Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen
Encyclopedia
Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen is the 14th episode in the VeggieTales
animated series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Courage", it conveys the message that one does not need to be afraid to do what is right. Unlike its predecessors, it does not feature an opening and closing countertop. This is also one of the episodes without Bob the Tomato.
The story is taken from the Book of Esther
in the Old Testament
, in which Esther
becomes Queen and must tell King Xerxes
that his prime minister Haman
is plotting to commit genocide
against the Jews. The violence is removed as this VeggieTales production is intended for children; execution is replaced by banishment to the Island of Perpetual Tickling, and the intended victims are limited to Esther and her family without reference to their race or creed.
The presentation of the story was inspired by The Godfather
and Casablanca
and has stylistic elements of a film noir
. The dramatic lighting, deep shadows, dark plot elements, and narrative voiceovers all contribute to the effect. The palace windows are even hung with Venetian blinds, an iconic element of the genre.
The following day, Esther and her cousin Mordecai are talking on the street. Esther is asking for Mordecai's advice, but his questions reveal that Esther knows what to do but that she lacks the courage to do it. He tells her that she should not be afraid to do what is right: to confront Esther's friend, who stole an apple.
When Haman drives up in a favorite car-wagon to collect the eligible maiden
s, Mordecai tries to hide. They confront each other, with Haman posturing and threatening Mordecai. Mordecai refuses to bow to anyone but God and the King leaving Haman vowing to get revenge. The relationship between Mordecai and Esther is kept secret, and Haman takes Esther to the palace with the other young women to participate in the beauty contest.
At the palace, King Xerxes and Haman audition the girls for a new Queen. When Esther takes the stage and sings, the King is left in awe and the decision is made. However, Esther does not wish to be the Queen, but she is crowned and ensconced in her new life against her will.
One day in the throne room of the Persian place, the King is visited by a pea, who claims to be the royal chef, & has brought a large cake to honor the newlyweds. Although unannounced visitors are not permitted, the King allows them to be heard. While he convinces the King to come look closely at the cake, another pea is hanging onto a rope, the other end of which supports a grand piano suspended above the cake. Mordecai, who is hiding in a corner to avoid Haman, observes the plot and informs Esther. Esther warns the King in time and the piano crashes harmlessly onto the cake. The King thanks her for saving his life, but she indicates Mordecai, saying that the credit should be his. Haman recognizes two peas as the The Peaoni brothers, the most wanted peas in Persia, & has them banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling, escorted by a cartoonish character resembling "Death."
With the Peaoni brothers banished, the King believes he is safe, but Haman convinces him that a greater threat awaits. There is a family that cannot be trusted, he claims, and pose an imminent danger to the King. Not realizing Haman is referring to Mordecai, the King unwittingly authorizes an edict to have him and his family banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.
Mordecai finds the edict posted on the wall in the streets of Persia and visits Esther on her balcony at the palace. He appeals to his cousin Esther to reveal Haman's evil plans to the King, but she is afraid. She lacks the courage to confront the King and struggles with what to do. She knows she need not fear to do what's right, but action does not come easy for her. Twice she attempts to inform the King, and twice she fails, lamely Esther inviting King Xerxes and Haman to dinner instead.
Meanwhile, Haman goes to Mordecai and demands him to bow offering a pardon in exchange but Mordecai angrily refuses. In retaliation Haman threatens to move his banishment to that night, & goes to the King to ask him to do so. The King, having had the story of the Peaoni brothers plot and Mordecai's rescue read to him, wishes to reward him. He asks Haman how to recognize someone who is special, and Haman believes the King is talking about himself. He convinces the King to be extravagant, letting him be lead through the streets on the Kings horse with an advisor saying great things about the honored person. The king then orders Haman to do this for Mordecai, which humiliates Haman more.
On her third attempt Esther is able to muster up the courage to face the King. She reveals that Mordecai is her cousin and that Haman has been plotting to destroy him and his family, which includes her. The King, who respects Mordecai and loves Esther, believes her and turns on Haman. He furiously banishes Haman to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.
Afterward, King Xerxes cancels Mordecai's banishment, & chooses him to replace Haman's job as the new second in command.
VeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
animated series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Courage", it conveys the message that one does not need to be afraid to do what is right. Unlike its predecessors, it does not feature an opening and closing countertop. This is also one of the episodes without Bob the Tomato.
