Fans of Futurama will notice the same type of drunken, vulgar humor that they fell in love with in Disenchantment, but with an added layer of story and mystery.
By Sean D. Hartman
Ever since Futurama was cancelled, we have been without a raunchy cartoon comedy from The Simpons creator Matt Groening. This finally changes with Disenchantment, a spiritual successor to the futuristic comedy from the renowned cartoonist.
Where Futurama is a futuristic comedy, Disenchantment takes on the fantasy genre, following Princess Tiabeanie Mariabeanie De La Rochambeaux Drunkowitz, or “Bean” for short.
Princess Bean is a drunker, whiter version of Jasmine, an independent adventurer who wants nothing to do with her regnal duties. Her father, King Zog—played by John DiMaggio, who played Bender in Futurama—is the temperamental King of Dreamland, a cliched medieval monarchy which plays on the fairy tale genre.
And like with any fairy tale with a strong princess protagonist, there must always be a forced marriage to start off our meta-adventure. For Princess Bean, this is the marriage of the Prince of Bentwood, and the misery she knows will follow her. And like most of these fairy tales with strong princess protagonists, in comes a magical being who will assist her on her quest.
In this case, it is Luci, a cat-like shadow demon who becomes eternally linked to Princess Bean after opening a wedding gift. Luci seems to be associated with dark and mysterious sorcerers locked in a tower, adding to a mystery that will surely span several seasons.
And if that isn’t enough fairy tale characters, allow me to introduce you to Elfo, an innocent elf living in an elven candy-making utopia where everyone is happy, except Elfo, who just wants to find a place “where people are miserable.” When Elfo must flee from the hidden Elfwood, he is transported to Dreamland where he meets Princess Bean and the demon for many an adventure.
Fans of Futurama will notice the same type of drunken, vulgar humor that they fell in love with in Disenchantment, but with an added layer of story and mystery. Despite seeming like unconnected episodes, the TV series seems to be setting up a larger complex web of stories, even more so than Futurama.
This is definitely a TV series meant for those fans wanting a fix ever since Bender and Zapp Brannigan left our television screens in 2013.
Sean David Hartman is a reporter for the Central Florida Post, covering entertainment and public affairs. He describes himself as a “Professional Political Nuisance” and goes after politicians on both sides. Hartman is an autism rights activist, and #ProudlyAutistic.
