Catra is the Best Character in She-Ra (Here's Why)

[@gemstonejasper17]

I think one thing that people don't really talk about is the implication in episode 2. Catra is hurt by Adora, not just because she is leaving. Imagine being abused and tortured from childhood within sight of your best friend. Now she is surprised to find out that the people who did that to you aren't the good guys. In Catra's mind (which I think is valid), she can't understand how Adora would see the Horde as the good guys. Her whole life has been a struggle for survival. So now that Adora, her protection, is gone, she has to find a new way to survive. Of course, the way she goes about it is wrong. But I can understand her motives. Maybe I can understand her because I have BPD. If you look at the symptoms, Catra has so many of them. Fear of abandonment. Explosive anger. Impulsive behavior. Etc. Of course this doesn't excuse any of her behavior, but it can explain her motives. From the second episode, Catra was my favorite character because I saw so much of myself in her. Now, I've never tried to destroy the world or anything, but I've done things that I'm not proud of. I can't even describe all the ways I relate to Catra or how much seeing her helped me.

[@arctic_haze]

I think you are 100% right both about the motivation of Catra in S1E2 and about her diagnosis.

[@pixiequeen7148]

Thank you for understanding Catra. So many don’t. While I would’ve loved a longer redemption arc, I still am happy she became a better person. I love Catra.

[@CatradoraAppleDashisawesome]

Yea i love Catra too. Ive always understood her and i think all she ever wanted was to be loved, accepted and understood

[@Jeremy-it3jm]

Same

[@sparxstreak02]

15:34 Catra THINKS she wants villainy for the security she believes it will bring, but as Double Trouble pointed out, her heart was never in it, nor was it what she truly wanted.

[@20shadesofpurple48]

Catra has always been my favorite character from She-Ra. From the start. I love who she was in the beginning, what she became in the middle, how she grew towards the end, and who she chose to be when it mattered most in the final season. I love how complex and frustrating and confusing and beautiful she is. Her redemption arc was long and painful and ugly, but it was shockingly, strikingly human. I find it rather funny how even though she's a cat-person, she's one of the most human characters in the series. However, I've always wanted a deeper explanation on why she did what she did, why she became who she became, and boy, did I get what I wished for. This video is absolutely amazing. This is just such a detailed, beautiful analysis. I think you've really touched on the deeper meaning of her character and the overall show itself, and I completely agree---SPOP is not what it seems. It's considered a kids' show, but anyone older who's watching can clearly see the deeper, darker, bleaker side of it. It's truly a beautiful creation, as is Catra. And you've summarized her wonderfully. Thank you for being vulnerable. Thank you for your message, because you're right. Everything you said is so painfully true. I appreciate all that you said, because I for one can also understand and relate. I truly didn't understand how similar I was to Catra until you talked about it, talked about how you relate to her and how ND Stevenson relates to her. It's beautiful and sad how Catra's character is such an accurate representation of so many human flaws (despite obviously not being human). Thank you for this amazing, amazing video and perfect analysis of Catra's character.

[@fstorms]

That part about why Catra gives us hope is something i can relate to as well. I've been physically and mentally abused, gaslit many times, defiled as a kid. This hugely impacted my self esteem as a kid. And made me think of disposable like Catra did, when my best friend made other friends I'd feel replaced. Like Catra I harbored this anger, which I never acted out on as she did. But it felt as though I was only this trauma and in my mind I thought maybe I'm abused because I'm bad. outside of that I had no identity I thought. Since it affected my social skills, my speech, friendships. I was neglectful of my friends and shunned them was toxic to them and It was getting frustrating and I wanted change. I was watching season 5 and was in the progress of unlearning those patterns . Catra's change really inspired me and her willingnes to do things different strangely brought me confidence, I began to heal along with her and after the show things got gradually better. I'm going to therapy too and it's getting better now.

[@fstorms]

To me she's an accurate depiction of traumatized children. And the writers instead of killing her off and giving her a chance again, felt as though that you do matter, you can mess up make mistakes, unintentionally hurt those around you but there's still hope . And that's trough the willingness of change.

[@stevenrogers2684]

Unfortunately, Adora literally offered Catra a hand to a better life in episode 2, and Catra straight up rejected it, while spending all the rest of that time blaming Adora for leaving *her*. There's a level of personal responsibility here.

[@misfits9294]

@@stevenrogers2684 Yeah and that's a realistic response of a traumatized child with no self esteem and thinks love is finite, and is stuck in her toxic ways. It's not pretty, not healthy, and she should have taken that hand, but y'all just ignore the fact that this was a realistic portrayal of how trauma can affect people.

[@stevenrogers2684]

@@misfits9294 still sounds like excuses for bad behavior. In none of what we’re actually shown is it reasonable to go to the extremes she did. Literally none of the other kids in the Horde who presumably endure the same stuff did. If anyone should’ve it was Kyle. But then, his suffering is fine since he’s the white, (presumably straight) boy. Love was probably finite after the 50 or so times someone asks you to come with them. But still, poor Catra who committed egregious felonies including regicide. They weren’t nice to her.

[@theannechann642]

My friend suggested this series and at first I wasn’t sure about it. After watching it not only was I glad I did, but I saw myself so much in these characters and who they were. I love Catra for the fact that she isn’t simple and she deals very strongly with the trauma and abuse she went though living in the Horde. Not everyone deals with it simply and easily, but just like you said, there is hope. There is a way and Catra shows, even if you do have unsolved trauma, it doesn’t mean you can’t get that healing. It’s slow and a long process, but that process in the end becomes a very good thing. This is one of the best analyzes of Catra and the different elements of her in the show that I’ve come across.

[@honorablefroggery]

thank you so much! i feel the exact same way about her character!

[@hannahmetzger6622]

*analyses.

