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Can I pop off about Catradora?
One of the most annoying defenses of Catra's behavior is that the people who like her headcanon her as having Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD and use that to excuse her terrible actions throughout the show. There's a huge problem with using this to excuse Catra's actions.
One, you're basically implying that people with mental illnesses/disorders should not be held accountable for the negative actions that they take. Two, you're pushing the ableist idea that people with BPD are abusive monsters, which is really disheartening to hear.
Another defense that I hear for Catra's behavior that the reason she acts the way she does, is because of the environment that she grew up in. Yes, the environment one grows up in does play a factor in how we view the world and treat others, but this should not be levied as 1/2
an excuse for people's actions.
Furthermore, Catra reminds many people of their abusers, and a character that is intended as a positive representation for lesbians in a children's show should not remind people of the actions of their abusers.
But enough talking, I let me get to the point that I actually wanted to talk about. I believe that making Catradora canon actually screws up the themes of She Ra.
In She Ra there are many characters who represent abusive archetypes.
For example, Shadow Weaver is the emotionally abusive mother archetype, and Horde Prime is religious abuse.
Throughout the show, both of these characters are explicitly shown to be abusive. Horde Prime even cuts Catra's hair without her permission and takes away her free will.
However, actions taken by Catra, such as beating the crap out of Adora, emotionally abusing Kyle and Scorpia are either never addressed, or played for laughs.
One argument that I hear for Catradora is that the relationship between Catra and Adora is that their relationship is basically them healing from their abuse growing up. The thing is Catra also contributed to Adora's abuse growing up, such as beating her up.
Here's a hot take, I think if Catra didn't try and destroy reality, she could be redeemed, but not necessarily in a relationship with Adora.
I think that the best way for She Ra to end is to have Adora be in a relationship with another girl, and have Catra actively fix the problems she causes.
