She Ra's Corridors Isn't What You Think

[@Whosaskin]

The fact that she's also... Part cat... Should be taken into consideration, because... Well... Cats can see in the dark. It means that in the dark she's finally able to see what really matters to her, to see beyond her "darkness", her anger, her guilt...

[@heatherhenninger1280]

Okay not to rain on your parade but they can only see BETTER they dont have full night vision.

[@zenithquasar9623]

@@heatherhenninger1280 Them seeing better at night could still mean they get better clarity in the dark. I think the parallel works regardless.

[@lycaptain]

:O

[@tess4518]

Wow, this was the cherry on top of this vid

[@gracekim1998]

Ooo symbolism

[@DahVoozel]

The dark is the hiding place she knows Adora will look to find her.... well then, here I go crying again.

[@5x5Takes]

DahVoozel me every miserable moment of my life

[@Orto-jj2di]

Dark may not be always safe but it is relatable

[@nikitalachke1808]

stop making me cry

[@nikitalachke1808]

i JUST finished crying over heart pt 2 for the 10000000000th time u really gotta make me cry again

[@XxEmpty_EscapexX693]

@@Orto-jj2di actually, darkness is a safe place as well. Just one that no one likes to mention. Sometimes we hide in darkness, less likely to be seen by things that want to hurt us or cause us trouble. pain, sadness, weakness, doubt, and secrets. All the things we hide from the light of day, and hide ourselves from, in the dark

[@negargeliyerdi3766]

Also can we take notice of the parallel between this episode and promise in S1? In promise Catra stared at her younger self and began her path of spiraling down after letting adora falls. In corridors Catra stares at a younger version of Adora and begins her path of redemption by saving Adora.

[@5x5Takes]

negar geliyerdi BINGO BINGO BINGO!!!! it’s all about how she Interprets those memories babey

[@DahVoozel]

Also, her memories in Promise were ones likely being selected to emphasize Adora's betrayal of the titular promise. Because Lighthope.

[@5x5Takes]

DahVoozel ALSO bingo!!! easy to forget they were In light hope’s domain, and she was absolutely, absolutely manipulating them.

[@negargeliyerdi3766]

@@DahVoozel Exactly. Those memories didn't have any new revelations for Adora but they were carefully selected for Catra. First how close the two of them were. How no matter how hard she tried she couldn't win and that everyone only tolerated her because of adora how adora lacked faith in her (I let you win. Riiiiight. You never had faith in me. Do you blame me. I had it! Sure you did) then how Catra always got punished for things while adora got a pat on the head. How shadow weaver viewed her as nothing more than a pet and a plaything for adora and THEN the promise Adora promising to always be there for her just sold the deal. Proving to Catra that Adora WASNT there for her. I find it hard to believe that the real baby Catra just let go of adora's hand to stare at nothing. It was staring at the real catra as if to mock her: Oh what a fool you were to believe in that promise what a fool you were to care about that promise when it had meant NOTHING to Adora. This whole psychological torture was a deliberate plan from Light hope.

[@salmontrip1455]

@@negargeliyerdi3766 she finally found something she wanted to fight for, before like five mentions, she wants control, so she can be safe. So she can protect her younger self. She grows colder to stay safe. But looking at young adora she finds something other then just wanting to survive. She wants adora To live she'll show emotions, shes g r o w i n g fydud sorry idk if this makes sense just rambling

[@ransherman1611]

"when we hit our lowest point we are open to the greatest change"

[@5x5Takes]

Ran Sherman we sure are.

[@Michael-wz2es]

Is that a Korra quote?!!!

[@ransherman1611]

@@Michael-wz2es yup.

[@lesbinyan]

Lol I just watched that Korra ep ~nya

[@kirsten8456]

Jessabelle Greenwood same i just watched that yesterday 😂

[@maccarta]

Also... she's a cat. :D Darkness is not scary or negative, but comfortable for cats. It's their natural environment as night hunters.

[@seanmurphy3430]

A couple of other interesting notes about the symbolism here: • In the shot of the two corridors, the end of the bright corridor is fully visible as a portal of light, while the end of the dark corridor is partially obscured by shadows. By choosing the dark, Catra commits to a path whose end she cannot fully predict or control, contrary to the obsession with control that typifies this show’s villains. • The motif of associating Catra with darkness and shadows continues in some subtle ways throughout the season. For example, her outfit for most of the season is her old Horde uniform, with its black and red color scheme now reframed as a symbol of rebellion against Prime’s white and green.

[@mg-en6qo]

ALSO SHE WHEN SHE BECAME CORRUPTED AND SHADOW FROM THE PORTAL HER ARM WAS BLACK THEN SHE MADE HER NEW UNIFORM BLACK ON HER ARM TO RESEMBLE IT & WHEN SHE WAS SAVED BY ADORA SHE DIDNT WEAR IT ANYMORE

[@Pancakeboii]

666 likes

[@adamzheng4362]

I was just about to comment that! The darkness has subtlety, mystery, and an unknown to it. She can see her path going forward as a slave of Prime, forever. But if she rebels, she doesn't know what will happen.

[@calebtsedzik6222]

There was even that moment in the next episode "Stranded": Bow: Don't go towards the light! Adora: It's not "that" kind of light.

