Hey all! I’m back with another shower thought topic that nobody asked for, but hopefully some might enjoy anyway.

In the Netflix show Revelation we saw Prince Adam die to protect the universe and be rewarded with eternal life in Preternia, an afterlife realm along the lines of Elysium or Valhalla. There he is surrounded by many fallen heroes of the past, some of whom have also wielded the power of Grayskull at different points throughout its history. We are told that these heroes were allowed to choose their most ideal form of theirselves to have as their body in this realm, and each one had chosen to be a fully Grayskull-powered adult in his or her prime, except for Adam. 

Adam choosing to retain his unempowered form as his true self demonstrated a uniquely humble nature. His version of He-Man existed selflessly to help others, not for himself or his own ego. He did not crave the power, or see it as fully his own. It was not his true nature, but a persona he embodied situationally to fight for good. Instead he found contentment within his own natural skin, so to speak. A sign he is a true hero amongst heroes. Or at least, that was how I perceived it when watching Revelation in the past.

After watching the sequel series Revolution, it occurred to me that maybe this is not the complete picture of why he chose to live on as Adam instead of He-Man. In fact, it might be evidence of Adam’s own immaturity instead. Self-doubt masquerading as selflessness, and an unresolved inner conflict centered around his own discomfort with the role of He-Man.

Adam had died young, and had left a great deal unresolved in his life. He had kept many secrets from his close family and friends, secrets that once revealed could cause them to suffer. He had never gotten to be completely honest with his parents, nor receive the acceptance and respect of his father. He never got to confess his true feelings to the woman he loved, never got to experience intimacy or even a fully romantic relationship. He never even got to see what outcome his heroic sacrifice had on the world. Had he done the right thing? If he hadn’t given into rage and stabbed Skeletor, the power wouldn’t have been exposed and the universe would have remained safe. He wouldn’t have had to sacrifice himself to make things right again. Maybe that was proof in his own mind that in the end he didn’t truly deserve to be He-Man. He didn’t fully live up to the responsibility, and his mistakes cost him and his loved ones dearly.

With all this unresolved business, perhaps it was only natural that the life he desired was one as Adam. Adam had always kept the power at arms length, separate from his identity. Maybe he knew deep down that he was not yet ready to claim that power. He was still a child at heart, alternating between playing at being a heroic adventurer and playing at being a layabout prince with the finest things of Eternia at his discretion. Adam lived a relatively carefree life and never committed fully to either role. Unsure of his path or his future, a youth who never stepped out of his family’s shadow, never got to stand on his own or establish a life for himself. A boy with so much growing up to do. Adam was the one who really missed out on seminal experiences, who harbored regrets, whose purpose was yet unfinished. For him, this eternal reward wasn’t such an exciting paradise, but rather a somber time to reflect on the life not lived. Compared to his peers he seems disengaged and isolated. Not fitting in with his fellow heroes, not taking part in their games, seemingly standing apart and spending time alone with his thoughts. An eternity as an awkward teenager.

Of course the show doesn’t end there. Adam goes on to become the first hero to give up his reward and return to the living world, where he is able to resolve so many of his life’s loose threads. And through that journey, he also comes to terms with the power within himself. He is finally able to decide the direction of his life, to navigate being true to himself while honoring his responsibilities and his place in the world.

At the end of Revolution, his choices are finally his own. He is fully embracing what it is to be alive both as Adam and as He-Man, simultaneously. No more retreating to hide to a comfortable sense of normalcy, no more regrets or fears or insecurities holding him back from making the most of his life. And I think, should he die directly after the finale, he would return to Preternia as the He-Man we saw in those final moments. At last, he is his fully realized self. 

That’s my take for now. I’d be happy to hear the thoughts of others, so feel free to comment. Thanks for reading!