#she-ra analysis

[catras-breakup-song]

x / x / x

original thread 1

original thread 2

[grahminradarin]

SPOP And Queer Joy Tw for transphobia, the Daily Wire, and getting kicked in the nuts

I was watching the most recent video from Some More News about a deeply stupid and bad and transphobic film from the daily wire called Ladyballers, and there was a scene they talked about where one of the main characters who was a guy that has been disguised as a woman for a couple weeks in order to win a woman's basketball tournament realizes he might actually be trans, and confesses this to the basketball coach who is his old friend and came up with the idea. The basketball coach then tells the trans character that she doesn't understand her own feelings and that the coach will help her figure it out. When she continues to insist that she's a trans woman, the coach kicks her in the nuts. And this made me realize the whole conservative mindset is based on an authority figure convincing people under them that they don't understand their own feelings and they don't know who they are, but the authority figure does. And the point of it all is to make someone never trust themselves or their own feelings ever.

And then I thought of the ending of She-Ra.

And I finally get why it felt so right and so triumphant and so different. Catra and Adora have been living with Shadow Weaver their whole lives, and Shadow Weaver has constantly been telling them who they're supposed to be, and it hurts both of them so much over the course of the series because Adora keeps trying to fit herself into that mold better (is helped in this endeavor by light hope) while catra is trying to break out of her mold to put herself in Adora's as the golden child

And then hoard Prime shows up as the ultimate example of an authority figure insisting that you don't understand yourself with the chips, which are literally a direct physical implementation of that idea!

And in what both of them think are their final moments alive, they kill the shadow Weaver in their heads, trust themselves to know who they are, and do what they've wanted to do the whole time. Catra stops trying to prove herself and admits that she cares and wants to just be enough without having to try. She stops caring about whether she's weak and says she loves someone. Adora stops trying to be the self-sacrificing hero and acknowledges that she can care about other people differently than just having to save them and she finally takes something she wants without worrying about the consequences.

They both say "screw authority, I know who I am and I'm going to let that out" because they both think they're about to die. And that one tiny moment of rebellion and understanding saves the entire goddamn universe. It terrifies Prime to the point that he can't even comprehend what's happened, and then it obliterates him and frees everyone he's ever hurt. It fixes everything

That one moment of queer Joy, even at the very end of the world, is all that it took.

[averykedavra]

hey you ever think about how catra’s refusal to say sorry to anyone is a direct result of her abuse? how she actually says sorry in her second scene, to shadow weaver, after shadow weaver intimidates her for speaking out of turn? how she clearly doesn’t mean it but needs to say it or she’ll be punished? how that could lead to her viewing apologies as not something emotional, not something you say to right wrongs, but something to give someone else to keep them from hurting you?

you ever think about how catra doesn’t like to apologize because shadow weaver taught her that “sorrys” come when the other person has more power than you? that saying sorry is something you do out of fear, that apologies are about the recipient and not the giver? that saying sorry was warped into another of shadow weaver’s power trips, treating catra’s remorse like a tool to control her, acting as though catra needed to apologize for existing?

you ever think about how that made catra scared of apologies? scared of vulnerability in general? that even with the people she knows won’t hurt her, she doesn’t like the weight an apology brings, doesn’t like to bring herself to her knees and show her vulnerability? because she’s been taught that vulnerability is weakness, that emotions are distracting, and that apologies are something you give only when you’ve lost and need to placate the person who’s defeated you?

you ever think about how catra wanted an apology from shadow weaver? that she came back time and time again to shadow weaver’s cell because she wanted an apology? an explanation? that she wanted the confirmation that she’d won, she wanted to gloat in her enemy’s weakness like shadow weaver had always done, and wanted shadow weaver to feel remorse, even if it was manufactured out of fear? and how she never got that, she never got that real apology, until shadow weaver died telling catra she was proud of her?

