#ihatetangledtheseries

[tangledmovielove]

Why I Wish the “Tangled” Series Never Happened: A Rant on Disney’s Betrayal of the Original Story

Tangled is one of my absolute favorite Disney movies. It’s a beautiful, romantic tale about freedom, self-discovery, and finding true love. But honestly? I can’t even think about Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure without wanting to scream because it completely ruins everything that made the original movie so special. And worse, it turns Tangled—and even the Rapunzel fairy tale—into something unrecognizable and disrespectful to the original message.

The series didn’t just take a bad turn—it’s an outright betrayal of the characters and the story. It’s one thing to make a bad sequel, but to mess with such a rich, romantic fairy tale in the process? That’s just cruel.

Flynn Rider: From Charming Rogue to Punching Bag

Let’s talk about Flynn. In Tangled, he was a complex, witty character who had his flaws but grew into a true partner for Rapunzel. He was clever, funny, and more than just a “boyfriend.” He was an equal protagonist with Rapunzel—they both saved each other, and they both had strong arcs.

But in the series? They turned him into a joke. He became this incompetent, bumbling sidekick, constantly belittled by Cassandra and the other characters, while Rapunzel just stood by and let it happen. Where was the Flynn who was so smart and had an edge in the movie? The Flynn who risked everything for Rapunzel? Instead, they made him into this emotional doormat who’s not even given the chance to be a real partner to Rapunzel.

This wasn’t just a bad decision—it was an outright destruction of his character. Flynn deserved better.

Rapunzel: From Selfless Hero to “Feminist” Mary Sue?

Now let’s talk about Rapunzel. I have to ask: what happened to the Rapunzel we fell in love with in Tangled? In the movie, she was brave and selfless, willing to risk her freedom for Flynn. But in the series, suddenly marriage becomes a prison, and Flynn’s constant rejection is somehow acceptable. That’s not the Rapunzel we know and love!

In the original movie, Rapunzel was ready to give up everything for Flynn, including her tower and all the comfort and security she’d known her whole life. She didn’t see their love as a burden or a loss of freedom. But the show rewrites that entire narrative. Suddenly, marriage is portrayed as a trap, and Rapunzel becomes this self-centered, emotionally distant character. She rejects Flynn’s proposal multiple times without even considering how hurtful it is, and she never defends him when Cassandra constantly disrespects him. She keeps secrets from him and lets him be humiliated, all while acting like she’s the one who’s ��free” in the relationship. It’s heartbreaking and completely out of character.

Marriage as a "Prison"—Really?

And that brings me to the most infuriating thing: the series’ portrayal of marriage. Marriage in Tangled was supposed to be a celebration of love, a mutual commitment between two people who had gone through so much together. But in the series, marriage is treated like a prison, like a death sentence that would somehow take away Rapunzel’s freedom.

Let’s be real: in Tangled’s world (and the world of the original fairy tale), people didn’t wait years to get married. It was part of the time period’s norms—people got married quickly because that was often the only way for a couple to be together. That’s not something to criticize—it’s historical accuracy. But the series ignores that context entirely. Rapunzel rejecting Flynn’s proposal, especially given the era, just feels wrong. And if you ask me, it sends the wrong message entirely. It implies that if you truly love someone, marriage is something to be feared or avoided.

But in reality? If you love someone, marriage is a way of committing to them, and it certainly shouldn’t be portrayed as a “prison.” Anyone who sees marriage as a trap is probably not in the right relationship. And the fact that Rapunzel keeps rejecting Flynn over and over—when, in the original movie, she was willing to risk everything for him—makes no sense. It’s like she’s been rewritten just to fit some modern, toxic, anti-marriage narrative that has no place in this story.

The Original Tale: Love, Sacrifice, and Freedom

And speaking of the original tale, let’s talk about Rapunzel’s fairy tale roots. The original version of the Rapunzel story, Petrosinella (written by Basile), is actually a romantic love story at its core. In that version, the girl is not a “lost princess” but an ordinary girl who, like many women of that time, had very few options for freedom.

Petrosinella’s escape wasn’t just about her gaining freedom for the sake of freedom—it was about finding love and escaping an abusive situation. Marrying the prince wasn’t a bad thing, as it was often the only way for women to escape from a difficult life. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to marry the man you love—especially if that man is a prince who could give you a better life! Marriage in that context wasn’t about giving up one’s identity—it was about survival and gaining the ability to truly be free. And that’s exactly what Rapunzel does in Tangled.

But of course, the series couldn’t accept that. They turned Rapunzel into a “modern feminist” character who has to be above all that, which is not only historically inaccurate but also just unnecessary. Rapunzel doesn’t need to reject the idea of love and marriage to be strong. In fact, if she truly loved Flynn, she would want to be with him as soon as possible.

And, honestly, anyone who’s criticizing those princesses who married young in the past (Cinderella, Ariel, etc.) clearly doesn’t understand the historical context. They weren’t just getting married for fun—they were getting married to survive and to thrive.

Disney’s Tangled Was Perfect—No Need for the Series

At the end of the day, I wish Disney had left Tangled alone. The movie was perfect in its own right, with Flynn and Rapunzel as equals in a beautiful love story. The series wasn’t necessary, and it certainly wasn’t a worthy addition to the franchise. It ruined the movie, it ruined Flynn, and it turned a story about love and self-discovery into a toxic relationship drama that should never have existed.

It’s not Tangled anymore. And if I had my way, I’d just pretend the series never happened. Because to me, Tangled will always be the original—where love, sacrifice, and freedom come together in a beautiful, timeless way. Anything else? I just can’t accept it as canon.

