Even though the "bonding moment" wasn't exactly a success (Lance apparently doesn't remember it, there's a misunderstanding of each other's intentions)
I actually think... it was?
Because from that point onward their dynamic clearly changes.
Their interactions start feeling different.
And what really surprises me is how consistent the show is about it.
This isn't one of those conflicts that gets resolved in a single episode and there isn't a huge emotional speech where someone explains exactly what's changed.
Instead it's a series of small but very noticeable interactions. Tiny shifts in tone. Little moments that keep building on each other.
After the "bonding moment" they both stop seeing each other as just the most superficial version of the other person.
They start noticing the person underneath.
Keith and Lance get paired together on Balmera.
And there's a really interesting scene here.
Again the scene itself isn't particularly dramatic.
What's interesting is what it says in the larger context because it shows a very clear change in how they treat each other.
Keith naturally, is ready to throw himself into danger without a plan or asking anyone first.
Lance, knowing Keith is impulsive as hell, stops him and calmly explains that maybe they should... have a plan first.
He doesn't brush Lance off or ignore him because obviously Keith knows best. He WOULD before. But something is different now.
Also Keith is SUCH an idiot. I am so sorry but the fandom lied to me for YEARS. Everyone made him sound like this cool, disciplined, aloof lone wolf. This boy is an impulsive disaster who keeps trying to solve every problem by launching himself directly at it. I love him.
This is the moment where Keith realizes that... Lance is actually kind of smart.
He finally lets himself see Lance as a person instead of just the annoying loud guy.
Yeah Lance talks too much, he's irritating.
But he's also strategic, thinks ahead, he comes up with genuinely good plans.
Once Keith realizes that... he actually says it out loud.
He openly admits Lance's plan was better.
And remember, we KNOW who Lance is.
The writers made sure we understood from the very beginning that he struggles with insecurity, he constantly feels like he's not enough.
That words of recognition mean everything to him.
He's getting that recognition from the very rival he's been jealous of for who knows how many weeks????
The guy who barely compliments anybody.
The guy whose approval Lance has been desperately trying to earn since practically day one.
I mean... a few episodes ago Lance was literally fishing for compliments from him, trying so hard to impress him.
And now Keith just... gives him exactly what he's been wanting.
Honestly I'm almost surprised the show doesn't linger on Lance's reaction for even a second.
Compare it to how emotional he was when Shiro acknowledged him.
All they would've needed was one extra second, maybe a slightly bigger smile or surprised expression idk.
But they don't give it to us which almost feels weird considering how meaningful this should be for Lance.
Because I'M convinced that night Lance fell asleep smiling into his pillow thinking about the fact that stupid Keith had actually acknowledged his abilities.
Nobody can convince me that it's not canon.
They just... work together.
Whenever they're not actively arguing, they actually ARE... a good team.
Also, once again: why did fandom convince me Keith was the composed one??
I wouldn't say they suddenly become best friends.
But there is a very obvious shift.
They simply... cooperate.
They're real teammates now.
Interactions like these would've been practically impossible during the first half of season one.
Once they stop constantly trying to prove something to each other they actually function as a team.
They still tease each other of course.
actually Lance is also an idiot. I almost forgot. Thankfully, the show didn't.
(btw, I absolutely adore the fact that they decided to spend time, money and work of several people to animate shit like this. Yes, give me more, I want to just be there with these stupid boys and watch them be stupid. This is the point.)
But something else starts happening with Lance that I find really interesting.
I feel like he stops getting triggered by Keith's existence...
...and starts getting frustrated by the things Keith does.
That's a pretty important difference.
Here Lance stops Keith from making another impulsive decision.
Lance doesn't seem annoyed at Keith.
He's annoyed by what Keith is doing.
That's not the same thing.
It's almost like Lance starts recognizing Keith's impulsiveness and naturally slips into the role of being the one who slows him down a little.
Keeps him from immediately charging into disaster.
So if Keith's realization is:
"Lance is actually smart and thinks strategically."
(Even if not enough to listen to him lmao)
Then Lance's realization is:
"Keith is actually kind of an impulsive mess who occasionally needs someone to hit the brakes."
Lance shifts from "whatever you're doing I have to prove I'm better than you."
"okay Keith, could you PLEASE calm down before you get yourself killed again."
It's an incredibly subtle change.
Nobody ever says it out loud.
But the show keeps reinforcing it over and over again.
And I really appreciate how consistently it sticks to that.
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