[Sekto Springs]

MLP is on the same level as Powerpuff Girls or Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends in quality. That is to say, it's just a decent cartoon, but a decent cartoon seems pretty amazing when stacked up against the expectations everyone has for a show that's supposed to be for little girls.

Lauren Faust's philosophy is that just because a show is for kids, doesn't mean it has to be vacuous and dull. Because My Little Pony has a long-standing reputation stemming from previous generations of the show, people make the assumption the new gen must be just as insipid as it's predecessors. In fact, it's the other way around.

As for Luna, if it makes you feel any better, the other ponies have a lot more respect for her in later episodes. :P