10 "A Series Of Unfortunate Events" Fan Theories That Are Perfectly Possible

I didn't realise this was a sad occasion.

1. The search for VFD is an allegory on adulthood.

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A Series Of Unfortunate Events sees us follow the lives of the Baudelaires as they try to figure out what, exactly, VFD is. A Reddit user posits that this quest is a metaphor for the quest for adulthood

"All the children know is that its some secret society, and they know that once they find it they'll be safe. As children that's how we view adults: members of a secret club that know almost everything. Eventually though they find the VFD and essentially become members of it, but at the same time realise it wasn't what they expected. It symbolizes the children's early transition into adulthood."

2. Count Olaf is the personification of somebody who refuses to grow up.

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To continue the "series as an allegory for adulthood" theory, we can also assume that Count Olaf represents what happens when all the decisions in your life bring you pain and you refuse to be introspective about them.

If VFD is the metaphor for adulthood, Olaf is the antithesis of this.

3. The Immortality Theory.

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This theory argues that almost every adult in A Series Of Unfortunate Events is immortal.

Facelesscreature, a user on a ASOUE forum, discusses in depth the many figures Lemony Snicket implies he "knew." These include William Shakespeare (who died in 1616), William Congreve (who died in 1729) and C.M. Kornbluth, who died in 1958.

There is a HUGE amount of evidence supporting this theory. You can read more here.

4. Mr. Poe is a woman.

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The VFD Disguise Kit comes equipped with a top hat - something we know Mr. Poe is fond of, and it is implied in the rare edition of "The Bad Beginning" that Poe is hiding something big. Is it too far to assume he is hiding his sex? A top hat used to hide the bun atop his head, and his constant cough and flu-like symptoms a result of him constantly trying to muffle his (her?) voice. In The Nameless Novel there are images of a woman with a top hat and moustache at her feet, drilling a hole.

This theory also implies that Poe is in cahoot with Olaf, as well as Vice Principle Nero in The Austere Academy, because of a passage which saw Sunny Baudelaire observing large, bulky bags with Poe's company name "Mulctuart Money Management" plastered across them.

5. The End is an Israel / Palestine allegory.

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In The End, The Baudelaires find themselves on an island ruled by a man named Ishmael - which is also the name of the alleged ancestor of the Arabic people. This theory suggests that the series as a whole is made up of various Jewish themes, and that the constant wanderings of the Baudelaires reflect the plight of the Jewish people.

Olaf, the theory says, is a representation of zionism, renaming the island (Palestine) and claiming it for himself. Despite his desire and corruption, Olaf is similar to the Baudelaires in that he is an orphan looking for a safe home.

Dante, the writer of the theory, concludes: "In any case, the re-founding of the Baudelaire homeland unleashes violence, including the use of deadly biological weapons which nearly ruin the region for everyone. However, assuming that Handler really did intend all this, I am not sure which side he's taking; the morality presented in The End is often as unclear as its narration."

6. Captain Widdershins wants to be in trouble.

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In The Grim Grotto, Captain Widdershins is depicted as someone naive - and is even described by his family and friends as foolish. This theory puts forth the idea that Widdershins is completely capable of repairing the Queequeg, but chooses not to out of fear of sitting still.

7. Phil is dead.

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Kit Snicket mentions she met with Widdershins, Fiona and Fernald, but does not mention Phil. When the Baudelaires finally return to the submarine, Phil isn't there either. Phil's disappearance is indeed suspicious, and this theory surmises that Phil wouldn't doubt Widdershin's sense of direction (which would see him flee the submarine) so the only other option is death.

8. The Baudelaire Orphans' parents killed Count Olaf's parents.

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This one is more seen as fact by many ASOUE fans, but it's worth discussing. We know that Olaf's parents were killed by poison darts, and throughout the series there are quotes linking the Baudelaire parents with poison darts at an opera.

In The Penultimate Peril Kit Snicket offers this:

"I remember that evening well. It was a performance of La Forza del Destino. Your mother was wearing a red shawl, with long feathers along the edges. During intermission I followed them to the snack bar and slipped them a box of poison darts before Esmé Squalor could catch me."

Later, in a discussion between Count Olaf and Klaus, this comes forward:

"Tell me what the weapon is that left you an orphan, and I'll type it in for you."

Count Olaf gave Klaus a slow smile that made the Baudelaires shudder. "Certainly I'll tell you," he said. "It was poison darts."

9. Quigley Quagmire is lying about something.

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Quigley Quagmire says a lot of things throughout the series that are both strange and contradictory. This rather in-depth analysis lists all the quotes where Quigley seemed to go against things he had already said. Most notably, Quigley is able to navigate his way through areas that the Bauldelaires struggled, all without any assistance. His instance that he arrived at Professor Montgomery's house only shortly after the Orphans were taken away is also strange, as his brother and sister insist that they had been at Prufrock Prep for quite some time.

10. Sir and Charles are gay.

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The Beatrice Letters leaves us with the note "when C will realize S is unworthy of his love," which is quite a reach, true, but it is also backed up by the fact there is only one bed in their room at the Hotel Denouement.