satalasers (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
satalasers) wrote2020-09-12 11:28 am
satalasers) wrote2020-09-12 11:28 am
Tangled The Series s1-3
So I binged this show over the past week. It had some ups, it had some downs. On the whole, I'm pretty happy with it, though.
- Before watching, there were one thing I really knew about the show, and that was the villains. Only through vague pop osmosis though, TBH. I was largely aware that Tangled had done a villain story really well, and I heard the name was Varian; and then I'd also heard that Mother Gothel had a daughter, and was jealous of Rapunzel. TBH, I was mistakenly under the impression that Cassandra and Rapunzel knew that they were sisters from the start, but no, that was not the case.
- Can I say, with Varian? THEY SUPER KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. Loved him being a dorky, excitable alchemist, who was crushing on Cassandra, who was super smart, but oh so cute and so very good. I loved how much he loved his dad, and wanted to make his proud. I loved how well he and Rapunzel got along, and were good friends, and she promises to help him whenever he's in trouble. AND THEN THAT MOMENT CAME, and she was not. Granted, Rapunzel was super stressed at the time, and she had to turn him away because her parents being in trouble was the greater focus/stress, but like? There were a couple of episodes when she could have reached out to him, talked to him, helped -- and she decided to take an art class instead. (At least she thought about him and felt guilty, but still.) Anyway, because he got ignored, and he was incredibly emotional (it's his dad! he's in danger! he needs help now! he even travelled THROUGH A SNOWSTORM to ask Rapunzel for help!) So when he swore revenge on all those who turned his back on him, I got it. I got why he snapped, and why he turned so quickly on Corona.
- And holy shit, his voice actor was sublime. I didn't realize who his voice actor was for the longest time, and once I did, I... wanted to be annoyed. I was really iffy on Jeremy Jordan because of the Supergir incident where he insults Lena/Kara shippers, sure I didn't ship them, but I still found the moment really insultingl. But -- he's a fantastic singer. His voice work was amazing. And I did love Varian. I still do. And he's part of why Varian was so lovable, and again: good character, good voice work, excellent villain story. (Also, visually, his design was SO CUTE.)
- He didn't appear at all in s2, which made me sad. Apart from the one hallucination, but FML, what I wouldn't have given for more Varian in this show.
- Luckily s3 was more Varian than ever! HE TOOK OVER THE KINGDOM! MADE EVERYONE FORGET WHAT HE DID! Started to feel guilt, sided with Rapunzel, had his father freed -- eventually! thus ending his villain, and slowly, slowly atoned. He couldn't forget his guilt, people didn't want to forgive him or forget what he had done, and I liked that it was hard-earned, and even then, I liked his reluctance to feel forgiven. And so, I especially liked that when Cassandra kidnaps him, their duet was the highlight song for me TBH. Because he knew what it was like to be a villain, and wanted to reach out and try and convince her. It didn't work, but I loved him for trying, for sympathizing.
- I'm a little embarrassed by how much I love him TBH. He was without a doubt my favourite character, and I got so surprised by how much I loved him and got attached to his journey. (Varian/Cassandra was super cute, in a onesided way, and I kind of want them to end up together in the future, but -- ah, there was just, something sweet about him.)
- Cassandra, was a whole different story. To start with, s1, I do think she's a nice contrast to Rapunzel. I do think having her be cynical and rigid was a good start. I enjoyed their friendship, and them being close to each other was good. I... s2 started off okay with Cassandra. I'd say that having Cassandra and Rapunzel have more of a rift between them was good -- but it wasn't really enough for me to think that their friendship separated, and her betraying Rapunzel and everyone else for the moonstone felt like a reach to me, TBH. Also, I think, s2 made me a little annoyed that Cassandra had to be the one to decide who Rapunzel could trust. If I'm honest, I did think s1!Cassandra was a tad too mean to Flynn, for no real reason either TBH.
