Reflection and Analysis

Voltron: VLD 3-02 & 3-03

Episode Two – The Red Paladin

The second episode is the episode everybody was worried about. The team has indeed switched to the classic team layout from the original series. I like the justification for why Lance is able to pilot the red lion. He chose to be the right hand of Voltron by accepting Keith as leader. However, he's a horrible pilot. Keith of course has no faith in his leadership skills, but does something really stupid at the end. He's also not controlling the black lion well. Actually, I think his move goes against who he is, but it is the kind of rash decision he would make when he's still upset like he is.

Allura also wears pink for fallen warriors, which I actually knew going into this as I'd accidently saw some spoilers for the episodes prior to watching. A few people congratulated the team for making the Altean culture different from Earth culture, except they didn't. The Sakura flower, or cherry blossom – which is pink – is actually the symbol of fallen warriors in Japan. In other words, the staff managed to draw from the original show in a very unique way. It should be no surprise though that they drew from Japan's culture

I'm still not wanting the change to be permanent, but if it is, I still want a little more build up. However, so far the build up is okay.

I enjoyed Lance saying he was a ninja sharp shooter or something like that, and Keith wondering if he was joking. There's also a head joke regarding Voltron Force in there.

Episode Three – The Hunted

Episode three shows how important bonding with the lions and the team as a unit is. The fact Allura yells at everyone does not help, but so does the fact Lance isn't that great of a pilot – he's pretty bad, and Keith's still having leadership issues. Actually, Keith pretty much went in without a team fully set up. Keith definitely has issues with Lotar which are effecting his judgement. This said, I also like how Allura comes to bond with the blue lion, by admitting she isn't and shouldn't try to control everything. That in itself is major growth for her, but I appreciate her moment. However, she's also needed to pilot the castle, so is it going to be perminite. It took him time to find his leading style.

Is Keith a failure at leader as much of fandom predicted though? Not exactly. Keith has confidence issues right now, but is still grieving over the loss of Shiro. Lance is definitely though a cooling factor to Keith's hot-headedness. He doesn't fully calm down until something really bad happens. However, he also had to find his leadership style as I said. He also admitted to his mistakes, and learned from them.

Lance is – by the entire team – called out for his intelligence issues or "lack of thinking much" – for being dead, but Keith encourages it as a bonding activity. I'd say poor Lance, but he's always getting into trouble for that very thing, but picking on everyone else. Keith also finds his leadership style. We also have yet another poke at Voltron Force again.