My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic/Tear Jerker

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


Just because you're the Element of Laughter doesn't mean you can't cry.


Sometimes, friendship is tragic...

Note: Fan Work related Tear Jerker have been moved to My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic/Fan Works/Tear Jerker.


Season 1 - Part 1

Mare in the Moon

  • Twilight in "The Mare In The Moon", as she sees the prediction of Nightmare Moon's return unfolding before her, knowing exactly what is going to happen and being powerless to do anything to stop it. Just how scared and nervous she looks makes it hard not to feel sorry for her.

Elements of Harmony

  • In "The Elements of Harmony", right after Nightmare Moon has been defeated and transformed back to Princess Luna, and Princess Celestia talks her into coming back with her. Luna running towards her sister, embracing her, and saying "I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!"(especially the way she says the second line) is enough of a tear-jerker. Celestia, crying, just smiles and chokes back, "I missed you too."
  • Let's not forget what happened earlier after Nightmare Moon shatters the Elements Of Harmony, the only thing capable of stopping her, right in front of Twilight Sparkle then gives her a Hannibal Lecture. The look on Twilight's face makes it clear that, until she realizes that her friends are what she needs, she's crossed the Despair Event Horizon. Thank goodness her friends showed up.
  • The first union of the Elements of Harmony is this for original fans way back in the eighties who remember what the Rainbow of Light is, and how it showed up just when things were at their most hopeless for Megan and the G1 ponies, too.

Griffon the Brush-Off

  • Fluttershy's reaction while Gilda picks on, and then roars at her for accidentally backing into her while helping a family of ducks cross.
  • Rainbow Dash in the end when Gilda loses it. All she wanted was for her old friend and her new friends to get along, and look what happened.

Winter Wrap Up

  • From "Winter Wrap Up", Twilight's dejected face after Applejack lectures her for the trouble she caused with her poorly thought-out use of magic, followed by Twilight running away crying.

Call of the Cutie

  • When those snooty ponies pick on Apple Bloom for still being a 'blankflank'...well, just look.

Season 1 - Part 2

Suited for Success

  • Rarity's excitement at the first dresses she made in Suited For Success. It would be adorable and heartwarming, but her friends are just too disappointed by them to make it go how it should.

A Bird in the Hoof

  • "A Bird in the Hoof": Fluttershy's little whimper as she starts to cry and the face she makes when Philomena bursts into flames, with her ashes slipping through Fluttershy's hooves.

Cutie Mark Chronicles

  • In "The Cutie Mark Chronicles", the homesick Applejack's sad little "cock-a-doodle-doo" at the sunrise before shedding a Single Tear.
  • When even Big Macintosh cried when Applejack left. It was so unexpected, but it underscored the fact that he's Applejack's big brother.
  • Twilight's slumped posture and defeated tone when she says "I'm sorry I wasted your time" to the examiners.
  • "There was no talking. There was no smiling. *sigh* There were only rocks."
  • Fluttershy being bullied by a pair of jocks who, while they appear younger, are bigger and stronger than her. Especially since she's probably only at Summer Flight Camp to try to get stronger, but she can't. Thankfully, Rainbow Dash comes to Fluttershy's aid and defends her from the bullies.

Owl's Well That Ends Well

  • Spike crying as he gets it into his head that Twilight doesn't love him anymore.
    • His whole self-imposed exile afterward, when he stays alone in a treasure cave and then almost gets eaten by another dragon, who was living alone in that treasure cave.
    • What about his state of envy leading up to that? He'd been going out of his way helping set things up for Twilight and her friends beforehand, and his obvious enjoyment of the attention he gets from said girls at get-togethers made clear that he felt it was worth it. Then some owl comes along to do the same thing and most of that attention, for a while, seems to be going to the owl. Spike even sees Rarity give the owl the same gift she gave him. As wrong as it was to react the way he did, it's difficult not to pity him.

Party of One

  • In "Party of One", Pinkie's reaction when Spike tells her exactly what she wants to hear: that her friends are all lying to her and avoiding her because they don't like her parties and don't want to be her friends anymore. She's at first elated from being "right", but then the implications sink in. Pinkie Pie doesn't just get sad. She practically shatters. Just looking at Pinkie really sad for the first time is soul crushing.

