Things I liked about the Season 3 Premiere:
SHINING ARMOR AND CADANCE ARE BACK! I just loved how Shining went off after the shadow version of Sombra. He didn't know if he would survive, and sacrificed his magic so that his sister and friends (and, come to think of it, his WIFE) would be safe. Cadance was pretty awesome. I thought I loved her character at the end of Season 2. NO. I WAS WRONG. I now completely 100% love her. She gave the ultimate sacrifice to save her family, friends, and kingdom. I now have an even higher respect for her.
PRINCESS CELESTIA (AND LUNA, OF COURSE). I enjoyed seeing Princess Celestia use - what I like to call - dark magic. The way she portrayed the Crystal Empire was beautiful, and dark, and sometimes a little frightening. It was amazing.
Luna! I'm so glad to see her face. While she didn't get as much screen-time as I'd hoped, I am very pleased that she was actually in that episode. Did anyone notice that she's not talking in King James English anymore? 
CRYSTAL PONIES. The beauty of the ponies astounds me. I like some of the ponies better than others, but all of their designs were beautiful - especially when the mane 6 changed!
TWILIGHT SPARKLE. Now, I love Twilight. Always have, always will. But I haven't truly looked up to her until this episode. She thought she was going to fail the test, but ended up choosing to fail to save her friends. Her priorities were in the right place, and she ended up winning more than she lost.
I absolutely adored the part where she used dark magic as well.
It gave me goosebumps.
SPIKE. Finally. Spike actually sings!
I was grinning ear to ear when I heard him sing. Also, he was a major part of the episode. For a change, Spike gets to be the hero. It was really nice.
"I WASN'T PREPARED TO DO MY BEST..." Did anyone else almost squeal when Rarity started singing Twilight's song? If my family hadn't been around while I was watching it, I probably would've cried and/or screamed. And I don't even LIKE Rarity's voice. It was just...a beautiful and touching moment. It was the perfect ending to a great episode.
SONGS. Man, this music is catchy.
I can't believe how amazing it was to hear the music in surround sound. (I had listened to the leaked versions of the songs on youtube, so I already had all the lyrics memorized.
) They sounded beautiful.
THE ANIMATION. I can't believe the amazing animation. Was it just me, or did it seem clearer, more beautiful, and more astounding then the previous seasons?
Things I didn't like:
SOMBRA = BAD VILLAIN. I think if he was given more screen-time and a better past, his character would have been improved. His past should have been shown in a bit more detail. After all the hype about him, I am extremely disappointed.
LUNA NOT DOING ANYTHING. And, mares and gentlecolts.....it happens again. AGAIN. *facepalm* Luna is in an episode where she only talks to Twilight. Ring any bells? Oh, yes. That's exactly what happened in the Season 2 Finale. X( Hasbro, Y U NO GIVE ME MOAR LUNA?!
SPIKE AND RARITY DID NOT KISS. Ugh. I was so hoping that they would.
Especially considering Rarity was afraid for Spike's safety as he brought the Crystal Heart to Cadance. Ugh. Hasbro, you better make them kiss this season!
(Posted in small font for people who don't want spoilers.

)
Overall, the two episodes were excellent. I thought the plot and story-line were
superb. I loved the music, the characters, and the animation. The things I listed above were the only things that I didn't like. I think Season 3 will hold many new songs, characters, and fun ahead; and I cannot wait to embark on this journey with six talking ponies.
I'm not on a computer where I can go on Youtube at the moment, but I will DEFINITELY be checking that out. 
I tried it out, and it won't work on my computer! Is there a different place where I can find the video and go to that specific place and look for him?
