I can’t believe this is really my coronation day.

So this is the first episode of Season 4, and this season’s main failing is just that it DID NOT need to be 13 episodes. To be fair, I feel like the only season that really NEEDED to be that long was Season 5, but that’s neither here nor there.

Much like Steven Universe season 4, this mostly feels like just a bridge between the (vastly superior) Seasons 3 and 5. That’s not to say it doesn’t have its moments – there are a few elements I really like, and even a handful of great episodes, but there are also elements that really annoy me.

This is the first season where they actually updated the opening to some extent, most notably replacing Angella with Mara (who is going to feature much more prominently), and…adding Flutterina, which I am not nearly as thrilled about, but we’ll get to her when we get there.

And while we’re on the subject, they finally removed Shadow Weaver from the Horde’s roster.

Anyway, on to the actual episode!

Glimmer: People are starting to arrive. I can’t believe this is really my coronation day! Me, Queen Glimmer. It sounds so weird. […] I just…never thought it would actually happen.

Adora: Hey, don’t worry! You’ve got me and Bow beside you all the way. We’ll make sure this day is perfect.

Glimmer: Yeah. You’re right! We’ve got this. Do I look okay?

Adora: Like a queen.

Then Casta (as Glimmer’s only remaining family member) drags her off to greet the guests.

Adora: I’m worried about Glimmer.

Bow: Must be hard celebrating, with Angella being gone.

Adora: It’s her coronation! This should be a perfect day for Glimmer. And we’re gonna make it perfect! All we have to do is keep her mind off-

Bow: Angella?

Adora: Off everything, yes.

It might have been helpful if they’d actually asked GLIMMER what she wanted this day to be, but as that’s basically the main conflict of the episode, I suppose I’ll just go with it.

Castaspella: So, the ceremony begins with the Ritual Quest, followed by your first speech as Queen, and most importantly, the whole thing ends with a grand ball!

Adora: Oo, there’s a quest! We’re great at quests.

Casta: Yes! The Quest of Queens, in which Glimmer will forge her connection to the Moonstone. The Moonstone’s elemental power has been balanced between you and your mother since you were born. But now, with her- her absent-

Bow: So! About that quest! We’re great at quests, right, guys?

So she hands Bow a scroll (and a lantern), then turns to more important matters.

Casta: Don’t you worry about a thing! In addition to being a powerful sorceress, I am also a legendary party planner! This will be a coronation for the ages! Glimmer, take us to the terrace! Oh. We’re walking, are we? Great! We can use the exercise.

The party planner thing is evidently a reference to the original series…and Glimmer’s conspicuous lack of teleportation should ring some alarm bells, but of course everyone’s too focused on the coronation to actually pay attention to Glimmer.

Bow: Still don’t know what the lantern is for. This is all so official and confusing! And it says Glimmer needs to wear some sort of ceremonial robe, but I don’t know where to get that!

Glimmer: Maybe if we all look together-

Adora: Don’t worry! The two of us will find it for you.

Glimmer: But-

Casta: Glimmer, you’re needed in the dining room at once to choose the napkin-folding technique. I’m thinking swans, what do you think? 

Glimmer: Ah, I-

Casta: You’re right, it’s a terrible idea. I should just fire myself!

Glimmer: Aunt Casta, no-

Because this is the day when NOBODY LISTENS TO GLIMMER.

Meanwhile in the Fright Zone…

Catra: Hordak, our troops are just sitting around here. What are we waiting for? We need to talk about plans for-

Hordak: Plans. Your last plan was to set off the portal machine before it was ready. Do you remember how that ended?

Catra: Whatever. It worked out for us, didn’t it? The Rebellion’s a mess, their queen is gone! Now’s our chance to gain the upper hand.

Hordak: And how are we going to do that, when you couldn’t even prevent the Rebellion from infiltrating the Fright Zone?

Catra: Yeah, like I said before, it was Entrapta-

Hordak: I told you never to mention that name in my presence! If you are so desperate for a task, redouble our defenses so that no princess can ever set foot in the Fright Zone again. Fortunately for you, my signal to Horde Prime went through.

Catra: Great, so-

Hordak: That is the only reason you are standing here, instead of facing punishment for your failure. Now, get out!

For once, I’m sympathizing more with Hordak than Catra, partly because she’s lying to him about Entrapta, but mainly because she’s perpetuating the cycle of abuse! She seems intent on making the lives of everyone in the Horde as miserable as her own.

And speaking of cycles of abuse, Glimmer kinda invited Shadow Weaver to the party without Adora’s input.

Shadow Weaver: There’s no need to be alarmed. I’m a guest now. Can’t you tell? Please convey my best wishes to our new queen. I hope you two are still close. Power changes people.

Adora: Glimmer is a good friend. She’ll be a good queen, too.

Shadow Weaver: I hope for your sake, you’re right.

I’m still not sure if Shadow Weaver’s trying to stir up trouble or just trying to give Adora advice (sinisterly as always, because with a face like THAT how could you not come across as sinister?). But it definitely helps set up a conflict that will sadly be a constant throughout the season…

In other news, the coronation is kind of a disaster (which, to be fair, would be expected when mostly teens and young adults are in charge of a party).

Mermista: Glimmer, can you please tell Perfuma to stop questioning your wise judgement?

Glimmer: What? I’m not-

Frosta: Where do you keep the blankets? Sea Hawk is whining about being frozen.

Glimmer: Why did you freeze-

Casta: The Quest is due to begin. Where’s the lantern?