The Best Night Ever

  • The ponies finding the Grand Galloping Gala to fall far short of their hopeful expectations.
    • What really sells the scene is that slow, sad music that creeps up during the montage. The musical number just before also adds to the weight of this whole scene, showing how much all six ponies have banked so many of their hopes and dreams on this one night. But the saddest part? Seeing Pinkie Pie, of all ponies, sitting alone and miserable, singing to herself, with her voice uncharacteristically flat.

Pinkie Pie: I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala... and it's not what I dreamed.

    • Rarity. From her portion of the "At The Gala" song, you can tell she's absolutely overjoyed at the possibility of finding herself a classy coltfriend, only to have reality kick her in the face when she finds out the one she has her eye on is a total prick. She just wanted to be treated like a lady.
    • Judging by how excited he was to go in the "The Ticket Master", because he wanted to spend time with his friends, Spike spending most of the night alone at the bar makes you want to hug the little guy.
    • Twilight's story is also very sad. Watching the full episode, then going back and hearing Twilight happily singing, "It is going to be so special, as she takes time just for me!" She just really wanted to spend time with her mentor. It gets better later, when they all hang out at the donut shop, though.

Season 2 - Part 1

The Return of Harmony, Part 1

  • By the end of the first episode, Discord has broken the mane cast. Dramatic Irony makes it even worse; we know what he's up to, but the characters don't. We're forced to watch helplessly as the characters we've learned to love over the past season are subjected to Mind Rape and left psychologically broken.
    • Special mention goes to Pinkie Pie for how viciously Discord deals with her. Before her one-on-one meeting with Discord, she is happily trying to make the best of a bad situation and at times even enjoying herself. Afterwards, she spits out the word "happy" like there is nothing she hates more and is angry at the very idea that anyone is laughing in her presence.
    • Discord's dealings with Fluttershy. She actually manages to resist Discord's little games at first and it looks like Discord has failed with her... but then he just taps her on the forehead and breaks her anyway.
    • Also there's the scene right after Fluttershy is brainwashed. She mocks Twilight, makes fun of her about not having her horn, slaps Twilight with her tail, and then walks away with an evil smirk on her face. The expression Twilight makes as Fluttershy walks away is just heartbreaking.
    • The way Rainbow Dash is broken. "Cloudsdale... Crumbles... Without me..."
      • Made even worse when you realize it's not just that her hometown is at risk of being destroyed. She's pretty much being forced to choose between helping her friends out of a life or death situation or saving her hometown from destruction. She has to choose rather to betray her friends or watch her hometown be destroyed and there's no viable third option in sight. And after what happened to Fluttershy, we know it doesn't matter if she finds one anyway anyway, Discord will just Mind Rape her if she does. Dash is also the Element of Loyalty. It's not just the choice--it's that no matter what she does, she's betraying someone's trust.
    • Don't forget Twilight. Discord opens a path to her friends seconds after they've been broken by him, supposedly for the sole purpose of letting her see what he's done. She has to see her friends turn upon her one by one, becoming twisted inversions of the ones she's known and loved for over a year. Discord could do the same to her, with a Hannibal Lecture or outright Mind Rape like Fluttershy, but it seems he finds it more "fun" to twist the knife and let her suffer... and finally break all on her own.
  • On a completely different note, the reveal that Celestia and Luna once wielded the Elements Of Harmony together against Discord, proving they were really close back then... only for Luna to turn into Nightmare Moon and force Celestia to use them against her.

The Return of Harmony, Part 2

  • Twilight having to deal with all her "Discorded" friends. Again, having to watch the friends Twilight has known and loved throughout the last season become Jerkasses is really heartbreaking. And if that wasn't enough when they finally try to use the elements on Discord, it fails, and when everyone leaves Twilight sheds a tear that forms a broken heart as she too loses her colors.

Twilight Sparkle: With friends like these, who needs... enemies?

