Sofia the First Deep Dive S1E3
Season 1, Episode 3 "Let the Good TImes Troll"
Right off the bat, from the beginning of the episode, we see James and Sofia first on-screen flying kites. Amber is close behind. This really shows James and Sofia's bond when it comes to playing and being outdoors. Amber is known, at this point, to be very prim and proper and preferring very docile activities. I think this is a very cute moment between James and Sofia.
Amber immediately reflects the negative stereotypes about the trolls when telling Sofia about them living in a castle. James shares Sofia's excitement when talking about them and Sofia seems elated at the idea of meeting one. This episode is very centered around James and Sofia's growing emotional bond. They both do not assume that what is known about the trolls is the whole truth and share some excitement at meeting someone of a different species.
Small detail, BUT: Sofia's kite has her tiara on it. I think this is a cute detail to show her integration into being a princess. She does many things out of the norm, but her tiara is a symbol of her newfound status.
While Sofia seemed excited about trolls, she was jump-scared by one when trying to retrieve her kite from outside the troll cave. Normal reaction. She wanted to get her kite and then she sess someone she didn't know was there. At 8 years old, I also ran from anything that surprised me like that.
Roland and James being excited for jiggly-wiggly pudding is the funniest thing ever. Like father, like son (also shows Roland's child-like side that I believe he represses a good majority of the time)
Sofia feels comfortable enough to ask Roland about the trolls, but he immediately expresses his disfavor. Roland has offered Sofia a space in which she felt she could ask a question out of genuinge curiosity, but Roland's misconceptions guided him in his answer. He goes on to tell Sofia about the story of King Gideon and the trolls "attacking" the castle and how they are banned from leaving their confinements of the cave. Sofia is disatisfied with this answer, as she should be. Hatred is taught, not born with.
Thankfully, Sofia is not discouraged by Roland's racist story about the trolls. I really believe this episode is one of the best storytellings of racism and how misconceptions lead to harmful (and often untruthful) stereotypes. Sofia gets her kite back and immediately wants to thanks the trolls for having brought it back. Sofia was not concerned with being in danger, only being ungrateful. She goes into the cave willingly (albeit, uninivited) to make sure that her gratitude is expressed face-to-face because, at the end of the day, it was not an expectation for Sofia to have been given the kite back.
Gnarlie the troll saves Sofia from the loose planks and specifically refers to her as "princess." He is aware of her social status and chooses to respect it, despite knowing that her forefather is the reason for the trolls' confinement. Gnarlie could have done what the royals do (*cough cough* Roland) and be appalled at her presence. Rather than that, Gnarlie saves her from a danger she was unaware of. What a respectful king (no pun intended).
Gnarlie (rightfully) takes credit for having been the one to repair Sofia's kite AND apologizes for frightening her. Sofia immediately tells him thank you. Gnarlie and Sofia's interaction dispels everything outlined about the trolls in the first part of the episode. This is a wonderful example of breaking boundaries
When Teeny makes an appearance behind Sofia, Sofia immediately asks her for her name. No "who are you?" in a disgusted tone, no screams, just brief surprise and then curiosity. Sofia could really teach a lot of people lessons about being respectful to others, despite differences. When Gnarlie tells the trolls side of the story about being banished by King Gideon, Sofia is not exempt from asking about the club-banging. But, she asks in a way that allows space for the trolls to defend themselves and give an honest answer to an honest and genuine question about a behavior they exhibited.
Now into my thoughts on the real racism...if the trolls could give Sofia an entire performance with a well-thought out beat and clear musical tones...how on earth did King Gideon never notice that it may have been music and not a threat. Banging ≠ threat in every scenario. It is not universally applicable, as demonstrated by the trolls performance for Sofia. So, okay old white man King Gideon™...the trolls were so welcoming to Sofia, even though she waltzed into their cave unannounced. They mean no harm and have been harmfully categorized.
Small detail: James fighting the king statue is adorable. He really is a little soldier boy. (I'm very passionate about James' character; he's so child-like in all of the best ways)
Sofia wants to include James in on her plan to get the trolls to perform at the palace. 1) James immediately wants to be involved (either because he has a penchant for mischief, is really excited about the trolls, would always help Sofia regardless of the situation, or a combination of everything (my likely guess)). 2) James' only qualm about the plan is missing dessert. No racist ideologies are present in his brain, he just doesn't want to miss dessert (for which his excitement was seen earlier in the episode when jiggly-wiggly pudding was offered). 3) When Sofia shows James the club she was given by the trolls (which is already an amazing gesture that shows Sofia's ability to conenct with anyone AND shows how the trolls are happy to welcome anyone who is as accepting of them as they are of others), James' first response is "I want one." The club is new, different, and looks like a weapon, but is used for music. James doesn't care. He just thinks it's cool and wants one from the trolls to (meaning he would have been okay with seeing the trolls and interacting with them in order to get one) before Sofia offers hers in exchange for his help. I think James would have helped Sofia without a bargaining chip. He would do anything for her.
