#rta critical

[tzipporahs-well]

Why I see the Dark Kingdom, Quirin, and Varian as Jewish:

So I promised a post or so again to expand on my Jewish Varian headcanons, and I wanted to explain my rationale for my headcanon.

Names:

Adira’s name is Hebrew: אַדִּירָה. It means “strong” or “mighty.” Notably no one else in the series has a Hebrew name except Ruth, which is a common name used more widely. Adira however is a much rarer name and i have not seen it used beyond Star Trek and Hebrew. Given this is a world in the renaissance to the late 1700s (personally, I interpret it in the late 1700s), it also means that the modern state of Israel does not exist yet. Which leads me to my next point.

The Dark Kingdom: Exile and Return

Within Tanakh, there is this major theme of exile (galut) and return as well as the “promised land.” The Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) expanded on this significantly. The Jewish people experienced two major exiles from the destruction of both of their Temples, something commemorated on Tisha B’av. These exiles were also preceded by environmental disasters because Hashem withdrew His protection. The land itself is described as a “land of milk and honey” and incredibly fruitful. However, in times of trouble, the land fails to yield to the Israelites and sees drought, famine, and fire.

The Dark Kingdom sees something similar. The land itself has become infested with near indestructible black rocks. Any attempt to destroy these black rocks has led to severe illness and death. Ultimately, all the kingdom’s inhabitants are forced away from their home to survive even as the black rocks spread from other people’s unwise actions (*cough* Fred *cough*). This leads to my next point.

The Parallel to Court Jews: Quirin

So Quirin’s role is very interesting. Reading between the lines, it seems that King Frederic swore Quirin to secrecy. Quirin has to communicate to the king in code when talking in front of other people about the black rocks. Even when it appears that he lied in front of his son. Quirin warns Varian to stop talking about what occurred (“That’s enough, Varian.”) which contrasts with his usual patient but exasperated behavior. This matter suggests a life or death matter and something that he could not even talk to his own family about.

There are parallels in Jewish history with this too: court Jews were a fixture in the Central Europe from the 16th century onwards (about the time period when Tangled the Series/Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure takes place). They were in a precarious position often wearing multiple hats as banker and protector of the Jewish community. Court Jews got certain privileges in exchange for their services and wealth. Court Jews had personal relationships to the people in power usually a prince. this relationship proved very risky to many court Jews (see Joseph Suess Oppenheimer). One wrong move and the entire Jewish community could be forced to leave or less charitably, killed.

Now whether Rapunzel takes place in Central Europe is debatable. The location of the finale shot is somewhere in modern day France. However, certain parts of modern France (Alsace) were part of the Holy Roman Empire depending on the time period. A lot of names used are German/Central European or used frequently in the region: Rapunzel, Frederic, Quirin (which is only used as a Roman name otherwise according to behind the name), Mother Gothel, Edmund etc.

We see some evidence of wealth or at least past wealth in Varian’s household. First, the family lives in a castle rather than a shack or a cottage. Second, the amount of red clothing in Quirin’s household. Quirin wears a dark red shirt, Varian owns a red scarf, and his mother is seen wearing a lot of red. Red was one of the more expensive dyes with madder being the cheapest version. There is also use of furs in Varian’s coat and Quirin’s vest, which was not cheap either. However, Quirin and Varian also straddle the line with being commoners. We see Quirin farming pumpkins and they are clearly inferior to the king. In addition, Old Corona appears to be impoverished, which only worsened from the black rocks.

Jewish Values: Education and Promises

Education is a major Jewish value. We believe in questioning and wrestling with Hashem. Literacy was of major importance to us and Jewish communities often had high literacy rates often higher than the rest of the population. Part of the reason is because we’re people of the book. The other reason is because literacy and knowledge are mobile skills that can be taken with us when we got kicked out again. Varian owns many books, and we see him read and write on the regular. Books weren’t. Education expanded in Western and central Europe during the enlightenment but schooling as a system was still in its early stages. Books were expensive, yet it is likely that those who place a higher value on education would invest in such.

