In part of “Cassandra Appreciation Month”, here’s an in-depth discussion of “The Quest for Varian” & “Secret of the Sun Drop”.
I’ve decided to give an another in-depth discussion post for these two episodes since you guys enjoyed my first attempt on it. Like before, I want to discuss my quick thoughts with each episode first before talking about Cassandra’s role in them. And this will also be the only other time that I’ll be doing this. Enjoy!
The Quest for Varian - I don’t know how fans feel with this episode, but I personally think that it’s one of season 1’s strongest eps. It has a great build-up when it comes to holding secrets and cover-ups that for me always make a very juicy storytelling method. I also really love watching the sibling-like rivalry moments between Cass and Eugene, especially when he said to her; “Ohh! Even your hands are cold!”😂 And oh boy, the last five minutes got very exciting as Raps and her friends try to escape not only from those masked men, but also from the collapsing tower too.
The biggest highlight for me though is Rapunzel witnessing the destruction of her old home. In one way, she doesn’t look at it as very fondly anymore since she views it like an abandoned prison that Mother Gothel used to keep her at. However, that tower was also her home for 18 years. She has so many cherished memories up there that she’ll always remember, and it also shaped her in the person that she is. To see Rapunzel tearing up as the tower crumbles to the ground is something that I have so much sympathy for. In a way, that tower will forever be Rapunzel’s most sanctum place, even with it no longer standing high.
As for the Cassandra moments throughout this episode, there’s a few highlights with her to mention. Like I said before, I just enjoy watching her having those sibling-like rivalry scenes with Eugene. Despite on not being actually brother and sister, they surely do interact like it.😁
This episode also finally gives us some insight on Cass’ relationship with Owl. We learn on a few tactics that Cass has taught him such as going for the eyes on any target. And we see that Owl has inherit some of Cass’ personality like having a very vicious-like behavior. Plus, I find it so amusing that Cass knows that owls are warm blooded. I imagine that she must’ve learn about the fact while reading through a bird biology book.🦉
There’s also the moment in where Cassandra and her friends saw the discovery reveal that the Captain of the Guard and his men were the ones that have been chasing them throughout the episode. Cass reacts in a huge shock when she saw her father’s face during that moment. Everything that she has learned from her dad’s teaching that ultimately led her in wanting to become a guard just like him, she couldn’t believe that he would betray that kind of oath in all from the King’s direct order. I truly feel like she must’ve also felt heartbroken too when the Captain said all about it.
And lastly, I must address about the mirror scene. During the short time when the gang was hiding in the tower, there’s a screen shot of Cassandra’s reflection on the broken mirror. The very same mirror that Mother Gothel once used so often in keeping track of her beauty looks and even saw the reflection of her deteriorating appearance before meeting her end. Looking at that scene now, it was definitely purposely created as a foreshadowing on what we’ll later learn in Cass’ tragic past. I can’t even imagine on how the fans of the TTS back then would’ve theorized on the speculation that Cass is Gothel’s biographical daughter just based from that scene alone. When I first watched that scene, I thought of it as a fun throwback from the movie. Never would I ever expect for it to play a huge hint that’ll later turn out to be true.
Secret of the Sun Drop - This two-parter finale was a real thrill. The action scenes are a lot of fun to watch, the two songs are a joy to listen to((Especially with “As Ready As I'll Ever Be”)), and its also pretty well paced for the most part. I especially really like some of the imagery throughout in this episode such as when Rapunzel used the black rocks to defeat Varian. And it’s really good to learn more backstory about the sun drop that later led to the consequences that Corona will face into its current setting.
To talk briefly about Varian’s role here for a minute, even though I don’t think he’s in the high tier among with some of Disney’s greatest villains, his reasoning into why he became the “bad guy” is actually established pretty well. He has been denied the need of any help in the recuse attempt to save his father, and felt betrayed by it. Especially towards Rapunzel that he was primally angry at the most. I can’t help but feel really sorry for what the poor kid went through before becoming a villain. I’m just glad that he later came through in redeeming himself by the third season and that he and his dad reunited together later on.
There are two topics in regarding about Cassandra that I want to discuss within this finale. The first in which is her screen time with the Captain. Cass is still dealing with the fallout of her father’s actions from “The Quest for Varian”. As she packs up in being sent to a covent, her father said that it brings no pleasure to see her going through the punishment despite on not making any plea to the King in reconsidering it. That moment where Cass said that she worked so hard in trying to make him proud but ends up becoming disappointed towards him honestly broke me. It’s definitely one of her most sadden moments to watch especially with the facial expression she had on her as she leaves her room.
Then later on during the giant raccoon scene, we see Cassandra apologizing to her father on what she said earlier about being disappointed in him. Admitting, I really wish we could’ve had some more seconds between them in making amends with each other as that moment did felt very rushed. But given the situation they were at, it’s kinda understandable to why Cass had to quickly swift her focus in stopping the threat first. I could imagine that she had a longer time with him offscreen in the regrets that each of them have, and in during that conversation is when the Captain put Cass in charge of the leading assault against Varian.
Speaking of leading, time for me to talk about the second topic for Cassandra. With the Captain out of action, Cass is finally able to show off what she has been building up most of her life for. She sing towards all of her following comrades with strong encouragement for the important mission ahead as she now leads them in the fight for Corona. I just love this scene so much in how Cass has such a heroic tone as she sings her lyrics and the Captain smiles towards her during the whole moment.😊
It’s awesome to see Cassandra showing off her leadership skills in during the assault even though we don’t see a lot of it. The way she leads her troops into the battlefield was pretty cool to watch, and I especially liked when she said “ Keep an eye out, everyone. It’s too quiet for my liking.” I really do believe that there’s a lot of more within her leadership skill that we didn’t get the chance to see, and I’m pretty bummed that we don’t see more of it after this finale. She would’ve made one heck of a captain if had not been for her dark turn.
And that’ll do it for me here. Thank you for reading this post, and I’ll be back next week for a couple more “Cassandra Appreciation Month” posts that I really want to get done before this appreciation event ends. Take care!
