Changing the past: A Once Upon a Time Recap

Gather round kiddies and hear the tale of how I spent 2 hours of my life getting pissed off at the writers of ABC’s Once Upon a Time.  This week we were promised a wedding as well as an idea of what’s to come for our favorite citizens of Maine, and we received both.  However, like most wedding gifts, I was left with the intense urge to return or exchange this long and fan service filled episode.

We last left out cast of fairytale players in a small conundrum brought about by Rumple, not that it is too surprising for him to stir the pot, of Zelina’s pendant reopening the time portal.  My big question at this point is, If she had enough in her to open the portal, why did she need all the excess garbage (courage, brain, innocence, the heart)?  Apparently, that is neither here nor there, what is important is that Hook and Emma are thrown back to the meeting of Emma’s parents.  I guess this is the best way to get the answer to “how did you and dad meet?”  Unfortunately, this is the kind of show where, if something’s going right, it’s probably wrong.  In support of that, ta-da, Emma screws it all up and now she and Hook must correct the past to ensure the future.

So how is this episode fan service?  Well on top of watching Snow and Charming fall in love all over again, we get to watch Emma and Hook’s love fully bloom into an ignited blaze of passion, or rum soaked make out session as an attempt at a distraction… I’ll let you decide on that one.  Who would need to be distracted?  Well Hook’s past self, so that future self could put a complicated plan into action.  Yes that’s right all you sparkly dirt fans there were supposed to be 2 Hooks, of and future gets all kinds of jealous over past groping Emma.  See?  Total fan servicing.  After that, we finally get to see Emma in a gown, well that doesn’t end up being a tragic dream, and Hook gets to teach her to waltz. 

Such beautiful moments are extremely short lived as the bandit Snow crashes the ball to steal the wedding ring, you know kind of like the first story.  This lands Emma in a dungeon with a “sweet young woman,” while the others must save her.  The damsel in distress look, not so much.  What was nice is they did at least give the Emma/Neal fans one more taste of what should have been with a tender memory about the definition of home.  I really miss Neal.  The other part of the memory causes Emma to recall how to pick a simple pad lock and in turn free herself and the sweet woman.

The other thing about this show, it will always work itself out.  We are constantly reminded of fate and destiny in these stories, as the seeds for Charming and Snow’s romance are sew and it would appear that history is well on its way back to normal.  But, what of the woman?  The sweet woman that Emma saved was meant to die and now with her alive what harms could come?  We all know that little changes in the past could wipe out entire futures at this point.  So what should they do with her?  Take her to the future of course.  Here is my problem, first off you don’t know who she is, why she was imprisoned, or most glaringly wrong who her family is.  These are all things that needed to be considered, and to be honest even before I found out who she was, I was all for leaving her to die.  Not that I am cold hearted, I just know that one life changes everything.

Well, with all being right with the world, we go to our promise of a wedding.  Rumple and Belle’s wedding, which was so beautiful that I cried for a good ten minutes.  Her dress and hat made me so jealous, it was such a simple feel with a touch of 1940’s glamour.  It really was a vision, but the most moving and passionate thing was her vows.  “Sometimes the best book has the dustiest jacket,” how is that not the most beautiful thing you’ve ever heard?!  I mean, we should all be so lucky to find a love like that.

Speaking of epic loves, Regina and Robin show up to the naming of the Charming’s new baby and seem happier than ever.  It’s almost breath taking how much lighter Regina seems when she’s with him, and therefore it makes the next scene so very crushing.  After a wonderful tribute by naming the new baby Neal, Regina is approached by Emma with a request for amends to the mysterious woman of the past.  Regina takes the high road and concedes but, before she can, Robin recognizes her as Maid Marion.  Emma has single handedly undone Regina’s world one more time.  First Snow causes the death of her first love, the curse causes Regina to lose her father, Emma took Henry, and now she must lose Robin too.  Where is the justice?!  Regina has proven time and time again that she deserves to be happy and each and every time she finds a small spark of it, it is stolen from her.  Yes, I’m a little upset.

So where is the show going?  Well, I think that pissed me off more than Regina losing Robin.  In the tried and true way of the Mouse that is Mickey, Disney will be tugging at the teats of its newer cash cow.  That’s right folks, Frozen is coming!  Sometimes I wish Disney would just “Let it go.”  I cannot say for sure whether or not I will be tuning in for another season, but I can say that I feel this is a huge mistake that will lead to the end of Once.          