[@AGuppy]

she was always the most interesting character to me. i loved her from the beginning and throughout the entire show, even at her worst. you could see why she was the way she was. see her fall apart. and see glimpses of happiness and a good person. i knew her redemption would come eventually but i’m glad they waited until the last season to do so

[@jimihendrix23456]

Watching Catra at the beginning of the show was fun and exciting. Whenever she appeared after Adora's defection, you knew she'd just HAVE to send everything and everyone into chaos. The Princess Prom and the S2 episode "Ties that Bind" are two good examples. It's almost funny how deeply she could sabotage the alliance without much apparent effort, and use the circumstances to her complete advantage. When Scorpia proposed they stay in the Waste after seeing Catra be happy for the first time, it's like that veneer of fun absurd chaos vanished. Scorpia was right, but Catra wasn't ready to hear that and she started losing faith in her own redemption. Then she HAD to climb as high, as fast as possible, and drew a way worse evil to their doorstep than anyone on Etheria could even imagine. Seeing her having given her mind to Prime after saving Glimmer was probably the most psychological moment in the story. She had to give up her entire identity and be assimilated into the ignorant bliss of a hivemind before she could forgive herself and put her wants and needs (and by extension, Adora's) as her priority. Her development was the main attraction of the show for me. It's amazing that she was such a perfect antagonist while still being able to have her face turn work so well. I also love that her visual appearance evolved with each drastic trajectory shift (like the black sleeve after opening the portal, or the shortened hair when she's born anew). My only regret is she didn't apologize to Scorpia in the end after the scene seemed to be setting it up. But one gripe in five seasons is really good. I'm glad I decided to give this show a try!

[@honorablefroggery]

I absolutely agree! She's such a masterclass of an antagonist to protagonist character arc, especially for a show marketing so much toward kids! She's so complex and interesting.

[@hannahmetzger6622]

​​@@honorablefroggery And THAT, right there, is _EXACTLY_ why I rank Catra and her entire character arc, especially her redemption arc, as being as high and as worthy of praise as character redemption arcs like those of characters like Zuko from ATLA. 😁. Honestly, Catra and Zuko have literally _so_ much in common, it's _not_ even funny.

[@sparxstreak02]

9:37 Hmm, I never thought about Adora going to save Catra as something selfish, but in terms of her own safety & that of the Best Friend Squad it totally is! But (as I said in a previous comment) this also counts as Adora's bravest moment for me, as like Catra, Adora had no guarantee of power or magic on her side but chose to do so anyway, as its a LOT easier to be brave when you're the most powerful being of your world but that luxury wasn't assured here yet she still went for it, like Catra did for her.

[@sparxstreak02]

6:39 What's fascinating about selflessness in SPOP is that its still shown to hurt people just like selfishness does & that an act one person may see as 'good' can be seen as an act of betrayal by another. P.S. No disrespectful or hurtful comments please - disagreeing is fine but keep any unkind words to yourself.

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

I mean not “just like”, but it can also hurt, to a much lesser and harmful degree usually.

[@sparxstreak02]

@@linoleumbonaparte5798 given how much Adora’s ‘selfless acts’ hurt Catra (& Bow & Glimmer to an extent - especially at the end!) I very much beg to differ.

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

@@sparxstreak02 lmao implying/saying that adora leaving the horde “hurt” Catra (and not simply that catra was hurt by this without it being adora’s fault) is… silly at best, and indicative of a toxic and entitled mindset towards other people’s autonomy at worst. I don’t know you so I’m not trying to insult you or anything, but the mindset that argument comes from generally speaking gives me that impression. And what exactly did she do to bow and glimmer that is even remotely “just like” what catra selfishness wrought, pray tell?

[@sparxstreak02]

@@linoleumbonaparte5798 you said you didn’t want to insult me, yet just called my argument & mindset ‘silly’, ‘toxic’ & ‘entitled’ (in a very condescending way to boot) 🤨 It’s fine to disagree. but do so respectfully - therefore I’m not even going to bother with an answer to your question.

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

@@sparxstreak02 lmao I wasn’t condescending, at least not any more than you explaining the difference between two words to me. Maybe you just know you’re not very bright so when you’re wrong you take it as condescension 🤷‍♂️

[@fstorms]

Thank you for this analysis ! Though there are a few points I don't agree with in particular. But really appreciate you for giving this in depth explanation of her character and arc hope people get a better understanding of her character too

[@sparxstreak02]

4:22 To me, it's not so much about courage but the fact that Adora felt like it was the only choice for her to be a 'Good Guy' because once the Horde's atrocities are made clear, she barely hesitates in switching sides & was willing to leave with or without Catra & doesn't even consider her best friend's feelings when telling her she's leaving & only THEN asks Catra to come with her & not even for personal reasons, just telling her "We can fix this" Even though she chose to turn against the Horde, she didn't let go of her mental indoctrination of following the mindset of whatever side she's fighting for, given how she acted around her old squad mates Lonnie, Kyle & Rogelio when she met up with them again in ‘No Princess Left Behind’ - not to mention numerous other Horde soldiers who grew up in the same environment. To sum up, this choice may have been courageous in one sense but was still bound in Adora's 'duty' mindset, even if she made the choice to leave herself & she doesn't truly start to lose this mentality until Season 5 when she goes back for Catra - & (in my opinion) shows her true bravery by doing so (which in turn had been influenced by Catra's own courage)

[@DrWhack]

Very eye opening analysis. Would love to see your take on Catradora.

[@doctordd-ey]

Thank you 😭 I want to watch this show again so bad now

[@lolleopold2757]

I like it. I couldn't understand why I was so attached to Catra and watching this video made everything clear.

[@joleedavis9933]

If you ever could, I would love to see you make a video about Catradora and their dynamic and relationship

[@jessigaisbauer539]

It took forever for me to find the time to watch this, but I’m so happy I did. I love your points and how you lay them out and your manner of presentation is just so delightful to listen to. Thank you for everything, once again you have opened my mind to thoughts that I can’t help but immediately think of other media and how this really opens and enriches those things as well as She-Ra and Catra.

[@twentyonetortas5921]

13:58 exactly how i felt when S3 and S4 happened like "I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU!!". Like don't get me wrong I loved seeing Catra dethrone Hordak and enter her Reputation era but at the same time I didn't like how she treated Scorpia, Entrapta, and any of the characters that still cared about her.

