I've been thinking (again) about Faragonda and how she only reveals information when she thinks it's the right time (I could actually go on and on about the agendas and actions of the three headmasters of the magical schools, especially Griffin). I’ve come to suspect that Faragonda knew who Bloom was from the second she set foot in Alfea because, between you and me, “she has a dream, Griselda” doesn’t feel like an especially good reason for giving a girl from Earth with ZERO experience with magic a full scholarship for the most esteemed magic school in the dimension. But then, Bloom is still 16 and is still new to the very IDEA of the Magical Dimension — now tell her that she’s adopted, the sole survivor of a planetary genocide, a lost princess AND the vessel for God’s power. It’s a lot! Faragonda reveals information when she thinks Bloom is ready — unfortunately, she very rarely gets the chance to actually do this because somebody else tends to get the drop on her (*cough* The Trix *cough* Valtor *cough*). To me this seems like very responsible guidance, if sometimes a little bit misguided. Like, yes restricting Bloom’s access to information on Daphne the Nymph was probably a good decision (goodness knows what books she would find and what information/opinions it would give her — its better she learns about Daphne from somebody who knew her personally, who would tell her that Daphne loved her so much she sacrificed everything for her, rather than ‘Daphne was the Nymph of the Dragon Flame’ over and over again). That said, Faragonda probably should’ve found out WHY Bloom was trying to find that information out, but it’s a very realistic flaw — Faragonda doesn’t know that the Trix are going to give her misinformation about her past (Ancestral Witches plot) nor does she know that the Trix are also going to spontaneously tell Bloom that she is the sole survivor of a planetary genocide. But then the Trix do this, tell Bloom all of this information at once, to torture and torment Bloom. It's psychological warfare. Faragonda is easing Bloom into the reality of who she is gently, revealing only a little at a time so as not to overwhelm her.
But then this approach fails when she places the responsibility for telling Bloom who she is on Avalon (although I cannot remember whether she actually knows that Avalon is 'showing her her past' AKA grooming Bloom). Bloom falling out of Faragonda's immediate thinking is exactly what leads to Dark Bloom because Faragonda hasn't clocked any of the warning signs that Bloom is in danger (such as spending increased amounts of time with Avalon, fighting with her boyfriend, being more distant with the girls). AND THIS IS SUCH A GOOD MISTAKE FOR FARAGONDA!! Because she has so much more to concentrate on in S2, like the fact that one of the most dangerous threats to the Magical Dimension has resurfaced, whom she knows will want the Codex' of the three magical schools and Pixie Village (and now is really such a convenient time for there to be pixies in Alfea, as though the political climate was not rough enough she needs these seventeen year olds to babysit political hostages) and will then focus his attention on Bloom, she has to try and organise some kind of defence against Darkar AND she's got a school to run (and the Winx are fighting amonst themselves). I love that she's doing all of this, in a way, for Bloom, but in doing so ends up neglecting her and letting fall right into the claws of the enemy.
And beyond that, one of my favourite things about Faragonda is how she treats the Winx like what they are: teenage schoolgirls. It is SO refreshing to see an adult actually take charge and responsibility in a show like Winx Club and even rarer to see the girls face consequences to their misbehaviour (regardless of if that misbehaviour is warranted, like their detour to Andros, or just teenage recklessness, such as skipping school to go on a daytrip to Gardenia without telling anybody where they are). Faragonda is a key political figure in the Magical Dimension and holds a LOT of influence, of course she isn't going to disclose the entire truth to a gang of sixteen year old girls who shouldn't be involved in these messes in the first place. AHHHHHHH SHE'S SO RESPONSIBLE SHE MAKES ME WANT TO BITE SOMETHING!!!!
Anyway, I am obsessed with the choice the make Faragonda a very sensible, intelligent, shrewd and caring adult in charge of a gang of reckless slackers with apparently NO self preservation skills. PEAK character design! Faragonda, you shady bitch, I love you.
