red cats

Because when we really think about it, Dovewing really set a precedent for forbidden romances that has never really been done, per se? Sure, Oakheart suggested doing something similar in Bluestar’s prophecy, but since then, most forbidden romances have just pined aimlessly for each other, or straight up just decided that this relationship they were risking everything for wasn’t worth it in the end. But Dovewing ultimately deciding that she’d just straight up join ShadowClan? That was iconic.

Honestly what I think I respect the most is that she doesn’t agonize over it when she makes the decision to return to the Clans but keep her family together. I mean she wasn’t really receiving the best treatment in ThunderClan anyway, I mean we’re really gonna sit here and act like Ivypool wasn’t being icy and vindictive towards her just because Tigerheart had come into the picture? She was already under suspicion from her Clanmates for that relationship, and honestly, the treatment her children would have received in ThunderClan was super apparent by how frosty the Clan was towards the kits when she returned, and this was even before they knew she was there to say goodbye.

She has no ambitions for leadership to keep her in ThunderClan, and her strongest tie (Ivypool) has already been severed, and ShadowClan’s population is practically 10 cats max, while ThunderClan is sitting pretty at 50+; ShadowClan needs her and her kits more than ThunderClan does. So she leaves with Tigerheartstar. Totally fair, and it makes perfect sense. And on top of that? She DEVOTES herself to her new Clan and Clanmates, and becomes a respected cat in ShadowClan which puts her in a way better position than she was in prior, as ThunderClan liked to conveniently forget that she legitimately helped save all the Clans in the Great Battle just a few seasons before.

And can we talk about how sweet they are with each other? Look after seeing the disrespect that the Erins did to Bramblesquirrel in Bramblestar’s Storm and Squirrelflight’s Hope, it is so nice to see just a loving, functional relationship. Tigerheartstar takes her thoughts and feelings into consideration in most everything he does, and she advises him on clan matters arguably more that Cloverfoot, his deputy, does. She genuinely cares for and loves her new Clanmates and doesn’t feel conflicted or divided by her old allegiance in ThunderClan, like she legitimately is a ShadowClan cat now, and I LOVE that. I mean honestly? We could have had that with Graystripe, and we got a taste of it with Finleap, although he did significantly more complaining about it. But Dovewing straight up switching Clans and just truly settling in and supporting her new Clan? Iconic.

And don’t even get me started on how they parent. They are so active and involved, they with how much they care about their children and what loving, supportive parents they are. They would move StarClan and earth for their kits, and it shows. Their kits come to them for advice, they comfort their children when they are sick or hurt, they were distraught when Shadowsight went missing, and would not accept that he had died, and even when their faith wavered and it was suggested he was murdered, they still supported each other through a really traumatic time. What other set of parents had been shown to do that on screen?? Firestar and Sandstorm? Maybe? But really no one else. Contrast that with Ivypool and Fernsong who’ve really just left their kits to fend for themselves. Bristlefrost is hated by her Clan on the basis they think she’s doing the wrong thing? Not a peep from her parents. Not even from Ivypool. IVYPOOL, who was manipulated by Hawkfrost, who knows what it’s like to act as a spy, not even a peep, she couldn’t care less. It’s obviously a product of bad writing, but still. And then Flipclaw is decreed medicin cat against his wishes, and they kind of stand by. Even Lionblaze meant to protect Spotfur when she got in trouble, and yet, Ivypool and Fernsong do nothing. At all. But I digress.