#2002he-man

Many think this incarnation of Hordak, would be shown as evil as his MOTUC or even DC counterparts...but would that be the case?

There are some hints that he would have some redeeming qualities, like his 80s counterparts. For example, he didn't want to destroy Eternia in ancient times, hence he himself stopped his Spell of Separation, as opposed to his MOTUC counterpart, that didn't have such calms.

There us his infamous murder of Calix after he gave sound advice…there might had been more to it. In 2002 at He-Man.org, the fans could post questions to Story Editor and Writer for the animated He-Man series; Dean Stefan. One of the questions to him was:

Q: Is there a connection between Hordak and Zodak? (This was suggested somewhere before the 2k2 series)

A: Their names both end in "dak." Food for thought.

Suggesting there indeed was a connection. The DC comics in turn, made Zodac Hordac's brother (though they are both there sons of Horde Prime).

It's possible this was an re-used unused idea from the 200X series.

(It's also interesting there seems to be suggestion there was a connection between Hordak and Zodac in 80s lore, but I couldn't find it - yet.)

But this would mean Zeelahr is also Hordak's brother...the same guy King Hiss devoured alive. Which possibly did affect Hordak emotionally, hence he first focused on defeating and banishing King Hiss and the Snake Men, if at cost of his forces.

Calix bringing this up their loses to Hordak and saying they should wait possibly pissed of Hordak immensely. It's also possible Hordak blamed Grayskull's forces and allies for Zeelahr's death (and "turning" him and Zodak against him), as well as possibly thinking he sacrificed to much to to stop or slow down now.

While his turning of Keldor into Skeletor was cruel it's still is kinda pragmatic - Skeletor is now bound to him, stronger and no longer had any doubts that had before when going against his brother and his allies.