Episode 49
- Malediktator - Tales of André the Mayor
Chloé is in a tizzy, trying to find something good to wear—her mother Audrey has come to Paris! When Tikki asks about her, Chloé showers praises on the woman whom she considers her role model. Finally finding suitable attire, she goes to greet her mother... only to find an unexpected person there as well, whom André introduces as Chloé's half-sister, Zoé.
Things don't start off well as Chloé demands Zoé to lose the yellow—even though, as Zoé points out, Chloé's also wearing yellow. But Chloé's issue is that Zoé's yellow resembles "that brat Marigold's." When Zoé asks who Marigold is, Chloé decides they just might get along. However, as Chloé decides to teach her some lessons on life (namely, about having minions), Zoé doesn't seem to be very enthused, comparing Chloé to Audrey.
Meanwhile, at school, the talk is the upcoming Heroes' Day, for which Marinette already has her outfit prepared. When Nino asks Adrien about his favorite hero, he teasingly says he's partial to Fox Trot. Then Alya asks Marinette... who immediately says Chat Noir, though she adds she also likes Koki Marina after seeing Alya's teary face.
Chloé arrives just then, presenting Zoé to everyone. Most of them are apprehensive: knowing what Chloé is like, who knows how Zoé might be? Nino, however, points out that they shouldn't judge by association—after all, Adrien was Chloé's friend for years and still turned out to be cool. Much to their shock, Adrien is surprised that Chloé actually has a sister. Zoé joins Mme. Bustier's class for the last week of the year.
Today's class has students making presentations on historically important people. Alix gives one on Marie Curie, which Chloé mocks (as usual). Zoé makes a similar mocking comment in order to fit in with her sister, causing everyone to comment aloud on her being "another Chloé." Alix, however, notices that Zoé's reaction doesn't fit what one would expect.
Next up is Chloé... whose video presentation is not only about herself, but also about Scarlet Lady. Alya immediately interrupts, calling the entire thing "bull." Chloé answers by saying that that's the real Scarlet Lady, but Alya retorts that yeah, it's Scarlet Lady—and both Chloé and Scarlet Lady are liars! As Chloé starts shouting, Zoé stares in confusion.
Chloé demands to know why no one is showing Scarlet Lady any respect, and Marinette replies that Lila's speech at Clara Nightingale's audition explained it just fine (when Lila offers to do it again, Marinette says that once was enough). Chloé quickly turns to Zoé and demands her to say how amazing Scarlet Lady is... and Zoé asks one question: "Who's Scarlet Lady?"
Chloé, horrified by her half-sister's obliviousness, interrupts a wedding officiated by her father and pushes everyone out, demanding him to close down Françoise Dupont and banish Zoé from Paris. André explains that he doesn't actually have the power to do that but asks what Zoé has done to make Chloé so upset. He's quite bemused when he learns that Chloé's acting out just because Zoé doesn't know about Scarlet Lady.
The day after, Chloé has her father's workers collect all of her things. When André asks what she's doing, Chloé replies that since his title can't give her exactly what she wants, she'll be leaving for New York with Audrey! André is shocked that Chloé would leave and abandon him like that, but both Audrey and Chloé ignore him and his begging. Mother and daughter then get in the helicopter as it drives off, leaving André Bourgeois with a broken heart... which Hawkmoth immediately moves to exploit. Meanwhile, Chloé tells Tikki that she has no problem with what Hawkmoth might do after she leaves—as far as she's concerned, Paris can suffer until they grovel for her to return.
Chloé uses the helicopter to tell the entire school that she plans to go live in New York. The reaction is a school-wide celebration as teachers and students cheer that there will no longer be any abuse nor attacks on other people by the mayor's daughter. However, a problem shows up as Marinette realizes Zoé is still around.
