Classic She-Ra 1x08: A familiar voice
She-Ra: Princess of Power was my very favorite show when I was little, back when it was originally on the air. In the 30+ years since then, I had forgotten almost everything about it except the basic premise. Rewatching the show now as an adult, I think some parts hold up well while others seem clumsy, weird, or inappropriate by today’s standards.
For instance, this is a show targeted at young children, so what’s with the pin-up figures and impractically skimpy costumes? In fairness to the show, it is at least pretty egalitarian about this sort of thing. She-Ra’s costume is if anything more modest than her brother He-Man’s. Most of She-Ra’s female allies wear some sort of leotard with tights, while Bow wears a crop top with tights. He also seems to wind up in suggestive poses about as often as She-Ra.
I don’t get who this kind of fanservice was supposed to be for, though. Babysitters? Bored parents?
Anyway, this booty shot of Bow appears in episode 1x08, “The Red Knight”, set during the annual Rebel’s Fair. The Horde naturally plans to attack the festival, but the more interesting part of the story involves the titular Red Knight. He rides to the aid of our heroes at the beginning of the episode and sticks around for the fair. Bow is particularly impressed by him.
With the authority of someone who took one medieval lit course in college, I’ll say that I see some influence from tales of chivalry here. In addition to the mysterious knight who has vowed not to reveal his name or face, there’s also a tournament (the Rebel’s Run) in which the Red Knight defeats the reigning champion Bow.
I hope the design of that building in the background doesn’t get this post flagged for adult content.
While episode 1x06 contained lesbian subtext worthy of Xena: Warrior Princess, this time around there’s some heterosexual subtext. Bow seems especially excited about the fact that She-Ra will be awarding the prize to the winner of the Rebel’s Run. When he loses, he’s especially embarrassed that She-Ra witnessed his defeat. It’s not clear whether Bow wants to impress She-Ra because he respects her as a warrior or because he also finds her attractive, but his expression suggests the latter is a factor.
I liked that this episode gave Bow an antagonist here who wasn’t a villain. The Red Knight is good and honorable, but that doesn’t make it any easier for Bow when he loses the race. He goes off to sulk in the woods, but of course She-Ra shows him up to talk to him about toxic masculinity how there’s no shame in losing if you tried your best.
My one big criticism of this episode it that it builds up a lot of suspense regarding the true identity of the Red Knight and then totally fails to deliver. Queen Angella says repeatedly that she recognizes his voice (perhaps because he’s played by George DiCenzo, who voices most of the male characters) but isn’t able to place him. As I can tell from the Internet, the Red Knight never appears on the show again. So I’m just going to guess that he’s Sir Percival wearing the armor of the previous Red Knight and was too busy searching for the Holy Grail to return.