Alternate Storylines

Every movie goes through plenty of development, big changes and small tweaks.
The Little Mermaid is definitely not excluded from that process!

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Before the performance, there is a scene backstage where the
six sisters are having their last rehearsal with Sebastian.

The sisters inform Sebastian that they cannot find Ariel.

Sebastian panics and asks the girls to find her immediately.

Sebastian tries to inform King Triton and postpone the performance.

But it is too late and the performance begins without Ariel.

***

After Ariel and Flounder's fortunate escape from the shark, they visit Scuttle at the surface. Besides the dinglehopper and the snarfblatt, Ariel finds another item from the shipwreck - a shoe. Scuttle then tells Ariel that it is called a friggerzoid.

***

When Ariel and Flounder get home after visiting the surface, King Triton is a lot harsher towards Ariel and he says, "The problem is that I have six daughters who are proper sea princesses, who shoulder responsibility, who do what they're told, who make me proud to be their father... and then I have you..."

***

During the storm, instead of saving Max from the ship, Eric tries to save Grimsby who falls into the sea but before he can do so, he is struck by a falling mast and he too falls into the sea. Ariel then saves the unconscious Eric while Grimsby is saved by the sailors.

***

After Ariel has saved Eric and has sung the reprise, Eric does not wake up yet and Ariel is about to kiss him but is interfered by the untimely arrival of Max and Grimsby.

***

Ariel is weeping in her grotto when she is approached by Flotsam and Jetsam. Flounder and Sebastian are still in the grotto and Sebastian tells Ariel not to listen to the eels but the eels shuts Sebastian up, telling him to stay out of it.

***

Ariel's burst through the surface makes better sense, although it's not as breaktaking. Many have argued that Ariel would not have time to flip her hair back when she emerges from the water since she is struggling for air.

Interestingly in the official comic adaptation of the movie, the way Ariel breaks through the surface is like the drawing in the original storyboard.

***

When Scuttle is guessing about what's different about Ariel, he asks whether Ariel has lost weight.

***

After getting Ariel dressed, Scuttle teaches Ariel the way to walk before they are interrupted by the arrival of Max and Eric.

***

Max chases Sebastian everywhere and Sebastian calls him a shark with fur.

***

Eric is less excited about Ariel and he tries to avoid dinner with her but he gets reprimanded by Grimsby.

***

During bedtime, Sebastian does not teach Ariel how to kiss but rather rant about the horrible human world and a particular horrible human, Chef Louis.

***

Besides Mildred, Diana and Rachel, Eric comes up with other names for Ariel.
"Let's see, I could call you Marina because you came from the ocean. Or maybe Sandra because we found you on the beach. Or maybe... I thought I heard the word Ariel. Ariel, that's kind of pretty. Would you like me to call you Ariel?"

***

Grimsby does not advise Eric on matters concerning Ariel and the mysterious woman with the beautiful voice. Eric thinks about it and comes to the conclusion himself. He chooses Ariel, until Vanessa comes along and ruins everything.

***

After Vanessa has mesmerise Eric, Eric introduces Vanessa to Ariel and both of them meet face-to-face. Eric asks Ariel to attend their wedding.

***

Scuttle checks in on Ariel and he says, "Ariel, the prince... He's not marrying you!" instead of "I was flying. Of course I was flying..."

***

The shark, whose name is Glut, has more screen time. When Ariel and Flounder swim and reach the wedding barge, Glut would have set himself free from the anchor from the beginning of the film. He then swims up and attempts to swallow Ariel in one gulp. Flounder will then have his moment of glory by saving Ariel. He crams the barrel into Glut's mouth not knowing that the barrel contains explosives. The shark dies from a huge explosion which is heard on board the wedding barge. The people on board wonder what has happened for a moment before continuing with the wedding.

***

Ariel reaches the wedding barge as the sun is about to set. She is growing weak and begins to pass out. Eric, who is still mesmerised, dashes to Ariel's side to hold her and when his eyes meet Ariel's, the spell is broken. He realises that Ariel is the one who saved him, the one he loves and so he leans down to kiss her but the sun has set and it is too late. Ariel has not yet transformed back into a mermaid but she moves away from Eric and dives into the sea. Ariel is still mute as the shell remains around Vanessa's neck and unbroken. Vanessa transforms back into Ursula and dives after Ariel. Eric is confused but he gets into a row boat and searches for Ariel. Ariel escapes from Flotsam and Jetsam and surfaces for a moment, enabling Eric to see her. Ariel is then pulled back into the water. King Triton arrives and he negotiates with Ursula. He agrees to trade after Ursula promises not to hurt Ariel and her other six daughters.

King Triton turns into a polyp.

Eric grabs a harpoon and prepares to dive.

Ursula takes King Triton's crown.

Eric goes underwater and sees that Ariel is a mermaid. He then injures Ursula.

Flotsam and Jetsam get back at Eric.

Flounder helps out.

Ariel tries to wrench the trident from Ursula.

Eric surfaces to catch his breath.

Ariel attacks Ursula, causing Ursula to drop the trident.

Ursula hits Ariel.

Ariel crashes against a boulder and passes out.

Ursula grabs Eric.

Ursula attempts to drown Eric.

Sebastian finds the trident and passes it to Eric.

Eric throws the trident towards Ursula with all his might. Interestingly, this idea is used in Kingdom Hearts II.

The trident pierces Ursula in the heart.

Ursula dies.

The trident and Ursula's shell necklace fall into the sea.

The shell releases Ariel's voice.

<
King Triton transforms.

Ariel gets her voice back.

Ariel regains consciousness.

Father and daughter reunite.

Ariel looks up the surface longingly.

"That human saved my life."

King Triton gives Ariel legs.

Ariel runs into Eric's arms.

Sharing their first kiss.

Chef Louis no longer bears a grudge towards Sebastian.

And they live happily ever after. :D