Actually, make that two problems—because the akumatized mayor soon uses his power to force the helicopter taking Chloé away to land. Malediktator then declares he will now punish everyone who was mean to Chloé and then brainwashes Audrey so she will stay in Paris with him, Chloé, and Zoé. Chloé, while initially enthusiastic about it, decides to sneak away so she can transform after seeing her Brainwashed mother act all lovey-dovey with her father.
Meanwhile, Zoé asks Adrien and Marinette why they are celebrating that Chloé's leaving. Adrien gently breaks the news to her: Chloé was a bully. She could have been nice, or neutral, or just not get involved at all—but every time she could make a choice, she always picked the meanest option. So it's no wonder no one's sad to see her go.
Just then, Malediktator flies over the school, declaring it a demolition site and using his power to force everyone to wreck the place. Zoé is far enough to see everything and be shocked by the sight of what's happening... before realizing, to her bewilderment, that Adrien and Marinette have vanished without a trace.
In the meantime, Scarlet Lady complains about her father's "tantrum" because she still has to figure out what to wear to her mother's fashion show.
Zoé attempts to make her stepfather see reason and offers to go with him if he'll stop his attack. Unfortunately, akumas aren't exactly a fountain of reason, and Malediktator tries to brainwash her, with Marigold just barely saving her in the nick of time. Chat Noir then attacks the akuma, only for the latter to make the former think he's a cat... although at least the akuma can't get to the ring because Chat Noir doesn't like him (and because the brainwashed Audrey insists on keeping Chat Noir as a pet).
Marigold calls Scarlet Lady, who claims she's already secured Chloé and tells Marigold to come to the hotel. Zoé thanks Scarlet Lady for protecting her sister before thanking Marigold for protecting her. Marigold wonders if the difference in behavior from her previous Chloé-like attitude is because the girl is on her best behavior while in the presence of a hero.
When Marigold and Zoé meet Scarlet Lady at the hotel, Marigold asks Zoé if she knows why André got akumatized. Zoé mentions how he was speaking about making them a "happy family," only for Scarlet to lay the blame on Zoé for not knowing about the Ladybug heroine—to which Zoé shouts that no one in the US keeps up with international heroes, so of course she didn't know about her! (And what the hell does that have to do with the akumatization, anyway?)
Marigold suggests taking Zoé to where Scarlet is keeping Chloé. Before the polka-dotted "heroine" can come up with an excuse, though, Zoé offers to help by distracting Malediktator. Scarlet Lady immediately accepts the offer and carries Zoé away. As they arrive at Le Grand Paris, they find the police force has been assembled to shield the akuma. Scarlet Lady casts Lucky Charm and produces a ludicrous machine gun. When Zoé sees the magical weapon and nervously asks the heroes to not to kill her stepfather, Marigold replies that they don't use such violent methods. Scarlet Lady, however, recalls how some of the past akumas were taken down (often with a hit to the head).
Scarlet Lady and Zoé meet Malediktator, with the former apologizing on Chloé's behalf. When the brainwashed Audrey lovingly tells her daughter to come closer, both girls are creeped out and ask Malediktator to lift the brainwashing.
Meanwhile, Marigold puts her plan in place: using the Lucky Charm's laser pointer, she gets Chat Noir to attack one of Malediktator's guards, creating an opening she takes advantage of to use Venom on the akuma.
One Miraculous Cure later, Chat Noir apologizes for not being more helpful while Marigold reassures him he played an important role... and Zoé asks where Scarlet Lady went.
Chloé finds her parents and suggests returning home when Zoé arrives and hugs her sister. After Zoé praises Scarlet Lady, Chloé decides to lift her "ban," making André think of how well Zoé has managed to figure Chloé out... while Audrey complains about losing a day.
Marinette complains that Chloé has decided to stay in Paris and wonders why Zoé was so nasty in class but so nice to Marigold. Pollen suggests that the girl might have just been using a façade to protect herself. But for Marinette, that only raises another question: who is the real Zoé Lee?
