Voltron Season 7 Episode 9
Let’s get this out of the way. There’s a rich history between him and Shiro I would have loved to see explored. Not just through flashbacks but a possible reunion. I don’t mean them resuming their relationship, I’m more thinking of Shiro being directly confronted with what he lost and what that says about him. Was all of this worth losing his love? It’s a fascinating question the show could have really played with. But Adam’s dead. But does that need to be the be all end all? Does Shiro not ending up with Adam hurt the show? Does Adam’s death mean we should turn our backs on the series we love? No, it doesn’t. With Adam’s death Shiro has to face something he’s probably buried deep down. That he cared about the mission more than someone he loved. Was that wrong? Was Shiro right for going out into space? He was able to save so many people and even seemingly cured his disease but if he’d stayed …would Adam be alive? It’s a testament to Josh Keaton’s acting that, in the very brief scene where we learn of Adam’s death, he packs so much emotion into one simple line. Like the main team had to do in episode six of this season, Shiro now has to question his own reasons for being on this mission. His place on the team. It could be a set up for him stepping aside and allowing the main Paladins to fully take charge. Perhaps he’ll step back. Or maybe, even after deep reflection, he’ll still have his heart in this mission. Even with Adan’s death he can’t stop doing what he’s always felt called to. Plus, even if Adam died he was ready to do so. Adam was a member of the Galaxy Garrison and I’m sure each and every member knew they could die at some point. It’s war and no one is safe. As mentioned in the previous review, the Voltron showrunners were heavily inspired by an 80’s series called Robotech. In that series several of the main characters died and the fallout of that in the main cast was huge. In an interview with Den of Geek about Robotech and its influence on Voltron in 2017, executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos talked about how that series handled death. Now some fans will understandably say that Shiro won’t end up with anyone and therefore can’t be happy. Why not though? As much as Adam’s death clearly had an impact on Shiro it can’t stay with him forever. He can’t be moping around the base for the rest of the season. Plus… their relationship was a long time ago. While some may have imagined a big reunion between the two, we saw their relationship was pretty much over in the premiere flashback. This was not something that was going to be rekindled. As much as Shiro had his moment in this episode, he’ll move on. He has to. (And let’s also keep in mind that while Shiro being queer may have been allowed? Anything more than that, including a deeper realtionship with Adam, may not have been.) And Shiro does still have love in his life. All characters, queer ones included, don’t NEED love interests to be happy or count as “good” characters. They’re incredibly empowering to be sure, do not misunderstand me. As a pansexual man seeing queer characters of all kinds in realationships mean the world to me. But I also don’t want to discount queer characters that aren’t in relationships either. Shiro had a fulfilling relationship with Adam in the past. It clearly meant a lot but it didn’t end up working out. Even without Adam in his life, Shiro can still find happiness. Maybe it’ll be with another guy. Maybe he’ll just go it alone and rely on the deep bonds with his friends. Both are valid. Their bond, barely touched on since all the way back in season two, comes roaring to the forefront and it’s so incredibly sweet. Hunk is incredibly broken up about his family being captured and, almost by accident; he ends up venting to Keith in an award worthy performance from Tyler Labine. Labine is often given comedic roles but he proves in this scene and throughout the season he’s extremely capable of much more range. He can play funny sure, but the range of hurt, jealousy, fear, sadness, anger, and hope portrayad here? Labine is a talent more series should be utilizing, before in front of and behind the camera. Out of everyone on the team he’s most impressed by Hunk. Hunk has never backed down even when he’s scared. He’s brave because he goes on in spite of fear. Keith reminds Hunk of all his best qualities and that’s exactly what Hunk needed to hear. I’m delighted to find that Hunk is secretly the main focus of this season and it all ties into the kind of love that’s most important in this show. Friendship. The sort of deep bonds that form between friends and how they’re all stronger because of it. They’re all better people because of these friendships. Hunk’s better for it. Keith’s better for it. Shiro’s better for it. But they’ve never seen a bond of friendship and love stronger than our team. A team that includes a queer man who’s going to get a new arm and kick some ass. You go get ‘em you beautiful queer lion of a man.
