Netflix Retrospective - Voltron: Legendary Defender - Season 3 Episodes 1-3

Netflix wanted to get the show out faster, and so began splitting the planned seasons into smaller mini-seasons, the next 4 seasons are either 6 or 7 episodes long, and as such seasons 3 and 5 don’t feel entirely complete. That said, it does mean I can do season 3 in 2 retrospectives before we hit the Christmas hiatus so… Here’s season 3 of Voltron

Changing of the Guard

The red lion searches through the wreckage of their battle with the Galra in the s2 finale, Keith is still looking for any sign of Shiro. Keith had convenient flashbacks to bring everyone up to speed, but as Keith finds nothing, he heads back to the castle.

So, Allura is getting herself ready for a diplomatic meeting, she’s trying to form an alliance to fight the Galra but she’s nervous and Coran offers her comfort and advice. Lance, Hunk and the Blade of Marmora are busy attacking the Galra on Planet Puig. They are successful and the pair celebrate with the inhabitants, in awe of the Blue and Yellow lions, although still suspicious of Kolivan and co. Word of Voltron’s triumphs are spreading, which is why having no Black Lion cannot stand.

Pidge is looking at footage involving her brother, looking for clues as to what may have happened to him. Coran gives her some useful intel, but then goes to being quirky. They regroup and Princess Allura suggests it’s time to find a new pilot for the Black Lion, something Keith profoundly rejects. He says Shiro is the one person who didn’t give up on him but… it’s not till season 7 where this is elaborated on. That part of the episode probably could’ve been better served here, especially given some elements it introduces and the controversy around them.

Back at the Galra fleet, we see Zarkon is still in bad shape, even being fuelled quintessence by Haggar. Commander Throk wants to speak to Zarkon but Haggar refuses to allow his entry. She tells him that Lotor has arrived to assume command of the Empire and we see an invisible woman is watching.

Allura begins the delegation but when the topic of conversation turns to Voltron, Keith decides to act like he’s out of his goddamn mind! Again, this would make a lot more sense if we knew what we found out in s7. We cut to the fighting arena, Commander Throk is not happy and we get some exposition about Lotor, he fights battles alongside his generals, who are half-Galra hybrids. Throk wants to fight for the Throne, and has his men backing him on this.

In the arena we see someone in Galra clothing beat a monster, he takes off his helmet and reveals he is Prince Lotor. He apparently heard, and invites Throk to fight him for the Throne, and it’s revealed the half bread generals have been in the audience in disguise. Lotor wins the fight, using Throk’s aggression against him, but he refrains from killing. Lotor gives a speech, rather than inspiring fear, they should inspire loyalty, allow those worthy to join their ranks and make allies of their own.

It’s a pity this turns out to be all talk because this is a fascinating angle for Lotor to take the Empire, one that would put them as a major contender against Voltron, as they build their alliance. Lotor watches as everyone in the audience pledges their loyalty to him. In private though, Lotor orders Throk transferred to the Ulippa system, which will come up later.

Lance approaches Keith first, and makes the most compelling speech about why they need to move forward. Then Allura says the worst words you can tell someone who’s grieving: ‘I know how you feel’ no, you don’t. You can understand how they’re feeling, you may have felt similar but feelings are complicated, especially when it’s brought on by a mix of guilt, frustration, sadness but also denial, not just of what happened by what will happen. Keith doesn’t feel ready to take the Black Lion and he knows it was Shiro’s will for him to do so.

But it seems she does manage to talk him around as the episode ends

Rating 8/10

Red Paladin

The sun rises on a free world, but a Galra ship, one commanded by Lotor, approaches. His generals drop from the ship and set up a plan, capturing the leader and taking prisoners, all without taking life. The leader tries to call Voltron for help but he’s stopped and confronted by Lotor, who tells him that with Voltron not here, their words have limited meaning, if they join with him, they won’t need Voltron to protect them.