[@honorablefroggery]

RIGHT! it was so frustrating to watch because we were all rooting for her 😭 but it made the redemption pay off all the more worth it

[@lastunicorn846]

Did Entrapta really still care about Catra? Entrapta was fine with Catra being sent on a suicide mission to the Crimson Waste. Hordak openly intended to kill Catra and even gleefully cackled about it, but that didn't stop Entrapta from remaining his adoring "lab partner" aka (girl)friend. While Catra was fighting for her life in the Crimson Waste, Entrapta was telling Hordak how his imperfections are beautiful. Entrapta decided that her budding relationship with Hordak was more important than Catra's life. As Catra told Scorpia, _"Entrapta betrayed us, and got what she deserved."_

[@yourprettiestnightmare]

girly quite literally went insane and absolutely ruthless and then at the end of s4 she quite literally broke apart (like everything around her)

[@sparxstreak02]

16:26 Here right alongside Catra, Adora also fucks up in her own way. As while she's one of the most compassionate people around, she always struggled with empathy - especially when it came to Catra. She's so busy being baffled by Catra's regression here that she never stops to think why things may not be as sunny as she wants. But just like Catra finally lets vulnerability in, Adora also finally learns to listen instead of just talk. P.S. No rude disagreements or unkind comments please - if you disagree, that’s fine but I’m not interested in debates about those who see Catra as a bad or evil character or about Catradora as a controversial ship (which I don’t believe it to be).

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

Lmao BS. Adora is extremely empathetic, even since she was little. If she weren’t, she wouldn’t have ever cared about catra after she was violent to her since they were kids and took out all her shit on adora. Her empathy for catra is what allowed her to time and time again see her as a person who makes bad choices because of a flawed mindset, not as an evil person.

[@sparxstreak02]

That’s sympathy & compassion, not true empathy - there’s a difference. To be empathic means to understand what someone’s going through, be able to put yourself in their shoes or at the very least have a good idea of what things for them must be like. Adora had moments of understanding but only when it was basically spelt out for her. She never took the initiative herself to think about how Catra felt until after the events of ‘Taking Control’ once Catra finally let down her walls - in fact, it was often when Catra finally took steps for self improvement that Adora followed suit with her own flaws.

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

@@sparxstreak02 lmao whatever, if you say so. Bottom line is it was never adora’s job to babysit catra and she did way more than she needed to. Plus I’d say she’s empathetic to catra in particular, because she reacted way differently to catra than, say, Scorpia when she was chipped, whom she sympathised with too because that’s just who she is. Catra got more passes because adora could imagine that it was extra hard for her. No one can perfectly empathise fully with an experience that is not theirs, and no sane person IRL would’ve given catra half the grace Adora did. Plus, no level of sympathy from a child that small would make them go back to someone who harmed them. It’s like how some cultures let kids touch fire when they’re curious and they don’t go back because they fear things that hurt them. Even with an underdeveloped baby brain, Adora felt EMPATHY for catra, and it’s reductive to say she didn’t, and patronising to explain the obvious etymological difference in the two words as if in practice sympathy and empathy are always so clearly defined and separate, especially in a relationship like that between catra and adora. I also find it super interesting how people don’t mention how catra failed to emphatise or even sympathise with adora’s own abuse and the fact that she didn’t “enjoy being the hero” as catra repeatedly accused her of, obtusely.

[@sparxstreak02]

@@linoleumbonaparte5798 First off, when did I ever say it was Adora’s job to babysit Catra? 🤨 Also, if you look closer throughout the show, Catra is an incredibly empathic person in her own right (far more than Adora in my opinion) why do you think Melog bonded with her rather than Adora? ​​⁠​⁠And it’s not patronising to point out a fact in the differences of empathy & sympathy - especially if you do in fact think they’re one and the same. The point is both Adora & Catra messed up in their own ways with each other, trying to portray Catra as the only source of the problem shows immense bias, whereas I can admit both characters messed up but also made effort to make things right. You are free to disagree, but at least be respectful about it.

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

@@sparxstreak02 lmaoooo you’re using plot device melog as an excuse. Ok, perhaps because catra was the first to interact with it and it imprinted on her? And yes catra was sooooo empathetic to adora, entrapta, Kyle, scorpia, Glimmer after she stranded her mum and said the queen was taken out with some blasé tone etc lmaooo. I won’t say too much, just that I wish you a best friend/partner or other close person in your life that treats you EXACTLY as Catra did others, including both the physical and mental abuse x. Come back and tell me how empathetic they are and I’ll say you lack empathy for leaving them and not instead feeling whatever childhood trauma led them to mistreat you. Goodluck! PLUS, if Catra was truly empathetic, that’s even worse because she that means she felt people’s pain then exacerbated or caused it anyway…it’s giving sadism. And you didn’t directly say adora had to babysit her, but even the implication that adora did something TO catra by leaving the horde (and even asking her over and over to come with) creates a framing that adora owed Catra staying with her forever - she didn’t. Adora left and Catra FELT hurt, Adora did not hurt her.

[@sparklemittens8301]

8:33 the way you said that so casually made me giggle. That's exactly what those two would've said if the show allowed them to curse

[@jadegecko]

7:45 okay i would still one hundred percent watch this

[@mushymass9716]

Wow, Arcane and She-Ra are the only two shows I like and you've made a video on both of them. You got yourself another subscriber. I remember watching She-Ra way back in, like, 2020. I'd just read the "Am I A Lesbian?" masterdoc and I was identifying really heavily with the "lesbian" label at the time. This story meant a lot to me during that period of my life. Ultimately, I ended up leaning towards the side of not feeling that Catra's redemption arc was as fleshed-out as it could have been, and that it falls a bit short in terms of addressing certain toxic behavious (and war crimes), *buuut* your video did make me think. I found it interesting that you connected the story of Catra with your own experience of religious trauma, and that you were able to see the value in her character (as you've expressed here) through that trauma. My personal trauma history has less to do with religion, and more to do with having an abusive alcoholic for a parent. Perhaps that's why I have trouble really connecting with Catra's story in the way that you do. I tend to think that character analysis, especially on the more "grass-roots" level as it's happening here, functions as a way for people to work through their own inner dissonances in a way that carries less risk than working them out through one's own real connections/relations. So I wonder if the "shape" of an individual's trauma history influences how they see/relate to Catra. Maybe people with religious trauma can see themselves in her and find healing/understanding through that. Thanks for the great video. If you ever feel like posting anything else, you've got one more set of eyeballs on it.

