Your Top Ten

[DisneyBoy]

Okay now...let's say someone has sat through Secret of the Sword with you, and then asks you to recommend the 10 best episodes of the series. Which would you pick, and why? What criteria would you use to decide which episodes, storylines and characters best capture what's good about She-Ra?

[Blue]

I don't have time to get into too much depth here.....


"Three Courageous Hearts"--my favorite episode of She-Ra. It's great for adults and children alike. I love the moral, plot, and characters. Never is Madam Razz more endearing than when she proclaims "I will lead you!" and promptly trips over her own two feet. CLASSIC! That one episode is why I like her character.

Others:

The Crystal Castle-- I love the Trolls. They're a great metaphor for prejudice. They rock, and I actually wish they had been in He-Man. Ahgo would have been cool to see He-Man meet. Plus, I love all the magic battles. Weaver is great here. The animation and the spell of shivering all scream "This ep rocks!"

Of Shadows and Skulls--Skeletor is HILARIOUS in this episode. "Hordak and She-Ra both defeated in one day!! I should come to Eteria more often."

Huntara--great character, great design, great challenge for She-Ra.

maybe more thoughts later. I'm longer winded than I thought.

[Scorpia]

Really tough, but the episodes I'd choose that I think best reflect the series on the whole are:

Into the Dark Dimension
Huntara
A Loss for Words
Black Snow
One To Count On
The Price of Freedom
Anchors Aloft Part I
Anchors Aloft Part II
The Peril of Whispering Woods
The Stone in the Sword

Special mention goes to The Peril of Whispering Woods - yes, people complain about Prince Zed, but other than that it has all the makings of a classic episode. Bear in mind we saw Prince Zed way before we knew of Horde Prime as this mysterious smokey metal claw. It sets up the series excellently, establishing the power of the Whispering Woods and how mighty the Horde are - even with She-Ra, the Rebels are at an incredible risk without their protective home.

My Friend, My Enemy and Just Like Me are also among my favourites - but you only asked for ten, so....!

[Luminak]

Okay now...let's say someone has sat through Secret of the Sword with you, and then asks you to recommend the 10 best episodes of the series. Which would you pick, and why? What criteria would you use to decide which episodes, storylines and characters best capture what's good about She-Ra?

The Peril of Whispering Woods- This episode gives some focus to how strong the whispering woods truly are (it gives some insight on how the Horde can't go inside) also the concept of Prince Zed having a possible relation to Hordak is pretty interesting. This is the first time you see a Horde member change their ways (other than Adora) and it is interesting how. Instead of using She-ra's strength they defeated Hordak in a very different way. This episode could show that some things can be solved with science/work and not have to totally bash a few walls.

King Miro's Journey- This episode truly shows family love in that Miro (Adora's grandfather) has stated his excitement to finally meet his grand daughter (so it's more of a loving theme). Also you get a lot of humor from Hordak when the inspector arrives, thus stating how much he hates inspectors. The plan that the Horde comes up with to stop the rebels has got to be one of the most effective of the series so this acctually gives some insight as to how intelligent the higher ranking Horde members are. (you even get a bit of a hint that when Horde terrorized Eternia that he had confronted King Miro in the past, so a past 'rivalry' so to speak)

Enchanted Castle- The art work of Mystacore is just beautiful and the villainess shows to be a very interesting character. This episode truly provides the whole 'don't judge a book by it's cover' saying since Mortella was beautiful, yet evil, while Castaspella was 'old' yet such a powerful/kind person (who is beautiful later). This episode gives a very good introduction to yet another member of the rebellion and another kingdom that isn't controlled by the Horde. Also the way she-ra goes about beating mortella is very interesting, since you kinda see Bow confused as to what she-ra is doing, but he blindly trusts her judgement. True loyalty.

