Heartwarming / She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Hordak: I...I...acknowledge the work you put into this. It is...very...technologically sound... Uh, no matter what you say, you are not a failure! Any who discount you are utter fools!

Entrapta: Thanks. I like being friends with you too.

—Hordak and Entrapta, "Huntara"

Moment Subpages are Spoilers Off. You Have Been Warned.

As a show centered on The Power of Love and The Power of Friendship, it's obvious that She-Ra and the Princesses of Power will have plenty of joy-inducing moments.

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Season 1

The Sword, Part 1

• Despite the tough regime of the Horde, Adora and Catra tease each other often in good nature.
• Catra being genuinely happy for Adora when she learns that she got promoted to Force Captain.
• Catra sleeping curled up at the foot of Adora's bunk instead of sleeping on her own.
• Bow is a friendly young man and it is clear why he and Glimmer became really good friends.

The Sword, Part 2

• Despite Glimmer's misgivings about Adora, Bow insists that they show Adora what a party is, and leads her around introducing her to the locale.
• Adora petting her first horse and giddily declaring, "This is the best day of my life."
  • Adora's reaction to seeing said horse.
• Really the whole time Adora is at the party, she's essentially a little girl at her first party with Glimmer and Bow acting as her guardians. It's kinda adorable seeing them starting to become the 'Best Friend Squad'

Razz

• The interaction between Adora and Razz is actually rather sweet. Despite how brief her time with the show was, Razz showed a lot of good interaction with the young heroine as a sort of mentor.

Flowers for She-Ra

• Adora gives a Rousing Speech to Perfuma and her people, saying that while she wasn't the She-Ra of legends, they could still protect themselves against the Horde without her power.
• When Adora feels that she has let the people of Plumeria down, Bow and Glimmer assure her that they don't like her because she's She-Ra; they like her because she's their friend.
• The main trio declares themselves the "Best Friend Squad", and solidifies it with a sleepover. Considering the context, the cot they brought in for Adora adds to it.

The Sea Gate

• Scorpia is probably one of the few people in the Horde who is genuinely nice to Catra and wants to be her friend, going so far as to hug her and hang around her whenever possible.
• Sea Hawk admitting to Glimmer that the reason why he's trying so hard to look cool is because outside of his usual places, he's not taken seriously by the princesses or anyone else. Glimmer, who was at first annoyed with him, sympathizes with his need to cover up his insecurities with his bravado.

System Failure

• Bow was incredibly happy to see Entrapta and praised her for her work.
• Bow tells Entrapta's staff that even though they were just normal people and had no special powers like the princesses, they could still fight.

In the Shadows of Mystacor

• Glimmer tries to help Adora to learn how to relax, culminating in them enjoying a cuddle in the hot bath.
• Castaspella obviously loves Glimmer, and is fond of her friends too, even doing things like sending Bow socks.

Princess Prom

• Despite becoming jealous that Bow accepted Perfuma's invitation to be her plus-one for the princess ball, Glimmer happily helps Adora dress up for it.
• The small dress-up montage with Catra and Scorpia. Scorpia clearly adored Catra from the get-go, but this seems like one of the few times out of battle that Catra genuinely enjoys Scorpia's company.
• Adora being so protective of her sword can be seen as both hilarious and adorable.

No Princess Left Behind

• When Adora is laying out the plan to rescue Bow and Glimmer, she, almost childishly, insists that nobody can use the three miniatures of the three of them to represent them on the battle map - because Bow made them. She also uses her own miniature to represent herself, of course.
• While Sea Hawk is pretending to be "the inspector," Scorpia recognizes him from Princess Prom, as coming with "that mermaid." This makes Sea Hawk drop his goofball act and snap "SHE HAS A NAME!" He can't stop himself from sticking up for Mermista even when he's trying to convince an enemy he's somebody else.
• Adora does a Heroic Sacrifice by smashing the control pad of the door so it closes and Bow can't go after her so she can surrender herself to find Glimmer.
• When Glimmer sees Shadow Weaver trying to brainwash Adora, she manages to break through the Black Garnet powered restraints with her teleportation and punches her out to save her friend despite the pain it caused her.
• While a major Tear Jerker, it's rather touching seeing how hard Entrapta's (supposed) death hits everyone. Sure, she was weird, and all of them tended to be annoyed by her quirks, but she was still one of them.

The Beacon

• Even after years of acting as an Abusive Parent to her, and having pulled a Stealing the Credit earlier, when Catra sees how off Shadow Weaver looks after Hordak chews her out, she tries to comfort her, and after SW cools down from her Don't You Dare Pity Me! moment, she actually seems regretful for snapping out like she did and admits that she was only ever trying to make Catra strong. Of course, given everything up until this point that last part comes off more as a backhanded Never My Fault justification from an abuser.
• Queen Angella and Glimmer's talk at dinner, where Queen Angella tells Glimmer (who blames herself for Entrapta seemingly being killed and the princess alliance falling apart) that she should keep fighting and that they'll figure it out together.

Promise

• Most of the flashbacks of Adora and Catra can lean into this.
• Even after what she did in the episode, Catra still seems to hold a sliver of affection for Adora.

Light Hope

• Queen Angella lets Glimmer, Bow, and Swift Wind go off to find Adora, knowing that they could take care of themselves.
• Swift Wind shaking Adora out of her funk.
• Entrapta is excited that someone has shown interest in her work.

