>>/10654/
 >>/10655/ 
Much better review than mine (not that there is a contest!).

> The opening did not disappoint as I love cold, grey days, and the lampposts dotted around this sort of parkland-area of Ponyville had a nice contrasting glow against the clouds, reminding me of the sort of grey sunsets that happen here where the sun is not visible but it’s still just lighting up the sky, and the lampposts come on. Moments like that are so irresistably comfy to me that I’ll often dash out for a walk, even if it’s well past my bedtime.

Are you me (x2)? For me, I find such moments haunting, though comfiness is a secondary thing present, but yes, a similar draw exists.

> The episode sets up the slightly petty conflict in a way that I found somewhat believable, which passed my notice at first, but I was thinking to myself that I feel like I’ve seen this sort of argument done before all over the place, but annoying and blown out of proportion. Compared to other shows, this toed the line quite nicely, and though I obviously think Applejack’s being more rational, I’m not annoyed or perplexed by Rarity’s perspective either. 

Agreed. Actually, I can say with confidence I saw an entire social circle fall apart over  stupider stuff.

I am aware of the theory and have always been neutral on it.

> “SUCTION CUPS! SUCTION CUUUUUUUPS!”.

It is weird though that ponies would have a lot of objects they can't manipulate with their own mouths/hooves otherwise. What I have seen, usually in fanfics, explanations like, "oh, they import a lot of industrial goods from Griffons/someone else who has fingers and thumbs" or "Nope, elements like that are made just for human convenience as us as viewers, and thus should be ignored in prosper world building" (I especially dislike this second stance). I am the type of person who doesn't care as strongly for an explanation on that-maybe magic field-but I'm not against suction cups theory. 

> I did like the marshmallow pony theory back in the day.

Haven't heard that mentioned in a long time!

> (maybe worded a little harshly, but you get what I mean, I hope!).

Yes, I do. Certain aspects of the show took awhile to really grow on me from such aversions even if I never was the type to dismiss things out of hand as "icky and girly" and could even enjoy or be okay with things others won't. 

> Whilst ideally it wouldn’t take adversity to bring people together, given that stories thrive on conflict it works perfectly here I’d say, and Applejack gives an excellent example of a genuine and sincere apology, which I think is useful since they’re very hard things to do irl and often I find myself not knowing what to say where a genuine apology is needed.

This is why I say your review is better here, as yes, that apology is very well delivered and very realistic. I feel like that is something that can be hard to portray well, at least what I recall from watching other shows with life lessons like this... which might not be the best example since I haven't watched most of those shows after age 10. Memory might be rusty.