Disenchantment, like a lot of Matt Groening's projects, turns the fantasy tropes on their head. Instead of a princess waiting in her Tower, Bean (Abbi Jacobson) and her friends Luci and Elfo are hard-partying drunks who accidentally fall down the path to heroism and personal enlightenment.
Along the way, the trio encounters a cache of colorful characters with just as many odd idiosyncrasies and personality quirks that give that add to the show's charm. While the show is a comedy foremost, there are plenty of moments that give a deep-seated insight into the cadre of characters.
Princess Bean
"All This Wedding Hassle For A Political Alliance! I Always Thought I'd Get Married For True Love, Or Because I Was Wasted. "
Uttered in the very first episode of the series of the lesser-known adult animated TV series, the line reinforces how disenchanted teenage princess Bean is. The rebellious and disgruntled teen knows she is a trophy princess and pokes fun at the ludicrous process of marrying for advantage rather than amour.
The quote also perfectly encapsulates how naive, gullible, and immature Bean is and how much she has to learn before becoming the Queen, prioritizing her love of booze over finding a real romantic match to provide happiness.
Elfo
"I'm An Optimist. I Say The Flask Is Half Full."
Before leaving the kingdom, Elfo (Nat Faxon) was depressed over his boring existence. However, once sojourning outside its walls and going on exciting adventures, Elfo's inherent optimism bubbled to the fore. In many ways, Elfo is Bean's positive angel to Luci's negative devil.
The quote not only perfectly echoes Elfo's positive outlook, but it also pokes fun at the drinking problem that he and his friend share. No matter the consequences, Elfo remains a convivial fellow.
Luci
"Yeah, I'm That Guy That Makes You Feel Good About Doing Bad Things."
Proving his underlying character as Bean's demon on the underrated adult animated series, Luci (Eric Andre) makes no disillusions about his spiritual role. He begins the declaration by asking, "you know the little voice in your head telling you to do the right thing?"
Indeed, the line proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Luci is the devil to Elfo's angel, with both sidekicks balancing Bean's confused conscience and moral com as the story advances.
King Zog
"Lying To Me In Any Other Way Than Flattery Is A Mortal Crime."
Cruel, callous, and deeply vainglorious, King Zog (John DiMaggio) represents medieval tyrannical patriarchy at its worst on the beloved Netflix anime series. He thinks highly of himself and low of others, believing everyone in his kingdom ought to bow to his every beck and call.
The line certainly proves his high opinion of himself but also shows how unenlightened the leader of the dark ages truly is, voicing a deeply outmoded way of thinking that Bean seeks to abolish as the Queen.
Queen Oona
"Where Is My Simple Dream Of Being The Greatest Amphibian Warrior?"
On the surface, Queen Oona (Tress MacNeille) is a traditional queen who obeys her husband and does not challenge her role. However, deep down she truly despises the kingdom's oppression of women as second-class citizens. She also expresses her childhood dreams.
The quote hints at the painful sacrifices Oona has made to become a wife and mother as well as a Queen. Throughout the series, Oona longs for a greater lot in life, often thinking of what could have been if she pursued her true ion.
Odval
"You've Had Your Fun. Now It's Time To Get Married."
As the prim, proper, and ultra-officious Prime Minister of Dreamland, Odval (Maurice LaMarche) is one of the biggest sticklers for following the rules in the kingdom. It may be all a big ruse to usurp Zog's throne, but he maintains a dignified air in public.
The line demonstrates how seriously Odval takes his position and how little fun he has as a result. He resents the drunken shenanigans Bean partakes in and is quick to impugn her behavior and force her to grow up in a hurry.
Queen Dagmar
"The Thing About Your Father Tiabeanie, Is That He Wants To Change You: I Want You As You Were Born To Be."
Despite being painted as the series antagonist, Queen Dagmar (Sharon Horgan) is shown to be one of the best/worst animated Netflix moms who loves her daughter Bean throughout the series. Indeed, her real beef is with Zog, not Bean, and the quote marks an honest moment of intent Dagmar has envisioned for her daughter all along.
While Dagmar fronts like has no love for Bean once Zog remarries Oona, it's all a ruse to hide her long-term goal of coaxing Bean's true nature as the next Queen of Maru.
Prince Derek
"I'm Still Afraid Of That Big Skillet."
When he isn't watching the news, playing with toys, or living in his father's shadow, Prince Derek (MacNeille) is expressing horror over the time he was almost cooked alive in a giant skillet. The hysterical refrain that he voices several times on the show is one of the funniest running gags of all.
The traumatic near-death experience looms large in Derek's mind during every waking and sleeping moment, making him too paralyzed by his fears to rightly assume the throne as Zog wants him to.
Sorcerio
"We Scholars Like To Think Science Has All The Answers But In The End It's All Unprovable Nonsense."
As the cynical wizard working for King Zog, Sorcerio (Billy West) pretends like he has no disillusions about the vast mysteries of the universe. However, as a Wizarding Community College dropout who sports a dunce hat, he is no scientific authority at all.
Sorcerio is supposed to be the utmost scientific expert in the kingdom, yet the quote reiterates how much he favors the equally confounding religious magic (magicology) as the key to the universe.