As writers, what we should really learn from Catra’s story is that not all redemption arcs look the same. Zuko’s redemption arc is a gold standard that we compare all redemptions too - but Zuko was a very different character from Catra. Zuko’s redemption is fundamentally about realising that the standards set by his father are unfair, that he has been the victim of unkindness and abuse, that he is allowed to choose himself. Zuko’s moral core in the story is unquestionable: from the beginning, he chooses to capture the Avatar out of a sense of honour. His banishment was also caused by his own strong sense of right and wrong. As an audience, we are made aware of his sense of justice and fairness. His realisation lies in seeing that the imperial conquest of the fire nation is none of these things, and if he has any sense of honour - it should be to himself. It should be to protecting the people in need, and not to his abuser.
Catra’s story is very different. From the beginning, Catra is aware of the fact that the Horde is wrong and that Shadow Weaver is a manipulative abuser. She knows these things, but her sense of morality and strength never lay there - it was always in the reckless and unwavering loyalty she had to herself and Adora. She did not always see systems - she only ever saw Adora and herself alongside. Which is why when Adora asks Catra to leave the Horde, that unwavering loyalty shatters. For Catra, the circle of people she would give her life up for is very very limited. Catra’s problem has always been that Adora chose to save the world and not their friendship. The fact that Adora didn’t notice Catra’s suffering and willingly noticed the princesses’ is what makes Catra snap.
Throughout the rest of the series, she has a very small amount of kindness and loyalty to give to anyone - some to Scorpia, and some to her old squadron. Adora makes up for her mistakes at the end of the season three arc, when she chooses Catra again and again - until Catra forces her to not choose her. For the first time abandoned by Adora, Catra has to realise that despite all she has suffered - she is the one perpetuating suffering. She is the toxic person who drives people away, she has become a version of herself untempered by Adora’s kindness. Unlike Zuko, who only ever had Iroh - Catra had many people who care for her. Lonnie, Kyle and Rogelio may not have loved her, but they have their loyalties to the people around them, too. Scorpia, a constant source of love and care. Even Adora only gave up on her during the third season only. Catra is loved, but she is selfish. She has to choose to be good, she has to choose to understand Adora’s decision to save others.
It isn’t that Catra lacks a moral centre: it is just that that moral code was only ever extended to Adora. She is selfish and will not apologise, not to anyone. She has to learn how to extend that circle of loyalty, to apply a sense of kindness to people who are not Adora. She is still unfailingly loyal - a ride or die girl, getting brainwashed for Adora, jumping into fire for her, whatever it takes once that loyalty is established. But she is also capable of kindness to others - to Glimmer, during captivity, to Netossa, when she is mourning the loss of her wife. She has to learn to see these strengths in herself - she is capable of sacrificing herself for Glimmer and Adora, of understanding exactly how to tactically save them. Her loyalty gives her unique perception and insight into people’s emotional cores, and once she learns these strenghts, she can also become the one thing that Adora doesn’t have: someone who asks her what she wants.
Catra is the only person in Adora’s story that does not want anything out of her sword. Glimmer and Bow love her and see her as a person, but their friendship is premised on saving their planet, their people, their sense of justice. Catra doesn’t care about a lot of these things - but she learns to understand their value. She learns to let Adora choose the world, because then it puts her in the most important position of choosing Adora. Catra almost doesn’t - she almost walks away from Adora’s decision to sacrifice herself and save the world, but she doesn’t. She chooses Adora, and in that, finds Adora choosing her back.
It’s so fucking poetic it hurts me. I love my cat girl so much, I am so glad Noelle did justice to her character. It was never that Catra did not deserve a redemption arc - even though it looked like it in season three, and a lot of you people abandoned ship. Catra’s redemption is different from Zuko’s - she is meant to have her unfailing loyalty kick in again when an adversary threatens Adora again, in a way that she might not be able to stop. She doesn’t have as many ups and downs as Zuko - her story is a steady downward spiral until she decides to stand up. Like Zuko, it is a choice - but it is a choice that comes in very different circumstances. Her redemption is unique to her character, and just as complex and interesting and well executed as Zuko’s.
AND ALSO NOT TO BE THAT PERSON BUT NOELLE MADE ZUTARA CANON SO
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