- And s3 comes along. And, guys, I am disappointed for the reason of Cassandra's villain story. She's jealous that Gothel loved Rapunzel over Cassandra really? Didn't she know that Gothel was abusive to Cassandra? If not that, then at least surely she should had got warning vibes off the time Rapunzel's memory got erased, and was completely new to the outside world. It didn't stop Rapunzel from protecting herself, and being damn good and competent at it, but -- still. Didn't Cassandra's life with her father matter that much? Her foster father, who took care of her, and seemed pretty loving, and got her a good job at the castle? I just. Her feeling 'second best' to Rapunzel, who had a terrible life until recently, just -- did not read as sympathetic or something to be envious over TBH?
- But, on the other hand, I did like Zhan Tiri whispering in Cassandra's ear and feeding into her insecurity and manipulating her artfully. Did I care for Zhan Tiri? Not particularly. But I was much more engaged with Cassandra's dark side deepening with Zhan Tiri being the cause, in later episodes rather than the s3's premiere, where one flashback is apparently all it takes to turn Cassandra against Rapunzel TBH.
- So I'm torn with how Cassandra was dealt with in S3, because on one hand, I liked that she got angrier, and twisted. But on the other hand, I liked the conflict she felt, and the second thoughts she had. But I feel like it wasn't that well done, IMO? She did look cool as the Moonstone, but I'm not really sure s3 treated her as well as it should have done.
- To a lesser extent, I wonder if I feel that way with Varian. As much as I did enjoy his story more, and felt it was more cohesive, organic, etc, I did wonder if some of the time in S3, Varian was used more as a plot device to fix problems pretty quick.
- Also, I don't think I liked Cassandra's final fate? Exile, instead of being put in prison for what she'd done? I just. I feel like maybe being put away, or doing something like community service, would have been more satisfying a punishment for her villain arc.
- ANYWAY. Rapunzel was great! I loved that there were tidbits of Gothel's influence on her, I loved that she had nightmares about Gothel (although I wish it had been a bit more mentioned), but still: we see Rapunzel afraid of the Tower, and you see how much Pascal means to her. I loved the hints that Rapunzel were unaware of social niceties and behavior of how people should act.
- Pascal was always really cute, but BABY PASCAL IS THE CUTEST!!!
- I do wish there had been more scenes with Rapunzel and her parents TBH. I enjoyed the missteps from the King, and his overprotectiveness, and I liked that we got the snippets we got, and I liked them falling in love with each other. Also: CLANCY BROWN, HOW I LOVE YOU. He sings! Sometimes!
- Dark!Rapunzel was super cool btw. I wish there had been more of it TBH. I loved the mystery of the sunstone/moonstone, and the four incantations.
- Also loved Eugene! I did think he was maybe characterized as a little too incompetent, HOWEVER, I loved his vanity and that Rapunzel is his hero, and he loves her dearly. It's just really nice that he's never annoyed that Rapunzel was better at saving the day than him. Also I love the various attempts at marriage proposal, from both sides! Very cute! It was nice to find out more of his backstory too. I loved the return of the Stabbington brothers, I loved finding out Lance, Eugene's best friend, and I liked that we found out about Eugene's parentage and that he's a prince! With a really kooky dad! Who dresses up as a bear! and talks to ravens!
- I really like that we found out that Eugene had an ex! Stalyn was great, and I liked that Eugene's and Stalyn's past wasn't that much of an issue. Yes, there was a forced marriage, but like on the whole, it wasn't much of a relationship conflict as other shows would have been? And IDK. I liked it!
- Lance's crush on Adira was super cute. I can't help but love him! He's goofy and sweet and a little bit crooked, but I love that he just. He's sweet! I love that he adopts Keira and Catalina, the latter who can turn into a werewolf.
- I actually liked s2 for being different and for Rapunzel to see other towns and cities outside of Corona! That was cool.
- Shoutout to Feldspar, though. Zachary Levi does an excellent impersonation of Ed Wynn!
- Also: ridiculously happy that Timothy Dalton does another voice role! He's Viggo the monkey, and that was so cool!
