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> The sunset (heh) establishing shot is comfy 
It really shimmered, didn't it?

> There’s only so many ways to say it, but the whole beginning of the episode is some peak comfy
> even the BGM stands out to me as comfy here. 
> comfyzone.
We're on the same page here! Lots of comfy scenes. I especially enjoyed when Owlowiscious showed up with Twilight studying at night. 

> pancakes for Twilight’s breakfast, I’d be interested to see that particular dish. A cursory search suggests we never actually see them on the show.
Yeah, because (I think) we have seen what appears to be normal pancakes already and flour being an ingredient. Inconsistent levels of horse realism is afoot (ahoof). I would reckon that grass pancakes might be a more traditional dish before flour (or a fancy Canterlot trend pretending to be?).

> I would be interested in knowing, but I’ve never been quite interested enough to dig into where it could come from. Perhaps one day.
Might take you up on that. 

> Ponyville when the last time a dragon was this close it was a much larger problem
This was a low smoke dragon. :D Though, for an attempt on my part to rationalize/theorize, that dragon was taking a very long nap on a mountain (and the weather is different in the everfree?).

> Spike deserved his spotlight episode and it was a pretty good time all round. I’d give it a rating of 8.3.
Yeah. My memories of this episode being slightly controversial are very hazy, I must point out. 

> Ultimately though I’m the oldest sibling, so I wouldn’t really know. 
Me as well, and weirdly, I could somewhat relate to Spike's plight as someone who was often a caretaker and derived meaning from that perhaps too much at times.