Disenchantment season 1, episode 18 recap: In Her Own Write

In episode 18 of Netflix series Disenchantment, credit for Princess Bean’s play gets taken by a literal male pig.

The previous episode of Disenchantment involved Derek (Tress MacNeille) far more than previous episodes. This episode’s a little more centered on Princess Bean (Abbi Jacobson) and lingering angst about her mother, Queen Dagmar (Sharon Horgan). Both Bean and her dad, King Zøg (John DiMaggio), have been having nightmares about Dagmar. Zøg tries to ease his sleep with turkey meat as Bean goes out for fresh air.

While the bars are closed, she discovers a café called The Jittery. Waitress Miri (Lauren Tom) introduces Bean to coffee and recommends Bean try her hand at visual art, music or writing instead of alcohol. However, because depression and alcoholism are common traits to writers, Luci (Eric Andre) successfully offers his services as a “writer’s demon.”

When Luci and Elfo (Nat Faxon) critique her writing style, Luci suggests she write a play. However, Bean is rejected by the theater for being a woman. Because of this, Merkimer the Pig Prince (Matt Berry) offers to bring the play to life, both as an actor and credited author. This initially inspires Bean to boot the pig out of a window. However, the show does go on (even after the actor playing Dagmar dies from wearing lead makeup).

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Obviously, this episode is a comment on the very real historical phenomenon of barring women from acting in the theater. Though this likely wasn’t universally enforced throughout the world, it was actually the law in Renaissance England and was part of traditional Japanese kabuki and Chinese opera. In the context of Disenchantment, the question is: What will King Zøg think of this scandalous production, with a pig slated to play him? Zøg may be a lovable despot, but he is a despot nonetheless.

Treason and whatnot

Odval (Maurice LaMarche) is the first to take offense to the play, though the Druidess (MacNeille) supports it. Eventually, Merkimer squeals loud at the unruly crowd. Despite Elfo playing Dagmar, Zøg finds the play treasonous…at first. Fortunately, he doesn’t instantly have everyone executed, giving some main and recurring Disenchantment characters a chance to survive. Much like Bean did earlier, Zøg heads to The Jittery, seemingly unsure about his desire to punish those behind “The King & Me” production. He sees Bean speak while there, and she says she wrote the play (and also condemns elf vs. squirrel fights).

King Zøg actually likes her honesty and ultimately reverses his punishment. Unfortunately, though, the Shakespeareesque character gets decapitated anyway. Still, the forgiveness likely means we’ll see more of Merkimer in future seasons, and why not? Disenchantment certainly is capable of narrowing in on characters aside from Bean and Zøg.

It seems that Miri will likely return, too. Though one doubts she’ll be quite as common as Luci and Elfo, she’s far too down-to-earth to just have her as a one-off gimmick. Maybe she’ll fulfill a role similar to Wilson on Home Improvement. Then again, Elfo seems more likely to say something like “Hidey-ho, neighbor!”

What are your thoughts on Disenchantment? Let us know in the comments!