[@rukiaxai]

@@mg-en6qo That's a good point, I hadn't noticed that! :O Another interesting aspect of Catra's outfits is that in her version of the future she wears a shirt similar in style to the jacket Adora always wears, with sleeves up to the elbows and in red.

[@ShadesOfGuitar]

This series has better writing (symbolism/plot/dialogue) than 90%+ of anything else on Netflix or cable these days. Don’t even get me started on animation, art style, character and sound design, etc.

[@5x5Takes]

Killer Queen agreed. i’m genuinely having trouble watching anything else

[@Majorday]

@@5x5Takes LMFAO SAAAAAME

[@5x5Takes]

i’m about to rewatch it for the fourth time someone help

[@Majorday]

@@5x5Takes for some reason I can't re-watch any shows I finish watching because I feel like it'll ruin that special moment i had the 1st time watching it 🤣 , add me on Twitter @dayschannel :) Idk should I re-watch it?

[@5x5Takes]

i hear that! however, imo there’s nothing like the first rewatch. catching things you missed, knowing the characters even more... you certainly don’t have to go unhinged like me, but

[@George_M_]

I saw the light corridor as bad, but due to the normal coding of darkness saw them both as bad. Thanks for illuminating this :P

[@5x5Takes]

of course. her final choice *is* a good one-hence, she chooses good, however u define that. but it’s so obviously Not the Light bc of how prime is written. so the question became, for me, ok, whats dark then. and there u have the video. dark is comfort, safety.

[@5x5Takes]

also nice pun

[@catherinecao4810]

They were both bad in a way. Either way, Horde Prime has a grip on her.

[@cristophernunez7786]

Catra is a cat a nigth nature creature

[@veronicapiccinini1981]

Bow: DONT GO TOWARDS THE LIGHT!😱

[@noranester2009]

You CANNOT just play the corridors music in the background when you talk, it’s gonna make me cry :,( especially that music swell. The music, the flashback, and the “I’m always gonna be your friend” is honestly why Corridors is one of my favorite She-Ra episodes

[@5x5Takes]

oh yes i can hehehehe

[@joshuacox534]

@Ellie Di and leads to Wrong Hordak, so Catra's choices have a positive effect on the world

[@giuliadurante2785]

@@5x5Takes please could you tell us where did you get the soundtrack from? I can't find it anywhere :(

[@5x5Takes]

@@giuliadurante2785 water witch uploaded them !

[@swordpegasus4032]

🤣🤣🤣

[@katlyn8424]

The crying that happened after Catra says: “I’ll never say sorry to anyone” then later says “adora, I’m sorry for everything” it hurts it’s so good

[@RamdomlyAwesome]

this analysis is so big brain and more importantly big heart 🥺💞 catra redemption arc owns my ass

[@5x5Takes]

Nikjamie good our asses are on shared real estate

[@glamourweaver]

Thank you for making the point about her youth. People who act like she should be beyond redemption always ignore that she's a confused angry teenager in the only toxic environment she's ever known. That doesn't excuse her actions, she needs to take responsibility for them, but it does make her living a better life much more plausible than if she was in her 30s choosing to be a murderous fascist after rejecting a loving home that raised her.

[@bellac6311]

yeah shes literally seventeen, and has been physically and emotionally abused by shadow weaver since she was a baby. Like, you cant expect her to think rationally about everything, you cant exoect her to try and be stable, because shes never known true stability

[@EternalKHFan0]

That is the interesting thing about light and darkness: have too much of either of them, you'll be blinded either way.

[@pseudomugilidae5897]

I'd add that light is certainty. By choosing the dark corridor, she goes away from the abrasive and oppressive certainty of horde prime's light and into an outcome she can't fully predict, but in which hope is possible.

[@IndieFic]

"Don't go into the light!... It's not THAT kind of light"

[@5x5Takes]

______________ heheh

[@sabrinanezaj9940]

I feel like there’s a huge portion of Catra and Adora’s childhood that we never got to see. There were moments of tenderness and kindness in the dark that only Adora got to see, where Catra was being open, vulnerable. The context during which memories are revealed to us explains why we only see certain parts of their childhood: the First Ones ruin, for example. The First Ones needed to eliminate Catra as a threat (Adora needed to unleash the Heart’s power without any attachments). They showed Catra memories that made her feel weak: they showed her times where Adora helped her, and where Adora triumphed over her. The First Ones very purposefully chose memories that showed Adora’s power in the relationship instead of Catra’s. But one thing we never got to see was what Catra did in the dark to allow Adora to see the real her even after years of war against each other. And maybe it should stay that way, because those moments are Catra’s and Adora’s, not ours to psychoanalyze and judge whether or not they deserve each other.

[@noodlepoodle3582]

I’ve always disliked the association between darkness and evil in media. There’s something so intimate and kind about darkness to me; a place where you can feel and introspect purely without visual distraction. I really like that She-Ra subverted this trope.

[@yoursonisold8743]

Darkness often represents the unknown and that _is_ scary to humans by default. But if the dark space is not unknown, but safe, then it is comforting (e.g. under your blanket in your bed). Similarily, light tends to reveal all which humans generally are primed to like, but if it's too bright it dizzies and disorients and makes everything stressful and strange. It's all about the time and place.

