Take me to the stage!

Catra joins in when Bow and Glimmer are busy teasing Adora (and she’s awfully comfortable on Adora’s lap).

Glimmer: Come on, Adora! You can’t let distractions keep you from transforming!

Catra: What’s going on? Ooh, are we messing with Adora?

Adora: Catra, do you have to sit right there?

Catra: What? I’m not doing anything.

Glimmer: Adora, concentrate!

Catra: Yeah, Adora, concentrate!

Bow: You can do it!

Of course, Adora’s trying to manifest the sword again (and hence a transformation), but with everyone on the bridge, there’s a lot to distract. They’re only a day away from Etheria, so Entrapta’s trying to catch a signal from the Rebellion and, you know, alert them of their impending arrival.

Speaking of Etheria gets Glimmer excited (and a little anxious) about seeing her dad again, but Catra’s feelings on Etheria are, naturally, much more mixed.

Adora: Ready to be home?

Catra: Not really. Okay, fine, maybe.

Catra burned all her bridges before she left, so she’s obviously dreading facing the many people she hurt (and she’s almost certain to meet them, because they’re all in the Rebellion, too). The only reason she’s even trying is because that’s where Adora’s headed.

Sea Hawk: Our friends have still not returned from their perilous space mission, so it’s up to us to save Etheria. Onward, to a secret underwater party adventure!

But approximately 95% of the episode takes place on Etheria, and while I’m still more interested in the people in space, a lively jaunt with this crew is a decent alternative.

Scorpia: Why are we dressed like this?

Sea Hawk: Because it’s a secret undercover mission, to find Prince Peekablue! The reclusive Peekablue is a hermit, but he was spotted at the top-secret Enchanted Grotto’s underwater soiree, a gathering place for all well-heeled criminals of Etheria.

Perfuma: Hm! So he’ll show up to a criminal enterprise but won’t so much as RSVP to my drum circle so I know how many drums to have?

Peekablue has the power of Farsight, so they want to recruit him in order to see where Adora and co are, and…somehow get a message to them? I mean, it turns out that they’re almost home anyway, but Peekablue presumably wouldn’t be able to help with the message if they weren’t.

And Peekablue seems to be rather faithful to the OG version, with the main difference being his gender. Peekablue was female in the old show, but considering the peacock theme, the change kind of makes sense.

Mermista: No one at the soiree can know we’re there. So I’ve assigned everyone undercover aliases! Scorpia, you’re Lynda D’Ream, a farmer and mother to five little scorpions.

Scorpia: Lynda D’Ream? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not exactly great at lying, or pretending, or blending in, I mean, I’m just the muscle, not a spy.

Mermista: Nonsense, Lynda, you were born for this role. Perfuma, you’re Tara, a blacksmith.

Perfuma: Ooh, I love it! What if Tara has an unmatched skill at cards, and wears an eyepatch, and has a dark, checkered past, and an evil twin. Oo! I can play the evil twin!

Mermista: Keep it simple, Tara.

I question the wisdom of having Scorpia wear the same outfit as she did to Princess Prom, especially since Peekablue was allegedly there too…but I’m clearly putting too much thought into this. I mean, if we’re talking about wardrobe choices that don’t really make sense, I doubt that Catra was just wearing that outfit under her robes, either, but it would be really awkward if she just had to run around in her underwear for the rest of the voyage, so I’ll accept these potential plot holes for the sake of aesthetic. The point is, Scorpia looks fabulous in a somewhat low-key fashion, and that’s all that matters.

But Spinnerella (who’s already been chipped) overhears the plan to crash the party…

Spinnerella: Any chance I could steal you away for a moment?

Netossa: Ah, not now, darling, after what happened at Elberon, we need to focus on the next move for the Rebellion.

Spinnerella: Please? It’d only take a second.

Netossa: I don’t have the time.

Spinnerella: Oh. Yeah, sure, I understand.

Netossa: Is it me, or is she mad at me?

Swift Wind: I don’t know, it honestly doesn’t seem like she’s feeling much of anything.

Netossa: It’s our anniversary! And I completely forgot! Oh, I gotta fix this, Swifty.

Meanwhile, at the soiree.

Mermista: This place is swimming with bounty hunters, pirates, and sirens who would sell us out in a beat of their cold-blooded hearts. We need to blend in and find the prince quickly and quietly. Do not ruin this for me!

Sea Hawk: You don’t have to tell me twice. These are my people! I just have to work the room, and-

Mermista: Ugh! What is it?

Sea Hawk: Oh, no, nothing, nothing, nothing. I just didn’t know he’d be here.

Mermista: I thought these were your “people.”

Sea Hawk: They are my people! Which means that most of them have sworn revenge against me at some point. Quick! Let’s, uh, go mingle, over there!