The Battle of Bright Moon

• Spinnerella reassures her wife when Netossa is irritated by Bow still not knowing what they do.
  Netossa: (annoyed) Nets! I toss nets! Okay?!
  Spinnerella: Yes darling, you have beautiful nets.
  (Spinnerella hugs her, Netossa smiles sheepishly.)
• As Adora doubts and blames herself for an upcoming battle, Glimmer and Bow are quick to hug and reassure her that everything will turn out fine and they’ve got her back. It’s really nice to see how far the Best Friend Squad has come since the first episode.
• Queen Angella not being angry when she reveals that Glimmer has been hoarding weapons, accepting Glimmer for who she is.
  Queen Angella: I've been trying all these years to mold you into someone more like me. But you're too stubborn, and hotheaded, and brave. Like your father.
• When the Princesses arrive to give backup, the biggest surprise is Frosta arriving just in time to help the others. Given the cold reception, it's kinda nice to see her coming in.
• The wing hug at the end. Need I say more?

Season 2

The Frozen Forest

• Despite the way things ended last season we see that Adora still can't bring herself to really hurt Catra, even a fake hologram of her in training.
• Glimmer apologizes for being harsh with Frosta. Glimmer also realizes in her interaction with Frosta how her mother must have felt seeing her trying to fight.

Ties That Bind

• Scorpia completely freaks out when Catra is taken and is clearly ready to do anything to save her. Catra spends the episode scoffing at The Power of Friendship, but it's pretty clear that she's benefiting from it herself.

Roll With It

• As annoyed as Adora is that the other princesses are treating her planning session as a D&D game, it's wonderful to see them so excited about a group activity.
• Frosta's Parody Sue OC, complete with illustrations in a child's attempt at manga style, is incredibly adorable.
• When Adora reveals that she needs the plan to be perfect because she feels she has to be perfect, the others reassure her that they'll be there for her.

White Out

• Bow engages with Entrapta on a very even ground when trying to get her to leave the Horde— they're not so much fighting as avoiding each other while having a conversation. It's clear they both have respect for each other's work despite being on opposite sides.
• Scorpia continues in her crusade to gain Catra's favour, and her genuine love and admiration for her is wonderful to see, especially for someone like Catra who was raised to believe she was always second best.
• It's a stand out episode for Scorpia, really, who is then tasked with looking after a loopy Adora, drunk on the effects of the corrupting First Ones tech. Despite Adora being in some ways her rival and in all ways her opponent, she holds her, carries her, and talks about Catra with her. Even though she admits Adora is getting on her last nerve, it never crosses her mind to be anything but a caretaker.
• Sea Hawk and Scorpia have a heart to heart about not being respected by their friends and deciding to respect themselves— again, despite being on opposite sides of a war.
• Scorpia makes the decision that Catra's life is more important than the "She-Ra off switch", and breaks it to save her from an elemental attack. As she carries her to safety, there's a close shot on Catra's face going from irritation to wonder as she realizes Scorpia really does care about her.
• At the very end of the episode, Catra, who's been complaining about the cold the whole time, invites Scorpia to share her blanket.

Light Spinner

• As awful as most of the things that happen in this episode are, getting a glimpse of Glimmer's dad Micah at her age is really wonderful—you can see why Casta and Angella both say Glimmer takes after him.
• Before leaving Mystacor, the corrupted Light Spinner not only doesn't attack Micah, but shows him affection. And unlike the occasional kindness she shows Catra and Adora, there's no underlying manipulative edge or something for her to earn by showing it.
• When baby Adora arrives in the fright zone, she finally calms down when Shadow Weaver holds her.
• While it ends in a cruel Tearjerker moment, this episode confirms that underneath the hatred, Catra loves Shadow Weaver.

Reunion

• Bow's dads, George and Lance, are a wonderfully loving couple, with several quiet moments of affection. Even though they've misunderstood Bow's desires and projected on him, it stems from a desire to keep him safe, and when they're confronted with the truth they accept it very quickly.
• When Bow's parents hug Bow, George welcomes Adora and Glimmer into the embrace.
  George: This is a family hug, princesses. You're Bow's family, too.
• George has a tattoo on his arm in First Ones writing, which he's messed up and which actually says "lunch". What did he want it to say, though? Love.
• Scorpia picks up Catra and curls her in a blanket to try cheering her up. D'awwww. Unfortunately, in context, it really doesn't help.

Season 3

The Price of Power

• Queen Angella being so protective of Adora when Shadow Weaver comes, telling her that she put Adora through a lot. Considering how cold she was to Adora when they first met, it's nice to see her protect Adora.
• When Adora says that she's going to the Crimson Waste, Bow and Glimmer agree to join even though it's dangerous.

