Mara definitely was one of the best parts of She-Ra. Shame we don’t have more about her as a character even though we got enough to know what she’s like but still. Would love to see a prequel comic series on Mara and her adventures.
The scene where Razz put the pie on Mara's seat made me cry. The idea that Razz couldn't finish collecting ingredients for the pie with Mara before she had to sacrifice herself, and then left the finished pie there as an ode to her, what she stood for and the connection they shared broke my heart. Mara's story isn't talked about enough and it's moments in the show with her like that, or the recording with her giving Light Hope flowers that shows how special she was as a character.
No one talks about Mara more than as she-ras predecessor, but most of the scenes I cried about where about mara! Maras story is so much more than her story told, she was forgotten, only to be remembered as a crazy person, but she is so much more. She was... mara...
Mara deserves to be remembered as much as all the other characters seeing how she sacrificed her own life to save countless others, of a planet that wasn't hers, renouncing to her own happyness and her chance to love, ultimatly having to fight her own love only to loose it forever
Anyone else a little annoyed that for all the time we put up with Swift Wind (whom I liked, but he's still a lot) we never got anytime with Mara's *dragon.*
Did she have a dragon tho? There were many She-Ras before her and Adora and the First ones don't seem like the kind of people who would let her have a dragon. The only scenario where I can see her having one is if she tamed one with Razz
@@NightWatchersPet In the ep ''Reunion'' (season 2 ep 7) Adora sees She Ra on a dragon and yells ''I wish I had a dragon!'' A shot of a dead dragon is later seen in the ''Beast Island'' episode where they rest after finding Micah (Season 4 ep 11) People theorise that this dragon belonged to Mara
Personally I think what the "dragon" the pottery was actually referring to was her spaceship. With She-ra becoming a near mythological figure, it's definitely possible that time muddled away the accuracy, leading to Mara's old steed being seen as a sleek, black dragon.
I think the best thing about Mara is that her story teaches us that those in power will write a narrative that misleads us about what really happened in the past. Adora was led to believe that Mara was a screwup who screwed up Etheria, and it’s Adora’s purpose to correct Mara’s mistakes. Adora leaves from Razz and Mara herself that this wasn’t true. The truth gives Adora the choice to either continue to be a tool of the First Ones, or like Mara set her own course to do the right thing. That’s Adora’s story, learning the truth and choosing to do the right thing, whether it’s to leave the Horde or not follow the plan the First Ones set for her. Like Adora and Mara we are sometimes forced to find out the truth, and decide whether we’ll go along with the program or try to do the right thing.
This!! I also love how Adora has to reject two different destinies. She learns that the Horde is wrong and so she abandons that life in a move of courage. But she doesn't really learn to accept her agency there - she just trades one master for another. In the absence of the Horde and Shadow Weaver's guidance, she latches on to the next guide she finds - Light Hope and the first ones. That scene in s5 when she speaks to She-Ra across the portal is soooo meaningful to me, because that is when she realizes that she has always been relying on others to decide her destiny. Watching Adora reclaim her agency from the grip of others' expectations gives me hope that I can do the same.
I don't remember crying so hard with any other part of the show as hard as I cried with the that goddamn pie. Mara's history is so tragic yet so important
Mara is such a sad figure. So lonely she practically fell in love with a hologram - who ultimately betrayed her. She literally gave her life to save Etheria, with no one there to have her back. And what's the last thing she does in the entire show? Delivers that devastating line: "You're worth more than what you can give to other people."
"You are worth more than what you can give other people." Just a simple line yet such a refreshing change from all the other narratives that tout the same old philosophy that a hero needs to be all-sacrificing for the sake of the greater good.
Yeah, it’s like an analogy for life. People who you don’t see or know about still do amazing things and cause great impact on the world and other people’s lives. It’s common for people to hesitate about doing something difficult or dangerous because of the idea “what’s the point in doing it when you don’t even know if it will help or know the people who you’re trying to help?” Trying to do the right thing seems like a fruitless endeavor, but Mara’s story shows us that our actions Do matter and can change things for the better in the future, even if we’re not there to see it. And the possibility of a better future is something even worth dying for.
@@5x5Takes Yeah... The Horde training theme as slowed down version in Princess Prom, the mirrored imagery over the Promise theme in the scene where Catra cuts of Adora and then in the end when she reaches out to her, the way the Light Spinner and magic themes are interwoven...
@@5x5Takes I need to do a full music-focused watch where I'm taking notes, transcribing themes, writing out timestamps, detailing what's going on in the scene, etc. -- I started one I think two watches ago, lol, but it never went anywhere beyond the first few episodes. I want more moments like I had watching this, realizing Mara is present in some of the final moments of the show, and I want them to WRECK. ME.
