Ah, it’s the same old story, dearie. Wicked people destroy what they cannot control.

So they’re back at Bright Moon (with the horse, because Glimmer was evidently too weak to walk home). Glimmer’s not looking forward to explaining all this to her mom (justifiably, as it happens), and to that end, she tells Bow to take Adora to her room via the “back way” (which involves a cliff, though to be fair, it might be a more reasonable alternative when Glimmer’s available to teleport).

After Glimmer passes out, Angella lays off long enough to at least let her recharge at the runestone.

Angella: Are you all right?

Glimmer: I’m fine, Mom.

Angella: Don’t think you’re not still in trouble. You didn’t even take the time to charge up before you left.

Glimmer: I didn’t think I’d be gone that long.

Angella: Where did you go anyway?

Glimmer: Okay, Bow and I found a super powerful piece of First Ones tech in the woods. We knew it would really help the Rebellion, so we went to get it and bring it back, but we got a little sidetracked. It was fine though, and I totally had it under control. And while we were out there, we found something even better!

Angella: What did you find?

Glimmer: I can’t tell you yet, but you’re gonna love it, I promise!

I mean, it’s hard to blame Angella for her concern (especially when Glimmer literally JUST PASSED OUT), but at the same time, if you’re in a rebellion, it’s kinda expected that you’d be in danger on a regular basis, no matter how safe your palace is.

Adora: Okay, I get it. I’m guessing the people of Bright Moon are gonna be a little less welcoming of a Horde soldier than you led me to believe.

Bow: Maybe a little?

Adora: How little?

Bow: Think…pitchforks and torches. It’s just that, the people of Bright Moon have been really hurt by the Horde. Everyone here has lost someone in the war. You can’t blame them for being a little suspicious.

This actually represents a significant change from the original, where Adora just announced her defection and was warmly welcomed to the “right side”. I mean, this drama practically writes itself!

Then Glimmer shows up to prep her “surprise”, telling Adora to transform before she meets the Queen.

Bow: Wait, we’re jumping straight to She-ra with your mom? Are you sure?

Glimmer: Yeah, I don’t think my mom is gonna buy “Hey Mom, we found a Horde soldier, can we keep her?” My mom is gonna love She-ra! We can ease her into the Horde stuff later.

Adora: Uh, Glimmer, look. I don’t know if I can just turn on She-ra. I’ve only done it when someone was in danger before, and it felt a little…out of control last time. I’m still figuring out how all of this stuff works.

But Glimmer’s set on her plan, so they leave Adora alone with the sword to “think She-ra thoughts”.

And Adora opts to take it outside where things are less breakable…and still fails to summon She-ra.

She does, however, succeed in turning “Horsie” into this fabulous creature! But he also freaks out and runs/flies into a nearby rebel camp, where people subsequently attack the “Horde spy”, and this has not been a good day for Adora.

But it’s an even worse day for Catra.

Catra: Oh, please. [She-ra]’s just like every other princess. All sparkle, no substance. She caught us off guard, that is all.

Lonnie: Sure. You were the only one who saw her up close, and you didn’t even land a hit on her. What, did you freeze up?

Catra: You think I’m scared of some princess? I could take her out whenever I want. I know her secret.

Lonnie: Oh yeah? And what’s that?

Catra: Hm! Like I’d tell you.

Lonnie: Easy, Catra. Adora’s not here to protect you anymore.

Because Catra apparently got on a LOT of people’s bad sides.

Meanwhile, Adora’s hanging out with this old lady because she’s the only person she’s met today that’s not offended by her mere existence. Granted, it might be because she thinks Adora is someone else.

Razz: We made plans to go berry-picking today!

Adora: Look, I’m sorry, but I think you’re mistaking me for someone else? I don’t know who you are.

Razz: No, you don’t know Madame Razz, do you? You’re not quite the same. And this is the wrong time for my Mara, isn’t it? Now you’ve got the sword instead.

