Summary
Masters of the Universe: Revolution bows out by teasing the potential future of the franchise with a last-minute cameo, after a classic good vs evil brawl to settle Season 1.
The ending of Masters of the Universe: Revolution is as much about suggesting a bold new direction for He-Man storytelling as it is about bringing Season 1 to a climax. Episode 5 does have everything you might want in a final episode, though, including epic showdowns between heroes and villains and last-minute teases for familiar characters (albeit slightly new interpretations of them.)
With the villains defeated, democracy brought to Eternia, and She-Ra making an appearance, let’s break the finale down as best we can.
Skeletor Kills Hordak
Not that Skeletor is ever in a particularly good mood, but he’s especially unhappy to recall his full identity as Keldor amid his technological upgrading. With his manipulation by Hordak fully exposed, Skeletor’s hatred and lust for power sends him even madder than usual, and he kills Hordak in a big duel.
This, of course, elevates Skeletor to the position of Big Bad, which is where he should be in a He-Man story, and he’s got a proper scorned illegitimate-child energy about him here. He’s all set on turning Eternia’s citizens into his private army, but, of course, He-Man is there to save the day.
Teela Restores Preternia
In Masters of the Universe: Revelation, Preternia – a Valhalla-like heaven – was destroyed by Lyn. Without it, the souls of other He-Men and Masters of the Universe can’t find respite, so after learning snake magic, being kept on the right side of the moral divide by Adam’s sword, and evolving into her all-powerful final form, Teela sets about restoring the place to give anyone who has passed a proper send-off.
This factors into the final battle against Skeletor and his minions since Randor and the other ghosts join in to help. Teela, now imbued with all the mystical elements of Eternia, can leave the castle.
The Most Powerful Man in the Universe
He-Man achieves his final form in the finale, supercharged with the Power of Grayskull and capable of purging the techno-virus, all with a little help from Gwildor and Orko. It’s time to finally take on his uncle.
There’s a note of tragedy to Skeletor’s defeat, since – it’s implied – he was once a pretty alright guy who was driven down a path of madness by exile and subsequent destructive traumas which made him susceptible to Hordak’s mind control. Having been a slave and a failed villain, Skeletor, who is purged down to his mortal Keldor shell, has had quite enough. He can’t defeat his nephew in a fight and he will be made to pay for his crimes.
He-Man Abolishes the Monarchy
In a surprisingly political development, He-Man, disenfranchised by the concept of a monarchy, does away with it all completely and establishes democracy across Eternia. Public sentiment is still a little mixed, but the prospect of rebuilding for the better seems viable enough.
Lyn also gets a fitting end to her redemptive arc. After losing Granamyr and being semi-absolved, she helped the heroes save the day and ends up being recruited by the Cosmic Enforces as a kind of multiversal overseer.
How does Masters of the Universe: Revolution Season 1 end?
Season 1 ends with the She-Ra tease, as well it might. With Hordak’s body having been retrieved from the battlefield, he’s floating in a Bacta-style tank, his impalement wound slowly healing. All the while he’s being watched by a mysterious warrior in a Horde mask who promises to do considerable damage to He-Man and Eternia in revenge for what happened.
This character is credited as Despara, who is the evil alter-ego of She-Ra (herself the alter-ego of He-Man’s twin sister Adora – do keep up.) With a backstory involving being brainwashed by Hordak and positioned as a Force Captain in the Evil Horde, she’ll make a fun antagonist for the inevitable subsequent season.
What did you think of Masters of the Universe: Revolution Season 1 Episode 5 and the ending? Let us know in the comments.
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