If you grew up in the 1990’s like I did, then you would most likely remember very well that Disney Channel was family focused and had A plus standard programming.
Now, in the first part of the 21st century, that A plus standard programming is coming back with the return of one of the shows that I have rediscovered recently streaming on Disney Plus: Disney’s Adventures in Wonderland.
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Alice (Elisabeth Harnois) with the Cheshire Cat
Why do I love this show? Well, for one thing, it was my introduction to Lewis Carroll’s famous novel, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and to Lewis Carroll in general. Plus, I think it has tremendous value for today’s generation more than anything. The lessons the show teaches can hold tremendous value for anyone young or old, but especially for anyone growing up in the child-preteen levels.
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For one thing, Alice is portrayed as a modern-day girl living in the middle-aged category of the teenage spectrum. Each episode opens up with Alice dealing with an everyday problem (such as dealing with her siblings, etc.,) and after a brief moment with her cat, Dinah, she goes through a magic mirror to Wonderland and from there, the episode’s conflict is played out in Wonderland. By the time the episode ends, Alice returns to summarize what she has learned to Dinah.
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As for the characters themselves, each character has a quirk that makes them unique while mostly still maintaining their character from the books. For example, the show displays a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion by having Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum be portrayed by African American actors, giving them a hip vibe and personality.
The Red Queen also was portrayed by an African American Actress (Armelia McQueen) who was given a sort of diva vibe while also being a wise and caring leader of Wonderland. In a way, she kind of reminds me of Aretha Franklin in terms of personality.
What I also like about this portrayal was that she didn’t have to be like her book counterpart that was just screaming “off with his/her head!” but rather learning a lesson along with the rest of the cast.
Probably one of my favorite moments with the Queen was in the episode, “TV or not TV” where she scolds the Hatter, Hare and the Tweedles for watching too much television:
“Now turn off the TV Set, get up off the couch, get cleaned up and come to my picnic!”
What I like about this casting is that the show was not afraid to deviate from the source material to promote DEI. An example would be that the show included characters that were in wheelchairs, that were deaf and some who were initially excluded (like the Walrus), only to be accepted into the cast later on.
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Of course, if you were to ask me who my favorite character is. It would have to be the Caterpillar, because we are similar in more ways than one in regard to helping others with their problems. For me, it’s creating this website and being a self-advocate/public speaker while for the Caterpillar, it would be telling stories using Will Vinton claymation.
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I strongly believe that today’s generation will learn more from old school shows like “Adventures in Wonderland” than any of today’s educational shows that sort of talk down to their audience. In a way, “Adventures in Wonderland” can be a child’s introduction to Lewis Carroll’s work that is on their level and something that cannot be ignored. Who knows? Maybe the parents can learn an important lesson too!
If you want to look for episodes of “Adventures in Wonderland,” they are available on Disney Plus!!
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Catch you all later!!
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