There’s power, real power, in love, joy, and friendship.

This episode brings several elements that have been simmering in the background to the fore, in preparation for the series finale.

To begin with, Adora wants to come up with a plan to neutralize/rescue the chipped princesses (and presumably Micah, but he doesn’t seem to be deployed as much).

Netossa: Leave this to me! I’ve been keeping track of every princess’s weakness, and I’ve discerned the best tactical strategy to overpower every one of them. Spinney’s weakness is obvious. […] Everyone knows she twisted her ankle when she was a kid! If you keep her off-balance, her injury will act up on her. Next time we fight, I’ll target it, and subdue her, and unchip her, and save her, and remind her of it every time she tells me it’s my turn to clean!

Bow: Right, but could we circle back to your not-at-all-weird and very detailed theories on our weaknesses?

Glimmer: Yeah, not all of us are gonna be as easy as a twisted ankle.

Netossa: Oh, you don’t believe me. That’s- that’s fine. I’ll just demonstrate. Entrapta’s weakness, tech. Mermista’s, fire. Frosta’s, also fire. Adora, can’t act to save her life – also, extreme hair envy with She-ra. Glimmer, crippling self-doubt mixed with overwhelming hubris.

Glimmer: Woah woah woah woah! That’s like, really personal compared to fire!

I mean, it’s an accurate description of Glimmer, but how exactly would that help in a fight?

Perfuma: Oh, oh! Do me, do me next!

Netossa: Perfuma, fire. And an inability to unleash your full power due to your overwhelming fear of hurting the people you care about.

Perfuma: Some might say that’s actually a positive quality.

Netossa: It’s not.

This sets up a theme that’ll be explored throughout the episode…

Netossa: Bow’s weakness [cuts bowstring].

Bow: You’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this, huh?

Netossa: Contingency plans are how we win, and I always win.

Catra: Okay, we get it. Princesses are easy to take down. You and your files don’t have anything on real threats, like me.

she then proceeds to spray catra with water and net her, again

Unfortunately, Netossa doesn’t seem to have a lot on Micah or Scorpia, seeing as she’s known them for a few months, tops (well, she did presumably know Micah from the OG Princess Alliance, but he’s obviously changed a lot since).

Anyhow, back to the actual planning.

Adora: We need to stop the chipped princesses before they hurt anyone else. We’ve lost track of Spinnerella after Erelandia, but there is good news. We know where Scorpia is! Bow. Uh, Bow?

Bow: Huh? Oh, uh, right. After reeking havoc on a town along the coast, Scorpia returned to the Fright Zone.

Perfuma: If Scorpia went back to the Fright Zone, that has to mean something. There’s probably a part of her that remembers it’s her home.

Catra: That pile of junk isn’t anyone’s home.

I mean, to be fair, if anyone had ever considered the Fright Zone home, it would probably be Scorpia, seeing as it’s also her ancestral homeland.

Perfuma: Scorpia saved me. She stayed behind so the rest of us could escape the Enchanted Grotto. If anyone could resist Horde Prime’s programming, it’s Scorpia. Her heart’s too strong! She’d never hurt her friends.

Catra: Yeah, she’s not great at standing up to authority figures, trust me.

Perfuma: Your negative vibes aren’t appreciated here, Catra.

Catra: Look, all that matters is the chip. Going for the back of the neck is how we take out Prime’s clones, and the only reason that Adora, you know, saved me or whatever, is because the chip got damaged first. That’s how we free them.

Perfuma: You think you know how to save Scorpia better than I do? I know all about how you treated her back in the Horde. Things are different now. Scorpia knows the kindness of a true friend.

Adora: Hey, we all want to save Scorpia, so let’s work together to do it.

Of course, it makes sense that Catra would think that way, because it was the only way to save Catra. She was so accustomed to hurting people already, even the people she loved, that it wouldn’t take much for Prime to make her do it for him. But Scorpia only ever hurt people in the interest of helping her friends, and even then, she still disliked it. Basically, Perfuma has a fair point.

And Glimmer’s at least grown attuned to Bow’s moods, as she senses that he’s been bothered about something. Progress!

Glimmer: Bow, are you okay?

Bow: Yeah, yeah! I’m fine.

Glimmer: It’s your dads, isn’t it?