Overall, a really good series. I do wish there was more, but ah, I'm thrilled with what we've got.
- Before watching, there were one thing I really knew about the show, and that was the villains. Only through vague pop osmosis though, TBH. I was largely aware that Tangled had done a villain story really well, and I heard the name was Varian; and then I'd also heard that Mother Gothel had a daughter, and was jealous of Rapunzel. TBH, I was mistakenly under the impression that Cassandra and Rapunzel knew that they were sisters from the start, but no, that was not the case.
- Can I say, with Varian? THEY SUPER KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. Loved him being a dorky, excitable alchemist, who was crushing on Cassandra, who was super smart, but oh so cute and so very good. I loved how much he loved his dad, and wanted to make his proud. I loved how well he and Rapunzel got along, and were good friends, and she promises to help him whenever he's in trouble. AND THEN THAT MOMENT CAME, and she was not. Granted, Rapunzel was super stressed at the time, and she had to turn him away because her parents being in trouble was the greater focus/stress, but like? There were a couple of episodes when she could have reached out to him, talked to him, helped -- and she decided to take an art class instead. (At least she thought about him and felt guilty, but still.) Anyway, because he got ignored, and he was incredibly emotional (it's his dad! he's in danger! he needs help now! he even travelled THROUGH A SNOWSTORM to ask Rapunzel for help!) So when he swore revenge on all those who turned his back on him, I got it. I got why he snapped, and why he turned so quickly on Corona.
- And holy shit, his voice actor was sublime. I didn't realize who his voice actor was for the longest time, and once I did, I... wanted to be annoyed. I was really iffy on Jeremy Jordan because of the Supergir incident where he insults Lena/Kara shippers, sure I didn't ship them, but I still found the moment really insultingl. But -- he's a fantastic singer. His voice work was amazing. And I did love Varian. I still do. And he's part of why Varian was so lovable, and again: good character, good voice work, excellent villain story. (Also, visually, his design was SO CUTE.)
- He didn't appear at all in s2, which made me sad. Apart from the one hallucination, but FML, what I wouldn't have given for more Varian in this show.
- Luckily s3 was more Varian than ever! HE TOOK OVER THE KINGDOM! MADE EVERYONE FORGET WHAT HE DID! Started to feel guilt, sided with Rapunzel, had his father freed -- eventually! thus ending his villain, and slowly, slowly atoned. He couldn't forget his guilt, people didn't want to forgive him or forget what he had done, and I liked that it was hard-earned, and even then, I liked his reluctance to feel forgiven. And so, I especially liked that when Cassandra kidnaps him, their duet was the highlight song for me TBH. Because he knew what it was like to be a villain, and wanted to reach out and try and convince her. It didn't work, but I loved him for trying, for sympathizing.
- I'm a little embarrassed by how much I love him TBH. He was without a doubt my favourite character, and I got so surprised by how much I loved him and got attached to his journey. (Varian/Cassandra was super cute, in a onesided way, and I kind of want them to end up together in the future, but -- ah, there was just, something sweet about him.)
- Cassandra, was a whole different story. To start with, s1, I do think she's a nice contrast to Rapunzel. I do think having her be cynical and rigid was a good start. I enjoyed their friendship, and them being close to each other was good. I... s2 started off okay with Cassandra. I'd say that having Cassandra and Rapunzel have more of a rift between them was good -- but it wasn't really enough for me to think that their friendship separated, and her betraying Rapunzel and everyone else for the moonstone felt like a reach to me, TBH. Also, I think, s2 made me a little annoyed that Cassandra had to be the one to decide who Rapunzel could trust. If I'm honest, I did think s1!Cassandra was a tad too mean to Flynn, for no real reason either TBH.
