Voltron: Defender of the Universe cartoon continuity

Queen Merla (also referenced as Merla, Queen of Darkness) is introduced as Lotor's distant cousin when she first arrives; her exact relation to Zarkon is unclear.^[1]

Queen Merla was intended by King Zarkon to marry his son, Lotor, but it didn't work out. She has the ability to tap into people's minds and control them in a limited fashion. She is usually accompanied by her pet serpent-headed vulture which rides upon her shoulder. Her vulture has the ability to sense people who have negative or hostile thoughts toward the queen and make them react negatively, like it did to Lotor in the episode "Enter Merla: Queen of Darkness".

Notes

• Merla is a villainess exclusive to the U.S. version of the series, she was voiced by Tress MacNeille.
• At the end of series she seems disappointed that Lotor didn't actually want to be good and be with her.
• Merla is never seen in Fleet of Doom, Voltron 3d or Voltron Force. Implying she actually joined the side of good.
• She was given only a brief tribute in series reboot Voltron: Legendary Defender; her name having been given to an Altean mecha-pilot who becomes disillusioned with Haggar's ways and rebels against her.