The story is taken from the Book of Esther
Book of Esther
The Book of Esther is a book in the Ketuvim , the third section of the Jewish Tanakh and is part of the Christian Old Testament. The Book of Esther or the Megillah is the basis for the Jewish celebration of Purim...
in the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, in which Esther
Esther
Esther , born Hadassah, is the eponymous heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther.According to the Bible, she was a Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus...
becomes Queen and must tell King Xerxes
Xerxes I of Persia
Xerxes I of Persia , Ḫšayāršā, ), also known as Xerxes the Great, was the fifth king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire.-Youth and rise to power:...
that his prime minister Haman
Haman (Bible)
Haman is the main antagonist in the Book of Esther, who, according to Old Testament tradition, was a 5th Century BC noble and vizier of the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified as Artaxerxes II...
is plotting to commit genocide
Genocide
Genocide is defined as "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group", though what constitutes enough of a "part" to qualify as genocide has been subject to much debate by legal scholars...
against the Jews. The violence is removed as this VeggieTales production is intended for children; execution is replaced by banishment to the Island of Perpetual Tickling, and the intended victims are limited to Esther and her family without reference to their race or creed.
The presentation of the story was inspired by The Godfather
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
and Casablanca
Casablanca (film)
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...
and has stylistic elements of a film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
. The dramatic lighting, deep shadows, dark plot elements, and narrative voiceovers all contribute to the effect. The palace windows are even hung with Venetian blinds, an iconic element of the genre.
Plot
The story opens at a palace in Persia where Haman, the King's right-hand-man, is throwing the Queen out onto the street for insubordination (in this case, refusing to make the king a sandwich three o'clock in the morning). A search is initiated to find a new Queen.The following day, Esther and her cousin Mordecai are talking on the street. Esther is asking for Mordecai's advice, but his questions reveal that Esther knows what to do but that she lacks the courage to do it. He tells her that she should not be afraid to do what is right: to confront Esther's friend, who stole an apple.
When Haman drives up in a favorite car-wagon to collect the eligible maiden
Maiden
Maiden or Maidens may refer to:* A female virgin; see virginity* Maiden name, the family name carried by a woman before marriage; see married and maiden names* Maiden, the first of the three aspects of the Triple Goddess...
s, Mordecai tries to hide. They confront each other, with Haman posturing and threatening Mordecai. Mordecai refuses to bow to anyone but God and the King leaving Haman vowing to get revenge. The relationship between Mordecai and Esther is kept secret, and Haman takes Esther to the palace with the other young women to participate in the beauty contest.
At the palace, King Xerxes and Haman audition the girls for a new Queen. When Esther takes the stage and sings, the King is left in awe and the decision is made. However, Esther does not wish to be the Queen, but she is crowned and ensconced in her new life against her will.
One day in the throne room of the Persian place, the King is visited by a pea, who claims to be the royal chef, & has brought a large cake to honor the newlyweds. Although unannounced visitors are not permitted, the King allows them to be heard. While he convinces the King to come look closely at the cake, another pea is hanging onto a rope, the other end of which supports a grand piano suspended above the cake. Mordecai, who is hiding in a corner to avoid Haman, observes the plot and informs Esther. Esther warns the King in time and the piano crashes harmlessly onto the cake. The King thanks her for saving his life, but she indicates Mordecai, saying that the credit should be his. Haman recognizes two peas as the The Peaoni brothers, the most wanted peas in Persia, & has them banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling, escorted by a cartoonish character resembling "Death."
With the Peaoni brothers banished, the King believes he is safe, but Haman convinces him that a greater threat awaits. There is a family that cannot be trusted, he claims, and pose an imminent danger to the King. Not realizing Haman is referring to Mordecai, the King unwittingly authorizes an edict to have him and his family banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.
Mordecai finds the edict posted on the wall in the streets of Persia and visits Esther on her balcony at the palace. He appeals to his cousin Esther to reveal Haman's evil plans to the King, but she is afraid. She lacks the courage to confront the King and struggles with what to do. She knows she need not fear to do what's right, but action does not come easy for her. Twice she attempts to inform the King, and twice she fails, lamely Esther inviting King Xerxes and Haman to dinner instead.