When it becomes time for Sofia and James' plan, Miranda is the only one to make a comment about the kids missing dessert, especially James. Roland makes no comment. Interesting...
Amber knows James and Sofiia are up to something. Of course she would, they were acting suspicious at dinner and Amber knows James better than anyone, but even James knows he can't tell Amber, although he has no habit of lying to her. Even James, in all of his antics, can understand the gravity of the situation.
Baileywick sticks to his schedule to a T, so when Sofia says there is "another surprise," he is taken aback, but does not argue. He loves the children, and all of the royal family, so of course, he would not find it his place to argue.
Roland comments on the trolls music and how it "sounds lively" before he ever knows who is the cause of it. He only has a negative reaction once he sees who is making the music. Even Amber, in her prim and proper ways, expresses how she believes the trolls are fun. Amber, the one quick to criticize anything and everything different, can respond without racism, unlike Roland, Mr. Stuck-in-the-old-ways.
Sofia tries to explain to Miranda how the trolls are kind and Miranda never tries to negate Sofia's feelings, only saying how she lvoes how Sofia wants to see the good in everyone. If Miranda has a differing opinion from Sofia, she recognizes that this is not the time to put her opinions into Sofia's mind. Rather, she recognizes a positive trait in Sofia before putting her to bed.
Mia, Robin, and Clover don't make Sofia feel bad for what she did. Despite being animals, their emotional complexity allows them to offer the necessary emotional support that Sofia needs in order to do what she feels is right. So much so that Clover volunteers the 3 of them to accompany Sofia back to the cave. That way, she's not alone and they can guarantee her safety. When Mia expresses her apprehensiveness about it being dark, Clover's only respond is "We'll just need to bring a night light." Despite any hesitations, they all go with Sofia. It was more important to support their friend than to be afraid. Clover leading the animals into supporting Sofia emphasizes his very strong bond with Sofia.
Roland sees Sofia go to the cave, meaning he was still awake several hours into the night. It is dark by the time Sofia and her animal friends leave. I know it is for plot armor that Roland is the one to see Sofia leave, however, I think it also shows his concenr that he has for Sofia. Roland has more confidence in James and Amber to listen to royal protocol, but Sofia was not raised that way. She is the one who interacted with the trolls and brought them to the castle; of course Roland would be looking out in the direction of the cave and I would not doubt that it is because, even subconciously, he thought Sofia would do something.
Sofia immediately calling Roland "dad" when she sees him shows how her calling him such in her day-to-day is not a farce. Even in a perilous situation, she finds Roland deerving of the title, even when she disagrees with him wholeheartedly. She tells this grown man off for not listening and says how they just wanted to see the stars, to which Roland responded with surprise. In his mind, there was no other motive for the trolls than threat. Sofia is quick to dispel his misconceptions.
Gnarlie, having saved Sofia and Roland from falling through the rickety bridge, much like he helped Sofia when they first met, refers to Roland as "your majesty." Gnarlie is awaree of the hierarchy of royals and respects their political positions, even thought Roland has perpetuated the trolls' oppression, Gnarlie does not respond with hate, but with kindness.
Roland, White Man Savior™, reinvites the trolls to the castle observatory and 1) does not give credit to Sofia for having given him a wonderufl idea of allowing the trolls to use the observatory for their star-gazing desires (he was doing so good in this episod,e but I think this goes back to him being stuck in his ways. He's the king; he is supposed to be grand and helpful. He has likely used others as ideas as his own in order to impress. Nothing about his announcement would have made him believe he was in the wrong morally, as he would see it as moral goodness for correcting a years-long system of racist oppression). 2) This is a minor complaint on my part, but he picks up Teeny and then asks "May I?" Teeny doesn't mind, she finds it fun, but the fact that he asked for permission after already having done it seems like another representation of how Roland's position as king affects his decision-making skills. He did not give Sofia credit, not that she was fishing for it, but he is the king; he can play off ideas as his own with little-to-no repercussion. He is the king and can asks for permission or consent after (in his mind).
Amber tries to be nice to the troll boys around her. She's growing as a character, even if she is doing it for public appearances.
James. the Ever Cultured King™, is ready to hear troll music at the end of the episode, having finally gotten what he wanted. To meet and hang out with some trolls.