I would SO love to see a Mara Prequel. Seeing her backstory, the first ones entirely, and maybe even Horde Prime's origin. We got glimpses but there is SO much more
If you're up for old lore, the story's already there. Horde Prime was born Anilis Kur, eldest son of Emperor Seferus Kur. He betrayed his father and brother, Hektor, and usurped the Horde Empire.
I've seen a lot of people say "Mara never wanted to be a hero." But i don't think that's true. Mara was told she would be a hero and save her people and believed it, accepted it and wanted to save her people. She didn't know she wasn't actually going to be a hero. She didn't know she was going to be used as a weapon. Mara wanted to be a hero. Mara was a hero. Mara left a strong impact on the world. Mara wanted to save her people and live on this world in peace, but that wasn't The First Ones plan. Once Mara found out about this she decided to stop them. Mara by choosing what she chose become the hero she thought she would be. She just didn't save the people she thought she was going to save. Edit; I think Mara should have some of the credit of saving the world.
Very true, a very good point. There’s a difference between sacrifice for what’s important to you, and allowing yourself to be sacrificed. You bring up a good point about Mara being on Etheria in the first place was because she Chose to go there thinking she was doing good. Mara isn’t a slave or child soldier like Adora or Catra. Mara didn’t want to die, and of course that matters and is important, but it doesn’t make her death inglorious or not a noble one. Caring about yourself is important, but that means different things for different people. To Mara, living her life allowing the evil deeds of her people in weaponizing Etheria was something she couldn’t allow. She could have just followed orders and lived the rest of her life peacefully, but she chose to fight and do the right thing. Fighting for something means you’ll get hurt and might lose, but some things are worth that price.
"For the honor of greyskull" not being an on-switch for the sword, but an ode to a group of people whos last act was to try and help works great as well, because what better way to access the power of love than to bring an ode to those who tried to help others from a feeling of love?
Your take on legacy is beautiful! Legacy isn't necessarily something that the show focuses on by name but the way we affect each other and our actions leave ripples is definitely present throughout the show. If Glimmer hadn't said the right thing at the right time to Catra, would she have done that "one good thing"? The princess alliance happened because the Best Friend Squad showed time and again that they were willing to do the right thing for Etheria regardless of their own gain or getting any credit. I've been trying to figure out why I'm so taken with Mara in this show and you've put all that into words perfectly!
Mara's speech towards the end of the show when Adora wanted to sacrifice herself for the greater good and she was telling Adora that she deserves to live too is so so damn important and it made me cry
Even if she wasn't one of the main characters of the whole series, she's one of my favorites. Her close relationship with Light Hope was unexpected yet so heartwarming, she made her more human.
oh jeez crying at 1:00 PM on a wednesday was not what i was looking for but i am extremely glad it's happening,,,, i Adore this so much both because i am equally insufferable about existentialism but also just because AH it is ,,, sO good and the "however the mandate of her superiors has tried to extinguish it, mara's humanity is in everything she's touched" is Rattling around my gay little brain thanks for that
The episode when Raz reveal the WHOLE backstory of Mara.....easily is top 3 saddens episodes I have ever watch. along with Tales of Ba Sing Se. the whole Mara story is a tragedy, but one that led to a legacy of happiness, so yeah.....I think Mara will defined be proud of that. Another excellent essay on She-Ra, man this show is so great, please never stop making She-Ra essays, love then so much.
you are the reason why i watched she ra and let me tell you that your talent in narrating is off limits. I wish you very beautiful gay love from spain 🥰🏳️🌈💕
I love the serendipity of Razz. If it hadn’t have been for Razz bumping around in time and confusing Adora and Mara, Mara would have never known about Adora. And without Mara’s advice for Adora, the whole plan would have failed.
Ok, first Mara is REALLY pretty 😍! Second, I was surprised that she turned out to be such a generous soul after being described as "crazy" so many times! She's definitely one of the best parts of She-Ra!
Mara was a great character. Someone who, at first, I never gave much thought to. But by the end I cared for her so much that it ached to know what she went through 😟
Every now and then, a story comes along that doesn't just entertain: it holds up a mirror to our humanity and helps us connect with our deepest, most noble qualities. She-Ra's writers understood this. This isn't just another shallow, transient, kids' animated series; it's right up there with His Dark Materials, Lord of the Rings, and other universally beloved classics - and for damn good reasons. I adore (ba dum tss) these video essays you've put together and all the incredible analysis you've explored in them. Bravo!
