Whoa, whoa. Ladies, I can explain.Ralph Breaks the Internet · 2018 — Chapter 15 of 21 · 3'47" · B1
The Princesses Vet Vanellope, Explained: the million-dollar question
Vanellope bursts into the princesses' room claiming to be one of them, and they run her through their checklist: magic hair, being poisoned, True Love's Kiss. She fails every item, but the last question — whether a big strong man gets credit for solving her problems — finally makes her one of them.
What happens
Vanellope introduces herself as a princess, and the Disney princesses test her against their checklist: magic hair, curses, a sea witch, True Love's Kiss. She matches none of it, yet they warm to her anyway, and the million-dollar question — whether people credit a big strong man for solving her problems — earns her a place among them.
Listen for
this old thingthe million-dollar questiona lot to unpackthingamabob
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Now
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Phrase of the scene
the million-dollar question
the single most important or hardest question to answer
After a long checklist of questions, the princesses announce the big one.
The million-dollar question is whether they'll actually show up.
Also in this scene
- this old thing
就这件旧东西（被夸时故作谦虚）
- a lot to unpack
a great deal of information or feeling to process
- thingamabob
a playful placeholder for a thing whose name you forget
Everything marked in this scene
25 notes across 85 lines
I'm sure you've heard of us.It'd be embarrassing for you if you haven't.would be
It'd be embarrassing for you if you haven't.Huh. What kind of a princess are you?- Do you have magic hair? - No.Then I have to assume you made a deal with an underwater sea witch...past simple
Then I have to assume you made a deal with an underwater sea witch...where she took your voice in exchange for a pair of human legs?No! Good Lord, who would do that?Do you have daddy issues?Do you have daddy issues?the single most important or hardest question to answer
After a long checklist of questions, the princesses announce the big one.
And now for the million-dollar question.yes-no question
Do people assume all your problems got solved because a big strong man showed up?Yes! What is up with that?Oh, this old thing?liaison
Oh, this old thing?Oh, I'd so love to have one of my own.- As would I. - MOANA: Me too!All hail Princess Vanellope, the queen of comfy!liaison
All hail Princess Vanellope, the queen of comfy!Why don't you give it a try?if-clause
Wait, you're saying if I just stare at some water...And best of luck finding your song.elision
And best of luck finding your song.The Princesses Vet Vanellope, explained
What's really going on
The scene is a send-up of the Disney princess formula, and it lands because the checklist is played completely straight. Magic hair, poisoning, curses, a bargain with a sea witch — each item is a real rule of the genre, and Vanellope fails all of them. The punchline question names what the older films quietly assumed: "Do people assume all your problems got solved because a big strong man showed up?" Her delighted "Yes!" is the film admitting the pattern out loud. The bonding that follows, over singing and staring at water, is affectionate rather than mocking. What makes her a princess in the end is not the checklist but the shared joke about it.
Theme
IdentityVanellope is tested against the princess rules and accepted for not fitting them, which is what makes her one of them.
FriendshipThe princesses bond over the absurd checklist and welcome her in, turning a quiz into belonging.
What you'll learn
- Notice how "Should I call the police" changes the exchange.
- Listen for the attitude carried by "Should I call the police".
- Try the phrase in a comparable conversation.
Listen for
- this old thing — liaison
- All hail — liaison
- best of luck — elision
I'm sure you've heard of us.Vanellope's bluffing boast, pretending her made-up royal family is famous.
It'd be embarrassing for you if you haven't.The bluff doubled down, daring the princesses to admit they never heard of her.
Do people assume all your problems got solved because a big strong man showed up?The punchline question that names the formula shared by their stories.
I don't even have a mom.Her blunt answer to the checklist, which turns out to be the thing that bonds them.
That's what happens when a princess sings about her dreams.The deadpan explanation for why singing sets off a magical song-and-dance.
Questions about this scene
What does 'the million-dollar question' mean?
It means the most important or revealing question. The princesses use it before asking whether a strong man always gets credit for solving her problems.
Why do the princesses test Vanellope?
They want to know what kind of princess she is, so they run through the traditional markers like magic hair, poisoning, and True Love's Kiss.
Does Vanellope pass the checklist?
No. She fails every item, from magic hair to being cursed, but the princesses accept her anyway once they share the joke about their stories.
What finally wins them over?
The last question, about whether a big strong man is given credit for solving her problems, gets a loud yes from her and turns her into one of the group.
Why does the scene end with a quiz?
Because the princesses return to their routine, announcing the next 'Which Disney Princess Are You?' quizlet, which frames them as a tourist attraction.
Ralph Breaks the Internet · 21 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 16bring out the worst in someoneRalph Reads the Comments
Chapter 1riddle me thisRiddles on the Rooftop
Chapter 2agree to disagreeThe Arcade Gets Wi-Fi
Chapter 3go out of businessRalph Breaks Sugar Rush
Chapter 4That's the stuffVanellope Asks Who She Is
Chapter 5beggars can't be choosersFelix and Calhoun Adopt the Racers
Chapter 6on the houseRalph Mishears eBay
Chapter 7Not on my watchRalph and Vanellope Enter the Internet
Chapter 8put Humpty Dumpty together againKnowsMore Finishes Your Sentences
Chapter 9going once, going twiceRalph and Vanellope Win the Auction
Chapter 10I got a guySpamley Pitches Loot Hunting
Chapter 11mess with the bullStealing Shank's Car in Slaughter Race
Chapter 12go viralShank Offers to Make Them Viral
Chapter 13saturate the marketYesss Explains Hearts Are Money
Chapter 14like shoes and socksRalph and Vanellope Say Goodbye
Watching · Chapter 15the million-dollar questionThe Princesses Vet Vanellope
Chapter 16bring out the worst in someoneRalph Reads the Comments
Chapter 17a kick in the faceVanellope Wants a New Home
Chapter 18keep a low profileBuying a Virus in the Darknet
Chapter 19an empty gestureRalph's Clones Chase Vanellope
Chapter 20hold someone backRalph Says Let Her Go
Chapter 21don't be a strangerRalph and Vanellope Say GoodbyeChapter 15 of 21 · about 20 min to go