"Special friend"... This is what they call it today.
They do special activities no other friendships are associated with.
Very special activities indeed. Cleaning dishes and vacuuming the carpet probably
"The knack of flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss." - Douglas Adams
I can't find the clip right now but he was on Conan talking about this episode. And it's very specifically him wanting to marry this other Pony who has gone through a divorce and has a daughter.
I think he even straight up says "whatever they call divorce in ponyville".
Today, 12:02:41 Wayoshi: I just figured it all out. Buckball is the NBA.
Today, 12:02:50 Wayoshi: Ponyville is the Golden State Warriors.
Today, 12:03:10 Wayoshi: you'd think the sport is boring to follow with one superteam dominating everyone, but it's super popular nonetheless.
Now that I finally have a reliable Internet connection, I can catch up on the episodes I missed while traveling.
I appreciate that this actually kept me guessing about the moral. Sure, the "be yourself, be authentic" lesson was clear, but to apply it to Rainbow Dash instead of Quibble Pants himself isn't something I expected. With the show approaching its end, it makes sense in retrospect that the friendship lessons would transition towards teaching viewers how best to go forth and teach the show's messages.
If buckball was born from amusements in apple farming, it makes me wonder either how many apple orchards besides Sweet Apple Acres there are or how much cultural influence Applejack and her extended family have on Equestria.