Turning back time: A Once Upon A Time Recap

I was wrong, this week was not the finale of Once Upon A Time as I had previously mentioned, and kind of started to hope for, however it was the end of the boredom I had been feeling with this series.  The main problem has been that the writer’s attempts at being mysterious left even the viewer’s outside the loop, which for the most part slacked on the tension.  Perhaps, if they had clued us in more, we as an audience would have had a better experience, being able to see but unable to help our dynamic cast.  The other problem stems from this bizarre idea to try to pack a ton of story into one episode instead of pacing it out.  Yes, I loved that they brought in Dorothy Gale this week but, by the time they were ready to develop her, she was whisked back to Kansas.  A bit disappointing really…

 

So, what happened this week?  Well… As we all know from last week Snow’s bundle of mini charming is on the way and once again her delivery is going to be anything but easy, especially with a wicked witch trying to steal it.  Thankfully, Snow has the team of Emma and Regina attempting protection spells, although from the last few battles those don’t seem to be enough anymore to stop Zelina.  With this gut wrenching realization, Emma must swallow her serious trust issues with Hook and the two must set out to strike Zelina first at her home.  Not a bad plan, but if I were going to try to defeat a witch through magic, my side kick wouldn’t be cursed with a spell to take my magic.  That’s like pointing a gun backward, isn’t it?  Needless to say Zelina easily manipulates the situation and Hook’s lips end up doing their dirty deed, effective immediately we are out a white witch.

 

Now, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel for Zelina as she storms into the hospital and snatches the new born prince, and we finally find out what the baby represents when we trip into Oz’s past.  Apparently, for a time Zelina had tried to be good and represent the “west” or innocence (now do you see why you’d need a baby).  This was all well and good before the storm that brought Dorothy to Oz, Dorothy an innocent, fresh faced, girl.  Naturally, Zelina’s envy flames are fanned and she decides once more to become the wickedness inside of her.  Too bad really, I had my hopes up… Well not really.  Envy is a truly toxic poison, and once you have it in you there is no stopping it.

 

In true fairy tale fashion, just before it’s too late to stop Zelina, it is Regina who appears to stop her… With the help of everyone else, of course but it’s truly Regina’s moment.  You see, although it has taken half a century and several tragedies to understand, Regina finally realizes that evil is not born, it is made… but so is good.  In the place of Emma, it is Regina who becomes a white witch and in-turn a Hero, only if it is just for the day.  Man if that doesn’t make Zelina’s blood boil nothing will.  Not only did she get everything, but now she also gets to be the hero, with a hunky slice of beef cake to boot… Lovely.

 

So that’s it right?  The evil is vanquished and good shall reign supreme.  We even got a marriage proposal from Rumple to Belle after a touching exchange of trust, oh and the dagger of the dark one… But, is it really over?  Of course not!  Rumple cannot help his weakness, or his lust for vengeance, thus leading him to make the biggest mistake he possibly could.  Why he truly believes that his continued search for revenge will end in some kind of peace is beyond me.  I mean, look at everything that has come from his poor designs, and now he wants to make another passion filled decision?  Yes, I understand that they are trying to set up for season 4, but if I were the people of the enchanted forest I would not let this guy make another deal as long as he lives.    

The powers of love and magic: A Once Upon a Time Recap

Here we are in Storybrooke with far more questions than answers this week as we dive into the mystery of the missing year.  So far, we know that Zelina is the long lost and forgotten sister of Regina, and her goal is to turn back time and stop Cora from abandoning her.  Pretty clear goal, wouldn’t you say?  Understanding this we can see that she is collecting what she needs, Rumple’s brain, Regina’s heart, Charming’s courage, and Snow’s baby for a recipe for disaster, but why did she bring them to Storybrooke with the dark curse?  Even more important, what did she use to bring them back?  Knowing that you have to sacrifice the heart of the thing you love most, it leaves us to wonder, what does Zelina love?  Perhaps what we should have been asking was did Zelina bring them to Storybrooke or was it the work of someone else?

 

The answers to this lye back in the Enchanted Forest where the Charming’s are preparing to announce their pregnancy in an effort to give the people hope… How a royal brat equals hope is beyond me but there you have it.  Of, course Regina has to be herself and attempt to “poo – poo” their special day, when Belle arrives at the castle to tell the Charming’s what we, the audience already know about Rumple and Neil.  Rumple being alive could be a huge advantage if they can get a clear answer on how to defeat the Wicked Witch out of him, and a quest begins to break into Rumple’s castle.  Because, if there were a witch trying to steal my baby I would totally want to break into the house of the guy who works for her that everyone calls “the dark one.”  Better take Robin Hood along to drool over, I mean for his experience in breaking into the castle.

