Tear Jerker / The Lion King 1 ½

• From the growing-up montage in 1½, Simba coming to Timon and Pumbaa in the night because he had a nightmare. He never explicitly says it was about his father, but the small, despondent look he casts aside says it all.
  Simba: I... I had a bad dream.
• Pumbaa admitting to Timon that he doesn't have a home. He even stated that it's not because that he's lost or that no place is good enough for him, it's because he'll all alone in the world for his entire life. The sad face he makes in the end just sells it.
• Uncle Max's look of disappointment and anger after Timon left his post and nearly costing him his life. An extra tearjerker and moment of heartwarming when Max angrily tells Timon that he trusted him.
  Timon: (seeing that all the meerkats are angry at him for neglecting his job that almost killed Uncle Max) I guess I owe everyone... an apology. All right, so I made a teensy mistake. Like we all haven't broken into song on sentry duty before. (laughs nervously) Come on. Let me have a show of hands. (nobody responds) Okay.... maybe it's a little too soon, but I'm sure we're all gonna laugh about this someday. Trust me.
  Uncle Max: (coldly) I did trust you.
  Timon: (upset) But... (hesitates to respond, and the other meerkats walk away in a huff)
• Upon learning from Nala that Simba is on his way back to the Pridelands to overthrow Scar, Timon obstinately refuses to join in the effort due to feeling betrayed that Simba would choose to abandon their idyllic lifestyle to "run off to be "his highness" and unwilling to leave the paradise he spent so long searching for. This leads to Timon getting into an argument with Pumbaa over the prospect of having to leave their home and lifestyle to help their friend, concluding with Pumbaa calling him out on his selfishness before leaving to catch up with Simba and Nala. After Pumbaa leaves without him, Timon tries to enjoy the jungle alone. He can't.
  Timon: [Simba] needs us? (angrily) Well then he shouldn't have left us! If he wants to run off to be "his highness" well, I say, don't let the branches hit you on the way out! Leave Hakuna Matata to someone who appreciates it!
  Pumbaa: But, Timon... it's not really Hakuna Matata without Simba.
  Timon: What's gotten into you? Not Hakuna Matata? That's crazy talk. Crazy talk, I tell ya! Nothing's changed here! We had Hakuna Matata before Simba, and we've still got it now!
  Pumbaa: We gotta go help our friend, Timon!
  Timon: Et tu, Pumbaa? You're just gonna walk away, give up on all this? What happened to "friends stick together to the end"? Huh? Huh? Huh?
  Pumbaa: (coldly) I was about to ask you the same thing.
  • While refusing to go help Simba was nowhere near the right decision, it's just as inappropriate to dismiss Timon's mindset behind that decision. Prior to Mufasa's death, Simba was being raised in a truly supportive environment surrounded by others who clearly loved him and made it known every day, and after Mufasa's death, Timon and Pumbaa filled the gap, at least to the best of their ability. Meanwhile, Timon has been raised in a community where he not only couldn't accommodate to their norms in spite of his best efforts, but the things he truly is gifted at aren't wanted at all. He truly believes he has no purpose and nothing to offer (and who knows how much worse Pumbaa had it). That's too big and too painful for even his mother's love to erase. Timon didn't leave the meerkats because things were difficult, he left because living like that was destroying him and he knew it. His ultimate irresponsibility and near-fatal mistake at watching for hyenas was only the final nail in the coffin. Of course he's picky with his friends today. Of course he's controlling and hostile towards any kinds of conflict and trouble. Of course he's always looking for a quick solution or distraction or joke. Of course he's impulsive to pursue whatever appeals to him, regardless of the consequences. He doesn't take his peace and comfort and safety for granted. It isn't until after he's truly alone that he realizes that his surroundings and preferences aren't the only things that matter. It would've been nice to see him come to this conclusion sooner than he does, but if we can't fault Simba for not "getting over" Mufasa's death, why should anybody expect Timon to just brush aside the trauma of living without any guarantee that anybody could ever love him as he is?

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