the CMC's efforts to put together an awesome flag routine. When their class is asked to put together several routines for the official flag ceremony at the Equestria Games. The filly trio manage to put together an excellent routine for Rainbow which could win them the spot. But when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon poke their noses into things Scootaloo doubts her worth as a Pegasus. Will the girls be able to keep it together? Or will certain disadvantages ruin all their hard work?

Okay, so to start off I'd like to applaud Ed Valentines efforts on his first project with the team. Most of all, managing to put together a pretty cool CMC themed episode. While I'm not the biggest fan of the three I AM willing to recognize a well written episode and a well placed musical number when I see it. Hearts Strong as Horses was both a catchy tune and a nice representation of how the CMC often put there all into what they did as a team. Whether it was Cutie mark crusading, minor chores, or even practicing routines. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle always gave more than a 100% whether they failed or not in their endeavors. Which is a lot considering how long it took them to find their cutie marks.

The impressive part of this episode is that it teaches us we don't have to worry about what we can or can't do as a person. All that matters is being the best you that you can be. And that means putting your heart and soul into everything you do and making it yours.

As impressive as this episode is there were some parts that did rub me the wrong way. Preferably the beginning with Rainbows obvious glory hog expose. Which, given her improvement in the previous episode, is severely saddening. What's worse is that in some way Scootaloo exhibits the same mannerisms when she begins to obsess over her part in the performance. Which, in a way, leaves me questioning their close relationship as sisters and just how obsessively Scootaloo idolizes Dash. Those issues aside, I say this episode is a nice step above the past and gives me some hope for more improvement in the future for the trio. Maybe even a special where they actually get their cutie marks. Hint, hint.

Alright! This concludes my review of Flight to the Finish. An okay episode featuring the CMC. And even though there were some obvious issues I can definitely recommend this for any CMC fanatics. I give this episode a 7 / 10. Hope you guys enjoyed the review. Be sure to leave a like if you do. 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!!