Bow: I know they’re probably fine, the library is really well hidden, but I haven’t heard from them since we got back.

Glimmer: We should go check on them. I’ll teleport us there!

Bow: But what about the mission? Scorpia and the others are controlled by Prime, and your dad might be with them.

Glimmer: Bow, Adora and the others can handle Scorpia. This mission is just as important. We have to make sure your dads are safe.

Bow: I’m really worried about them.

Glimmer: Then let’s go. Wherever they are, we’ll find them.

Of course, they actually tell people where they’re going, because they’re RESPONSIBLE now (still wouldn’t call them adults, tho).

Meanwhile, the primary mission is underway, and so is Catradora.

Adora: It’s weird, isn’t it? Being back. So many memories here.

Catra: Most of them bad. Hey, bet I can still beat you to the forge.

Adora: Uh, because you always cheat!

these two

By the way, between the Catradora and several fights, expect plenty of images.

Adora: Huh. Well, it’s different than I remember it.

Catra: Hordak and I may have had a small disagreement before we were taken by Horde Prime.

then perfuma just starts yelling for scorpia

Catra: Ugh, your plans are just the worst.

And then Scorpia blasts a hole through the wall.

Perfuma: Scorpia?

Netossa: What’s she doing? Why isn’t she attacking?

Perfuma: She recognizes us! I told you she’d never hurt her friends! Scorpia!

It seems like Scorpia’s in guard-mode, as she only fires when Perfuma just runs at her.

Perfuma: She must not be able to tell that it’s us.

And then Catra gives herself away because she hasn’t seen Scorpia’s lightning powers, and she can’t help but audibly admire its awesomeness.

Catra: Scorpia, uh, it’s me. Look, um, about everything that happened, I’m really-

And then she just zaps her to the other end of the room(?).

Netossa: Pretty sure she can tell it’s us.

Perfuma: Yes, but, I mean, it’s Catra. Can we really blame her?

And when Scorpia starts throwing large objects, She-ra shows up.

Meanwhile at the library, they find a drone outside and signs of some sort of trouble inside, but no Lance and George.

Bow: What if Horde Prime has them? What if he chipped them?

Glimmer: We don’t know that! Maybe they went somewhere safe.

Bow: All of Etheria is under Prime’s control. They can’t defend themselves, they’re dads! And now they’ve been taken by Horde Prime! […] I should’ve never learned archery, I should’ve never left home, then none of this would’ve happened!

Then he finally notices the note they left, because of course they leave notes, too.

Glimmer: What does it say?

Bow: It says, “What did the First One say when they burned dinner? It was ruined.“

Glimmer: Uh, what does that mean? I don’t speak Dad.

Bow: I know where they are.

And despite how far she flew, Catra doesn’t seem much worse for wear.

Catra: That could’ve gone better. [Melog speaks] Hey! I’m working on being a better friend! That has to count for something, right?

Then she notices pipes starting to spray…and then a wave of water.

Catra: Scorpia’s not alone.

Meanwhile, Perfuma’s still trying to keep anyone from attacking Scorpia, despite her dishing out quite a bit of electricity their way.

Perfuma: Her positive energy is being blocked by all of Prime’s negative energy. We need to- She-ra! Drop it! Drop it. We don’t throw tanks at our friends!

She-ra: Yeah, well, this isn’t working! Look at her! It’s like she doesn’t even recognize us!

Netossa: Perfuma, enough with the feelings! You could be one of the strongest princesses if you just-

Perfuma: I am strong! But I’m not gonna hurt my friend.

The issue here is something of a communication failure. When everyone else wants to use violence to solve the problem, Perfuma constantly shutting that down (especially when she seemed to be deferring to Adora’s leadership until the fighting started) just frustrates and confuses the others.

At least you can’t fault her for bravery.

Perfuma: Scorpia! Please, stop. You don’t have to do this anymore.

But of course Scorpia starts attacking them again, and even though Adora might want to believe Perfuma’s right, it’s still a bit of pain when she’s constantly putting herself in danger to no apparent effect.

Spinnerella: Still trying to save everyone? What a wasted effort.

Netossa: This one’s mine.

So she runs off to do battle with her wife, and Scorpia throws the tank at them.