The idea of a promised land forms a major ideological core for Judaism because it provided hope. Hope allowed the long-suffering Jewish people as a whole to keep going even during Egyptian enslavement, massacres, and pogroms. There’s a reason Israel’s national anthem is named Hatikvah (“the hope”). Some of our biggest quarrels come from when covenants and promises are broken. Vows in the biblical era were taken extremely seriously.

Within the show, Varian emphasizes the promises that Rapunzel made but ultimately broke. It may not just “bad behavior” or massive hurt but a major breach in values. Rapunzel broke the agreement between subject and ruler: a ruler was to protect their subjects.

Appearances

Varian, Quirin, Hector, and Edmund all have dark hair. Both Quirin and Edmund have aquiline noses, which are common Mediterranean features. Corona is nowhere near the Mediterranean 🤨.

Varian’s mother also has red hair. Red hair is a polygenic trait that often occurs in a recessive fashion. That means two parents with other hair colors can carry red hair traits and pass them to their children. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Jews were often believed to red hair. Judas and Shylock from the Merchant of Venice were often depicted with red hair. This stereotype has some grains of truth as certain Tanakh figures like Esau and David have red hair or are described as ruddy and red. Because most Jews especially in the premodern age married within the tribe, a lot of traits that are rarer among the general population have been seen more frequently in Jewish populations including red hair and genetic conditions.

The Ham Sandwich Paradox: Obscure Jewish Food History

But wait! What about Varian’s ham sandwiches? Ham is made of pig and pigs aren’t kosher. Therefore, they can’t be Jewish.

Ah, this is where I talk about Jewish ham. Ham made of pork is indeed not kosher at all. However, Sephardic Jews and the Jews of Italy have made “Jewish ham” and “Jewish prosciutto” since about the Renaissance era. It came from curing goose or duck, which were kosher birds. I have tasted cured duck at a restaurant, and it takes remarkably like pork. One could interpret Varian talking about pork ham but Varian doesn’t say what kind of ham and he could just as easily be referring to “Jewish ham.”

Why Jewish representation matters

Tangled the Series/Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure is a piece of media that I wrestle with a lot. The series did a lot of great things but it and the original movie did a piss poor job at handling Jews (in the movie and series) and Romani (definitively in the series). Here I will discuss the Jewish aspect since I am Jewish, not Romani.

Mother Gothel’s character resembles the very definition of old blood libels common in Europe that “Jews kidnap gentile children (especially blondes) and use them for ritualistic purposes.” Her design was changed from gothic romantic to something more “Jewish-coded” and thus more villainous. This is very much a problem especially as we consider the rise of antisemitism. It became worse in the series when we found out that Cass was Gothel’s daughter and that Cass was abandoned in favor of kidnapping Rapunzel. Cass then became a villain because of this. Media depictions like Gothel actively harm our community by reinforcing old dangerous stereotypes. Given these strong negative representations of Jews, I wanted to dilute the pool through making positive Jewish representation. I wanted to make space for myself and other Jews within this piece of media that has harmed our community.

These hints may simply be coincidental if taken in isolation. In stringing them together, we can construct a space where Jews can be represented positively and accurately in the tangled universe.

[adventuretfox]

I love Chetney's (RTA)Recognize the Alpha

And I know some of y'all got the ick immediately because of toxic dudebro horseshit, I myself do not care for it.

I understand and it doesn't escape me when people mistakenly say Respect the Alpha. Now that is ick, it's what people typically think when you hear Alpha. It's the desperate cry of a loser who thinks he deserves everything in the world, while doing nothing of use, because his a man.

But remember what Chetney says to Imogen when he tells her what RTA means.

"There's an Alpha in all of us"

He doesn't reinforce it as law, or expands on it with some bullshit formula, it's simply just recognize the confidence that you already have inside yourself, Recognize the Alpha.

