Re: Shiro x Keith after the BoM Trial
I’ve given this one a lot of thought through the seasons and I’ve come to a conclusion: You’re completely missing the point if you believe Shiro wasn’t supporting Keith after everyone found out Keith is Galra.
These two work together so well because they understand and give what the other needs on a primal level. Shiro needs someone to anchor him, who can cover him when his “fearless leader” facade breaks, who can sweep in at the whisper of danger to provide support or rescue. This is an active and noticeable care that Keith gives time and again. But Shiro’s care for Keith is much more subtle. He is a safe zone, steadfast in the belief that Keith is worthy and capable. Keith is there to save Shiro’s life, but Shiro is there to save Keith’s soul.
Looking at how Shiro handled Keith and the team immediately following the Galra reveal, it comes down to the fact that we see little personal interaction between that time and Keith going into the Empire’s central command. When Shiro and Keith return from the BoM base, things move at a rapid pace because war demands such.
They get back to the ship, introduce Kolivan, and we roll credits. Cut to the next episode and everyone is gathered on the bridge. A lot of people have assumed this change of venue directly follows Kolivan boarding the ship, but I don’t think that’s the case (unless I missed an official confirmation). There’s an additional blade member in this bridge scene and the paladins have all changed into their armor implying that at least a small chunk of time has passed. Enough time for the team to let the news about Keith’s trial sink in and refocus on formulating a plan to defeat Zarkon. Given this, the amount of time it takes to plan an operation of that scale, and that Keith isn’t collapsed on the floor from exhaustion, we’ll assume roughly a day has gone by. We fast forward to Hunk and Keith leaving for the Weblum; Shiro, Lance, and Pidge going to retrieve Slav, Allura to the Balmera, and Coran to Olkarion. All of these missions take varying lengths of time and would have to have happened in a certain sequence. All the paladins were done with their missions and able to help Allura complete her mission And Coran would not have been able to finish the teleduv until everyone else had returned. Additionally a teleduv of that size would have taken significant time to construct. I’d estimate all in we lapsed 2-3 weeks minimum from Galra reveal to Empire infiltration.
Going back to the beginning of the Weblum episode where the team is making plans on the bridge, we have Allura, who is giving stink eye to every Galra in her vicinity, running parallel to Shiro. Shiro who is acting as an exemplary team leader, head strategist, and peacemaker. Demonstrating a willingness to accept and work with Galra, including Keith, and encouraging the team to do the same.
Cut to Keith and Hunk saying goodbyes before leaving on their mission. Keith is standing off to the side as normal but this time Shiro, who typically is with the group or between them and Keith, is by his side ensuring everyone can see that he wants Keith to feel accounted and cared for. Throughout the show, Shiro is consistently shown to be near Keith, but this is the moment Shiro chooses to openly embrace the younger man, something I would argue is noticeably gentler indicated by the uncomfortable and confused look Allura gives the pair as they embrace.
Furthermore, Hunk and Keith were paired up for a mission and I don’t think that’s by coincidence. As I said, Shiro was the head strategist for this entire plan and was the one assigning everyone tasks. He specifically put Keith with Hunk, the team member who is most consistently open to new ideas and has not had personal conflict with Keith prior to this situation. Shiro made this match in hopes for Keith to see not all of the team hates him now that he’s Galra. Hunk, rather than being suspicious, is curious and tries to make light of the situation to alleviate the tension. (Sidebar: Hunk is also one of the first to support Keith as the Black Paladin.)
To say Shiro was not there for Keith in this time is wrong. He was exactly what Keith needed, because Keith doesn’t need someone to fight his battles for him; he needs someone to cover him when he reaches his limits and when his raw spots are exposed- someone who will support him without stripping him of his agency. Because Keith is an active being who dervies self worth through what he can achieve. Shiro provides this perfectly time and again.
Looking back at 02x08 when Keith is fighting to learn more about where he comes from, Shiro does not understand or agree with Keith’s choices. He protests Keith doing this trial, but he never tries to stop him. While watching the trials, Shiro protests further to Kolivan, but does not act because he understands that Keith needs this. And Shiro respects Keith’s right to act of his own volition even when Shiro doesn’t like it.
Shiro maintains this steadfast support up to Keith’s breaking point. When Keith collapses and his own mind starts to argue against him is when Shiro breaks. He levels that hologram and Kolivan with a look reserved for hell. A hologram Shiro who is dictating to Keith what he should do and is very obviously not the real Shiro because he is undermining Keith’s ability to make decisions (catch me throwing shade at Kuro circa season 4).
Basically, Shiro provides Keith with subtle support which gives Keith the sense of agency he needs to succeed. I am very bothered when people say Shiro was not there for Keith after the Galra reveal because there are a lot of contextual clues that suggest Shiro was defending Keith during this time in the way that he is always there for Keith: subtly. Keeping the worst of the damage at bay without starting fights because he respects Keith’s ability to fight his own battles.
I get wanting to see quiet emotionally charged moments between the pair, but honestly. That’s not how Shiro and Keith operate. Their relationship is built on an understanding that doesn’t need words- it’s fundamental and instinctive. There’s no need to spell out what they already see in each other. It doesn’t make sense for Shiro to verbally confront the rest of the team because as far as they are concerned, Shiro is there for all of them, not just Keith. It would have been a poor leadership move for Shiro to call out the team in a quest to defend Keith, especially when the support Keith needs is the kind that allows him to defend himself.
Edit: tagging @akaiikowrites because she’s the tea to my salt and the one encouraging my bad behavior