[@eileenbraswell3791]

Ha! I knew there was a reason I liked the dark/nighttime more. I also think that’s why we tend to have deeper, more meaningful conversations with friends/loved ones late at night (say, a sleepover).

[@vivi___ivivi]

I really like this analysis! I think the idea of the creators switching up the symbolism and how it threw off some expectations about light/darkness says a lot about Western culture and the importance of language, especially in regards to how it plays into racial dynamics and stereotyping. If this was intended by the show’s execs I definitely wouldn’t be surprised. Very meaningful and thought-provoking!

[@5x5Takes]

agreed. i def think it was deliberate also bc of some framing i didnt mention, but she Turns towards the darkness several times. but largely because: you dont Hammer in "light = bad" a billion times with prime to have her Choose The Light. and i think that's neat

[@hlive714]

The terms light and dark were always relative from the beginning. Also I was a bit annoyed by how many times people keep saying join the "Light side".

[@roseyyy_]

This is so beautiful and I’ve never completely thought about it like this. Catra chose to interpret the memories differently then she did in promise when she started to spiral

[@5x5Takes]

Briana Rose exactly! completely understandably, but rejecting love out of fear “i don’t need you” vs “wait, she’s always cared”

[@MegaChickenfish]

I always suspected that element of the dark corridor being choosing an uncertain future over her existing self-destructive patterns trying to keep herself "safe" but this is a really thorough breakdown. One of my favorite parts of the final season is how Catra isn't just "redeemed" and "fixed" by making that one good choice. It's a rough, uncertain path out of her toxic habits. "But I have to believe *that it's worth it.* "

[@Blazingstoke]

"There is no journey gone so far...you cannot stop and change direction." - Father, _Children of Eden_ That line was in my head throughout Catra's whole character arc in Season 5, and nowhere was it better embodied than in this episode.

[@5x5Takes]

Blazingstoke well put. and a worthwhile thought

[@Orto-jj2di]

Lesson of the video: there is always a choice. And dark isn't so bad after all with some intimate memories in there 3:53

[@5x5Takes]

Otari Muradishvili bingo. it’s easy to feel doomed, as catra might’ve, so u become the monster people think you are. but there’s a choice in every moment. and damn right

[@Orto-jj2di]

@@5x5Takes I feel related to Catra honestly. Anger issues, conflicted feelings,etc. Her life was really a poem

[@lucycox2990]

This is so incredible and so beautiful I’d never thought about it like this before thank you

[@5x5Takes]

Lucy Cox thank you for being so kind

[@laurenquinigan9700]

I love how deep and rich this series is. My 8 year old son can enjoy this series as well as this 39 year old. It’s the best series I’ve watched in a while. I find myself watching episodes over and over again catching something new, then I go online and hear other peoples take on it and watch it again with a new lense.

[@rileyfinnlesbianproduction5434]

okay Genius.... we love to see such a Phenomenal exploration of subversive media

[@5x5Takes]

Riley Finn Lesbian Productions subversive media makes me feral

[@spaniard_flower2539]

Maybeee people shouldn't be so quick to say Catra's redemption was rushed. This analysis is solid proof how in depth it is ☺️

[@5x5Takes]

Spaniard_Flower25 trauma brain is real. traumatized children deserve compassion.

[@spaniard_flower2539]

@@5x5Takes And compassion is something Catra never had from people, except from Adora. I think that's why their friendship was so important to her.

[@hlive714]

The only way it could be said that it was rushed was because the season length was too short (season 2 &3). Like in Hordak's case in season 5. But the the creators really did an outstanding job with what they had to work with. Because if this analysis video proves anything it's that they tried to show us more of the moments with the most meaning, metaphorical or literal or realistically, in Catra's life to explain her choices. This Analysis video is the best video I have seen in a long, long time.

[@eileenbraswell3791]

@@tomnorton4277 I don’t think that was the case. I don’t think they just forgave her in that instant. I mean, none of the other characters even looked at or talked to Catra besides Adora, Glimmer, Bow, and Entrapta. Adora telling them “she’s with us now” was more of a “hey, let’s focus on our mission here”, and after that everyone pretty much ignores Catra. Their main focus was defeating Horde Prime, not dealing with her. And the finale wasn’t them “forgiving her immediately”, but rather them just happily celebrating the end of the war. We also have to remember that s5 wasn’t her entire redemption, just the start of one. As SW put it, “This is only the beginning for you”. They can all deal with her now that the threat is gone. We just won’t get to see it, sadly.

[@woahtransbeuponye1084]

