Written by On August 6th, 2021, Executive Producer Ted Biaselli appeared on the ToyGalaxy Twitch channel to promote Part One of his new fantastic series, “Masters of the Universe: Revelation”.
During the livestream, Ted Biaselli discussed how “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” honors the events of the 1983 classic Filmation Series “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.” He revealed that all the old Filmation episodes count in Revelation’s series continuity, less three creative liberties taken.
So what were those changes?
CHANGE #1 – Orko no longer was a master wizard on his homeworld, Trolla.
Why in the world would Orko logically leave Trolla for Eternia, when Eternia would transform the magician from a great powerful wizard into a magically inept court jester? And why would Orko leave his family, his friends, and even his girlfriend behind just to become this mockery of magic? Odd? Well Ted revealed the creators behind Revelation couldn’t logically reconcile it either, and found it more suiting if the character Orko struggled with his magic on all worlds. And Orko trying to win the approval of his parents and live up to his “Oracle” name on Trolla became a great kinship between Orko and Prince Adam, who related with all the same struggles of winning his royal parents’ approval and living up to his princely status.
CHANGE #2 – Roboto’s origin; No longer a being from Planet Robotica, but rather an all-out creation of Man-at-Arms.
In the 1983 classic Filmation series, Roboto was originally depicted as a space explorer from the alien world Robotica who was damaged during a crash-landing on Eternia and later repaired by Man-At-Arms. But the producers of “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” saw a better relationship dynamic to exploit with Roboto being an all-out creation of Man-at-Arms, where Roboto shares Duncan’s same neural pathways and memories (including how to reforge the sword of power), ultimately creating a stronger family bond with Duncan as a father figure and Teela as a sister.
CHANGE #3 – The Sorceress now gave birth to Teela before she became the guardian of Castle Grayskull, not after.
This slight alteration results in the Sorceress keeping her commitment of severing all personal ties once she became the guardian of Castle Grayskull’s secrets (versus becoming pregnant during her most noble duty.) It also deepens the ultimate sacrifice she made, to abandon her place as Teela’s mother. And Duncan actually being the Sorceress’ mate and the biological father of Teela has been something fans have been speculating and wishing for quite a long time!
Rewatching the Filmation episode Teela’s Quest made me think. If the Sorceress was already Zoar the falcon and placed baby Teela in a high mountain nest for safety against Merman…wasn’t the Sorcerers already the Sorceress at that point?
I love the addition that Duncan is actually Teela’s father, so obviously that continuity was changed. Or, the Oracle was asked about Teela’s MOTHER, wasn’t he? Not her Father…). “Tell me of my Mother.”
I haven’t read the comics much at all (where to start?) but I believe that there was a storyline where Man at Arms was Teela’s father but suffered from amnesia.
I liked the change in canon. It gave the Revelations story more gravitas and if you squint/headcanon it doesn’t necessarily wipe the continuity of Teela’s Quest (one of my fav Filmation episodes of all time).