[…]

Adora: Hey, uh, you said something about the sword. Have you seen it before?

Razz: Ha! Don’t ask such silly questions, Mara. You know you bring that sword around here all the time.

Adora: I’m not– okay, how long have you been living out here in the woods, alone?

Razz: Alone? Me? No! I’m not alone! I’ve got Broom here, and my friend Loo-Kee, too, but he’s always hiding.

Adora: Oh, good! You’ve got imaginary friends.

Razz is kind of a brilliant character in a way that only becomes evident as the show goes on, and the references to the original series are just a fun bonus. In the old series, her broom actually WAS a character, and Loo-Kee was a character that was always hidden somewhere in the episode, but also showed up at the end to spell out the moral. And there’s also this Mara with the sword, which is decidedly NOT from the original…

She leads Adora to a ruin (allegedly because it’s the best spot to pick berries).

Adora: Stars!

Razz: Oh, we used to come here to look at the stars. Do you remember, Mara? They’re all gone now. What happened to the stars?

Adora: I’ve seen them before! I know all of this somehow.

There aren’t any stars in the Etherian sky now, so what happened?

And then Adora has a few more random visions, which understandably freaks her out, but Razz maintains that she really just brought her out here to pick berries.

Adora: I just- I need you to tell me what to do!

Razz: How would Madame Razz know what you should do?

Adora: Look, I left my whole life behind looking for answers about where I came from and who I’m supposed to be. The Rebellion hates me and I can’t go back to the Horde, and I want to do the right thing but I- I don’t know what that is.

She’s rejected her old purpose in life, and she’s searching desperately to find something to replace it.

and catra’s a mess so i’m a mess

When faced with the empty bunk Adora had shared with her basically all her life, Catra has a bit of a breakdown.

But Shadow Weaver’s not about to leave her in peace.

Catra: What do you want?

Shadow Weaver: Impertinent as always, I see. With such a grand failure under your belt, it would benefit you to show more respect, cadet.

Catra: I did exactly what you told me to do. You were the one who didn’t warn us there would be princesses there!

Shadow Weaver: I gave you a simple task: Bring back Adora. Instead, your squadron’s ravaged, your war machines destroyed, and Adora is still missing!

Catra: Newsflash, old lady: If Adora wanted to come home, she’d be here right now. Adora’s gone. She defected, and I’m starting to think she had the right idea. So maybe it’s you who should be showing a little more respect to me.

Shadow Weaver: Lies! I have not the patience to address your incompetence and your insubordination, cadet. You will answer to a higher power, Lord Hordak himself.

Because Catra can never catch a break.

Razz: Ah, it’s the same old story, dearie. Wicked people destroy what they cannot control.

Adora: They can’t just do this!

Razz: Once, the princess would have protected us, but these days, they stay in their castles, protecting only their own lands. Meanwhile, the Horde creeps ever closer. You’re very like my Mara, you know. Brave, loyal, but…afraid.

Adora: I’m not afraid.

Razz: Dearie, you ran into the woods and asked the first old lady you could find what you should do! No one is going to make this easy for you, dearie. Stop waiting for someone to tell you what the right thing to do is. You’re a smart girl! What do you think?

Adora: I think…this is wrong.

This was why she couldn’t transform: Because she lacked purpose. She was afraid of hurting the people she cared about (because she still does care about the people in the Horde). Now, she’s concluded that the Horde must be stopped, not just for the sake of her rebel friends, but for the good of Etheria.

She-ra: Turn off your machines and leave this place, now!

Obviously, a fight ensues, but she’s much more cognizant of her actions this time (as evidenced by the fact that she opens with terms of surrender). She receives a tank blast to the chest for her trouble, knocking her out, but I think she considers that a fair price to pay for sticking to her principles.

Razz and the horse manage to get her out of danger (because Razz has a little magic of her own), and Adora’s finally chosen a course of action.

