In 1985, Mattel introduced a new toy line spinning off from its incredibly popular He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The new line featured the long-lost twin sister of series protagonist He-Man. The new series, She-Ra: Princess of Power, aimed its sights on girls who might have liked Masters of the Universe but wanted a role model of their own. Although not as popular as Masters of the Universe, She-Ra did very well for several years and won the hearts of fans, both girls and boys.
The plot was simple: Prince Adam of Eternia learned he had a twin sister who was being held captive on the planet Etheria. Adora served the evil Hordak, leader of the Horde, a nigh-unstoppable force of evil marching across the galaxy. Adam rescued She-Ra and taught her about her destiny as She-Ra, the Princess of Power. Soon, Adora joined with others in the Resistance against Hordak and had many adventures fighting for freedom.
In 2018, Netflix rebooted the series and changed a lot while keeping the essential core of the characters and plot.
Spoilers beyond this point.
In the new reboot, Adam and He-Man and Eternia never make an appearance. Eternia is referenced a few times, but it is never specified exactly what it is other than a password to access certain ancient technologies. Castle Grayskull fares slightly better, as Adora constantly calls out, “For the honor of Grayskull!” Much as her earlier incarnation did. Magic swords, a Rebellion against the Horde, and struggles with loss and love mark this new incarnation both as a successor to the old and as something entirely new. That blending of classic characters with more mature, modern themes makes this one of the best – if not the best – animated series I have ever seen.
The plot starts off similarly basic to the original: Force Captain Adora of the Horde is introduced to the Rebellion and a magic sword that transforms her into She-Ra, an 8-foot tall super warrior woman. Her former best friend in the Horde, Catra, steps into the void Adora left in their ranks and begins a terroristic war to find and return Adora. But not because Catra likes Adora. Oh, no. It’s because the Horde is where she belongs, where Adora was raised, and where she is needed to help crush the Rebellion.
Adora is an interesting if somewhat predictable protagonist. She is constantly running off to save the day on her own without her friends, only to realize once again that she needs them as much as they need her. The various Princesses are, for the most part, more interesting, although my only real complaint with the show is that sometimes the Princesses get sidelined in favor of She-Ra and her two best friends, Glimmer and Bow. Although, to be fair, it is her show, and the three of them (and Catra) are the stars.
Let’s talk about the Princesses for a moment, specifically, my favorite Princess, Entrapta. Entrapta is coded as AuDHD. She is a scientist who does not always care about the why of her experiments, just the how. Over the course of the series, she makes friends in unlikely places and learns to discern what is morally right even when she wants to just explore and learn because there is so much freaking cool stuff to see and try. For Entrapta, the world is full of wonder and joy as long as she is learning, and I can relate.
But, while individual characters are interesting and important, this show is ultimately about relationships between people. Friendships. Allies. Romantic partnerships. They all matter. Creator ND Stevenson and his writing staff nail even the smallest of relationships. Adora, Glimmer, and Bow are the Best Friend Squad, even through some pretty weighty struggles. They love each other in ways that must be experienced rather than explained. Catra, Scorpia, and Entrapta mirror the heroes, showing us the twisted relationships of the Horde. Netossa and Spinerella show us a healthy, if competitive, marriage. George and Lance show us a similarly healthy marriage between two loving academics.
However, the relationship at the Heart of Etheria is Adora and Catra. From childhood friends who cared for each other under the watchful evil of the sorceress Shadow Weaver and the leader of the Horde, Hordak, Adora and Catra grow and change throughout the series. Adora leaves the Horde, and Catra believes Adora has left her. Adora fights Catra’s plans for domination at every turn, and Catra is pushed more and more to her breaking point. Adora tries to do everything on her own, and so does Catra. They are the ultimate frenemies.
Then Catra and Glimmer are captured by Hordak’s “brother,” the delightfully creepy Horde Prime. A cult leader of an army of clones and robots, Horde Prime sets his sights on Etheria and She-Ra by way of Glimmer and Catra. Catra continues to plot and scheme her way out of and back into trouble. She is a survivor, but there is no surviving Horde Prime. When Adora comes to save Catra, Prime throws a brainwashed Catra into a deep pit. Adora follows.
And that’s the key relationship in one scene. Catra is dead. Adora’s is broken. Yet Adora follows. Eventually, with the power of She-Ra, Adora restores Catra to life. ANd this is where the relationship gets even better. The two struggle to make an alliance, Catra preferring to be a loner even when Adora so clearly wants her friend to be a part of the Best Friends Quad. Both know that together is the only way to beat Horde Prime, yet they still butt heads.
In the end, with Adora dying and the fate of Etheria at stake, Catra has no place left to turn. She has been broken down beyond all reasonable conception. She is about to lose her best friend, her world and her life. And in that moment, only one things matters. After years of complaining that she doesn’t help Adora because she likes her, Catra says the only thing she can to the person who keeps leaving her: “Don’t you get it? I love you. I always have. So please, just this once, stay!”
It’s a well-earned heart-breaking moment. And of course, Adora, who has come to know that she needs Catra too, responds the only way she can, with amazement: “You love me?” “You’re such an idiot.” “I love you, too.” The slow burning simmer of their relationship finally reaches its moment. And their love saves the universe.
Yes, another story where love win s the day. But it is earned through every single episode and character moment that precedes it.Adora and Catra go through some shit, together and separately, but they are never far from their other’s heart and mind. Catra moves from brooding, toxic, jilted friend to Adora’s biggest and best ally in the final battle. Adora learns that the power of She-Ra isn’t just power from a sword but the power inside her she can use to protect her friends. Love conquers all.
I may have more to say as I process this show. I just finished last night. Just remember, if I do write more, it’s not because I like you.