I think an analysis on madame razz would be the next natural extension of this. Razz, being the connection between Mara and Adora, living in both past and future, being the one who shows the lies of light hope and gives adora the initial link to her predecessor. Her weird timespanning perception, living in past and present, is a really great narrative devoce that I've yet to see anyone analyse, and I can personally think of no better channel than this one to do it. If you read this, Five by Five, I'd love if u could make this happen. And if not, i look forward to what you have next just as eagerly
dude i LOVE these character analysis type videos so much. The way everything you say just fits together like a puzzle and it all feels so thought out and complex,, just **chef's kiss** love ittt
That pie, that beautiful, sweet and sad pie always make me cry. I just want to thank you for the video, you did an excelent job with it. Mara is my favorite caracter, even with the little time we had with her, Mara was a caracter thar affect the live of all people in etheria, directly or not, and was defined by her love to all and the way she treated all. Mara was a true Hero. Was a hero defined by her heart and compassion. That's what at the end safe all.
Gosh you just nailed it, again. There is no glory in sacrifice. You are worth more than what you can give to other people. Purpose is something you create for yourself. Oooh. *chef’s kiss* I’ve always loved how the show played with and ultimately subverted the idea of destiny, but you put all that into words so beautifully it gives me chills. I love this show so much, and you are somehow able to make me love it even more. Thanks for sharing.
This channel and show have the incredible ability to make me tear up over stuff that I completely glossed over or failed to recognize the depth of before.
What a way to make Adora receive unconditional love. Mara would have never known who Adora was, what she was like, what kind of hero she would be. Adora kinda swears her life to Mara's legacy through all its changes as the story progresses (to She-Ra), but the message - the WISH Mara had for Adora wasn't that Adora be her, but that Adora would be ADORA. Catradora might be the heart of the show's theme but Mara is DEFINITELY the backbone.
8:57 i had a moment just now hearing this when something in my head clicked, and im tearing up: it is FOR the honor of greyskull. adora is acting in love for THEIR honor and her own. hOO im gonna cry
i love the part where mara tells adora she sacrificed herself so that adora wouldn’t have to and it wasn’t necessarily what she wanted to do and then she tells adora to think about herself for once she’s not only what she can do for others because that’s all adoras been taught in the horde and by lighthope as shera
i love mara so much she’s just so kind and brave and so adorable. i cried so hard in the episode where razz makes adora “talk to her” and we see her message to adora.
your videos are so good. you always managed to put your analysis in such delicate and special words. every time I finish seeing one, my heart feels warm because they are authentically beautiful
I watched a bunch of these while drawing and the sentiment of home and all these emotions helped me come up with ideas for my self portrait. Home for me isn't a place. It's a people. My safe place isn't an actual place. It's the memories and special places I share with my loved ones. Those special moments of genuine connection that I never forget. That's my home or my safe place. Thank you for helping me figure that out.
Mara is amazing and one of my favorite characters in She-ra. She did not get enough screen time but what can you expect. Thank you so much for making this, it makes me appreciate her on a deeper level. The work you put into this is a lot but it’s worth it. Love you so much!!
Razz at the end of "Hero" never fails to make me cry I love how they crafted that episode. Its an emotional gut punch they´ve been cooking throught 4 seasons and god it is well served. She was brave, our Mara
For me, the fact that she doesn't get much screentime is also a part of her tragic story. Even though she leaves a beautiful legacy and is remembered positively by Adora, it shows that once you sacrifice yourself, there is no going back. You're not part of the story anymore in the way that others are. Many shows that deal with sacrifice fail to convey how final it is. Yes, you can leave a legacy but you'll never get to see it. It's over for you.
This was so well done. Thank you for breaking down Mara's journey and legacy. It not only clarifies what happened with and to Mara (it's hard to follow on the show with all the dueling information we get about her), but really explores the themes in a beautiful and poignant way.
FANTASTIC VIDEO! Gave me serious feels. I recently rewatched that entire show and seeing all the Mara connections was lovely. I like to think that after the war Adora made sure everyone knows what Mara did for them, so that she WILL be remembered as the hero she was, and not just as She-ra.
Thank you for making this video. Her character is so interesting and what she says to adora in the last episode makes me cry every time. She is a strong charter that was often overlooked
I loved this video, I'll look for more. Mara deserved so much more, more screen time, getting to know her fellow Grayskull members and love, especially love.
