'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' Ending Explained: The true power of the Heart of Etheria
Spoilers for 'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' Season 5
'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' has come to an end, bringing the culmination of five seasons' worth of story. We take a look at some of the most significant moments of the series' end, and just what they mean for the end of the series.
The Heart of Etheria unleashed
Adora (Aimee Carrero) has had trouble holding on to She-Ra's form ever since her Sword of Power was broken. She-Ra's power requires Adora to be sure of herself, and of those she loved. Catra's (AJ Michalka) confession of love is exactly what Adora needed at exactly the right moment to have Adora open herself up to love and the power of She-Ra. In doing so, she was able to survive the First One's final Failsafe - unleashing the magic they'd hoarded in the Heart of Etheria, healing the planet and unleashing the magical powers that is the Horde's one weakness.
The end of Horde Prime and the Redemption of the Horde
Horde Prime (Keston John) has been the series' main villain before he ever showed up - indeed, before the events of the series even began. It was to escape his conquering hordes that Etheria was shunted off to a dead dimension, devoid of stars as it was alone in its universe. Horde Prime is a conqueror who has been alive for centuries, and has done so by transferring his consciousness to his many, many clones. She-Ra, heavily empowered, doesn't just destroy Horde Prime's current vessel, Hordak (Keston John), she uses her magical abilities to erase Horde Prime's very essence, ending his threat to the universe forever.
This leaves the Horde leaderless - and what's more, in a place where they can join the side of good. Catra, Hordak, Shadoweaver (Lorrain Toussant) and more members of the Horde have already had their redemption arcs. As for the clones, if Wrong Hordak is any example, they will turn to the side of good now that it's been proven, once and for all, that Horde Prime was not as all-powerful as he claimed. Forgiveness, after all, seems to be the way of things amongst the people of Etheria, leaving everyone more or less on the side of good.
Catra and Adora
Catra and Adora have long been viewed by fans of the show as a pair who were deeply in love with each other but unable to express their feelings. This has never been confirmed on the show, leaving the pair to be one of many whom the fans believe are a queer couple despite it never being made canon. However, in a crucial moment, Catra declares her love for Adora - and Adora returns the feeling. To make things absolutely clear, the pair kiss, confirming their romantic attraction to each other as canon, in an iconic moment of representation for the LGBTQ+ community.
The adventures of the Best Friend Squad continue
With Etheria having been saved, there is still an unexplored universe out there that needs magic returned to it. Etheria had been the last refuge of magic in a world almost completely subjugated by Horde Prime - and with his essence now erased, the Best Friend Squad have one final mission. They get to explore the stars that, for so many years, Etheria had lived without. This leaves the show open to more stories, should Netflix should ever see fit to return to this universe - but in the meanwhile, everyone gets their happy ending. Adora even gets a glimpse of her own future - by her side, with her best friends and one true love, all growing up together.
All episodes of 'She-Ra and the Princesses