Pidge asks how Allura knew upon meeting them who would fly which Lion, she says she could do it face to face but can’t scan the entire universe. Keith accidentally blurts out that Shiro wanted him to lead, prompting the others to all say they’d be better leaders. Coran steps in and tells them that the Black Lion must decide. Princes Allura volunteers to also present herself...

But finds that the Black Lion won’t accept her, same with Pidge, and Hunk, although Hunk doesn’t really want to try, happy with the relative safety of the yellow Lion. Lance tries and damn it he tries but nothing. Keith is the only one left and despite his not really wanting it, the Black Lion does indeed accept him. Keith isn’t willing to accept his role, but of all people, Lance is the one to comfort him and make him accept the role.

But, of course, this still leaves the Red Lion empty. Allura tries to fly it, as her father once did, giving a speech about everyone else risking lives and her not being able to stand by but the Lion doesn’t accept her. Princess, you’ve risked your life aplenty in this fight. On Lotor’s ship, it’s remarked that the Black Lion hasn’t been seen and with no Black Lion, there’s no Voltron. The group receive a call from Puig for help.

Lance heads to the Blue Lion but finds its shields up and the others end up being caught in Lotor’s ambush. Allura goes to see why Lance is taking so long. Lotor deploys all his fighters to draw out the other Lions, and Keith is having trouble piloting the Black Lion. As Allura arrives she can hear the roar of the Red Lion, and she concludes it’s for Lance.

Back in the day, her father, knowing that Zarkon was a better leader, let him be the Black Lion and chose to be his right hand in the Red Lion, Lance did the same when he accepted Keith as a leader so now Lance is the pilot of the Red Lion. Just as Allura is about to walk away the shields of the Blue Lion drop. Lotor is getting bored, and now looks to target the noticeably weaker Black Lion with their ion cannon, but he wants it grazed, not permanently damaged.

Lance soon comes out to help but his inexperience with his Lion is making him a bit of a mess, soon Allura comes out too and Lotor decides to bid a retreat rather than risk fighting Voltron. Allura debuts her new pink armour and gets a short talk with Lance. But Keith has taken off, he put a tracer on Lotor’s ship somehow, and now It’s time follow.

See how badly this goes next

Rating 8/10

The Hunted

The group approach Lotor’s ship, Lotor decides to continue his evaluation of the team by attacking the Lions himself in his personal fight. Lot’s ship is incredibly manoeuvrable, which gives him an edge on even the more experienced pilots. The fly in formation, trying to form Voltron but it doesn’t work. Lotor retreats telling the others to jump to planet Thayserix, assessing that these paladins are not fighting as a unit. Thayserix’s atmosphere prevents radar from working, essentially rendering the Lions blind.

Lotor successfully lures the Lions into the atmosphere, thanks in part to Keith’s determination, Allura takes a hit and Hunk goes after her, after the others insist, Keith breaks off his attack and they go back for Allura, but he soon insists they get back in the fight. It’s revealed that the reason Lotor isn’t shooting them is that the atmosphere reacts explosively to concentrated light, like their lasers.

And the Paladins soon find out the hard way. Lotor singles out the Blue Lion and it crashes into the caverns, thankfully Lotor manages to lose her. Lance and Keith are together, and Keith is feeling regret over his rash actions. Lance tells him they need to fix it. Allura manages to connect with her Lion, but as she does Lotor finds her and they’re out of the gas somehow, he can fire. The Blue Lion gifts her the ability to create a sonar map, which allows her guidance out of her predicament and find the others. Also, since the freeze ray works in nitrate gas, she’s able damage Lotor’s ship.

With the team regrouped their next obstacle is the support Lotor’s generals have called. This time though, they’re able to form Voltron and push past Lotor’s support ships. His ship retreats and Keith decides not to go after them this time. Lotor remarks that having Voltron there could be an opportunity for them.

Find out what he means next time. It’s a good showing from Lotor showcasing his strategic thinking, and putting him a step ahead of the Paladins, for now.

Rating 8/10