Huntara

• In a strange villain example, Hordak seems to actually like and trust Entrapta, protecting her from an explosion, sharing his backstory with her and letting her work on his armor.
  • When Hordak reveals his insecurities over being a genetically imperfect clone, Entrapta tells him that she finds imperfection beautiful and fascinating.
  • When she calls herself "a failure", Hordak immediately disagrees with her, telling her that "you are not a failure" and "any who discount you are utter fools".
    • The cherry on top is just how awkward Hordak sounds when saying the above. While he has praised his minions before, there was still an aura of detached professionalism and menace in that praise. Hordak's compliments here, however? They come straight from the heart.
    • Entrapta immediately recognizes that Hordak is really struggling to be sincere, emotional and vulnerable, and responds with "Thanks. I like being friends with you, too."
• When Hordak's condition causes him to lose his temper and order Entrapta out of the lab, Imp grabs hold of some of her hair and beckons her backwards, encouraging her to leave ostensibly to avoid having Hordak rage at her. This is significant in that in all previous appearances Imp seemed to encourage or even enjoy his master lashing out at others.
  • After Hordak catches Entrapta sneaking back into the lab, he’s about to rage at her again, but the exertion causes him to faint. The last thing he sees before he loses consciousness is Entrapta running to his side to check on him.
  • Then he comes to, wrapped in a blanket, with Entrapta trying to give him soup to help him feel better.
• Entrapta creates a new cybernetic exoskeleton for Hordak that keeps him healthy. Hordak is delighted with and grateful for the gift.
  • The exoskeleton's power source is a First Ones crystal with the word "loved" (LUVD) engraved on it in First Ones script. The crystal reminds Hordak of Entrapta throughout the rest of the series.
  • Character designer Rae Geiger wrote on Tumblr that Etherian couples have a tradition of exchanging clothing, and listed Entrapta giving Hordak new armor as an example.

Once Upon A Time In The Waste

• Catra finds genuine happiness in the Crimson Waste. She leads Huntara and Lashor's old gangs to a massive stash of First Ones' tech and they celebrate by toasting her as "The best boss [they've] ever had!" Catra then leads them in a toast to Scorpia. She then takes Scorpia's hand and leads her off to another room to talk in private.
  • In that private talk, Scorpia gently encourages Catra to stay in the wastes, noting that she’s never had as good of a time back in the Fright Zone as she does out there. Even though it all falls down a moment later when Catra finds out Shadow Weaver is in Bright Moon and her self-destructive tendencies take over, Scorpia’s entreaty to stay is so loving. Scorpia really does care about Catra herself.
  Scorpia: We could, you know... be happy.

Moment of Truth

• Mermista, Perfuma, and Frosta say that they're coming with Bow and Glimmer to save Adora.
  Perfuma: We're not trying to stop you. We want to come with you.
  Mermista: Look, we could do the whole "You can't come with us, it's too risky" thing
  Frosta: Or you could just accept that we're coming. Because we are.

• When Catra refuses to listen to Entrapta about the portal being dangerous, there is something innocently childlike in Entrapta's complete trust that Hordak will believe her (especially with how the line is delivered):
  Catra: We are opening that portal! NOW!
  Entrapta: No! I won't! I need to tell Hordak! He'll understand!

Remember

• Even though it's all false, the "perfect" realities created in the collapsing world show us some beautiful things.
  • Catra and Adora's perfect reality is being together and being successful. Despite her destructive ambition in the real world, Catra's idea of perfection is apparently being with Adora, getting along with their squad, and having some actual love and approval from Shadow Weaver.
  • Glimmer and Angella's relationship, when not strained by Micah's death, is close and loving and cheerful, playing flying games. Micah himself seems to be an excellent father, and appears to have taught his daughter some of his sorcery. The brief glimpse of the three of them together is really beautiful— and Micah calls his immortal angelic wife Angie.
• Forced to work together in this reality, Adora and Scorpia manage to find enough ground to ease their (mostly one-sided) rivalry.
  Scorpia: Look, if you get us out of this, I promise I won't hate you. I will just dislike you a reasonable amount.
  Adora (smiling): Deal.
• Madame Razz's optimistic belief everything will turn out all right. Given Adora is falling apart about as fast as Etheria, Razz's unwavering encouragement is incredibly helpful in keeping Adora from just giving up.

The Portal

• When Adora mentions that she has to grab the sword (knowing she won't come back) Queen Angella asks if Adora will come back too. Even though Adora doesn't give it to her straight, Angella immediately figures out that no one would come back and decides to take her place. She's really come a ways from caring about Adora only for her role as She-Ra.
  • Her last words to Adora? It's not "I leave the rest up to you, Adora" or "Take care of Glimmer for me". It's "Take care of each other." Another instance that implies she's finally putting her full trust in Glimmer to both step into herself, and encouraging her to have Adora's back as much as Adora does for Glimmer.
• Entrapta acts like she used to in Season 1, with her Mad Scientist tendencies showing through, but nonetheless providing assistance. What got her memories back? Adora mentions a name: Hordak.
  • The memories Entrapta remembers were of Hordak awkwardly but genuinely thanking her for her help, him smiling at her at their first portal test, and their last interaction with one another.
  • When it all finally comes back to her, her voice transitions from unsure to pleased when she finally remembers her lab partner. She then goes on with a genuinely happy tone about her and Hordak being friends.
    Entrapta: I... I remember. I had a lab partner. [eyes softening and smiles as she faces them] Hordak! Mm.
• Entrapta's last line before she disappears:
  Entrapta: It was nice being friends with you.
• Hordak tenderly touches the crystal on his exoskeleton (given to him by Entrapta) with a heartbroken expression before fleeing with Catra.

Season 4

The Coronation

• Everyone's determination to make the coronation as good as possible... even if it goes badly, it's at least clearly well-intentioned, and when they get their act together, they give it their all.
• Adora and Bow unhesitatingly say they have Glimmer's back before facing down the Bright Moon Guardian. Sadly, it's the closest they'll be for most of the season.
• Angella's Video Will for Glimmer.