Swift Wind: Oo, I have it! And now, my song!

Pefuma: Everyone knows that Glimmer would be happier with me on flowers!

Mermista: Glimmer obviously disagrees.

Glimmer: Stop. Everyone just stop!

Casta: Glimmer, we will fix all of this.

Glimmer: Let’s just get this over with.

Meanwhile, in an even MORE soul-crushing place.

Catra: You heard Hordak. He wants all this junk [Entrapta’s stuff] disposed of as soon as possible.

Scorpia: Hey, so, I know you made a heat of the moment decision, which I totally get, but um, you didn’t really want Entrapta to stay on Beast Island forever. Anyway, I was thinking, we could go back and get her. I mean, she is our friend.

Catra: Entrapta betrayed us and got what she deserved.

Scorpia: But she didn’t betray us. She just wanted to save us from the portal. And she was right! If Adora hadn’t shut it down-

Catra: Entrapta betrayed Hordak! As for the portal, it left the Rebellion in shambles, and that means it worked. Got it? Good. Now get this place cleared out.

But Scorpia did manage to save one of Entrapta’s things…

Scorpia: It’s okay. You can come out. Hey there, Emily! Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.

at least she has one good thing left in her life

Anyhow, Casta gets them all organized enough to send them off on the quest with sufficient dignity.

Adora: So quest! We’re, uh, good at quests.

Glimmer: Can we just do this, please? I don’t want to think about flowers, or colors, or stupid decisions. And we’re bad at quests!

As they go deeper into the tunnels, Glimmer’s frustration only grows.

Bow: Wow, I can’t believe these tunnels have been right underneath our feet all this time!

Adora: So, how deep down do you think we are?

Glimmer: Ok, what’s with you guys? Stop acting like this!

Adora: Like what?

Glimmer: Like…like- like this!

Adora: Glimmer, we’re just-

Glimmer:  Whatever. None of this even matters!

They discover what is clearly the Chamber of Queens…

And also this lovely fellow, who swiftly corners them!

Adora: The coronation scroll didn’t mention a giant angry monster living in the tunnels under Bright Moon?

Bow: Come to think of it, I might actually remember some mention of a Bright Moon guardian that we’d need to subdue? […] It was confusingly worded!

Adora: We need to get out of here. Come on, teleport us out.

Glimmer: I- I can’t teleport!

[…]

Bow: What? Why not?

Glimmer: Because I haven’t been recharging my powers! […] Recharging would mean taking the Moonstone’s full power for myself. It would mean…admitting that she’s really gone. Everyone is already acting like she doesn’t matter. It’s like no one remembers her. No one cares. We’re having a coronation because she’s gone, and everyone is acting like it’s a fun party, and it’s not!

Adora: Of course it’s not! I just thought talking about it…about her…it hurts. I’m supposed to take care of you, Glimmer. It’s the last thing she asked me to do. I wanted to make today perfect, but I-

Bow: We just don’t know what to do.

Glimmer: I don’t know, either, but maybe we can still figure it out, together.

Adora: Whatever path you choose, we’ll always be there, right beside you.

It’s hard to know how to help a loved one experiencing loss, especially when there are other pressing issues (like leading a rebellion), but that’s why it’s always helpful to ASK what they need. Glimmer hasn’t been in a party mood, so forcing her to act like this is what she wants (even with her close friends) was driving her crazy.

Long story short, she does the thing.

Glimmer: I’m Queen Glimmer of Bright Moon, and you will leave my friends alone!

Glimmer: Mom?

Angella: Glimmer, you are walking in the footsteps of all those who have come before us. Now, my darling, it’s your turn. I wish I didn’t have to leave you, but I know you will be alright, because you are Glimmer, and you are so, so strong. I’ve done my best to prepare you to rule, but you were always ready to lead. I am so proud of you, Glimmer. I love you.

Glimmer: I love you, too, Mom.

Bow: You okay, Your Majesty?

Glimmer: As long as you two are with me, I am.

This is exactly what she’s needed: To say goodbye.

Meanwhile, the people upstairs evidently settled on a cohesive artistic vision!

Casta: Glimmer, it’s time.

Glimmer: I’m here today because Queen Angella, my mother, sacrificed herself to save Etheria. We can’t let her bravery be in vain. But there’s so much we still need to do. Hordak is still in power, and we know there’s an even larger Horde army out there somewhere. We can’t let them win. It’s time for us to take back our home! Together, we will push out the Horde, once and for all!

Catra: Hey Hordak.

The purring is a lovely touch – gives off some distinct “cat biting the hand that feeds her” vibes. Followed by her stealing the chip from Entrapta’s suit, which literally brings Hordak to his knees.

Catra: Missing something? Looks like you’re ready to listen.

Hordak: When I finish with you-

Catra: Hey, cheer up, boss. you said it yourself. Big bad Horde Prime got your signal. Don’t you wanna conquer Etheria before he gets here? He doesn’t sound like the type to accept failure.

Hordak: What do you want?

Catra: We’re done with your little vanity projects. It’s time to crush the Rebellion, for good. And you’re going to help me do that. I think you and I are going to do great things together.

This episode sets up Catra and Glimmer as the new leaders of their respective factions – with their friends being caught in the middle. While that’s certainly a new dynamic for this show, it also comes with distinctly less emphasis on Catradora, which is the main reason why I (and many others) was drawn to this show in the first place.

But the episode as a whole did a good job dealing with Glimmer’s conundrum, even if it might not have needed to be drawn out as long as it was.

Until next time…