I literally love Mara, one of the reasons is that she looks similar to one of my OCs that I related to the most (both appereance and character wise) and I had created this OC like 3 years ago and her name is also Mara so she has a quite special place in me lmao
I continue to be amazed at how much depth and meaning there is in this little show about space wizards for kids. The creative team behind this show is so brilliant, I hope they make more shows together. Also, your analysis and the way you uncover all these little details is amazing!
I watched She-Ra with my daughters because, well, there's a pandemic and no one was going anywhere. It was clear by the end of the first season that this show was WAY deeper than I gave it credit for. Thanks for all these character studies.
Razz: "She was brave, my Mara", "For you, Mara dearie", "You'd be proud, Mara dearie"
and i cried
we all did,,,
I'm crying just reading the lines.
other episodes definitely had emotional moments but no other episode made me SOB like this one
Same 😭😭😭
Same..
"We will make pie tomorrow Razz"😭
Balls my eyes out 😭
Yeah I cried at that moment. Then made pie oddly enough. it was apple pie.
She knew that for razz there will be another
CRI
😭😭😭
Mara definitely was one of the best parts of She-Ra. Shame we don’t have more about her as a character even though we got enough to know what she’s like but still. Would love to see a prequel comic series on Mara and her adventures.
Same on a prequel series. Her big episode "Hero" was my favorite of the whole show. Mara and Razz are lowkey MVPs.
Prequel neededdd
Yes,she was a really amazing character.
We need a prequel show or movie, not just a comic
Noooo that would make me even sadder
The scene where Razz put the pie on Mara's seat made me cry. The idea that Razz couldn't finish collecting ingredients for the pie with Mara before she had to sacrifice herself, and then left the finished pie there as an ode to her, what she stood for and the connection they shared broke my heart. Mara's story isn't talked about enough and it's moments in the show with her like that, or the recording with her giving Light Hope flowers that shows how special she was as a character.
me too i cry so much! poor Razz.
I cried too when she put the pie in that seat 🥺
Fr, everyone talks abt a she ra movie, I want a Mara prequel, either in movie or show form
SAME, I DIED CRYING IN THAT SCENE
No one talks about Mara more than as she-ras predecessor, but most of the scenes I cried about where about mara! Maras story is so much more than her story told, she was forgotten, only to be remembered as a crazy person, but she is so much more. She was... mara...
Mara deserves to be remembered as much as all the other characters seeing how she sacrificed her own life to save countless others, of a planet that wasn't hers, renouncing to her own happyness and her chance to love, ultimatly having to fight her own love only to loose it forever
Yes she does, she’s very important plus she’s my Fictional crush but no one pays attention to her ;-;
I know, right
400 like sorry.
@@ggt47 thank you
you know whats ironic about mara? she is actually from the new adventures of he-man which was a sequel to the original.
Anyone else a little annoyed that for all the time we put up with Swift Wind (whom I liked, but he's still a lot) we never got anytime with Mara's *dragon.*
Did she have a dragon tho? There were many She-Ras before her and Adora and the First ones don't seem like the kind of people who would let her have a dragon. The only scenario where I can see her having one is if she tamed one with Razz
...dragon?!
@@NightWatchersPet In the ep ''Reunion'' (season 2 ep 7) Adora sees She Ra on a dragon and yells ''I wish I had a dragon!''
A shot of a dead dragon is later seen in the ''Beast Island'' episode where they rest after finding Micah (Season 4 ep 11)
People theorise that this dragon belonged to Mara
Yeah,that’s disappointing.
Personally I think what the "dragon" the pottery was actually referring to was her spaceship. With She-ra becoming a near mythological figure, it's definitely possible that time muddled away the accuracy, leading to Mara's old steed being seen as a sleek, black dragon.
I think the best thing about Mara is that her story teaches us that those in power will write a narrative that misleads us about what really happened in the past. Adora was led to believe that Mara was a screwup who screwed up Etheria, and it’s Adora’s purpose to correct Mara’s mistakes. Adora leaves from Razz and Mara herself that this wasn’t true. The truth gives Adora the choice to either continue to be a tool of the First Ones, or like Mara set her own course to do the right thing. That’s Adora’s story, learning the truth and choosing to do the right thing, whether it’s to leave the Horde or not follow the plan the First Ones set for her. Like Adora and Mara we are sometimes forced to find out the truth, and decide whether we’ll go along with the program or try to do the right thing.
