Viola and Olivia: The Endgame We All Missed in She’s The Man

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In one of the top-notch teen romantic comedies, “She’s the Man,” we witness Olivia developing feelings for a character named “Sebastian,” unaware that it’s actually her twin brother Viola in disguise to join the school soccer team. One might ponder if the individual Olivia is smitten by isn’t genuinely Viola, but unknowingly so. After revisiting the 2006 teen sports movie, I can’t help but reflect on why a relationship between Viola and Olivia would have made an ideal ending.

Olivia And Viola Had A Stronger Emotional Connection

It’s clear in the movie “She’s the Man” that Olivia didn’t have any interest in dating Duke, the attractive jock, because if she did, she would have been drawn to Sebastian’s roommate instead. However, upon meeting Sebastian, Olivia experienced an immediate connection and felt affirmed when he expressed that men are often afraid to treat women as equals.

Viola and Olivia had a unique connection, stemming from their shared experiences. Viola sought equality in athletics, while Olivia often faced objectification by men unaware of who she truly was. Their bond wasn’t based on romantic attraction but rather mutual respect. Olivia found comfort in someone who admired her intellect and didn’t regard her as a conquest to be claimed. Viola, in disguise as her brother, also appreciated this quality.

A Disguised Viola Could Have Discovered Her Hidden Love For Women

In the movie “She’s the Man,” which is adapted from Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night,” it’s intended to be amusing when Olivia becomes smitten with Cesario without knowing that he’s actually a woman in disguise. But, what if, by living as a man, Viola could have uncovered feelings for women she wasn’t aware of herself?

In essence, Viola, disguised as Sebastian, revealed to Olivia that there aren’t many individuals at school with whom she feels at ease. Moreover, Olivia’s praise of “Sebastian’s” smile certainly pleased her. Consequently, it would have added an interesting twist if, while living as her twin brother, Viola found out that she could also take a liking towards women.

She’s The Man Could Have Introduced Pansexuality

Shows such as Schitt’s Creek, Big Mouth, Gen: Lock, among others, have depicted pansexuality. This term refers to a sexual orientation where one’s romantic, emotional, or sexual attraction is not based on gender.

In this movie, there could’ve been a deeper examination of the characters Olivia and Viola’s pansexuality. If, during Viola’s disguise, either character felt drawn to each other, it might imply that they were attracted not so much to the gender but rather to the individual within the gender.

Olivia might have believed she was drawn to “Sebastian,” but her true feelings were for someone who truly listened to her, made her feel understood, and valued her respect. If the popular romantic comedy on Paramount+ delved deeper into this aspect, it would emphasize that love can develop through attraction towards a person’s character, irrespective of their gender.

Duke And Sebastian Hardly Knew The Real Olivia And Viola

It appears that “She’s the Man” is known for being one of the top friends-to-lovers romantic comedies, particularly focusing on the relationship between Viola and Duke. At first, they were simply roommates, but their bond grew stronger when they became soccer teammates. However, things got complicated when Viola kissed Duke while disguised as a man in a kissing booth.

Initially, Duke wasn’t well-acquainted with Viola. After their first kiss, he yearned to take her out without fully understanding her character. Moreover, the situation would have been complex if Duke harbored feelings for Viola under the guise of “Sebastian,” given his lack of attraction towards men and no signs of mixed emotions towards his roommate. I believe they functioned better as friends.

Regarding Olivia and the actual Sebastian, it’s possible to say she appreciated his lyrics when she discovered them. However, their relationship went little further than that. Sebastian affectionately referred to Olivia as “the girl of my dreams” following her kiss, but it should be noted that this Sebastian was actually Viola in disguise. It’s debatable whether a clever girl like Olivia would feel content with Sebastian, given his frequent school absences due to band commitments. In the final analysis, their relationship seemed more like a convenient resolution than a genuine romantic pairing.

Olivia And Viola Really Were Their Authentic Selves With Each Other

When Viola assumed her brother’s identity, she remained authentic. Effortlessly, she complimented Olivia on her shoes, shared her anxieties about science class dissections, and expressed comfort around her without attempting to be Sebastian. This was all second nature to Viola, suggesting a genuine connection between them, as it required no extra effort to impress Olivia.

In a relaxed and natural manner, it can be expressed: Olivia found ease in sharing openly with “Sebastian,” a comfort perhaps rooted in her past experiences. Notably, this is significant given that Olivia has had a broken heart before. It’s telling that she felt at ease conversing with “Sebastian.” On the other hand, Duke seemed to strive for an image of a charming Prince to win over Olivia. However, Viola (as Sebastian) managed to present this charisma effortlessly when her genuine self emerged.

Instead of viewing “Twelfth Night” as a tale emphasizing young love between Viola and Duke, one could imagine an alternative romantic twist where Viola and Olivia acknowledge their mutual feelings for each other. This change would highlight that love transcends gender boundaries and make the play a testament to connections devoid of labels. Moreover, it’s intriguing to note that you can extract ‘Olivia’ from ‘Viola,’ which adds an extra layer of meaning to this potential storyline. You might appreciate this interpretation by watching “She’s the Man” on Paramount+.

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2025-06-25 12:08