The Valley of the Lost

• Just the fact that Scorpia's taken it upon herself to care for Emily following Entrapta's exile.
• Perfuma making Huntara a 'flower crown' out of cacti, and Huntara unhesitatingly putting it on.
• When Perfuma is struggling to work with cacti, Huntara calms her down and helps her meditate. No snarky comments, no confusion, no groaning, just complete readiness to help Perfuma.

Flutterina

• Hordak blushes when Imp repeats Entrapta's name. After everything he still has feelings for her.

Pulse

• Even though Spinnerella and Netossa argue, it's clear they still care a lot about each other.
• Shadow Weaver of all people admitting she grew daisies because she finds them cheerful. The rest of her garden was for magic, though.

Protocol

• When Kyle gets tired of the arguing and heads out to fix the transport himself, Lonnie and Rogelio head out to rescue him, choosing to sacrifice the First One armour and risk Catra's wrath rather than lose their friend.
• Light Hope proves to be much more pleasant to be around while she reboots her system, and is revealed to have had a gigantic soft spot for Mara, to the point that, when presented with flowers, she conjured a field full of them just to make Mara happy.
• Adora promises she'll try to empathize more with Light Hope, even promising her that they'll hang out in the future.

Princess Scorpia

• Scorpia decides that the only way she can live with herself is to save Entrapta.
• Emily and Scorpia's bond is delightful to watch, with Scorpia taking care of Emily like it were a pet. She does this both out of genuine care and to keep her promise to Entrapta.

Mer-Mysteries

• The fact that Adora trusted Shadow Weaver enough to let her help them set up the trap to catch the spy.

Boys' Night Out

• The song Sea Hawk, Swift Wind, and Bow sing about friendship.
  Bow: (singing) Sometimes we'll fight, but that's O.K/ We'll work it out another day/ I know things will work out in the end.
  • The battle remix counts as well.
• Sea Hawk's plan to fake a kidnapping so Glimmer and Adora stop arguing. It doesn't work, as they are kidnapped for real and there is still tension between Glimmer and Adora, but still.
• Mermista enjoying herself when battling with Sea Hawk.
  • Also, she enjoys listening to Sea Hawk singing. Considering how she saw Sea Hawk earlier in the series, it was nice to see her enjoy Sea Hawk's company.

Hero

• Razz leaves the pie on the seat of Mara's ship as a Due to the Dead.
  Razz: She was brave, my Mara.
• Light Hope, ignoring her programming just because Mara asked her to.
  Light Hope: Unauthorized presence... NOT detected. Any reports to the contrary... [smiles warmly] are incorrect.

Fractures

• Despite calling Catra a bad friend and leaving her, Scorpia still cares about her and admits to herself that her leaving is gonna do a 'real number' on Catra's mental state.
• Scorpia bonding with Frosta and Perfuma. Scorpia actually tears up when she realizes that instead of treating her like some kind of weird outcast, like the Horde always said the Princesses would, Frosta thinks her pincers are cool.
• Right after the above, Frosta has a moment with Scorpia and admits that none of the Princesses really fit in, so they all just "don't fit in" together. Frosta also tells Scorpia that since she has the first watch, she'll be awake if Scorpia wants to talk.

Beast Island

• Micah's joy at hearing that his baby girl is doing well.
• Adora says she wants to be "The hero [Glimmer] deserves". Even though they've been at loggerheads since Angella's sacrifice, she still clearly values Glimmer's friendship a lot.
• The montage of memories of Glimmer that plays right before Adora snaps out of her self-doubt, turns on her Super Mode, and saves Bow, Swift Wind and Micah. It starts out sad, with memories of their arguments throughout this season... but happier memories quickly turn up to replace them, and then Adora's eyes start glowing...

Destiny, Part 1

• Bow's speech about friendship to Entrapta, which combines with Adora's offer of a look at Mara's ship to snap Entrapta out of her Signal-induced depression. Even though Entrapta concedes that the ship was the thing that snapped her out of it, she really did appreciate what Bow said.
• Glimmer may be trying to get Scorpia to link the Black Garnet in order to use the Heart of Etheria's power, but she seems genuinely friendly and supportive to her. This even earns Glimmer the giant hug she's desperately needed for most of the season.
  Glimmer: You're gonna make a great princess.
• Kyle places himself between Lonnie and Catra when Catra lashes out at them in the locker room.
• Although Hordak and Catra's relationship has been rocky to say the least, Hordak amends his statement that Horde Prime will see what he is worth to include Catra's role in the conquest. Obviously, this doesn't last given what she did to Entrapta, but after all he's hurt her and she's hurt him in turn, he finally seems to acknowledge her worth, if momentarily.
• Hordak cries actual tears after learning the truth about what happened to Entrapta.