This!! I also love how Adora has to reject two different destinies. She learns that the Horde is wrong and so she abandons that life in a move of courage. But she doesn't really learn to accept her agency there - she just trades one master for another. In the absence of the Horde and Shadow Weaver's guidance, she latches on to the next guide she finds - Light Hope and the first ones. That scene in s5 when she speaks to She-Ra across the portal is soooo meaningful to me, because that is when she realizes that she has always been relying on others to decide her destiny. Watching Adora reclaim her agency from the grip of others' expectations gives me hope that I can do the same.
What is a Legacy? It's planting a seed in a garden that you will never get to see
One of my favorite quotes from Hamilton
Whoa . . .
Stooooop, I just got that song out of my head
I don't remember crying so hard with any other part of the show as hard as I cried with the that goddamn pie. Mara's history is so tragic yet so important
Same
SAME Maybe Corridors, tho
@@lariall8733 Damn, that 'I'm sorry' was just sad TnT TnT TnT
@Emilia Thx, it was on twitter, someone shared a link to picrew, but It was quite some time so I don't remember which one in particular
@Emilia If you want, this one is pretty cool too, it's the one that I use for Twitter and Instagram picrew.me/share?cd=QL2JsvNJtM
Mara wearing heels the whole time tho- mad respect
👍
Mara is such a sad figure. So lonely she practically fell in love with a hologram - who ultimately betrayed her. She literally gave her life to save Etheria, with no one there to have her back.
And what's the last thing she does in the entire show?
Delivers that devastating line: "You're worth more than what you can give to other people."
But she wasn't alone, didn't she lead her own rebel group the 'friends of Mara'?
"You are worth more than what you can give other people." Just a simple line yet such a refreshing change from all the other narratives that tout the same old philosophy that a hero needs to be all-sacrificing for the sake of the greater good.
Right? That's what I thought, too. Great that they subverted expectations in such a perfect and meaningful way.
it’s amazing how little of screen time a character can have just to have an impact on people
Yeah, it’s like an analogy for life. People who you don’t see or know about still do amazing things and cause great impact on the world and other people’s lives. It’s common for people to hesitate about doing something difficult or dangerous because of the idea “what’s the point in doing it when you don’t even know if it will help or know the people who you’re trying to help?” Trying to do the right thing seems like a fruitless endeavor, but Mara’s story shows us that our actions Do matter and can change things for the better in the future, even if we’re not there to see it. And the possibility of a better future is something even worth dying for.
Y’all would never how much I cried
I imagine that after the finale, Adora has a statue of Mara made in her honor.
yea, we’ll have to ask Noelle that
Great headcanon
... oh hey I hadn't recognized that musical nod in the finale and now I'm crying in earnest
the musical parallels in she ra make me go insaaaaaane
@@5x5Takes Yeah... The Horde training theme as slowed down version in Princess Prom, the mirrored imagery over the Promise theme in the scene where Catra cuts of Adora and then in the end when she reaches out to her, the way the Light Spinner and magic themes are interwoven...
@@siamath9954 bingo. it's technically part of the promise "suite" in princess prom. ill make a video on the music eventually
@@5x5Takes I need to do a full music-focused watch where I'm taking notes, transcribing themes, writing out timestamps, detailing what's going on in the scene, etc. -- I started one I think two watches ago, lol, but it never went anywhere beyond the first few episodes. I want more moments like I had watching this, realizing Mara is present in some of the final moments of the show, and I want them to WRECK. ME.
@@ramywiles mine would basically be “hehe promise theme plays when?” bc i have none of that technical know how. but i applaud you
It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out that Light Hope was bald and wearing a hood and that the hood wasn't her hair.
....same
WAIT
Nothing to be embarrassed about imo. We don’t see a lot of bald ladies in fiction, so it’s not the first thing our mind jumps to
w a i t
@@EtamirTheDemiDeer also like, light hope is just a fre purple and blue shades. We dont have skin and hair to recognise as usual
"You will be more powerful than they ever planned " Love=power. It all ties together I can't even ; ; the symbolisms will seriously be the end of me
Yeah, this show really is a modern masterpiece . . .
"I think she would be proud" that's when I burst into tears
Legacy is one of my favourite themes in like anything so seeing it explored in She-Ra was really cool.
Agree here!
I highly recommend Hamilton to you then if you don't know it already
@@cemadiby i mean i guess
I would SO love to see a Mara Prequel.
Seeing her backstory, the first ones entirely, and maybe even Horde Prime's origin.
We got glimpses but there is SO much more
I have been saying that for so long
If you're up for old lore, the story's already there. Horde Prime was born Anilis Kur, eldest son of Emperor Seferus Kur. He betrayed his father and brother, Hektor, and usurped the Horde Empire.