Thus the team disperses, much to poor Scorpia’s dismay.

Sea Hawk: I really hope this doesn’t get in the way of rekindling- I- woohoo! Wrong word. Ah, relighting our friendship- no, that’s, that’s bad, too. Look, I’m sorry I set your boat on fire. Do you forgive me? [muffled yells] Excellent, I’ll take that as a yes.

Mermista: Sea Hawk, focus! This cannot be like the time you ruined the cephalopod’s literary society!

Sea Hawk: Ah, don’t worry. Now that he can’t blow my cover, it’s smooth sailing from here-

Then he’s faced with one of the kidnappers from his ill-advised Boys Night Out!

Mermista: Please tell me that’s the last of your disgruntled former cohorts?

Sea Hawk: Ah, perhaps we should just stay back here?

So Mermista starts working her way through the sizable group of people that Sea Hawk has evidently burned the boats of.

Perfuma: How did it go? Did you find out anything?

Scorpia: Yeah. I found out I’m really bad at this.

Perfuma: Don’t say that! That…that’s just the old you talking, consumed with all that self-doubt the Horde instilled in you.

Scorpia: I’m just…I’m not really the leading lady type.

Perfuma: That’s nonsense. You’re amazing! You have the biggest heart, and you can do whatever you put your mind to.

Scorpia: Really?

Perfuma: Okay, what do you, Scorpia, like to do?

Scorpia: Well I- I always liked singing. But I’m bad, everyone said so. Well, Catra said so, but it’s fine.

Perfuma: Scorpia, you should do things not because you’re good at them, but because they make you happy. Follow me, okay?

And in my experience, if you enjoy something enough, you’ll often get better at it with practice!

Perfuma: Repeat after me: I can do this. I can do this.

Scorpia: Perfuma can do this. Perfuma can-

Perfuma: No, no no, no. You can do this. Say “I”.

Scorpia: I…I can do this? I can do this. I can do this! I can find Prince Peekablue!

Perfuma: Yes! That’s the spirit. We’ll find him, even if he’s hidden in the darkest, most secluded corner of Etheria.

These two would actually make a cute couple!

And it turns out the prince isn’t that hard to find after all.

Peekablue: Good evening, misfits of the sea, outlaws of the land, and everyone in between. I’m your host, Prince Peekablue!

Scorpia: Wow. I guess I don’t know what a hermit is after all.

It appears he’s hosting some sort of variety show.

But meanwhile, back at camp, Netossa’s still worried about the anniversary…

Until she sees this, of course.

Back at the party…

Mermista: Ugh, okay! Anyone else?

Sea Hawk: That’s all of them. Now, at last, we’re ready for secret undercover, and underwater party adventure!

Then Mermista gets up…and quickly ducks again.

Sea Hawk: Mermista? What is it?

Mermista: Huh? Uh, nothing. Uh, nothing at all.

Sea Hawk: Then why are you hiding behind the bar?

Mermista: Ugh, fine! There might be someone here that I absolutely cannot deal with right now.

Sea Hawk: What? Who?

Mermista: Someone…whose boat…I maybe, kinda sort of set on fire.

Sea Hawk: What?

Mermista: Sh! I just…wanted to know what it felt like.

Sea Hawk: [muffled] You are everything I’ve ever wanted.

Mermista: Stop looking at me like that!

They’ve grown so much as a couple!

While Scorpia is trying to catch Peekablue’s attention, she’s caught herself.

Scorpia: Hi. I’m Sc- Lynda. D’Ream? Hello.

Mermista: Oh, I can’t watch.

Scorpia: Trying to get backstage. Performer- I’m a performer.

Perfuma: Yay! Go Lynda!

even if they don’t end up together, she’s the friend scorpia always needed

Scorpia: I can do this. I can do this!

Then she starts singing, very tentatively at first, but she gains confidence after the first line (and thus, she improves dramatically).

Sneak. Don't make a sound.
Sneak. Just look around!
I've always been strong
But now my nerves are gone
Cause I know I can't do it
Sing, dance, be a spy!
Hiding before your very eyes
How could I sneak
With this fine physique
Discover the truth
It doesn't take a sleuth
But now I'm a spy, spying in disguise
Hiding before your very eyes
Until you discover
Stay undercover
Seeking a clue that will lead me to you
Yes, I'm a spy, a spy in disguise!
Hiding before your very eyes
Sneak. Don't make a sound
Sneak. Just look around!
I'm a spy, I'm a spy!
I'm a spy!

Because if you can’t lie, might as well sing the truth at the top of your lungs!

And she finally gets backstage with Peekablue.

Scorpia: Swen? It’s you! Oh, wow! Prince Peekablue, I have been looking all over for you!

Peekablue: That was quite a number, honey, but I really don’t have time to chit-chat.