Destiny, Part 2

• Lonnie telling Scorpia "You're one of us" when they run into each other during Glimmer and Scorpia's infiltration of the Fright Zone... right before Lonnie, Kyle and Rogelio up and quit the Horde entirely rather than put up with Catra's nonsense.
• Hordak's fury when he learns that Catra betrayed Entrapta and lied to him about it.
• Scorpia calls Frosta her "Little buddy".
• When Adora is fighting back against the weapon, Light Hope breaks through the Heart of Etheria programming and remembers why she and Mara cared about each other, releasing control of Adora just long enough for Adora to shatter the Sword of Protection.
• Even after their friendship with Glimmer has hit rock bottom, Adora and Bow still vow to save her from Horde Prime.
• In a very sad way, Frosta, Perfuma, and Scorpia all hug and hold each other as their powers are used to open the portal. Scorpia would even have had to drag herself there to provide it, since her skiff crashed a little bit short of the other two.
• Sea Hawk holding Mermista as her power is used to open the portal and activate the Heart of Etheria. And shortly before that, the fact that he got literal hearts in his eyes seeing her surrounded by her power for the first time.
• It doubles as a tearjerker, but when Horde Prime reads Hordak's thoughts, he remarks that "There was even a time you wished I would not come for you, is that so?" while touching the opening in Hordak's armor for Entrapta's crystal. The remark confirms that Hordak cared deeply for Entrapta, so much so that he wanted to stay on Etheria with her.

Season 5

Horde Prime

• Adora returns a She-Ra doll to a little girl who is being evacuated from her village, whose eyes go wide upon seeing her.
• Swift Wind and Scorpia quickly become friends.
• Mermista's genuine concern over Adora's well being is sweet too, given how dry she's been up to this point in the show.

Launch

• Bow stays with Adora when she's forced to take bedrest, and is very adamant with Frosta, Micah, Swift Wind and Entrapta that she not be disturbed.
• Adora gets to confront She-Ra's spirit during a dream, and admits that she feels so lost because being able to transform not only gave her power, but also a purpose. She resolves not to give up anyway, because her friends need her, and simply says goodbye to the spirit while thanking her for everything.
• The other princesses manage to warm up to Entrapta a bit more.
  • Entrapta, on her part, does her best to be helpful to the Princesses by refusing to give up on getting the signal from the spyre to locate Glimmer's position. She admits she's not good with people, but tech is her specialty and she won't pass up the chance to use it to be a good friend.

Corridors

• Glimmer and Catra bonding over how lonely they both feel. Glimmer fondly describes a perfect day back in Bright Moon, having a sleepover with Bow and Adora. Catra also reminisces about the sleepovers she used to have with Adora in the Fright Zone. It says a lot about how well each knows Adora: Glimmer only knew Adora as the magical girl who dropped into her life. But Catra knew Adora far longer than Glimmer did, back when Adora was just an ordinary, clueless girl. Adora may be a legendary hero, but to Catra she’s still the same idiot she grew up with.
• Catra and Adora as children continue to be precious. Catra was jealous that Adora seemed to be getting close to Lonnie, and even scratched her face in a fit of rage, but Adora never once held it against her and was even willing to skip dinner if it meant spending time with Catra.
  • The fact that, unlike in "Promise", where remembering her childhood made Catra lose her empathy, this time what prevails is Catra's desire to protect Adora, who always saw the good buried inside of her and never stopped trying to reach her until Catra crossed one-too many lines. Until it was too late, Adora really never stopped being her friend.
• "I wanna do that one good thing in my life, like you said. So, come with me!"
• Catra finally, finally apologizing to Adora, the person she's hurt the most, for everything she's ever done while struggling against Prime's clones. She manages to fight them off long enough to teleport Glimmer towards Mara's ship.

Stranded

• Glimmer completely understands how badly she mistreated Bow, noticing how quickly he turns somber around her even after he rescues her from the cave. She even tells him that it's alright if he's still mad at her for it.
• Adora manages to tap momentarily into She-Ra's powers out of desire to protect everyone she cares about.
• At the end of the episode, when Swift Wind is looking up at the stars, hoping to contact Adora, Scorpia, who was apparently keeping him company, is leaning on him, fast asleep.

Save the Cat

• Adora's fight with Catra is chock full of these. After her chip is damaged, Catra manages to snap out of Prime's control enough to tell Adora to leave, since no one cares about her anyway. Adora answers that Catra matters a whole lot to her.
  • This is such a powerful moment because it's the first time Catra is experiencing someone not only recognizing her worth just for being who she is, but that message is also coming from someone she's hurt and shut out. For Adora to hold her at her most weak and broken and tell her she's worth saving, even after all the pain they'd caused one another, is such a relief for her that we see it in the animation. That message that the people who love you will always see your value, even after you've made mistakes that you think made you irredeemable, is something so raw and so special
  • Adora tries to get to Catra by invoking her Rebellious Spirit.
    Adora: Come on Catra! You have never listened to anyone in your life. Are you really going to start now?
    Catra: (fondly) You're such an idiot.
    Adora: (laughing and tearing up) Yeah, I know.
  • Adora vows she'll take Catra home. Catra's response? "Promise?"
  • Adora shows zero hesitation in jumping after Catra after Horde Prime shocks her and makes her fall into The Abyss. It's such a bad fall that when she wakes up she can't even stand, and has to crawl to get to Catra, who's barely breathing. She holds Catra close to her chest, head buried in her shoulder and her hand gently caressing Catra's hair, even as countless Horde Prime clones are standing around them. And then her eyes open...
  • "C'mon Catra. You're not done. Not yet..."
  • After Adora heals her, what's the first thing Catra says when she wakes up? "Hey Adora". And unlike every other time Catra has said that line, usually in a mocking or sarcastic way, here she says it in a tired but warm and earnest voice making it clear that she is genuinely happy to be reunited with Adora again. All Adora can do after seeing Catra alive again and with warmth in her heart for her is hug her close with tears in her eyes.
  • Catra's reaction after Adora's healed her. When Adora hugs her close, she is stunned for a moment before she clings to Adora with all her strength. And she even starts purring.