 

In the castle they find the addle brained Rumple, who tells the foursome of the “good witch” Glenda who has been banished north of the dark forest.  Lots and lots of dark in this episode folks.  The catch to finding Glenda is that your heart must be pure to enter her isolation, which is behind a door, that otherwise leads to nowhere… Yeah, not digging the witches of Oz.  So, naturally Regina can’t go in, but Snow can, and that made me wonder.  We all know Snow killed Cora via dark candle and Regina herself showed Snow the dark speck on her heart, so how can you say Snow’s heart is pure?  Did the creators just miss that factoid?  I digress, Glenda isn’t much help anyway, explaining that only white magic can defeat Zelina, and the Charming’s jump on the “Emma is the savior” bandwagon as they declare that they will cast the dark curse!  See, lots of darkness.

 

Back in Storybrooke, the plot once again engulfs Henry.  Why does every plot line have to end in “Henry is the key to solving every problem land?”  With the adults searching for the book that started it all, thinking that it can help explain his life and make him believe, Henry has decided he is fed up with the crap and wants to head back to New York.  Way to take your ball and go home there Henry!  Thankfully, a sparkly jar of dirt, our scoundrel in residence Captain Hook is glad to attempt to get him out of town.  Save a lot of trouble as Zelina is already breathing down his neck to kiss Emma, peer pressure… what are you going to do?  This leads to another gigantic showdown with the flying monkeys, which makes it easier on Henry to believe that, maybe he isn’t normal…

 

So, we have Henry getting his memories back, Emma showing off some white magic and Zelina getting a taste of what Emma can do, not too shabby but, who cast the curse in the first place.  Well looks like it was the Charming’s, of course.  What’s that you say?  Why couldn’t anyone remember?  Why are they both alive if they loved each other above all else?  Well leave it to the belief that happy endings are real and the writers on the show to hurry through a complicated solution.  With help from Regina, Snow sacrificed Charming’s heart to enact the curse… So how is he still alive?  Well as luck would have it Regina is a magic heart surgeon and following the request of Snow splits Snow’s heart between the two of them.  So sweet I got a cavity, really… But of course all of this is interrupted by Zelina adding the forgetting spell to the dark curse.

Now who sent the potion?  We just saw that Killian couldn’t have gotten it from anyone of the people on the “good guy’s team.”  Once again we are gonna throw a story band aide on it revealing that Rumple and Neil had a brief split and it was Neil… That’s right Killian, go find the love of my life and give her back her memories, make sure to fall madly in love with her and flirt shamelessly!  Ack!  Thank god next week is the finale because it’s getting complicatedly lame… Sparrow Out!  

Secret's of the Mother: A Once Upon A Time Review

I live!  Okay, sorry that it’s taken so long to get back to blogging after a long Easter weekend but I’ve been insanely busy.  So, where were we?  Oh yes, back to Storybrooke Maine as we take a glance at this week’s Once Upon A Time and uncover the truth about Zelina’s past.  Now, it has been said that we can never know our past completely, however no one seems to know any of Zelina’s past.  So to know her we are going to have to go back to the beginning, back to where it all started, back to the youth of Cora, but how?

 

After a beautiful exchange between our favorite sister act, it is revealed that although guarded by the dashingly handsome Robin Hood, Regina’s heart is not as safe as she had planned.  Sadly, magic doesn’t play fair and while distracted by Zelina, Rumple can seize an opportunity to make a move for the heart.  I personally don’t believe the Rumple wanted it this way, still Zelina holds the dagger and being the dark one he will use Robin’s weaknesses against him.  Threatening Roland’s life, Rumple forces our favorite rouge to make a horrible choice, but it is one that Regina understands.  I was actually surprised how calm they made her about the loss, but then again she has been a mother now and understands the value of a child’s life.  There is still a large problem, Zelina now has her heart, but for what or why no one knows.

