#and broyals conflict in s7 we trust

[raayllum]

I think one of the reasons the "TDP is too focused on Rayllum and/or I want to see Callum and Rayla interact more with other characters" critique (complaint?) falls flat to me is 1) Callum is the main character and Rayla is his deuteragonist, 2) the show justifies their journeys together because they're most relevant to what needs to be happening (Rayla needed to go home in S3 just as Ezran needed to turn back; they have to go to the Great Bookery and Starscraper bc the info and items there is most relevant to her and Callum's arcs), 3) nobody ever has the same complaints about Terry/Claudia or Janai/Amaya even though those relationships actually Are the embodiment of said complaint.

Amaya has not had a plot line at all left unaffected by Janai since S1; 90% of her scenes are with Janai with brief intervals of her and Gren or her and Karim in S4, and her and Rayla with one scene in S5. Terry is a great character, but he is there to flesh out Viren (S4) and Claudia (S5) in tandem, having all of his relevant scenes with either one or the other; we've yet to see Terry actually interact with literally anyone else.

Conversely, throughout S4 we get to see Callum interact with Corvus (4x01), Ezran, Soren, and various other characters we meet along the way (Rex Igenous, N'than). We also get a decent amount of Ezran and Rayla interaction and Rayla and Soren interaction in particular in S4, and she's the only one of the main trio to interact with Terry or Claudia; Callum likewise gets Opeli, Archmage Akiyu, and Finnegrin in S5. Meanwhile in S5 we get to see how Rayla interacts with Janai and Amaya in addition to her own view(s) of her family, and more smaller Ez&Rayla and Rayla and Soren dynamics.

So what the complaint boils down to is usually "I'm bored of Rayla and Callum's romance (because I feel like it got restarted in S4)" when even if they weren't having to work things out, they'd be getting these plotlines in S5 and S6 (the seasons apparently they spend the most one-on-one time in anyway) regardless because Plot Relevance. It also reads as boredom with Rayla's arc (to me) because learning 1) leaving has consequences (s4) and 2) to accept grace and support (s5) are all things she absolutely needed to have happen. Idk about you but I'd prefer that one of the main character's arcs and core conflict isn't resolved in 1-2 episodes max leaving her to just stagnate for two seasons, and that means letting her take up time and space in the narrative making good choices and bad

It also feels like people are misremembering earlier seasons because they've always primarily driven each other's conflict and growth even in S1 (1x03-1x06 is about their inter-group conflict) and pushed each other to new places and epiphanies (S2) while offering support (S2, S3).

Like to be clear — think and feel whatever you think and feel, I nor anyone else can necessarily change your mind let alone stop you. But if it's Only a critique levied towards them and not towards any other plot centralized dynamic in the show, you might wanna think about whether it's just because they're the two of the three Main Characters and you're tired of seeing them more than characters & dynamics that aren't as consistently featured bc they're not The Main Characters > the characters you want to see more of that aren't as relevant to core plotlines. Because if you're going to have a critique / complaint about something Structurally, you wanna make sure you're being consistent about said structural complaint, tbh

[echo-of-the-eye]

Dragon prince s7 live thoughts:

These are thoughts I wrote down while watching. They are very rambling and might make no sense. It’s also… very long. I still need time to process my feelings about the season but I’m mostly happy! Spoiler warning obviously.

Ep1:

• Intro: Claudia didn’t turn to stone! Hmmmm.. interesting

• Ethari!! Love the new look. He’s lost all hope nooo:((

• Runaan being manhandled. By an actual human. What’s he thinking rn??

• Rayllum kiss counter: 1!

• New staff for Claudia!

• Callum and Soren hug;-;

• What does aaravos need Claudia for now? Also moon nexus? Is he trying to bring Leola back? Is that possible for a startouch elf?

• A moon opal could take a hundred years to find?? No? Is he just manipulating them or is this stupid? He said moon OPAL right? Not primal stone?

• Sorvus hug! Broyals hug! Everyone gets hugs! Which is good cause this is really sad

• Ok now you’re just showing off aaravos (great designs though)

• Runaan you good? You just ate non illusioned grubs.

• A bit upset we don’t get to see his initial reaction to all this. Especially callum. How is he so chill with everything?

• Aaravos wtf you playing at?? An apple? Really?? Also I don’t think this disguise is that much more subtle

• Yeeessssss ezran! Be mad! Go apeshit! You deserve it!

