Disclaimer -In an effort to get this series review done, I’m doing one episode for this and most likely the next post.
Episode 11: The Clay Army
As is the norm with this show there is some public event that Frollo ruins with magic and the Gang of Pals has to thwart him.
The event of this episode is The March of Progress, which has ten winners get 500 Gold pieces for some good work. Quasimodo’s friend, Roger, whom I don’t recall meeting before, pitched a hospital for the poor with hot water as a heating source.
Now Frollo gets wind of the prize money and says the most “Frollo-like” thing he has said thus far. He wants the all the prize money so that he can get the materials to make a Philosopher’s stone so that he can turn everything he owns in to gold, except Azarof, because Azarof’s good dog. It is still weird that he has a dog but it doesn’t matter.
Frollo’s plan is to make a small clay army of cute gargoyles to steal the coins (which is all the gold of France so not JUST the prize money) and he is successful and uses the gold as a blanket. The scale of the clay gargoyles is all over the place but that adds to the chaotic charm of the show.
However what he didn’t account for is that the King calls the best force in France to find the gold, The Gang of Pals!
So as they do they find one of the small gargoyles and follow it to Frollo’s spooky-ooky underground tunnels. Quasimodo still hates rats but rats hate François’ poetry/prayer. Long story short, they get the gold and escape by bribing the good boy Azarof and Frollo has a literal temper tantrum.
The small gargoyles made this episode cute. I do find the insanity that Frollo brings more appealing however the show is very much set on its formula which is just how it functions as far so any little difference like tiny magical clay gargoyles over that inn from the last episode is welcome.
Also Frollo’s gargoyle Dragon works too hard.
Also, also, in this episode we get a hint of what Frollo’s dating bio would be like: he’s “Brilliant, Handsome, Sensitive and above a Liar.” Would you swipe left or right?
I also wanna suggest Deva Cassel, daughter of Monica Bellucci, for the Esmeralda role. She’s very pretty-i mean, good genes right?- and she’s only 18 yo. Her photoshoot with the white dress spoke so much esmeralda to me. Lily Rose’s eyes are awesome for esme too tbh
WOW!You’re right. Deva Cassel definitely has a good look for Esmeralda. Especially when her hair is more wavy.
Unrelated to this post, but have you thought about the spanish singer Rosalia for Esmeralda – if they do a live action from the musical? The musical seems to have Esmeralda backstory set in Spain so I thought about her. She has a very powerful voice and seems to be able to do a good work if Flamenco is involved. I have discovered her recently and while her music isn’t the style I usually listen to, she seems good at what she does. I think she would be nice for a musical ( if not a musical I believe her potential would go to waste and we have better fits for a non musical movie). Maybe she could rock even just the musical, no live action, but she is a big name right now as solo artist so I’d doubt she would take part in a musical, but a musical movie might be up her alley.
Although now she is a little old for the role Hafsia Herzi would be my dream cast Esmeralda. She could be a cross between book Esmeralda with a more mature tone. For a younger teenager Esmeralda Lily Rose Deep with dark hair could be a good one. But I still prefer Hafsia.
One of my favorite characters is Gringoire, I would love to see Ezra Miller in his role <3
Sorry this is a lot of suggestions. I just miss the hypothetical castings.
Stay well :-)
A movie version of the musical would be a dream for me. I will have to check her out.
I agree, I think Hafsia Herzi would be a good pick. I did a post of her way long ago.
I don’t know enough about Lily Rose Depp to say but just looking at her she could make a Fleur de Lys.
Not sure about Erza Miller for casting since he allegations involving a minor.
No worries about too many suggestions, I appreciate it. I should go back to those kinds of posts.
Thanks for the comment
Oh, I didn’t see your post about Hafsia. Yes Lily Rose could rock Fleur de Lys, but I think with dark hair she could be a good Esmeralda since she played a dancer before (a ballerina) so she could bring some good moves to the movie and I think she has very Esmeraldaish eyes – her eyes are dark and big and can look either innocent or sexy. She is usually blonde, but with black hair she could be a french horn Esmeralda.
I didn’t know about the allegations of Erza and a minor. I am shocked, I liked his work a lot, I’ll have to look into it. I am truly sad to hear this, but it’s better to know. Another actor who could play Pierre is Ross Lynch ( I may be biased since I have a minor crush on him).
I do agree that Lily-Rose Depp has very “Emeralda-ish” eyes. I didn’t know she played a ballerina so that be a fun addition to the a casting pick. An actress playing Esmeralda should at least get a dancing scene.
I could see Ross Lynch as Gringoire, he has a good look for the part.
Yes! I really like Lily Rose! She played Isadora Duncan when she was 16 I think… There is a pic of her I really like in which she gives Esmeralda’s vibes. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/e6/7e/dee67e8adc065f2a91578b9399fb5829.jpg
Oh wow, you’re right. She really does give off an Esmeralda vibe in that picture.