I don't know if this has been discussed before. I was reading Internet Movie Database's message board about whether or not Belle has any friends in the village. One of the posters think that the triplets are there setting up for Belle and not Gaston due to the reactions prior to Gaston showing up.

Since earlier on in the scene (I assume on the DVD) Triplet 2 is whispering to Triplet either 1 or 3rd triplet. That triplet covers their mouth like they;re gasping. When Gaston arrives for some reason they're all shocked. So why would they be shocked if they were setting up for Gaston?

There's also why were the triplets upset that Belle didn't accept Gaston's proposal? Shouldn't they have instead be relieved?

link]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKhkaDkTaQ[/url][/url]