During the TV show, I kind of noticed that Aladdin wasn't the same guy he was in the movies. He was clever, patient and considerate. And he kind of lost some of that in the TV show. This is my take on some of the moments in the TV show that Aladdin kept the same characteristics he had in the movie. Enjoy! It starts with the scene in season 1 episode 4 "Do the Rat Thing" when Jasmine asks Aladdin what he has in common with a rat
CHAPTER 1
Jasmine looked on with an amused look on her face when she was the rat on Prince Wazoo's face after the initial shock wore off. She was about to step in when she saw Aladdin step in for her.
"Hold it Prince." Aladdin said. "In ya go fella! Sometimes it's safer outside the palace wall!"
Jasmine watched with a confused look as Aladdin let the rat go and watched with a happy look on his face as the rat scurried away. Prince Wazoo had also left seeing he needed a bath.
"Why did you let that filthy thing go?" Jasmine asked. She never understood Aladdin sometimes. Why was he so happy about that disgusting thing leaving like that?
"That rat isn't so different from me and Abu! (Abu protests.) Okay! Okay. He's not so different from me then." Aladdin said.
Aladdin had a small sad smile on his face. The memories of struggling as a kid just to get a meal were coming into him in waves now. He could relate directly to those filthy rats. He grew up with them after all.
"Besides there's a lot in common between me and a street rat like that." Aladdin looked up sadly at the sky sadly. It took a lot out of him not to break down.
Jasmine didn't seem to notice Aladdin's struggle though. And she started talking more about the filthy rat she just let go.
"You don't have anything in common with a rat. They're just annoying little pests who aren't good for anything and only stick around to mooch others and eat food…"
Jasmine kept going on and on about it and Aladdin was starting to get mad. He remembered the countless nights he starved. How he had no one to depend on and how much of a struggle it was for him to survive. His fists were clenched and he started trembling with rage. The bad memories started to consume him and he was in the dark place he was before he met Jasmine and made all his friends.
However, Jasmine still didn't seem to notice.
"They're not even doing anything worthwhile to do anything for the kingd… Aladdin?"
Jasmine had finally noticed how Aladdin head was down and he was trembling with anger. However, what scared her the most was that his eyes were shaded. She couldn't see what he was feeling or read him at all. She was worried for her beloved.
"Aladdin please don't get worked up over this. You're not like them at a- "
Aladdin spun around and looked at Jasmine with fury in his eyes. She was so taken aback by that she stumbled back in fear. Even Abu jumped off Aladdin and looked at him worriedly. He understood Aladdin's general struggles before he met Jasmine but not his struggles as a kid.
"You don't get to say that Jasmine. You don't have that right." Aladdin said quietly but it was clear his rage was being restrained.
"Huh?" Jasmine couldn't say anything else as she was in shock about how mad Aladdin was.
"You might think that they're nothing but filthy pests but there's other stuff you should know before making statements like that!" Aladdin said. He took a calming breath before talking again. He wasn't mad at Jasmine, he was just mad at what he went through and had to relive in his memories again.
Jasmine on the other hand was still shocked. She didn't mean to offend him and hurt him like this. She could see the contorted look on his face. And the pain he was going through. She wanted nothing more to cross the space between them and hold in her arms and never let him go. But it was clear he still needed to say more to her.
"I starved just like them," Aladdin started talking. His voice was trembling and strained. It was clear he was hurting badly. "Street rat might seem a hurtful term, but it encapsulates me perfectly. I starved like them. I was treated like a worthless pest too. I had to dig in garbage cans. Sometimes I got lucky and found something to get me through the day or night. But there are countless nights that I had to go hungry Jasmine. Sometimes I would see kids or families struggling just like me and I would give them what little I had. I was all alone. There was only 1 thing that kept me alive at that time prior to meeting Abu too. So, trust me Jasmine, those rats do the exact same thing. They only are doing exactly what I had to do. If they're a filthy pest that should be put down. Then so should I!"
Aladdin stopped there. If he said anymore, he would break down and say more than he should. She didn't need to know about his parents or what else he had to go through. She didn't deserve to be the brunt of his rage. Jasmine was pure. She didn't need to be corrupted by him. He left before she could he his tears.
Jasmine still stood there with her jaw dropped. She had no idea how much she hurt him with those remarks. Aladdin never made fun of her for her royal status or did anything like that. He never once offended her like that. Yet she turned around and offended him with those remarks and be responsible for the pain he was going through. She sat down and buried her face in her hands and started crying. What kind of fiancée was she? How could she hurt her love like that? She didn't know how she could make up for this. Just remembering how much pain he was in brought more tears to her eyes.
Aladdin walked away from the palace wiping his eyes trying to get his tears to stop. He didn't want to relive that pain or be hurt by it anymore. He was tired. He just wanted a good life with Jasmine and his friends. He didn't want to go through that hell again. He finally calmed down when he was his friends playing by the gate.
"Hey if it isn't ½ of the lovebirds ready to make me throw up today!" Iago yelled in his usual tone.
