I absolutely adored the direction that Noelle + the writing team has taken Catra in this season, because guys, sometimes this is what abuse/trauma victims look like.
Catra is bitter, violent, and hateful on an extreme level. For three seasons now, we’ve been watching her spiral, self-sabotaging all her chances at happiness and hurting all those who try to come close. But in this season, she’s come completely unhinged. She went on a suicidal quest to slaughter an entire planet in an attempt at vindication, and now, the fandom seems conflicted about whether she can ever come back.
This is such an important message. Victims of trauma aren’t always doe-eyed, wounded angels who just need a hug and some comfort. Often, they have claws. And often, they will use them. Like Catra, sometimes they cross a line. Sometimes they reject love and sympathy and help. Sometimes, their actions seem entirely irrational and selfish.
It’s important to show that there comes a time when, like Adora, you may have to distance yourself from toxic people in your life, even if you know their actions stem from trauma. There can be a legitimate reason for toxic actions without them being necessarily justified, and while Catra’s choices are understandable, they are not at all okay.
I love Catra; she’s probably one of my favorite characters of all time. I think she absolutely can be redeemed, and I truly hope she does find a way to heal without becoming a martyr. But she truly did become a villain this season, and while much of her pain is the fault of Shadow Weaver and Hordak, she needs to learn to accept responsibility for her own self-sabotage and her ‘evil’ actions before she can ever begin to recover.
(via love-lays-bleeding)