[@leydyarcelll5121]

Uno de los mejores analisis de catra ❤❤

[@aidcrazysol738]

4:14 Adora was abused too just in a different way

[@JabamiLain]

Glimmer and Bow are adorable ! Adora is such a badass cutie pie ! Catra's little sense of morality and ethics is actually very realistic, so much so that even people in non-toxic households can somewhat understand where she's coming from. Like me, she has this somewhat nihilistic and utilitarian perspective of how life and business work. Bad phases caused by atrocities are temporary (I'm not saying you should actively commit them). But she also that with power comes the capacity for change. She's too afraid to go up against her abuser, as she doesn't believe she can be defeated. And now, she received validation from the Big boss Lord Hordack himself, giving her further motivation to stay where she is, because now she truly has garantees her ambitions of preventing her suffering in the new world can be fulfilled. She believes that there's no hope for herself, so she'll just protect herself because she's not ready to face her final judgement yet. But, when the new world is built, she is gonna try to at least make a few ammends. -Shadow Weaver also fascinates me. It's pretty clear she doesn't see Adora as just another weapon, otherwise she would have given up on her already. But, where does all of this favoritism come from ? Why feed this broken and twisted sense of motherhood for Adora alone ?

[@ohno8398]

I really loved the point about switching flaws!

[@honorablefroggery]

thank you!

[@Szych.a]

5:29 NO NO NO NO I TOLD MYSELF I WON'T CRY DON'T YOU DARE😭

[@aidcrazysol738]

14:28 This scene is a perfect encapsulation of what went wrong, Catra believes Adora never cared about who she was, and Adora did have misconceptions, but once Catra goes back to the horde/Adora leaves their understanding falls even further. Catra believes Adora never had faith in her when Adora's faith waned when Catra said she always knew the Horde was evil. Adora doesn't correct her because both of them are pondering, "Was it all a lie?" Catra doesn't blame Adora for not having in her because she fits in the world view she has "Everyone is selfish" but they still care for each other but have no commination skills

[@SanguinaryBlade]

I find it strange in a way, I actually see Catra as initially the selfless one, and Adora the selfish one. Adora takes the sword and gets a hero complex built on her, SHE is the one who needs to save everyone, SHE needs to turn on the horde, and she doesn't even consider how Catra feels. Catra however is almost too empathetic, she does almost everything for Adora, for the horde, because her entire self worth is built upon those things, she's built the foundation of her personality dependant on Adora, so when she feels like Adora has turned on her, and it cuts her so deeply, she attacks and rejects the source of that pain. Essentially, Adora needs to learn to look outward, to accept the help of others and actually consider how her actions will affect those around her; and Catra needs to learn to look inward, to not base her self worth in others and accept responsibility for her actions, and be able to accept and love herself so she can better love and be loved by others.

[@honorablefroggery]

interesting! i see what you mean. i think selflessness and selfishness aren't necessarily thinking you are called to some higher purpose but the motivations behind your actions: adora defects from the horde not because she found the sword (she doesn't make the choice to defect until the Horde's invasion of Thaymor, which is some time after going back to get the sword) but because she saw the way the horde was treating the etherians and couldn't stand by and watch it happen. it's true that she didn't consider the feelings of catra or her other friends but i think that was more of her being naive and automatically assuming they'd be just as horrified as she was. her motivations are about the "greater good" and the rest of Etheria, not just the people she cares directly about, and she pursues this greater good even though it means losing the person she cared most about. meanwhile, Catra is reversed. she isn't motivated by any greater good, but by the people she directly cares about (Adora) and by extension, herself. i think this is in no small part due to Shadow Weaver's abuse, but Catra is in constant survival mode. She doesn't care about what's happening at Thaymor because her world view and her motives are narrowed down to just herself and Adora - the suffering of the Etherians doesn't matter to her as much as keeping Adora by her side and maintaining the status quo (again, i think due largely to her upbringing with Shadow Weaver). she's selfish in that way. she's also been shown to always be very possessive in flashbacks, which i would qualify as a form of selfishness.

[@ProblematicBeach]

exactly what i always thought.

[@lastunicorn846]

Good points. The showrunner herself summarized it as follows: "Adora is a Slytherin trying to be a Gryffindor and Catra is a Hufflepuff trying to be a Slytherin."

[@ekinie3854]

adora was abused by shadow weaver too. shadow weaver GAVE adora the hero complex then when she's shera it spiralled because "this is what shera was made for" even when it's destructive to herself

[@stevenrogers2684]

If only Adora had asked Catra to come with her... oh wait

[@frankwales]

"Rising out of the ashes of your own trauma" is such a great line, and something that so many people can identify with, even if their circumstances are very different from Catra's.

[@honorablefroggery]

thank you! and yes i totally agree, the magic of her character is that so many people can relate to her struggle without necessarily relating to her circumstance! it's powerful

[@Szych.a]

7:21 I'm not crying I'm not crying I'm not crying I'm not crying (I am crying)

[@aidcrazysol738]

