#rapunzle

So maybe I'm out of my depth here, because I didn't watch season 2. Why? Because there was no Varian! His amazing arc was the only reason I watched the show. And I'm sorry what they did with Cass SUCKED.

Let's talk about why it sucked :D

Cass's character is meant to contrast with Rapunzel. Raps is super peppy and happy and positive, and Cass is sarcastic and more dead panned, leading to a fun dynamic! The thing about Cass is, while she is more serious and sarcastic, she's still nice. She cares A LOT about her friends. This is why her arc made no sense. The core of Cassandra's character is that she loves her friends, but doesn't always show it.

I understand she was being manipulated by a demon but like. Her being mad that Mother Gothel went with Rapunzle? Why was locked in a tower for 18 years of her life?? While Cass got a loving, if overprotective, father?

This twist is interesting, and I wouldn't have minded it being explored, but I really think that they should have had a max of 2 episodes talking about the wedge this drove between them, and then how they overcame it as friends.

I also hate how Rapunzle handled Cassandra vs Varien. She never gave up on Cass, even after she, a grown adult with full autonomy, was actively trying to hurt everyone. I just felt like it went on for too long with Rapunzle still not wanting to fight her. Meanwhile with Varian, a grieving child, was immediately thought to be dangerous or evil. I understand Rapunzle not being able to help in the moment of his fathers death, but he didn't have to be dragged out of the castle! She could have told people he didn't attack her! Hell, even just sending someone to check on him after, or checking on him herself, might have been enough to push him away from a revenge plot.

Sorry I'm getting off track I just- THIS ALWAYS MADE ME SO MAD LIKE WHY-

Anyway.

The second season! Here's what I would have done:

Rapunzle is going on a magical quest to find the mystery about the rocks! Great! Who is the resident rock-genius? You guessed it! I think they should have taken Varian with them.

I get why they didn't do this, since it would take a lot of attention away from the other characters, and they were afraid to stretch out his arch for fear of it getting bland (you know, LIKE THEY DID WITH CASS-) but I really think Varian had enough character stuff to remain interesting!

Think about it, man. It would be cool of they thought they needed him for it, and he agrees on the premise that they have to save his father with the power they find. Throughout the episodes, they go from Varian in chains to them actually becoming a functioning group. They have trust building experiences (cough trauma bonding cough) that slowly bring them closer.

Ok, so cool. But then who would take the moonstone?

VARIAN I SAY!

Wait, but didn't you just say he was good?