- And s3 comes along. And, guys, I am disappointed for the reason of Cassandra's villain story. She's jealous that Gothel loved Rapunzel over Cassandra really? Didn't she know that Gothel was abusive to Cassandra? If not that, then at least surely she should had got warning vibes off the time Rapunzel's memory got erased, and was completely new to the outside world. It didn't stop Rapunzel from protecting herself, and being damn good and competent at it, but -- still. Didn't Cassandra's life with her father matter that much? Her foster father, who took care of her, and seemed pretty loving, and got her a good job at the castle? I just. Her feeling 'second best' to Rapunzel, who had a terrible life until recently, just -- did not read as sympathetic or something to be envious over TBH?
- But, on the other hand, I did like Zhan Tiri whispering in Cassandra's ear and feeding into her insecurity and manipulating her artfully. Did I care for Zhan Tiri? Not particularly. But I was much more engaged with Cassandra's dark side deepening with Zhan Tiri being the cause, in later episodes rather than the s3's premiere, where one flashback is apparently all it takes to turn Cassandra against Rapunzel TBH.
- So I'm torn with how Cassandra was dealt with in S3, because on one hand, I liked that she got angrier, and twisted. But on the other hand, I liked the conflict she felt, and the second thoughts she had. But I feel like it wasn't that well done, IMO? She did look cool as the Moonstone, but I'm not really sure s3 treated her as well as it should have done.
- To a lesser extent, I wonder if I feel that way with Varian. As much as I did enjoy his story more, and felt it was more cohesive, organic, etc, I did wonder if some of the time in S3, Varian was used more as a plot device to fix problems pretty quick.
- Also, I don't think I liked Cassandra's final fate? Exile, instead of being put in prison for what she'd done? I just. I feel like maybe being put away, or doing something like community service, would have been more satisfying a punishment for her villain arc.
- ANYWAY. Rapunzel was great! I loved that there were tidbits of Gothel's influence on her, I loved that she had nightmares about Gothel (although I wish it had been a bit more mentioned), but still: we see Rapunzel afraid of the Tower, and you see how much Pascal means to her. I loved the hints that Rapunzel were unaware of social niceties and behavior of how people should act.
- Pascal was always really cute, but BABY PASCAL IS THE CUTEST!!!
- I do wish there had been more scenes with Rapunzel and her parents TBH. I enjoyed the missteps from the King, and his overprotectiveness, and I liked that we got the snippets we got, and I liked them falling in love with each other. Also: CLANCY BROWN, HOW I LOVE YOU. He sings! Sometimes!
- Dark!Rapunzel was super cool btw. I wish there had been more of it TBH. I loved the mystery of the sunstone/moonstone, and the four incantations.
- Also loved Eugene! I did think he was maybe characterized as a little too incompetent, HOWEVER, I loved his vanity and that Rapunzel is his hero, and he loves her dearly. It's just really nice that he's never annoyed that Rapunzel was better at saving the day than him. Also I love the various attempts at marriage proposal, from both sides! Very cute! It was nice to find out more of his backstory too. I loved the return of the Stabbington brothers, I loved finding out Lance, Eugene's best friend, and I liked that we found out about Eugene's parentage and that he's a prince! With a really kooky dad! Who dresses up as a bear! and talks to ravens!
- I really like that we found out that Eugene had an ex! Stalyn was great, and I liked that Eugene's and Stalyn's past wasn't that much of an issue. Yes, there was a forced marriage, but like on the whole, it wasn't much of a relationship conflict as other shows would have been? And IDK. I liked it!
- Lance's crush on Adira was super cute. I can't help but love him! He's goofy and sweet and a little bit crooked, but I love that he just. He's sweet! I love that he adopts Keira and Catalina, the latter who can turn into a werewolf.
- I actually liked s2 for being different and for Rapunzel to see other towns and cities outside of Corona! That was cool.
- Shoutout to Feldspar, though. Zachary Levi does an excellent impersonation of Ed Wynn!
- Also: ridiculously happy that Timothy Dalton does another voice role! He's Viggo the monkey, and that was so cool!
Overall, a really good series. I do wish there was more, but ah, I'm thrilled with what we've got.