#voltron commentary

Compare that to this shot of their videocall from a later episode:

Coming into this season was always going to be difficult after the emotional highs of s5 and s6. S5 left with Keith reuniting with Krolia and Allura connecting with Lotor. Then, of course, S6 was incredibly intense emotionally with Allura and Lotor’s kiss, the revelation of Lotor’s betrayal, Keith fighting for Shiro’s life, Shiro dying (Shiro dying), and finally the battle against Lotor in the Sincline ship. Each of these plot points were extremely personal for the Paladins. 

They started off alright by showing Shiro and Keith’s relationship at the Garrison, which filled in some gaps from the Black Paladins episode. New revelations were revealed about the characters--Keith’s firecracker attitude to Shiro’s health to Shiro’s sexuality. All emotional for the characters. 

Then came the siege on Earth--particularly the Last Stand episodes. So far, the other episodes focused on our main characters, but these were some of the first episodes of the series not to feature the paladins in the main plot. Not even in the b plot. So, at least for me, these episodes felt distant, like I wasn’t watching the Voltron I knew. When the Team finally joins with the people from Earth, the Ares crew and the commanders are still heavily featured (I really like the Ares crew! They are all unique!), however, that takes away screen time from the Paladins’ relationships between themselves and their families. There also was not a lot of screen time about the Paladins’ time on Earth. Fortunately, we got to see Hunk’s connection with his family (FINALLY HUNK DEVELOPMENT), but it would have made for a stronger connection to Earth had we seen it through the others’ perspectives (I would’ve liked to see Lance’s perspective) (I would’ve also liked to see one normal fun--beach?--episode on Earth with the Paladins and Allura before the Galra invaded). Unfortunately, the focus on the new characters and the other pilots makes the battle for Earth feel less personal. Voltron doesn’t even lead the fight until much later in the season, unlike many of the episodes previously. 

This battle over Earth was always going to happen, and it has been set up since season 1 that Sendak was going to be the one to invade Earth. But for the most part, the Paladins didn’t fight with him. Not one on one. Until Shiro finally faced him. I would’ve liked to see Shiro overcome Sendak, or at least have more of the team face him like in the first season. They each had personal beef with him. 

Off to Altean fairy tale land!

Meanwhile, none of them realize what Keith just found out . . . .

Space graveyard, everyone.

Looks like DnD episode isn’t going to happen this time.

I wonder if Alteans are hiding out at the fairy tale land.

As much as I am suspicious about Lotor, I don’t think he’s really sending her to her death here . . . .

Let’s jump right into this white hole.

Look, there’s the lion!  I guess it’s not what we were expecting . . .

Altean marks . . . . On Lotor.

The white lion was definitely not what anyone was expecting.

Poor Coran.

lol. The white lion ate them.

“I can’t remember it.” THAT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT SHIRO.

YOU AREN’T YOURSELF.  YOU’RE NOT SHIRO.  WE’VE SAID THIS FROM THE START.

It’s almost like the paladins and crew forgot about Keith.

Just keep following the lion.  You’ll be fine

THE STATUES ATTACK.

Pretty sure Lotor’s hair is glowing.

“I will gain your secrets!” Why does that concern me?  This concerns me.

“The secret is already within you.” You saying she came all this way for that?

You worry me Lotor.  there’s something about that.

Of course she’s spying using Shirp.

Ohp.  You just led the witch there.  Nice job folks.