Voltron creators not making same shipping mistakes
You know, personally, I was never that interested in Shallura. I loved Klance since first season. I sometimes did not like it being compared to another queer ship but I understood it meant a lot to a lot of people. I liked Klance because fanon and canon structured it pretty well. The way they showed Keith being a lone wolf and Klance being a more people-person was interesting. What I enjoyed, however, is that Lance was not treated as an idiot in the narrative. He could tell off Keith and had done so several times. In S6 he is the first person to realise that Keith looked different as in aged than his former self.
I liked this relationship potential because from what I know from S7 Lance has VERY good reasons to dislike Keith’s behaviour. Keith was very arrogant and did things to get his squad into trouble even when others requested him to care about others in the Garrison. I know he had his own baggage but Keith was being selfish. Add that to the fact, Keith possibly pretended not to recognise Lance.
Now, these are genuine problems BUT in S3 Lance is the first person to understand that Keith is making mistakes as a leader but still respects him as a leader. This should not have happened but the show subtly showed Lance’s maturity in almost every season. Lance is the only person who is able to keep their cool when things are not going well. He done that a lot.
Yes, he may have a crush on Allura but his feelings for Allura or even Keith doesn’t interfere with his role as paladin or his other interactions. Lance is the most well-adjusted person in the group aside Hunk. Yes, he is underestimated because unfortunately people treat him as a comical, lover boy but I think Lance acts like this because ultimately he knows too much tension/stress/pressure is what no one, including his team, doesn’t need. Lance is one of the most dedicated members of Voltron and its coalition despite missing his family like anything.
Now, The reason I talked about Lance is that one good thing about Voltron, the show, is that it shows subtle changes and subtle gestures from characters, to show their maturity levels. Keith is actually very immature. Not that he is not dedicated or capable but he needed some time to grow up, which happened in the quantum abyss. Yet, Keith is a leader or told to be a leader but there is no reason Lance cannot pilot the Black Lion either. If you look at Zarkon, he is also pretty immature. I think the Black Lion feels they cannot teach anything to Lance so they didn’t accept him. Not that he isn’t leader material because we have seen Lance be a leader in several situations.
As Studio Mir and many writers worked on Legend of Korra I think they did not want a shipping war to be happen making fandom really toxic. So, they showed that almost all the characters have great chemistry with one another. In S1 and S3 Klance was very dominant. But S2 and S4 focused a lot on Kallura. Then S1, S4, S5 and S6 also focused on Allurance. Now, the way the ships were presented showed great chemistry but something that can go either way. By doing this, the writers intelligently kept all ships valid to an extent but at the same time decided not to lean towards any bias. It made sense to the narrative as well because Keith goes away in S4 and Lotor plays a pivotal role in S4, S5 and S6.
Now, that Shadam has been introduced I realised how Shallura has been made more valid as a relationship/friendship because of Shadam. If you look at Shallura they are not perfect. S1-S6 shows more understanding towards Shallura as a platonic or romantic relationship. Both Shiro and Allura has made sacrifices for their missions and dreams. Shiro has a disease and he had a long term relationship with Adam. When the opportunity came to expand his horizons, Adam wasn’t being helpful. What Shiro needed at the moment was some support. However, I also understand that Adam is computing the situation in another way. It just ultimately did not work out at that moment because Shiro wants to fulfil his dreams, which are significant dreams. Shiro became a hero and he is a queer man who was chosen by the Black Lion.
Shiro has also suffered a lot with a disease and tried his best to stay alive. Possibly, the Galra were interested in him because he is not perfect but managed to always try to overcome challenges with his limitations. Meaning, he is the ideal candidate for genetic research. Also, a person who can have a bond with the Black Lion. Now, all of these reasons is why Shiro understands Allura a lot. Shiro understands that up until S6 Allura thinks she is one of the only Alteans left in the universe. She feels she has lost her home, her family, her planet and also a place of belonging. Shiro knows how that feels because he lost Adam and he was a war prisoner. Both Shiro and Allura suffered personally the conflicts of war. At the same time, Shiro knows why Allura is frustrated and upset most of the times, especially in S1. When so many things are hinged on you it is really difficult. Shiro knew this too when he was in the Kerberos mission.
If Allura felt like a failed leader I am pretty sure Shiro felt the same things because he felt somewhat responsible for Matt and Samuel Holt for being abducted under his watch. He felt he was supposed to protect them but couldn’t in a same way that Allura felt she failed her cause and her people. Allura also is now learning new powers and a new sense of purpose. Shiro is also learning those things. If Allura is regaining faith in herself and how to trust others, so is Shiro. After all, both of them felt left down by others and also felt they failed themselves.
In S6 we also see Keith grow when he interacts with his mother, Kroalia. This is what he needed because Shiro has limitations towards Keith as well. When Keith says that Kroalia realised how important the mission is we see Kroalia state that she chose her family and that is why she left. After all, Keith and his father were in danger. She didn’t want to lose them. They were too important to her. This reflects how Keith also felt about Shiro as a family member and how he feels about Voltron, and the Blade of Marmora. Keith is very mission oriented but in S6 he realised he could lose everyone he ever loved and he didn’t want that to happen. When leaving in S4 he was actually sad. He was happy he was given the freedom but confused about it. He was willing to give his life in S4 for the other paladins of Voltron until Lotor showed up.
From being very selectively empathetic to mission oriented, Keith is growing up. Now, he can connect with the other members of Voltron better because he got to do what he wanted. This also speaks a lot for Lance, Pidge and Hunk. Lance is the most underestimated member on the team but he is very important because he is truly the backbone of Voltron, if Allura is the heart. Lance seemingly has the least mission oriented focus on the team but he has never personally failed Voltron. Also, Lance was able to pilot two lions, aside Keith. The most stubborn lion is the Red lion and Red chose him and the most calm one is Blue Lion and they also chose him.
Now, S7 and S8 will actually break or make endgame ships for people in canon but that doesn’t mean no one can no longer ship them. For some, like Pidge and Hunk they may remain open. I mean Pidge is a kid and I think they want her to grow up and be with someone outside the team, which is fair and just. Hunk has some connections with Shay that may also become full endgame canon. Now, it is Lance, Keith, Allura, Shiro and Coran who seem to be people with possible romantic interactions that may reach some canon point.
Shiro has to start thinking more about himself than other people, Lance and Allura must own up to their greatness andKeith must apologise to people and grow up outside himself.
All the ships: Shadam, Shallura, Kallura, Allurance, Shieth and Shance are still viable because the narrative has been structured in such a way that all these relationships can be romantic endgames to some extent or very good platonic endgames. Now, it is up to S7 and S8 to show what will happen.