  • The part where they're all in the library and the 'discorded' five are bullying Twilight.
  • Manly Tears were shed when Twilight reread the letters she had sent to the princess about the valuable lessons she learned from her friends
  • Twilight wandering the twisted Ponyvile after succumbing to her Despair Event Horizon, literally the only pony in the entire town that hasn't been driven mad by Discord. Seeing The Hero so broken and alone despite being surrounded by those she could normally turn to for comfort...it's honestly one of the most heartbreaking things in the entire series.
  • Ending paying homage to A New Hope, Manly Tears were shed.
  • The pain Spike endures returning Twilight's letters en masse is heartbreaking, especially in the circumstances. He's literally bedridden from it and is still sending them against his will, experiencing pain each time and his Cool Big Sis/Parental Substitute figure is almost too busy to notice... and the most heartwrenching part is that nobody had any choice in the matter, as the world would have been doomed if they did things any other way.
  • The speechless, horrified look on Twilight's face when Discord reveals to her that the maze was a wild goose chase. Even more so when you realize why she would have such a look. Going into the maze was her idea. She knows something happened to her friends in the maze...and Discord is pretty much rubbing it in her face that it was her fault.

Lesson Zero

  • It's initially more creepy than sad, but a lot of Twilight Sparkle's breakdown counts--the bit where she thinks Celestia will disown her for being tardy, the way she seems to view her Smartypants doll as something worthy of losing/fighting a friend over, and especially her mistaking a random bunch of laughing fillies as maliciously mocking her with horrible grins on their faces. It gets worse when you realize most of her visions involve being sent back to Canterlot away from her friends. Her Sanity Slippage makes a lot more sense, and is a lot sadder, when you realize she's probably terrified of losing her friends because of being sent back to a lower grade as well and that probably had a lot to do with her breakdown.
  • When Celestia, from out of nowhere, appears right in the library at sundown and pulls a Full Name Ultimatum complete with an ominous echo. Especially since right after this, Twilight's comedic insanity is replaced by solemn, lucid defeat, quietly saying goodbye to all her friends.
  • The sheer fact that Twilight's friends pull an epic Big Damn Heroes moment to save Twilight from being possibly punished by Princess Celestia moved many fans. Considering that they are willing to defy their ruler (a Physical Goddess) to protect their friend shows how powerful their friendship has become all this time. Pinkie Pie nuzzling Twilight really hits home in this scenario. Twilight hugging Spike in the end also makes this moment powerful.
  • Spike's concern over Twilight, though snarky and comical at first, becomes rather poignant later on. Especially as he nervously watches Celestia confronting Twilight behind a bookshelf. He quickly attempts to keep out Twilight's vision after the princess informs her that it was him that asked for her to come, likely nervous about interfering with Twilight's personal conflict, however she quickly corrects this without words, and just grabs and hugs him, complete with Puppy Dog Eyes.

Luna Eclipsed

  • The moment when Luna recognizes Twilight Sparkle. The memory of being saved by Twilight obviously had not left her (even if she has trouble getting across that she still thinks it a good thing).
  • Seeing Luna all depressed at the fact that everyone is so scared of her when all she really wants is to make friends is really sad. When she speaks near the end, asking Twilight to leave her alone in her sadness, you can practically hear her on the verge of tears. Poor Luna.
    • Especially if you remember one of the things that turned her into Nightmare Moon in the first place.

"It is of no use, Twilight Sparkle. They have never liked us. And they never shall."

  • The shattered reactions to Luna getting fed up with being treated like crap and canceling Nightmare Night, especially that one filly who sobs about wanting to be a zombie next year.
  • At the end where Pip nuzzles Princess Luna after he gives her some of his candy and calls her his "favorite princess". Happy tears. Definitely happy tears.

Sisterhooves Social

  • When Rarity sees the arts & crafts project Sweetie Belle made for her: a crayon drawing of them surrounded by a heart made of gems. Made worse by the fact that when Rarity first saw it she responded by shouting at Sweetie Belle for using the gems she had been saving, even claiming she wished she didn't even have a sister. Her My God, What Have I Done? moment when we finally see the picture is extremely powerful stuff.
  • The hurt look on Sweetie Belle's face when Rarity rejects her offer to take part in the social, calling it uncouth. She almost isn't able to hold back her tears. Likewise, Rarity's pained expression when Sweetie Belle rejects her apology and continues to disown her. If you look closely during their first argument, it's obvious that both Sweetie Belle and Rarity are trying to hold back tears.
  • Poor Sweetie Belle is a Woobie throughout, since she just wants to make her sister happy, but Rarity doesn't realize her good intentions are more important than the messes she causes.

