The second installment of Matt’s Groening’s Disenchantment was released on Netflix in September, and it asked more questions than it answered. The first installment concluded with the death of Elfo (voiced by Nat Faxon) and Princess Bean (Abbi Jacobson) being spirited away by Dagmar (Sharon Horgan) after the revived queen turned all of Dreamland to stone.
Although the series has been criticized, the second installment featured several highlights involving Dreamland’s wayward princess. Here are five highlights from Part Two of Disenchantment and five mysteries that remain unsolved.
Highlight: The Emancipation Of Queen Oona
Oona (voiced by Tress MacNeille) was a minor character in season one. The reptilian queen was the reluctant bride of King Zog and was mainly on the peripheral of the plot.
Season two rectifies this with an empowering emancipation story for Oona. In “The Very Thing,” the Dankmirian monarch becomes a pirate, embarking on a voyage with elf captain Leavo and eventually taking over command of his ship after divorcing Zog. It is a liberating moment for Oona and a sobering moment for Bean, who comes to realize that she had a mother figure in her life after all.
Mystery: What Is The Prophecy?
If season two confirmed anything, it is that Bean’s maternal family is creepy. In “The Disenchantress,” Dagmar takes Bean to her home country of Maru, where she introduces her daughter to her siblings Cloyd the Emperor (Rich Fulcher) and Becky the Enchantress (Lucy Montgomery) - the mysterious figures who have been watching over Bean and originally sent her Luci (Eric Andre).
Furthermore, Bean is revealed to be the subject of a mysterious prophecy that her mother is determined she fulfill as Dagmar informs Bean of a ‘family curse’ that spells certain insanity in her future. The details of the prophecy remains an enigma so far, though the nature of it appears malevolent.
Highlight: Steamland
The world of Disenchantment is broadened in Part Two. In “The Electric Princess,” Bean stows away on a trip to the mysterious, steampunk country of Steamland, which has advanced technological knowledge. This bewilders the medieval princess, who quickly has to acclimatize to a foreign environment.
Bean’s adventure leads to catastrophe, as she discovers that Steamland is corrupt and plotting to overthrow her father Zog. The introduction of Steamland is initially jarring, though it assimilates into the plot gradually.
Mystery: What Are The Trogs?
Another creepy facet from Disenchantment’s second installment was the introduction of the small, withered people who seem subservient to the royal family of Maru. Bean finds a dismembered pair of arms when she stumbles upon a secret prophecy room, and they are later surrounding Dagmar underneath Dreamland in the season finale “Tiabeanie Falls.”
The creepy characters seem important to the plot, particularly the shadowy secrets surrounding Dagmar’s family and the prophecy regarding Bean. How they feature into the story exactly remains a mystery for Part Three, however.
Highlight: Bean And Derick Bond
Bean was initially hostile towards her stepmother Oona and half-brother Derick (also voiced by Tess MacNeille) in season one. After her mother’s betrayal, however, the rebellious princess begins to appreciate her family more, as her relationship with her little brother is further explored.
In “Love’s Slimy Embrace,” Bean confronts the resentment she harbors towards Derick due to their differential treatment based on gender. In a touching conclusion, Bean risks her life to save Derick after he is kidnapped by an octopus the young prince had befriended, proving that she does care about her brother after all.
Mystery: Who Is Elfo’s Mother?
Another mystery prevalent in the story is the identity of Elfo’s mother. Though more hints and clues were scattered throughout the second season, fans remain oblivious as to who Elfo’s mother is, knowing only that she is certainly not an elf.
It has been speculated that Elfo’s mother could be the Ogre Queen, who did a double-take at his name in “Our Bodies, Our Elves.” A more sinister explanation involving Dagmar and the people of Maru could also be a possibility, however.
Highlight: The Three Amigos Reunite
One of the biggest highlights from the second installment of Disenchantment was the reunion of Bean, Elfo, and Luci. Dreamland’s resident drinking buddies were initially separated during the opening of the season, though thankfully were reunited after Bean and Luci journeyed to Hell to meet Elfo in “Stairway To Hell.”
Disenchantment is at its best when the main trio are together, as the characters have plentiful chemistry and react well comedically to each other’s commentary.
Mystery: How Did Zog And Dagmar Meet?
With how shadowy and sinister Dagmar and the people of Maru appear to be, it remains a mystery as to how Zog ever met her in the first place. In “In Her Own Write,” Bean urges her father to talk about his relationship with the evil queen, only to be brushed aside promptly.
This encounter pushes Bean to write her version of events for catharsis, with a touching moment between father and daughter taking place at the end. It remains a possibility that Zog has secrets of his own, however, that could further shed light on Dagmar’s true motivations.
Highlight: Bean Saves Zog
Bean has a mighty fall from grace in the season finale “Tiabeanie Falls.” After accidentally shooting Zog, Bean is framed for his attempted murder by the Seekers, who convince the residents of Dreamland - and the new king Derick - that she is a witch.
Bean is freed from her prison cell by Stan the Executioner (Noel Fielding), but ultimately sacrifices her freedom to save her father by removing the bullet from his wound before he can succumb to infection.
Mystery: What Now?
The second installment of Disenchantment ended with another cliffhanger. After nearly being burnt at the stake, Bean, Luci, and Elfo plummet underground to discover Dagmar is still alive. The evil queen, surrounded by Trogs, mockingly asks her daughter for a hug as the ominous music from Bean’s music box plays in the background.
With the Seekers and the people of Dreamland against them and an evil prophecy to be fulfilled, what happens now for Bean and her friends?