I've seen a lot of people say "Mara never wanted to be a hero." But i don't think that's true. Mara was told she would be a hero and save her people and believed it, accepted it and wanted to save her people. She didn't know she wasn't actually going to be a hero. She didn't know she was going to be used as a weapon. Mara wanted to be a hero. Mara was a hero. Mara left a strong impact on the world. Mara wanted to save her people and live on this world in peace, but that wasn't The First Ones plan. Once Mara found out about this she decided to stop them. Mara by choosing what she chose become the hero she thought she would be.
She just didn't save the people she thought she was going to save.
Edit;
I think Mara should have some of the credit of saving the world.
Very true, a very good point. There’s a difference between sacrifice for what’s important to you, and allowing yourself to be sacrificed. You bring up a good point about Mara being on Etheria in the first place was because she Chose to go there thinking she was doing good. Mara isn’t a slave or child soldier like Adora or Catra. Mara didn’t want to die, and of course that matters and is important, but it doesn’t make her death inglorious or not a noble one. Caring about yourself is important, but that means different things for different people. To Mara, living her life allowing the evil deeds of her people in weaponizing Etheria was something she couldn’t allow. She could have just followed orders and lived the rest of her life peacefully, but she chose to fight and do the right thing. Fighting for something means you’ll get hurt and might lose, but some things are worth that price.
It was literally her failsafe which saved them all
It's hard to fight for Grayskull's honour after what he did.
"For the honor of greyskull" not being an on-switch for the sword, but an ode to a group of people whos last act was to try and help works great as well, because what better way to access the power of love than to bring an ode to those who tried to help others from a feeling of love?
A group dedicated to restoring honor to Grayskull, even as they fought him.
I love how Mara says “you deserve love too”. It helps adora realize
"This is Rebel Squadron Grayskull, signing off for the last time" the speed at which my jaw dropped, you have no idea
Mara is the perfect representation of “ outside manipulation vs. authentic self.” Light hope and the first ones were the outside manipulators.
She-RA is not a sword!
What are you, the god of Hammers?
I'm bawling guys. BAWLING.
An object is not an idenity.
😭😭😭😭😭
I THOUGHT YOU SAID “IM BAWLING GAYS” LIKE YOU DIDNT HAVE TO CALL US OUT
Annabeth. Hi
"She-Ra is not a sword." Most important phrase by an underutilized character. It just takes like... another season to fully understand what she meant.
I didn't wake up this morning planning to cry over the magic space lesbians show again, but here we are
Yup. Here we are...
Your take on legacy is beautiful! Legacy isn't necessarily something that the show focuses on by name but the way we affect each other and our actions leave ripples is definitely present throughout the show. If Glimmer hadn't said the right thing at the right time to Catra, would she have done that "one good thing"? The princess alliance happened because the Best Friend Squad showed time and again that they were willing to do the right thing for Etheria regardless of their own gain or getting any credit. I've been trying to figure out why I'm so taken with Mara in this show and you've put all that into words perfectly!
wow are you an ex IB kid !!! great thoughts
Mara's speech towards the end of the show when Adora wanted to sacrifice herself for the greater good and she was telling Adora that she deserves to live too is so so damn important and it made me cry
I almost burst out crying when you showed Mara's theme playing in the end of the series-
It's just too much. She deserves better
maras episode "hero" was easily my favorite one in the series, the ending part where razz put the pie on maras seat made me bawl my eyes out
She had like ten minutes of screen time but all of my hearth
SHE WOULD BE SO PROUD
Wanna see how HARD I can CRY?
Even if she wasn't one of the main characters of the whole series, she's one of my favorites. Her close relationship with Light Hope was unexpected yet so heartwarming, she made her more human.
oh jeez crying at 1:00 PM on a wednesday was not what i was looking for but i am extremely glad it's happening,,,, i Adore this so much both because i am equally insufferable about existentialism but also just because AH it is ,,, sO good and the "however the mandate of her superiors has tried to extinguish it, mara's humanity is in everything she's touched" is Rattling around my gay little brain thanks for that
let’s go team “crying at 1:00 pm on a wednesday”
this beautifully puts my exact thoughts into words, thank you
The episode when Raz reveal the WHOLE backstory of Mara.....easily is top 3 saddens episodes I have ever watch. along with Tales of Ba Sing Se. the whole Mara story is a tragedy, but one that led to a legacy of happiness, so yeah.....I think Mara will defined be proud of that. Another excellent essay on She-Ra, man this show is so great, please never stop making She-Ra essays, love then so much.
mara really did an act of love that lasted for over 1000 years and i think that’s very cool 🥺 amazing video 💐💐
you are the reason why i watched she ra and let me tell you that your talent in narrating is off limits. I wish you very beautiful gay love from spain 🥰🏳️🌈💕
when mara said “you are more than what you can give to other people. you deserve love too”. i got chills.
