finally getting around to watch tangled the series season 2…
would have been better with Varian there are just so many moments that I know would have aided his development SO much. Just imagine if instead of sending Varian away Rapunzel realized that she messed up by letting the guards kick him out during the storm and she makes a deal with him.
The gang brings him with on the condition that he behaves and helps them out with science and technical stuff. If Varian behaves and he helps Rapunzel find her destiny and come back home alive and in one piece then he’ll be granted a full pardon. If not he’ll spend the rest of his life in jail.
At first Varian acts like a moody 14-15 year old because he’s basically being held captive by the person who actively betrayed him but as time goes on he’s reminded of why he was friends with all these people.
During the bird episode he suggests to Rapunzel that he can make a floor jack (the thing they use to life cars) to lift the caravan since the guys aren’t going to be that helpful. So Rapunzel and Cass take him out with them and he’s collecting wood and adhesives and Rapunzel makes him a flower crown to match hers and Cass’s and over all its just a good time where Varian starts to open up to the idea of forgiving them if they’re willing to do the same for him.
Then during the episode with the bad luck Varian loses it on the old lady, telling her that she should be ashamed. “This was a gift from Rapunzel’s father! Don’t you have any last shred of Human decency? Or is that what you’re trying to buy with all the money you scam out of people! Some of us don’t have father’s anymore, you know! You know what?! I’m cursing this Monkey! May he never have another accurate prediction again!”
and then when prompted about it by Rapunzel, “Why did you do that for me, Varian?”
“I don’t know… I just… I hated how she tried to take advantage of you like that! This is a gift from your father! It’s precious… you don’t know how much I’d give to get a gift from my dad because that would mean that he’d be okay…”
Plus it would be so cute to see Eugine and Varian hatch a plan together to get Rapunzel to believe in her good luck! He’s a man of science, there’s no way Varian would believe in curses, and Eugine doesn’t either but they both care about Rapunzel so they have to work together to help her.
(Plus I love the idea of Eugine becoming an older brother to him and instructing Varian how to pick his shackles in the episode where the crew is in jail. That could just be a funny gag. “Oh no! Eugine is turning the cinnamon roll into a delinquent!” When this kid is already very much a delinquent.)
I would also love a moment on the island with the Idol where Varian is the only one who can break out of the power because as much as he wants to see his father again he knows that this is an illusion and that his father is still trapped, and the only way he’ll be set free is by getting Rapunzel to the end of her journey and getting home because he’s the only person who can and will figure out how to save Quirin. You can still have the Rapunzel bait and switch by having her be like “Varian, don’t you trust me?”
he feels pressured by the group and then her “Vision” of him by the idol is really just him following her. Then she’s like “What are you doing here? How did you know to follow me?”
And like the sassy teen he is, his only response is “You did let me down once.”
And then in the tree saga when we learn the Moonstone incarnation and Adira reveals Quirin, Varian’s father, was part of the Brotherhood… imagine how Varian would react! He’s have hundreds of questions! Adira could become like an aunt to him from this point onwards and it would even strengthen the divide between Cass and the group for her eventual betrayal because even Varian, this sweet kid who always wanted to impress HER like she was the most important person in his world, is also choosing Adira over her.
And you just know in your heart that’s not fair! Varian finally has a chance to get to know his Father, the person whose death he committed treason and terrorism over! The man who raised Varian, who Varian felt like he was growing farther apart from as he aged. Varian never felt like he understood his father and he never felt like his father understood him! All he wanted to do was make him proud, and save his life! Of course Varian wants to stick to Adira like glue and follow her around like a little lost puppy! Doing so means he might finally get a chance to know his dad! And remember at this point they don’t know the incantation will free Quirin so from his perspective this is his only chance to get to know his dad!
Doesn’t it feel like he should have had a role to play in this season? Was Jeremy Jordan busy with a scheduling conflict or did the show not have the budget for him? Is this going to be a thing going forward in season 3 because I know he comes back!
There’s more examples but I’ll save that if I do a fix-it-Fic with Varian joining the party in season two.
In the meantime does anyone have any good fanfics with this premise?