The Cutie Pox

  • The look on Applejack's face at what was happening to Apple Bloom for the first time. It looked like she was about to cry.
  • Apple Bloom's depression after her failure at bowling, insisting that nothing will cheer her up, and wandering into the Everfree Forest.
  • Seeing Apple Bloom clearly in pain after chipping her tooth.

May The Best Pet Win!

  • Seeing the tortoise comes in last place in every competition, when he's so eager to get picked as Rainbow Dash's pet. And the falcon having to give up the race despite getting first place.
  • If Rainbow Dash getting one of her wings getting pinned down by a boulder won't get you, then her Single Tear at the thought of being trapped in the valley forever will.
    • Same counts when she is wailing after thinking that there is no hope for her anymore.

Rainbow Dash: I'm doomed. Doomed I tell ya! (cries silently)

  • At the start. Who hasn't felt left out because they didn't have something that all your friends did have?
  • Spike's reaction when it kicks in that Rainbow Dash was caught in the avalanche.

The Mysterious Mare Do Well

  • Even though Rainbow Dash was being taught a lesson by the Mare Do Well, aka The other Mane 5 there are times where you couldn't help but feel sorry for her, especially when she becomes so desperate for attention that she goes so far as to help Granny Smith cross the street when she didn't want it, to struggling to open a jar of peanut butter and mowing the grass.
  • At one point, the Mane Six are discussing the Mare Do Well (or rather, most of them are, while Dash is ignoring them), and soon the topic turns to Rainbow Dash. After Dash gets frustrated with Spike, who is misquoting everything she says while writing, the other five ponies start laughing. For at least a few seconds, it seems that Dash's friends are actually laughing at her and making fun of her. And, as we see later on, she really doesn't like being alone.

Sweet and Elite

  • Rarity tearing up after Jet Set and Upper Crust mock her "country" origins.
  • The very end of Rarity's song when she returns to her suite is quite somber. She promises herself she would put Twilight's birthday dress as her first priority, yet she goes back to her suite in the middle of the night after days of attending high class events, exhausted, but determined to work on the nowhere-near-finished ensemble.... and just falls asleep standing there. And you can't feel angry at her in that moment because she realizes what a mistake she made.

The Secret of My Excess

  • Spike's look of total confusion when he first sees his presents. A big deal is made out of Twilight's Friendless Background, but you've got to wonder if he had any other friends either.
  • Spike giving away the Fire Ruby. Here he is, with an exceptionally rare gemstone he had been preparing for months, saving for his special day so he would have something to enjoy besides the book Twilight was going to inevitably give him. And when he finally gets this close, Rarity spots it and does a very bad job of hiding how badly she wants it. As nice as the feeling of being generous might have been, it had to have hurt when he thought about what (not) to expect on his birthday. This is neutralized by the kiss Spike gets from Rarity, which is something he's wanted even longer than the Fire Ruby, which turns this into Tears of Joy.
  • Twilight's expression when the Pony doctor is unable to diagnose anything about Spike's odd behavior is utterly crushing.
  • Near the end, when Spike and Rarity are falling after Spike returns to his normal size, Spike decides, in case they don't make it, to tell her he has a crush on her. But before he can finish his confession, Rarity, her eyes brimming with tears, simply puts a hoof to his mouth and smiles. She knew. She always knew.
  • Also, Rarity's little speech to the monster before she realized who it was: it could ruin her clothes and steal things, but it was not getting the necklace because it was a gift from Spike. She may sometimes use his feelings to her advantage, and she may sometimes forget that she's meant to be the Element of Generosity but be damned, Rarity really gets it, sometimes.
  • Seeing Spike rampaging through town. Just imagine what Twilight was going through essentially seeing her little brother change (both physically and mentally) into a mindless monster that could hardly be recognized as the Spike she loves.
  • Also near the end of the episode, when Spike looks over the bridge at the destruction he caused, he comes across his adult-sized footprint and compares it to his claws. It then cuts briefly to Spike's Quivering Eyes, showing his remorse for what he had done. Poor little guy...Rarity makes it better, though.
  • The distraught look on Pinkie's face after Spike demolishes Sugar Cube Corner.

Family Appreciation Day

  • All of Granny Smith's quirks are cute and used for comic relief, but it's sad knowing that she's mostly that crazy because she's really getting old.
  • On the other hand, her story about the founding of Ponyville is perhaps a positive Tear Jerker.