One thing I think you overlooked is Catra's worldview and her relationship with power Also (I don't think you overlooked this) both Adora and Catra have a long road of understanding where their masks end and they begin. Catra's world view is that everyone acts selfishly, yet Portal Catra (Not Corrupted Catra) doesn't have this worldview and even if she did it isn't wanted by her. She doesn't want to be Force Captain, and that is proven by Adora being Force Captain and what ultimately breaks the delusion for Catra. When Adora forces Catra to come with her is when the illusion breaks for Catra. Catra doesn't want to be forced to do anything. She hates it, which is another reason she remembers who she is and that belief adora will force her to fix anything is scary and further sperates them. After Adora left the horde, Catra believes it to be her that Adora is leaving. This belief is from the screwed up world view she has. She believes everyone is selfish and out for themselves, yet Adora was the exception. When Adora leaves the Horde, Catra believes that all the promises and trust and truth are lies. This is believed and defended with Catra saying: "You never protected me! Not in any way that would put you on Shadow Weaver's bad side." However, Adora never expresses that she would turn down Catra attempts to leave the Horde and join the rebellion, but Catra is so mad at the belief that Adora left her that she doesn't. After the portal, this distant grows because Adora tries to force Catra into helping her, and She is livid over it. SeOne thing I think you overlooked is Catra Worldview and that both Adora and Catra have a long road of understanding where their masks end and they begin. Catra's world view is that everyone acts selfishly, yet portal (Not Corrupted Catra) doesn't have this worldview and even if she did it isn't wanted. She doesn't want to be Force Captain, and that is proven by Adora forcing her to come with her. Catra doesn't want to be forced to do anything. She hates it, which is another reason she remembers who she is and that belief adora will force her to fix anything is scary and further sperates them. After adora left the horde, Catra believes it to be her that Adora is leaving. This belief is from the screwed up world view she has. She believes everyone is selfish and out for themselves, yet Adora was the exception. When Adora leaves the Horde, Catra believes that all the promises and trust and truth are lies. This is believed and defended with Catra saying: "You never protected me! Not in any way that would put you on Shadow Weaver's bad side." However, Adora never expresses that she would turn down catra hand if she does abandon the Horde, but Catra is so mad at the belief that Adora left her she doesn't. After the portal, this distant grows because Adora tried to force Catra into helping her, and Catra is livid over it. Secondly, she is mad because she doesn't believe that when Adora asked for Catra's help in the Portal it was another extension of friendship like the first 2-20 times. After portal, Adora tells Catra this isn't a game and Catra realizes Portal killed the joval Adora. Adora is mad that Catra set off the portal and entrapped Angella. Catra over the season 1-3, never stops to see how Adora feels, and during season four, she hates the world she forced herself into, and this is compound by a lack of a way out. Catra's hatred of Adora dies as she hates who she is and what she is doing. When Catra breaks her world view, it comes solely from Glimmer, who just made a similar mistake as Catra. Talking with Glimmer, helps her reflect on the past again and understand what the world is. She runs from Glimmer the second she hears her look out for Adora. Not her she isn’t asking for Catra to save her it's Adora. Catra mindset is completely shattered by this but what to do comes later. Once she reflects on her past with Adora, she realizes who adora was and is: Caring and compassionate, the one friend she had who she threw out. Catra still remembers how Adora reacted to the portal and believes that Adora wouldn't come for her. She always believe the selfish world view but never state anything like it because "Why complain" but when she talks to glimmer she believes, "There is no one left in the universe who cares for me." Not because of the world but because of her actions. I am stopping here, but as the saying goes, "There is nothing more dangerous than a -man- person who has nothing to lose."condly, she is mad because she doesn't believe this is also an extension of friendship like the first 2-20 times. After portal, Adora tells Catra this isn't a game and Catra realizes Portal killed the joval Adora. Adora is mad that Catra set off the portal and entrapped Angella. Catra over the season 1-3, never stops to see how Adora feels, and during season four, she hates the world she forced herself into, and this is compound by a lack of a way out. Catra hatred of Adora dies as she hates who she is and what she is doing. When Catra breaks her world view, it comes solely from Glimmer, who just made a similar mistake as Catra. Talking with Glimmer, helps her reflect on the past again and understand what the world actually is or rather isn't. She runs from Glimmer the second she hears her look out for Adora. Not Glimmer, Glimmer isn’t asking for Catra to save herself, she is asking Catra to save/protect Adora. Catra mindset is completely shattered by this but what to do comes later. Once she reflects on her past with Adora, which she more open to and to do so objectively as her distant for Adora has died, atleast the falsehood of the selfish Adora. Catra realizes who Adora was and still is: caring and compassionate, the one friend Catra had who she threw out. Catra still remembers how Adora reacted to the portal and believes that Adora wouldn't come for her. She always believe the selfish world view but never stated it because "Why complain" but when she talks to glimmer she believes, "There's no one left in the entire universe who cares about me." Not because of her old worldview but because of her actions. I am stopping here, but as the saying goes, "There is nothing more dangerous than a -man- person who has nothing to lose."

[@KeshmarOrange]

199 days into my experience with this show, and I've obsessively discussed, researched, and pondered what makes Catra tick. My current understanding is this: The main point of Catra's arc in the first half of the series though isn't selfishness, it's the complete opposite. She has a good heart and tries doing good with everything, but every time she does, she's punished for it in some way. She's demoralized, not selfish. Even during the scene in Thaymor; her whole world is turned on its head as her soul mate throws her life-long goal away, the one thing that was going to save them both, in the favor of siding with people that, for all Catra knows are more evil or manipulative than their own abusers. And she may seem like she wanted power, and maybe even tricked herself into thinking she wants it, but she really wanted safety. That's what was torn away from her when Adora left(besides, well, Adora). She never wanted to be a villain. Of course she had a choice, technically, but everything the universe threw at her told her that's what she was destined to be. In my opinion, it was less about her changing and more about her not understanding how things worked, and being trapped in environments that reinforced her world view. When she understands everything better, once she got the chance to be a better person, she took it. And I think Glimmer was the last push she needed for her clarity~ In any case, well done video! A little too heavy on showing the scenes that utterly destroyed me when watching the series, but that adds to the video, in my opinion.

[@honorablefroggery]

i agree! i definitely think that her drive to achieve power is really her seeking safety and security but never truly finding it, and a big part of the reason why the season when she's at her most high-ranking is also the season when she's at her most mentally unstable. i do however think selfishness is a core part of her character and a core reason for why she and adora are soulmates and able to balance each other, and i like that the show criticizes constant self-sacrifice and reiterates to Adora that she is allowed to want things for herself simply because she wants them (catra's intervention & maras speech to her!) to be clear (and maybe it wasn't clear in the video!) i don't think it's necessarily part of her character arc, it's just ingrained in the way that she looks at the world around her! i loved your thoughts on this, thank you for sharing! and i'm glad you liked the video!

[@KeshmarOrange]

@@honorablefroggery You did a great job on the things you covered! This looks like your first She-Ra video, you'll have plenty of time to go more in-depth with the show in the future. Don't worry too much about things not being that clear. You got a sub from me, and I'll be watching. Can't wait to see more of your thoughts on this series.