Now back at the hotel, André leads Zoé to her new room since it seems she's going to be staying in Paris for quite a while. Zoé thanks him, and once alone, she checks the internet... where she finds the Ladyblog's newly published exposé on Scarlet Lady's false heroism.
Gabriel enters his lair, apologizing for how long it's taking him to achieve his objective... but he's certain that he'll achieve his objective tomorrow how that he's found a target that holds more malice than anyone else in Paris, someone who will finally allow him to triumph over the Miraculous heroes and let him be reunited with his wife Emilie.
This episode has examples of the following:
- Adaptation Expansion: Because this episode precedes "Style Queen" and has Zoé go with her mother to Paris, parts of the episode focus on Audrey's arrival in Paris and preparations for her fashion show, as well as on Zoé getting to know both her half-sister and the class.
- Abusive Parents:
- Audrey plans to return to New York—without bothering to inform Zoé, leaving her behind without so much as a by-your-leave. Zoé only learns about her mother's intentions due to Chloé announcing her own impending departure from her helicopter.
- Malediktator is an outright Control Freak who intends to Brainwash his daughter and stepdaughter into becoming part of his "ideal" family, right alongside their mother.
- Achievements in Ignorance: Zoé gets on Chloé's good side just by asking who Marigold is. Sadly for her, she loses her half-sister's favor just as quickly.
- And There Was Much Rejoicing: Chloé announcing that she's leaving causes the entire school to celebrate—even the staff.
- Armor-Piercing Question:
- Subverted. Tikki reproachfully asks her bearer if she's sorry for hurting her father's feelings after he's akumatized into Malediktator. Chloé retorts that she's sorry she'll have to transform down in the filthy subway.
- Scarlet Lady is caught off guard when Zoé angrily demands to know just how her supposedly "failing to defend" somebody she knows absolutely nothing about caused André's akumatization.
- Association Fallacy: Most of the class is apprehensive about Zoé because she's Chloé's half-sister. Nino asks them not to judge the new girl because of it—after all, Adrien turned out to be cool.
- Awful Truth: Zoé hears from her new classmates just how terrible of a person her half-sister is and why the entire school is so happy about her leaving.
- BFG: The Lucky Charm takes the form of one this episode.
- The Bait: Zoé offers to act as a distraction for Malediktator. Scarlet is all too eager to accept: the alternative is to reveal that the "safe place" she "took" Chloé to doesn't exist.
- Bait-and-Switch Comment: André asks his wife if she and Chloé really plan on leaving for New York, Audrey yells, "Ugh, obviously!"... right before it's revealed she was actually yelling at someone on the other end of a phone call and doesn't seem to have even noticed her husband asking her a question.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Chloé throws a snit fit because her father isn't an Ultimate Authority Mayor able to enforce his will upon others, mainly because she sees him as nothing more than a vehicle for enforcing her will. As Malediktator, André gains precisely the sort of power she desired him to hold... except he uses it to enforce HIS will, not hers, and that includes intending to force her to do as he desires.
- Beneath the Mask: Zoé tries to act like a jerk to fit in with the rest of her family, but she doesn't enjoy it at all. After also witnessing Zoé being nice, Marinette starts to wonder which is the real Zoé.
- Big "NO!": André unleashes a Skyward Scream rendition when Chloé leaves with Audrey.
- Big "WHAT?!": Chloé's reaction when Alya calls her and Scarlet Lady liars.
- Bonding Over Dislikes: A variant. Zoé doesn't have a negative opinion about Marigold since she doesn't even know about the Bee heroine. However, Chloé perceives this as an insult towards Marigold and thus instantly warms up to her half-sister, at least until Zoé reveals she doesn't know who Scarlet Lady is, either.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: It's revealed that Chloé's tendency to declare that things are "Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!" is something she copied from her mother, as Audrey does the same thing.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Malediktator brainwashes others into complying with his orders, such as turning Audrey into his fawning wife or forcing Principal Damocles to lead the students in wrecking the school.