Meanwhile, Glimmer and Bow are looking in a dig site for his dads.

Glimmer: Oh, it’s ruined! I get it! That’s…terrible. Why do you think they came here?

Bow: They were excavating it, looking for First Ones artifacts. It would’ve been the last safe place to go.

Then they’re interrupted by an arrow.

Lance: Bow? Oh! Bow! Oh, and Glimmer! We didn’t hit you, did we? Sorry. We’re so sorry.

George: I’m still teaching him how to use this thing. And I don’t know how to use it, either. So, um, it’s good you’re here!

Lance: You got our message!

George: I knew you’d pun-derstand.

Bow: You will not distract me with puns right now! I’ve been so worried! You haven’t responded to any of my messages.

Lance: Our tracker pad’s been on the fritz, and you know we’re useless with that kind of thing. We left a note!

Bow: You can’t just work on ancient history like nothing’s happening!

George: You were the one who inspired us to fight for what we believe in. We’re not hiding down here. We found something. Something that we think might help everyone.

So Bow and Glimmer investigate their discoveries.

While Catra deals with Mermista.

Mermista: Hiding is pointless. Show yourself and kneel before Horde Prime’s might.

Catra: Not a chance.

She discovers that Mermista’s chip is starting to look more like a bad infection, while elsewhere, Netossa and Spinnerella begin their fight in earnest.

Perfuma: How can Prime do this? Scorpia was so full of light, and kindness, and he stripped that away! He erased her, he erased our friendship.

Then they realize they’ve escaped into the Black Garnet chamber…

And when She-ra takes a hit, she detransforms.

Perfuma: Scorpia, please! We’re trying to help you!

Adora spots an escape route, so they have a moment to breathe.

Perfuma: Adora, what happened to She-ra?

Adora: I- I don’t know. I just- I lost her.

Interestingly, this seems to be a bit of a repeat of her conflict when she first became She-ra at the beginning of the show. She lacks conviction, seemingly because she’s conflicted about hurting her friends…and it’s all the more stressful because of how much more is riding on She-ra at this point.

Then they discover Horde Prime’s here in person, and it suddenly makes a ton of sense that all the chipped princesses are there.

Horde Prime: Ah. She-ra.

Perfuma: Anytime She-ra wants to come back, that would be great.

Adora: You. What are you doing here?

Horde Prime: It was long past time that I saw for myself what made Etheria so very special. Starting with my brother’s amusing little stronghold.

Adora: I told you before, you’re not getting She-ra!

Horde Prime: Oh, my sweet child, I have no need for you. Not anymore. My little brother’s research has given me everything I need to know. The technology of this planet is familiar to me. Ancient. Crude. Outdated. It will be child’s play to bypass its defenses, and take the weapon at its heart for myself. With, or without you.

And this was clearly based mostly on Entrapta’s research, which would be terrible if she knew, but we don’t have enough episodes left to bother about that.

George: We unearthed an ancient secret, long forgotten. A rebellion from the time of the First Ones, fighting against a powerful tyrant, just like we are. Watch. Eternia.

Hologram: Greetings, administrator. What is your query?

Bow: Uh, that’s cool, Dad, but we met her a while ago. She, uh, wasn’t that helpful.

Lance: Oh, that’s not it! We found something hidden in her programming! […] For the honor of Grayskull! I love doing that!

George: We weren’t sure what to think when we first found it. We thought it must be a glitch.

Lance: But then, we remembered that message on your tracker pad, and how it used coded language based on the star formations of the distant past!

George: “Friend” “of” “Mara”.

Light Hope: Greetings, friends of Mara.

Glimmer: Mara…

Lance: Mara wasn’t alone! She was working with a group of rebels, going against their First Ones leaders!

Hologram: There is one recording available. Would you like to review?

Lance: Play it.

Rebel: This is our last transmission. If anyone’s hearing this, you need to listen. There’s a failsafe for the Heart of Etheria. It will allow you to destroy the Heart, and end this for good. It’s at the Arxia outpost, but we lost touch with them a week ago. If there’s anyone left out there, you need to find it. Mara bought us time, but it’s too late for us. This is Rebel Squadron Grayskull, and for the last time, we’re signing off.