[@Szych.a]

All I can say about Catra is that I'm fucking obssesed. I love her character. She is just so perfect written. I understand everything she ever did. I would never say that her actions were valid, but they were 100% understandable. I could NEVER hate her

[@fRkOdCmK]

Thank you for this video!! Sometimes it feels like very few people understand Catra's character this well

[@annaseh]

Oh god. As a queer who’d been trapped in a christian cult during most of childhood I can relate so much. Yeah, there’s always hope ❤

[@springtocore2409]

Thank you very much for everything you said, your own story. It feels familiar

[@AgusCIla]

You make me cry with this analysis, thank you so so much for doing it, it was completely amazing. I have always identified with her for her abandonment issues, seeing her go back and forth in the series, and after all that, understanding her journey and her trauma made me understand myself too. Also, I think this She ra was the first piece of lesbian/sapphic media that truly made an impact on me, it really helped me accepting myself as a sapphic women.

[@honorablefroggery]

i'm glad you loved it! i have definitely cried often because of this show 😅 i went through the same thing while watching! i related so heavily to catra and realized that if i can forgive her for her mistakes, i can forgive myself for mine and it's such a powerful message 💛

[@pixiequeen7148]

What do you think of catradora? Do you think they’ll have a much healthier dynamic in the future?

[@honorablefroggery]

i think so! i think that the series ended right as they started to heal, and i think they'll definitely heal together. it won't be easy, but my hope at least is that they'll get there and to answer your first question i love catradora!

[@pixiequeen7148]

@@honorablefroggery agreed with all you said! I’d love to see a catradora analysis if you want to make one, but don’t feel pressured!

[@pqueenj2195]

This made me want to rewatch the series great analysis!

[@lastunicorn846]

When you re-watch the show, please try to see things from Catra's point of view. She is not nearly as cowardly, selfish and bad as this video makes her out to be.

[@hannahmetzger6622]

​@@lastunicorn846 I feel like you're one of those Catra stan sympathizers who excuses all of her bad actions and can't really see them as _bad._

[@Calaverasdemon]

My FAVORITE character was ALWAYS Catra.... I identify with her alot❤️‍🩹

[@JabamiLain]

She is pretty relatable and understandable, even if you don't live on a toxic household.

[@sparxstreak02]

20:05 LOL Still think the guys were WAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY too sensitive over this joke! 😆

[@arctic_haze]

Also the joke shows that Catra was already well advanced on her healing curve. Only the abuser herself, Shadow Weaver, could have derailed this process but luckily she ultimately failed.

[@RinaitiReefNaviWaterbender]

I’ve never connected so much to a character before Catra

[@lolleopold2757]

Same

[@elizaglaser-kshensky3258]

You posting this right as I’m starting my first rewatch of SPOP is just *chef’s kiss* It’s such an incredibly spot on analysis! I’ve always been drawn to Adora’s story - likely because she’s the protagonist and therefore we’re almost expected to follow her most closely - but I’ll definitely bear all of this in mind on this rewatch and see if I can get a better glimpse into Catra’s inner workings, especially the way that she and Adora need to embrace each other’s flaws in order to succeed. I think that’s such a cool element that’s super easy to miss (speaking from experience, especially on the first watch). Also, thank you for teaching me the word deuteragonist! Very excited to look at some other media through more than just the protagonist/antagonist dichotomy and see what I can glean from that nuance. Super excited for your future videos!!

[@honorablefroggery]

thank you so much! i'm so glad you liked this - and i'm about to start another rewatch as well lol! this show just has so much to unravel i adore it

[@lastunicorn846]

When you re-watch the show, please try to see things from Catra's point of view. She is not nearly as selfish and bad as this video makes her out to be.

[@honorablefroggery]

@@lastunicorn846 i have a feeling you'll just call me evil again, but i'll bite. motivations are important to consider, but don't excuse actions (like the ones catra takes in the show - opening the portal, sending entrapta to beast island come to mind). catra is traumatized and haunted by the effects of that trauma - she is not at her core a bad person (i'd argue no one in the show is outside of SW and Prime) but that doesn't mean she doesn't do bad things. that's the whole point of her redemption - if she wasn't hurting others and lashing out due to her trauma (aka being bad) she wouldn't need redemption at all. and yes, she is selfish. but the show goes out of it's way to show us that that is not a bad thing. adora was raised to believe she had a higher purpose & destined for greatness, which led to her having a "greater good" mentality, which then in turn leads to her defecting from the Horde and becoming self sacrificial to a fault. her selflessness is critiqued multiple times (by catra twice, and then by mara) and she only survives because she chooses to reach for catra and the future with her - aka what she *wants,* aka a small act of selfishness. catra is raised to believe her only worth is dependent on Adora, so she doesn't have that "greater good" mentality and relates to people and concepts like "good" and "bad" only on the level in which they relate to her. she isn't horrified by thaymor because she doesn't need to believe in a greater good, not like adora does, she only needs adora and the promise of power. she's selfish, but selfishness isn't inherently bad - again, which the show goes out of its way to show us in S5. i'm sorry i hurt your feelings by repeating the facts of the show - catra repeatedly makes mistakes; catra lashes out due to trauma, anger, and longing; catra is often selfish which makes her selfless act of saving Glimmer all the more impactful. she is not a perfect person, or "a good person all along just misunderstood," and i think saying those things or implying those things about her character is a grave disservice to her power as a character. she repeatedly chose to do bad things, which makes her choice to be good all the more impactful.