Razz: Swift Wind and I have been talking while you were asleep. He thanks you for coming to his rescue. […] That’s what he prefers to be called. Also, he wanted me to make sure that you know that Horsey was a stupid name. How do you feel?

Adora: I’m- I’m okay. I think…I think I know what I need to do. If the princesses won’t defend Etheria, then I will. I need to go back to Bright Moon.

Razz: Ah, that’s the spirit, dearie.

Adora: Will I see you again? 

Razz: If you need me, you will always know where to find me.

So Swift Wind gives her a lift back to Bright Moon, where she’s ready to proclaim herself as She-ra (and clear up the whole “Horde soldier” confusion).

Glimmer: I was trying to tell you. Mom, meet-

Angella: She-ra.

She-ra: Your Majesty, I’ve come to pledge myself to the Rebellion. But first, there’s something you should know.

Glimmer: Mom, this is Adora.

Adora: I know you have no reason to trust me, Your Majesty, but I’ve seen for myself the atrocities the Horde has committed against the people of Etheria, and I’m ready to fight to stop them. If you’ll give me the chance, I know I can help the Rebellion turn the tide of the war.

Angella: I know the legend of the warrior the First Ones called She-ra. They said she would return to us in the hour of our greatest need to bring balance to Etheria. I never thought she was anything more than a myth, and yet you’re here now, and in the uniform of a Horde soldier no less. You would pledge to stand with us against those you once served?

Adora: Yes.

Angella: And Glimmer, you would vouch for her, and take responsibility for her? 

Glimmer: Yes.

Angella: Then rise. The Rebellion accepts your allegiance, She-ra, Princess of Power.

The nod to the title of the original show also serves as a convenient segue to talk about the change in the title. There weren’t actually that many princesses in the original series (I think it was basically just Glimmer and Mermista, and Adora was technically an actual princess on Eternia). So the idea was evidently to make this show have more of an ensemble cast, and because of that, several characters were upgraded to princesses (sometimes with actual magic).

Glimmer: Welcome to Bright Moon!

Bow: But for real this time.

Meanwhile, Catra’s having a bad time, as usual.

Shadow Weaver: I gave her a charge of a simple mission, to return Force Captain Adora to the Fright Zone. Instead, our forces suffered a humiliating defeat.

Lord Hordak: Then you mean to tell me that you’re still down a force captain?

Shadow Weaver: Yes, my lord, but rest assured, nothing will stop us from finding Adora and bringing her back.

Hordak: No. You will elect another force captain, and resume normal operations.

Shadow Weaver: But my lord, Adora is the only viable candidate!

Hordak: You have Catra. Was she not your ward as well?

Shadow Weaver: Catra has been nothing but a disappointment to me.

Hordak: If you have failed to condition her properly, you have no one but yourself to blame.

Hordak: I have made my decision. Rise, Force Captain Catra.

This is the first sign that Shadow Weaver and Hordak aren’t on the same page about everything, which turns out well for Catra in this case.

Also, I have to mention the soundtrack, because this is the first show I’ve covered that has a prominent (original) orchestral soundtrack. Princess Tutu‘s soundtrack was primarily composed of classical pieces, Steven Universe mainly focused on the songs, and The Owl House was mostly just serviceable. But the Horde theme at the end here (featuring electric guitar) really adds to the scene; honestly, the softer piece when Catra was having her breakdown helped contribute to the tragedy of her situation, even when we don’t know her very well yet.

Also, I feel like Stevenson is familiar with the Three Episode Rule for anime, as he wrote all of the first three episodes (mostly) by himself, giving the audience a taste of the best this show has to offer, and setting up most of the conflict as well. I wasn’t really sold on the show after the first episode, but after this one, I was eager for more (if only more Catradora). Sadly, the quality varies quite a bit when Stevenson isn’t writing, but I was hooked from here on out.

Until next time…