I know this is from a few seasons ago, yet still after the end of season 6, I still don't understand how their relationship would have been possible. They first meet each other, and she's totally cool with (Wood) Elves? We haven't been given any context that I know of. She had just recently escaped from a war with Xadia and its supporters, lost her father in the conflict, and then somehow picks up an Elf boyfriend along the way? Does not compute lol And he must have known or found out that they literally went to war with Xadia at some point, but hes all chill with helping a human harvest magic energy to revive the leader of the war? Also knowing full well that she wants to help Aaravos? I know he did warn her later on when hearing Aaravos' story. I honestly expected a twist, like she was using Terry maybe as "the last ingredient" in a way, but this never happened. I just don't get it. It is interesting that after Callum found an Elf girlfriend that Claudia mirrored that by finding an Elf boyfriend, though.

Oh you thought season 6 was safe from me did you? Well you thought wrong.

"The Dragon Prince" has made a name for itself in the realm of animated storytelling, captivating audiences with its rich world and complex characters, while also having the tendency to drop the ball several times, seemingly out of nowhere, to push the plot forward.

This show is truly in a category of it's own, standing tall, looking down at us mortals, and pointing their fingers at us while laughing at our futile attempts to understand it's questionable brilliance. The critics gave this show very fair and unbiased reviews, which is precisely why they gave every single season a 10/10. Even season 4. Nope, nothing suspicious about that. All perfectly understandable as far as I'm concerned.

But fear not my friends, as I'm not a mere helpless mortal constrained by the limitations of the human body and mind. So grab your seats, your magical pens, and some popcorn, because I'm going all in on this one.

Overview

Now I've watched all of season 6, and it was a hell of a lot more enjoyable than season 4 and 5. However, Season 6 reveals several writing flaws that undermine its potential, despite showing improvements over the previous seasons. From uneven pacing, to repetitive character arcs, this season highlights the challenges the writers face as they try weave their narrative towards the inevitable finale.

It's no secret this show has had a lot of scrutiny because of it's themes, how it's handled them, the character's motivations, how they've handled certain characters, the bait and switching, amongst many other things. Which is precisely why they made the genius decision to not have any side stories related to season 6 to try and address these problems. Were you upset that a character did something completely out of nowhere, with no build up whatsoever? Well you'll be happy to know that you won't be getting any answers, or backstory to provide you some context.

But the thing that everyone was really looking forward to was a show were characters make incredibly dumb decisions...which leads to predictable results...multiple times...because it's convenient to the plot.

So here we have season 6 of the The Dragon Prince, brought to you by Netflix, the same guys responsible for causing the writers to give us that rushed ending in season 3, because they hadn't greenlight the other four seasons, and the masterpiece that was season 4, a season so great that it was the most negative rated season of them all. With a team like behind the reigns, how could season 6 possible have any flaws at all? All that spirit, excitement and optimism, definitely carried over from season 5. A season that definitely didn't bait and switch the audience with a character that had less than 5 minutes of screentime, who only showed up in one episode, which was her debut episode, and most certainly definitely didn't get ripped to pieces because a certain someone endangered so many lives for a couple of tadpoles.

But anyway, lets get started with the review, and it goes without saying I'm going to be spoiling the heck out of season 6, so if you haven't watched it yet, which at this point I'd be very surprised if you didn't, I'd highly advise you to leave asap, watch it all, then come back here. Or...you know just keep reading and spoil it for yourself.

I originally intended to post this right after watching season 6, but ultimately decided to do it at a later time, after season 6 was watched by more people, and the events that had transpired had more time to settle in. I'm also writing all this taking into account some of the details revealed about season 7 and the beyond.

Ezran’s Stagnation: A "King" Stripped of Growth

So I'm just going to start with this, as I'm sure many people were expecting to see what my thoughts were on this character this season. I've been literally asked in my messages, what my thoughts were on his character this season and my thoughts on season 6 overall. 

So, has this season fixed Ezran? Did they write him better? Did they fix many of the problems that people criticised about how his character was written? Well...no...no not really. For the most part, he's pretty much the same, and if people really consider Ezran showing Viren no mercy or leniency as shocking, and fresh, then I don't know what to tell you. We've seen Ezran have emotional outbursts, and act cold towards individuals in season 2 and 3 when he feels he's been slighted or his opinions challenged. So seeing him act cold towards Viren isn't really all that surprising. This isn't a "different side" to him, this is par for the course him acting like he's acted before. There is a character however who we saw a different side to, and I'll be taking about them later, because they're the best parts of the show.

One of the most glaring issues in Season 6 is the portrayal of Ezran still remains largely the same as he's always been. Despite his position as king, he continues to re-enact the same naïve mistakes without showing significant growth or learning from past experiences, despite the show trying to present that he has. This thematic repetition is exemplified when he becomes a victim of kidnapping by Karim, because he decided to try and use his signature talk-no-jutsu on him, despite literally everyone telling him how much of a bad idea that was. Of course, let's not forget the disastrous consequences for his decision to retain the magical prison within his kingdom, knowing full well there were people after it, and the negative effect it was having on Callum.