[@lastunicorn846]

@@honorablefroggery >>i'm sorry i hurt your feelings by repeating the facts of the show No, you are twisting and distorting the facts of the show. >>catra repeatedly makes mistakes, she repeatedly chose to do bad things All the characters made mistakes, and most of them did some bad stuff. But you demonize Catra by focusing on her mistakes and ignoring the amazing things she accomplished. You accuse her of doing more bad things than she actually did and ignore the contexts. At the same time you idolize Adora. >>sending entrapta to beast island come to mind The end of Catra and Entrapta’s friendship was tragic, but hardly Catra’s fault alone. Catra was a wonderful friend to Entrapta but then Entrapta chose to be the girlfriend of the tyrant Hordak who was trying to kill Catra by sending her on a suicide mission to the Crimson Waste. Entrapta betrayed Catra’s friendship and I can’t blame Catra for returning the favour by sending Entrapta to Beast Island. (Also, if Entrapta stayed, and with Entrapta working with Hordak instead of Catra, Hordak would have been unstoppable. Hordak would have killed Catra or anyone else with impunity.) >>she isn't horrified by thaymor because she doesn't need to believe in a greater good Catra wasn’t horrified by Thaymor because it was a rescue mission to save Adora! Catra thought she was saving Adora from bad villagers who kidnapped her. By the time Catra realized that Adora wasn’t actually being held captive, the Horde squad was fighting a real princess and real rebel. The Horde squad crushed a few houses but didn’t harm the civilians. Instead of demonizing Catra (who did absolutely nothing wrong at Thaymor), you should ask why Adora wasn’t horrified by what Shadow Weaver and the Horde did to Catra for all those years. Why did Adora only decide to defect when she got a sword (and saw other people being hurt by the Horde)? >>catra is traumatized and haunted by the effects of that trauma I assume that you are referring to Shadow Weaver’s childhood abuse of Catra. Sure, Catra was haunted by the abuse, but you should not exaggerate the effects it had on Catra. Catra was her own person and not merely a pathetic victim. To understand her actions better, place emphasis on proximal events like Adora abandoning Catra or Hordak trying to kill Catra. Catra’s reactions to these events were usually reasonable, and always understandable. She was sometimes impulsive and over-emotional, like most people, but otherwise rational.

[@JabamiLain]

3 episodes. It only took 3 episodes to make this scenario a reality: -Me: I'm into very depraved stuff, you might not like it (it's not a lie). Also me: "We're gonna win in this ! We must be strong ! And we must be brave ! We must be brave !" (By the way, that tech princess seems like she's going to be interesting watching, given the rest of their kind seems to be more based around power and nature alone, while she seems to go beyond that).

[@kajetanzdunski2188]

agree.

[@nenakarra2579]

AMAZING analysis

[@honorablefroggery]

thank you so much!

[@Saturn_Drawz]

I’ve always felt pretty similarly about Catra, except for Catradora. No shame on Catradora shippers but they’re adopted siblings and it kiiiiiiiinnnnndda gives me the ick when I think about it too much

[@Arctic_Ratz]

In respect there not adopted siblings really non of them are they are honestly in more of separate lives and there more in like a work situation but have friendships with each other out of everything (this is just my opinion so no hate at all!

[@hollyelizabethrose]

They weren't adopted, they were stolen from their homes and raised as child soldiers.

[@stevenrogers2684]

Low key… you all who seem to relate to Catra this much… you seem kind of messed up, like seriously. You saw a good side to this?

[@mitcheldxdyt]

From videos I've seen about catra people relate to her because her story of being abused is relatable doesn't excuse you from being a peace of shit but it doesn't mean the pain wasn't real

[@MinecraftyNinja]

Typing this as I'm halfway thru the video but I really really love this. I didn't expect to get new insights into their dynamic since I've watched videos on it before but the stuff about adopting each other's fatal flaws and Catra's awareness + all she cares about is Adora is so good. The thing about anger is too true I feel attacked lmao. Not sure if you read comments, but is that line about not being the worst thing you've ever done from you or Five by Five Takes? I follow you on tiktok so I'm not sure where I heard it from.

[@honorablefroggery]

I said it in my video comparing Arcane and SPOP! I liked it too much I had to use it here too lol and thank you so much!

[@vesselporterman7882]

Love this show but really don't understand the love for Catra, she was my least fav character, she was a bully throughout, toxic and just annoying with like no redeeming qualities whatsoever, I don't get it lol. She would even bully her friends that would repeatedly be nice to her. In my mind she didn't deserve the ending she got. I can see why the writers as a twist but it did not land for me. Other amazing characters in different shows have not received the luxury treatment Catra got in this show and it kinda rubs me the wrong way. Each to their own tho, really enjoyed the series nonetheless. If someone could explain why this character is so beloved, rather than being fascinated at her toxicity. No hate for the show at all, just don't get why large aspects of why this character is so beloved.

[@mercipurrs]

i think it's because a lot of this fandom has been where catra was before (if not as extreme). catra's anger and, as you said, bullying is a result of her being deeply insecure because of how often she was cast aside by everyone in the horde (including her adoptive mother figure, shadow weaver). shadow weaver made it clear that adora's affection for her was the only reason she wasn't abandoned or just killed off, and so when adora leaves, catra's self preservation goes into hyperdrive, along with her unhealthy coping mechanism of driving everyone away. i think it's really worsened by the fact that she's also trying to make herself too valuable for the horde to dispose of now that adora isn't there as a safety net, so she's incredibly self-serving. however, when horde prime kidnaps her and glimmer, she's taken far away from all of that pressure and given time to reflect and empathize with the leader of the enemy force. that time is ultimately what makes her realize just how far she's fallen, when all she desperately wanted was to be needed and cared about and safe. she comes to the conclusion that since she has none of that, she's practically worthless - but, glimmer has all of that, and she's best friends with adora, who catra still deeply cares about. so catra makes the decision that, if she can't get off this ship, them glimmer will. she fully expects to die in this act, so when she doesn't and instead is saved and accepted and given *safety* by adora and her friends, she can actually heal and get better (even if she still holds some preconceived biases about princesses from the horde). she's not entirely redeemed, but she's trying to be a better person and she actually can do that now that she has a solid support system. i think that's what makes her so interesting, and why most of the fandom is so drawn to her. tl;dr: catra explores the darkest possibility of someone who's traumatized, self-destructive, selfish and selfless all at the same time; and that makes her fascinating to the audience and someone that those who want to can relate to (albeit on a much smaller scale).

[@vesselporterman7882]

@@mercipurrs appreciate the breakdown and the detail, it does shed a bit more light for me on her character, especially her progression over the course of the series as well. Thanks again. I think what made it difficult was that the other characters were vastly different so she stood out so negatively on first watch. Very jarring. In light of what you have said tho, it adds to how personal of a journey she was on. Not meant to look pretty (which it deffo doesn’t) but maybe that’s the point.