you ever think about how catra finally apologized to adora? in corridors? that she thinks apologies are how you tell your enemy they’ve won, that they’re a mark of how powerless you are? and that in that scene, catra believes she’s lost? that she’s going to die? that adora’s finally won? and how catra’s apology is a reflection of not only her remorse but a misguided belief that she’s supposed to apologize, that this will somehow convey to adora that adora’s won, that adora’s fight is over and catra is finally defeated? and how she fully expects adora to leave, and then adora doesn’t, she doesn’t count this apology as a goodbye, a parting gesture, an admission of defeat?

you ever think about how apologies made catra feel powerless? how much she tried to gain power in her life? how much she clawed her way out of shadow weaver’s shadow, continuing the cycle of competition, of seeing her only way out as destroying the people who kept her down? how she viewed life as a fight and refused to accept help because that was another form of weakness? how adora was her greatest enemy because adora held power over catra, the power of she-ra and the power of their old friendship? how catra loved adora and that made adora the biggest threat in her life?

you ever think about, how after save the cat, catra never apologizes through words again? how she focuses on actions instead? how she leaps to defend adora, reaches out to old friends and enemies, tries to save the world? and how, in a way, that’s the biggest apology she gives--because after the words, the actions have to come? we know she spends time growing, time changing, and it’s true, isn’t it, that her apology didn’t save everything right away? how could it? when it was partially made out of fear, misguided self-hatred, internalized abuse? how could an apology born of a bloody past ever pave a future?

but you ever think about how she apologized, in her own little way, in a good way? how she worked to improve herself? how she reached out even when it hurt her? how she connected with adora and grew stronger because of it? how she stopped viewing the world as against her? how she learned to love without the fear of the vulnerability it brought? you ever think about how catra grew, and although she still avoided the words themselves, she found a million other ways to say she was sorry? and how those actions were what brought her to a new future?

you ever think about how catra used to think apologies were a surrender, but she grew to learn they’re a second chance? and how being forgiven, instead of being judged for losing the fight, showed her that she’s not powerless and doesn’t deserve to be? you ever think about how catra has finally learned she doesn’t have to apologize for taking up space, and that no one will punish her if she doesn’t admit defeat? that catra stopped fighting, because in the way that mattered, she’d won?

because yeah, I think about that a lot.

[eshden]

I finally get why Adora was so upset when Catra apologized. She knew. She knew that Catra thought that she was going to die and that’s why she apologized. It was her last chance

[morbid-longing-picturesque]

A slightly chaotic analysis of Catra's hair throughout the series that my brain thought up at 2:00 am instead of you know, sleeping

Seasons 1-4:

Throughout Seasons 1-4 Catra's hair looks like this. It's always the same length, color, texture, and style no matter what. It's signifying that she's stuck in the past and unwilling to let go. The addition of the headband holding her hair into place further solidifies her hatred towards change

Redemption Arc:

This version of Catra with short hair marks the beginning of her redemption arc. It signifies how everything (including her hair) has been stripped away from her. Her "friends", her security, and her position in the Horde, that's all gone now and she's forced to move forward and accept new changes. The shortened hair with no headband marks the beginning of a "clean slate" for Catra

Weird Future Prediction Scene:

At the end of Season 5, Adora has a weird dream sequence where she envisions what the future will look like for her when the war is over. In this dream sequence Catra's hair has finally grown back and is now held in a ponytail behind her. This signifies that old wounds have finally healed and Catra has put her past behind her and is now willing to accept change into her life. The structure of the ponytail being held into place also hints that Catra's mental state and life, are now finally stable since the war is over

That is all for my insomnia influlled rant on the Disater Lesbain Cat's hair, back to your regularly scheduled programming

[childhoodtheme]

i posted this on twitter earlier today and thought i’d share it here too.

this bit from an interview with noelle stevenson really drew my attention. it reminded me that that’s why catra kept reiterating that “she left ME” when referring to adora

it quickly got me thinking about episode 11, an episode that i’ve been wanting to deconstruct and analyse ever since i watched it for the first time.