[tangledmovielove]

Why Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure Ruined Flynn and the Love Story

Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure had so much potential to expand on the magic of Tangled—but unfortunately, it took everything that was great about the original movie and turned it on its head. The series completely sidelined Flynn’s character, turning him from an equal partner in Rapunzel’s journey to the cliché of the "dumb boyfriend" trope. The series also ruined their relationship, Rapunzel’s character, and even messed with the historical and emotional aspects of their love. If you’re a fan of the original Tangled movie and the dynamic between Rapunzel and Flynn, there’s so much to hate about how the series treats them.

Flynn Got Reduced to a Side Character

In the original Tangled, Flynn Rider was a co-protagonist alongside Rapunzel. Their relationship wasn’t just a typical romantic subplot; it was a balanced dynamic where they both saved each other. Flynn helped Rapunzel find her freedom, but she also changed him into a better person—showing he wasn’t just a “bad boy” but a deeply complicated and good man underneath. He was every bit her equal.

But in the series, Flynn gets completely sidelined to make room for Cassandra, Rapunzel’s new "best friend" turned villain. His character development is ignored, his trauma never gets addressed, and worst of all, he becomes the "dumb" sidekick. Where was the Flynn who was quick on his feet, clever, and capable of making serious decisions? The series reduces him to an afterthought, and it’s insulting to both his character and the balance of the original movie’s plot.

The constant push for a "Cassandra and Rapunzel" sisterhood dynamic feels like an attempt to mimic the success of Frozen by having two female protagonists, while Flynn gets demoted to a joke. And this is where we enter into the territory of modern feminism, which misrepresents what equality should look like by turning men into weak, one-dimensional characters to uplift women—when true equality should show both sexes growing and supporting each other.

Rapunzel Becomes a Toxic Girlfriend

Now let’s talk about the biggest betrayal—the way Rapunzel treats Flynn. In the series, she becomes a completely toxic girlfriend. Rather than being a partner who values Flynn’s love and support, she lets Cassandra openly insult him, keeps secrets from him, and even rejects his marriage proposals. Does this sound like the same woman who was willing to give up everything for Flynn in the original movie? No, it doesn’t!

In Tangled, Rapunzel not only saved Flynn’s life but also chose to give him her heart. She literally gave up her freedom to save him when he was at death’s door. But now, we’re supposed to believe that this woman, who was willing to risk her life for Flynn, would let another person constantly mistreat him and keep her feelings and intentions a secret? It makes no sense!

Just imagine if the roles were reversed—if Flynn were the one dismissing Rapunzel, allowing his best friend to trash talk her, and then rejecting her proposal. Everyone would call that relationship toxic, and yet here we are, watching Rapunzel do the same thing and it’s somehow acceptable. This is blatant double standards, and it’s infuriating to see Flynn treated this way.

The Inconsistency with Historical Realism

One of the most frustrating things about the series is how it completely ignores the historical context of Rapunzel and Flynn’s time. In the movie, marriage was a crucial part of their relationship and society—back then, couples could only stay together if they were engaged or married. And yet, in the series, Rapunzel rejects Flynn’s proposal and then continues dating him like nothing happened. This is not just historically inaccurate, it’s insulting to the original movie.

If the writers wanted to explore Rapunzel and Flynn's relationship in a more modern setting, they should have set the series in today’s world. But instead, they kept the 18th-century setting and ignored the fact that, in their time, marriage was the only way people could be together without being scandalized or ostracized.

Rejecting a proposal back then meant breaking up—period. But the series didn’t care about historical accuracy, and now we’re left with a plot that feels forced and unrealistic.

Marriage is Not a Prison

In the original movie, marriage for Rapunzel wasn’t a trap—it was a symbol of her freedom, a way to be with Flynn on her own terms. But the series turns this concept on its head and portrays marriage as something Rapunzel fears, as if it means she’ll lose her freedom. This portrayal not only feels out of character but also perpetuates a false narrative about what marriage is.

Marriage isn’t a prison—it’s a commitment to someone you love. And if Rapunzel truly loved Flynn, why would she see her future with him as a "trap"? In the movie, she was willing to risk everything for him, including her life. The idea that she would now reject him because marriage seems like a loss of freedom is absurd.

The series not only messes with the romantic narrative but also sends the wrong message about commitment and love. Back in their time, marriage was a celebration of their love, and rejecting that commitment would have meant the relationship was over. If the writers wanted a more modern relationship dynamic, they should have done what Tangled did—celebrate their commitment, not undermine it.

And Don’t Get Me Started on Cassandra

Lastly, let’s talk about Cassandra. She should have never existed. She was clearly created to fill the void left by Flynn, who was reduced to a side character to make space for the new "sister" dynamic. The show tries to mimic Frozen by giving Rapunzel a sister figure, but Cassandra’s backstory doesn’t make sense—especially when you consider that Gothel was obsessed with staying young and couldn’t have had a child. Her entire storyline feels like a forced attempt to copy Frozen's success, and it ruins the dynamic that was once so special between Rapunzel and Flynn.

The Disservice to Flynn and the Tangled Legacy

To sum it all up, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure did nothing but harm the love story and characters that made Tangled such a masterpiece. Flynn’s character was destroyed, Rapunzel was turned into a toxic girlfriend, and the entire premise of their relationship was undermined for the sake of a sisterhood plot that didn’t even fit. The show is full of historical inaccuracies, contradictions, and a complete disregard for what made the original movie so beloved.

Flynn deserves better. Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure was a disservice to both the characters and the movie’s legacy.