Pony General:"Season 12 will never air" edition.

 Season 3, Episode 5:Magic Duel, Review

Even if the fact she had to use her friends to help her, you just can't help but wonder...IS Twilight's magic really that good?

Twilight's magic is improving as the show progresses, but she is still a student and probably needs to train even more to master some of the spells. She was surprised when she saw Trixie doing an age spell from the first time, and mentioned it was one of the highest-ranking spells to pull off, and Twilight cannot replicate it. She still can't do it, and the short training with Zecora probably wasn't enough to beat a cheating unicorn. That's why I like it when she made a plan to work around her developing skills and instead fool Trixie.

What sold me on this episode was in the end, at least Trixie realized her mistakes and wanted to wipe the slate clean...So, she did what she did, left ponyville.

I'm still not convinced Trixie "turned her leaf" that quickly. Even without the amulet, Trixie is a boastful hater who was humiliated by Twilight. Twice. And she apologizes on her behaviour? I think she needs another episode to clear her name off.

Episode 5 - Magic Duel

 Spoiler

My only reason for -0.5 would be that Trixie really was a huge bi'tch while she was corrupted with the Alicorn Amulet.

Didn't the amulet made her that way?

 Season 3 Episode 5 Magic Duel

Source
Is this the best episode of S3 yet or what?

I like the way they tricked Trixie into thinking Twilight can really do magic. I doubt Twilight could've really master all those spells in one day, I thought it would be a simple fast-forward montage kind of training. And I like all these callbacks/continuity, this really does feel like a fan-pandering episode in a good way, especially during the part where Pinkie can play 10 instruments without assistance.

Aside from Trixie suddenly changing from a good guy (It felt really rushed or forced), everything positive I like about this show is all in this episode. Good work.