i realised that this is why the “promise” memory was the one that pushed catra over the edge. adora had promised catra that nothing bad could happen to them as long as they had each other & catra always believed that. their situation wouldn’t matter because they would look out for each other.

despite catra knowing of the horde’s manipulation, adora was enough for catra to stay. that’s why catra was so affronted when adora’s immediate reaction to realising the villainy of the horde was to leave. adora had been enough for catra, but catra wasn’t enough for adora.

while catra had lived by adora’s promise when they were kids, it seemed to her that adora hadn’t. that isn’t to say that catra isn’t important to adora - it’s just that it’s also important for adora to be on the “good side”. but catra doesn’t understand this humanitarian aspect to things. she got the impression that it wouldn’t matter what side they were on as long as they were together. there was the war, and then there was them - on nobody’s “side” except their own. remember when she said this? ‬(particular emphasis on the last sentence)

catra had the idea that they’d work through fixing things together. so when adora suddenly leaves to join the rival side, catra feels that their little unit is broken. not only that, but take particular note of this exchange.

catra is realising that humanity is perhaps more important to adora than she is. adora knew catra took the brunt of the abuse, but that never drove her to take any drastic action against shadow weaver. adora only turned away when she realised the rest of the world was threatened. those memory simulations made catra realise this - that again, she wasn’t enough for adora and that “sides” were of greater importance to adora than she was once led to believe.

the “promise” memory was catra’s breaking point. it was a reminder that adora had promised that nothing mattered as long as they had each other, and a reminder that she had broken it. it confirmed that everything adora was doing was a personal betrayal to them, to their friendship, and to their promise.

and that very moment marked the beginning of catra’s descent into villainy.

it always felt uncomfortable to watch catra become so suddenly immersed in the activities of the horde when she used to show such apathy at what they did. but that’s because it’s not about the horde, or about the rebellion at all. catra’s true intentions are hidden under the guise of war. it’s not that she particularly supports the horde, but she uses it as a means through which she can get back at adora. the war is essentially a front for the deeply-rooted, personal problems catra has with adora.

it was never about “sides” but since adora was so quick to choose a side over her, catra is trying to prove that she can do the same. she’s trying to prove that she’s not weaker without adora, that she doesn’t care about the broken promise either.

but ultimately, the truth of the matter is - catra does care.

and all of this links back to what noelle originally said: everything catra feels towards adora’s betrayal is personal. and this is what underpins all her actions.

[artistic-mathematics]

I, uh, had the woooonderful experience of... watching the 4th season of She-Ra just now.

Major. Spoilers. Ahead. You have been warned.

Thoughts/Initial reactions?

I hate this show. I love and hate this show. No, I hate it. Love it. Hate. Love. Crew-Ra, w h y?

I definitely didn’t cry many, many times during the season.

Reference of Angella’s... absence made me cry a few times. Micah’s realization... can’t even imagine how awful that was for him. Glimmer’s struggle in accepting she’s gone... (hopefully for now or I will actually fight Crew-Ra...) was just. Ow. Glimmer yelling at Adora about how it was her fault that Angella was gone? Yeesh, no, that was also so upsetting, yikes.

Everyone was crying and I felt the need to join in because I also got sad.

Razz cried...

Then Micah cried over Angella...

Then Hordak did once he found out Catra lied to him...

Glimmer and Adora fighting with each other was so upsetting. It was awful. Please don’t let them fight again.

Scorpia finally said what we all wanted her to say.

Micah’s baaaaack, and he’s awesome!

Nope, not crying again. What do you mean I’m crying? What?

Was... was that Kyle doing something useful for once?

Did Light Hope actually show emotion? Am I dreaming?

Glimmer as a badass queen is literally so amazing. Her flaws really just make her better. I was basically screaming at the screen during the time she thought talking to Light Hope was like, the key to using the weapon, but turns out that it wasn’t the case, but it worked out in the end anyway and Scorpia has cool lightning magic now? Aaaaa!!

Mermista and Scorpia were such moods during this season.

