"A hero will rise."
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power - Episode Highlights
Episode Highlights
Princess Prom
This episode is a fan favorite that establishes the deep, complicated dynamic between Adora and Catra. While infiltrating a formal ball for the princesses, Adora and Catra share a dance that is emotionally charged with their history and conflict. It solidifies their rivalry while also highlighting their undeniable chemistry and lays the groundwork for their future romantic arc. Creator ND Stevenson and his partner also make a cameo appearance.
"Princess Prom" was one of the first episodes to signal to the audience that the relationship between Adora and Catra was central to the show's emotional core and would be far more complex than a simple hero-villain dynamic.
The Portal
A devastating and pivotal episode. Catra, in a moment of spiteful rage, opens a portal that threatens to destroy reality. Queen Angella sacrifices herself to close it, a loss that profoundly impacts Glimmer and the rest of the series. Adora and Catra have a brutal, emotionally raw fight within the collapsing reality, seemingly destroying any hope of reconciliation.
This episode marks a point of no return for several characters. Angella's death forces Glimmer into a leadership role she isn't ready for, fueling her desperate actions in Season 4. It also marks the lowest point in Adora and Catra's relationship, solidifying Catra's role as a major villain.
Destiny (Part 2)
The Season 4 finale radically changes the show's status quo. To stop Light Hope from activating the Heart of Etheria superweapon, Adora shatters the Sword of Protection, seemingly losing her ability to transform into She-Ra. Meanwhile, Glimmer and Catra are captured by the galactic tyrant Horde Prime, setting up the final season's cosmic stakes.
This episode completely upends the central premise. By destroying the sword, Adora must find a new source of power. The arrival of Horde Prime elevates the conflict from a planetary war to a galactic threat, forcing an eventual, uneasy alliance between the heroes and a broken Catra.
Save the Cat
This episode is a turning point for Catra's redemption and the evolution of She-Ra. After Catra sacrifices herself to save Glimmer, Adora risks everything to rescue her from Horde Prime's ship. In her desperation to save Catra, Adora transforms into a new, more powerful She-Ra without the sword, fueled entirely by her love and protective instincts.
It's the first time Catra makes a truly selfless choice and the first time Adora's transformation is shown to be independent of the sword, tying her power directly to her love for Catra. This episode firmly places Catra on the path to redemption and redefines the source of She-Ra's power.
Heart (Part 1 & 2)
The two-part series finale brings all the character arcs and themes to a powerful conclusion. As Horde Prime attempts to use the Heart of Etheria to wipe out all magic, Adora must reach its core to activate a failsafe. The final confrontation is not a physical battle but an emotional one. Catra's confession of love for a dying Adora allows her to transform, heal, and release the magic of Etheria, defeating Horde Prime and restoring life to the planet.
The finale confirms the central romance between Adora and Catra, making it a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation in animation. It beautifully pays off five seasons of character development and thematic exploration, ending the series on a message of hope, love, and the power of found family.