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[s8e12] Marks For Effort -

Explores the growing pains of Twilight Sparkle as a principal.

In "Marks for Effort," Cozy claims she is failing her friendship tests and needs the CMCs' tutoring. The twist, which sees Cozy intentionally failing her test to get Twilight into trouble, is the first real hint of the manipulative nature lurking beneath her sugary exterior. Starlight’s Guidance and Humor [S8E12] Marks for Effort

This episode marks the first appearance of Cozy Glow, a character who would go on to be a major player in the series. At first glance, she is the epitome of "adorable," with her light red eyes and pink curls. Her cutie mark—a —is an early piece of foreshadowing that fans picked up on immediately, noting that the rook is a powerful piece in the "endgame". Explores the growing pains of Twilight Sparkle as

While the CMCs and Cozy Glow drive the plot, provides much of the episode's levity and character depth. Now serving as the school’s guidance counselor, Starlight finds herself with very little to do—dusting her office for the "70th time" while Twilight insists she has everything under control. Starlight’s Guidance and Humor This episode marks the