Voltron Season 7 Episode 7 Review: The Last Stand Part 1

This Voltron Legendary Defender review contains spoilers.

Voltron Season 7 Episode 7

What this episode represents is far more important than its actual content.

The episode itself is very good, especially for being what looks to be another cost saving episode. It’s a lot of people talking, much cheaper to animate that way, but it’s all information we’ve been wanting. What’s been happening on Earth, seen through the eyes of Pidge’s parents.

Some of it is recap but thankfully not a clip show. It’s mostly there so we can see Earth’s reactions to all the developments over the past few seasons. It’s a great way to save money for the bigger battles that are probably coming. We also learn what Earth’s been working on, specifically trying to reengineer alien technology.

The call from Matt also gives us some insight on the rebels and proves just how bad it’s been without Voltron. Earth might be the last best hope for the universe… and it’s barely getting off the ground with its space faring technology.

Even if it’s mostly set up it’s the best kind, especially when we get moments like finally seeing the Paladins messages to Earth. Hunk’s especially got me, mostly because we finally get to see his family! This may be a slower episode but it still has the goods.

Still, even more than all that, this episode could represent the future of Voltron. I’m not talking the rest of the season or even the rest of the show. I mean beyond all that. I’m talking novels. Comics. A spin-off series. Before now it was pretty much required to follow the main Voltron characters and the giant robot itself. There’s nothing wrong with that, the show is titled Voltron after all. 

But this episode not only proves you can tell stories about characters other than the Paladins but you don’t even need the giant robot. You can follow the adventures of characters throughout the Voltron universe. If we can follow what’s happening on Earth then why not the Voltron Coalition? Why not the Blade of Marmora? Why not the various Galra factions? 

While any sequel TV show should focus on some sort of Voltron (Vechicle Voltron, amirite?) this episode proves that spin off media like books and comics, meant for the hardcore fans, can be focused on other parts of the universe. We can flesh out characters we’ve only been able to spend a short time with. We can see the backstories of groups like the Blades. We can have stories set between episodes. We can follow the original Paladins.

In that sense this episode is a triumph, simply for showing just how wide the stories within the Voltron universe can go.

But oh boy am I hyped for the Galra invasion.

Shamus Kelley is a pop culture/television writer and official Power Rangers expert. Follow him on Twitter!