Lance's Jealousy

 Lance’s Jealousy

In fanfiction and general discussion, people like to paint Lance as extremely jealous, especially in regards to Allura, so let’s examine that a bit closer:

[Season 1, Episode 6: Taking Flight, 13:24]

First time he acts jealous is actually with Nyma, not Allura, and it isn’t until she mentions Keith that he becomes jealous. Of who, it’s not really clear, but I think this ambiguity was intentional. Especially because the same thing happens the next time he gets jealous:

[Season 2, Episode 6: The Ark of Taujeer, 05:28]

Again, the language is very ambiguous and general, which I think is on purpose. Also interesting that the common denominator here is Keith, and not Allura… 

Next time, is in the same episode, with just as vague language:

[Season 2, Episode 6: The Ark of Taujeer, 05:28]

What I find most interesting is that Lance directs this at Keith, not Allura. Idk… I found the ambiguity here very intriguing.

Then, believe it or not, nothing happens at all until season 4:

[Season 4 Episode 3: Black Site, 40:14]

This is the first time Lance acts “jealous” since season 2. Every other time Lance has acted “jealous” has always involved Keith in some way, and in those cases it was also much less ‘serious’, so this is a peculiar divergence from that pattern. And this is also the first time his “jealousy” is this extreme. Lance didn’t act jealous around Allura a single time in season 3, nor did he ever flirt with her either, which is interesting, since this is the season they share a common connection, the Blue Lion. But this season is also when Lance shares a connection with Keith, the Red Lion, and we all know who Lance chose, when he needed comfort:

[Season 3, Episode 6: Tailing a Comet, 05:27]

In fact, Lance doesn’t flirt with her at all during season 4, either, like he would in season 1-2. When he gives Allura the “heart of Voltron” speech, he does so in a dire situation, and to give her encouragement in her doubt, not because he wants to “win her over” in any sense. Their expressions also match exactly:

[Season 4, Episode 6: A New Defender, 18:56]

We know that Allura doesn’t feel romantically inclined towards Lance, so Lance matching her expression tells us that he is feeling what she’s feeling, which is affection and pride for his friend. Furthermore, when Lance checks up on her here:

[Season 4, Episode 6: A New Defender, 13:13]

He also doesn’t seem particularly doting, but rather concerned for his friend and teammate, who got the worst of the electricity that zapped them all.

This is interesting again, because he doesn’t flirt with her or show any sort of feelings for her, until Lotor tries to get closer to Allura, which is the only other time he acts jealous outside of Keith:

[Season 5, Episode 2: Blood Duel, 05:02]

Here he is aggressive, because at this point, Lotor is still an enemy to Voltron, someone they all still don’t trust. In the previous episode, Allura also acted quite aggressive with him, so I don’t think his reaction here is entirely jealousy, also because the next time he shows jealousy, it’s here:

[Season 6, Episode 2: Razor’s Edge, 03:49]

And here, he seems more sad than aggressive like he was with Matt, and we know that this is because their connection makes him feel insecure.

[Season 6, Episode 2: Razor’s Edge, 13:33]

This is a contrast to when he acts jealous around Keith. Usually, the underlying theme in his jealousy around Keith is, “don’t get there before I do.” if you know what I mean, unlike with Allura, which is “I’m not good enough.”

And wouldn’t you know it, the next time Lance gets jealous, it is again, because of Keith:

[Season 8, Episode 1: Launch Date, 02:17]

Look at his expression when he says, “WHAT?!”. He looks panicked! He also looks a little bit angry/aggressive here, like he did with Matt, which is the only other time he’s shown as being aggressive in regards to his jealousy. But funnily enough, when he sees Keith later on, he’s not aggressive towards him, like he was with Matt:

[Season 8, Episode 1: Launch Date, 15:10]

Huh… why did Lance react so strongly to what Hunk said, then? Well, because he doesn’t actually see Keith as competition, but rather… another option for affection, just like Allura. And again, the next time he gets jealous, it is because of Keith:

[Season 8, Episode 1: Launch Date, 16:17]

Okay… why is Lance literally panicking here at the mention of Keith and Veronica dating ??? Jealousy, thy name is LANCE, lmao. We know this isn’t about Veronica, because Veronica is his sister. So, the only reason would be because it’s Keith. This is very consistent from season 1.

Lance is the jealous type, but he’s not the aggressive jealous type like most people like to depict him as. And he is most consistently jealous around Keith.