 

Where do you go in Storybrooke when you have magic questions?  To Mr. Gold’s shop, where we find Regina practically tearing the place apart searching for an answer.  Belle has taken up the task of reading through spell books, but she has also been charged with keeping the shop and Regina destroying it definitely sets her on edge.  It is time Regina faces what she has done to Belle, I mean what’s a few decades of imprisonment among friends right?  Still, her remorse is clear and thus Belle decides that to save rumple she has to put this past behind her.  This is all fine and good, but to be honest I just really want to get back to finding out where Zelina came from, so with the help of the killer candle, Regina decides to call the spirit of her mother for a little heart to err… heart I guess.  Still, what do you say to the mother who was always so cold and manipulative when you find out that she had a love child, and furthermore who the heck is the father?!

 

To find out we have to go back, not only to the Enchanted Forest but to before any of this had come to pass, back to when Cora was simply a miller’s daughter.  Working as a tavern girl on the side, our poor Cora is doped by a fraud claiming to be a prince and gives up her virtue.  Call me crazy, but something tells me there wasn’t much there anyway.  Cora has always been ambitious so I think she was more seduced by the idea of a prince than the actual man.  Still the man leaves her with a “gift” and when she tracks him down, he decides to run out on her… No shock there.  Still a collapsed Cora draws the attention of Prince Leopold, yes Snow White’s father Leopold, and in his good nature he attempts to help our poor lost Cora.  Cora is charming, and soon her whiles are set to work on the future king who in his passions spurns Snow’s mother, whom he was sworn to marry, for the beguiling peasant.  What he does not know is the secret that Cora has been hiding under oversized dresses.

 

In Storybrooke, after a failing to make contact Regina and Snow decide it’s time to air out their feelings of guilt remorse and anger but only seem to arrive at “it’s complicated.”  My, this episode is full of awesome little moments of vulnerability, isn’t it?  Still like all of the sweet or driving little moments, there needs to be some action and that comes in the forms of the spirit of a very pissed off Cora.  Possessing Snow, she uses her to tell her story and it’s not one any Snow fan would want to hear.

 

Now, why with all of the betrayal and deceit would you talk about your secrets in a garden that is part of a castle in the enchanted forest?  Honestly, the fairytale world is so naive.  So when the fraud father of Cora’s soon to be had baby appears and demands blackmail, you know someone’s listening.  Sadly the “who is listening” is more shocking than the “what she heard.”  Spoiled princess Eva, Snow’s future mother, now has the ammunition she needs to get rid of Cora and retake her betrothed.  As Snow’s mother you would think she as to have some integrity right?  Nope.  She practically breaks a shoe running to Leopold who leaves his darling Cora.  No wonder Cora believed love was weakness, it would seem for her it’s toxic.  Not wanting to have to raise Zelina alone, and trying to erase the heart break she leaves her to the woods, so that Cora could have her best chance.  Kind of depressing really, and yet I still say Cora is the bigger monster.

 

So, what has Zelina been up to?  Well, like all stories we have reached the part where the villain reveals her plan to the audience and hers was a doozey.  She wants to go back, all the way back, and take the life that was meant for her by taking Eva out of the picture for good.  That, is going to cause major issues because, well no one really exists, or at least not in the same manner without her.  With the ingredients so far, she has all but one, the Charming’s baby.  So now it’s just a waiting game while we watch and pray our heroes will find a way to defeat the witch before Snow’s water breaks.

 

Not all is dark and dismal however, as our story teller’s wanted to leave us with a hint of on-coming joy.  For all of you Queen Outlaw shippers, like myself, stick around to the end… It will make you smile.               

Aboard the Jolly Rodger: A Once Upon a Time Recap

This week Storybrooke must have been fan girl week as they devoted the entire episode to Captain Hook and his internal struggle with his love for Emma.  Now am I the only one that isn’t turned on by the home wrecker?  I mean, really?  He ran off with rumples wife leaving his son motherless, and then falls for Emma, Balefire’s true love, and despite his fancy for taken women the number of fan girls and shippers are alarming.

This week’s episode was more of a trudge really as we see the return of Ariel and through her we get a small glimpse into the missing year through the only man who remembers, Hook.  It would appear that he spent the year trying to forget Emma… awe, and had become a highway man as his ship seems to have gone missing.  Without woman or ship, he appears to us a drift in a sea of comrades, it’s not like they don’t care… they did buy him a whore.  Still Hook, has lost his identity as a fierce pirate, the good in him begs him to become a hero and without an anchor he feels torn and strewn upon strange tides.  What kind of evil pirate can he be without even a ship?!  And what has become of the Jolly Rodger anyway?  I mean a ship that size would take an awful lot to conceal, even in the enchanted forest.  Thankfully, for this forlorn, ship less, sailor Ariel comes crashing (quite literally) into his life with a clue.