Ep2:

• Intro: still Claudia? Still Claudia.

• Rayla? A bit of sympathy please? He did actually kill their dad. At least don’t feed callum’s abandonment issues (*cough* that you created in the first place)

• I’m kinda with Ezran on this one. I get it Rayla I do. And I don’t want him to be punished either. But still. Also. What’s the difference between an assassin and a murder? Ezran’s got a point. Rayla’s worldview is being challenged. “Oh so he’s a good murder?” Ezran I love you.

• The bread is still weapons grade I see. At least they’ve got jelly tarts

• “I could never ask you to betray your brother” “you don’t have to ask” CALLUM!??!!!?!!

• “I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR YOU” aadafagjggdhs

• Rayllum kiss counter: 2!

• “I never asked for this” Ezran:(((

• Okay Callum is also making some good points

• Soren Rayla rematch let’s goooo!!

• Guess the bread is being put to the test

• Omg aaravos is adorable (never something I thought I’d say)

• Self eating?? Oh god I thought it was just blood magic!

• This is painful. The broyals are fighting:(((

• Terry is pure of heart. No surprise there. Claudia manipulating him…. Ooof

• I love that everything at the banther lodge parallels s1. Right down to the method of escape and the arrows flying

Ep3:

• Intro: still Claudia? Still Claudia.

• Alright sunfire plot!

• Ezran’s going through it. I know this is exactly what I asked for but it still hurts

• Thank you tdp for not spreading misinformation about ducks! They should not eat bread

• A secret place in duren? Might this be the same place Claudia and co are going?

• Miyana is pregnant?! Well that’s convenient. I swear if this leads up to her and Karim both being pardoned… I know it’s all about forgiveness but I think that’s a bit far. Forgiveness is great but it can’t always be the answer. Especially when Karim has proven he can’t be trusted with second chances

• The west of xadia used to be magical! I love that! I always found it weird that it was just empty

• Mage wars oooohh!

• Ohh so we’re crushing up unicorn bones now. Neat…

• Oh ok I’m actually kinda liking how they’re doing the Janai Karim plot now. It is in character to try to give him mercy, but I’m glad he refuses it. Stubborn fool

• Ok the place in duren wasn’t the same place

• Death sentence? Damn

Ep4:

• Intro: still Claudia? Still Claudia.

• Omgomgomg! Ruthari reunion incoming! I’ve waited years for this!

• MY HEART!!! TOGETHER AT LAST!!!!!!!

• Elf callum!

• Rayllum kiss counter: 3!

• Ok Terry objecting to killing the bird is interesting. Surely he’s seen Claudia do worse? Still. I love how they’re setting up the conflict between him and Claudia and Aaravos. Terry you’re too good for this

• More moonshadow elves!

• Oh Terry;-; I really like this

• Claudia and Terry breakup! It’s been a long time coming

• Rayla is unghosted!!

• “He had to leave, for himself” oh Claudia. Is this her coming to terms with her mother’s choice as well? I feel so bad for her. Terry was right to leave but it still hurts how many times Claudia has been left behind now. (She is the definition of the “everyone leaves me!” And then you find out why)

Ep5:

• Intro: still caudia? Still Claudia.

• Oh Terry wants to join the dragang. Let’s see how that goes

• Two weeks? Hm

• Also I can’t believe after all this time we get callum and the moonfam all together!

• Callum is gonna babysit moonshadow kids!?

• Oh they’re adorable!

• Gren is still censoring Amaya I see

• Omg Soren and Terry bonding! Fighting?Yeesssss!!!

• Love that even though Soren respects him for realizing he was in the wrong side he’s still defending his sister

• Callum with kids! I didn’t know I needed this so badly!

• ASFAFAGAJJSJAKAKAKAOA “callum wants to have ten babies with you” omfg! Callums face!

• What the fuck was that. Did I just hallucinate? I’m getting atla flashbacks (talking about the moonberry surprise thing)

• They’re gonna bring back Lissa? Not sure that will have the desired effect. I think Soren is more likely to be successful

• Rayllum kiss counter: 4!

• Callum you had to jinx it

• Also I really like Astrid. Mainly cause she looks almost exactly like how my Httyd oc looks in my tdp au

Ep6:

• Intro: still Claudia? Still Claudia.