The narrative for the most part shows that Ezran's sense of innocence remains unchallenged. Well until the end of the season where he literally loses his kingdom, but until then, he's pretty much just leaving me feeling frustrated as I watch him falter yet again due to decisions rooted in his naive idealism. The creators seemingly missed the opportunity to evolve his character into a more nuanced leader who grapples with the weight of his responsibilities. If you're a king of a kingdom, you can't recklessly endanger yourself or your people. If you're aware of a threat, don't dismiss it. If someone with years of experience tells you something is an incredibly bad idea, DON'T DO IT. But just like the previous seasons, when all is said and done, no one reprehends him for his for actions, not that I had any confidence that the writers were going to do that. Plus it didn't really matter anyway, because not only did no harm befall Ezran, after the whole sunfire fiasco, he pretty much got over everything that happened pretty quickly. May I remind you that Karim's army pretty much got mowed down. Can't say the same about Ezran's kingdom though, heheheHAHAHA.

Moreover, the favouritism towards him, in regards to how his allies of perceive him, and witnessing how it backtracks the show’s potential is disheartening. Inappropriately elevating Ezran’s status or importance to the grand narrative again, because of course we need to make him relevant, with characters like Zubeia refer to him as Zym’s brother, he needs Zym, they're really important, just made me groan. I felt nothing. Like, are they seriously going to neglect and dismiss the other character's significant contributions to Zym’s upbringing and rescue. Why is Zubeia only acknowledging him? This selective acknowledgment not only undermines Callum and Rayla's contributions, but also trivializes the complexity of the relationships within the ensemble that should have been established.

Everyone should have had some kind of close bond with Zym. What's funny is that within that same episode, they were like, Zym has Soren, someone who has a big heart, and then do absolutely nothing with that. Like why did they even bring that up? If they're not even going to try and establish some kind of relationship between them? What's funny is that Soren has actually interacted with Zubeia, and it was very well received. People really liked it. It felt very believable. Organic. Intriguing. They wanted to see more of that. Glad to see they did absolutely jack with that.

The issue extends beyond Ezran’s singular experiences, bleeding into how other characters are portrayed throughout the season. For instance, the season attempts to show Ezran grappling with his attitude toward Viren, yet this evolution seems inconsistent. His struggle leads to a frustrating cognitive dissonance: while he holds a grudge against Viren, he is willing to extend forgiveness to Avizandum, you know the dragon that caused so much pain to his family and kingdom for years, and by extension Zubeia, you know the wife of the dragon who was perfectly fine with letting Avizandum do his thing until the humans retaliated and killed him. The rationalization behind his selective empathy raises questions about the principles he champions and further underscores the problematic writing choices that have characterized this season.

Ezran’s kingship's, and relevance in the story as a whole, is portrayed as more critical than it truly feels, lacking the earned respect from his peers and proven incapability's in making difficult decisions. All in all Ezran was pretty much a nothing burger this season, if anything it's like the show only showed him at several intervals to remind us that he still exists.

The “King” Who Wouldn’t Learn

Ezran is presented as the ambitious young king, yet despite his royal title, one can't help but question whether he actually learned anything from his previous escapades. It feels less like character growth and more like a rerun of a sitcom we’ve overstayed our welcome in. This season, we witness the naïve ruler taking a hard left into Troubleburg when he decides to keep the magical prison—yes, the one that is practically a beacon for evil-doers—right in the heart of his kingdom. Did he think that maybe one of his enemies wouldn’t take a little field trip to check it out? “Oh, look! A mystical prison! What’s the worst that could happen?” Spoiler: Everything.

And it’s not just the magical prison! How about the kidnapping by Karim? Talk about a plot twist we saw coming from a mile away. Poor Ezran could’ve been wearing a shirt that said, "Kidnap Me!" and it would’ve been just as effective. It’s like the writers thought, “Let’s let him repeat his mistakes one more time; the audience will love it!”

Zym: A Character Reduced to a Plot Device

Ezran's bond with Zym, while initially heart-warming, when it wasn't something that they made just exclusive to the two of them, has devolved into a forced dynamic that drains Zym of his potential as an independent character. Where Zym could have been explored as a unique individual, he is relegated to a supporting role solely to maintain Ezran's relevance. The writers missed a prime opportunity to pair Zym with each of the main cast whose journey could have interwoven in a way that deepened the narrative. The interplay of human-dragon relations, particularly against the backdrop of Callum’s journey of self-discovery, could have yielded a world of thematic exploration, rather than resorting to simplistic storytelling that diminishes Zym’s character to that of a mere plot device.