Bow: A failsafe. There’s a failsafe to destroy the Heart of Etheria! This could stop Prime from using the Heart! This could save the universe!

Glimmer: They said it’s at Arxia? What is that?

Lance: That’s what we don’t know. The First Ones had different names for everything on Etheria, but in all our studies, we’ve never heard of a place called Arxia.

Bow: We have to tell Adora. If there’s a failsafe out there somewhere, we need to find it.

Apparently, “arxia” is a transliteration of some sort of the Greek word for “archives”.

But then they get a call from Catra.

and once again, she’s having a really bad time.

Catra: Get us out of here, now!

Glimmer: What’s going on?

Catra: This whole thing was a trap! Why did I get the water princess?

But now that Glimmer’s alerted to the situation, she’s off to rescue them.

Horde Prime: It is over, Adora. You will not be able to stop me. As always, your childish fixation with saving your friends has distracted you. It has made you vulnerable. Weak.

Perfuma: You’re wrong. There’s power, real power, in love, joy, and friendship.

Horde Prime: And what could you possibly know about real power?

Perfuma: Friendship isn’t a weakness, it’s my greatest strength! And it’s Scorpia’s, too!

Horde Prime: I’ve heard enough. End this, now.

Perfuma: Scorpia, you can break through this. I know you can.

Perfuma basically just said the thesis statement for the entire series. And Scorpia misses them, despite being right in front of them…and of course that’s when Glimmer teleports them out.

The idea that love and friendship – attachments – are more powerful than anything a person could achieve alone flies in the face of the Horde’s ethos, where all power is effectively concentrated in Horde Prime, and any relationships outside the hive mind are discouraged, if not outright forbidden. It also reflects Adora’s journey throughout the series, as she’s been constantly motivated not by her own desire for power or control, but by her relationships (earlier on, it mostly manifested in her inability to transform unless someone she cared about was in danger). Intriguingly, this idea also seems to contradict what Light Hope intended to instill in Adora, to be a perfect hero with no attachments to distract from her mission…

Prime suspects that Scorpia missed on purpose, but finding nothing wrong with her chip, he disregards it.

Horde Prime: No matter. They are insignificant. The plan is under way, and the Heart will soon be in my grasp.

Meanwhile, Netossa’s still fighting hard.

Spinnerella: It’s almost over. Let go. Give in to Horde Prime’s will.

Netossa: Don’t you get it, Spinney? I’m never letting you go! Because Spinney, you’re my weakness.

And she hits her chip, then Glimmer shows up to take them home.

While Netossa’s methods seem to be totally at odds with Perfuma’s, they may have more in common than it appears at first glance. Specifically, Netossa knows just how competitive Spinnerella is, so she also knows that she’d need to defeat her somehow in order to remind her of their relationship. Basically, the fight was necessary in Spinnerella’s case, but maybe not in every case.

Catra: So, I heard Scorpia dropped a beam on you.

Perfuma: Scorpia missed. She missed on purpose.

Catra: How do you know?

Perfuma: I know because I believe in Scorpia.

Catra: I hope you’re right. Scorpia’s really lucky to have a friend like you.

Perfuma: It’s hard, keeping your heart open. It makes you vulnerable. But it doesn’t make you weak, and I have to believe it’s worth it.

Honestly, out of all the ancillary princesses, Perfuma’s the one who’s grown on me the most, mainly because she shows the most growth over the course of the series. Her convictions don’t really change much, just her confidence in them. Love, joy, and friendship are ultimately what will defeat Prime.

Perfuma: If you want, we could work through some guided meditation to begin to unblock your abandonment issues, and your negativity.

Catra: Nah, uh-uh. One thing at a time, okay?

she’s also clearly encouraging catradora here, so that doesn’t hurt, either

But Bow and Glimmer still need to discuss their findings with Adora.

Adora: A failsafe. There’s a failsafe at the Heart of Etheria! Mara did it! This could work! We can still save everyone! We can stop the Heart of Etheria for good. Do we know what it is, or where it is?

Bow: All we know is that it’s supposed to be in some place called Arxia. Other than that, we’ve got nothing.

But then Shadow Weaver shows up again with Casta.

Shadow Weaver: We know where it is. We have to go to Mystacor.

catra’s not happy at all. and it’ll get much worse for her before it gets better.

until next time