Crossing The Line is my favourite TTS song, so 800+ word 3-4 AM analysis of why
I know that there are a lot of negative opinions about Cassy’s season 3 arc, but I really love it. (I haven’t really gone and looked at people’s reasons because I feel like it’s something where others will just have interpretations I think are wrong, or will be hung up on somewhat unimportant things, and therefore it will make me mad). Anyway, little random 3 AM essay because I love Crossing The Line so much and it’s my favourite TTS song for both it’s story significance, the visuals, the way the music really fits the role this song takes, and Eden Espinosa’s gorgeous vocals. Sorry if this ends up being barely coherent, I’m writing this as things come up in the music video, and also, it’s late.
spoilers for up to season 3 episode 1 of Tangled the series
I love the start of this song. It scratches such an itch in my brain. I love the clash of Cassie and Raps’ voices and tones. Raps opening the song like Cass is a toddler having a tantrum, and Cass immediately calling her on it is something I very much enjoy, especially combined with the “cassandra listen” “I’m listening” exchange. Rapunzel asking Cass to listen when Cass has always been listening. For so long Cass has listened to Rapunzel’s feelings and problems, and has been the one to solve them or to give in. Rapunzel has never listened to her. Any time Cass and Rapunzel talk about their issues it tends to ends up being Cass telling Raps her issue and Rapunzel responding (in a much nicer way of course) “oh, well I don’t feel the same and sorry, but since I’m the princess you just have to suck it up.” She’s always in the right when they disagree, and Cass is the one who has to apologize, even if she is objectively in the right.
In their argument in this part of the song you can see Cass starting to give in, because she cares about Rapunzel, and cutting her off does hurt Cass. But then Rapunzel reminds her of why she was making this decision in the first place. Rapunzel tells Cass, who has been waiting for her chance to shine all her life, to “wait.” Cass is tired of waiting. She’s spent so long waiting for her chance to be in the spotlight, only to have Rapunzel butt in and block it every single time. Any chance that Cass could have to be the hero, to be her own person, Rapunzel is always there. Cass loves Rapunzel, but she’s so tired of Rapunzel taking every opportunity that is supposed to be hers, even if Rapunzel doesn’t realize it.
And a moment of appreciation for this frame. It’s one of my favourites in the show. I love how season 3 uses reflection imagery as a way of confronting yourself, what you’ve become/are becoming, and your past.
“There’s a line between the chosen, and the rest.” Rapunzel has always been chosen over Cass. By the entire kingdom, by her found father, by their friends, by her own mother, and, hell, even by Cassandra herself. Sure, Rapunzel might not realize, but that doesn't make it not true. Of course this would build resentment from Cass.
Cass goes on to sing about how she has tried to get her moment, how she has given her all toward making her own place. But no matter what she’s always second best. She’s always just an accessory of the princess. She is not Cassandra in most people’s eyes, she is Rapunzel’s lady in waiting. .
I love how happy Cassie sounds and looks when she bursts the doors open and declares that she’s “crossing the line”. She moves so much more loosely, and does seem genuinely happier. She’s announcing to the world that she’s done being in Rapunzel’s shadow, she’s not waiting in the wings anymore, she’s taking the stage and the spotlight whether we’re ready or not. She’s taking the attention that’s always been given to Raps instead. She is fully ready and intending to burn the bridge between her and Rapunzel due to all that Rapunzel has taken from her in her eyes.
The scene where Rapunzel chases Cass onto the bridge, telling her, again, to “wait” despite that Cass told her she’s not waiting. And Cass physically breaking the thing connecting them. I love the double meaning there
While I don’t think Raps is malicious or anything of the like, I do get where Cass is coming from. There is so much resentment Cass has bottled up to the point where she probably didn’t even know it was there. There were so many straws and eventually Cass snapped.
I also feel like Rapunzel never puts the effort or introspection in to figure out why Cass is upset. This is mainly because of how Raps speaks of the situation in her solo in the finale, but that’s an essay for another day.
Anyways, it’s late, this is long, I should probably go to bed like I said I would
Knowing I’m so unc cuz everyone in the TTS fandom is younger than me but I was once 15 years old and like all of you…(bro I’m not that old help) notice how nothing has changed? You can’t get rid of this show…. RUN RUN
I adore these CUTIES they have the healthiest relationship omfgg so i did some screenshot redraws also first time drawing Eugene not that complicated as I thought he would be ALSO FIRST POST AGEGEH !! I had fun drawing them sm
no guys u don’t understand he was literally dada in that purple jacket if i was rapunzel id be fighting demons not to rip it off him every time i see him
matter of fact i would’ve made him reject being captain just so i can see him in that jacket 24/7
Looking back at Tangled the series, I felt that Eugene should have had more to do and I had an idea.
He should have been trying to convince Rapunzel's parents into letting him marry her (Not just trying to convince Rapunzel to marry him). Imagine if after his first proposal attempt, King Fredrick takes Eugene aside and tells him a harsh truth
"You know, Eugene I am eternally grateful that you brought my daughter home, and for that I will make sure you live out the rest of your days in comfort. I also know that she cares deeply for you in return, which is why I have allowed you to move into the castle and be close to her, er, ah, for the time being. But please understand, in the long run, the grand scheme of things, you cannot marry her.
Our family is Royalty. Marriage is not just about love, it's about business. I am in no hurry to have her married off to anyone in the foreseeable future, but when that day eventually comes, her husband must be someone who can offer something to the crown. He would be a prince, a lord, a knight, even a wealthy upstart, Someone respected in Coronan high society. You, Eugene, as good a man as I believe you to be, don't have anything to offer the royal family. I'm sorry but you should get these notions of marrying Rapunzel out of your head, and just enjoy the time you have with her now while it lasts."
Eugene doesn't tell anyone that Fredrik told him this. After all, Rapunzel just turned him down, what use is it to tell her that he wasn't able to convince her dad to let them marry if he can't even convince her yet. Not to mention that she's already pretty mad at her father's controlling attitude. He doesn't want to make things worse by telling her about something planned for her way down the line, that he fully intends to prevent anyway. Instead he comes up with plans of his own to change the Royal family's mind and prove that he IS the perfect husband for Rapunzel.
Not a ton would change throughout the show, except that Eugene now has a goal he's consistently and actively perusing instead of every now and then he brings up "Maybe NOW she's ready to say yes to me"
He tries to come up with multiple schemes to impress the king to get him to change his mind.
Implant the idea around high society folk, (The people the king takes seriously) that he's a great catch so that he can get people on team "Let Eugene marry Rapunzel"
Cassandra has already figured out the king would likely try to push Raps into finding a more respectable match someday and that's another point of contention between them. She throws it in his face.
When they leave the kingdom in season 2, Eugene thinks that maybe they can bypass the King's future plans by eloping when he's not around.
Of course there would have to be an episode where Rapunzel has a debutant ball that announces to all eligible young "Respectable" men throughout the land that she's officially an eligible Lady and Eugene is determined to sabotage it.
And an episode where Rapunzel also finds out what her father thinks of what her eventual marriage should be like.
kianamaiart
izzy806
andulkaphoto
annaxmalina
baratheonpilled
discoholicmusic
