I think my fundamental problem with the Luna episode is this:
Let's say you watch the opening two pilot episodes...and Applebuck season. Now you have a pretty good picture of Apple Jack's character. Her desires. Her temptations. The flaws in her personality. Her strengths. What she stands for. Her long-term goals.
Now let's say you watch the opening two pilot episodes...and this recent Luna episode. What have you learned about Luna's character? She's socially awkward and wants to make friends. O.k., that could apply to Twilight or Zekora or damn near any pony if the authors decide they want to cover social awkwardness again (Rainbow Dash with the wonderbolts, Fluttershy sometimes, Rarity with the prince, the CMC with kids who have their cutie mark). Obviously this isn't exactly a defining trait in FiM. Is there anything else we can determine about her character? Some level of snobbery, I guess?
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Cats land on their feet. Toast lands peanut butter side down. A cat with toast strapped to its back will hover above the ground in a state of quantum indecision