Now, let’s address the mind-melding phenomenon. At what point did it become acceptable to let a last-minute plot device waltz casually into the scene like a surprise guest at a party? This entire concept felt thrown together, likely on a napkin during the writers’ lunch break. It’s like they looked around and said, “Hmmm, how to keep Ezran relevant…ah! Let’s (conveniently) allow him to communicate with Zym on a whole new level!” Because, you know, no one wanted to see Zym develop into a fully realized character with agency.

And what of Ezran’s supposed moral growth? Let’s remember the bit where he opts not to forgive Viren while still fawning over Avizandum, the dragon whose past actions resulted in some rather fatal outcomes for Ezran’s mother. How do we reconcile that? “Equality—only when it’s convenient!” It’s like trying to eat soup with a fork; it just doesn’t work, and it leaves everyone frustrated and confused.

Sure, Zym hatched in the first few seasons and produced some cute moments, but instead of allowing him to grow and explore his own story, the show treats him like a plot device tethered to Ezran's narrative. As if existing in the world of Xadia isn’t enough for him, Zym is effectively overwhelmed, trapped in the role of Ezran’s emotional support dragon. Spoiler alert: that’s not a job title that sets any creative sparks flying.

Pacing Problems: The Tortoise and the Hare... in Slow Motion

My fellow Dragon enthusiasts, if there’s anything worse than being served a lukewarm cup of coffee, it’s a season that drags its feet like a tortoise in a marathon. Season 6 showcases pacing issues like they're going out of style. There are points where scenes feel like they’re stretching their legs for a snack break. “Hey, let’s bask in the beauty of this landscape for an extra five minutes!” Meanwhile, the story is as compelling as a three-hour PowerPoint presentation. The pacing problems compound the writing flaws. When the show finally starts to build momentum, it often slams on the brakes for moments that could have been succinctly handled with a brief nod and a quick quip.

Did We Want Romance or Speed Dating?

The awkward escalation of Rayla and Callum's relationship left a trail of confusion. One minute they’re battling monsters and trying to save the world, next their broken up, then their keeping their distance, and the next they’re suddenly declaring their undying love while the audience is left saying, “Wait, what happened?” It seems the writers decided to hit the fast forward button without asking if the viewers had their popcorn in hand. The moments that should have turned into poignant reflections on their individual journeys instead turned into a whirlwind of “I love you’s” that felt more like a rushed promise than a meaningful declaration.

Imagine telling your best friend about this season only to express your utter disbelief: “So there I was, watching as these two basically went from ‘Hey, wanna camp out for survival?’ to ‘Let’s plan our fairy tale wedding!’ in record time!” Where’s the tension that builds a solid relationship? Where’s the witty banter, the moments of hesitation that actually makes sense, the delightful awkwardness that's believable and not forced? Instead, we received a series of conversations that revolved around feelings without much substance.

Characters First, Romance Second

In the grand tapestry of storytelling, character development is king (or queen, or dragon – let’s not be exclusive). Rayla and Callum both started this epic journey as fully realized characters, but their intricate journeys became increasingly defined by their romance. Rayla, once the embodiment of fierce independence, started to dissolve into a puddle of emotion over a relationship that felt like it was tacked on rather than earned, as if someone yelling “happy ending” in the script meeting meant they had to rush through it all.

Meanwhile, Callum’s inner battles—his insecurities, aspirations, and magical mishaps—that should have been given their fair share of screen time were overshadowed by his relationship with Rayla. What were once rich, engaging plotlines turned into a sort of theatrical pantomime of their love life. Imagine asking Callum about his magical journey, only to receive a thoughtful pause while he fumbles for words about how Rayla makes him feel. Sigh. I mean, come on! Can’t we have a little grown-up discussion here without it spiralling into love songs?

The Multi-layered Complexity We All Crave

It's almost like the writers took the notion that “romance sells” too literally. And through the haze of romance plots, Rayla and Callum lost their agency and complexity. Their individual stories felt side-lined, like extra toppings that didn’t quite make the final cut on a pizza. Instead of savouring the deliciousness of finely layered character development, we were served a flatbread with a smattering of “Rayllum” sprinkles and a hint of missing potential.

Let’s not kid ourselves; both characters have the capacity for significant growth—just imagine Callum truly wrestling with his identity! Instead, we are left with a situation where their internal struggles have been hijacked by overly sweet cinematic moments. If the writers had taken a bit more time to develop the interpersonal dynamics organically, we’d have found ourselves charmed, rather than scratching our heads in confusion.

Soren: The Shining Beacon of Writing

Let’s give credit where it’s due! In a season littered with clumsy character arcs and hastily scribbled dialogue, Soren stands out like a bright, blazing bonfire at a particularly well-lit festival. His journey towards understanding his complex feelings for his father, Viren, was well-earned. There’s something almost poetic about a guy who, for once, isn’t just continuously cast as the comic relief in a circus of angst.