Taking Control

• Adora is restless with worry about Catra, and continues to check up on her over and over again.
• When Catra, still all prickly attitude and self-loathing, asks to be left on a planet since she's convinced everyone on the ship can't stand her, Adora simply tells her that she never hated her. It leaves Catra speechless.
  • Even Glimmer stands up for Catra to a degree, telling Adora to cut her some slack. It even shows a bit of character development in Glimmer—understanding Catra doesn't mean she has to agree with her, considering all the times Catra tried to hurt them all.
• Catra gently grabs Adora's hand before letting Entrapta operate on her, asking her to stay in the softest voice. Later, when she uses her connection to Prime's hive mind to find out what's going on in Etheria despite being terrified of the chance he could infiltrate her mind again, she pleads with Adora to stay with her.
  • When Prime's bots start attacking Darla and cause the ship to shake uncontrollably, Adora's first instinct is to hug Catra close.
• Catra apologizes to Entrapta for what she's done to her. Entrapta answers with a pat on Catra's head and a simple "I forgive you."
• Wrong Hordak helping Glimmer out with making dinner. He's so keen on making sure his new "brothers" are happy it's endearing.
  • When Glimmer has to leave in the middle of dinner preparations, she hangs the apron around his shoulders, and his smile is adorable.
• Catra is welcomed to dinner. She's visibly hesitant as she approaches the group, but Bow and Glimmer quickly make space for her and offer her food. The fond look Adora sends her says it all, she's part of them now.
• She-Ra's new transformation highlights some new additions to her outfit: a winged motif on her boots, like Glimmer's original outfit; a heart shape on her chest, like Bow's cuirass; a tiara that frames her face, like Catra's old headdress. The three people Adora loves most, combined into her strongest form.

Perils of Peekblue

• During the theme song for this season, Catra is under Horde Prime as one of the bad guys. Starting this episode she doesn’t appear in the shot. Catra and Adora face off in the final action shot of the theme song and unlike the evil look she gave before at this moment... Catra gives a genuine smile which Adora returns.
  • We can clearly see they've already fallen back into their old dynamic. Catra literally jumps into Adora's lap at the prospect of bothering her, and while Adora seems annoyed, she holds Catra without protest and is clearly taken aback once Catra gets up for real. They also sneak glances when they think the other isn't looking.
• When Netossa thinks that Spinnerella is mad because she forgot their anniversary with everything going on, she immediately goes to try and make things right with her.
• Perfuma is a constant source of encouragement to Scorpia in this episode, culminating in Scorpia nailing a jazzy song in front of an audience.
• Sea Hawk telling Mermista she's all he's ever wanted after she admits to having set a ship on fire once, to see how it'd feel.
• Scorpia's Heroic Sacrifice, as she holds off a horde of chipped Etherians to make sure Sea Hawk, Perfuma and Double Trouble can escape safely.

Shot In The Dark

• Catra, after getting frustrated with Bow's assertions that her helmet is cute and comically struggling to take it off, stops and smiles upon seeing Adora laughing.
• Entrapta helps Wrong Hordak through his existential crisis when he finds hard evidence of Horde Prime not being perfect.
• Just Wrong Hordak in general; once he finds his personality, he transforms into a sweet, naive person, and the loudest critic of the Horde. He joins the Rebellion purely to stand alongside his new "brothers", and becomes a great cook and assistant to Entrapta. In other words, he's a pure cinnamon bun.
  • And just the fact that now we know that the clones are all individuals, with their own unique personalities, outside of their programming. Once Horde Prime is defeated, all the clones will have a chance to discover themselves and be their own people.

An Ill Wind

• Wrong Hordak experiencing the warmth of the sun and the beauty of a living planet for the first time.
• Catra reassuring Netossa that her wife will be okay once they get her chip off.
• The shopkeeper changed her opinion of the Princesses after they rescued her.

Return to the Fright Zone

• Netossa shows Bow's weakness (his fear of his namesake being hurt), but then repairs it with a string made of her nets almost immediately.
• Perfuma spends the episode being a Team Mom, refusing to use her devastating potential to hurt Scorpia simply because she trusts her good heart. And she's right. When Scorpia has Perfuma and Adora cornered, she misses on purpose, and before Horde Prime refocuses her attention she's staring at a flower Perfuma left behind.
• Catra tries to apologise to Scorpia as soon as she sees her. Doesn't work out, since Scorpia is chipped and all, but Catra is actively trying to be a good friend.
• Perfuma explains to Catra, who has severe difficulty in being open about her feelings and usually runs away from them, why she has so much faith in her friend's hearts, even if they're corrupted.

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

  • Immediately after this, she offers to help Catra work on her abandonment issues and her repressed anger. Catra opts for taking her up on that another time.
• The Reveal that "Grayskull" was actually a team of rebels Mara had formed to fight against her destiny and defy the First Ones' orders. Adora has been unknowingly fighting for the same cause as her predecessor the entire time.
  • "Fight for the honor of Grayskull" was one of the first things Light Hope ever said to Adora. Which means that, despite the reprogramming, Light Hope still had memories of Mara and was supportive of her cause.