Meanwhile, Haman goes to Mordecai and demands him to bow offering a pardon in exchange but Mordecai angrily refuses. In retaliation Haman threatens to move his banishment to that night, & goes to the King to ask him to do so. The King, having had the story of the Peaoni brothers plot and Mordecai's rescue read to him, wishes to reward him. He asks Haman how to recognize someone who is special, and Haman believes the King is talking about himself. He convinces the King to be extravagant, letting him be lead through the streets on the Kings horse with an advisor saying great things about the honored person. The king then orders Haman to do this for Mordecai, which humiliates Haman more.
On her third attempt Esther is able to muster up the courage to face the King. She reveals that Mordecai is her cousin and that Haman has been plotting to destroy him and his family, which includes her. The King, who respects Mordecai and loves Esther, believes her and turns on Haman. He furiously banishes Haman to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.
Afterward, King Xerxes cancels Mordecai's banishment, & chooses him to replace Haman's job as the new second in command.
Cast
- Jessica Kaplan and Pamela Thomas voiced EstherEstherEsther , born Hadassah, is the eponymous heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther.According to the Bible, she was a Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus...
- Eric Metaxas as Narrator
- Phil Vischer voices multiple roles.
- Mr. Nezzer as King XerxesXerxes I of PersiaXerxes I of Persia , Ḫšayāršā, ), also known as Xerxes the Great, was the fifth king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire.-Youth and rise to power:...
- Mr. Lunt as HamanHaman (Bible)Haman is the main antagonist in the Book of Esther, who, according to Old Testament tradition, was a 5th Century BC noble and vizier of the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified as Artaxerxes II...
- Pa Grape as MordecaiMordecaiMordecai or Mordechai is one of the main personalities in the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. He was the son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin.-Biblical account:...
- Phillipe as Teresh Peanoi
- Scallion #1 as the host of the Miss Persia Pageant
- Mr. Nezzer as King Xerxes
- Mike Nawrocki voices multiple roles.
- Larry the Cucumber as Markus the Scribe
- Jean-Claude as Bigthan Peanoi
- Kristi Bramlett voiced Queen VashtiVashtiQueen Vashti is the first wife of King Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther, a book included in the Hebrew Bible and read on the Jewish holiday of Purim. She is banished for her refusal to appear at the king's banquet, and Esther is chosen to succeed her as queen. In the Midrash, Vashti is described...
- Charlotte Jackson voiced Miss Achmenta
Crew
- Directed by Mike Nawrocki
- Written by Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer
- Produced by Jennifer Combs
- Score by Kurt Heinecke and Phil Vischer
- Video editing and sound effects by John Wahba
- Songs and score arranged by Kurt Heinecke
- Audio engineering and edited by Adam Frick
- Content consultant: Scottie May EdD
- Exceutive produced by Phil Vischer
- Exceutive in charge of production: Chris Meidl
- Ms. Esther's hair by Heath-Ar and Rob of LombardLombard, IllinoisLombard, "The Lilac Village", is a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County, Illinois. The population was 42,322 at the 2000 census. The United States Census Bureau estimated the population in 2004 to be 42,975.-History:...
- Ms. Esther's makeup by Alan Millman and Nathan Tungseth
- Pa Grape's stunt double by Daniel Lopez Munoz.
Songs
This episode does not include the usual "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned" songs. It does contain the following songs:- Tell Me Why, sung by Pamela Thomas
- The Battle Prelude, sung by Pamela Thomas
- Haman's Song, sung by Phil Vischer
- The Battle Is Not Ours, sung by Pamela Thomas
- Lost Puppies, sung by Charlotte Jackson
Television
"Esther" was one of 19 episodes shown on the TV release of VeggieTales. Out of every episode released on the Qubo network, "Esther" was the episode that required the most drastic edits for network release. However, most of these edits weren't just due to Christian references; because the original version was 37 minutes long, this episode was, as other episodes were, shortened to a 20-minute time slot for TV, cutting a whole approximately 17 minutes of material. Notable edits include:- All scenes with the Death-lookalike taking people to the Island of Perpetual Tickling with a feather were cut (the first by a commercial break, and the second by a freeze frame, organ synth-note, and fade-to black), whether for time constraints or references to death is unknown.
- "Haman's Song" was edited for time, while "Tell Me Why" was removed entirely.
- The scene with King Xerxes' original queen getting kicked out is removed. However, Haman's remark about that scene, "...for reasons that do not concern you...", was shown uncut, despite the remark not being as funny.
- The narration at the beginning of the episode is moved, so the audio overlaps the opening titles.