So after Pan was defeated and everyone returned to the enchanted forest so that Emma could get a new start with Henry, Ariel somehow lost her prince.  They must be really easy to misplace is that world.  In her travels she came across a crew man of Eric’s who told her that the Captain of the Jolly Rodger had taken them hostage and that he had only escaped with the help of a stole dagger that he relinquished as the sole clue to this mystery.  Now, Hook is the Captain, however Hook doesn’t have Eric so who does?  Black Beard, because we need more one hit characters on this show, I was kind of hoping for Sparrow.  Any way you slice it, Ariel has a lead on the location of the Jolly Rodger and Hook’s salvation of his rouge pirate life, even though that may not be who he is anymore.

In our world, or Storybrooke, Ariel has washed up on the beach and everyone is turning to Hook for answers, because he supposedly remembers, although he’s always vague on his memories.  I’m getting the feeling this is incredibly forced because he flat out lies about knowing Ariel or what’s become of Eric.  Instead he decides to lead them all on a bit of a goose chase or cloak chase as they spread locator potion on Eric’s cloak that had been stored at Mr. Gold’s.  Oh yeah, by the way, while all of this is happening Regina is training Emma in magic and Charming fails to teach Henry to drive…

So where is Eric?  Well, when the group finally catches up with Black Beard in the enchanted forest, it is revealed that he is being held ransom on a random island that only Black Beard knows of.  And what, pray tell, is the ransom?  How about the captaincy of the Jolly Rodger, something that Hook just cannot give up now that he is so close to getting his life back, or at least what used to be his life.  Now, we have all see the goodness in Hook and Ariel pleads with him to show it and to spare Black Beard so that she can find her prince.  Unfortunately, when Hook hurts, he kind of wants everyone around him to hurt, and with that he plunges Black Beard into the shark infested waters below.

In Storybrooke, the cloak leads to the water and the assumed watery grave of Eric.  There are no words to comfort Ariel save the truth as Hook desperately tries for redemption.  In an attempt at swearing his apology he swears on the name of his true love, Emma.  Why don’t they understand the powers of a name?  Well turns out Ariel actually is the wicked witch in disguise, shocker there…  What is tragic?  This time she has torn someone’s world asunder as she curses Hook’s kiss.  Now when he kisses his true love he will strip her of all power.  Sounds easy enough to avoid right?  Well not with the witch threating to kill Emma’s child and parents if he doesn’t.  So all you Hook/Emma fans… What now?!            

Witch Fight: A Once Upon a Time Recap

Emotional wasn’t even the word to describe my Sunday nights T.V. experience that kicked off with this week’s Once Upon a Time.  This week we delve into the world of Oz to get a look at what made Zelina into the “Wicked Witch,” in a little yarn that anyone with a sister can take to heart.  On the other side of it, we get to see Oz, which seemed a little lack luster to me.  Forgive me, but I always look for opulence when I think of Oz.

So in the beginning, much to the dismay of “Wicked” fans everywhere, it would appear that Zelina was not born green.  Although, it would also appear that tornado is not as uncommon a form of transportation as Dorothy would lead us to believe.  Zelina, herself appeared in the Land of Oz as a cyclone riding infant blessed with magic.  Now, if you were tromping through the woods on your way to the emerald city and found a baby who had been dropped by a cyclone, would you take it home?  No let’s say right away she shows signs of magic, still interested?

Well while you ponder the ramifications of taking home a magical baby let’s take a moment to remember Neil or Bay or whomever you knew him as.  He is a presence that will surely be missed amongst the cast.  Good night sweet darling, and now everyone on team hook/swan can gloat.  Speaking of gloating, Zelina isn’t going to pass this chance at turning the dagger a little deeper into poor Rumple’s heart.  Why is she so angry with him?

The answer to that question lies in the past, in Oz.  After being spurned by her drunk of an adopted father for her wickedness she decides to set out to ask the wizard of Oz about her past and the family she’s longed for.  Man all these quest start out good don’t they?  The wizard thankfully does have answers for the lovely Zelina and provides her a look into the family she had been born for, along with the knowledge she was abandoned for not being “able to provide Cora a way to power.”  This still doesn’t tell us who her father is, so there is that mystery still out there, but more importantly she is shown Regina.  More importantly that Regina can perform magic, just like her and that Rumple is trying to teach her and that it’s not going well.  Now, Zelina has huge character flaws and I’m thinking that along with envy, vanity is a huge one as she sets out with the help of magic shoes to convince rumple that he needs to be teaching her.