Failsafe

• After a few episodes of Netossa struggling to get Spinnerella out of Prime's control, and succeeding, the couple are shown reunited and sharing a kiss during the credits.
• Entrapta meets Hordak at night near a Galactic Horde spire. Hordak still has the LUVD crystal that Entrapta gave him, and still remembers her after two mind wipes. He is bewildered by the love he still feels for her, asking, "What have you done to me?"
  Entrapta: You do remember me. I knew you would.
• Entrapta yells at Hordak that his imperfections make him beautiful, even as Swift Wind pulls her away from him.
• Catra jumps straight into fire to save Adora. It turns out to be just an illusion, but the latter doesn't waste time in playfully teasing her about it.
• Melog keeps careful watch of Adora while she sleeps. Considering they're emotionally tied to Catra, it means that even while angry at Adora for taking the Failsafe and sacrificing herself for everyone else, Catra wanted to cuddle up to her and offer her comfort.
• Glimmer finally sees for herself that Micah is alive, albeit chipped. Castaspella is just as taken aback, but steels herself enough to comfort her niece.
• While it leads to a Tear Jerker later on, Catra's anger is heartwarming because it shows how much she loves Adora and wants to protect her from anything that may cause her harm.

The Heart, Part 1

• The temple projects Adora's thoughts, which all verge towards one person, and one only: Catra. She sees her in every iteration of her character: from a training session in their early teens, chipped on Horde Prime's ship, in her Season 4 get up at the peak of her villainy, how she was at the start of the series and, finally, her redeemed and improved version, who gently comes close and bumps her forehead to Adora's. This basically means that, even if she couldn't put a name to the feeling, Adora never, ever stopped loving Catra.
  • The fact that Adora was well aware she was in front of an illusion, but still let herself bask in Catra's presence for what she probably thought would be the last time.
• Adora is too scared and conflicted about what she really wants to keep her She-Ra form, and being with Bow and Glimmer only makes it worse. Once she realises it's going to be a one-way trip, she thanks them for being the best friends she could have ever asked for before continuing the journey to the Heart by herself, so that they wouldn't be in danger.
• Catra sprints back to warn Adora about Horde Prime poisoning the planet as soon as she stumbles upon the scene.
  • She agrees to take Shadow Weaver's hand and use magic to teleport to the Heart. Saving Adora is so important to her that she's willing to put up with the person that abused her her entire life if it means rescuing the girl she loves. Later, when she offers to stay behind to find Adora while Bow and Glimmer go to help the Rebellion, she recalls their promise to always have each other's back. Now, she intends to make good on that.
• Catra, Bow and Glimmer cement their status as Fire-Forged Friends with a group hug before they split. Catra leaves them with Melog, softly telling her companion to keep them both safe.
  Glimmer: Take care of her, Horde Scum.
  Catra: That's the plan, Sparkles. And, good luck.
  Bow: The four of us don't need luck. We're the Best Friend Squad.
• Adora tries to convince herself that self-sacrifice is the only way to save the planet, and that being She-Ra means she's supposed to disregard her own wants. Mara shuts that down immediately.
  Mara: You're worth more than what you can give to other people. You deserve love, too. You're so close, Adora. Don't give up yet.
  • Like with the hologram of Catra above, this version of Mara is drawn from Adora's memories. In a way, Adora is trying to talk herself out of her own sacrifice.
• Sea Hawk manages to break Mermista's brainwashing long enough for her to be knocked out with a simple "Because I love you, dearest." And afterwards he gently cradles an unconscious Mermista, brushes some hair out of her face, and asks her to forgive him when she's back to normal.
• Bow and Glimmer saying "I love you" to one another. ND Stevenson confirmed this one was more nuanced than Adora and Catra, and they weren't sure how to play the moment when it finally came. Then, while recording the dialogue, Karen Fukuhara asked if she should read the line platonically or romantically. ND decided there on the spot to make it romantic.

