Frozen 2 created a plot hole when it was revealed that Queen Iduna had a magical background yet didn’t seem to understand Elsa’s magical powers, but there are some key reasons why this could be. In Frozen, Queen Iduna and her husband King Agnarr were minor characters who sought some answers about young Elsa’s ice powers when Anna was accidentally injured. The king and queen of Arendelle consulted Grand Pabbie and the rock trolls before embarking on a voyage out to sea, where they perished in a storm. Iduna didn’t have much dialogue during those scenes, and her husband seemed to lead the quest for answers about Elsa.
The fact that Iduna seemed unfamiliar with magic, and the fact that it was Agnarr’s idea to consult the rock trolls, created an apparent plot hole once Frozen 2 was released. The film explores Iduna’s background as a member of the Northuldra indigenous group, who coexisted with the four elemental spirits in the Enchanted Forest. If Iduna had been exposed to magic at a young age, it seems unclear as to why she didn’t understand Elsa’s powers.
However, Frozen 2 reveals some clues that explain why Iduna didn’t understand Elsa. Though Iduna had once lived with the magical spirits in the Enchanted Forest, she and the rest of the Northuldra didn’t have control or possession over them. It was therefore unusual for Iduna to witness another human actually possessing magical powers. Plus, Elsa’s magic was distinctly different from that of the elemental spirits. While Elsa had command over snow and ice, they weren’t the essence of her being, whereas Gale was the wind or Nokk was the water. This could explain why Iduna takes a backseat during the scene where she and Agnarr consult the rock trolls for answers about Elsa, as it was something she hadn’t experienced before.
If Iduna did have some ideas, it also makes sense as to why she wouldn’t speak up. When Elsa finally makes it to Ahtohallan, she witnesses a flashback of grown-up Agnarr and Iduna embracing. Iduna looks troubled, and she says to him, “I need to tell you about my past, and where I’m from.” This means that, at that point, Agnarr didn’t know about Iduna’s Northuldra background, or that she was the one who saved him in the forest all those years ago. She had kept it a secret, likely fearing how the Arendellians would react due to the conflict between their groups. This also explains why Iduna heeded Grand Pabbie’s warning in the first film and decided to keep Elsa sheltered from the people of Arendelle in order to avoid more fear and tension.
Whether Iduna didn’t understand her daughter’s specific powers or opted to step back for Elsa’s sake, it helps explain the plot hole that Frozen 2 seemed to create. Although Iduna’s backstory made for a compelling sequel, Elsa and Anna’s special bond ultimately saved Arendelle yet again. It is rumored that Frozen 3 could happen, which may give even more clues about Disney’s iconic ice queen.
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