@@eileenbraswell3791 while I agree that not everyone forgave Catra (and there just simply wasn't room in the season for all the conversations that should've happened), a lot of the people that "didn't forgive her" didn't have a lot of narrative connection to her and Catra's wrongdoings towards them were wrapped up in the actions of the Horde, of which Catra was a figurehead. That isn't to say they're not important, but Catra's already "redeeming" herself from that by turning against Prime. It gets tricky when it comes to characters like Entrapta and Scorpia, who'd been personally hurt--emotionally and physically--by Catra. Because Scorpia was, y'know, controlled by Prime, there wasn't an opportunity for Catra and her to have a conversation that they /really/ needed to have, and that conflict got quickly wrapped up in the finale with a hug, which is... frustrating, because there really needed to be a longer conversation between those two. I don't think it's fair to say that "well they'll deal with all of that now that the show's over" in response to criticism of Catra's redemption arc, because it's not that these conversations needed to happen to check off some boxes on a Redemption To-Do List, and so long as the thing happens (even if we don't get to see it), then it's fine. It's that there was no resolution on the conflict between, say, Catra and Scorpia and thus feels unsatisfying. Obviously, with the way S5 was structured, there just wasn't time. But I don't say that to dismiss the criticism, but rather to say that She-Ra really could've benefited from an epilogue series like Steven Universe Future to wrap up lingering subplots and resolutions between characters that there wasn't time for in the final season. Now I don't know if Noelle Stevenson just wanted to leave the story there, or if she wanted some more time to wrap up those loose threads and wasn't given the opportunity. The whole "we can bring magic back to the universe, let's go on one last field trip!" line at the very end leads me to believe the latter. While I don't think Catra's "redemption" was rushed necessarily (redemption in quotation marks because I hate that term) because her character arc has been building towards it since the first episode, it kinda tripped on its landing, and I'm saddened we didn't get to see Catra continue to grow.

[@sakuraice22]

I'm so glad I decided to watch this series right now of all times I'm in a kind of similiar position to Catra and motivational speeches and messages don't really work with me, sometimes I have to see another person go thru the same problem and how they overcome it, so I hope after thinking a lot about Catra's story I get at least something useful in my head This video confirmed some thoughts I had about this episode

[@hlive714]

I'm suffering through some hard and uncertain times myself. Then I was recommended this show. After viewing only some of it I was to get myself through it and now I have plan.

[@swirlingsun]

this episode is so underrated!! in my opinion catra's final "adora, I'm sorry... for everything" as the music swells behind her is her biggest character moment of the season, and one of the most cathartic, maybe second only to adora finally being able to transform again or the kiss.

[@kaylagrubbe3441]

I also thought this episode was important because in the memory, Catra said she would never say sorry to anyone ever (in the memory it was for hurting lonnie). Yet, till the end of the series, she starts apologizing (something she would have never done before) which shows her change and growth. Admitting she was wrong was huge. P.S Great videos! I'm bingeing all of them

[@ariitheway]

Lisa Simpson coffee meme but it's me and your Catra/She-Ra videos. Thank you for feeding us with another She-Ra video this was so good, I swear I could listen to you talking about Catra and She-Ra and all the themes and symbolism and just... everything for hours lmao.

[@5x5Takes]

mosaicredhearts oh good, cause i could talk about it for hours, i’m never going to be free

[@Northflowo]

Corridors was my favorite episode and now it's even favoriter

[@ReficulQwertz]

How does this have 7 likes and no replies?

[@athena3268]

"somwhere only we know" starts playing...

[@amykanilia8860]

Love how the meaning of darkness and light can show different phases in a person's life. It's not just good vs evil. It could be reverse too. Love this incredible analysis on catra's current state of mind. She-ra shows there's more to someone than meets the eye.

[@MidnightHours]

Why is everyone here so poetic... but me. I mean LOOK at these comments!

[@5x5Takes]

Midnight Hours we’re all just emo

[@dragonuprising8378]

I wish I could show ever hater/person who has "this show is so predictable" or "The symbolism is so obvious" these videos so that they can at the very least respect the great storytelling ability that She-ra has

[@hlive714]

I've tried. It not easy. At least you get to rewatch the series.

[@NRobbi42]

A lot of people have stock invested in needing the show to be bad. She-Ra's had a target on its back since before it aired, so it's held to impossible standards so people can complain about it.

[@NRobbi42]

@@tomnorton4277 How was Mermista being strong PC? No one ever complained about Suki being stronger than Sokka in Avatar, but now having strong women is pushing an agenda? It's just fiction, man. The idea that there were bounds to be overstepped in the first place is kinda silly.

[@NRobbi42]

@@tomnorton4277 Sure, but I never got the impression that the show was being "too politically correct" I mean, again in Avatar, Sokka literally says "I treated you like a girl instead of treating you like a warrior." That line is more heavy-handed than anything in She-Ra, but since some people go into She-Ra with _certain expectations_ these things happen to stand out more.

[@NRobbi42]

@@tomnorton4277 No, I do get what you're trying to say but... it's a princess magical girl show. It's kind of par for the course.

[@shivangisikri8880]

DAMN that flip of dark and light. Did not see that coming. But you're totally right. And I love your voice.

[@5x5Takes]

Shivangi Sikri HA! thank you, it’s the only one i’ve got. and i love inverted symbolism

[@Blazingstoke]

It also makes total sense, given Catra's various feline characteristics: when cats feel threatened or scared, they will often seek out somewhere dark and secluded for safety.

[@5x5Takes]

Blazingstoke my sweet girl

[@ptsdandadhd4892]

[@5x5Takes]

Eva McKenzie i can see that

[@NRobbi42]

Corridors is such a misunderstood episode. It's frustrating to see how people say it's proof that Catra's nothing more than a bad person, or that her change of heart was "too quick" because they never actually understood her character.

