>>283583393
as a season, maybe. But the pre-Xmas episode are precure history
>>283583396
cannot recall Splash Star well to be honest, all the other season you mentioned are nice picks for the pre Xmas episode set, I think Smile's was more intense. I'd go like
>Doki: all nice done episodes, showing how each character grew and their relationship with Mana. Makoto's concert was beautiful
>GoPri: close tie with ST because the two parters idea was pretty nice. Well directed episodes that really did give each cure a well made closure. GoPri has always had a great direction
>ST: very emotionally driven bunch, Lala's episode as a whole, Elena crying, Madoka telling her father off, Hikaru's last fight with Kappard and the portal closing...just fantastic. Outstanding episodes
>Smile: best mix of emotion, animation, character growth, direction, and character progression. But I have to admit, it's a very close tie with ST