Baby Cakes

  • Pinkie finally cracking under the pressure of taking care of the Cakes' twin babies and bursting into tears. And the look on her face beforehand, too. You can practically hear her screaming "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"
    • The twins' reaction to it too. You can tell they really feel sorry for it. Which makes sense, as she's been their playmate since they were born more or less.
  • The twins' first words "Pinkie" "Pie" count for this all on their own.
  • Fluttershy's refusal to babysit the Cakes' twins due to Angel wanting to go on a picnic. She repeatedly begs them not to be mad at her, showing that she really takes people being disappointed or mad at her very hard.

Season 2 - Part 2

Hearth's Warming Eve

  • The leaders of the three tribes getting frozen solid, even if they brought it upon themselves, qualifies a small bit as this. They know they're about to die along with both their homeland and the new land they came to claim, and it's all their fault. Their second-in-commands, who just wanted peace and were willing to get along perfectly with each other, nearly receiving the same fate? Definitely this.
    • After the leaders are frozen, the advisers acknowledge that they could be friends as they are being frozen themselves, lean their heads together to be close to a friend as they accept what they probably are thinking are their last moments.

The Last Roundup

  • Everyone's heartbroken expressions when they think Applejack's not coming back to Ponyville. Made even worse when you remember the beginning of Applejack's Cutie Mark story from "The Cutie Mark Chronicles".

Granny Smith: "Our little bushel just lost one apple."

  • The entire conversation once the town gets Applejack's letter.

Apple Bloom: Applejack's... not coming back?
Rainbow Dash: What do you mean, Applejack's not coming back? She loves Ponyville.
Granny Smith: And she loves Sweet Apple Acres.
Apple Bloom: And she loves her family!

Fluttershy: "Applejack, we can always find a way to fix the hole in the roof. If you never came back, we could never find a way to fix the hole in our hearts."

  • The mailstallion who seemed so excited at the idea of everypony gathering for a surprise party for his birthday, only to have Twilight grab the letter and unceremoniously slam the door in his face without a word. Pinkie made it better though.
  • The dejected, defeated looks on the rest of the Mane 6's faces after nopony at the rodeo knew where Applejack was.
  • Applejack finally explaining why she didn't immediately return to Ponyville. She was so ashamed of not winning the rodeo and earning enough to fix town hall that she considered herself a complete failure who couldn't return until she made enough money to keep her promise. The sheer heartbreak in her voice when she said "Fine; now you know", it's clear not succeeding as she promised just devastated her.

The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000

  • Applejack's growing anxiety over losing the farm, culminating in the Apple family losing, and somberly heading off to pack their bags. The entire town tears up and begins to have second thoughts at that last part.

Applejack: "Go ahead, everypony. Go on, y'all. It's okay."

    • Heck, the whole Apple family in general when they're worried about the Flim Flam brothers. Apple Bloom's watery eyes in particular are especially heartwrenching to see. Even worse is when the brothers are declared the winners, Apple Bloom gives out a little "What-?" while staring up at her sister with big eyes.
    • Pinkie Pie crying with Ocular Gushers during this sequence, since it's actually Played for Drama this time.

Read It and Weep

  • When Rainbow Dash is just waking up, you can see how worried her friends are about how she's feeling.
  • You can't help but pity Dash. She's the type of pony who loves to stay active. But being in a hospital prevents her from doing so. She doesn't know what to do with herself. She tries eating, telling jokes to her roommate (who can't even talk to her because of their bandages), and playing with the lights. This only lasts one minute!
  • When Rainbow Dash leaves the hospital. She finally finds something to do that she actually likes and then the doctor just pushes her out the door, leaving the only thing that gave her some pleasure behind.
    • Also, how far she'll go to get the book back. Seeing her enjoy so much, and then watch her steal it, really shows how much it meant to her.
  • Rainbow Dash, genuinely scared that if her friends find out that she likes to read, they'll make fun of her.