I love the serendipity of Razz. If it hadn’t have been for Razz bumping around in time and confusing Adora and Mara, Mara would have never known about Adora. And without Mara’s advice for Adora, the whole plan would have failed.
Ok, first Mara is REALLY pretty 😍! Second, I was surprised that she turned out to be such a generous soul after being described as "crazy" so many times! She's definitely one of the best parts of She-Ra!
Mara was a great character. Someone who, at first, I never gave much thought to. But by the end I cared for her so much that it ached to know what she went through 😟
Every now and then, a story comes along that doesn't just entertain: it holds up a mirror to our humanity and helps us connect with our deepest, most noble qualities. She-Ra's writers understood this. This isn't just another shallow, transient, kids' animated series; it's right up there with His Dark Materials, Lord of the Rings, and other universally beloved classics - and for damn good reasons. I adore (ba dum tss) these video essays you've put together and all the incredible analysis you've explored in them. Bravo!
His Dark Materials is criminally underrated imo. It's brilliant in many aspects.
Beautiful work again. Thank you guys so much.
“Purpose cannot be assigned. It is yours to create.” Lovely
I think an analysis on madame razz would be the next natural extension of this. Razz, being the connection between Mara and Adora, living in both past and future, being the one who shows the lies of light hope and gives adora the initial link to her predecessor. Her weird timespanning perception, living in past and present, is a really great narrative devoce that I've yet to see anyone analyse, and I can personally think of no better channel than this one to do it.
If you read this, Five by Five, I'd love if u could make this happen. And if not, i look forward to what you have next just as eagerly
“You’re worth more than What you can give other people. You deserve to be happy too.”
I think everyone needs to hear that at some point.
Hero is my absolute favorite episode (maybe besides save the cat and the finale but anyway) and this makes me feel so validated
dude i LOVE these character analysis type videos so much. The way everything you say just fits together like a puzzle and it all feels so thought out and complex,, just **chef's kiss** love ittt
That pie, that beautiful, sweet and sad pie always make me cry.
I just want to thank you for the video, you did an excelent job with it.
Mara is my favorite caracter, even with the little time we had with her, Mara was a caracter thar affect the live of all people in etheria, directly or not, and was defined by her love to all and the way she treated all.
Mara was a true Hero.
Was a hero defined by her heart and compassion.
That's what at the end safe all.
Appreciating VERY MUCH the "Hero" music in the background which "liven the message up"😉
Gosh you just nailed it, again. There is no glory in sacrifice. You are worth more than what you can give to other people. Purpose is something you create for yourself. Oooh. *chef’s kiss* I’ve always loved how the show played with and ultimately subverted the idea of destiny, but you put all that into words so beautifully it gives me chills.
I love this show so much, and you are somehow able to make me love it even more. Thanks for sharing.
I've been waiting for this video and it did not disappoint. I loved it! Mara was my favourite character and her story was really beautiful and tragic
This channel and show have the incredible ability to make me tear up over stuff that I completely glossed over or failed to recognize the depth of before.
this gives me so much hope in my own life and career choice.
What a way to make Adora receive unconditional love. Mara would have never known who Adora was, what she was like, what kind of hero she would be. Adora kinda swears her life to Mara's legacy through all its changes as the story progresses (to She-Ra), but the message - the WISH Mara had for Adora wasn't that Adora be her, but that Adora would be ADORA.
Catradora might be the heart of the show's theme but Mara is DEFINITELY the backbone.
the line "Purpose cannot be assigned, it is yours to create" has permanently altered my brain chemistry.
8:57 i had a moment just now hearing this when something in my head clicked, and im tearing up: it is FOR the honor of greyskull. adora is acting in love for THEIR honor and her own. hOO im gonna cry
It was confirmed by Noelle that Mara and Lighthope had romantic feelings for each other
45 seconds in and I already love this, lol -- I love how Mara's role in the story slowly unfolds and changes.
You know legacy is a very complex thing. This is what makes shows like Hamilton so sweet and Mara’s so sad.
This just makes me wish for a cartoon series about the tragedy of mara even more.
