it's the symbolism, sister

1) The show is always very critical of dismissed intentions.

Whether it's Rayla being Ghosted (only for Ethari, "so i know you did not betray them out of malice, but that doesn't matter," to deeply regret and atone for it), or Leola's trial ("this act, however motivated, is the beginning of the end"), not considering WHY a person is doing something is seen as a roadblock to understanding and forgiveness. This is why Rayla pushes Callum on WHY he'd do dark magic again in 6x03, this is why Soren and Claudia's refusal to engage with the other person's viewpoint at all is so intensive, why rather than being reactive and angry in 4x03 (like Soren) over the defaced painting Ez instead comes from a place of empathy, and why the 1-2 times Karim is right it's about "you must show that you understand their anger (aka why they're angry)". This all comes back to Harrow's advice (our most consistent thematic underpinning being his letter): "You must free yourself from the past. Learn from it, understand it, and let it go." The show both consciously and unconsciously demands us to understand why characters are doing things by giving them understandable reasons, even if the actions they take are often flawed (this is true for the entire main cast) and Not Understanding someone (Viren overruling Lissa, Viren & Soren, Claudia w/ King Harrow in s1, Rayla & Callum growing to understand each other better, etc etc) is what causes all the relationship breakdowns in communication/aid.

This is particularly seen in 1x01 using Ziard's dark magic use to be our initial "dark magic is (always, unconditionally) evil and scary" only to steadily strip that away over each season (particularly S5-S7) and in 3x01, wherein we as the audience realize that Ziard's context / intentions and movations were intentionally withheld from us, only to be seen as pretty damn reasonable if not heroic.

Therefore, the show letting the audience understand Aaravos as much as we do (even if we don't understand everything) is critical and crucial and very on par, even if the main characters are still playing catchup.

2) My base assumption was always that the main trio were going to grow to understand Aaravos and the Cosmic Council, while also learning/becoming Better than them, was because first they were going to Become them.

S7 did a Ton of ground work in this in particular, given that Ezran has his journey of forgiving Runaan somewhat because -- unlike in the beginning of the season -- by the end he's Become Runaan, willing to kill (assassinate) someone. We also know thanks to S7 that the Archdragons and First Elves used to have conflict while having a season of set up for Ezran and/or Aanya's brother (first elf stand ins) to have conflict with the dragons / Zym in future seasons once project ruby fire starts going off the rails.

Callum also had a very explicit arc in this way. In a lot of ways arc 2 was seeing how he could become like Viren, down to using/acquiring the staff. The other undercurrent throughout arc 2 (particularly S7) was how he could become Aaravos. This is evident through his possesion of the cube, the Book of Destiny / Primal Book just as a Concept, and him becoming a primal mage who ALSO uses dark magic + an Archmage™️ in arc 3. Callum is already on the road path to becoming / being like / understanding Aaravos ("Callum sees the world as I do, understands the need for compromise") and carries all the thematic weight of Being The Thing that Leola was executed over.

Additionally, the main characters (thanks to their political & magic power) are going to get to decide things like who has what / be judge jury executioner (a la the Cosmic Council) / what mercy is. S7 also pushed them more into these roles and these choices more than ever, of the choices you can make when you're scared or sad or angry, and the harm/consequences they can cause.

They'll understand them by becoming them and then progressing past them ("their fear, the Great Unravelling" / "i had to work to unravel all the hatred of my upbringing" / "in mercy, in compassion" / "sometimes the line between mercy and cruelty can be thin" / "evrkynd, a place where we will always be kind to one another") by unifying the magics / peoples / the land in a Better Restoration compared to what it had ever been in the olden times (a la Soren & Viren both having restoration arcs of becoming better versions of the roles they started out in as crownguard and high mage, etc.)

