The Galra invasion of Earth is led by none other than Sendak, Voltron's old foe. Sanda refuses to send out the new MFE equipment and orders the standard base defensive response, which is quickly disposed of by the Galra fleet. Adam, Shiro's ex-boyfriend, is among the casualties. Sendak demands that Voltron be brought to him; Sanda tells him that Earth is not harboring Voltron. The Galra continue to raze Earth, with only the Garrison base with particle barrier technology being able to put up a fight. Sam and Iverson are finally allowed to send out the MFE fighter planes and utilize the new equipment, which damages Sendak's fleet. Sendak withdraws, and the rest of Earth is ordered to evacuate as the Garrison holds out for Voltron.
Veronica takes Griffin's squadron on a supply run to a nearby depot, seemingly sacrificing herself to ensure the team is able to return to the Garrison. Sendak cuts off the global satellite communications network, and the subjugation of Earth continues.
Work proceeds on the IGF-Atlas. Some time later, Veronica returns to the Garrison, revealing that she has been working with an underground resistance network against the Galra, and that the Galra have started to group humans into work camps. Sam gives one more Rousing Speech to the Garrison, encouraging them to keep fighting.
Tropes:
- Apocalyptic Montage: There's a brief montage of Sendak's Galra cruisers opening fire on several locations around the globe, such as the Pyramids of Egypt. This is backed up by a Spreading Disaster Map Graphic, emphasizing the scope of the invasion.
- Alien Invasion: This episode shows the Galra invasion of Earth in detail.
- Batman Gambit: Sam's plan to contact Voltron relied on Sendak shooting any projectile they sent out of the sky. Once he does so, the rocket breaks into millions of microtransmitters sending a distress signal.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Earth’s military gets completely decimated by the Galra in a matter of hours. The Galran cruisers easily No-Sell the Garrison’s standard weaponry.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Subverted; Veronica seemingly gives her life to ensure that Griffin's squadron brings the supplies back to the Garrison, but is later revealed to have survived.
- Humans Are Warriors: Sam's second Rousing Speech.Sam: If we stand united, we can show them that planet Earth, our home, will not go down without a fight.
- The Main Characters Do Everything: The MFE pilots are sent on a mission to raid a supply depot to help prepare the Garrison for a siege by Sendak's fleet, despite them being the only pilots qualified to handle their sole squadron of useful fighters, rather than sending in ground troops.
- Nothing Is Scarier: Discussed by Sendak, who cuts off Earth’s communication with the outside world to deliberately invoke this trope.Sendak: When you hear a wounded animal cry out, you proceed with caution. Silence promotes haste.
- Rousing Speech: Sam gives one after the first attack, encouraging the base that they will prevail against the Galra. He gives another one near the end, assuring the Garrison that Earth will not go down without a fight.
- Spreading Disaster Map Graphic: The regions of the world quickly go red on the communications map, emphasizing that communication with them has gone dark and the Galra are likely overrunning them.
- Tactical Withdrawal: Sam acknowledges that while it may be tempting to take the fight to the Galra, the Garrison is still not ready to fight them head-on, and should wait it out until Voltron comes.
- World War III: Veronica mentions that a tunnel system is "an older model" dating back to World War III, implying that a significant amount of time has passed since it occurred.
