“Under the spotlight, I finally get to dance with my Prince Charming! I am the heroine of the story. What?! Natsumi's the heroine?! Ugh! And now there's a Cardian running amok! That's it! If anyone interrupts our play, In the Name of the Moon, I'll punish you!”
— Usagi Tsukino
(DIC Episode: "Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall")
Usagi and her entourage are ecstatic when the ex-Prince Endymion enlists their encouragement for an ensuing entertainment based on Snow White. Though their enthusiasm evaporates when En extorts the role of the fairest one of all to extract an endearing kiss from the ensemble's leading actor.
Tropes in this episode include:
- A-Cup Angst: Usagi and Rei are super annoyed over Makoto declaring that she has the biggest breasts of the group.
- All Part of the Show: The audience members were convinced that the Sailor Guardians defeating the clown monster was part of the show.
- Almost Kiss: Natsumi misses her chance to kiss Mamoru twice. The first is during practice and the second is when the Clown Cardian attacks.
- Apple of Discord: The role of Snow White causes Usagi and her friends to battle each other over who should get the part.
- Badass Boast: The Four Guardians get to share their own speeches when they appear on stage.Sailor Mars: Fueled by the flames of passion and the Nine Mantras. Destroying all evil with spiritual power, all while wearing red heels! I am Sailor Mars!
Sailor Jupiter: Born with raw strength and lightning! I am the Guardian Sailor Jupiter!
Sailor Mercury: I can handle cram school and studying! I always read reference books and in the National Practice Exam, I hold the rank of Number One! Sailor Mercury!
Sailor Venus: I was known as the Masked Legend. My face is quite stunning too. And I'm also the latest Pretty Guardian to appear! Sailor Venus!
Everyone: We're on the scene! - The Bad Guy Wins: Even if the Cardian didn't get any energy, Ail still managed to wreck the play out of jealousy.
- Big-Breast Pride: Makoto uses the argument that she has the most gorgeous melons to declare why she should have the role of S.W.Makoto: Snow White should be played by the girl with the largest chest, and that's clearly me.Usagi and Rei: YOU ARE NOT!Makoto: Wanna take measurements?
- Big "SHUT UP!": The Sailor Guardians say this to Naru and Umino when they try to get them to stop fighting.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Natsumi allows the girls and Umino to draw their straws while she goes last. A major part of her plan is to get the last one so it can be turned white for the princess role. She would've been screwed if no one picked the red straw.
- Bittersweet Ending: On the sweet side, the play turns out to be a success thanks to Sailor Moon and her friends saving the day. On the bitter side, En is crushed that her Snow White project was ruined by Ail who shows no sympathy for her misery.
- Blatant Lies: Minako argues that she's worthy of being Snow White because she's the most elegant and graceful. Her friends and Mamoru can see what a load that is.
- Ami's excuse, that Snow White is asleep for most of the story, so would be good for her since she studies so much, makes one think she's mixing up the story with Sleeping Beauty. But soon it becomes clear she's just saying that to get the part.
- Both Sides Have a Point: The Inner Guardians are correct that Natsumi clearly has had trouble adjusting to life here and are willing to overlook the fact that she cheated to get Snow White. Usagi is also right to point out that Natsumi still cheated, and she honestly isn't doing much to endear herself to everyone.
- The Burlesque of Venus: Venus' background during her Badass Boast pays homage to the iconic portrait.
- Comical Angry Face: Usagi makes this expression after Natsumi offers to walk home with Mamoru after rehearsal.
- Drawing Straws: Natsumi is able to settle who gets what parts by using pieces of papers with colors at the end. Whoever gets the white one plays Snow White, blue ones are for dwarves, and the red one is for the Evil Queen.
- Embarrassing Animal Suit: Wanting to add originality to the Snow White play, Umino called his friend Joey to lend him some animal costumes to borrow. Rei and Makoto are in no way amused with his creative direction.Raye and Lita (DiC dub): WE'RE DOING "SNOW WHITE" NOT "THE JUNGLE BOOK!"
- Everybody Already Knew: The girls minus Usagi discovered that Natsumi cheated to get the leading role.
- "Eureka!" Moment: En gets the idea to win Mamoru's heart by stealing a kiss from him, just like in the fairy tale.
- Fixing the Game: Natsumi's trick is to go last when drawing straws while everyone else got a non-Snow White role. When it's her turn, she simply rips the end of the straw to make it look white.
- Forever War: The Inner Guardians knew that they'd still be fighting each other for the leading role if they did call out Natsumi for cheating. So giving up the role would ensure that they wouldn't continue their pointless war.
- Friendless Background: Ami points out that Natsumi has a hard time making friends which is another reason why she and her friends allow her to keep the role of Snow White.
- The Friends Who Never Hang: This episode features Naru and Umino interacting with the Inner Guardians and Mamoru.
- History Repeats: In the DiC dub, the original cast of the play all quit when no-one could agree who should play Hamlet. Darien’s attemtp to salvage the production almost fails because the girls can’t agree who should be Snow White.
- Kissing Warm-Up: En practices her kissing skills with a pillow.
- Large Ham: Serena’s performance as the witch in the original dub
manages to sound eerily close to her portrayal by Linda Ballantyne from the next season onwards.Sammy: Hey, the ham belongs in the fridge. - Monster Clown: Ail summons the Cardian Bipierrot to attack the audience for their energy.
- No Sympathy: Even after learning the reasons for why Natsumi should keep her spot as Snow White, Usagi still intends to call her out for cheating and lying to everyone.
- Not So Above It All:
- While normally serious and focused on her missions, Luna admits that she too would love to find romance with a guy cat.
- Ami herself decides she'd like to be Snow White and becomes ferocious over obtaining the role.
- Parasol of Pain: The Clown Cardian takes out an umbrella to steal energy from the audience.
- The Phoenix: Sailor Mars has a phoenix appear during her Badass Boast.
- Saying Too Much: Sailor Mercury unintentionally gives away her identity by claiming that she's Number One in the National Practice Exam. And Sailor Moon states that she'll never forgive the clown for ruining their play. Thank goodness for plot holes!
- School Play: Even though the location is at a community center instead of Juuban Middle School, the girls help Mamoru put on a Snow White play. Probably a necessity since Rei, Minako, and Mamoru don't go to the same school as the others.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Mamoru's friends were supposed to help out in an upcoming play but they decided to quit after arguing over casting.
- Show Stopper: The Sailor Guardians defeating the Cardian earns the ovation of the patrons.
- Skewed Priorities: In the original dub, Mercury is less concerned about a Cardian ruining the show and more the fact it means the time she spent learning her lines was wasted.
- Swapped Roles: Usagi, the heroine and Moon Princess, is cast as the Evil Queen while Natsumi, one of the main villains of the season, gets to play the princess.
- Trash the Set: Bipierrot starts her assault by destroying the fairy tale background.
- Worthy Opponent: Rei admits that she's impressed with Natsumi's drive and willingness to secure the Snow White part for herself.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Rei says this word for word over having to dress up like a furry.
