Mara's Legacy - She Ra's Humanity 

Razz: "She was brave, my Mara", "For you, Mara dearie", "You'd be proud, Mara dearie" and i cried

"We will make pie tomorrow Razz"😭

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.

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.*

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.

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

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.

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.

What is a Legacy? It's planting a seed in a garden that you will never get to see

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

I imagine that after the finale, Adora has a statue of Mara made in her honor.

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."

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.

"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.

Legacy is one of my favourite themes in like anything so seeing it explored in She-Ra was really cool.

... oh hey I hadn't recognized that musical nod in the finale and now I'm crying in earnest

it’s amazing how little of screen time a character can have just to have an impact on people

"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?

"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

"I think she would be proud" that's when I burst into tears

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 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.

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!

She-RA is not a sword! What are you, the god of Hammers? I'm bawling guys. BAWLING.

"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.

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 didn't wake up this morning planning to cry over the magic space lesbians show again, but here we are

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

She had like ten minutes of screen time but all of my hearth

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

mara really did an act of love that lasted for over 1000 years and i think that’s very cool 🥺 amazing video 💐💐

Wanna see how HARD I can CRY?

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 WOULD BE SO PROUD

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.

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 🥰🏳️‍🌈💕

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 😟

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!

Beautiful work again. Thank you guys so much. “Purpose cannot be assigned. It is yours to create.” Lovely

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.

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

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!

It was confirmed by Noelle that Mara and Lighthope had romantic feelings for each other

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.

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

Appreciating VERY MUCH the "Hero" music in the background which "liven the message up"😉

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.

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'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

Hero is my absolute favorite episode (maybe besides save the cat and the finale but anyway) and this makes me feel so validated

“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.

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.

45 seconds in and I already love this, lol -- I love how Mara's role in the story slowly unfolds and changes.

Me every day of my life: "I'm going to talk about _blank_ a) because I'm insufferable and b) because it applies"

I love Mara so much I named my dog after even got her a blue collar, Mara is such a great character

I think of the phrase "History is written by the victors"

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

this gives me so much hope in my own life and career choice.

This analysis of Light Hope... oh man. I can't speak to how people reacted as S4 aired, because I only got here in June, but sometimes I feel like the climactic moment of the finale where the real Light Hope breaks through "just long enough for Adora to literally shatter the symbol of their mutual dehumanization" (oh mY _GOD,_ what a good way of putting it, btw) gets overshadowed in terms of fandom enthusiasm by the entirety of S5. Which, I mean, given the absolute powerhouse of storytelling that is the final season? Fair. But still. That moment is POWERFUL. It makes me cry every time.

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?

the line "Purpose cannot be assigned, it is yours to create" has permanently altered my brain chemistry.

I'm literally more invested in maras story than adoras

Mara will always be a hero for me, every character in she-ra is a hero for me

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

This just makes me wish for a cartoon series about the tragedy of mara even more.

Mara needs her own show.

IT'S HERE

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.

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!!

that last line made me cry, this whole video was so beautifully written and so insightfully said, amazing 👏👏👏

If we could get a movie for this series I'd want it to be about Mara's Rebellion honestly.

This video makes me want to weep, oh my goodness

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

You know legacy is a very complex thing. This is what makes shows like Hamilton so sweet and Mara’s so sad.

This is really great. It gives a deeper understanding of Mara and everything that was going on at the time. Thank you

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.

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.

