Adora enters the First Ones citadel with Catra on her tail. Inside, they're caught in an illusion simulator that brings back painful memories.
Tropes:
- Affectionate Gesture to the Head: Shadow Weaver gives young Adora a pat on the head while calmly asking her not to wander into the Black Garnet chamber without permission again... after magically torturing Catra for doing the exact same thing.
- Always Second Best: Catra's further divide from Adora is spurred by remembering how Shadow Weaver always preferred Adora over her.
- Big Creepy-Crawlies: The citadel uses giant spider robots to defend itself.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Catra's speech to Adora at the end is reminiscent of siblings from an abusive household (not actually far from the truth), especially how deep down Catra resented Adora growing up because Shadow Weaver abused her less.Adora: I was only trying to protect you!
Catra: You never protected me! Not in any way that would put you on Shadow Weaver's bad side. Admit it, you love being her favorite.
Adora: That's not true!
Catra: Oh yeah? When you left, who do you think took the fall for you? Who was protecting me then?
Adora: You don't have to let Shadow Weaver treat you like that anymore. You can leave, just like I did.
Catra: Oh, because I need to follow you everywhere you go? - Flashback: Much of the episode is Adora and Catra being shown holographic versions of formative events from their youth.
- Friendly Enemy: Adora and Catra spend most of the episode working together while bantering and arguing. Subverted at the end when Catra breaks their bond and ends the relationship.
- Hologram: Played with. As the holographic flashback proceeds, projected versions of Catra and Adora's childhood selves occasionally replace their real-life bodies.
- I Let You Win: Flashback Catra tells this to Adora after losing their sparring match, if only to soothe her damaged pride.
- If You Ever Do Anything to Hurt Her...: Shadow Weaver delivers a non-romantic version to young Catra about young Adora.
- Literal Metaphor: Adora is told to "Let go" by Light Hope. At the end, she's in a Literal Cliffhanger and is told to let go, following her sword which Catra dropped into the pit.
- Meaningful Echo: Much like in the pilot Catra is standing above Adora as she is holding on to an ledge after a battle with some bots. However, whereas in the pilot that moment was a Bait-and-Switch intended to show that the two are actually friends after being set up as rivals, here Catra decides to severe ties with Adora and leaves her to die setting them up as enemies going forward. To drive the point home Catra changes her catchphrase and says "Bye Adora" since she has no intention of seeing her again.
- Mind over Matter: In a flashback, Shadow Weaver discovers the girls sneaking around her chambers and telekinetically grabs Catra to prevent her escape.
- Oblivious Guilt Slinging: When Catra brings the First One tech back for Entrapta, Scorpia says "What did I tell you? She's the best friend ever!" Catra flinches, since she just left Adora to die.
- Poor Communication Kills: Catra was always annoyed at how Adora seemed better at her at everything, but whenever Adora asked, Catra lied and said she was fine. This eventually built up until she had a serious grudge against Adora.
- The Promise: The titular promise of the episode is shown at the end when Catra stumbles on a projected flashback between a very young version of herself and Adora after something happens that leaves Catra in tears. Adora promises that it doesn't matter what the Horde does to them, they have each other, and as long as they look after each other nothing bad can happen. Unfortunately remembering that promise, and presumably (in her mind) believing that Adora broke it, leads Catra to finally sever ties with Adora.
- Psychological Torment Zone: The crystal that scans Adora and Catra creates a projection of their memories. This drives Catra even further from Adora, as it makes her remember how Adora was always Shadow Weaver's favorite.
- Redundant Rescue: After being caught in a spider robot's sticky shot and dragged away, upon realizing Adora might not be coming to help, Catra cuts herself free and makes short work of the robot's wiring. It gives her a nice self-confidence boost... until She-Ra catches up and stabs it in the head, leaving Catra less than impressed.
- Sarcasm-Blind: Catra invokes this on purpose, just to mess with Adora.Catra: Where are your new best friends? I thought you guys did everything together.Adora: Oh, my friends? You mean the ones you kidnapped and held for ransom? The ones you let Shadow Weaver imprison and curse?Catra: Yeah, obviously, what other friends would I be talking about?
- The Unfavorite: Shadow Weaver's "parenting" is demonstrated in the flashbacks. Catra is tortured for entering her chambers without permission, while Adora, who did the exact same thing, is merely told to keep Catra in line.
- Villain Has a Point: Catra accuses Adora of never protecting her in a way that would anger Shadow Weaver. When Adora denies this, Catra rightly points that Adora did nothing to protect her when she defected.
- Wham Episode: After suffering from the Crystal Castle's Psychological Torment Zone Catra decides to no longer try and bring Adora back into the Horde and instead severs ties with her by leaving her to die shifting her and Adora's relationship into genuine enemy territory.
- Wham Line: When Catra and Adora confront each other after the memory of Shadow Weaver threatening Catra.Catra: Why do you think I gave you the sword? I didn't want you to come back!