[@5x5Takes]

NRobbi abused teen in addictive spiral of trauma brain =\= person who’s just Mean For the Sake of It. exactly

[@NRobbi42]

@@5x5Takes s1 Catra: Tries to take over Etheria Fans: 😻 s4 Catra: Tries to take over Etheria, but in a mean way. Fans: 😾 I really don't know what people were expecting. Catra unraveling should've been seen coming a mile away. A kid can only take so much. I think what it comes down to is people not knowing how to empathize with characters we're made to despise. Scorpia's the perfect friend and Entrapta doesn't have an ounce of malice in her body, and Catra screws them both over. If you've got a tribalist mindset, you're just not going to care to even attempt to understand what drives Catra's actions at that point. To them, she just "makes bad choices" or simply acts out of spite. This kind of thing happens every time there's a realistic portrayal of a traumatized mentally ill character who isn't just some scrappy underdog you're supposed to root for.

[@eileenbraswell3791]

@@tomnorton4277 Idk if you paid attention, but nobody actually forgave Catra. Why? Because that wasn’t their main focus. Their priority was Horde Prime, so they were too busy for reconciliation. Nobody forgave her in the end, they were just celebrating the end of the war. Now that it’s all over, they can deal with Catra, but we’ll ever get to see that. Idk why people keep jumping to the conclusion that “everyone just forgives her so quickly”, when that clearly wasn’t the case. They had just defeated Horde Prime.

[@hazel8104]

@@eileenbraswell3791 tell ‘em queen

[@ahhhhhh8493]

Okay I'll im saying is I will watch literally every she-ra video you make. These video essays/analysis's are incredibly well made and well spoken.

[@hlive714]

Me too! This is just too brilliant!!!

[@d4xn4v]

same :)

[@wernerviehhauser94]

Change can only be found in the unknown - only down the dark corridor. The bright corridor only means "keep it the same old way".

[@RamdomlyAwesome]

on watching this for the 5th time, i can honestly say my THIRD EYE HAS BEEN OPENED 👁 xx

[@5x5Takes]

Nikjamie fourth

[@justanotherfangirlontheint4084]

To quote one of my favorite lines "We are what we do in the dark."

[@נעםגרינבלט]

I'm getting teary eyed over these videos 😭

[@rafateixeira2097]

"I'm always going to be your friend!"

[@Sailorlyoko4life4ever]

I'm soooooo glad someone other then me sees the importance of that 'light vs dark path' shot we got!!!!! We never really knew which one she actually Physically went down, but the symbolism struck me the very first time I saw it. And I love how you show darkness as something that can be good. It's something I enjoy about Jaden Yuki ( yugioh gx main character) and his power off darkness; it's not nessisarily evil unless you use it that way. Darkness can be soft, gental, and loving. I love your way of describing it as a cuddle. :) And I never thought about how that relation to her and adora only being able to show affection to eachother in the dark, but your right. Also I never noticed how much after corridors she always stuck to the shadowed areas until this video. Great job!!! I love these videos they are so nice to watch! 😁

[@veronicapiccinini1981]

Sometimes darkness is a good friend. It helps me to sleep and it never judges me when I cry alone.

[@fstorms]

Owh woW, this analysis is so in depth and definitely gives us an insight of her character. Just earned yourself a subscriber!! Could you maybe do a character study of Catra in the future ? She gets lots of unnecessary hate. And that's mostly because of the complexity of her character.people can't seem to comprehend her actions.

[@5x5Takes]

Ephemeral Snow perhaps! that said, if people don’t understand, they won’t understand. realistically traumatized characters, esp teens, esp women, are not people we are taught to empathize with.

[@5x5Takes]

Ephemeral Snow though i’ve seen far more love than hate. i think hate is just louder. if you’re interested, there’s another youtube that made an excellent video on her

[@fstorms]

@@5x5Takes Omg waa thanks for replying!, I'll boast with this once you blow up haha. Also yeah, while I do think that the fandom loves our beloved cat girl overall, Now expecially after her redemption. You still sadly come across those ugly comments, putting her in a bad light.branding her as an abuser for scratching Adora when they were literal children and stupid stuff.

[@fstorms]

@@5x5Takes I would love the link for that ! Thank you >

[@5x5Takes]

Ephemeral Snow eh, i wouldn’t pay those comments too much mind. not worth your time

[@catherinecao4810]

Catra always thought she was a passive victim. Now, she’s an active player.

[@constanzaconiglioni3273]

So... darkness as private, comforting, away from all pain and duty, secretive and calm.

[@casterx2312]

wow this was such a great analysis, this has me tearing up (especially when you played the corridors music in the background), this is what I love about shera the symbolism of it and how well Catra's redemption was done in this single episode because she finally recalls the memories of the younger selves of her and Adora and realizes that Adora was always there for her. Thus Catra saving glimmer, makes me cry everytime favourite episode in season 5

[@fernandaterc]

This is one of my favorites episodes in the entire show. It is so contemplative, has some of the most beautiful shots combined with a perfect music and it shows perfectly the turning point of Catra that was being built along the whole show.

[@nikitalachke1808]

Oh man, this show has changed my life and made me find out who I am. Love your videos because these were my exact thoughts! I’m happy more people see the messages of She-Ra like this.

[@Fragile_Media]

You're gonna blow up I can feel it! This video was incredibly well made and has literally just given me the idea to pursue a similar idea with a VG character. Keep these going!!!