- …But He Sounds Handsome: Chloé appears in both her identities in her video about Scarlet Lady, with each identity singing up praises about the other.
- Call-Back: Marinette mentions Lila's explanation back in "Frightningale" of why no one respects Scarlet Lady.
- Cats Love Laser Pointers: Exploited by Marigold, who uses the Lucky Charm's laser pointer to get Chat Noir (who's been brainwashed to act like a real cat) attack one of Malediktator's guards, distracting the akuma long enough to allow Marigold to incapacitate him with Venom.
- Captain Oblivious: Audrey spends most of the episode preoccupied with work-related phone calls. She barely seems to notice Chloé dragging her inside a helicopter and later complains that they aren't at her office; Chloé has to remind her mother that they were actually on their way to the airport (Audrey apparently wasn't paying attention when Chloé told André that she and her mother would be going to New York).
- Chekhov's Gun: After several episodes' worth of planning and research, the gun Alya's been prepping fires when she posts her exposé of Scarlet Lady, just in time for Zoé to find it.
- Cliffhanger: Alya finally publishes her exposé on Scarlet Lady's actions, and Gabriel prepares for the next day, when he expects to finally steal the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous.
- Compliment Fishing:
- While discussing superheroes, Adrien makes a point of informing Nino that Fox Trot is his favorite hero, privately noting that his friend's being a little too obvious about fishing for compliments. Alya tries to do the same with Marinette, though she's a bit taken aback when Marinette instead immediately replies that her favorite hero is Chat Noir.
- Chloé outright demands that Zoé join her in gushing about how amazing Scarlet Lady is.
- Description Cut: When Zoé sees the Lucky Charm and asks the heroines not to kill André, Marigold states they don't use such violent methods... while Scarlet Lady thinks of all the times they did use violent methods, with some of them even depicted in the panel.
- Didn't Think This Through:
- Part of the reason Chloé decides to go to New York is that she thinks her talents will be recognized there, even though she doesn't know anything about the villains and heroes active in that city. She's later caught quite off guard when Zoé informs Scarlet that New York is full of heroes, implying that Scarlet likely wouldn't even stand out much there. Additionally, she never seems to consider how much her reputation in New York and Paris would be damaged if word got out that she abandoned Paris to Hawkmoth's mercy for no apparent reason.
- As usual, Scarlet Lady brags about how she's already ensured her "best friend" Chloé's safety. She's taken aback when Marigold wants her to take Zoé there as well since said space doesn't actually exist.
- Disappointed by the Motive: André is visibly disappointed to learn that Chloé wants Zoé banished from Paris just because her half-sister doesn't know who Scarlet Lady is.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Chloé attempts to get Zoé banished from Paris for the "high crime" of not knowing who Scarlet Lady is.Chloé: The lack of patriotism!
- Doesn't Like Guns: Like in canon, Marinette in her hero identity scoffs at a BFG produced by the Lucky Charm and claims that such violent methods are beneath her and the other heroes. Unlike canon, though, Scarlet Lady has a "wait, what?" reaction about how arbitrary that standard is, recalling several violent actions the heroes have performed without any sort of gun.
- Dramatically Missing the Point:
- Chloé thanks her half-sister when the latter awkwardly notes how alike Chloé and Audrey are. She doesn't seem to have realized that Zoé didn't mean that as a compliment.
- Audrey seemingly wasn't paying attention when Chloé told André that she and Audrey will be going to New York. She later yells at her daughter when their helicopter doesn't take them to Audrey's office, at which point Chloé reminds her mother that they were actually on their way to the airport.
- Entertainingly Wrong: Seeing Zoé act so nice around her despite having made fun of Alix's presentation in class makes Marigold wonder if Zoé is trying to suck up to her because she's a superheroine.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones:
- Much of Malediktator's actions is to keep his "ideal family" together in Paris.
