The world needs you as She-ra right now, not Adora.

This episode begins our descent into the final conflict. It is, as expected, A Lot. And as Catradora also features prominently, expect a lot of images.

Shadow Weaver: While you were traipsing around in space, some of us have been working to stop the Heart of Etheria from falling into Prime’s hands. And we discovered the same thing you did: Rumors of a failsafe that will break the restraints the First Ones built, and set the stolen magic free.

Glimmer: Are you kidding? After everything that happened last time, you’re still going after the Heart of Etheria? And you’re helping her?

Castaspella: We’re trying to free the magic for all of Etheria, so we can be strong enough to fight Prime. I’m doing this for your father, and for you. Shadow Weaver is the lesser of two evils.

Catra: At least you admit she’s evil.

Shadow Weaver: You’re one to talk, aren’t you?

Adora naturally moves to defuse the situation (because there are more pressing issues than childhood trauma).

Adora: Tell us what you know about the failsafe. What makes you think it’s in Mystacor?

Shadow Weaver: As any good sorcerer knows, Mystacor was built on the ruins of an ancient First Ones citadel. And beneath Mystacor- […]

Casta: Beneath Mystacor, there are many secret tunnels and rooms, forgotten and sealed off. No one has been able to access them in centuries, but there are whispers of what they contain.

Shadow Weaver: An artifact known as the Crystal of Arxia, hidden there by a group of traitorous First Ones.

They surmise that it’s likely Mystacor could be the mysterious Arxia outpost (and anyhow, they don’t have any other leads).

Shadow Weaver: Reaching it won’t be easy, but I’ve spent my whole life studying the secrets of Mystacor. I can get us in.

Adora: If you figured it out on your own, why come back here? Why do you need us at all?

Shadow Weaver: Because Mystacor is controlled by Micah, who you may recall, is controlled by Horde Prime. You have allowed Prime to take too much ground. If he seizes the Heart, it will all be over. There is no more time for half-measures, Adora. You must act now.

Adora: It’s the only lead we have. We have to try. It’ll have to be a stealth mission. Catra, do you think you and Melog can-

But Catra’s run off already.

Shadow Weaver: Leave her to sulk. We can’t let her slow us down.

Adora: You guys get ready. I’ll find her.

Of course, after Shadow Weaver was deliberately hostile and demeaning towards her, Catra’s not gonna be in a generous mood. Shadow Weaver’s even started negging Adora, which isn’t a great sign for where this is going, either.

Adora: Catra! Are you coming with us to Mystacor?

Catra: Why would I do that? Seems like you and Shadow Weaver have it handled. After everything she’s done to us, you’re really going to follow her?

Adora: I don’t like it, either, but this is the only plan we have. The failsafe could finally save Etheria. Shadow Weaver hurt us, I haven’t forgotten that. But Prime is hurting so many more people. I need to stop him, Catra.

Catra: I know, I know. You have to go save the world, spare me the speech.

Adora: Hey, she can’t do anything to us anymore. Please come? We- I could really use your help.

Just because they’ve grown up a bit doesn’t make them impervious to a manipulative abuser, and at least Catra knows it, but Adora rarely asks for help from anyone, and that’s enough to convince her.

Catra: Fine. I’m only doing this to make sure Shadow Weaver doesn’t try anything, not because I like you.

And this is another job for Melog as the emotional support animal: Expressing Catra’s feelings when she’s too proud and/or stubborn to do so herself.

But speaking of not communicating, it would behoove us to consider for a moment what Adora’s been communicating to Catra (as it will be relevant going forward). Evidently, she frequently tried to get Catra to admit she liked her, but the closest thing we ever heard Adora say to Catra was that she “missed” her and “never hated” her (and that time she promised to always be her friend was when they were both really little). The audience might be able to infer deeper feelings on Adora’s part, but not Catra herself. If Adora was never straightforward about telling Catra how she feels, why would Catra be?

Meanwhile, we have to kick off the b-plot.

Entrapta: I was finally able to remove Spinnerella’s chip, but it was a lot more difficult than removing Catra’s. The chip had almost entirely fused to her nervous system. If we’d waited any longer, I’m not sure we would’ve been able to get it off at all. The chip would’ve become a part of her.

Bow: That means we’re running out of time to save everyone else.

Entrapta: Yes. Luckily, I’ve got an idea. This is the network that connects all the chips to Prime’s hive mind. If I can just figure out how to crack his signal pattern, I could disrupt it, severing his connection to the chips and taking them all offline at once!

Bow: That’s amazing! We could free everyone on Etheria. You’re a genius, Entrapta. Just keep working on it until you get it. We’ll be back later tonight.

So they set off to Mystacor, but when Glimmer sees her father for the first time in years (even if he is currently evil), she’s understandably overwhelmed and gasps, but they still manage to avoid detection.

At least until Catra fails a spot check.

Catra: No sorcerers here. Looks like we-

Shadow Weaver: Keep your voice down!

Catra: Don’t touch me!

Then Melog lets down the cloaking, resulting in a skirmish with a sorcerer.