[@5x5Takes]

do it!!!! creativity is magic

[@alie7358]

"Not about proving somebody wrong " this phrase is what i was needed long time ago - thank you 😌

[@5x5Takes]

takes time to learn, and often multiple times. you do not need to prove, you just need to be. wishing you well, friend.

[@orionsbonk]

i love this video. it’s concise. it’s meaningful. i love how your voice is soft and yet carries so much weight. thank you for making this

[@TrinityJoy]

When i watched seadon 5 for the first time I recognized how the light was so invasive and cold and when she went down the dark path I felt relief and relief for catra. Rewatching it and knowing how important the whole light thing is with prime i see how stepping into dark is leaving prime and siding with those who do want to be in his control

[@julesenby9286]

it's my favorite ep ❤🤩 Thank you so much for analyzing it 😭 I just love so much the simbolism in She-ra . I think I didn't see another show use so often since Utena , and yet it very rare people analyzing them in She-ra , so this it's one of the reasons I love so much what you are going :)

[@nikitalachke1808]

These videos really help me after I see she-ra haters and people who don’t understand the show on twitter 😂

[@5x5Takes]

Nikita Lachke we don’t all have to like the same stuff. i’m glad u enjoy the show, and the videos ❤️

[@nikitalachke1808]

Five by Five Takes yeah i know. that’s why i try to avoid them

[@azula_in_atophat8364]

I freaking love shera. Shera shows love, health, what abuse is and ect. Ive loved catra always , ive never truly known until now. Steven universe, Shera, Gravity Falls. So many shows have taught me things that will stay with me for everyday life, shows have gone from random episodes that dont have story, to literally so much of showing children stuff in ways of pg but teaching us love, acceptance, dealing with abuse, and growing up so many things that older generations just couldnt do.

[@anemonadodeserto835]

Talvez você não me entenda, ou simplismente não veja meu comentario, porém seus videos são simplismente incrivel, e só me resta agradecer a quem legenda em português pois dá uma imensa possibilidade de pessoas que não entendem muito bem inglês (como eu) ter uma chance de uma nova perspectiva de She-ra. Muito obrigada por isso.

[@5x5Takes]

de nada. e obrigada por seu comentário.

[@user-de5dd4iy7k]

You made me cry in under 5 minutes and honestly? Loved it, would watch again. Really love these videos :)

[@maem7462]

“Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving you will come to a better place.” Uncle Iroh ATLA. That quote describes a Catra’s arc so well. It also describes another arc in ATLA I won’t say who just in case anyone hasn’t seen it but if you’ve seen it you know who I am talking about

[@patriciabristow-johnson5951]

I love how beautifully and concisely this is worded

[@nInOwarrior0312]

Yeah, the lesson "Light is Good and Darkness is bad" is such a cliche Sometimes...Darkness is actually good but in disguise.

[@andij22]

I loved your analysis of this scene! It brings such depth to the episode, wow

[@annisasabrina8259]

Ah, this is such a great analysis! I didn't even wonder about this part until i watched this cuz i'm too busy yearning for catradora ahah. Good job!

[@catsakura407]

Another piece of symbolism is when Catra walks down the dark corridor, when she sees her younger self with a young Adora it's in a little pocket of light in the dark corridor which plays back to their dynamic of 'as long as we stay together everything will be ok'.

[@productionjunction1127]

Honestly never caught just how many corridors Catra was in during the corridors episode. This was a great video and honestly cannot wait to watch more from this channel. Happily subscribed!

[@lizbombplaysXD]

This is great! I also feel like the light is also symbolic of what she knows. Lashing out at others because of her own insecurites and fears of being vulnerable is bad, but it makes her feel safe. She’s done it before, she knows what happens, and the dark is the unknown. However, she enters the unknown because she thinks it may be better than being the bad guy

[@5x5Takes]

Lizbomb Plays a few people have pointed this out and i wholeheartedly agree! good snag

[@lawjiawern5172]

Your analysis is so good omg. Edit : I also wanted to say, great job with the use of the background music

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

Another amazing analysis, Corridors and Safe the Cat are my favorites episodes in this season.

[@5x5Takes]

OOF is there a lot to say on save the cat. hmmmmmm

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

@@5x5Takes PLEASEEEE DO ITTTTTTT XD

[@hlive714]

"Corridors" and "Safe the Cat" are my favorites because it focuses on Catra's side more.

[@fantasticalfox]

the dark could also be a representation in a more traditional sense of the harder path. It would have easy for her to walk away, walk with a light that can make her guide herself to wherever it tells her to go, but by going into the dark, it’s a path that you can’t see, that you must use your own self to navigate, because there’s no one else that can guide you. the dark may be the harder path as in, you make your own choices, but it is also the path that, like you said, claims your own identity

[@hlive714]

You're absolutely right. The Dark path is your own self, your own choices, your own way and, will always, allow you to claim your own Identity.

[@marktaylor6491]

Prime may think he sees all, but the meaning of these memories is something that even he can't touch. If Horde Prime's light is harsh and exposing, we see in the dark those secret pockets reserved just for them. "No its not like any other love. This one's different because it's ours".