- We finally seem Emilie Agreste in her casket as Gabriel vows to defeat the heroes tomorrow so he can reunite with his wife.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Seeing Audrey act so Out of Character while brainwashed by Malediktator creeps out even Scarlet Lady.
- Everyone Has Standards:
- André Bourgeois goes to great lengths to indulge his daughter Chloé's various whims, sometimes even overstepping the limits of his authority as the Mayor of Paris. However, even he is shocked by Chloé's level of pettiness in wanting her half-sister banished from Paris simply for not knowing who Scarlet Lady is, and he refuses to attempt something as blatantly illegal as shutting down an entire school and exiling a teenage girl from the city. Additionally, it's implied he will not mistreat his stepdaughter Zoé, not even for his daughter's sake: he tries to talk Chloé into working things out with her half-sister instead of offering to send Zoé back to New York.
- Zoé doesn't like that her mother is so mean to everyone, but she does not approve of Audrey being brainwashed into being a nice person.
- Forgot About Her Powers: Marigold never thinks to use Bee Balm to free Chat Noir from Malediktator's powers. The tags even lampshade this.Tags: #bee balm? what's that? I'm an idiot that's what's that.
- Friend of Masked Self: Chloé continues to claim in both of her personas that she and Scarlet Lady are incredibly close.
- Good Stepfather: André treats his stepdaughter Zoé as if she were his own, including by attempting to make her part of his "perfect" family while akumatized. It's also worth noting that as devastated as he was by Chloé's decision to leave Paris, he tries to get her to reconcile with Zoé rather than have his stepdaughter sent back to America.
- Hated by All: Chloé's status at Françoise Dupont is blatantly this: her announcing that she's leaving for New York causes a school-wide celebration.
- Hesitation Equals Dishonesty: Zoé visibly stumbles over her words when joining Chloé in insulting Alix, indicating that she doesn't really feel that way.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Malediktator uses his power to make Chat Noir behave like an actual cat. This only makes it harder for the akuma to retrieve the ring due to the hero viciously hissing when Malediktator approaches. Additionally, Marigold uses Chat Noir's feline instincts as part of her plan to defeat Malediktator.
- Hope Spot: The entire school celebrates Chloé leaving Paris, but by the end of the episode, she's changed her mind and decides to stay.
- Hypocritical Humor: When Zoé nervously asks the heroes to not kill her stepdad, Marigold reassures her they'd never use such violent methods. Scarlet then silently recalls the many times they did defeat the akuma though violent means, often by beaning the akuma in the head hard enough to make them lose consciousness.
- "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: Zoé attempts to appeal to André to beg him to stop. Sadly, save for very few exceptions, akumas are unwilling to negotiate, as the heroes inform her.
- I Reject Your Reality:
- Chloé insists to Zoé that Sabrina will eventually learn that "she needs [Chloé]" and return to her, ignoring how Sabrina not only ended their friendship months ago, but has made new friends since then (flying in the face of Chloé's claims that she'd be friendless without her) and currently feels nothing but contempt towards Chloé. In fact, Sabrina reacts to her announcing that she's leaving Paris by happily hugging Lila.
- Related to the above, even though it's clear that she's Hated by All at her school, Chloé seems to genuinely think that everyone will be upset that she's leaving, hence her going out of her way to try and rub it in their faces. Granted, this may be more that she thinks they'll envy her getting to go to New York, but she's still severely underestimating how much everyone hates having her around and thus how happy they'll be to see her gone.
- In Spite of a Nail:
- As Chloé has the Ladybug Miraculous, the Ladybug heroine really does appear in her presentation's video here. The class still jeers at the presentation, though, since they all know by now what a Nominal Heroine Scarlet Lady is.
- Someone still tries to scold people for celebrating that Chloé's leaving. It's not Adrien, though, as he already wised up and ended his friendship with Chloé. Instead, Zoé tries to stick up for her half-sister.
