Hordak: Pain And Freedom

 I've talked about Catra, and Entrapta, will possibly soon talk about Glimmer, Adora or Mara... But today, i'll talk about the flawed clone who cleansed civilizations, in an effort to cleanse his own imperfection, which would later make his life more beautiful. Yes, we'll talk about Hordak.

Many fans hate the character. The creator, Noelle Stevenson, confirmed he was a colonizer, and that's why I BELIEVE FANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO HATE HIM. Many also point out how much he mistreated Catra and the other cadets, and Princesses, and add that Hordak yelled at Entrapta more than once. HONESTLY, I BELIEVE IT'S ONE OF THE BEST CRITIQUES YOU CAN MAKE ABOUT THE CHARACTER, I JUST CAN'T DENY IT.

Now, my opinion, which could be a bit "yikes" inducing: Who is Hordak? Well, to me, he is, with no doubt, A CRIMINAL. But, I repeat, HE TREATED ENTRAPTA THE MOST TENDER WAY SHE HAD EXPERIMENTED IN A LONG TIME, AND, VICEVERSA, ENTRAPTA HELPED HIM WITH HIS EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. SO, BOTH GOT BETTER, IN A CHAOTIC WAY.  THAT MAKES HORDAK A CRIMINAL, BUT ONE THAT COULD ENGAGE WITH A MISUNDERSTOOD PRINCESS, GOT BETTER AND FREED HIMSELF FROM HIS CREATOR AND ABUSER. 

We all know this (a misunderstood person healing and saving another) AREN'T ALL REALISTIC. But, for this century's standards, THEY'RE EMPOWERING.  Sure, we can hope for more, but PLEASE, SEE, IN THIS CRIMINAL, A CAPACITY TO GROW, JUST LIKE YOU DID WITH CATRA. 

Hordak canonically has a nervous defect, though it's not specified. Entrapta is canonically Autistic. SO, IT'S TWO DISABLED PEOPLE FINDING LOVE. Maybe it's an unorthodox situation, but today, it's good.

I surely understand Mermista, whose kingdom got destroyed by Hordak, asking: "So... are we, like, OK with this?" . IT'S CANON, BUT YOUR LIKES, YOUR OPINION, YOUR CHOICE. I would still have loved to see Mermista dealing with the trauma. 

And even, many fans don't think Catra hates him. Catra, at last, knows Hordak was abused, wasn't 100% free, and maybe they won't be the best of friends, but will have a good relationship. AND I REPEAT: ANYONE CAN FORGIVE THOSE THEY CONSIDER WORTHY, AND ONLY THOSE.

Now, as I said, HORDAK IS A CRIMINAL... So, what should he do to make up for his past mistakes? I really don't believe in death penalty, and i think prison is a dehumanizing place. Noelle has suggested Community Service, and i don't oppose to that. No doubt, we can give him a humane way of holding himself accountable.

Because, to me, denying humanity to Hordak IS SPECIECISM, AND DISCRIMINATION. You may say "it's just a cartoon"... But, what if we aren't really alone in the universe? What would you say? I sometimes doubt Nt's fabled empathy...

But i don't think Hordak and Entrapta should be by their own... I think, if Catra has Melog as a Service Alien, Hordak could maybe have a... Service Robot? That, and therapy (which could be useful even to Scorpia and Adora) to reflect on free will and his actions.

Because, how can you have free will, if there's someone powerful watching you, and, due to the smallest of mistakes, will annihilate you? It feels like Orwell's 1984, where Big Brother watches over Oceania, and even checks on people's thoughts, which lead to hanging live on TV, if they're wrong. I mean, that anxiety is anything but freeing. I don't justify Hordak's actions, but I believe his situation isn't as easy as someone may think. No doubt, that makes me hate Prime even more.

I think, deep inside, Hordak's empathetic, but doesn't know how to show it. Proof's the time when Hordak protected Entrapta from a blast... WITH HIS OWN ACHING BODY. He chooses to suffer because of her. When he discovers she was sent to Beast Island, and that she's probably dead, he gets really, really sad, and starts freaking out if someone mention's her name. Let's remember the crystal she gave him says "Loved" in First One's language. Hordak did for Entrapta what noobody else would've done for her if there was another option, and she does things for him as well. 

And some may say: "This won't end well, Entrapta may as well see the worst of Hordak, and not the best, with time passing"... BUT THE SAME CAN BE APPLIED TO CATRADORA. I understand, most abusers are guys, so mlw relationships should always be analyzed critically... BUT, IF WE DO THIS, WE'LL HAVE TO ANALYZE RELATIONSHIPS IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, AND IN PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (this last one i've referenced in my fanfic).

I guess this is what i like about the ship: that darkly bright beauty. I think it's one of the show's best ships, and even one of the best ships of all times. I DEFEND HORDAK. I DEFEND ENTRAPDAK. HORDAK HAS HUMANITY, AND HE'LL HOLD HIMSELF ACCOUNTABLE IN A HUMANE WAY.