Keith and Shiro head to the Blade of Marmora's headquarters from the coordinates Ulaz had given them and try to seek an alliance. However, the Marmorans find Keith's knife and recognize it as their own, demanding the Red Paladin tell them where he stole it from. To prove that the blade is truly his, Keith undergoes a trial that has him delve deeper into his past and his true identity.
Tropes for this episode include the following:
- Big Brother Mentor: Keith tells this to an illusion of Shiro that he was always like a brother to him.
- Determinator: Shiro notes this when Keith goes against the other Marmoran soldiers, that no matter how beat up he gets, he'll continue to fight for answers. Deconstructed as his stubborn refusal to give up endangers his life and the lives of others.
- Dumbass Has a Point: Lance when Shiro decides he would take Keith to the Marmoran headquarters. Lance angrily rambles at how Keith is a hothead and probably would attack before asking questions, and Keith in the background actually looks like he grudgingly agrees with Lance's point. Lance ends up being proven correct: Keith's stubbornness leads to the alliance nearly ending before it begins.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: The point of the test, which is a problem for a Determinator like Keith. He ends up ironically awakening the blade when he decides to give it back, which reveals that he is Galra.
- Lineage Comes from the Father: Inverted, Keith's father was a human, it's hinted at that his mother was Galra.
- Though Keith looks totally human on the outside, so his paternal human side seems to have mostly won out.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Keith's desire for answers jeopardizes the alliance, and endangers his life. The Red Lion also while trying to protect him nearly destroys the Blade of Marmora's base.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: The first part of the test is a seemingly endless series of them.
- Parental Abandonment: It's implied that both of Keith's parents left him, for different reasons. His mother was Galra, and part of the Blade of Marmora. His dad, well ...
- Please, Don't Leave Me: Keith tells the illusion of Shiro that he can't give up his blade and Shiro calls Keith selfish before turning his back and walking away. With a heartbroken look on his face, Keith runs after Shiro and calls his name.
- Poor Communication Kills: If Keith had told Shiro about the knife earlier, and why he wanted to bring it, the meeting with Kolivan would have gone better.
- The Reveal: Keith is part Galra. After the trials his knife changes into a blade, something that's only possible if he has Galra blood in his veins.
- Suddenly Shouting: Keith does this when the other Paladins seem to not be care about the Marmoran base and he yells at them to focus. Even Lance is surprised by Keith's outburst and gently tells him to calm down.
- Sweet and Sour Grapes: When his lion starts attacking the base, Keith says he'll give back his knife, since he already knows the Paladins are his family. This leads to the knife changing into a longer blade, which reveals that he is part Galra.
- Take a Third Option: Realizing he'll die if he keeps going, but that he'll leave without the answers he seeks, Keith goes through the trap doors that send the Marmorites onto the battle floor and goes in there next. This leads to him seeing illusions of Shiro and his father.
- Take Up My Sword: Shiro asks Keith if he was alright because he suddenly yelled at his friends and brings up how he wants him to take over as the leader should something happen. In order to do that, he needs to remain calm. Although Keith questions Shiro's decision, he doesn't push the topic any further.
- Too Dumb to Live: The Blade of Marmora tells the Castle of Lions expressively not to bring weapons during their meeting. They do accept the lion reluctantly, but Keith brought his family knife to try and get answers. The Blade members go on the offensive and proves that they can kill Keith and will, if he gives them a reason.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Lance calls out Shiro for taking Keith to the Marmorans instead of him. Lance technically has fostered an alliance back with the mer-aliens, so he has better diplomacy skills, comparatively speaking, but the Red Lion is the only one capable of withstanding the heat from the star the base is located in.
- Shiro's illusion-self calls out Keith for being selfish because he wanted to learn more about his past and refused to give up his knife to the Marmorites.
- We Will Meet Again: Antok says this to Keith as the Paladin prepares for his trials.
