The Golden Egg

I'd argue this should've been the second episode. I mean, the third episode slot is still pretty early, but it feels oddly late for something as ever-present as the Golden Egg.

You could argue that their intention was to thoroughly establish Gale's villainy first, before introducing what would eventually become the true antagonist of the series. But if that were the case, I don't see why episodes like "Pig Power", "The Portrait", and "Don't Steal My Birthday" couldn't come BEFORE "The Golden Egg" to set up Gale's wickedness, instead of only having one underwhelming episode before the Golden Egg steals the spotlight. Plus, considering that the Golden Egg was already hinted at in the VERY FIRST episode, it's most certaintly meant to be significant early on.

Anyways, onto the episode itself. I think it's neat! It does what it sets out to do, and no scene is a waste! That gong Poppy's playing with at the beginning? Pays off at the end of the episode! The artist pig that fails to impress Gale? He gets a bigger role later on! I don't need to explain why the book reading scene's important. Luca's friendliness towards Gale? A cute character establishing moment for him, and also sets up a later episode! Everything then gets wrapped up with a cliffhanger, as Gale plots her next scheme...
Hell, there's even foreshadowing for the final episode in here!

I also like how the Golden Egg is introduced. Or rather, how it's brushed aside. It's powers are shown off, sure, but it's introduction is quickly interupted by Gale's fantasy sequence. The focus is still on GALE's desires. What SHE wants. For now, her desire for this unassuming wish-granting device is the same as her desire to have statues sculpted after her, to have portraits painted after her, to have birthdays centered around her. A desire to satisfy her own vanity. This is still HER story, her position as the main antagonist firmly secured. For now...

One thing I won't let slide though: What on earth is the book trying to say? One moment the Egg's under the Big Tree, then suddenly Just Kidding! It's actually in a cave somewhere!
It's not mysterious in a good way, it's very likely the writers making things up on the spot.
"What should this episode's conflict be? I know! The Golden Egg's under the Big Tree, and Gale has to cut it down to retrieve it! What's that? We need Gale to explore the island and show cool backgrounds instead of focusing on this one tree for the entire show? Uhhh... Hey look! The Golden Egg isn't under the tree anymore! Neat!"

Other than that, good episode.