Entrapdak Positivity Month Day 5: Disability
I just love these two — and regardless of them being antagonists for much of the show, they’re important to me as representation.
From the beginning, Entrapta is the only person not intimidated by Hordak. He’s caught off guard by her lack of fear, and struggles to maintain control of the situation, but Entrapta isn’t easily controllable. She doesn’t react like most of the Etherians Hordak has encountered, so she’s unpredictable for him in a way he clearly isn’t used to.
Unlike in her relationships with other characters, here Entrapta’s autism isn’t something she has to “overcome.” It’s just part of her, and in fact, it actually drives the formation of their relationship. She’s able to break down the walls Hordak’s put up just by being herself.
And Hordak definitely has a lot of defenses that he never expected anyone to try breaking through, let alone succeed. He’s used to pushing everyone away by maintaining the image of someone frightening and powerful. Presumably, this is partly fear of appearing weak which is pretty justified considering how Catra takes advantage of it as soon as she finds out, and partly the shame Prime taught him to feel about his disability.
Fortunately for them both, it doesn’t work on Entrapta. Hordak doesn’t scare her, he fascinates her — and she wants to help him.
And she tells him things he really needs to hear as someone dealing with a ton of internalized ableism from abuse, and even builds him an assistive device as soon as she finds out about his chronic illness.
(god i just. love this scene)
Although Entrapta is a lot more self-assured than Hordak is, she has some significant insecurities too — and it’s not hard to see why, when pretty much everyone treats her like this:
would be cooler if the show portrayed this as a bad thing but at least it’s realistic lol
I think a lot of autistic people, myself included, know the feeling of being grudgingly kept around just because you’re useful in some way, but not really understood or liked. With the princesses, Entrapta has to accept this as the closest she can get to friendship — and she tries to.
At first, she may seem unbothered by it, but she’s all too aware that she doesn’t fit in with most people. That’s what makes it so easy for Catra to convince her that the other princesses left her behind. They might think she’s unable to notice the way they act toward her, but she does notice, and it hurts.
That’s part of what makes her relationship with Hordak so important. Yes, she helps him a lot, but it’s not one-sided either. He’s the one person who consistently listens to her and respects her, even before they become close.
They both introduce each other to a kind of respect (and love) they aren’t used to receiving, and may not feel worthy of at first, due to ableism and abuse. They understand each other, they help each other, and their relationship is mutually beneficial.
bonus Relatable Neurodivergent Moods with Entrapta:
the “no no I swear I’m listening even though I look like I’m not” lol
and the “wait shit you’re mad?? what did I do? why didn’t you just tell me?”
Also, this scene with Hordak is so relatable for chronic illness/pain:
It’s exhausting trying to keep going when your body is falling apart and seems to be working against you at every turn, especially when you have to hide that you’re struggling and hold yourself to the same standards as a healthy person.
anyway, in conclusion: Entrapdak are good rep and I love them. thank u for coming to my ted talk.
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areudirty
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