sadira – The DVD Fairy

Production Code Episode 54: Dune Quixote

This is Sadira’s third appearance in the series. Some things to bear in mind as we jump into this that need be remembered:

1. No one but Iago, Abu, and Rajah remember what happened in Sandswitch. 2. It may have been long enough that at least Iago and Abu have cooled off. This is one I haven’t seen in a few years, and the last time it was purely for icon-making purposes. What I do remember is that Jasmine had a slightly more active role (compared to Sadira’s first appearance, anyway), and this episode kind of attempts to flip that “other woman” bullshit on its head. …Eventually.

So off we go!

Additional thoughts on “Sandswitch” and how it could have gone

If the focus had been more on Sadira’s desire to be a Princess, thinking that being that and having Aladdin would solve her problems, what would have been awesome? Is if she got all the drawbacks to being a Princess that JASMINE was dealing with before she got more freedom. Because she had to fight for that and Sadira has not.

So she wants to go on a date with Aladdin out in the Marketplace? Tough luck, the Marketplace is no place for a princess.

Oh, you think Jasmine’s a witch? Sadira, I know it’s late and you’re a little startled, but there’s no way you could possibly know that. Besides, Razoul recognizes this girl from the marketplace. They chase her on a regular basis and she never used magic before. Why don’t you go on to bed and stop worrying your pretty little head over it?

Princess Sadira, you want to feed Rajah? Don’t be silly, that’s servant’s work!

Sadira, your lessons.

Sadira, your portrait.

No, you can’t do that by yourself. You’re a princess.

…You get the drift. She could have learned a lesson through this and maybe could have come to understand Jasmine a little better if she realized that being a Princess doesn’t make you a big shot or solve all your problems. She’d be seen as less capable, too fragile, and would have almost no say in the things happening to her. This is what Jasmine had to deal with before Aladdin came along, and sometimes even after.

I’m not saying “oh, the homeless person will learn that being rich and privileged is so much worse” because wealth means shit if you have no actual agency. She’s a damn sight more free on the streets than she would be in the palace, I’ll tell you that much.

Production Code Episode 27: Sandswitch

We knew at the end of Sadira’s first episode that she hadn’t learned her lesson yet. So here we go.

This is actually one of the very first episodes I ever saw, and definitely my first Sadira episode, and it was a long time before I ever saw another (her final episode, actually!), and I was always a little disappointed because it seemed like it would be going in other, more interesting directions for her, it just wasn’t to be. I appreciate this episode more now that I have a better grasp of Sadira’s personality, at the very least.

But this is one of several “Iago and Abu are the main characters” episodes that crop up every now and again.

Normally, I complain when clothing randomly changes colors for no reason.

But you know what? This looks a lot better than this:

I approve, episode. The new colors are much more flattering.

I really don’t like how this episode starts with an obvious “if only Jasmine was more like me and didn’t care how I dressed” undertone so that when Sadira appears it’s exactly what Aladdin is quietly hoping for.

Our first look at Sadira is pretty impressive, considering she perpetrates some gymnastics that even Aladdin couldn’t do in his very first appearance.

And seeing her chased by the guards he of course thinks it’s a good idea to help her escape. It’s not like the guards’ boss isn’t out shopping with him or anything and might be able to help.

So what transpires is a needlessly complicated lie about her being an official fruit inspector, who is undercover. Secret shopping and all. So once they’re gone Aladdin explains he’s had to avoid the guards himself before. Sadira is just starry-eyed that he went out of his way to save her. And all in all he’s using pretty much the same tone and lines he used when he first rescued Jasmine.

Even Abu can sense the pattern here.

I’m sure Aladdin doesn’t mean to lead her on because as soon as she starts responding to his kindness a little too fast he hits the brakes and backs away. I honestly think he didn’t know what he was doing and forgot who he was for a bit, because I suspect he picked up at least a few girls before he got with Jasmine. For a second it probably felt like old times.

Seriously Sadira wat.

And when he leaves, Sadira is instantly obsessed. He’s gone for less than two seconds before this happens:

Now I know this character will develop as time goes on, beyond this initial stage of obsessive boychasing, but it’s this first moment really makes me wonder why people ship her with Mozenrath (who never even meets her in the series). Right out of the gate, anyway – I could see good writers developing it in an interesting fashion. But in what situation that doesn’t involve him being a completely reformed person do you see her not winding up dead before the first commercial break?

Production Code Episode 14 – Strike Up the Sand

By special request, I’m skipping ahead to Sadira’s introductory episode. She still comes pretty early in the production order compared to others, such as Mirage (who won’t appear until PC episode 43) and Mozenrath (who doesn’t put in his first appearance until PC episode 70).

Remember my ask box is open for special requests. Just know that if it’s for a character with multiple episodes, I won’t do one of their later appearances until after I’ve done their introductory episode.