I think Eugene in the Tangled TV show gets off a little too easy.
Think about it. The 18 year old princess, who's sweet, tries to see the best in everybody, and has never had a romantic relationship with anyone in her life says she's in love with this guy in his 20's who's been a career criminal for most of his life, and who is pushing for them to get married soon.
WE the audience knows that Eugene is genuine and actually loves Rapunzel, but if I were just a random citizen of the kingdom I know my mind would immediately go to "Oh no, our beloved princess is getting conned."
I've said this before but I think that Eugene should have had an overarching goal over the course of the series and that it should have been to prove to everyone that he is good man now, who's changed his ways, and that he Rapunzel should get married in spite of being a commoner and in spite of him having a shady past. Just like Rapunzel is adjusting to princess life, he needs to adjust too, so that he can be considered respectable in society.
In the show, the only ones who seem to have a problem with him are Cassandra (mostly because his personality annoys her) and her dad, everyone else just takes him at his word that he's an honest man now.
Imagine this: He's been pardoned for his crimes, and through Rapunzel's insistence, he's invited to live at the castle, but everyone treats him with suspicion and is certain he's going to reveal his true colors at some point and do something to hurt Rapunzel.
The King and queen tolerate him because he brought their daughter home after all these years, and he does make her happy, but they also firmly believe the relationship won't last and in a few years Rapunzel will find someone much more suitable for her, like a prince, or a duke.
I would have loved to see Eugene really work for his own redemption arc from his past deeds as a criminal, and not just try and convince Raps to marry him, but to convince EVERYONE he's a good man who could make the princess truly happy.
_________________________________
Having said all that I'd love to know what kinds of episodes or storylines you think could arise from this idea.
how you think this would have tied in with other story/character arcs over the course of the show?
Would it be better if Cassandra just told him to his face at the start that she thinks he's just trying to con her friend and THEN watch as she comes around on him?
Maybe when Lance shows up in the series for the first time, he also believes Eugene's pulling some sort of heist by getting in the princess's good graces and has to convince his old friend that he's actually serious.
Do you think this would put even more of a strain on Rap's relationship with her father because in addition to everything else he doesn't trust her judgement on her own boyfriend?
What about plots where bad guys use the suspicion everyone has for Eugene to frame him for crimes he didn't commit?
Or episodes where Rapunzel is made to meet with wealthy suitors that Eugene has to compete with or sabotage their meeting?
yousharknotpass
theartofmadeline
blakekathryn
turnnoffyourmind
pixelskylines