Hearts and Hooves Day

  • When the camera pans around the classroom at the beginning of the episode, there is a purple-maned unicorn filly who's hiding a Valentine behind her back. She moves as if she's going to give it to Twist or the roly-poly grey colt, but she finds the colt already hugging Twist because she gave him a card. She immediately drops her card and miserably puts her head on her desk. It's easy to miss, but it's heartwrenching once it's noticed.
  • Cheerilee's reaction when one of the CMC innocently asks why she doesn't have a "Special Somepony" in her life is an extremely depressant scowl, which she quickly wipes off before turning to face them and telling them that she's happy just the way she is. There's obviously a reason, but she'd rather not get into it, certainly not with young kids who don't have the full concept of adult relationships down yet. Anyone who's been single for a long time, especially into adulthood, knows what she's feeling and the "No, I'm fine" routine she's probably had to go through over and over again with curious would-be matchmakers, and it hurts. Even worse, it takes place on her universe's analogue to Valentines Day.

A Friend In Deed

  • The scene where Cranky throws Pinkie Pie out of his house after she accidentally ruins his scrap book, and tells her that he "never, ever, ever, ever, ever" wants to be friends with her. Pinkie's response is both silly and sad at the same time.

Pinkie Pie: That's four "ever"s. That's, like... (tears up) forever...

  • Cranky weeping over his ruined book, which has already been heavily implied to hold mementos of his lost love.
  • Poor Apple Bloom not getting to play with the other fillies in Pinkie's song--and reversed when Pinkie gets her to be part of the group.
  • Cranky and Matilda could have happily spent their whole lives together, but because of a stupid mix-up they only meet again in their twilight years.
    • Doesn't mean they still can't enjoy the time they have...

Putting Your Hoof Down

  • Seeing sweet Fluttershy become a jerk every time she tries to be overly assertive.
    • Especially after she turns on Rarity and Pinkie Pie suddenly and without warning -- even though Pinkie was doing nothing more than giving her free punch and laughing as she always does.
  • The teary eyed faces of Rarity and Pinkie Pie as Fluttershy berates them on being a fashion designer and liking parties, respectively. She's insulting what each deems their purpose in life. No wonder they ran away crying.
    • Plus her vicious insult of Pinkie's intelligence, done for no other reason than Pinkie being concerned about how Fluttershy was acting, and calling Rarity 'petty' when she was just defending Pinkie. This all comes from someone they consider a dear friend. Rarity's reaction to this first insult is to turn away and weep silently into her hoof.
  • Fluttershy's My God, What Have I Done? moment really cranks up her Woobie status.
    • Also, you know how sometimes when Fluttershy smiles you hear a Squee sound effect? There's a sad version when she frowned.

Dragon Quest

  • Spike crying, realizing he has no idea about his origins. He sounds heartbroken when he pleads to Twilight to tell him anything she knows about who really is. And wondering if dragons can cry, even while he's doing it.
  • The extended sequence of the teenage dragons bullying Spike. It doesn't help that the bullying is portrayed in a rather disturbingly realistic fashion and they happen to pick up on the thing that Spike is most insecure about at the time.
  • The fact that teenage dragons steal phoenix eggs, and smash them. Imagine being the parents of those dead eggs.
  • It was very upsetting to see Rainbow Dash tease poor Spike about being a "lame dragon". Heck if it wasn't for her teasing him, he wouldn't have felt so out of place.
  • When Spike says he wouldn't mind living with the other dragons forever, just the look and reaction on the ponies faces, are pretty tearjerking. Especially since they are blaming each other for him wanting to stay, and looking like they're about to cry while doing it.

Hurricane Fluttershy

  • Poor Fluttershy is shown crying under a tree, and Angel is brushing her mane. Fortunately her animal friends are shown helping her. In the most hilarious Training Montage ever. And what lead to it: Rainbow Dash asks if she's really going to let her traumatic past push her away from the job. Fluttershy turns around, revealing that she's full-on weeping, and screams "YES!" in the most believable and saddening way possible. It's the first time in the series that Fluttershy's shyness is played completely seriously.
  • A positive Tear Jerker happens right after the Pegasi have created the second tornado with the help of Fluttershy, and after the tornado is cleared she's still going. She has given herself so much determination that she couldn't stop.
  • Rainbow Dash was really looking forward to beating Fillydelphia's record. So you can't help but feel a bit disappointed that she had to abandon that goal.
  • The flashback to Fluttershy at flight camp. Seeing all of those foals laughing at Fluttershy really makes you want to hug the poor thing.
  • After training her flank off to increase her wing power, Fluttershy does what appears to be a perfect run...only to end up at only around 2.3. She's just devastated to find out that all her training didn't get her to even half that of the other pegasi. Rainbow Dash's reaction to it also counts, as she's at a loss of as to how to help her friend. The Element of Loyalty is left at a loss as to how to help her best friend.