Like to me we are very much Well on our own on all fronts, with plenty of arc 2 providing set up / introducing ideas and complications so that arc 3 can bring it all home

"this is justice! the humans attacked us unprovoked" never being true and that's the whole Point understanding/seeing yourself in your enemy is amaya's entire character arc ("she was callous, she was cruel. and in truth so was i." / "you know who you sound like?" "who?" "me" / "i understand you, karim.") and like. s7 was a massive neon sign of "we're getting there w/ Aaravos & the Cosmic Council" flashing at me every episode

even arc 3 being set up to interrogate the ethics of abandonment/isolationism with the Cosmic Council just dipping ("Callum, I know my leaving hurt you" / "She left us. She left" / "take your people, and build your own future far away from here") when exile/isolationism has always been a Huge problem for Xadia culturally to begin with like. we're so There

like the main trio is acting very harrow in him and sarai's convo about the magma titan and i Believe in them bc basically every time i've gone "huh idk what that's about / that thread is going" (lissa leaving the fam, ezran being so passive in s1/s2 with decision making, the archdragons not just killing aaravos and imprisoning him instead, the sun-moon emphasis in early seasons, the 2x08 dream foreshadwing, etc) tdp has taken me by the hand and gone "oh it's on purpose hun don't worry" and kissed my forehead

Arc 1 Rayla as Leola: innocent child, sparing/befriending humans out of compassion, punished for it, and helping Callum learn magic. Matching braids. Runaan and Aaravos deciding they'll pay the price for her mistake, but neither are fully allowed to (Runaan comes closer, though). Belief that you can and should help/love everyone.

Arc 2 Rayla as the Cosmic Council: believing that certain sacrifices must be made because you cannot save everyone (4x05, 7x09) and choosing who lives and dies (6x09, 7x09). Disrupted and removed from family / your world and kin by your own choices. Longed for in absence, awaited by humanity, finally embraced in a brilliant light. Believing you cannot win and simply have to mitigate damage. Inherently more passive and independent, withdrawing deeper into those who think like you (Callum since he's changed, the Silvergrove, etc).

Kpp'Ar looked around curiously, then blinked at him in a perfect show of innocent confusion. "What is what?"

"You know what I mean. That, on your hands."

They both turned their attention to the extremities in question. As usual, Kpp'Ar's hands rested loosely on the handle of his ostentatious cane. Significantly less usual was the glossy, near-black plum color of his short fingernails.

"Oh, that." Kpp'Ar raised one hand to examine his fingertips, first close to his face, then at arms' length. "Your daughter's handiwork. She insisted the color would be 'so pretty,' and I certainly wasn't going to attempt debating the point with her. Would you?"

Viren chose to interpret the question as rhetorical. The polish was indeed a color he recalled seeing Lissa wear a time or two, and applied in a wobbly, haphazard manner that suggested an abundance of enthusiasm compensating for a distinct lack of expertise. It seemed Claudia, in her typical fashion, had picked up a new hobby and was eager to practice on anyone and everyone she could convince to allow it. Unfortunately, she could be very persuasive.

"Are you going to meet with the Council like that?" he asked, already dreading the answer.

"I don't see why not. After all, she was right: it is pretty."

"It's ridiculous. You're high mage, for heavens' sake."

"For now." A thin, knowing smile crossed Kpp'Ar's lips. "I'm sure Claudia will be thrilled to paint your nails in whatever color you like, once the title passes to you."

"I doubt I'll get much choice in the matter." Viren sighed, half in exasperation and half in defeat. "At least she has some time to master the art, first."

SO HE GAVE US MAGIC.

General Amaya, I am sorry for what happened in the throne room. You helped me see the truth. And why was that so hard? I was blinded by my abiding love of our kingdom and humanity itself. Guard, fetch a stable boy, quickly. I've encountered a giant pile of bull... droppings. The princes come first. Finding them is absolutely the top priority of the kingdom of Katolis. Good. You see it my way.

My daughter!! I love Claudia, she is the most adorable kid on TDP!

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