And Confidence is all Chetney exudes inside and out, he doesn't need to explain to you what an alpha is, because his showing it 24/7

This professional toy maker, old gnome, werewolf. Protects his team, takes the lead when everybody needs it, is fun to be around, who makes wonderful wooden toys for kids and art pieces for his friends, who respects and cares for struggling folks, and is a great listener and even more surprisingly gives really good advice.

Chetney is a source of strength, power, leadership, friendship, and kindness.

His already grasped the greatness within himself, his Recognized his Alpha.

[foldbaron]

"Is the dog man eating already?"

[reiinai]

Seasons Greetings and Happy Showcase Day from Exandria and @artists-guild-of-exandria where the Guild have been dreaming up Critical Role themed toys worth of Chetney Pock O’Opea and RTA itself.

Presenting my contribution to Chetney’s Toy Workshop:

90s kid special, Skydancer, Champion of Ravens edition

[atleastweasel]

Happy (almost) Winter’s Crest! It feels weird that it’s taken me this long to draw Chetney! He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite CR PCs from all campaigns.

[undead-knick-knack]

Check out Braius' new tattoo!! It means "Recognize the Alpha" in Chetenese 😁

[kmcosplays]

I found chetny today

[nerdasaurus1200]

Rapunzel: Cass are we friends?

Cassandra: Worse. We’re family.

[cryptidcassie]

I was seized by a vision (and I suck at photoshop)

[broodygaming]

In the end, Chetney was ALL our dads.

[toadtusks]

Travis never looked hotter

[handbellanon]

#travis tried to go for the jugular at matt with the chair and then sam turned it on him @essektheylyss

SO much violence was just committed in SO LITTLE TIME

[foldbaron]

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

RTA, do you have a record of when exactly the first rumours about Harry and Meghan divorce/separation started? Or how? And what was being said at that time?

My Spidey senses have been tingling every since it was reported that Meghan shoped for a post divorce book deal. I wonder if Meghan herself is fanning those rumours. It serves the dual purpose of needling Harry as well as bringing back some interest in her. As cringe and embarrassing as she is, a lot of people are saying she is the one who seems to be working while Harry just wants to lounge by the poolside.

To be clear I don't think so, some people I've talked to say this as a joke. I think whatever money they have or have coming in is because of Harry and not because of her.

This is beginning to look a lot like a devaluation phase of Harry.

Divorce/separation rumors about the Sussexes have been around the wedding. In other words, very few people outside of the Sussex Squad thinks (or thought) they were together for the long haul. So divorce has always been swirling around them. Some serious, some not.

But if I had to say, I'd say the vibes around Sussex divorce rumors changed in late 2021/early 2022.

Late 2021 was right after the Sussexes finally launched their post-Megxit strategy for American success. First was the Time 100 cover (aka Hair Stylist Harry), then was the NYC visit (which included their first red carpet gala) which was all panned, criticized, and ridiculed.

And hot on the Sussexes' heels - also pushing them out of the spotlight in a very major way - was a glamorous royal red carpet at the James Bond premiere, followed quickly by William's his first Earthshot ceremony and an emergency hospitalization by The Queen (which scared everyone). It's probably one of the better "this or that" comparisons in the Cambridges vs Sussexes dynamic and the Sussexes definitely got a very losing stick.

Springtime 2022 is when tarot readers and astrologists began picking up on divorce for the Sussexes. It started in March 2022 and went through about September 2022. This time is one of those instances where many different readers across several different platforms (including some that I know aren't aware of each other) are "seeing" similar things, so I feel pretty comfortable saying that there was something in the universe at this time legitimately about a Sussex divorce.

Hindsight being 20/20, 2022 was a pretty big 'make or break' year for the Sussexes. They had their first "major" tour (The Hague Invictus Games), their first visit back to the UK (the secret Windsor visit and the Platinum Jubilee, and Netflix and Spotify were demanding content. So everything had to go well for them. But it didn't.

