Bel-Air: Why Carlton Hates His Cousin Will So Much
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Bel-Air episodes 1-3!
Carlton Banks was always Will’s most significant antagonist in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but his hatred for his cousin is far more pronounced in Bel-Air. In Fresh Prince, Carlton's character immediately disliked Will, with Carlton disapproving of his immature behavior and, particularly, how Will would undermine his «Blackness» by calling him white. Carlton was much goofier and would be the punchline of Will’s jokes about the difference between his family’s culture in Bel-Air compared to Philadelphia, but Carlton didn’t actively despise or act as rude to Will as he does in Peacock’s Bel-Air.
The most distinct difference between Fresh Prince andBel-Air's characters is Carlton Banks, who is now popular, a jock, and outwardly confident in his charm. While Carlton was still hesitant about taking in Will in Fresh Prince because he believed Will couldn’t conform to the upper-class sentiments of Bel-Air, the new Carlton’s rejection of Will is based on much deeper resentments. Right off the bat, Carlton antagonizes Will about why he’s in Bel-Air, tells Will he’s being too sensitive when he gets mad about Carlton’s white friends saying the n-word, leaves Will behind before school, and instigates several physical fights with his cousin.
Related: Bel-Air: Why Is He Still Called Will Smith If It's Not Will Smith?
Like the original series, Carlton feels threatened by Will’s presence as his family member within their Bel-Air community. If Bel-Air’s Carlton shares one major motivation with Fresh Prince’s character, it’s that both are preoccupied with preserving their reputations. Carlton likely feels threatened by Bel-Air’s Will Smith in that he could harm his reputation as the most
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