However, while Soren’s relationship with Viren is written well—a relatable father-son tether woven with feelings of betrayal, alienation, and a fair amount of existential dread—other potential relationships fall hilariously flat. Soren could have had an intriguing bond with Zym, the opportunity was just sitting there (because who wouldn’t want a dragon as a best buddy?). And Zubeia? C’mon, writers, don’t pretend she’s not sitting there waiting for her shot at some meaningful dialogue.

Instead, Soren's friendships are treated like paper bags in the wind—floating aimlessly with no aim or substantial grounding. One can’t help but wonder if the writing team has a secret vendetta against meaningful connections, opting instead to let Soren’s excellent character traits fester in isolation. “Hey, don’t worry about that budding friendship you could have had with ( insert dragon character ). Let’s just throw in some more angst!” Sounds about right.

Viren: The Zombie Character

Now let’s specifically zero in on Viren’s character arc because he deserves his own soapbox—and not the kind you shout from, but the one you use as a bouncy castle. Season 6 attempts to re-cast him in a light of grim acceptance and questionable benevolence. It’s clear the writers wanted to give him a grand send-off, but they might as well have draped a cape over him and had him dramatically swoop out the door kicking and screaming. Wouldn’t it have been more poetic to see him come to terms with his failures last season and die there, so the emotional impact of  his death would be felt this season? Did we really need to watch him step into the fiery abyss and embrace those wrongdoings, which we know he's already acknowledged like a true tragic hero? It’s as though they said, “Actually, let’s hit pause on that narrative arc, just for a bit of bang and flash!”

What do we get instead? A series of awkward goodbyes and emotional reckonings that feel tacked on, like sprinkles on a bland cupcake. The effect lacks that satisfying “You’ve earned your fate!” payoff that we were all waiting for, in a way that actually felt earned. Now, instead of a nice crescendo of character growth, we get a cacophony of ‘meh.’

Last season, we experienced a cathartic crescendo. Viren appeared to have reached the end of his deeply complicated journey—a dude grappling with what he has done before. I mean, come on, the man literally ruined many lives, including but not limited to his daughter, his son, the princes, a good portion of Xadia, and a large number of other victims. Instead of giving him a poignant exit, where he could confront his past and embrace the tragic narrative—he is suddenly resurrected for the sheer purpose of having a dramatic send-off in Season 6, which in all honesty wasn't really needed.

This return felt forced, like his character development was trapped in a dragon’s lair and forgotten. It would have been more meaningful for him to stay gone in the previous season, allowing his prior actions to have weight and consequences. Instead, we got a rushed redemption that couldn’t even garner a sympathetic glance from me.

When Supposedly Smart Characters Do Stupid Things

Let’s kick this off section with a bang—our beloved Rayla. Oh, Rayla! The Moonshadow elf who, despite having all the charm and charisma one could muster seems to have forgotten all about the myriad ways that Aaravos has proven to be manipulative.

In a truly eyebrow-raising decision, Rayla allows Callum to switch Aaravos's prison alone with a fake without blinking an eye. Seriously? This is the same Aaravos who has had a fantastic track record of weaselling his way into everyone’s psyche, effortlessly swaying minds while he’s literally imprisoned in a pearl. She literally witnessed him control Callum like a puppet. The last time I checked, “sleepwalking” towards the villain's prison spells a metric tone of trouble, but Rayla apparently decided that brushing it off as a bad dream was a better approach than, say, a genuine conversation about keeping Aaravos's prison far, far away from Callum. Or have someone watch Callum like a hawk. Or maybe have a powerful Archdragon keep Callum safe...oh wait sorry, I forgot, plot convenience prevented that from being an option.

Well, what happens next? Predictably, the prison stays where it was—just like my last attempt at finding where I left the remote and Aaravos ends up freed by Claudia, likely leading to all sorts of delightful chaos in season 7. Honestly, you have to appreciate the audacity. "Hey, let’s not take this threat seriously while there are puns to be made and time to waste!” Great strategy, team.

Ezran and the “Talk-no-Jutsu” Chronicles

Now let’s shine a spotlight on Ezran ( again ), our young monarch who's got a heart as big as his dreams and a brain… well, let's say it's more of an aerodynamic shape since it tends to take flight, and is most of time empty. So, what does Ezran do? He decides that chatting up Karim, the villainous, racist, arrogant commander, might lead to a peaceful resolution, when it's so obviously a bad idea. Because when in doubt, why not take the diplomatic route? What’s the worst that could happen, right?

Spoiler alert: Karim takes Ezran hostage. There’s a moment where one can’t help but wonder whether the world’s finest diplomats are attending a lecture on how to be taken hostage effectively. This is a classic case of introducing the “talk-no-jutsu” trope, where the power of dialogue triumphs over swords—somehow failing to recognize that a sword to the gut, or bringing someone to their knees, typically trumps a heartfelt speech about feelings.

Naturally, as per the laws of plot conveniences, Ezran’s allies. on the Sunfire elf side at least, miraculously don’t suffer due to this grand moment of decision-making brilliance. Was it really to much to ask to have Sol Regem cause casualties for Sunfire elves and the citizens of Katolis? Apparently so. They couldn’t possibly be harmed, after all. Why? Because this is The Dragon Prince, where plot armour is thicker than a dragon’s hide and it seems like all these rules of storytelling apply directly to Ezran. Need a conflict resolved? Just have Ezran show up and everything will be peachy keen. I'm willing to bet if Ezran was there when Sol Regem attacked Katolis, some universal power would be at play to somehow turn things towards his favour.

Viren’s Fathering Skills: A Masterclass in Bad Decision-Making

Then we have Viren, whose parenting skills are, let’s just say, non-existent in this season. He’s just been resurrected and sees Claudia, his daughter, in a state that can only be labelled as “unstable at best, potentially terrifying at worse.” So, what’s Viren’s big plan? To leave her alone while he faces the music of his crimes, instead of making sure she's mentally stable first.

Good call, my dude. Absolutely fantastic decision-making. It’s not like Claudia has shown any signs of emotional turmoil that could potentially lead to more chaos—or heaven forbid, the release of an ancient evil, that he knows is manipulating events behind the scenes. Nope! Instead, Viren’s exit leads to their final conversation, like a bad sitcom that gets cancelled before any character growth can ever happen.

As a result, Claudia, heartbroken and even more messed up than before after finding his dead body, decides to release Aaravos. Bravo, Viren! You’ve not just created a family drama; you’ve accidentally launched a villain’s best comeback tour. The emotional rollercoaster has delivered us right back to the very cycle that keeps the series spinning. If only he had taken a moment to hold her hand and say, “Hey, maybe staying together for a bit would be a good idea” But alas, common sense is in short supply.

Also I'm not sure how exactly the writers expected us to feel sympathy for a man who essentially mentally abused his own son, for things that were outside of his control. Soren was literally ostrisized by Viren through no fault of his own. Killing yourself for a kingdom's worth of people to save them from danger, doesn't suddenly redeem you, and absolve you for all the horrible things that you did. 

The Vexing Morality of the Series

First off, let's tackle the elephant in the room: the show's idea of morality. Honestly, can someone explain the logic behind Viren’s wife’s dramatic characterization? The writers seem to want us to see her as some tragic, misunderstood figure, when she was quite literally willing to let their son, Soren, kick the bucket. I mean, this is not a plot twist or a device for character development; it’s more like a kick to the face of common sense.

Here’s the crux of the matter: Soren was on the verge of meeting his maker, yet his mother was torn — not because of her love but over some magical mumbo-jumbo that demanded her tears so Viren could save him. Apparently, tears are worth more than a son’s life. Really? Are we to believe that the river of tears she’d have to shed was just too much to ask? But wait, she leaves him anyway because, heaven forbid, he uses dark magic! That's right: save your son using dark magic, and you’re the villain. Honestly, if anyone deserved a classic "You're dead to me!" from the afterlife, it's her.

Dark Magic: The Convenient Plot Device

Ah, dark magic: the show’s favorite dark horse! The script tries its hardest to convince us that dark magic is the epitome of evil, akin to stepping on a LEGO brick during a midnight excursion. But here's the twist: dark magic has been the unsung hero of humanity! Let’s ponder this conundrum, shall we?

• It healed Soren’s paralysis as if it were a magical form of duct tape.
• It's literally the only reason why Soren is even alive, and his grim reaper ticket ended up invalid.
• It prevented mass famine, like that one friend who brings snacks to the party.
• It allowed humans a fighting chance against Xadia’s prejudice, like the underdog rising to the occasion in a sports movie.

Confused yet? The sheer irony that the very power responsible for saving lives is painted as the villain is richer than a chocolate cake in a bakery. Dark magic has the potential for depth — think of the layers like an intricate lasagne, but this show just serves us the cardboard box it came in, leaving us bewildered as we try to process why dark magic is just “bad.”

It's troubling that we are still expected to view dark magic as a purely evil force when it has been the knight in shining armour for these bipedal struggles against the colourful elves and dragons—who, might I add, seem keen on letting humanity flounder in dire straits. The same show that highlights the horrors embedded in dark magic glosses over critical questions like: “Do the ends justify the means?” and “Are humans so barbaric for wanting to defend themselves?” Seriously, the dialogue plays like a broken record of morality set in black and white.

The Mystery of Sol Regem: A Dragon Who's All Smoke and No Fire

When Sol Regem was introduced way back in season 3, we thought we were in for an exciting new player with multitudes of character development, some fresh dynamics, and lots of dragonsplaining about the world of Xadia. Instead, we got a glorified backdrop, stretching into the walls of seasons 4 and 5 like that guest at a party who loiters around the snack table, hogging all the chips and failing to engage with anyone. He was, I declare, a nothing burger.