My new headcanon is that Shadow Weaver gardens just so she has something to kill in her spare time.

Glimmer freeing Double Trouble to have them mess with Catra was the best. revenge. ever. Hats off to you, Glimmer.

Past theories proven right/wrong, and my thoughts on them? Theories I’m referencing here: Part 1, Part 2, Season 4 Trailer Analysis

Status of Micah, Angella, and Mara

Micah’s... quite alive, as we’ve seen. Glad I got something right!

However, Mara... is most likely gone. There’s absolutely no indication that Mara could possibly be alive at this point, other than the warped reality (which oh look, Micah’s alive!), but I think Crew-Ra made it pretty clear that she’s gone. Rest in peace, Mara.

Doesn’t mean I’m giving up on this theory, though :)) I think Mara and Adora would make great friends.

There’s still hope for Angella, especially since the portal was reopened and portal capabilities are now possible. Reopening this wormhole most likely meant freeing Angella, and I believe she’s out there somewhere. Micah was. Angella must be out there.

Hordak’s possible redemption arc

I guess his redemption arc... already happened? He fell... in “love”. He cared for Entrapta, which is pretty obvious.

He’s been “rebooted”, but that was clearly due to some tech stuff, so I believe that Entrapta may be able to undo that. They had a pretty great relationship, and I’m sure it can be restored. If that is true, then Hordak will most likely try to turn against Horde Prime, with Horde Prime’s great monologue in the end.

Entrapta’s status and stance

Haha, in this theory I said the Rebellion would find both Micah and Entrapta. Case closed, I win.

Entrapta is basically joining the Rebellion again. I thought it would be due to the realization of Catra’s betrayal, but it really ended up being something better -- the realization that the Princess Alliance never gave up on her, and never meant to left her behind.

Catra’s fate

Mmm. I thought Catra might join Horde Prime. During the last episode, however... she realized that her actions were pushing everyone away, she saved Glimmer from having her mind wiped, and she seems to be... overall... walking towards the good side. She did tell Horde Prime that he needed her... but I think it may have been to save her own skin after seeing Hordak. I think that was vague for the cliffhanger. I really hope Catra is truly seeing the light.

Madam Razz

I may have been completely right about her, and I’m so happy about this.

I decided in the end that she wasn’t a First One, but just a really old Etherian, and what do you know, she was confirmed to be that.

I said she was some sort of magical being, which definitely was part of it. Her powers... well, I said she may have time-traveling experience or is an all-seeing being of some sort, which I was... well, pretty close, I guess. It definitely wasn’t her memories messed up, as Mara confirmed that she was seeing into the future -- talking to Mara about Adora, and that’s how Mara was able to straight-up talk to Adora without playing the whole name game.

Catra’s redemption arc (and Beast Island)

Hey, Catra’s redemption arc seems to be beginning!

So much for Catra being the queen of Beast Island, however. That was proven wrong, unfortunately.

And aggh. The two ways I mentioned... were both wrong. I mentioned Hordak may find out about Catra’s lie and get sent to Beast Island, or Catra gets away with lying and ends up trying to become Horde Prime’s second-in-command. Neither of those quite happened. Hordak did find out, but kind of ended up trying to blast Catra into bits instead.

Light Hope and the First Ones

Holy. Hell. I was actually pretty close on this one.

Light Hope, at least, isn’t an end-game villain. In fact, she went against her own programming to save Etheria and Adora from their fate.

The First Ones, however... how much do you want to bet that Horde Prime has some connection with them? This may very well be the end-game villain right here. Horde Prime first, then the First Ones, because I’m pretty sure they have some connection. This definitely can’t be the end of the road for the First Ones. They made such a major part of the story and suddenly this just... goes away? Yeah, this can’t be.

My speculation of the First Ones leaving as Mara stranded Etheria... well, I wasn’t completely wrong, I guess. They were already leaving.

My idea about the First Ones conquering Etheria and needing She-Ra for that... oh boy.