Of course, Adora tries to transform, but she fails. Casta takes care of it instead, but it still shakes them up (not least because all of them assumed She-ra would be with them).

Shadow Weaver: We have to hurry.

Swift Wind: Uh, hey there. Where you going?

Entrapta: I’m so close to cracking Prime’s signal pattern, but Spinnerella’s chip’s not enough. I need to find a place with a high concentration of clones so I can analyze their connection to the hive mind!

Swift Wind: Woah, wait wait wait! You’re just gonna walk into a place that’s crawling with clones?

Entrapta: Yep!

Swift Wind: Eh, there’s no way I’m gonna stop you from doing this, is there?

Entrapta: Nope!

Swift Wind: Oh, this is a terrible idea. Hop on! I can get you there faster, and get you out if there’s trouble.

Entrapta: Works for me! Thanks, bird-horse!

Swift Wind: For the last time, I’m– nah, just get this over with.

Meanwhile, the squad enters a secret passage, and Adora checks on Catra.

Adora: Hey, are you-

Catra: I’m fine.

Adora: Catra, it’ll be okay. Trust me.

Shadow Weaver: There’s no time to waste. News of our presence will have reached the others by now, after that…disturbance.

Adora: Come on. We have to keep moving.

Casta: We’re on the right path. The Crystal of Arxia was rumored to be the key to reaching deep magic within Etheria. Many have tried, and failed, to find it. But those who hungered for more power have long sought other ways to obtain the deep magic. With disastrous results.

Shadow Weaver: The Spell of Obtainment was a mistake, one for which I have paid the price. I don’t see why you keep bringing it up.

Casta: You roped my brother into your twisted dark magic when he was only a child. You could’ve killed him!

Shadow Weaver: It would’ve worked had he not broken the connection. Micah was an exceptional sorcerer even then. It’s a shame it didn’t run in the family.

Shadow Weaver’s needling everyone now…except for Adora.

Meanwhile, Entrapta stumbles upon this scene.

Entrapta: The pattern is incredibly complex. I need more connections.

Swift Wind: No way! Whatever’s going on here, it’s not good! No tech is worth you getting captured by Prime!

Entrapta: This isn’t about tech. It’s about our chipped friends. If I can get this to work, I can save them.

Swift Wind: Oh, okay! But be quick! I’ll cover you from behind. Please be careful!

Entrapta: Yes! I’ve got it!

But just then, a clone spots her…

And beneath Mystacor, Adora springs a magic trap, and Catra jumps in to rescue her.

Adora: I’m okay! I’m okay. Did you just jump into fire for me?

Catra: What? No! Shut up!

these two

Glimmer: It’s an illusion.

Shadow Weaver: Some of the fire is illusory, and some is real. Everyone, be careful.

and then shadow weaver butts in

Shadow Weaver: I see you and Catra are close again. Do you really think that’s wise?

Adora: It’s none of your business.

Shadow Weaver: But it is. If your emotions are blocking you from becoming She-ra, it’s all of Etheria’s business. How long has it been since you were able to transform?

Adora: It’s been happening ever since the Fright Zone. What if…what if I’m losing her?

Shadow Weaver is making the same assumption as Light Hope did in Season 1 – that Adora’s attachments are what’s blocking her from being She-ra.

Shadow Weaver: She-ra is a being of pure magic. To unleash her full strength, you must be focused, clear-headed, but you are letting your emotions pull you in too many directions. Catra, she…distracts you, confuses you. Haven’t you hurt each other enough? If you care about her, focus on protecting her. The world needs you as She-ra right now, not Adora. And if She-ra can’t stop Prime, then we are all doomed.

Adora: I will stop Prime, no matter what.

Even if Adora wants to refute Shadow Weaver’s hypothesis, all Catra hears is what Shadow Weaver says, that she’s preventing Adora from fulfilling her destiny. Because that is what Catra selfishly (and shortsightedly) wants, for Adora to choose her over the whole world, and definitely not for her to just “protect” her like she used to.

But Shadow Weaver is basing her theories on what the Horde (and in turn, the First Ones) believe is necessary to attain power – single-minded focus, achieved by severing all attachments. She essentially refuses to acknowledge Adora’s growth and self-discovery in previous seasons, not even stopping to listen to Adora’s thoughts on the matter. Adora’s just a tool to her, like she’s always been.

Clone: Who are you? What are you doing here? Why do I know your face?

Entrapta: Hordak?

Hordak: No, do not say that name to me! I have no name. What have you done to me?

Entrapta: You do remember me. I knew you would.

i’ve missed these two

But Swift Wind just sees a clone accosting her, so he drags her off.

Hordak: Go! Maybe then these memories, these imperfections, will leave me.

Entrapta: Remember, your imperfections are beautiful!

Entrapta was the first (and probably only) person to accept Hordak as he was, as an equal.

Meanwhile, they’ve finally reached the failsafe.

Glimmer: What does it say?

Adora: Someone needs to go inside and…accept the failsafe? What does that mean?

