@D50  
Being fair though, the main difference was that Dash and Gilda knew each other from before. But we didn’t know how close they actually were prior to this season. Before that episode, we could’ve assumed they were just a couple of jocks who used to hang out together but never had any real connection. Which is actually what Season1 suggested, considering how Dash had no idea how Gilda was with other ponies. Spike had an extremely shallow conection with the dragon gang as well, but it was similar to what Dash and Gilda could’ve been before TLToG revealed their backstory, and simply never faced a phoenix egg-like situation that caused a falling out until Griffon the Brush Off forced Dash to see how she acted towards other ponies.
 
That being said, while an episode where Garble redeems himself (and Spike actually gets to learn something about his species) would be kind of cool, I have low expectations for the writers to actually focus on them at all.

@Background Pony #0474  
But at least Gilda was friends with Rainbow Dash once. The teen dragons were like a frat he spent one night out with once.

@D50  
If you change “Dragons” with “Griffins”, then literally everything you said could’ve also been said for Dash and Gilda before episode 8 came out.

@Background Pony #0474  
“Hey, guys. I’m sorry for not being a total douchebag with you.”  
“‘Sorry?’ Ha! Dragons don’t get sorry! What a dweeb!”  
“Why am I trying to get along with these guys again?”

Daaaaaaaaawww

@dragoness_vilu  
Even though its not likely, I’m waiting for an episode where Spike fixes up things with Garble and the dragon gang.

oh my god, the running theme of this season seems to be fixing old friendships

Winghugs are best hugs.