Shiro’s
Escape
Now, the
whole team is finally back together moving in a more plot-connected
direction. In the process, we start so
see even more depths to the antagonizing forces. I said before the Galra Empire consist of
boring and interchangeable antagonists, all having monstrous designs and thinking
seriously. However, Prorok sounding scared of Zarkon and Haggar’s interrogations gave a little depth to the Empire,
showing that they might not all think as alike.
This trend continues here.
While recovering
from his Galra wound, Shiro relives a memory of how he escaped from prison. It was one of Zarkon’s own
followers named Ulaz who got him out and prompted him to return to Earth and
find the blue lion. So not only did Ulaz
personally help Shiro, but he also started our heroes’ entire mission which suggests
depths of the Galra’s morality. From the
coordinates picked up from his artificial hand, Shiro urges the team to follow
them to track down Ulaz, believing he can help defeat their enemies. There’s a believable feeling of distrust from
the rest of the team. It can be hard to
imagine good from an alien race known for conquering planets, and it makes sense
for Allura to mistrust Ulaz the most since the race he’s a part of destroyed
her home. Then again, she DID withhold
important information that Shiro’s black lion once belonged to Zarkon, which
shows she has no say for judgements, so the decision is made to follow the
coordinates.
They end up in a field of
crystal clusters where a strange intruder enters the castle ship. After an exciting action sequence of the
Paladins pursuing him with a lively commentary from Coran, he’s recognized as
Ulaz. From there, the Paladins take the
time to learn more about Ulaz which offers more proof that not everyone from
the Galra Empire is a heartless conqueror.
In fact, Ulaz is part of a secret group called the Blade of Marmora
which resists all rule of Zarkon. With
this information, it helps one to respect the opposing force more especially
when Ulaz gives huge support to the Paladins in many ways from showing them a
major communication hub for the organization to offering to help Pidge find her
family.
While it seems that Ulaz is a
loyal source of healp, Allura is not easily moved given that he’s still Galra,
and when a Robeast finds the Paladins, it’s not too far-fetched that Ulaz may
have given Zarkon their coordinates.
Even an earlier scene of him and Haggar locking onto them doesn’t rule
out the possibility. In other words,
there’s a believable reason to have some doubts in him. However, in an exciting battle with the
Robeast which sucks up everything in sight, even things as big as the castle,
when things look hopeless, Ulaz proves that he was loyal after all. He makes the ultimate move to defeat the
Robeast by letting it suck him up, and he destroys it from the inside,
sacrificing himself. Such a drastic move
finalizes the idea of the Galra Empire having actual depth, although the wounds
of their actions are still felt with Allura still feeling Ulaz was the reason
Zarkon found the Paladins.
As you can
see, when all is said and done, there are many impactful aspects along with the
believable depth of the antagonist side.
There’s a reveal of a whole resistance to Zarkon, buildup to plot
threads of the Paladins trying to find them as soon as they find out how Zarkon
keeps finding them, and a genuine emotional aspect from Ulaz’s sacrifice. It’s an episode that enhances the story in
many great ways, allowing the series to truly reach its full potential. 10/10
The Ranking
- Shiro’s Escape
- Across the Universe
- The Depths
The next Voltron: Legendary Defender review follows Pidge learning that there's more to life than technical stuff during a mission to the planet Olkarion.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is one of the greatest Steven Universe episodes, "Sworn to the Sword."
If you want to stay updated for more reviews, become a follower of this blog, click here to like the official Facebook page, and click here to follow me on Twitter.
If you would like to check out other Voltron: Legendary Defender reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment