The sixth season of The Dragon Prince promised to change the game for Xadia, and indeed it brings us to a concluding point around the “Mystery of Aaravos” subtitle that has been guiding the past few seasons. But even better than the plot machinations (which were needed after season five’s more measured pace), the penultimate arc is determined to answer a few long-standing questions about some of its darker figures.
But first: There’s love everywhere as two of the series’ central couples work through a few seasons-worth of difficulties and make choices about their futures. Queen Janai (Rena Anakwe) and General Amaya’s (Shelia Ferguson) interrupted nuptials receive the focus they rightly deserve, despite the interference and scheming of Janai’s brother, Prince Karim (Luc Roderique). The question of what place unity has in the midst of upheaval and fear is answered in the long road these women face, one where they repeatedly must choose one another with clarity and purpose as they’re told over and over again—by enemies, but also by the events unfolding around them—that perhaps this isn’t the time for them.
The most fervent defender of their union is King Ezran (Sasha Rosen), who spends the entire season determined to prove that kindness and compassion are the only ways their world can move forward. It’s often difficult to write (and play) characters who are aligned in this manner, but Ezran’s development over the course of this show has been a joy to witness that only grows as he goes toe to toe with greater villains who insist that his perspective is naive. His defense of his Aunt Amaya and the importance of her happiness amidst so much unrest is a heartening linchpin of the season.
Turning back toward one another after a pointed break in their romance are High Mage Callum (Jack DeSena) and Rayla (Paula Burrows). It’s heartening enough to find more narratives that prioritize the realism of growing apart—and perhaps back together again—particularly in romances involving younger characters. Rayla and Callum are an excellent team, but they’ve both had a lot to work out on their own, as their respective skills pulled them in different directions. As always, the trust between the characters regardless of their romantic inclinations at any given moment is what truly makes for good television.
There are a number of clever fake-outs in season six that are only noticeable if you’re watching the show with a dearth of fandom history at your disposal. (Meaning, these jokes are for the parents and older fans watching.) For example, one episode is titled “The Red Wedding.” The conclusion of this particular Red Wedding is not the same as one styled by George R.R. Martin, which is the point, of course. You’ll spot a few more of these references if you keep your eyes peeled, and they certainly add an extra sparkle to the proceedings.
Many places of safety in the series are called into question, places both physical and decidedly not; alliances, relationships, knowledge and much more are upended as the story swerves hard toward its ending. New relationships are formed as well, with Callum and Rayla visiting the Startouch Elves, a group that has made no contact with the rest of Xadia for many years. That adventure, harrowing though it is, offers some relief for Rayla by way of trying to revive her soul-trapped family members.
A lot of questions in this season center around useful means of resistance in times of darkness, and how to best inspire and and care for those around you by recognizing that endless pressure and blunt honesty are not always the best policies. The scripts are tightly calibrated in this season, delivering on sheer devastation when these points are brought to the fore. There is one episode in particular that centers around Callum and Soren (Jesse Inocalla), who are struggling with very different problems that nevertheless have the same crux at their core—the question of whether people in their lives are sharing information with them to unburden themselves, or to aid them.
On Soren’s side, that person is his father Viren (Jason Simpson), returned after a long arc of treacherous behavior that sees him abandon daughter Claudia (Raquel Belmonte) yet again to her quicksand of dark magic. Viren makes a choice to try and atone by returning home to Katolis—not to ask forgiveness, but to do what he believes is right. The question of sharing with his estranged son finally gives the audience the missing pieces of Viren’s family history, making sense of his own spiral in this story… but Viren, for the first time, seems to have learned from past mistakes, and makes different choices that set him on a path toward the season’s most stunning payoff.
On the other side of this is poor Claudia, still being looked after by stalwart boyfriend Terry (Benjamin Callins) as she attempts to help banished Startouch Elf Aaravos (Erik Todd Dellums) long after everyone believes his threat has quieted for the time being. The previous seasons saw a rather obvious parallel for Aaravos in Christian tradition, another proverbial Satan remixed for a fantasy epic. While the initial inklings of this story didn’t inspire confidence, more history revealed around Aaravos’ character have upped the stakes and the intrigue in this season. What if, The Dragon Prince seems to ask, the devil had a much better reason for his disillusion? What if the almighty in this situation had a great deal to answer for?
What this will lead to for The Dragon Prince’s seventh and final season, we can only guess. But I’m willing to bet it will be powerful thing to witness when we finally arrive.