Ponyville Confidential

  • The CMC all throughout the entire second half of the episode. They know full well what they are doing is wrong, but go through with it only because Diamond Tiara is urging them to. And when they finally decide they've had enough, Diamond Tiara forces them to stay through Blackmail.
    • The conflict in this episode is presented in a heavier, more realistic fashion than is typical of this show. The fact that they can't get anyone to talk to them (some won't even look at them) makes the viewer realize what a heavy cross they had to bear for their insensitivity.
  • The entire town shunning the CMC after learning that they were Gabby Gums. Of particular note, is Applejack unwilling to speak to them and letting the normally stoic Big Macintosh voice their utter disappointment in them.

Big Mac: You should be ashamed of yourself, humiliatin' your sister 'n' me like that. We don't wanna talk to any y'all right now, so take your little gossip column and your embarrassing photographs and just GO AWAY!

    • The second most painful one to watch would be Rainbow Dash's reaction to the three. She pulls a cloud over their heads and makes it rain on them in anger.
  • Watching the CMC try to get Rainbow Dash to read their open letter apology. They probably endured a lot of rain stomped out by an angry Rainbow Dash before she finally sees the paper.
  • The sequence where the CMC visits Fluttershy after they wrote the fake article about her and made her cry so much that her tears have flooded the floor and are leaking under her door and trailing outside definitely counts for this.

A Canterlot Wedding, Part 1

  • Who else wanted to hug Twilight when she started talking about her brother?
  • Girls with older brothers who they idolized as a kid and had to watch them go far away to university will know exactly how Twilight feels at the end of "B.B.B.F.F".
  • Who really wanted to hug Twilight after nopony believed her accusations about Cadence? Not her friends, not her mentor, and not even her brother stopped to listen to her side or offer a listening ear, instead giving her a verbal smackdown and cold looks. It's made all the worse about 2 minutes later, when it's revealed that Twilight was absolutely right to be suspicious of the faux princess.
    • Shining Armor telling Twilight not to bother attending his wedding at all was pretty bad.
    • Princess Celestia's stern, ice-cold "You have a lot to think about" must have been like a dagger to the heart of poor Twilight. Just look at her face after Celestia says it.
  • The little bit where Twilight sings about losing her brother and the tiny differently animated Twilight looks around frantically for the tiny Shining Armor.
    • And then gets stepped on and shattered by Cadence.

A Canterlot Wedding, Part 2

  • The way everypony looked so bitter when Twilight initially crashes the wedding. They really took her outburst hard. Even Spike looks ashamed. Of course, this is seconds before she is dramatically vindicated.
  • Their Jerkass Realization following this, with even Queen Crysalis pointing this folly out to them in her gloating. Despite all the chaos ensuing, Applejack even feels the need to apologize sorrowfully to Twilight.
  • Cadance tiredly performing the sunshine-ladybugs dance and the broken smile she gives Twilight. She really looks like she's been through a rough time.
    • She looks like she's in fear for her life, honestly. At the hooves of the mare she used to foalsit, who she now desperately hopes will believe/recognize her.
  • "For I oh so love the groom! All my thoughts, he does consume. Oh, Shining Armor, I'll be there very soon!"
    • The very end of the song, when Cadance (albeit briefly) loses all hope of saving Shining Armor. Her eyes well up and she crumples to the ground.
      • Not only that, but Cadance isn't worried for herself not getting to the wedding...she's worried for Shining Armor and how he'll be under the imposter Cadance...
    • Just the thought of the poor girl being imprisoned underground for who knows how long, knowing a monster was walking around disguised as her, sucking the life out of her beloved and there was nothing she could do about it.
  • Poor Celestia couldn't stop Queen Chrysalis.
  • "Love ya, Twily." It's all the more sweet considering the previous episode we saw Shining Armor bitterly revoke Twilight's status as Best Mare and all but officially withdrew her invitation to his wedding, and Twilight thought she had permanently destroyed her relationship with him.
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