Season 6 was a very inconsistent season for 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' and of the nine seasons it's one of the lesser ones in my view. While there were great episodes such as "A Hearth's Warming Tail", "Gauntlet of Fire", "Every Little Thing She Does", "Top Bolt" and "Dungeons and Discords", there were also some very underwhelming ones such as "Newbie Dash", "Applejack's Day Off", "The Cart Before the Ponies" and "28 Pranks Later".
'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' previous two part season finales were actually of high quality, especially Season 4's "Twilight's Kingdom", which was one of the best episodes of the entire show in my view. Unfortunately, this was the first two part season finale of the show that disappointed me, a lot of potential but a slightly above average missed opportunity. Up to this point of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', "To Where and Back Again" (particularly Part 2) was the weakest one. Of the whole show's season finales, it is one of the lesser ones and one of the lesser two parters overall. Not one of the very worst Season 6 episodes but nowhere near one of the best, both parts lean closer towards the lesser end.
"To Where and Back Again: Part 1" does have good things. It is beautifully animated, especially the very imaginative visuals in the latter portions, which allows one to be fully immersed into the Changeling world, and the character design of Chrysalis. The music, interesting this is the first two parter to not be a musical-type episode, has groove and atmosphere. While not caring for the characterisation that much on the most part, there are no faults to be had with the voice acting. Kelly Sheridan and Kathleen Barr really do throw themselves into the characters of Starlight and Chrysalis.
Of the characters, only two characters are nailed. One was Discord, who is funny and also perceptive including a spot on observation about the supporting characters being an interesting gathering. The other is good-natured Thorax. Chrysalis has her moments, but is a lot more sinister in "A Canterlot Wedding". Some nice moments in the writing.
Much of it sounded awkward though, did cringe in that exchange with Starlight and the Pinkie Pie Changeling. There is far too much of Starlight and her character writing is almost as if her characterisation in Season 5 and her development in "No Second Prances", "A Hearth's Warming Tail" and especially "Every Little Thing She Does" did not happen. She comes over as too perfect and there is not much complexity in her character writing, pretty one-dimensional actually. Her presence comes at the expense of the character writing for the Mane 6, all under-utilised and when used they are close to useless and insensitive. Season 6 did have some episodes where one or two lead characters in an episode were not well written, but this was a rarity where all of the Mane 6 are uninteresting and unlikeable and it also sees Spike (who actually progressed massively characterisation-wise in Season 6) at his least interesting too.
Didn't think particularly highly of the story, which felt too thin and over-stretched. Its main purpose of course is to set things up for what's to come in Part 2, but it takes too long to do so. Like the Season 6 opener, this two parter could easily have been a single episode. Also didn't buy how so many of the characters that showed a lot of resourcefulness and intelligence in other episodes got tricked and captured so easily.
In conclusion, above average but a disappointment. 5.5/10.
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