Genie then started asking what the plan was for today and went into his normal shenanigans that Aladdin gave a small chuckle at. He could use a laugh and a smile right now. While that was going on, he pets Raja and told him to be with Jasmine now. Raja was confused but ran off to find Jasmine. Aladdin knew Jasmine could use some comfort and he couldn't give that right now.
Aladdin had a forlorn look on his face and Genie stopped his antics. "Al?" He asked in a sad voice. He never saw Aladdin this sad and he was getting worried. Aladdin never looked this sad. "Iago, go find some treasure around here. I here it's pure gold." Genie told Iago. Whatever was going on with Aladdin was serious and it just needed to be the 2 of them for this conversation.
Iago left ready to find the imaginary treasure.
Aladdin and Genie were best friends. They had confided in each other about what they had went through since Genie came back. Genie told Aladdin about his experiences as a Genie and what he had to endure in all his years in the lamp. Aladdin told Genie everything about his past. They now looked at each other as brothers. And genie will be damned if he let his little brother be hurt by anything. "What's wrong Al?"
Aladdin looked up at Genie and Genie saw it. He saw the pain and suffering in his eyes from when Aladdin told him about his past. He saw the emptiness and despair. The hollow look that scared him. Genie would rather be a prisoner to Jafar again than see that look on Aladdin's face.
"Jasmine was making fun of street rats and why I compare myself to them. I got mad and told her part of what I went through. I left before I could say anything more. She shouldn't have to hear those parts yet." Aladdin said. Genie heard the emptiness and gave Aladdin a hug he was sure he needed.
"I didn't tell her about my parents though or go into detail about stuff I went through, but she knows about when I had to scrounge just to find enough to make it through a day. I stole just so I could survive. Same as those rats Genie!" Aladdin could say anymore and he wept in Genie's arms. Genie could do nothing but hold him and curse himself for not being able to heal his pain. Some Genie and big brother he turned out to be.
Aladdin composed himself before speaking again. "Genie I'm gonna keep to myself for today. I'll be back tomorrow. There's an old man on the other side of Agrabah that can help me get stronger. I need to improve my fighting skills anyway. There's plenty of enemies out there ready to take us down."
Genie nodded. Al had mentioned this before and thought it was unnecessary. But with what's been going on, he was right. He did need to become a better fighter. Otherwise without him, Agrabah could crumble. "I understand. I'll tell Jasmine for you."
Aladdin smiled at Genie. The kind of smile that Genie loved to see on the young man. And he knew that Aladdin would be alright. Aladdin trusted him. And that meant the world to him. "See you tomorrow Genie."
Aladdin left the palace feeling slightly better. He had Genie watching over him now. And he still had them. If he didn't want them to get hurt, he needed to be stronger and ready to take on any obstacle. He trusted Genie to calm Jasmine down and be there for her. He on the other hand needed to be by himself before going to talk to the old man. Apparently, he started some kind of fighting art and since Aladdin was a prince, it could help him get recognition as well.
Genie made his way over to Jasmine who was still crying with all her friends around her. Save for Iago who was still looking for the "treasure."
Jasmine looked up at Genie with red eyes puffy from crying. "Why didn't Aladdin tell me about those things?! I hurt him so badly! I can't believe I hurt my love like that."
Genie looked down at Jasmine sadly. He knew that she didn't mean to but it still made him slightly mad that Aladdin now had to relive all those bad memories because of what she said. "Listen Jaz, Aladdin has gone through a lot of things ok? It's not my place to tell."
Jasmine got a little angry at hearing that. Aladdin and her are soulmates. Why didn't he tell her about these things that hurt him? Did he not trust her anymore? Jasmine cried some more when those thoughts started coming to her.
"He trusts you Jasmine." Genie said seemingly reading her mind. "But he doesn't want to be hurt or abandoned again. He's been through it plenty of times, and I'm sure he doesn't want to experience it with you. Ever since you guys got engaged, he's been mentally preparing himself in case you found someone else and abandoned him."
Jasmine was even more shocked and sad when she heard that. How could Aladdin think like that? Didn't he know that she only loved him and her heart will forever belong to him? She composed herself and stood up with new resolve. She needed to see Aladdin and tell him that he would always be loved by her. That if she could, she would hold him and never let go. She started walking towards the gate before Genie stopped her.
"Leave him alone for a little while Jasmine. He needs to cool down. He's reliving some really painful things right now." Genie said with a sad look on his face. However, it was replaced with shock when Jasmine brushed past him.
"Even more reason for me to go Genie. I'm not gonna sit by and let him suffer through that. He's the love of my life." Jasmine exclaimed. She wanted to make Aladdin understand that she wants to be by his side forever. And no one will come between them. "Take care of that lackluster prince for me."
And with that, Jasmine started running to go to Aladdin's home.
Sure, I'll handle that Prince Wazoo
But as he turned around, he was him dart by him with his pants ripped. Raja apparently had enough of him and decided to rip his pants off.
Never mind. Genie thought with a snicker. One less problem for him to worry about. Now to explain to the gang about what Aladdin was going through.
Hope you guys enjoyed! Next chapter should be up soon.
