POWER PONIES!

(SPOILER)Interesting. I don't really rate this episode like the first 5, it's more "season 3" kind of material, as in, it's not bad but not "OMG GREAT" either, and kind of bizarre. But yeah, entertaining!

It occurred to me that this is the equivalent of a Star Trek "Holodeck Episode". It's completely separate and out of character and they get away with it by putting them in a virtual environment. They then have to solve the problem in order to end the program. Holodeck episodes tended to be a bit "average" but memorable, and I think this fits the same mould.

Given the "rainbow power" ponies that have come out, I think this was probably a Hasbro decree, that they have to introduce them in some way, like with Princess Twilight and the Equestria Girls. So like any Hasbro decree, they satisfied the requirement and got it out of the way in the best way they can, and props to DHX for their ability to do that effectively
Then again the Rainbow Power ponies look a little different, so maybe it's something that Dash will apply based on this story later on.

I've not watched much PPG but I think this was maybe a bit of a reference to that? The town looked similar.

I d'awwed at Spike a few times and kinda wished I had him as a plushie to hug. Soon.

lol'd at Hulk Fluttershy and heard that Andrea lost her voice after it, I guess that's her Amusing Out Of Character Moment for the season. Just pleeeeeeease don't flanderise her with it like Pinkie and I'll be happy. I know I keep banging on about Pinkie being "flanderised" but ever since someone mentioned it I keep thinking about it.

Not sure what else to say. This orb thing sounds like it might be real (which fits in with Daring Do being real) and maybe to do with Nightmare Moon. And now I'm wondering if there's going to be some sort of theme behind the mixing of fantasy and reality this season.

Oh yeah the castle being restored. Hmm, I guess this is where Princess Twilight will end up ultimately, especially since it has a huge library (hopefully at the end of G4/FiM and not before - she belongs in Ponyville.)