While Horde Prime is the villain of the series, the so-called "First Ones" (or at least their leaders) run a close second - they spread across the stars, draining worlds of their natural magic to power their technology, leaving those worlds vulnerable to the Horde. In the case of Etheria, the First Ones took the naturally occuring manifestation of the She Ra and bound it to the Sword of Protection, thereby limiting it to First Ones. Not only that, but they also turned the whole of Etheria into a Death Star (or a Starkiller Base). Maybe firing the weapon would have defeated the Horde (or whatever threat they were aiming it at) but it would have come at the cost of Etheria (maybe not literal planetary destruction, but much of the magic that made Etheria what it was would have been lost). Mara's choice sacrificed herself to defuse the Etherian weapon, buying time for Etheria, but it's hard to say whether it was the right choice. Etheria may have been (mostly) protected - though Hordak's arrival and the continued sequestration of a significant portion of Etheria's magic in the Heart both mean that it was less permanent salvation and more a postponement - but the rest of the galaxy wasn't, and, while individuals of First One descent presumably still exist (Adora came from somewhere, after all), the First Ones' empire (whatever they called it) seems to have fallen to some combination of history (draining worlds of their magic is only sustainable until you run out of new worlds) and the Horde. We have no idea what would have happened if Mara had allowed herself to be used - the First Ones may still have vanished as a political force over the thousand year period, but Horde Prime may have been eliminated. In the grand scheme of things, sacrificing one world to free thousands of worlds from tyranny and destruction, while still a terrible price to pay, is a bargain price. If it weren't for Adora and for Catra and for Shadow Weaver and for Bow and for Scorpia and for Glimmer and for so many more individuals, all of whom played crucial parts in the eventual defeat of Horde Prime, all Mara would have done would be to postpone the destruction of Etheria and allow Horde Prime to win. Even as it turned out, Mara's choice led to a thousand years of Horde conquests. It was a good outcome for Etheria, and for the characters we know and care about, and, if they succeed in restoring magic to the rest of the galaxy, at least that much of a good outcome for the galaxy, but also at a terrible cost - and if Mara had successfully prevented there being another She Ra, successfully locked Etheria in Despondos forever, with its magic gradually being siphoned into the Heart, what would her legacy have been then? Horde Prime ruling alone over a devastated galaxy, while Etheria slowly dwindles locked away until the Heart overloads or breaks down, and the planet explodes... Mara's motives were good, and things turned out kinda okay in the end, but there was a lot of luck (or authorial intervention) involved there, and even in the ridiculously improbable best case that happened, she caused a lot of harm too.

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

Mara may not have been remembered as a hero at first, but that doesn’t change the fact that she was one

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

I really like that towards the end of the show she-ra’s hair becomes more like adoras

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.

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.

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

Great video

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

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 started crying and then saw the wonderfully edited She-ra and the end-card

I love Mara, I did not expect to see a She-ra who looked just like me. Even as an adult it makes me feel empowered. My dad and I would watch the 80s show together. It's a fond memory of mine with his passing. Really makes me smile. Ik he would have loved Mara as She-Ra.

I can't wait to see you tackle other franchises. Love love LOVE your analysis of She-Ra, but you're too good to stay in this one place.

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.

A theory’s been bugging me 4 a while now & that’s the origin of how Mara became She-Ra. (Please bear with me thru my glorified tangent! 🙏) Did Mara gain the Sword of Protection from the 1st Ones AFTER Etheria chose her (as Razz put it) or did her people create the Sword b4 the planet chose her? If it’s the former, then that would mean Etheria can freely choose an individual from any world 2 b She-Ra. The only reason I can think of as 2 y there was no She-Ra 4 a Millenia between Mara & Adora was that since the Sword was a vessel 4 the Heart of Etheria weapon it also played a part in influencing the planet’s choice of Guardian since only a 1st One can wield the Sword & Adora was the only 1st One from Eternia currently living on Etheria. Shadow Weaver may have sensed her She-Ra powers but I think they were dormant UNTIL she touched the Sword (which makes u wonder - how did all the She-Ras from b4 the 1st Ones arrival become Guardians if they had no pre-made Sword 2 turn on their powers? 🤷‍♀️) So in essence, no Etherian could ever become She-Ra while the Sword of Protection existed as it controlled Etheria’s magic & (as a product of 1st Ones technology) therefore ensured only a 1st One COULD become She-Ra. Maybe after discovering Mara became She-Ra, Mara’s superiors decided 2 capitalise on their new source of power by lying 2 her that THEY chose her 2 b She-Ra (& not the planet like Razz claimed) & swiftly made a Sword that would ensure all future generations of She-Ra would b of Eternian blood, so they would always have control of this unlimited power. 😔 But now that the Sword of Protection is no more I’d say that there’s nothing stopping Etheria from choosing it’s next Guardian from its own world again or any other individual from another planet who happens 2 live there. 😊 Side note - It’d b interesting if, since Etheria wasn’t under threat anymore with Prime’s demise, She-Ra was no longer needed since the guardian appears when the planet is at risk (even if needed again, a new person would b chosen next time) & Adora suddenly could no longer call upon her & had 2 learn 2 build her identity without She-Ra being part of it anymore 🤔 & given that Noelle said she imagined Adora having a happy normal (almost boring) life, this might b better 4 Adora mentally in the long run as while She-Ra gave her power, it also led her 2 mentally devaluing herself solely as a tool 4 the protection of others, which kind of cements 2 me the further she detaches her identity & value from She-Ra as an individual - the better off she’ll b. If you’ve read this all the way, thanx 4 listening, you’re amazing 😊 - have a GR8 1 on me❣️👍