The Heart, Part 2

• How does Hordak break free of his conditioning and turn against Horde Prime? Because Horde Prime ordered him to kill Entrapta. Even before that, Hordak held onto the First Ones crystal she gave him, which slowly brought back his memories of their time together.
  • After Season 5 aired, storyboard artist Emily Wu released a video of the original story board for the scene, which was later shortened. In the original scene, Hordak felt anguish after killing Horde Prime, but was comforted by Entrapta, who touched his face with her hair and assured him that he was free now.
• Adora's vision of her deepest desire, which is living in Bright Moon with her friends and Catra. Horde Prime even describes it as a "beautiful wish".
  • The subtext of the scene is also worth noting. Each couple in the scene have parts of their outfits matching. Catra is wearing a red jacket with Adora's wing pin, and her half-cape matches the colors of Adora's dress. For Bow and Glimmer, the two are each wearing one of a pair of matching earrings, both are wearing gold accents in similar places (chest, bracelets), and have matching capes. A design sketch of the four makes this more obvious. Since an Etherian custom among married couples seems to be the exchange of a piece of clothing (for example, Spinnerella and Netossa's necklaces), it's very likely Adora envisioned both couples to be already married.
  • Also, this makes painfully clear that Adora was harbouring feelings for Catra before she even knew what they were. Catra was out there thinking Adora didn't want her, and Adora was already imagining them married.
• Catra gives an Anguished Declaration of Love to a dying Adora... and Adora gives one right back. As such, the two then share a Big Damn Kiss.
  Catra: You can't give up. You have never given up on anything in your life. Not even me. So don't you dare start now!
  Adora: It's too late. I've failed.
  Catra: No! No! I've got you, I'm not letting go. Don't you get it? I love you! I always have! So please, just this once... STAY! Stay.
  Adora: You love me?
  Catra: [chuckles] You're such an idiot.
  Adora: I love you, too.
  • All of this is playing to "Promise", the song usually played during heavy emotional moments and more specifically played when Catra let Adora fall in Season 1, playing in a triumphant tone. Essentially showcasing Catra's second chance.
  • According to ND Stevenson, Catra and Adora's character arcs culminated in the two of them gaining an aspect of each other's personalities. Adora learned that she deserves happiness and that it's okay to be selfish sometimes, that she's worth more than a senseless sacrifice; Catra learned that having other priorities doesn't diminish how much a person cares about you, and to embrace her true feelings instead of letting them fester and turn into anger inside her.
    • Catra decided to stay by Adora's side at the end, even when Adora was adamant on completing the mission at the cost of her own life. Due to her abandonment issues Catra has always interpreted Adora choosing something else as a reason to close herself off and lash out, as she was too dependent on her relationship with Adora. But now she's come to terms with her feelings, has gained self worth and, most importantly, she knows that Adora will always try to reach her (like when she saved her from Prime, or went back to help her against the First Ones' monster even though she had to get to the Heart). Her love for Adora is just so strong that she doesn't want to leave her side for a second, ever again, even if sticking around results in her death as well. Life without Adora would be worse than not having her feelings returned, and Catra has finally matured enough to understand that.
    • Adora's always put the greater good above personal desires. She struggles to find a purpose other than serving as She-Ra, as being of use is the only way she thinks she'd ever be deserving of love. But still, even when all seems lost and Prime's virus has infected her, she still reaches out to catch Catra's hand. Catra, who is the only one who knew Adora before she was She-Ra, doesn't care about any of that and has loved Adora for who she is her whole life. Catra essentially becomes Adora's hope for a better future, a reason to finally be selfish, and that's enough for her to come back from the brink of death. Adora has never thought to be worthy of love simply for who she is, but with just a few sentences Catra proves her wrong.
    • Think of their promise. "Nothing really bad can happen as long as we have each other." And nothing bad happened. Their love saved the universe.
• Adora isn't even fully conscious yet when she summons her shield to protect Catra from the Heart Of Etheria's magic strikes. It's a nice parallel to Catra reflexively jumping into an illusion of a blazing fire when she thought that Adora was in danger.
• When Adora cleanses Horde Prime's spirit from Hordak's body, he recalls the memory of when he found her as a baby. The flashback shows Hordak tenderly holding the infant with a surprised but gentle expression on his face, as the smiling baby touches his hand. This is also a reminder that Hordak is the closest thing Adora's ever had to a father figure.
  Hordak: I remember you.
  • It's worth stressing that Hordak did not have to do anything for Adora when he found her; he did not know who she was, or who she would grow to be. He could've left her at the mercy of the elements, and chalked the portal up to some misreading or anomaly. But he didn't. Hordak took Adora in his arms, and personally carried her to safety (at least as he thought of it). As one lost child marooned on the wrong side of a portal to another, Hordak had empathy with the baby Adora.
• After Adora saves Hordak, Entrapta throws her arms around him. The two walk off arm in arm, overjoyed to be together again.
  • During a panning shot, you can see Hordak laughing with Entrapta. Not his usual evil laugh, but a genuine, happy laugh. Love Redeems, indeed.
• "You'd be so proud, Mara dearie."
• Scorpia gives Catra a big bear hug after she sees her again before she can even begin apologising, implying that she forgave her for the way she treated her. Especially since the possibility was brought up in a previous episode that Scorpia might never forgive Catra for her mistreatment. And then it's followed up by Frosta and Perfuma, who were the princesses most opposed to Catra being with the good guys, joining in on the hug too. And finally Catra herself laughs as she is hugged showing off her growth from when she started.
• Finally, Shadow Weaver tells Catra that she loves her and is proud of her for making a choice she herself could not, and that’s being a better person. Shadow Weaver also reminds Catra that she has her life ahead of her and shouldn’t look back—literally and figuratively. She then willingly unmasks herself right before her Heroic Sacrifice to look back at Catra and Adora without any hatred, menace or manipulation in her eyes.
  Shadow Weaver: [warmly] You're welcome.
• Glimmer truly meets Micah for the first time after he has been freed from Prime's brainwashing. All Micah can stammer out is an adorkable "Hello, I'm your dad" and Glimmer proceeds to glomp him, happy to be reunited with at least one of her parents.
• Netossa dipped Spinnerella and gave her wife a nice big Smooch of Victory.
• Mermista and Sea Hawk reunited with the usual tsundere Mermista giving a bashful smile to Sea Hawk showing how she really feels about him.
• Adora and Catra giving each other a Headbutt of Love after saving Etheria with their love and destroying Horde Prime once and for all now no longer separated by war and just allowed to be with each other like they always wanted.
• The final scene of the series, wherein the Best Friend Squad, with Catra now an official member, sharing several group hugs, laughing with each other, and deciding to go out on one last adventure to bring magic back to the universe.

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