- Insane Troll Logic: Scarlet blaming Zoé for André's akumatization seems to hinge on this: apparently, if Zoé had spoken up to defend Scarlet Lady (whom she didn't even know about due to being new in Paris), then Chloé wouldn't have been driven to demand that Zoé be banished from Paris and that Françoise Dupont be shut down, only to be "forced" to leave Paris because André doesn't have the power to give her what she wants. Zoé, naturally, calls the Ladybug heroine out on it.Zoé: I couldn't defend you, I don't even know you!
- Insult Backfire:
- Downplayed. When Zoé remarks that her half-sister is "so much like [their] mother," her expression hints that she considers that a negative trait. But since Chloé admires Audrey, she takes it as a compliment.
- Chloé calls her schoolmates losers and both Paris and Françoise Dupont "pathetic" when bragging about her departure for New York. However, all they care about is that she's leaving, meaning they'll never have to put up with her again.
- It's All About Me:
- Chloé naturally decided that the best candidate for a presentation about "Important People" was herself twice over, staging an interview with her own alter ego.
- She also interrupts a wedding her father's officiating just so she can demand him to close Françoise Dupont and banish Zoé, shoving the couple right out of his office.
- Chloé doesn't care either about what kind of destruction Hawkmoth and the akumas might cause while she's in New York, seeing it as an opportunity to make Paris grovel and beg for her return.
- Jerkass Has a Point:
- Chloé is creeped out by the sight of her mother acting so Out of Character under Malediktator's influence. Zoé later echoes this sentiment and begs Malediktator to change Audrey back to her usual Jerkass self.
- A non-verbal example when Scarlet Lady mentally notes that, despite Marigold dismissing violent methods like using a gun as being beneath her and the other heroes, they've resorted to violence several times in the past to defeat akumas.
- Kick the Dog:
- Like in canon, Chloé goes out of her way to make a big announcement about her moving to New York because she thinks her schoolmates will be envious of her and/or upset about her leaving.
- Chloé's tendency to do this is also deconstructed: as Adrien exposits, Chloé continually chooses the cruelest option available to her rather than offering any kindness or even neutrally leaving things alone, and this is a major reason why she's Hated by All. Rather than simply underscoring her bullying, Chloé's choice to always lash out and hurt others for no reason is a major contributing factor to the disdain she receives from people.
- Kindhearted Cat Lover: Audrey acts like this while brainwashed, playing with Chat Noir after Malediktator uses his powers to make the hero act like a cat.
- Late to the Realization: Audrey doesn't seem to realize that she and Chloé are heading to the airport and not her office until the latter outright tells her mother. Apparently, Audrey hadn't been listening to her daughter's conversation with André earlier.
- Like Mother, Like Daughter: Enforced, as Chloé worships her mother so much she tries to style herself after her—even adopting her Character Catchphrase and habit of adding the diminutive "-kins" for the person they like.
- Locked Out of the Loop:
- Zoé doesn't know who Marigold or Scarlet Lady are and is completely unaware of Hawkmoth and how he's been terrorizing Paris with akumas. She later explains that no one in the US keeps up with heroes from other countries, meaning there is little chance she would know who Scarlet Lady is. She's also left ignorant that her sister is leaving for New York.
- Audrey doesn't seem to know about akumas either, given that her reaction to Malediktator is to declare his outfit ridiculous. Then again, fashion is Serious Business in her eyes.
- Long-Lost Relative: Chloé discovers she has a half-sister through their mother.
- Moving the Goalposts: Discussed. Zoé attempts to turn herself over to Malediktator, hoping that she can bargain with him to protect Paris. While rescuing her, Marigold explains that she's wasting her time as akumas are never satisfied.
- Mundane Fantastic: As Zoé reveals, living in New York means that she's used to seeing superheroes. The biggest reason why she's so thrown by the situation in Paris is simply that she wasn't aware of the existence of Scarlet Lady, Chat Noir, Marigold, or the other heroes, or of Hawkmoth and his akumas.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Zoé clearly feels bad about the joke she made about Alix's presentation.
