@Philweasel
I think your interpretation of Shadow Weaver is pretty plausible. I’m kinda hoping you’re right. Her being in the role of the amoral teacher/advice giver has been pretty fun, really. Although if activating all of the Runestones wasn’t at least somewhat disappointing/concerning to her… well, her MO doesn’t seem to really fit in with what Horde Prime is, in any case. She depends on influencing young protégés, like Glimmer, and Micah (the latter of which she was
sincerely pleased to see alive, even after he attacked her on sight, and she dispelled it), and then there’s the case of Adora, and Catra, for how badly that turned out.
And you’re right. They do all want validation, one way or another, and if Hordak were to ever come back to himself, or anything like that, if that season finale didn’t send the message that Horde Prime couldn’t care less about him, nothing will. Catra and Hordak do have a lot in common in regards to their validation desires, and how unhealthy they’ve been.
(Horde Prime seems to be one of the odd ones out in that he
doesn’t quite seem to seek validation, in any
normal way at least. His army of clones are, as per his
extreme narcissism, meant to be extensions of himself, and his will, which is why one with free will
pissed him the fuck off.)
Time will tell…
(Pretty good part of me wants more EntrapDak moments)