I strongly agree. I think Lion-O’s new approach, though very flawed, is the best he can do. Like you said, he genuinely loves Pumyra and wants her to be with him instead of just a crush. Considering the crush he had before turned out so bad, it’s not shocking to see him be bad at flirting. Once he figured out being himself would work better than anything, it worked. I think Pumyra will be more open to him now that she really seems to have feelings for him, despite his awful first attempt.
All Lion-O has to do is apply that Post-Trials confidence he’s used in his previous decisions to his pursuit of Pumyra and he’ll have no problems. She already responds best to him when he’s sure and decisive, just man up and tell the girl you’ve had some strong feelings for her lately and you’d like to discuss it further. Preferably someplace quiet, private, and a nice view wouldn’t hurt either.
I’m expecting this in the finale. He really should have told her his feelings when she was messing with the crossbow. She looked really lonely, and he could have had a nice chat with her.
I wouldn’t say he is in love with Pumyra yet. Right now it’s still at the crush phase. The main difference between Pumyra and Cheetara is that Pumyra tends to be very gruff and temperemental alot of the time so when she does do something different, like flirt with Lion-O, it stands out more and is easier to understand.
With Cheetara, she was just supportive of Lion-O but was being a bit too touchy feely with a guy friend which can lead to the guy friend thinking she is interested in him romantically. Even Tygra thought Cheetara was interested in Lion-O because of her actions.
He seemed almost too honest talking to Ponzi about her being strong and brave (or something like that) to just have a crush. I think he was out of that phase after the whole flower incident. Despite how terrible of a thing the tried to do by giving her the potion, he just wanted to talk about feelings, and people with crushes don’t usually want to talk about feelings.
I’d say he’s somewhere past a crush, but not quite in full-blown love. Love takes time, he just cares about her and wants to be with her, and maybe nibble on her ears a little bit.
That would be funny if he did nibble on her ears. I view what he had with Cheetara as a crush, and he seems to have much, much deeper feelings for Pumyra than he ever did for Cheetara. I think they will grow in their relationship over the end of this season and the next season. I don’t think he can screw it up now because she seems to be returning the feelings he’s showing her. I just hope they do get to talk, or at least have some alone time next episode.
I think the big thing that seperates Cheetara from Pumyra is that Pumyra isn’t afraid to criticize Lion-O and acts more like an equal to him and supports him. She is the type of person Lion-O would go to for advice more since he knows Pumyra wouldn’t hold back.
Cheetara supports him but really doesn’t criticize Lion-O much and acts more a loyal subject than anything else.
Very true. That’s why Pumyra is a perfect match for him. I think Cheetara’s almost too soft on him sometime, and she’s much more fitting with Tygra (because they’re so different).
Likewise, Lion-O usually doesn’t pull any punches when he criticizes her, which is probably why his actions in this episode confused and annoyed her, it’s the first time he’s been less than entirely honest with her since they’ve met.
Hopefully her confusion will fade. I think now she gets the point. The kiss, the whole wink with Ponzi thing, and everything else seems to show that. I think that will be what makes their relationship special is because they’re much more honest.
Separate note; I love how Lion-O’s eyes get wider when he’s with/flirting with Pumyra. It’s really sweet, and that’s coming from a guy.
Is it too soon to have another romantic couple in this series? 
I certainly don’t think so. Other shows handle multiple relationships fine. I think Lion-O/Pumyra’s relationship is completely different from Tygra/Cheetara, and that’s what will make it interesting enough to have the relationships and not make it awkward.
The Tygra/Cheetara relationship has tacked on since the end of episode 13, but the Lion-O/Pumyra relationship is taking its sweet time.
Exactly. The relationship that he has with Pumyra is very different from the one he has with Cheetara. With Cheetara, all we got was the physical side of things. We never got the impression that he really knew Cheetara on a more personal level.With Pumyra the audience gets the impression that we are working towards something. The two start off on the wrong foot, and they also clash here and there. They are forced into situations in which they have to get to know one another. Now I’m sure he finds her attractive, but as of RFD we know physical attraction isn’t the biggest part of it. Hey, looks fade and there’s always a prettier face. There has to be something more holding two people together other than a mutual physical attraction. He’s attracted to what on the inside of her as well, and that’s going to keep someone interested in the long run.
I must’ve watched the censored version don’t remember that..
…as in he was physically attracted to her. He liked her physical appearance. He thinks she’s cute, but we never got the impression that he knew more about her beyond what everyone else gets to see.
To the rest of the group, Pumyra is just an aggressive young woman, but Lion-O knows that there is much more to her than that. There’s a softer side that she doesn’t really put on display. Seeing a part of someone that others don’t, is one of the perks of being close.
LOL. Sorry about that. Chem should be taking priority, but it really isn’t.
There are many ways a Couple gets together…Cheetara and Tygra started their relationship from childhood..and was more of a love at first sight kind of deal…it’s a more classical romantic kind of love story..As far as saying its “physical attraction”, i would say partially yes…Cheetara is seductive in nature and Tygra seems to be quite the flirt and charmer, which works for his characters proud exterior. Good genetics helps too. In the end the physical attraction/love just works for the two. That is not to say they dont have a deeper understanding of one another..cheetara clearly does see beyond the ass holish Tygra attitude…she knows the real Tygra well..but embraces the snarky Tygra just as equally.
On the other hand Pumyra and Lion O did not fall for each other at first sight…they grew close as they began to understand and respect one another. Its clear that in battle of the blades that Pumyra had gotten under LionOs skin when he chose to follow her into the mines…by the end of the episode he had pretty much fallen for her and so did she ..although she is still clearly battling with allowing people to get too close and exposing her softer side…we see this in the latest episode when Lion O mentions this “other side” to her that others dont see, we see Pumyra almost immediatly get defensive …When she starts to “feel” she prefers to regress back to her tough exterior as a way of protecting herself… in other words she’s NOT BIPOLAR PEOPLE!!! SHE’s A TRAUMATIZED SLAVE!..give her a break. Her character needs this relationship with Lion O in order to overcome this issue. And Lion O needs Pumyra in order to learn the importance of being himself and learn how to be a better man and king.
The show did a great job of showing us two completely different relationships that work for their respective characters.
I am extremely glad that that part of the pairings is being emphasized, both couples are drawn to more than the physical, I love that. I love that Lion-O remarked on Pumyra being strong and passionate and not that she’s beautiful as for a reason why he likes her(though she is and it definitely helps!) I love that Cheetara likes Tygra for his hidden heart of gold and not his handsome face and big muscles (though he’s a pretty handsome cat too!), both couples see things in their significant others that make them very attractive and its not physical, makes me love the writers.
I think that’s why I enjoy the relationships so much in this series. I think the attraction between the characters, especially Pumyra and Lion-O seems so much more natural than any other cartoon. It keeps me really interested.