Bad News #1: The secret visit to Windsor. No one even knew they were there till Meghan leaked it herself, and then no one really cared.

Bad News #2: The Hague IG. Meghan stole all the media coverage with her couture fashion and the criticism was loud. Very loud.

Bad News #3: Netflix dropped Pearl, Meghan's girl power show for children. Aw, so sad.

Bad News #4: Platinum Jubilee. Worse than no one caring, the public booed them and the family publicly shunned them three times (no carriage or balcony at Trooping, seats in Siberia at the jubilee service, no one going to Lili's birthday party).

I think this is when Meghan decided she needed to ditch Harry because it wasn't going well for her. She "separated" her brand from Harry's the first time, doing an interview with Vogue, a second interview with The Cut, and releasing Archetypes. Harry wasn't in the picture anymore. So perhaps this when she shopped her divorce memoir.

(And we all know what happened next - the European tour rudely interrupted by The Queen's death, followed by 3 weeks trapped in London for royal mourning and the funeral. She may have decided to stay, thinking that Harry was going to get a few upgrades now that he was the son of The King.)

Anyway, just a theory and speculation.

So long story short to answer your question: actual/real divorce rumors started in 2022 but the speculation has been around since the engagement, basically.

(Also, I don't have the link anymore but in May 2022, there was a YouTube tarot reader who predicted a 2025 divorce for the Sussexes. We will find out this year if they were right.)

[undead-knick-knack]

[rta-user-2025]

People should enjoy the fan works, fanfics and fanart for what they are and create whatever they want regarding Varian and the Seven Kingdoms, but just not get their hopes up for anything official ever happening. If the original pitch has fans, that's great! It's great that it's letting people be creative. Fans should focus their energy on making fan content instead of getting their hopes up and wasting their time trying to campaign Disney for something official. It has brought out a lot of creativity within fans, but still, it would have been nice and that is all I can say.

And some of Varian's fans just will grow out of being so obsessed with him.

I would tolerate the vat7k fandom a lot more if you guys were a little friendlier and also if you tagged your fanfictions as such.

Here are some suggestions on how to make the fandom a little safer/more welcoming for everyone:

Keep in mind that this fandom appears to be a lot smaller than it actually is. Sadly we have a rampant problem with segregation. A lot of the major issues within the community coincide with an entitled desire to force others into conformity. It pushes people into choosing which cliques/factions that they need to fit into. Which in turn isolates them from making any other potentially meaningful connections with other fans. This behavior is part of what is encouraging the extremists. When you tell people that things have to be a certain way, they are obviously going to want to rebel. Instead we should try to be open to new takes/ideas. You can be friends with people who don't always agree with you. You don't have to like the exact same things in order to appreciate or encourage one another. Try to be supportive of your fellow fans. Example: Just because someone likes/doesn't like a ship that you do/don't, doesn't make them a terrible person. Allow others to make their own decisions on who they want to interact with. It’s not all that difficult to figure out who is a bad egg. If an opinion or HC differs from your own: Respect the other person’s individuality Consider having a polite debate Agree to disagree Ignore and move on Be open to constructive criticism. Sometimes you don't notice things until you are exposed to another person's perspective. Try not to blindly trust word of mouth information, or out of context screenshots. Ask for sources! Get the facts. Tumblr polls are an unreliable sources of information. I wouldn't recommend trying to use them as a way to win an argument. Please use the appropriate tags/warnings. It's important to allow others to be able to curate their fandom experience. By tagging or informing others to tag triggering topics, AU character names, or references. You are doing a service to the community as a whole and not just the corner in which you choose to reside in. Example: Reading fanfiction is a huge time investment. Therefor it's disheartening and sometimes downright infuriating to be exposed to unwanted content without your consent. This includes epilogues that state "And things continue from here into ___ fandom AU."

If an ask/request is not to your liking: Politely decline Ignore the message Block the individual if you really don't want to hear from them again If you’re getting harassed: Do not engage Report Block Consider turning off anon asks