• Aaravos I don’t think Leola would want that

• I don’t like how Aaravos is in disguise the whole time. There hasn’t even been anyone around. Show us our gorgeous bastard please! It’s like they had a quota of how often he could be on screen or his beauty would be too much

• Oh callum:(

• Oh what?! Another dark callum confrontation! Really hope this doesn’t mean dark callum is only a hallucination/dream and we won’t see actual callum do dark magic again, but I’m still loving this!

• Is? Is lissa real? Cause if so I’m not sure how I feel about this.

• Ok yeah lissa is an illusion I knew it

• Lujanne!? No! I feared this would happen

• Aww:( so real callum didn’t get to say the however dangerous however vile line:(

• Lujanne still lives!

• Really? Aaravos? Don’t you have like? Magic? This can’t actually be a threat to you. Was it really that easy? I know this isn’t the end obviously but what? I feel like they haven’t shown exactly how big a threat he is

• Sir sparklepuff!

Ep7:

• Intro: still Claudia? Still Claudia.

• “No army can stand up to a startouch titan” well apparently katolis can. Though I really hope that’s just aaravos tricking them

• Oh and now they need karim. Lovely

• Runaan! He took a hit for callum! Wow he adjusted quick!

• Holy shit callum! The blood freezing spell! Damn

• Really hoped the mage battle between callum and Claudia would be longer and more epic:(

• Oh fuck yeah callum! It seems we are heading that way! Yessss!!!

• Ok so it seems katolis did actually manage to overwhelm aaravos which I don’t like. How is he relying on the spirits to free him? He should be more powerful. Show us he’s a serious threat

• OH FUCK. THE MAGMA TITAN! Oof that hurts

• WHAT!!!??!! AVIZANDUM!!!!

Ep8:

• Intro: still Claudia? Still Claudia.

• Did Astrid do star magic? “Stella” means star. But she’s a sky elf? I know the celestial elves are very connected to the stars but does that mean they have a star arcanum?

• So they managed to get to the sun orb pretty easily. So why did they never fix it? They said they tried and it was too difficult but they’re doing it now. Except you know. They’re destroying it

• Oh god dammit karim!

• HOLY SHIT! FUCK YEAH AARAVOS!! SQUISH THE BASTARD!! He had it coming (thought he was about to eat him too lol)

• Rex igneous!

• Aaravos going from calling Claudia an asset to “the only light in this world”. He genuinely cares about her? He says she reminds him of Leola which makes sense

• Let there be dark

• They found the novablade! Bit disappointed it was that easy but still cool. I thought it was gold though? It was in the poster

• Does aaravos have no magic?? He did (primal) magic through viren in s2 when he was imprisoned. Why is he so powerless now??!?? I get the arch dragons are actual threats to him and that’s fine but he shouldn’t be this weak

• Ok so he did like one spell. Still not as powerful as he’s been set up to be

• REX!??!!! Damn

• Rayllum kiss counter: 6!

• Final battle! Let’s go!

• Damn stella! Brutal!

• Domina!

• Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck!!!!!!! Runaan promised to kill callum!!!

• Ok so obviously Callum imprisoning him and then being killed won’t happen. There’s an episode left and Ezran is prob on his way with the nova blade. Also they won’t kill Callum. My prediction is they’re gonna kill Aaravos cause that sets up his return for a possible third arc. I’m not sure I really want that to happen but I feel like that’s where they’re going. I think I prefer Callum using dark magic to imprison him (without being killed somehow) cause I’m a sucker for dark Callum, but I doubt that will happen. Welp, let’s see!

Ep9:

• Intro: still Claudia? Still Claudia. So no Callum this season:(

• Ezran riding zym!

• Zym??!?! Well that’s convenient

• Rayla!? “My heart for xadia” IM SOBBING

• Is it weird I kinda want them to go through with it? Killing Callum? I know they won’t. But it’s exactly my type of tragedy and it would be so good

• He’s doing it!?!!!!

• What?? Nooo. Avizandum?

• WHITE STREAK!!!

• “I will not watch another daughter die”

• Ooo storm spire

• Zubeia!!?!

• Ok so I was right. They kinda half assed it but I’m glad Callum at least tried to do dark magic. Even though I didn’t like that it didn’t work. It’s clear they wanted to kill Aaravos so he could come back in a potential third arc, but they still wanted Callum to actually do something. So… yeah I’m not sure how I feel. I wanted Callum to do it but it feels weird that it was for nothing. But tdp is kinda a master of building up something really cool and tragic and then not following through:(

• I LOVE THAT CALLUM GOT THE WHITE STREAK THOUGH!! AND ITS PREMANENT!!!

