Jul 16, 2013

"Special Friends" Really?

I'm getting a vibe that Mattel seems to want to make the Etherian side of MOTU less cool and unimportant. Let's start with the recently released Castaspella bio:


Beautiful Friend to She-Ra, Castaspella is one of the most powerful mages in Etheria. After the Horde claimed her beautiful Planet as a new homeworld during their banishment on Despondos, Castaspella became a leader in the Great Rebellion helping to defend the people of Etheria with her magic. She has been known to temporarily hypnotize her foes, and although she can be flighty at times, her strength and courage have helped her fight the oppression of Hordak. She is special friends with both Angella and Frosta and only uses her magic for good.

 While it comes from the style guide, there are a few things that should have been reworded.
Castaspella is one of the three main queens on Etheria: Angella and Frosta are the other two.

then there's Bow... who is totally not gay if we follow Mattel He is She-Ra's "Special friend who helps She-Ra"... If you know what I mean! But what does Mattel mean? Cause Special Friend usually means "Friends with Benefits". So, now Angella, Frosta AND Castaspella are Special Friends...
So, Bow is straight, while Angella, Frosta and Castaspella are bisexual?

Probably not, but it's the WORDING what bugs me. While I understand that the Bio writers are making nods to the vintage material, there are some instances that it shouldn't be done. This is one of them. Especially since they've had access to Filmation Rights since 2012. The Bio Team should have updated this bio. Perhaps mentioning that this friendship was born from the alliance of the recently freed kingdoms on Etheria. Then there's the "Flighty" thing... Castaspella is basically a semi-responsible leader for the rebellion. That means that she's semi-irresponsible at times as well. Not to mention that her flightiness could have a negative effect on her duties as Queen of Mystacor.

The Bio writers adherence to the Girly Mattel version of Princess of Power EVEN when they have access to Filmation canon shows how little regard they have towards POP and the Etheria chapters of MOTU. Seriously, it's almost like it's a small footnote on MOTUC. Instead of telling a tale of a planet's struggle to overthrow an evil alien empire, the princess of power bios are too busy discussing the implied sex life of various characters due to iffy wording or their fashions. Not to mention the whole horde going to Eternia, cause Etheria is insignificant for the bio team.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm super stoked about Castaspella... It's just her bio that bothers me!! Now I totally want an Angella so I can have Photog film those slumber parties!!

Beautiful Friend to She-Ra, Castaspella is one of the most powerful mages in Etheria. After the Horde claimed Etheria as a new homeworld during their banishment on Despondos, Castaspella became an ally to the Great Rebellion helping to defend the people of Etheria with her magic. She has been known to temporarily hypnotize her foes, and although she can be a little flighty at times, her strength and courage have helped her fight the oppression of Hordak. She is in a friendly alliance with both Angella and Frosta and only uses her magic for good.
While I kept it as close as possible to the actual bio, the little changes made make it a bit better in my opinion.
Mattel is missing out on a cool chapter of the MOTU Mythos by ignoring Etheria. Especially when they could use HE-MAN as one of the "leaders" of the Great Rebellion. (Since it was pretty much nothing until He-Man brought She-Ra into the mix.)


It's things like these that make the bios easily disposable (not to mention having Mattel's own Scott Neitlich saying that the MOTUC Canon is as valid as any Fan Continuity)... THIS is one of the many things that are hindering He-Man and She-Ra's real comeback.

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