- Mythology Gag:
- As in the original episode, somebody disapprovingly asks Marinette how people could be celebrating that Chloé's leaving. Instead of Adrien, it's Zoé; for extra Irony, Adrien's the one who explains to her how her half-sister is Hated by All for being The Bully and a Spoiled Brat.
- When Scarlet Lady blames the Malediktator incident on Zoe for not knowing who Scarlet Lady is, Zoe fires back by saying no one in America pays attention to international superheroes because practically everyone in New York is a superhero, including her doorman. This is a pretty blatant reference to the superhero literally named The Doorman in Miraculous World.
- Naïve Newcomer: On her first day of school in Paris, Zoé discovers that her sister is a bully who's Hated by All, experiences her first akuma attack (and nearly gets brainwashed due to futilely attempting to reason with the akuma), and meets and learns about the city's heroes.
- Never My Fault: Naturally, Chloé refuses to recognize how she got her father akumatized, asserting that it was entirely Zoé's fault for not standing up for her and Scarlet Lady. Zoé calls Scarlet Lady out on this.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Malediktator using his powers to have Chat Noir act like a cat also makes it harder for the akuma to take the ring; Chat Noir just starts hissing if Malediktator gets too close. Additionally, at a brainwashed Audrey's request, Malediktator decides to hold off on trying to take Chat Noir's Miraculous, giving Marigold enough time to defeat the akuma before Hawkmoth could get the ring.
- No Sympathy: When Chloé leaves, breaking André's resolve and heart, Hawkmoth giddily notes that he expected the mayor to be broken by Chloé a long time ago.
- NOT!: Zoé offers to go with Malediktator if he agrees to stop terrorizing Paris. The akuma replies, "Absolutely~ NOT!" as he tries to brainwash her.
- Not Helping Your Case: Zoé reluctantly makes a joke about finding Alix's presentation boring, making Chloé laugh—while Chloé's classmates comment on her clearly being Chloé's sister.
- Parental Sexuality Squick: Chloé reacts to her parents kissing in front of her with disgust (though the fact her mother was brainwashed at the time likely had something to do with it).
- Pet the Dog:
- Though it doesn't last, Chloé takes her half-sister under her wing (in her own way) after hearing Zoé doesn't know who Marigold is and even tells the class to treat Zoé with respect. Later, after Zoé butters her half-sister up a little with a few compliments about Scarlet Lady, Chloé agrees to forgive Zoé for her "transgression" of not knowing who Scarlet Lady is and offers to teach her about the Ladybug superheroine as well so she won't make the same faux pas.
- André Bourgeois treats his stepdaughter Zoé very well. Despite him being heartbroken at the thought of Chloé and Audrey leaving Paris, rather than attempt to placate his daughter by offering to send Zoé back to America, he tries to get the two sisters to reconcile instead. When creating his "one big happy family" as Malediktator, he intends to make Zoé part of it, too.
- Despite Hawkmoth telling him to seize the heroes' Miraculous, when Malediktator sees how much fun Audrey is having playing with Chat Noir (who's been brainwashed to act like a real cat), he decides to let the hero remain transformed for a bit longer for his wife's sake. On the other hand, him hissing at the akuma when Malediktator approached may have also had something to do with it.Audrey: Please, Malediktatorkins, can't we keep him just a little longer?
Malediktator: [sighing] Well, if it makes you happy. - At the end of the episode, Gabriel visits his wife's casket and brings her a bouquet of flowers. He also promises they'll be together again soon, revealing she's the main reason why he's been after the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous.
- Plot Parallel:
- Zoé and André are faced with the same core problem: both find themselves facing Chloé's wrath after failing to anticipate her every whim and meet her incredibly unrealistic expectations. Chloé shows that she's more than happy to drop her own family like a hot potato the instant they don't give her what she wants. André breaks and is subsequently akumatized while Zoé adapts. André even observes to himself that Zoé has managed to "figure out" how to handle her half-sister after just one day together.
