Abuelo Pedro tragically dies before the events of Encanto, but the film's script makes his story even sadder. Abuela Alma Madrigal (María Cecilia Botero) can't explain why the family receives its miracle. All Alma knows is that marauders were threatening her family and her village, and her husband Pedro sacrificed himself to save them. After Pedro dies, Alma receives a magical candle, an enchanted house, and her family members start to get special powers. For instance, Alma's son, Bruno (John Leguizamo), has visions of the future, and her daughter Pepa (Carolina Gaitán) controls the weather.
Unfortunately, Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), one of Alma's granddaughters, doesn't receive a gift. Though the film doesn't explain Mirabel's lack of gifts thoroughly, several fan theories speculate on the answer. According to some theories, Mirabel sabotaged her own gift by wiping her hands during her childhood gift ceremony. Another popular theory posits that Mirabel secretly had a gift the whole time. Regardless of the reason, Mirabel's supposed lack of special powers hurts her relationship with Abuela Alma, who is worried about the Madrigals losing their magic.
Though Pedro's story is sad in Encanto, the film's script makes it even more heartbreaking. During the song "Dos Oruguitas," Abuela Alma comes clean to Mirabel about how the family received the miracle, recalling her love story in a flashback with Pedro. Pedro's death doesn't get a lot of screentime in the film. He looks at Alma, kisses his kids, and confronts the marauders threatening his village. Then, the film cuts to agony on Alma's face. But the script for Disney's Encanto explains there was more going on. According to the script, when Pedro looks at Alma, his eyes say, "Everything will be okay." The script continues, adding, "He looks into her eyes, telling her she will survive... she will thrive... their children will find a new home and have a better life." When Pedro confronts the marauders on horseback, they even "listen to his plea" before ignoring it. "And just like that... Pedro is lost," the script reads.
Though the film keeps Pedro's death scene brief, there's undoubtedly more going on. His intentions are clear, with Pedro sacrificing himself to protect his family. However, the script explores the moment more in-depth, showing Pedro explaining everything to Alma in just one look. From their last moment together, he assures her that she will survive and their kids will have a better life. Pedro didn't know about the miracle, but he knew the family would make it somehow. Even more heartbreaking, the marauders seem to give Pedro false hope, "listening to his plea" despite having no intention of showing remorse. The moment also shows why Abuela Alma clings to the Madrigal magic so tightly. Her husband gave up everything for them, and she can't let him or the family down.
Regardless of the added context, Pedro is a non-speaking role for a reason. Though Abuela Alma explains her story with Pedro at the end of the film, the moment is more about Abuela and Mirabel finally coming together. It's not necessarily a moment to mourn Pedro. It's a moment to celebrate the Madrigal family members and the future they can now make together. Encanto handles to moment well by showing instead of telling. After all, Pedro's eyes told Abuela Alma everything in just one look.