Now in Storybrooke things shaping up to a very western show down, no really, she wants to square off for a duel at sun set.  Now, we have to remember that Regina doesn’t remember that Zelina is her half-sister, a realization that will rock her to the very foundation of who she is when she discovers that a letter that she has kept for comfort was about Zelina the whole time.  Now, every moment of solace and comfort she had received from a letter calling Cora’s first born strongest and stunning has become a lie.  Her confidence was all but crushed and seems to gravitate to Robin for comfort.  Ah let’s take a moment to think about our dreamy woodland dweller, okay that’s quite enough.  The part that I think is the most hilarious, Henry seems oblivious to all this bizarre behavior, but I’m sure you’d be distracted too is Captain Hook wanted to take you sailing and tries to be all big brother on ya.

So, if Zelina is so powerful why did Rumple use Regina for the curse?  Wouldn’t it be more prudent to use the clearly more powerful witch?  Well the hitch of the curse is the desires of the witch, to activate the dark curse you need to destroy the heart of the thing they love most.  And, what Zelina loves most at that time was Rumple, the only person who didn’t turn her away.  Rumple had become her happy moment, her “meat pie.”  For that reference you got to watch the show.  Now, I’m sure you Rumple needs his “heart” to find his son, the whole reason for casting the curse in the first place so a catch that lands him on the chopping block is kind of out of the question.  The saddest part is that if Zelina had only realized what she had from the beginning this whole show would never have happened.  You see the slippers or shoe’s she used to get to the enchanted forest could have given rumple everything he ever wanted, a way to a land without magic.  Unfortunately an angry witch is hard on favors and Rumple is left with only a warning, one that seems to be coming true every episode.

Rejection is not Zelina’s strong suit and rejection from the Dark One, from the man who had become your happiness is too much for our wicked sister.  In all her heart all she wants is everything Regina is, and it’s turning her green with envy, quite literally.  What fuel for a delicious duel as the two foes square off at the cross roads of Storybrooke, and the fight is nothing but electric.  It was actually really funny for me to watch given my relationship with my own little sister, although I’m not sure our battle royal would end up with my sister trying to rip my heart out or me flying off on a broom.  Thankfully, it is Regina’s wit that saves the day, taking Cora’s advice to “never take your heart to a witch fight.”

So where is her heart, well here is where they hit you right in the feels.  She has entrusted her prized possession into the hands of a dashing thief.  Excuse me while I try to rip out my heart and offer it to a sexy forest dweller.  Yeah, I’m really hoping this doesn’t bite Regina in the ass, but I’m sure it will make Tinkerbelle less bitchy.

Just when you think they are going to leave it on a touchy feely not we get five minutes to blow the episode to hell, or back to Oz, which ever works best for you.  Zelina has decided to once again face the wizard and demand a way to go back to the past and undo Regina.  That’s the evil plot this time folks, Zelina wants to undo everything and everyone, permanently.  The problem is she needs help no problem right?  The wiz can totally pull this off… until you figure out the wizard is Walsh.  Yes, that Walsh from the beginning.  Well that was disappointing for everyone that was hoping it would be Rumple again.  In fact he’s even more of a little whiner if that’s possible… Fingers crossed that next week gives us less whine and more fine *couch* Robin Hood *couch*              

Good night sweet one: A Once Recap

I don’t know what my TV was thinking Sunday night, but I took a serious hit right in the “feels.”  Kicking things off with Once Upon a Time, I feel like this episode was supposed to inspire the idea of “it’s always darkest before the dawn.”  In the midst of the discovery of rumples return, we go back to Storybrooke to get the answer to another blazing question, “where is Neil?”

We open our story with the search for Rumple in the places that would have the strongest clues; Mr. Gold’s shop which is now being cared for by Belle, the old farmhouse the witch had hidden him in, and even the woods themselves.  Sadly, to poke around the shop they have to tell Belle that the love of her life may still be alive but they aren’t sure where.  How heart breaking to not know.  Just like Emma’s question about where Neil has disappeared to.  Belle, however may have a longer wait than Emma, as Neil comes crashing through the backdoor of Gold’s shop.