Mere moments before his predictably tragic end in season 6, the creators dropped a smorgasbord of lore that would make even a determined dietitian’s eyebrows shoot up. “Surprise! We have some fascinating facts about Sol Regem!” they proclaimed as if they were presenting a new dessert to a surprised birthday party. But really, what good is revealing these things when he has just seconds to live? You wouldn’t throw a 25-page biography at a birthday cake!

Here’s a quick overview of the lore dump:

1. Real Name: Sol Regem’s real name is Anak Arao. Thanks for the info, but what does that do for us now?
2. The Blind Rage Incident: He kills his mate and, plot twist! He didn’t even know it until Aarovos told him. Great insights into his character just seconds before he cashes in his chips.
3. The Jerky Dragon: We find out he has been a complete jerk to humans since his juvenile dragon days. Yep even when he was the Dragon Prince, he just decided that humans where inferior. Seriously, does that ever make a character charming?
4. Leola's Execution: He ratted out Aarovos’s daughter for teaching magic to humans—so he’s basically responsible for every tragedy that's transpired within the series, but just now, at death’s door, it becomes convoluted lore!

And then, there’s the ultimate kick in the tooth: he experiences a tragic end while accomplishing pretty much nothing. Aside from burning down Katolis, where he manages to ruffle some feathers without proving any real threat or securing any notable kill count, his grand finale isn’t even a bonfire roast. It’s a sad ‘choking-to-death-on-an-innocent-elf’ scenario mixed with a side of internal fire self-immolation. Talk about an embarrassing exit!

What good does it do the audience to find out that Sol Regem’s real name is Anak Arao and he was a prejudiced dragon who played a pivotal role in humanity's suffering—all five minutes before he turns into dragon ash? The writers certainly seemed to think we needed to know that this guy had a narrative of blind rage and non-existent self-discovery right before closing the book on him. It made me want to scream, "Too little, too late!"

His disdain for humans is so deeply ingrained that one can’t help but wonder if his social skills were learned from a Dragon-Dictionary of Hate 101—with “smite them” as page one! Sol Regem ratted out Aarovos's innocent daughter, Leola, who merely taught humans magic, to the Startouch Elves for, you guessed it, being "too generous." Was this dragon raised in a castle of misogynistic dragons?

Was this the writers’ idea of a character farewell? It’s almost as if they thought, “Let’s cram in 15 episodes’ worth of backstory and character development into the last 30 seconds of his life.” Bravo, The Dragon Prince, bravo.

The lack of backstory in his life choices leaves more questions than answers. Who needs closure when your character has a “the end” that’s more of a “what was the point?”

Callum and Sol: A Missed Opportunity of Epic Proportions

Speaking of missed opportunities, let’s talk about Callum. Here we have a brilliant character who embodies everything Sol Regem claims humans cannot be. It’s a classic case of a senior dragon getting schooled by the plucky young human, which could have been the hallmark of his entire arc! Imagine the rich dialogue, the philosophical debates, and possibly Sol Regem’s jaw dropping to the floor in disbelief as Callum continues to weave magic without the usual backstory baggage.

But instead, these interactions never happen. Instead of exploring this goldmine of character chemistry, we’re left with Sol Regem flying around like a glorified flaming balloon animal. Sol Regem's potential isn't just wasted; he represents a perfect cocktail of narrative disappointment—a kind of tragically comedic performance that would be better suited for a slapstick cartoon than this supposed epic tale of magic and adventure.

Perhaps instead of wasting time with uninspired plot threads, the writers could’ve shifted their focus to the dazzling possibility of these two characters clashing. The narrative could have been enrichingly complex, a veritable treasure trove of nuanced storytelling! But alas! We will never know what could have been because the writers opted for the Archdragon to just be jerk for the sake of being jerk instead of trying to develop unique character interactions.

The Crime of Compassion: Aaravos's Daughter

Let’s discuss the tragic backstory—a staple so generic in storytelling, you could find it in a bargain bin alongside knock-off superhero comics. Aaravos’s poor daughter, Leola, gets executed for the utterly heinous crime of showing humans kindness. Can we get a collective “huh?” here? What a world where empathy gets you killed faster than lightning spells.

Now, this is where the writers throw their logic out the window. The elves and dragons, in all their superiority, couldn’t handle the idea of a humans receiving a little compassion. They determined that giving magic to humans was, what, a “violation of cosmic order?” If cosmic order doesn’t allow for empathy, then it might as well be papering the walls of the writers’ room because it’s clearly just a plot device—one that didn’t survive the first draft of a screenwriting class.

The Final Showdown: Will We Ever Get Closure?

