The Sinister Servants of Ursula
The Eels’ Appearance and Personality
Flotsam and Jetsam are more than just eels; they are the embodiment of Ursula’s manipulative power. They are extensions of her will, carrying out her commands with a quiet, unsettling efficiency. Their appearances are striking. Twisting and turning in the dark depths, their oily black bodies contrast sharply with the brightness of the ocean. Their eerie, glowing eyes are almost always watching, silently judging, constantly relaying information back to their sea witch master.
Their Roles in the Story
Their personalities perfectly complement each other. Jetsam, the more pragmatic of the two, always remains focused on the mission. Flotsam, the more expressive eel, delivers the sly remarks and carries a knowing look in his eyes. Their combined presence creates a sense of foreboding; they are a constant reminder of the price Ariel will pay for her dreams.
The Eels’ Primary Functions
Their primary function in “The Little Mermaid” is to serve as Ursula’s manipulative tools. They are the bait, the whispers in the ear, the goading voices that nudge Ariel toward making the terrible, life-altering deal. They are crucial in:
- Luring Ariel: It’s through their sly guidance that Ariel even finds Ursula’s lair. Their promises and smooth words are key in setting the wheels of the plot in motion.
- Monitoring the Contract: They oversee Ariel’s interactions with the human world, observing her every move and reporting back to Ursula. Their presence is a constant reminder of the bargain.
- Obstructing True Love: Flotsam and Jetsam actively work to prevent Ariel and Prince Eric from sharing their “kiss of true love.” Their attempts to sabotage this moment create a sense of tension and danger, pushing the conflict toward its ultimate climax.
The constant threat they represent makes them some of the most compelling villains of the movie. They may not have as much screen time as Ursula, but their presence is felt at every crucial moment, turning the underwater tale into a truly dark narrative.
The Climax: Destruction in the Depths
The final confrontation between Ursula and Ariel (with Prince Eric thrown into the mix) is one of the most exciting scenes in Disney animation history. Ursula, having stolen Triton’s trident and seized control of Atlantica, is a force of nature, a swirling vortex of power and malice. The scene is a visual and auditory explosion, culminating in Ursula’s utter defeat. This is the moment we must analyze closely to determine the fate of Flotsam and Jetsam.
The End of Ursula
What happens? The chaos is overwhelming. Prince Eric, at the helm of a salvaged ship, skillfully steers it into the heart of the fight. He aims the bow directly towards the sea witch, who then uses her tentacles to try and crush the vessel. At this moment, a decisive moment of pure heroics occurs. Eric steers the ship with precision, the bowsprit piercing Ursula directly in the gut. The resulting blow is fatal. The sea witch is destroyed.
Analyzing the Clues: What Became of the Eels?
The question of whether Flotsam and Jetsam survived hinges on our interpretation of the events during Ursula’s demise. Let’s break down the scene and analyze the specific clues in an attempt to determine the fate of the eels.
Visual Evidence Examined
The action is fast and furious. The camera shifts wildly between Eric, Ursula, and the environment. The eels are typically seen near Ursula’s face or tentacles, monitoring the events as they transpire. What happens to them during the ship attack? They appear to be near Ursula, but the focus is entirely on her. It is difficult to confirm their direct involvement in the destruction. The exact fate of Flotsam and Jetsam is ambiguous.
The Role of Sound
Are there any sounds that give a clue? During Ursula’s destruction, there is a surge of sound effects to signify her ultimate demise. If the eels were with her when the attack occurred, would they be impacted by the explosion of noise? The audio cues provide no distinct sounds that confirm the eels’ demise. It’s possible they were engulfed with Ursula, or it’s possible they were not near her.
Onscreen vs Offscreen
How much of the event did we see? Did they vanish from the screen? Or did we witness an explosion or some other decisive action that confirmed their death? The movie does not explicitly show Flotsam and Jetsam dying. The focus of the shot is Ursula, and as she dies, the eels’ presence and fates are left unconfirmed.
Magic and Speculation
The Nature of Magic: Ursula’s death is caused by a physical attack, but she is also a magical being. Is it possible that the eels, linked to her through magic, were somehow affected by her destruction? Again, without explicit visual or audio evidence, this remains speculation.
The most plausible conclusion, based on the available evidence, is that the movie does not definitively show Flotsam and Jetsam’s deaths. Their fate is left uncertain.
Beyond the Movie: Adaptations and Their Implications
The ambiguity surrounding Flotsam and Jetsam’s fates continues throughout the “Little Mermaid” franchise.
Sequels and Relevancy
The sequel, “The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea,” doesn’t feature Flotsam and Jetsam. Ursula, however, has a villainous sister in the form of Morgana, which brings about a new evil character for the story.
Animated Series
In the animated series that expanded on the movie, the presence of the eels is sporadic, and their fates never get a definite answer.
Do these later adaptations provide any clarity? Sadly, no. The ongoing absence of the characters further complicates the question of their demise.
Fan Theories and Speculations: The Undying Villains
Because the movie leaves their fate open, fans have created their own theories:
The Survival Theory
They Survived, But Were Severed From Ursula: This theory suggests that, while Ursula was destroyed, the eels, somehow not being directly attached to Ursula, managed to escape, perhaps wounded, perhaps lost, but still alive and free to return to the underwater kingdom at a later time.
Transformation Speculations
They Transformed, or Became a Different Evil: Another theory suggests they were permanently affected by the events but changed, perhaps finding a new master, or perhaps taking on a different form.
The Dispersion Theory
They Were Simply Dispersed: One of the simpler theories is that they were simply dispersed by the chaos of Ursula’s destruction, and the eels will one day reappear from the darkness.
Many fan theories exist, but none definitively answer the question, and their ongoing relevance remains ambiguous.
Conclusion: Still Swimming in Uncertainty
So, did Flotsam and Jetsam die? The answer, based on the evidence presented in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” is… inconclusive. While the final scene of the movie does feature Ursula’s demise, the fate of her eel servants is left uncertain. We never see them die. The visual evidence is ambiguous. The audio cues offer no firm confirmation. It would seem that the movie’s makers intentionally created ambiguity to leave the door open for potential further use of the characters.
Flotsam and Jetsam remain a testament to the power of subtle villainy, of creating suspense without grand gestures, and the lasting impact of these two sly eels can be felt within the universe. Their absence creates some amount of mystery. Their presence is missed. Were they evil? Undoubtedly. Are they gone forever? Perhaps not. The ambiguity of their ultimate destiny only enhances their legacy.
