WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Masters of the Universe: Revelation Part 2, now streaming on Netflix.
One of the most interesting aspects of Masters of the Universe: Revelation is how the show has handled the Power of Grayskull. It's no longer something owned by Prince Adam and He-Man alone, with others being able to conquer or share in it too. However, while this is a bold move for Kevin Smith and co. to take, Netflix's other series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, actually does this concept of splitting the gift way better.
In Revelation, Skeletor initially steals the Sword of Power and calls the mystical energy of Grayskull down onto himself to become a god. Evil-Lyn then does the same to him to become a god herself, kicking Skeletor to the curb. But when Prince Adam gets the sword back to stop her, he turns into He-Man, while also surprising everyone and giving Skeletor a share of the power again to help him against the mage.
This move makes no sense because it's obvious that Skeletor will betray him, which happens later in Revelation as he tries to kill He-Man and consolidate power for himself again. It's clear that Adam needs backup but he should have looked elsewhere rather than to a villain. After all, he's got Teela as the new Sorceress and could even have upgraded Orko, Andra or Man-at-Arms in the same fashion as he did by transforming Cringer into Battle Cat.
Making Skeletor a god again simply feels forced and it's an unnecessary bit of shock value that falls flat, as it tries to give audiences a cool team-up that's ultimately superficial. The villain didn't deserve this at all, as he tried to kill He-Man and end Eternia multiple times. Thus, Adam saying this power-up would allow Skeletor to feel what it's like to be a hero just doesn't resonate. He simply doesn't have a shred of goodness in him, so he is unworthy.
This angle, however, feels more organic and emotional in Netflix's other cartoon, as it creates a sense of family. In He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Adam shares the power, turning Teela into the Sorceress, Krass'tine into Ram-Ma'a, Cringer into Battle Cat and Duncan into Man-at-Arms, as he can't defeat Skeletor by himself. He makes these folks he trusts more than soldiers -- they're now fully Masters of the Universe, who can use the power with or without Adam and his sword.
It's a more profound legion with purpose, fitting the benevolent vision Grayskull and the first Sorceress had. It also makes way for protectors in case something happens to He-Man, rather than rewarding villains who love dominion and backstabbing as Skeletor does in Revelation. This way, the power is something more virtuous to those who deserve it rather than Adam's toy, which creates nuance and adds a lot more substance to the style, as He-Man realizes there's strength in numbers.
The entire 10-episode first season of Masters of the Universe: Revelation is now available on Netflix.
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