- Zoé also deals with Chloé in precisely the same way she deals with their mother: figuring out how she wants her to act and behaving accordingly, hiding how she really feels... save for when she snaps at Scarlet Lady for attempting to pin the blame on her.
- André gets akumatized due to his desire to keep his family together, hypnotizing Audrey in order to make her stay. As the ending shows, Gabriel wants his own wife back. Not that he empathizes with André at all, instead casually smirking while remarking on how he'd expected Chloé to break André long before that point.
- Rage Breaking Point: Zoé hits hers when Scarlet Lady casually blames her for Malediktator, snapping, "I couldn't defend you, I don't even know you!"
- Skewed Priorities:
- Audrey's first instinct upon seeing Malediktator is to disparage how ridiculous he looks.
- After Malediktator brainwashes Audrey while intending the same fate for Chloé, Tikki sardonically asks Chloé if she's now sorry for hurting her father's feelings. All Chloé cares about is that she's transforming in a subway station. Later, she complains about her father being akumatized because she hasn't chosen yet what to wear to her mother's fashion show.
- When Zoé explains how Malediktator mentioned making them a "happy family," Scarlet blames Zoé because she didn't defend her nor Chloé from the rest of the class. Zoé berates her for bringing up something that has no relation to André's akumatization.
- Splash of Color: Malediktator's powers have a light-yellow hue. Additionally, Chat Noir has green eyes while under the effect of the akuma's powers.
- Spotting the Thread: Alix notices that Zoé seems to feel guilty after insulting the former's presentation, hinting that she's realized that Zoé's mean personality is just an act.
- Stealth Hi/Bye: When Zoé looks up in shock at the akuma, Adrien and Marinette vanish without making a sound.
- Ultimate Authority Mayor:
- Averted when Chloé demands her father banish Zoé from Paris; he states he only has so much power since he's just a mayor.
- Malediktator's power is pretty much this: he can give commands to brainwash people into doing his bidding.
- Ungrateful Bitch: After everything her father has done for her over the years, catering to practically her every whim to the best of his ability (even skirting the edge of legality), Chloé reams him out for not instantly banishing her half-sister from Paris and having the school shut down.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Zoé couldn't possibly have foreseen that her unfamiliarity with Scarlet Lady would cause her sister to throw a huge tantrum that would lead Mayor Bourgeois's akumatization.
- Verbal Backspace: While introducing Zoé to the class, Principal Damocles initially instructs them to obey her before correcting himself to "give her a warm welcome."
- We Need a Distraction: Marigold uses the Lucky Charm's laser pointer to make Chat Noir cause enough of a ruckus that she can sneak in and use Venom on Malediktator.
- We Want Our Jerk Back!: Seeing Audrey act like a doting mother creeps both of her daughters out. Zoé begs Malediktator to turn her back to normal.
- Wrong Genre Savvy:
- As usual, Chloé acts as if her father's an Ultimate Authority Mayor and has difficulty processing that there are limits to his mayoral powers.
- Zoé seems to initially believe that her half-sister is a Lovable Alpha Bitch who is Not Evil, Just Misunderstood and deep down wants to be loved. She thus scolds her classmates for not considering how heartbroken Chloé would be if she knew they were celebrating her departure, only to learn, to her shock, that Chloé really is just a remorseless bully who only cares about herself.
- Zoé attempts to pull off a standard Heroic Sacrifice by agreeing to go with Malediktator if he leaves the city alone. It nearly ends up being a Senseless Sacrifice, with Marigold telling her that akumas are never satisfied and can't be reasoned with.
- Seeing the Lucky Charm rocket launcher, Zoé thinks this means the heroes aren't above using lethal force on villains and begs them not to kill André. Marigold reassures her that it won't come to that.
