:::: One Part FANDOM RETROSPECTIVE, One Part ANALYSIS ::::
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play that premiered in London, 2016. It was met with praise by theatergoers and disdain, even hatred, by those who read the script. Today, there is a...
While taking place in a world of impossible magic, the series still had a set of rules. Rules that were gradually defined across seven books. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD seemed to forget some of the major ones.
Bringing Back The Dead
One of the most touching moments in the first book was when Harry discovered the Mirror of Erised. He was able to see his parents again, and all of us were there to understand that emotion. The desire to look upon those who have passed became a recurring theme. And after characters started dying off in the books, Harry wondered how this was resolved (or could be remedied) within a magical world. They had ghosts, so why wouldn't Sirius come back as one? Etcetera. In retrospect, Death (and the ability to put a stopper in death) is central to the series. Horcruxes are so powerful because it is made clear that magic is incapable of bringing someone back from the dead.
Let me say that again. Magic is incapable of bringing someone back from the dead.
That would include using magic to alter the past in order to keep someone from dying! Are you listening, Jack? Jo? This is, y'know, a big rule to overlook. The very premise of Cursed Child betrays the bedrock of the Harry Potter books.
Not A Hair Out Of Place
Appearances can't be trusted in the wizarding world. From teachers to best friends, we learn by book seven that they could always be the enemy in disguise. Understandably, this concept would make its way into the 8th story. Polyjuice Potion had a reappearance. Not super original, but it's a classic and probably looks awesome on stage. Where the play went wrong was in the second form of concealment through magic - transfiguration.
In book seven, they use both to break into Gringotts. Hermione embodied the visage of Bellatrix Lestrange through Polyjuice, while Ron got a beard makeover through transfiguration, with the understanding that using magic to alter someone's appearance had its limitations. But the limitations of Polyjuice are quite different. JKR was wise to balance such powerful magic with a time limit. After a short while, it fades without warning. This could bring undesired outcomes and is a smart tool for putting characters in objectionable circumstances.
In the final act of Cursed Child, the writers got their wires crossed.
First of all, they transfigure Harry into Voldemort. Completely. Not a beard. We're talking Harry's nose went *poof*. Oh-kay. I know a few people who wouldn't have minded this sort of magic. Quirrell perhaps. He could've ditched that stinky turban. This sort of transfiguration would've saved Barty Crouch Jr. a lot of hassle. And Sirius Black. Oh...and the trio could've been hiding in plain sight instead of being on the run throughout the entire seventh freaking book! I mean, this is a gamechanger in the canon, JKR. Way to go. You just rendered a formerly cool magical standard like Polyjuice Potion unnecessary.
But, no. It gets better. While Harry does his best Voldy impression, the transfiguration begins to fade and Delphi realizes something is amiss. #NotMyVoldedad That particular magical oversight leads them into the final conflict of the play. Voila. Easy.
But...you just... you JUST... YOU JUST APPLIED THE RULE OF POLYJUICE POTION TO TRANSFIGURATION!
That's funny, I don't recall Ron's beard having a time limit. How interesting.
NO, IT'S NOT!
Transfiguration! doesn't! wear! off!
That's it! I'm canceling Christmas again! This is so not wizzo.
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