[@dercatrix155]

Hadn’t thought of it this way, being someone that’s currently in their s05 Catra arc of life I took it as dark being “the uncomfortable unknown” and light being “the comfortable patterns” that trauma brings. That she chose to go down the path she didn’t know because she recognized that she could no longer handle those trauma responses that helped her survive any longer.

[@petre1758]

"Just temember just how young Catra realy is" OMG I never ever actualy considered it.

[@alicecpassos]

and suddenly.. I'm crying all over again

[@MarinetteDupainCheng-mj1uk]

Name a hero who's happy The she ra fandom: shera/adora

[@sparxstreak02]

Corridors was already 1 of my fav eps from this phenomenal season but this analysis just QUINTUPLED my appreciation on its symbolism & growth of Catra❣️🙏 Thank u 4 this!👏🤩

[@5x5Takes]

sparxstreak02 it’s a great one. super fun to analyze. thank you!

[@sparxstreak02]

Five by Five Takes with analysis like these your channel will THRIVE I just know it! 👌😁

[@etcho0]

I’ve been binge watching these videos they are so informative and really allow a deeper look into the series so ty lol

[@hlive714]

Sorry I completely forgot to mention something more about Catra's behavior before. Fortunately this video was so good I keep coming back to it. You mentioned Catra's guilt but I also think there's a bit of Grief or something like Mourning a loss. I think when Catra sent Entrapta to Beast Island she truly believed that Entrapta had perished and that is why Catra is having dreams of Entrapta with scenes that don't really relate with the real Entrapta's behavior. And when Scorpia suggests bringing her back Catra can't face to find out what became of Entrapta because of her. Also Scorpia just vanishing only reinforces her guilt. Could it be that Entrapta's unknown fate is what caused the all self reflection and self doubt we saw in the scenes when Catra was all alone.

[@RenaRain]

“Beautiful, subversive, and kind.” That is so poignant and it hit me in my soul.

[@hueyluey06]

My most recent watch through i noticed there are A LOT of scenes where the lighting of the scene has Catra in the dark/shadows compared to the rest of the scene. I always thought this was villain framing or to make the audience realize her emotions. But contextualized with corridors, as you framed it, its where she feels safe and the show is highly about Catra just wanting to feel safe and how following that feeling isn't always happy or "in the light" when your viewing it through trauma.

[@ChrisAsHell]

This es my favorite episode of the series... and now this analysis makes it even better

[@ag-dn1vl]

I saw the light corridor as good first, when Catra went in that one to get away from Prime’s clones instead of the dark, she ran into more clones. That’s when I saw it as bad, Prime always says “Come to the light” or something, Prime is symbolized as the light but what is the dark? A hiding place, Adora? Perhaps she chose the light instead of dark because the dark symbolizes the good and well, Adora is a protagonist so she’d be in the dark if we’re going by Prime’s symbolism. Maybe Catra was running from Adora/The right path in corridors because she wasn’t ready to accept her emotions. _a note that i have only watched corridors twice so some of this may be a stretch because i have crap memory_

[@kimcoleeppling8177]