[@mercipurrs]

@@vesselporterman7882 of course! that does make sense, catra sticks out like a sore thumb among the other cast members, so i can see why it would be jarring. im always happy to talk about catra though, so thanks for providing the opportunity for me to yap ^^

[@oalmesat]

CATRA is mine no touching 😠

[@korrita98]

When will I have my gay love like catra?????

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

I will say my major problem was how the story seems to have given adora to catra as a girlfriend in reward for her doing the one good thing. They shouldn’t have ended up together the way they did. It sends a toxic message to children. You don’t get to punish your ex best friend who has her own responsibilities, is the same age etc for not staying in an oppressive state for your benefit over the course of years, including via kidnap and torture, and then get to “get the girl” because you give yourself up when you’ve already lost it all and feel done with everything.

[@JabamiLain]

Catra almost destroyed reality. As someone who never chooses neutrality on "Shin Megami Tensei", who chooses either Control or Synthesis on "Mass Effect", who is willing to choose money on Fable 2", helped a bad guy (who I backstabbed before he could) form a world empire that was programmed to become a large republic on "The Council", believe me, I understand what it is to see a worthless world you, especially considering Shadow Weaver, of all people, was the one who somehow got to the top on both sides. But the thing is, I want to change/remake the world. Reality's destruction, lack of attempts at fixing it given the plan was merely to send a signal and her harming of Entrapta are the crimes I can not ignore. There is no justice in there, especially since she knew how to have Hordack under her palm in order to make sure he wouldn't find some way to punish her. Inflexible destruction over adaptive control... That is mankind's sin that I most despise and it is the one I can not forgive. If you want me to keep being her supporter, let us make a trial. Right here, right now ! You are her defense. And you can not use the emotional factor to defend her, such as that Shadow Weaver broke her. You can only use the facts of what she could have done given her own habilities, because the emotional component was only excusable when she pulled the lever, nothing afterwards. I may not be virtuous (otherwise I wouldn't relate to her), but I do have common sense.

[@tylerleach8796]

…so you’re one of those people who just copy and pastes the same comment in every video regarding a certain topic, I see.

[@JabamiLain]

​@@tylerleach8796sometimes, when a theme touches me deeply.

[@tylerleach8796]

@@JabamiLain “touches you deeply” Okay, dial it back a bit.

[@mercipurrs]

that's an unfortunate take. what she did was massive, but the entire show's scope is equally as massive, and it's premise is also centered around love - an emotion. if you don't want to judge the show based on it's core themes, then you're misreading it horribly. not to mention, glimmer also almost destroyed reality. she is catra's mirror, and she's still a good guy, not by a miscalculation either. i would get into this further, but it's clear you have no actual motivation to listen and will just parrot back 'she almost destroyed the universe!' to everything, so i wont.

[@JabamiLain]

I gotta know... Should I watch this show ? I can accept this Catra being an abused individual turned abuser who then tries to be better. But I'm not sure I want to watch a show in which you're supposed to support a toxic ship and in which someone like this Catra is so easily excused. I watchef shows such as "Amphibia", "Owl House" or "The Last Airbender", I know what I want in this kind of arc. And from what I've heard so far, Catra's development wasn't worked out properly.

[@honorablefroggery]

Ultimately that's up to you and what you want from a show! In my opinion (as someone who has gone through related trauma and struggles), the redemption arc was earned, not given. I also don't consider Catradora a toxic ship because they weren't together until Catra redeemed herself (and ultimately this is a fictional show where both MCs, Catra included, are recovering from both familial and religious trauma via grandiose fantasy themes). Like I said, it's up to you and your tastes. Zuko imo has a similar arc as Catra, and I know many who loved Zuko's arc in ATLA and then loved Catra's in SPOP.

[@JabamiLain]

@@honorablefroggery I've already decided to watch the show. Also, I noticed that in shows such as this, people seem to tend to forget about the special conditions these characters find themselves in. Even if the ship is toxic, they're in a war and were raised by a militaristic organization. So, taking these into consideration, Catra seeing her atrocities as normal and being emotionally unbalanced seems to be pretty natural.

[@lastunicorn846]

Was this video created by Shadow Weaver? You sure sound a lot like Shadow Weaver. Adora is your Golden Girl who is so wonderful and adorable, while poor Catra is your scapegoat who can't do anything right, who you constantly belittle as selfish and cowardly and evil. You listed some of the bad things you've done in your life. This video should certainly count among the most evil of them.

[@honorablefroggery]

wow, and here i thought i had a flair for the dramatic

[@valentinafangirling]

Wild considering she’s literally labeling Catra as the best character. This feels like a troll lmao. The dramatics.

[@lastunicorn846]

@@valentinafangirling *>This feels like a troll lmao.* No, just someone who cares about truth and who gets annoyed when a KZbinr blatantly spreads lies about one of my favourite shows. *>she’s literally labeling Catra as the best character* By "best" you mean stating that a character is well-written and gives hope to bad people that they can be redeemed. That is not the same thing as telling the truth about the character and acknowledging the character's positive qualities. *>The dramatics.* I hope the dramatics get my point across. If your opinion and analysis of Catra are so similar to Shadow Weaver's, it should ring alarm bells that you are doing something terribly wrong.

[@CharlotteSWeb-oh7ou]

@@lastunicorn846 You aren't real.

[@Raven_Black_252]

Lmao wtf is this comment? Did you even watch the video, how is she sounding like Shadow Weaver? She is just analyzing it, not judging.

[@stevenrogers2684]

These "kids" on the show are supposedly 18+ when this show starts, so you're wrong on that front. They should not look consistently 12 years old if you actually say they're 18-21 by the series end. Catra is the most toxic abusive person I have ever seen, and the fact we endorse this toxic relationship purely because it's gay, it disturbing. It was absolutely too late to "change" at the point she did, mainly to avoid actually punishing her for everything she did at this point.

[@linoleumbonaparte5798]

SO REAL!

[@lolleopold2757]

You're such a pest, then let's blame Glimmer the same way