A Loss for Words- The Horde's plan to stop the rebellion is a little dry, but the foreshadowing of Shadow Weaver's past is very interesting. Also you can't forget the first time you really see Shadow Weaver angry at Imp (at least I think this is the first time). And my favorite part, mantenna's revenge on Hordak, nuff said.

The Eldritch Mist- I personally like this episode since you get more dark magic out of Shadow Weaver. Also the very comical scene of Castaspella having a crush on Adam is very funny. Here another clue to Shadow Weaver's past when the witch challenges Casta to a fight.

Book Burning- This is one of my favorites since this episode reminds you that the Horde really is still in control of Etheria so the fact that Hordak is banning books (which symbolizes individuality and free will) gives she-ra a more serious and 'war-like' feel. You really believe in the cause.

The Mines of Mondor- How could I not add this one? Even though this episode may drag slightly it does feel like the rebellion is on a real journey (like SOTS). Also this episode provides a look at how the kingdoms of Etheria are treated by the Horde. In my opinion this episode makes she-ra seem a lot more noble and clever, especially when she states that she is worried about the Horde before Bow plays his horrid tune.

The Price of Power-Come on, if you show someone A Loss for Words you must see this one. In this episode Shadow Weaver's past is revealed and a look at how tempting power can be. I find the character of Ardin particularly interesting since even though he is just a child he was certainly determined to gain power no matter what. This episode is also interesting since this is not only Shadow Weaver's teacher, but also Casta's which totally defines their 'duel' in 'The Eldritch Mist' (so all in all, there are two episodes that are connected).

Micah of Bright Moon- This episode gives some backround for Glimmer and Angella with Angella's husband being imprisoned for so many years. Also this would probably be a good transition episode for anyone who only saw SOTS and not the series since Micah is ironically captured by the very same creatures that captured Angella. Another thing would be that you get to see how intelligent Micah is (since Horde Prime had stated to Micah that 'I don't know how you gained the knowledge to fly this ship, but that doesnt' matter now!'...those aren't his exact words but that's basically what he said) and you get a bit on insight on Horde World since even the troopers seemed more intelligent there (and considering Micah's condtion when he came back from Horde World shows that this place is probably worse than Etheria).

Unexpected Ally- Another Horde member who sees what their doing is wrong. This episode is very interesting since one of Hordak's own men seems to 'challenge' him to the point that it leaves Hordak speechless (I find this interesting since Hordak is usually a 'I don't take any crap from anyone' type of character). For the Horde to lose someone just as important if not more important that Adora really makes you feel that the rebellion is close to winning this war.(All in all Gneral Sunder is just a cool character on his own, he's very interesting)

I probably wouldn't show these episodes in this exact order, but personally I find them to be very awsome ones. Yeah, I know that some people may say that I missed episodes like 'Huntara' or 'The Unicorn King' (or any of the Anchors Aloft parts, they are pretty cool but I feel one should wait before seeing them, let the person become a fan first), but I feel that in order to truly appreciate those episodes you should get to know the characters more (also the Huntara episode is a little cliche in that someone is tricked to thinking that the good guy is bad and once they find out they help him to beat the real bad guy, I feel that it's a little overdone so it probably isn't the best episode to show to a potential new she-ra fan, as for the unicorn king I love the episode but Hordak is just a little too silly in that one, to get a person into she-ra you gotta show the best out of all the characters, Hell my favorite episode is Into the Dark Dimension, but it is too overdone so I wouldn't make that one of my first choices to show to someone who doesn't know the series). I hope that I answered this question, see ya.

[DisneyBoy]

I'm still reading the replies...but I forgot to mention that I'm curious as to what order you'd show the episodes in, too...

[Luminak]

I'm still reading the replies...but I forgot to mention that I'm curious as to what order you'd show the episodes in, too...

Order:

King Miro's Journey
Micah of Bright Moon
Enchanted Castle
The Peril of Whispering Woods
A Loss for Words
The Mines of Mondor
The Eldritch Mist
Unexpected Ally
The Price of Power
Book Burning