This show is mediocre at best. There were unneeded elements like giving the earth ponies magic. Friendships are not always going to be on the same playing field as one another. Not everyone needs to have magic to be friends and feel involved.
Looking back at the past generations that I grew up on there were more interesting and much easier to follow. They were more of a slow build that taught actual lessons on how to treat your friends in an easy and understandable way.
The villain the was shown at the end of episode one. Was just introduced way to soon. To make this show last this show needs to make a slow but interesting burn. Do not rush the big details.