First off, I love this video and it’s amazing. I’ve kinda been binge watching your She-Ra analysis today, and it’s real good stuff. Also fair warning, this comment is kinda just me rambling about the D&D alignment system and the idea of conflict. So I’ve always hated the light good / dark bad idea in media, and to a lesser extent the idea of conflict being always Good vs. Evil in concepts strong enough to use those words as proper nouns. There are definitely a lot of cultures and religions in which dark is not evil, but just a counterpart to light. The Taoist idea of yin and yang is probably the most widely known example, where they don’t represent good and evil, but rather just two different ideas that contradict but coexist at the same time. Whenever there’s some sort of thinking about good and evil, the first thing that always comes to my mind is that that isn’t enough. In D&D, the alignment system expands it into two dimensions by adding law vs. chaos, where law refers to systems, order, and the big picture, while chaos refers to individuals, disorder, and details. There is a tendency, at least in Western culture, to associate law with good and chaos with evil, typically pitting the lawful protagonists who want to maintain peace and order against the chaotic antagonists in it for themselves and nothing more. But in the alignment system, this just isn’t true. A character can be Chaotic, or even Evil, and still very much be the hero who saves everyone in the end. A character can be Lawful Good, the alignment seemingly most inclined to help others, and still be the big bad in the end. While a character’s alignment is a very strong indicator of how they see things and go about their actions, it does not define the role they play. Let’s look at Horde Prime. His end goal is to establish an unending order to promote peace. This sounds on the surface like a good goal. And while he definitely has some selfish intentions, I wouldn’t hesitate to say that he thinks himself morally in the right. To me, Prime isn’t evil; he’s Lawful Neutral. On the opposite side, Entrapta just wants people to care about her. She doesn’t care what’s considered normal, and mostly does her own thing, but she’s largely motivated in the series by a combination of personal curiosity and a desire for others to acknowledge her work. Her end goal wasn’t particularly for one side or the other to win the war, but for personal satisfaction. I consider her Chaotic Neutral. But despite neither of these two being of Good or Evil alignments, anyone who’s seen the entire show will agree that Entrapta is a protagonist (one of the “good guys”) and Prime is an antagonist (one of the “bad guys”). I can’t think of any evil-aligned protagonists or good-aligned antagonists in She-Ra, but the best examples I can think of would be Liliana Vess from Magic: the Gathering for the former and (spoilers for volume 7 so I’ll make it opaque) that one guy in RWBY who shoots a child in the face in volume 7 ([REDACTED] is what my friends call me) for the latter. Conflict doesn’t have to be about good against evil; I’d argue that She-Ra’s conflict is largely about Law vs. Chaos, with the protagonists on the Chaos side. Both the literally 2 people who stay antagonists (Prime and Light Hope) believe they’re helping others and are overall Lawful Neutral, while the protagonists fight for their freedom, individuality, and ability to make their own decisions. Despite common perception of the protagonists’ goals as good things, they’re associated not with Good, but with Chaos. Another Law vs. Chaos conflict is in Captain America: Civil War, in which the main conflict for much of the movie is that one side wants a regulatory law and the other does not. But neither a difference in alignment nor even an alignment in general is needed for conflict. Take Earth’s history, for example. Most wars on Earth before the past couple centuries boil down to some combination of “I think my religion is better than yours” and “I want your stuff”. When two nations fought, it was over who was in charge or how they prayed, with frequently no significant moral or ethical disagreement. In She-Ra, Light Hope and Horde Prime are both Lawful Neutral, but either would jump at the opportunity to destroy the other. On the opposite side, people with drastically different moral/ethical philosophies can cooperate, and do so all the time. In She-Ra, for example, Season 5 has Adora (CG), Glimmer (LG), Entrapta (CN), Shadow Weaver (NE), and Wrong Hordak (LN), among others, working together to stop Horde Prime (and also Light Hope). Conflict isn’t about differing ideals, but rather differing goals. The protagonists might not agree on what action to take in any given scenario, but they all want Prime defeated and are willing to cooperate to achieve that. Going back to light and dark, ever since I first saw the D&D alignment system, I’ve always associated light with Law and dark with Chaos. Dark lets you hide things, gives you privacy and safety, but Light lays things bare to be seen by all. Light brings people together in the day, and builds a community of familiar faces while Dark isolates and separates in miscommunication. The light is what Catra knows, what’s familiar, while the dark is taking a risk, embracing her individuality, and jumping into the unknown. Even with complicated things like love, there’s the Light aspect of trust, openness, and respect, but there’s also affection, compassion, and security, which lean closer to Dark. And while some of these are my own associations with light and darkness, they largely fall closer towards Law and Chaos. To me, the “good light vs. evil darkness” idea comes from looking at morality on a one-dimensional scale, where law is good and chaos is bad. If I had to pick between what I associate with each, I would pick darkness. I don’t think darkness is any more good than light, just as I don’t see it the other way around either. I just happen to align myself more with chaos and the other values I ascribe to darkness than those I ascribe to light. To me, if Catra chooses the dark corridor, she’s not choosing Good. She’s choosing freedom. TL;DR join the dark side, we have individuality, freedom, and huddling under the blankets with a hot cup of tea on a rainy morning to rewatch a show that your mother insists is only for little kids.

[@karlaewe4294]

i thought it also could be that the light one leads to the portal and the dark one to the cells, so if she choose the light one, she choose to save herself and be "free" (that is the light of an exit) , but if she choose the dark one, she choose to save glimmer and sacrife herself (or staying in the dark she feels and of all the things would happend to her for helping)

[@TheRonanSchuck]

She chose the dark, as in facing all bad stuff she has done, instead of the light, where she's justified and right

[@ms.braveheart5171]

Ima just... sit here and cry

[@asteria3374]

I can't even think about this series without crying and you only make it worse,thank you 🥰

[@fuumiku]

Catra seeked to be in people of power's good graces for safety, hence prime's light and the corridor, by choosing the dark corridor, yes she's choosing the one that seems less safe, but in it is where her and the ones she cares about can reunite and look out for each other. Some risks are worth taking.

[@izzypaige07]

I love your She Ra videos because it gives me a whole new perspective when I watch the show again.

[@evelynrobinson3573]

The dark could also represent that healing from trauma, requires you to delve into it, to explore what hurt you, rather than running to a candle in the dark only for it to go out and to seek another, again and again, what she really needed to do, was embrace the dark feelings, accept them, and come out shining all by herself.

[@jacquesy2520]

Whatever the symbolism, this episode is just so good. Loved it in every possible way.

[@Mimi-cb8ph]

Your videos always slap and give me insight to these episodes, thank you 😌💕

[@5x5Takes]

Mimi Ortizzle bro thank you so much! these episodes slap so it makes it easy

[@ruthbentolila1046]

I love your SheRa videos! Keep up the amazing work❤️

[@kellynanea9948]

The line “I’m always gonna be your friend” kills me every time

[@smoorhouse728]

love how into detail you go into this and it's so cool but I love your voice honestly it's audio book quality

[@loony3822]

Okay, I am now crying.

[@marthametaxa6160]

Incredible video, it was so interesting and I love the way you digged for deeper meanings. You have my subscription!❤️

[@rubsteroni]

These videos got me into watching the show. The first time I watched it, I loved it but it never hit me hard emotionally, but I decided to come back to it, learn the soundtrack, really pay attention to the meaning and the situations. I can't watch these without shivers being sent down my spine constantly. I love She-Ra so much. These videos are amazing, and thank you for making me learn and love this show.