• Are there going to be any actual consequences for it though? Or is it fine cause he didn’t finish? What happened to it will consume you?

• Also what about the cube!?!?!

• So all the arch dragons died?

• BROTHERS!! Reconciliation!

• Gegahishejakak!!! ZYM TALKED?!!!?? Oh god I hate this I hate this so much it feels so wrong! Why is that his voice!??!!?!! I knew it had to happen at some point but it’s still weird

• Miyana had twins

• And so democracy was invented!

• Ok so Claudia is just gonna wait huh

• … is this when we find out bird harrow was real all along?

• WHAT??!?!!!!?!?!!!!!! I WAS JOKING!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING!? THIS CANNOT BE REAL!!! NO PLEASE THEY’RE NOT ACTUALLY DOING THIS!!?!!!??????? Was this actually the plan all along?? It can’t be. This undermines so much. No. I refuse to accept this.

• Are we getting a proposal?!

• Ok we’re not. That’s fine honestly. I like this!

• Rayllum kiss counter: 7!

• Ok the font is way too hard to read but this is really sweet!

• Soooo… seven year time skip right? For the next arc? If we get one. PLEASE NETFLIX LET THERE BE ONE!

And it’s over! I have a lot of thoughts but I still need time to process. There are many things I loved, some things I didn’t, but overall I really liked it! Still can’t believe they went with bird harrow omg. WHY.

Maybe I’ll write down some actual opinions and thoughts when I find out what they are but we’ll see. NETFLIX. GIVE US THE SAGA!!

[raayllum]

Rayllum gets separated in s7

Aaravos takes big steps = fast travel

Claudia wants revenge

Need I say more?

CHET CHET CHET CHET

Yeah idk if Rayllum's gonna get knowingly hardcore separated, but I am curious, cause I could see merits in both Callum going back with Rayla to the Silvergrove and in him remaining in Katolis with Ez while she and Runaan go.

Now some of this depends bc I'm assuming it happens earlier on in the season (7x01 to 7x03) it could always be at the end instead

But let's look at the value shall we?

If Callum goes with Rayla to the Silvergrove, it means we get to deal with more Callum&Runaan things presumably after Callum and Ezran's handling of the situation did not go well. It reaffirms his bond with Rayla further and his trust in Soren to look after Ez / the kingdom. This could also potentially set up a future where Callum leaves Katolis at the end of the season to live in Xadia / the Silvergrove, stepping fully into the world of magic. We also know going back home is going to be an emotional experience for Rayla and he'd want to support her in some way

If Callum stays in Katolis / Banther Lodge with Ez post-Runaan fight, it means he and his brother are going to be figuring things out together, or Callum will be trying to in spite of everything. I am leaning towards Callum flying from the Moon Nexus to get to his brother ASAP with Rayla & Runaan going on foot afterwards, so it'd make sense. It gives us more Broyals time (esp bc s6 didn't have almost any) and more Runaan&Rayla time + maybe Rayla standing up for herself more at the Silvergrove, taking the sort of love she's learned from Callum (and a remorseful Runaan) and applying it. This is the route where I could see Callum having more time to want to figure out the cube, too, which has been hinted at in S6 and will probably come to fruition in S7

Either option would probably mean a mid-season reunion — either the Broyals with Rayla, or Rayllum with Ezran — if the plot hasn't gotten in the way. Aaravos will presumably have to be attacking/destroying places now that he's out to push Claudia & Terry to have emotional conflict, so maybe the Silvergrove or somewhere in Rayla and Runaan's paths. If that happened, Rayla could get taken I guess

The good news about S7 being the end of arc 2 is that we know nobody will be separated for that long (aka 6 episodes max I think) or permanently, and the possession plotline will likely be wrapped up too. That makes me think Callum will get possessed & freed between eps 7x05 to 7x08 (so that 7x09 can be about defeating Aaravos in some manner) and Rayla has to be around for that bc "I need you to kill me" so...

Basically: CHET or whatever variant it gets would probably be mid season, but I don't think it'll be the reason Rayllum gets separated at first (I wouldn't mind if it was though of course)