Mara may not have been remembered as a hero at first, but that doesn’t change the fact that she was one
I cannot tell you how hard I sobbed in the last episode when Razz said “you would be proud Mara dearie” like ugh this is the best show ever
i love the part where mara tells adora she sacrificed herself so that adora wouldn’t have to and it wasn’t necessarily what she wanted to do and then she tells adora to think about herself for once she’s not only what she can do for others because that’s all adoras been taught in the horde and by lighthope as shera
i love mara so much she’s just so kind and brave and so adorable. i cried so hard in the episode where razz makes adora “talk to her” and we see her message to adora.
i started crying and then saw the wonderfully edited She-ra and the end-card
your videos are so good. you always managed to put your analysis in such delicate and special words. every time I finish seeing one, my heart feels warm because they are authentically beautiful
I watched a bunch of these while drawing and the sentiment of home and all these emotions helped me come up with ideas for my self portrait. Home for me isn't a place. It's a people. My safe place isn't an actual place. It's the memories and special places I share with my loved ones. Those special moments of genuine connection that I never forget. That's my home or my safe place. Thank you for helping me figure that out.
Mara and Light Hope's friendship. Is that what we're calling it now?
Me every day of my life: "I'm going to talk about _blank_ a) because I'm insufferable and b) because it applies"
twins!
Mara is amazing and one of my favorite characters in She-ra. She did not get enough screen time but what can you expect. Thank you so much for making this, it makes me appreciate her on a deeper level. The work you put into this is a lot but it’s worth it. Love you so much!!
Mara needs her own show.
Razz at the end of "Hero" never fails to make me cry
I love how they crafted that episode. Its an emotional gut punch they´ve been cooking throught 4 seasons and god it is well served.
She was brave, our Mara
that last line made me cry, this whole video was so beautifully written and so insightfully said, amazing 👏👏👏
This video makes me want to weep, oh my goodness
For me, the fact that she doesn't get much screentime is also a part of her tragic story. Even though she leaves a beautiful legacy and is remembered positively by Adora, it shows that once you sacrifice yourself, there is no going back. You're not part of the story anymore in the way that others are. Many shows that deal with sacrifice fail to convey how final it is. Yes, you can leave a legacy but you'll never get to see it. It's over for you.
This was so well done. Thank you for breaking down Mara's journey and legacy. It not only clarifies what happened with and to Mara (it's hard to follow on the show with all the dueling information we get about her), but really explores the themes in a beautiful and poignant way.
11:18 oh, wow. Thanks for brining this up. Such a nice touch on composer's part.
I love Mara so much I named my dog after even got her a blue collar, Mara is such a great character
FANTASTIC VIDEO! Gave me serious feels.
I recently rewatched that entire show and seeing all the Mara connections was lovely. I like to think that after the war Adora made sure everyone knows what Mara did for them, so that she WILL be remembered as the hero she was, and not just as She-ra.
This is really great. It gives a deeper understanding of Mara and everything that was going on at the time.
Thank you
I think of the phrase "History is written by the victors"
you described perfectly why mara is my favourite character, which I previously couldn’t find the words for
I really like that towards the end of the show she-ra’s hair becomes more like adoras
I'm literally more invested in maras story than adoras
YES! Finally after so much time teasing it on twitter I could watch it!
And the wait was so much worth it! Great video as always, I love your content
Thank you for making this video. Her character is so interesting and what she says to adora in the last episode makes me cry every time. She is a strong charter that was often overlooked
I loved this video, I'll look for more. Mara deserved so much more, more screen time, getting to know her fellow Grayskull members and love, especially love.
I literally love Mara, one of the reasons is that she looks similar to one of my OCs that I related to the most (both appereance and character wise) and I had created this OC like 3 years ago and her name is also Mara so she has a quite special place in me lmao
IT'S HERE
I continue to be amazed at how much depth and meaning there is in this little show about space wizards for kids. The creative team behind this show is so brilliant, I hope they make more shows together. Also, your analysis and the way you uncover all these little details is amazing!
Mara will always be a hero for me, every character in she-ra is a hero for me
I watched She-Ra with my daughters because, well, there's a pandemic and no one was going anywhere. It was clear by the end of the first season that this show was WAY deeper than I gave it credit for. Thanks for all these character studies.
i love this so much. Mara is so amazing. We see so little of her but it means so much.
Mara is my number one favorite. Knowing but she wanted a future, and did not want to die makes her sacrifice so much more real to me
If we could get a movie for this series I'd want it to be about Mara's Rebellion honestly.
Seeing characters like Flipshot, Hydron and Sagitar reimagined in the Netflix style would be great.
"You are worth more than what you can give to other people" Hits close and I am crying again
I love to rewatch your videos to remember what she ra and it’s characters taught me. Truly therapeutic thank u