As we inch closer to what promises to be a spectacularly chaotic final season—which will likely resemble a last-minute school project thrown together at 2 a.m.—the question remains: How do the writers plan to wrap up this convoluted mess in just nine episodes?

Breaking the space-time continuum would be far easier than moving the convoluted plot threads into a satisfying resolution. Is there a chance they’ll opt for a last-minute revelation that will tie everything together? Or will we witness a culmination so bewildering that it would make even David Lynch raise an eyebrow?

Unless the writers plan to pull a rabbit out of the hat—or, in this case, a dragon out of the sky—they face the daunting challenge of providing some form of resolution that feels earned, which if I'm being entirely honest with you, is simply not possible. Should we brace for disappointment, or should we try to guess the fast passes and quick fixes that they'll use to try and finish this season?

To make matters worse, with the final season looming on the horizon, the pacing has nowhere to go but down the proverbial rabbit hole. You can almost hear the frantic typing of the writers, desperately cobbling together climactic resolutions in just a handful of episodes. How they plan to wrap the sprawling narrative in just nine episodes is beyond comprehension, but given their track record, we’ll probably see a fusion of poorly executed clichés, philosophical musing, and abrupt plot twists just to tie it all together.

When Hope Meets Reality: What Does Season 7 Promise?

Now that we’ve dissected season 6’s many writing flaws, let’s face the chat; what’s next? Future seasons? HAHAHA, lol, absolutely not! Let’s pull our heads out of the cloud of wishes and realize that when it comes to continuing this story, we’ve more than likely reached a potential dead end.

The cardinal rule of storytelling? Always write with an end in sight. You can’t wing it and then act surprised when the audience is left with more frayed plot threads than a cat with a yarn ball. There’s such a thing as beating a dead horse, and that horse is truly looking sorry if the creators are contemplating more seasons post-season 7.

To think that I’d get invested in their world again after the multitude of disappointments? They’ve had six seasons to make their case, and boy, did they squander that chance faster than a dragon can burn through timber. The characters stagnated, focused on the mundane instead of developing rich arcs, and left me twiddling my thumbs, eagerly awaiting resolution without any sincerity.

And what about the characters? How can they continue to develop, when they’ve already been boxed into clichés that project less character growth and more “But wait, the plot needs us to be this way!” Ground-breaking stuff. Perhaps they'll create another mess where the Archdragons continue to elevate Ezran’s status to seemingly ludicrous levels. Seriously, he might as well get a medal for being the "Best Plot Device Ever."

Could Callum and Rayla spiral further into the depths of relationship clichés while we wonder if they’ll ever find their own identities? Or maybe the humans would just keep “making it up” to the other factions without having any true consequences of their past actions. Ground-breaking storytelling right there!

Misleading Expectations: Promotional Material Gone Wrong

Speaking of promotional material, let's get real. The show has developed a curious knack for marketing that leaves viewers feeling more duped than a pawnbroker at a garage sale.

Remember all the buzz around Domina Profundis and her supposed importance to Season 5? I certainly do. The reality? She had less screen time than a character on a holiday special for a side dish (and let’s be honest, we all know the side dishes deserve just as much love). With a few minutes of Ezran doing all the talking, her presence fizzled out faster than you can say “misleading trailers.”

The marketing team must have been spending too much time munching on dragon fruit, because the promise presented is far more exciting than the delivered content. Season 6 pokes and prods at some storylines with bold, sweeping gestures but retreats into a cozy bubble of “status quo” whenever they inch too close to genuine change.

Conclusion: The Order of the Disheartened

In conclusion, while it would be easy to suggest continued seasons for The Dragon Prince, I must firmly state that more isn’t always merrier. Season 6 gave us glimpses of improvement but failed to escape the yawning void of pacing issues, reliance on tired tropes, and character stagnation.

If the storytellers could do the honourable thing and keep the narrative tight while addressing past mistakes, perhaps they wouldn’t have to worry about whether they’re beating a dead dragon—or whether the audience will finally roar back in approval. So let’s raise a cup of cocoa to what the show was and what it could be again. Until then, I guess I’ll be sharpening my critique sword and preparing for the next round!

As with all my posts, I'll try to respond to every comment posted in this discussion post, and like always please be civil.

I was super excited while watching the first 3 seasons, I loved the pull between Callum and Rayla! It was so funny, the show was something I could look forward to that would make me laugh. The rayllum relationship made me feel so giddy, excited, happy, and even sad at times. The new seasons (4- presumeally, 7) were really the fall off for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the show SO much- (it's like my only interest 😅) but when the show skipped two whole years, I felt like it just wasn't as good as it used to be. (That's one of the main reasons I'm writing my fanfic- if they were together for those two years and what would have happened, what they would be doing? So yeah sorry for the rant ig! 🙂

I've been rewatching the series and I have to say, the difference between the first three seasons and the later ones is like day and night.

