im really curious whats your opinion on bp lance?
-gay alien (im glad i made your week with the previous ask btw<3)
Ok let's do this *cracks knuckles*
So. Lance as black Paladin. There's a concept I have a lot of mixed feelings about.
I'm gonna start off by saying that bp Lance is definitely a much better idea than bp Keith. While Keith, at the core of who he is as a character, lacks every ideal trait for the role of bp (which isn't bad! leading Voltron just wasn't for him is all), Lance actually displays some of those traits.
"The black lion is the decisive head of Voltron. It will take a pilot who is a born leader and in control at all times, someone whose men will follow without hesitation."
Lance may not be everyone's first choice of a 'born leader', nor is he in control 100% of the time, however he does have the ability to take control in a situation when he needs to and make decisions for the benefit of the team, and knows what to say to get them to follow him.
He's very good at taking everything into account and finding the best solution in situations (which be barely ever gets recognition for, might I add).
Lance taking the lead definitely would have been a compelling arc for his character, especially seeing as he's never usually taken seriously. It would have given him more development and respect as a character.
And I do understand people's reasoning behind the headcanon. I personally was left with quite a sour taste in my mouth to see Lance so genuine and desperate to prove himself,
only for him be treated like a joke once again.
A lot of people saw that spark and ambition in him, and were rightfully disappointed that it was all for nothing. And I agree. At this point, if any one of the Paladins who are left (besides Allura) deserves to pilot Black, it's Lance.
Instead, he was left feeling second best to Keith once again, always expected to follow him and try to fill his shoes.
And Lance definitely deserves better than that.
However, all of this doesn't change the fact that the very concept of the Paladins switching from one lion to another was just a terrible idea.
From the beginning, it's made clear that each paladin has a special, unique bond to their lions. It was an unbelievable coincidence - some might say fate - that they, the perfect matches for their specific lions, were brought together and hand delivered to the castle.
"As you have found, the lions choose their pilots. It is a mystical bond and cannot be forced. The quintessence of the pilot is mirrored in his lion. Together, they form something greater than science can explain."
When you start switching lions with each other, it lessens the weight of those bonds. Now, it doesn't feel like the Paladins are special or chosen for any reason at all. It just feels like anyone who concentrates hard enough could pilot a lion if they wanted to, as others have pointed out (see this meta on how the lion switch was bad for every character it affected).
It just makes no sense at all for someone to be able to pilot multiple lions.
The only person for whom it could possibly make sense to have the ability to pilot multiple lions is Allura - but that's for a whole other post.
So, Allura aside, lion switching is just a terrible idea. It's detrimental to all the characters, as well as the plot and the whole idea of Voltron. Lance definitely deserves to be treated better, but if we're looking at changing canon, there are many better ways of providing that.
What I would have loved to see is some kind of arc for Lance where he takes the lead in a different way. Maybe the team decide to follow one of his plans, finally taking him seriously for once. He wouldn't be the black Paladin, no, but he would get to show off what he's really capable of.
And maybe after that mission is successful, the team will realise how valuable Lance's skills are, and he'll take on a more active role in providing input for battle strategies and making decisions.
Because I don't think Lance needs to become like Shiro or Keith to be worthy and valued. I love his bond with blue, and I love the potential for him to grow into who he was always supposed to be, and not into a different person.
