Top Ten Earth Ponies, Version 3 · 3:48am Dec 8th, 2015
Here's the second version, pushed out after Season 4 had just ended. Let's who's staying, who's leaving, who's moving up, and who's moving down. There were a lot of new earth ponies introduced to us in Season 5, and sadly only a few of them made the cut here. Those that didn't can be considered among the honorable mentions.
10. Spoiled Rich
Why she was added: Bet you're all surprised to see a character so obviously a villan on this list, especially when she ranked really high on the villans list a few days ago. Well, at least Spoiled Rich actually had enough screen time to justify being included on this list, as opposed to Cheerilee who sadly only got "Crusaders of The Lost Mark" and even then only appeared for a few scenes. As for Braeburn, his appearance in "Appleloosa's Most Wanted" didn't do him any favors, I hope he gets a better deal next time around. Spoiled Rich was given enough of a character (as despicable it was) to beat out poor Braeburn, and edge past a Cheerilee who didn't do anything. Depending on whether or not Spoiled Rich pops up again, she may not make this list next time around. You don't know how much it pains me to place her above Cheerilee.
9. Double Diamond
Why he was added: Poor Double Diamond really didn't get much of a chance to shine in "The Cutie Map", despite being Starlight Glimmer's right hoof stallion. Perhaps even more so than Starlight, his face turn didn't exactly help to erase what he did in Starlight's name, and the fact that he only turned on her when the truth about her was revealed, whereas the rest of the equal four weren't exactly thrilled with Starlight Glimmer's way of life from the instant the mane six met them. Not sure about the rest of you, but I really would've liked to see that scene in the village between Starlight and the equal four be fleshed out more, might have helped Double Diamond stand out better.
8. Apple Bloom
Why she moved down: Apple Bloom seemed to go back to being the leader of the CMC this season, but she only really got "Bloom and Gloom" and "Sisterhooves Social" to shine, her other appearances had her overshadowed either by newcomers, or by familiar faces that changed their ways. "Appleloosa's Most Wanted" rehashed the same Apple Bloom/Applejack conflict we'd already seen done badly in "Bridle Gossip" and "Somepony to Watch Over Me'", where Apple Bloom is never punished for doing something stupid and reckless, but gets punished simply for standing up to Applejack's stubborness and over protective behavior. Considering "Bloom and Gloom" showed it's possible to have Applejack be concerned for Apple Bloom without going too far, there's no excuse for this! I don't know if Pipsqueak or Diamond Tiara joined the CMC after "Crusaders of The Lost Mark", and whether or not Apple Bloom is still leader of the CMC. Much like her big sister, she got overshadowed a lot.
7. Diamond Tiara
Why she was added: Although much of Babs' appeal still holds up, a reformed Diamond Tiara easily beats her out, and thus deserves to replace Babs Seed on the list. I really wish I could put her higher, considering how amazing her reformation was, and how much potential she has now that she's changed her ways, and if she gets more screen time in Season 6, I'm almost certain she'll move up, maybe even to the top five. But for now, she'll have to settle for this spot. But hey, at least she beats out her own mother by a good 3 spots!
6. Applejack
Why she moved down: Compared to Season 4, Applejack didn't get as many episodes to shine, and she only got one episode where she alone was the character of focus. She shared "Appleloosa's Most Wanted" with the CMC, "Made in Manehattan" with Rarity and Coco and "Hearthbreakers" with Pinkie Pie, the Apple Family, and the Pie Family (or Marble and Limestone Pie at least). And "Made in Manehattan" just seeemed to confirm that Applejack works best when she can play off the antics of other characters, but can't really do much to maintain the spotlight when she's on her own. "The Mane Attraction" was a good exception, but time will tell if Applejack will ever get another episode as good as that. As it is, her best episode is sadly still probably her very first outing, "Applebuck Season" and will probably remain that way until her character is given a defining trait or goal. She only barely edges past Diamond Tiara due to some of her more hilarious antics at points.
5. Coco Pommel
Why she moved down: Oh boy, I'm going to get a lot of hate for knocking Coco down a peg aren't I? Coco Pommel remains super adorable (though Marble Pie was a good competitor, she never came out of her shell), and "Made in Manehattan" proved her appeal could carry on past her debut. But she wasn't introduced until almost midway through the episode, and largely had to share the spotlight with Rarity, while Noelle Benvenuti tried to give Applejack some time to herself. If "Made in Manehattan" had introduced Coco sooner, we could've gotten more time to spend with her, like we did with Gilda in the previous map episode. If she comes back in Season 6, hopefully she'll get a stronger outing. But before you all start complaining, notice that she's still in the top five. And if being adorable was the only qualification for the top spot, she'd lose to Marble Pie.
4. Big Macintosh
Why he moved up: Big Macintosh has actually moved up to one spot above the spot he held in the first list, largely because of his amazing appearance in "Brotherhooves Social" towards the very end. That is the kind of growth and development he deserves, instead of just being stuck in the usual "Eeeyup, eenope" routine that most episodes have him in. Granted, they shouldn't do it all the time, or he'd likely lose his appeal, but it shouldn't be too much to ask for to let him speak normally a little more often, right?
3. Cheese Sandwich
Why he moved down: First Coco and now Cheese? Well, Cheese Sandwich is still insanely popular, and a really good character, and Weird Al has expressed interest in returning to voice him again. But some of Cheese Sandwich's appeal as the only character who could truly match Pinkie Pie's energy and personality, while still having his own character, has slightly worn off in the wake of Party Favor from "The Cutie Map" and Minuette from "Amending Fences". In fact, PartyPie seems to be really giving CheesePie some competetion, though I wish both ships didn't have to resort to making the other stallion a bad guy. Then again, considering how the Digimon fandom often tended to treat TaixSoraxMatt and DavisxKarixT.K. love triangles, I shouldn't be too surprised. It's always easier to make the rival a jerk when you want one character to get the girl.
2. Maud Pie
Why she moved up: Putting Maud Pie above Cheese Sandwich, have I gone mad? Oh no, I'm perfectly sane. But we got a lot more of Maud this season, and she didn't disappoint in the slightest. "You're the most basic of jokes" alone would've been enough to have herbe higher than Cheese Sandwich this time around, but there's also her poetry from "Hearthbreakers" (as well as her interaction with Apple Bloom), and her appearance alongside Pinkie Pie in the alternative timeline where King Sombra is at war with Equestria. That appearance was probably Maud's greatest moment since she smashed through the giant boulder to save Pinkie Pie's life a season ago.
1. Pinkie Pie
Why she stayed the same: Three times in a row, Pinkie Pie has been number 1! This time around, it was much easier for her, despite the competetion, because Pinkie Pie was on a roll throughout almost all of Season 5. Her weakest potrayal was "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?" which ignored what we saw of her in "Too Many Pinkie Pies", and even then it was surprisingly tolerable and not overly uncomfortable to watch (though still a bit groan inducing). Whether it be being able to tell the smiles weren't smiles of happiness in "The Cutie Map", being super funny even after being equalized ("Laughs don't come in barrels" anyone?), her being friendly with Discord in "Make New Friends, But Keep Discord", or even her jink moment with Applejack in "Hearthbreakers". Season 5 Pinkie Pie was a delight to watch, and I hope Season 6 can give her the same amount of love, or possibly even top it.
I'd personally put Cheese at number 1, DT at 2, and add Silver Spoon instead of Coco.
Interesting rankings, though.