Setting the mood with a loose parody of Game of Thrones‘ Red Wedding, our first substantial look at Disenchantment suggests that Matt Groening’s latest animated series will be keeping in step with his properties’ well-documented proclivity for black comedy. In fact, what with a collection of gags about of cranial impalement, drowning old ladies, and pet butchery, it’s fair to assume that Disenchanment may be even more cynical than the likes of The Simpsons or Futurama.
Of course, both Groening-created series to date have adequately paired their darker gags with rich and heartrending sentiment. For every act of tangible mayhem invoked by Bart, The Simpsons gave us a touching story about the emotional mayhem that is being Lisa; for every joke about Bender looting a convent, Futurama gave us a touching glimpse at Fry’s insuperable spirit or Leela’s lifelong loneliness. (And don’t get me started on that freakin’ dog episode.)
As such, although Disenchantment‘s first full trailer leans heavy on the sardonic humor, we can presume that Groening’s Medieval-set series will make good on the sweet stuff. We do get glimpses of pathos for Abbi Jacobson’s Bean, a screw-up princess who just wants to be in charge of her own life, and Nat Faxon’s Elfo, a big-dreaming elf who wants to see the world. (The jury’s out on Eric Andre’s demonic sprite Luci, who seems like he’ll be the Bart/Bender-equivalent in this run.) And with a classical cover of David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel” backing the teaser, we’re willing to bet there’s more heart than Disenchanment is letting on.
What do you think of what we’ve seen so far of Disenchantment? Let us know before the series hits Netflix on Aug. 17!
Image: Netflix