Shadow Weaver: It means the failsafe must be bonded to a willing soul, and carried to the Heart of Etheria in their body, in order to be deployed.

Bow: And we’re sure that’s…safe?

Shadow Weaver: We can’t turn back now. The failsafe is within our grasp.

Catra: Adora, don’t go in there.

Shadow Weaver: Catra, this is not the time. Someone must take the failsafe.

Catra: So you do it, then. I’ve been watching you the whole way in. You’ve been in here before, haven’t you? You could’ve taken the failsafe yourself and gotten all the power you’ve ever wanted, but you didn’t. Why?

Shadow Weaver: You’re being paranoid. This is the only way to stop Prime, Adora understands that well enough.

Catra: Why does it have to be Adora? What is going to happen to her? What aren’t you telling us?

Casta: Answer the question. 

Shadow Weaver: Whoever uses the failsafe must absorb the full magic of the Heart when it is destroyed. That much raw magical power would burn any mere mortal apart. None of us are strong enough.

Adora: But She-ra is.

Shadow Weaver: Only She-ra can hope to survive the process. No one else can do it.

Adora: And if I don’t survive it?

Shadow Weaver: Then the magic will be restored to Etheria through your sacrifice. You will give us the power to bring us to victory. Prime will be defeated. Your friends will be free.

And this has clearly been Shadow Weaver’s plan since at least Season 4 – she wanted to use the Heart of Etheria, just not the weapon. But of course, nobody else is on board with risking Adora’s life…except for Adora.

Adora: I’ll do it.

Catra: No! What- what’s wrong with you? Shadow Weaver is sacrificing you, why can’t you see that?

Adora: Because even if she is, it’s better than Prime getting the Heart and destroying the universe! We’re out of options. This is the only way.

i just can’t

But then Micah shows up before they can do anything, and a battle ensues.

Glimmer: Dad!

Micah: Hello, daughter. I’m so pleased to see you. And you, sister. Her [Shadow Weaver], not so much.

It’s kind of annoying that, in a show with such well-written characters in general, Micah is basically just there as a means to develop Glimmer. Although, on the other hand, so many shows do the same thing with female characters, so at least this is equal opportunity?

Bow: We have to get out of here!

Shadow Weaver: The failsafe – we can’t!

Catra: Adora, no! Please, it doesn’t always have to be you!

But this is where Adora’s path was always going to lead, because she couldn’t in good conscience do anything less.

And then Micah rolls out the dark magic, rapidly overwhelming everyone else.

Micah: After all, I learned from the best.

Her own pain in accepting the failsafe wasn’t enough to make Adora try to transform, but seeing her friends suffering, she finally does it.

She-ra: I’ve got it! I’ve got the failsafe! Let’s get out of here.

But Catra runs off without a word.

So they return to camp, and Entrapta’s cracked Prime’s signal, but of course, Catra’s still very upset.

and melog is sleeping on adora’s bed like catra used to and WHYYYY

But when Catra runs off (as usual), Melog goes with her, waking Adora up.

Melog’s obviously trying to talk some sense into her, but Catra doesn’t even stop until Adora comes out.

Adora: Catra? Catra, stop! You were just gonna leave?

Catra: I’m doing you a favor. I’m a distraction, right? Now you can go save the world without having to worry about me confusing you.

Adora: No! That’s not true! Don’t listen to Shadow Weaver, this isn’t about her!

Catra: Why? Why are you like this? Why do you always have to sacrifice everything for everyone else? When do you get to choose? What do you want, Adora?

Catra asks Adora the same question that prompted her to change the direction of her life. And she’s not exactly wrong about Shadow Weaver – this is still fundamentally about Shadow Weaver using Adora to gain power, and saving the world, being a “good guy”, is just an added bonus for her.

Adora: I…I have to do this, Catra. I’m the only one who can.

Catra: Then do it. That’s what you want. That’s what you’ll always choose. I don’t have to stay and watch it happen.

Catra can’t bear to just sit around and watch while Adora throws her life away, however noble the cause. She changed her life to try to be with Adora, but that didn’t change Adora’s priorities – Catra’s still clearly not one of them.

Adora: Catra, please. Stay. I need you.

Catra: No, you don’t. You never have.

Adora: Catra!

and catra vanishes and THIS SHOW

Shadow Weaver: Adora, you made the right choice. Don’t let Catra convince you otherwise, she’s never understood-

Adora: Stop! I will never forgive you. You ruin people. You ruin any chance they could ever be happy. Haven’t you done enough?

Shadow Weaver: I did what I had to do.

Adora: Keep telling yourself that. I’m going to take the failsafe to the Heart, and I’m going to save Etheria, but I am not doing it for you. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you never get your hands on the magic.

Adora’s finally making Shadow Weaver face some consequences, because she realizes she has power over her for a change. But that does nothing to fix her relationship with Catra, which was all she ever wanted for most of the series…and of course, Shadow Weaver was always the main obstacle between them, one way or another. It’s all too little, too late, anyhow

this show

until next time