A general speculation

During this short prediction, I mentioned that She-Ra was a massive struggle for power, and I wasn’t wrong. Those who end out on top are truly the people who widen their perspectives.

We see all of our current protagonists do this (biggest examples would be Glimmer during the last episode, Scorpia, and Entrapta). Catra is on her way, so I have good reason hoping for a redemption arc for her.

Horde Prime won’t make it too far. He really won’t.

Scorpia

So not exactly a theory, because I somehow completely neglected to mention how Scorpia may be getting a redemption arc real soon in my theory posts (and ended up sticking this in my quick analysis of the season 4 trailer) but I guess I was right there as well. Scorpia really was being treated awfully by Catra and... well, she finally said what we were all thinking.

Double Trouble

Not really a theory either, because I mentioned it in my quick analysis of the season 4 trailer, but I was mostly right.

I just want to mention that I said almost exactly what Mermista said -- how Shadow Weaver was too easy of an answer, and that it wasn’t her. I mentioned Double Trouble could easily be the spy, but may also help the Rebellion out instead. And what do you know, they did!!

Current theories?

Angella is still alive. Fight me on this. (And maybe Mara, but I might be a little too optimistic hoping for this...)

Catra’s getting a redemption arc...

Razz and her time-traveling powers of sorts?

New theories?

The sword broke, but Adora should be able to transform back into She-Ra somehow.

Razz mentioned specifically that the sword is not She-Ra. Adora is She-Ra. The sword is, well, just a sword. Adora is still capable of turning into She-Ra, she’ll just need another way. Oh, and when has Razz ever been wrong?

Horde Prime is connected with the First Ones, somehow.

I did mention this before, but they seem quite related.

Also, did I mention that Horde Prime seems to have advanced tech like the First Ones had... but it may just be the progress they made? In like, an actual universe that wasn’t Despondos?

The princesses’ powers?

Towards the ending of the last episode, Glimmer showed that her magic was glitched... sort of.

I believe that they’ll be able to get it back. I just think Adora’s sword severed the connections and they’ll have to go back to their runestones to reconnect themselves, as the runestones did go black after Adora broke the sword. I think they’ll be fine, but Glimmer will have to go back and she doesn’t really have the ability to do so as of right now... and maybe, just maybe, reconnecting the connections of all the other princesses (to their respective runestones) is the key to bringing back Adora’s ability to turn into She-Ra. Rest in pieces to the sword, though. Never even got a chance to see Adora turn it into a gun... Ah well, haha.

I’ll make new theories when I’m not utterly tired out... so until next time, I guess. Hope you all enjoyed this very unorganized post.

[superpaltriofan]

Guys.. She-ra is just

my entire life

i love it, the characters?? are?? so good??

I'd die for each and every character except Hordak and Shadow Weaver!

Mermista’s just an edgy mermaid girl  doing whatever the fuck she wants

Seahawk’s just a flaming hot mess (ha) doing what he wants while also at the same time being hopelessly in love with Mermista and wanting to help his friends despite feeling underappreciated by them all

Frosta’s just a small 11 year old girl living out her dreams and fangirling about being included and making edgy ocs, a good ice bb

Perfuma’s living her best life, 

Glimmer just wants to live up to her father

 Bow just wants to support his friends and prove he's a worthy asset to his side of the war

Adora  wants to prove that despite her fuckups and the legacy the First Ones left in place for her future she can accomplish what her predecessors can't

Rogelio's just a gay mute lizard

Kyle's a flaming hot mess

Lonnie's trying her fucking best to deal with the bull shittery of her team

Scorpia just wants to shower people (catra) in love and support, and make sure the other girl truly understands how much Scorpia just adores her and wants the absoloute best for her.

entrapta's just going where the wind takes her and doing what she's love

and Catra? Wants to show her abuser she is more than what she's been told she is, more than what her abuser ever was. Wants to obtain power and outrank everyone so no one will ever be able to hold power over her head to hurt her again, but no matter how many times they hurt her, can't let go of her abusive figure.