Scorpia: Okay, but see, we need your powers to fight Horde Prime, and see where our friends are!

Peekablue: Friends? Do you mean Glimmer and Adora?

Scorpia: Wow, you’re amazing! Come on, do it again! Can you see them right now?

Peekablue: I can see a bright shiny woman among the stars, with her great big sword, fighting against Horde Prime! She-ra, in space!

Scorpia: Wait, fighting with her sword? But Adora broke the sword.

Peekablue: Farsight never lies, darling. Now, I must insist you leave. I need to get into character for my next performance.

Scorpia: Character? Hm. Strangest thing, but I think we’ve met before. Oh! Perfuma’s flower crown workshop!

Peekablue: Yes! Perfuma, she’s a doll, isn’t she? Never miss a shindig with her.

Scorpia: The real Peekablue has never met Perfuma. Who are you?

And somehow she’s still surprised when she stings “Peekablue” and discovers it was really Double Trouble.

Double Trouble: Bravo. You caught me. Again.

Perfuma: What are you doing here? Where’s the real Peekablue?

Double Trouble: Wouldn’t know. After things ended with my cash kitten, I needed another gig. I’d heard all about the elusive Peekablue, a seer who no one has seen in years. How could I resist?

Scorpia: So this whole mission has been a big waste of time.

Double Trouble: I might not have the prince’s gifts, but I know where your friends are. And I’ll tell you – for a price, of course.

Double Trouble relents on the issue of payment surprisingly quickly – I imagine they know by this point that Horde Prime just wants to destroy Etheria, so they’re much more inclined to side with the rebels.

Double Trouble: While I was wandering through occupied territories, I posed as a clone. Trying to get in good with Big Brother. Turns out, it wasn’t for me. It makes for a very dull audience when everyone’s mind controlled. Half the crowd out there is chipped.

Perfuma: What?

Double Trouble: That’s not all. Prime is angry. She-ra showed up and stole his little kitten away! Your friends are on their way home, but Prime set up a blockade around the planet, ready to strike down anyone daring to pass. They’ll never make it.

And Mermista’s been suspiciously absent from this conversation…

Netossa: Hey, you! I’m so sorry about today, I forgot all about it.

Spinnerella: Don’t worry. All is forgiven.

Netossa: You promise you’re not mad?

Spinnerella: I could never be mad at you, beloved.

Netossa: “Beloved”? You’ve never called me that before. Show me your neck!

Spinnerella: What a shame we can’t be together…

Prime!Spinnerella: in Horde Prime’s light.

And then she realizes Spinney’s already chipped most of the camp.

Perfuma: Mermista! What are you doing?

Prime!Memista: Step out of the darkness, and into the light of Prime.

Sea Hawk: Mermista…Mermista, no!

Mermista’s still outnumbered, but as Double Trouble points out, trading magic blows will only help the walls collapse faster, and Mermista would certainly win if it came to an underwater battle.

So they make a break for the exit, but evidently the other half of the crowd has now been chipped, too…

Scorpia: There’s no way out.

Double Trouble: I know a way out. Take me to the stage! I mean it. Take me to the stage.

And Frosta’s not much use against Micah’s fire spells, so Netossa throws a net barrier around the three of them, which has to be pretty powerful to stand up to both Micah and Spinnerella.

Double Trouble: The theater has- um, a little help? I need to lift my hand to the heavens. The theater has many secrets!

Of course Sea Hawk would be the only person to enable Double Trouble’s dramatic flair. But they do bring up an elevator to escape on.

Scorpia: I’ll hold them off, get on that platform and get out of here!

Double Trouble: That’s your cue, hot stuff. Let’s go!

Scorpia: Perfuma! Go!

Perfuma: Scorpia, come on!

Scorpia: There’s too many of them, and this place is coming down unless someone stops it. You have to get out and protect the others! Go, now!

Perfuma: What? No! You’re coming, too!

Scorpia: Nah. This is why I’m here. I’m the muscle, remember? I can do this.

she’s grown so much

i don’t even care if that’s not how electricity works

(okay, maybe I care a little, but I care more about Scorpia!)

Netossa finally manages to escape by reversing the net onto the chipped rebels, but it’s still an extremely pyrrhic victory.

Netossa: Happy anniversary.

Then they finally get a message to the ship.

And by “they”, I mean Perfuma, because she’s the highest-ranking member of the Rebellion left.

Adora: Perfuma! What’s going on?

Perfuma: I- I…

Adora: We’re on our way back, just hang on a little longer! We’re almost there.

Perfuma: No! Don’t come back! Horde Prime knows you’re coming. There’s a trap, a blockade, you’ll never make it through. You need to stay away! The Rebellion’s been compromised. Horde Prime has them- we lost- I’m so sorry, we lost them-

Until next time…