Did s1 ever explain that?

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

When I think of Once upon a Time, my thoughts return to a statement Snow White's father made...and I was wondering if season 1 ever addressed it after the King said it to the Genie: that everyone in his kingdom is happy.

if S1 has explained how that is possible, then YAY! (one more answer to see on the DVD), and just say its on there; ...if not, are any of these reasons likely?

* the Ego answer: he, the King of the Kingdom, says everyone is happy - therefore, as far as he is concerned, everyone is happy.
* the Magic answer: whether through a wish or other means, magic was used, to force everyone in the Kingdom to be happy.
* the Dictator answer: if anyone in the Kingdom expresses dissatisfaction or unhappiness, they're arrested and-or faced with reprisals.
* Other: ?

thoughts?

Comments

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

There's also the Clueless answer: It never occurred to him that anyone might be unhappy. Which I guess is a little like the Ego answer, but not completely. :-)

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

I'd say Clueless is different enough from Ego that, if this were a poll, they would each get their own box.

thank you very much.

[fluties-flake.livejournal.com]

I think it was more an overall statement.....

No ogre wars, no famine, no evil curses or queens (yet), prosperity, etc. it didn't seem like people were pounding down the castle gates to complain about things.

I'm sure he wasn't getting into the nitty gritty of maybe the baker and his wife had a fight that day, you know? :)

I think it was an optimistic, perhaps slightly naive answer..... But one he had no reason to doubt.

Great question!

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

>Great question!
Thank you.

And a great answer; thank you.

Certainly the no ogre wars gives us a clue where his Kingdom was, in relation to his neighbors, who *did* have to worry about the encroaching ogres.

Almost wonder...if his situation and the Duke's were reversed, what would the King do to fend off the ogres?
given that the Duke called for Rumplestiltskin.

[tamlover.livejournal.com]

Exactly what I thought. That the kingdom in general is a happy place. Things are basically good, etc.

[sukybarbossa.livejournal.com]

I can't remember exactly off-hand, but I thought that was the one wish he actually used: for all the people in his kingdom to be happy. (?)

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

I think the series would have gone very differently (and very interestingly so) had he wished for that, just in case.

[angelfireeast.livejournal.com]

I pretty sure it's a classic case of the arrogant narcissistic monarch who doesn't have a real clue what his people feel or what their lives are like. He doesn't understand the problems of being poor or being sick or how many hours they work. He has whatever he wants whenever he wants it.

He thinks the world revolves around him and that if he's happy then everyone else must be. I'm sure his court of wealthy people are happy or put on a happy face for him. Just think how Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France didn't have clue about her people's suffering. They had no bread so let them eat cake. That's how out of touch she was with the world she lived in.

The man choose not to see how unhappy his wife was. He knew deep down but didn't do a thing about it. Didn't care that she didn't want to marry him because who won't want to marry him in his eyes. In short he's arrogant self centered ass.

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

excellent point.

sadly, whether with or without magic, I suspect that both ends of the "amount the ruler cares about their subjects" can be dangerous.

thank you for your reply.

[theonlyspl.livejournal.com]

"The man choose not to see how unhappy his wife was. He knew deep down but didn't do a thing about it. Didn't care that she didn't want to marry him because who won't want to marry him in his eyes. In short he's arrogant self centered ass."

THIS. I totally agree.

[seldonp38.livejournal.com]

Just think how Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France didn't have clue about her people's suffering. They had no bread so let them eat cake.

One, Marie Antoinette never made that comment. It's a myth. And two, why not point out how her husband, Louis XVI was clueless about the suffering of his subjects? He was the ruler.

[angelfireeast.livejournal.com]

One, I know it's a myth but it's a widely known one which many people associate with out of touch monarchs. It's sad to say but many people don't commonly think of Louis XVI or even know history as well as they should. The thing about the internet is you can be talking to anyone, a highly educated or knowable person or thirteen year old kid. Maybe it's wrong of me but use poplar examples to meet with broader unknown reader. Two, I typed that all out pretty fast so I didn't feel like going into get into history. It's just example to further my statement about Snow's father, something I added after I wrote my initial comment.