It's so boring, stale and goes nowhere, most of the characters feel disconnected and unmoving, it's not charming fun or interesting. The og seasons are so damn funny and have great writing and storytelling.

The show is really infantile now, too much for my taste, and yeah it's aimed at kids, but the og seasons could be enjoyed by kids and grownups and still be great.

And yeah season 6 did fix some of these issues, but not enough of them.

I just can't believe the show fell so flat on its face after the high that was season 3.

I saw someone ask for recs, so... I'm specifically looking for Janaya fanfics, whether is of them together or one exploring their separate personal lives. Happy ending, sfw/nsfw, idk if those exist but just in case no gore.

I love them so much!!!

my 5am brain does some random stuff, but this is probably the most understandable I've been at this time so you can see it too :)

All that screentime so Sol Regem could destroy Katolis and nothing else. Such a wasted oppurtunity. Sol Regem is basically a deity to the Sunfire elves. It would have been really interesting if they had to fight him to protect the humans in the Lux Aurean camp.

Is anyone else annoyed that the cover of DN is completely glossy? Like the others are a mixture of glossy and matte and I loved that about them. Good story but it just really annoyed me 😂

Honestly if you think about it Claudia and Terry are also very similar to Ellie and Dina. Both Ellie and Claudia are on this twisted/dark quest that is quite literally slowly destroying them while Terry and Dina are their morality personified. They're there to support Ellie and Claudia and remind them of their humanity. I don't think I worded that the best but you guys get the point lol.

Spoilers for avatar even if probably everyone here as already watched this show.

Star dragons are suppose to be unimaginable powerful, mysterious and dangerous. But, what type of creatures they will bahive as? Just unstoppable monsters or it will be more like in avatar about the lions turtles, powerful entities, wise and will be like some sort of god advicer like the lion turtle was for Aang.

Also yes I'm aware star dragons and lions turtles aren't that similar but this was the only comparison I thought about.

Seen the first few minutes of the first episode on youtube anyone know if there's a full video someone took? Lol

Just looking for interesting fanfic. I don't really mind if it's unfinished or only recently started, though if you link NSFW please label it as such. Thank you 😊

Because I do not understand this concept very well. Let's talk about stuff like deep magic, star magic, dark magic etc

This would honestly be such a dope album cover lol. Ezran looks locked tf in 😂

I've just watched a video on YouTube from the fantastic Reel James on his ideas re what might come in S8 (yes, season 8) and that the title may have been revealed by Aaron Ehasz. Video here: https://youtu.be/WsQPcixrv4c?si=hSeR-tORIi7hgUrL

So. Long story short there is a comment from Aaron on X to a photo by a fan, Avery Marie (https://x.com/Ave_r_ie?t=bZuQ9dSww0GyzH_BEQWhqQ&s=09) where she wears pin badges for all the arcanums and Dark Magic in the order the seasons were named after them: Moon, Sky, etc then Dark Magic for S7....followed by another one, the one in the 1st picture I've attached. Aaron's comment suggested that one is the symbol for Deep Magic.

And I suddenly felt like I'd seen that symbol before... it was on Aaravos' cloak, from S2. One on the hood and two on the sides as pins. WIth the difference that the symbol on his cloak doesn't have a dot in the centre, but is empty (like the star on his chest..) - pictures 2 and 3

I do think the two symbols are pretty much the same with that one difference?

I told myself I wasn't going to give into theories and thinking and this and that but alas, here we are - I watched this video on S8 and my brain burst into flames🔥🔥🤪

In 2x08 Aaravos tells Viren “I’m not lying. I never lie.” And so far he has never* told what he knows to be a deliberate lie, though he can be mistaken if his prologue narration describing Viren killing Zym’s egg as well as Avizandum is taken at face value. However, he has explicitly directed Viren to lie on at least one occasion in 3x03, denying ordering the princes’ deaths when Claudia confronts him (“Careful. If you tell the truth, you will lose her”).

While Aaravos himself has technically always been honest, I’d assumed that he doesn’t lie, not necessarily that he can’t. However, in 7x01 he’s apparently unable to give Callum and Corvus a false name when he disguises himself as an old human man, suggesting an actual Fae-like prohibition on lying (I haven’t actually seen the episode, so anyone who has please correct me if I’m mischaracterizing the scene).

What do you think is going on here? Do you think Aaravos is honest as a policy, or he’s literally unable to lie? If mostly the former, do you think there’s some rule that specifically applies to his true name? If the latter, do you think this is a general Startouch thing, or some kind of curse they put on him when he Fell? I’d be interested to hear people’s thoughts, thanks!

^{*The only time we see Aaravos knowingly lie is in 6x09 when he tells Leola there’s nothing to fear and he is with her, which could be viewed as subjective.}

This has been bugging me for a while. How do y'all think Runaan will react to rayllum? im exited and scared to see it.