So where has Neil been, well to answer that we must go back to the Enchanted Forest, a whole year ago.  Balefire and Belle decide to leave the group and head for Rumple’s castle in hopes of saving him and finding a way back to our world.  Ever the little researcher Belle decides to hit the books in the library that Rumple built for her, where she meets Lumiere, a soul who promises to help them locate the vault of the dark one where they can conjure Rumple back to life.  What seems to be an imprisoned soul to help them, turns out to be another pawn in the game of the wicked witch.  His purpose is to lead them to the vault that houses the dark one and convince Neil to use the key to release Rumple.  Unfortunately for Neil, there is always a price to magic, and this one will be very hard to pay.  The rules of the vault are simple; one for one, so in order to release Rumple Neil must sacrifice his life and is taken in by Rumple.  This is why Rumple has been suffering, his mind has been clouded by both he and Neil’s thoughts. 

Back in Storybrooke, things seem to be heating up as Regina and Robin finally have their introduction in our world and it is electric.  How she can resist that face is completely beyond m, still they meet in front of the old farm house, both looking for clues as to her identity and locations.  Between the witty banter, closeness and half smiles, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife.  This is delicious until Regina sees the lion tattoo and then, everything falls to place and then to pieces.  Regina cannot allow herself to be happy, it’s too scary to let go of anger and hate… and even scarier with a beating heart in her chest.

This episode’s progression was definitely more in Storybrooke than the Enchanted Forest, as we see each of our favorite people both coming to terms with horrible truths and that you may not be able to stop destiny.  Neil decides that he needs to take this time to tell Emma that she will always be in his heart.  It feels like a kind of goodbye as he tells her that all he wants is her to find Tallahase, even if he can’t be a part of it.

As any Once fan I sat on the edge of my seat, praying, crying and ripping my hair out that Rumple would find a way.  After all this time, all the searching throughout the seasons, Rumple must now hold his son for the very last time.  In that moment, there was so much love, kindness, and forgiveness of all the past mistakes.  The vault must have its price and with a tear filled good bye, we lay our sweet one to rest.

With Rumple’s mind now free of Neil, he can tell the group that Snow’s own midwife is the incarnate of the wicked witch.  It is a short lived victory however, with Rumple’s head now clear the dagger once again controls him, and effectively so does the witch.  That means it’s time to go back to his cell a little more lost, as are we all with this loss.  It is a horrible thing to lose someone, but to lose a person so strongly connected to everyone’s life is devastating.  Perhaps the worst, Neil laid his life down for a chance to get back to a son that can’t remember him.

So what now Once?  Well Snow is only going to get rounder as we press on to the due date of Storybrooke’s newest price or princess.  It’s becoming painfully obvious that her baby is crucial to whatever the witch has planned.  My question, why does everyone in these stories want a freakin baby?!  I have a baby, and yes they are rewarding, but seriously why you want to take on someone else’s waking up every two hours…. Seems like a curse to me.             

Facing the fear with your own face: Once upon a time recap

This week on Once Upon a Time, we learn a few things both to advance the story and to take with us in our everyday life. This episode was circled around fear, and the choice face it or to let it control your life, what story will be used for this vessel? Tonight we meet one of the newer princesses to the disney family but, a story whose roots find themselves deep in our fairytale existence, Rapunzel.

In the enchanted forest Charming is having nightmares about the prospect of being a father all over again since losing Emma twice. I’d have to say I’d be a bit gun shy too. After a drink and a tale by Robin, Charming decides to go into Sherwood Forest to find the elusive night root. The fabled night root is said to remove all your fears once consumed, but Rapunzel’s cry for help distracts our hero from eating the purple crystal encrusted root. For a man consumed by fear, he sure is able to put it past him to help someone in need.

After climbing up the tower, and a brief introduction, he finds out that Rapunzel has been trapped in the tower by a hooded witch. More importantly however, is the revelation that she has tried the root and the fear did not leave her, in fact it is stronger than ever and now she has a which keeping her from her land and family. However crushing the disappointment, Charming promises to help Rapunzel escape the hood scourge.

Here is where the lesson comes into play, for the hooded figure has Rapunzel’s face. She is the embodiment of Rapunzel’s fears and insecurities that are keeping her from being the leader her people need her to be. In a bit of a predictable twist her hair has come to represent a binding fear and to vanquish the witch she must cut her hair as Charming and the witch dangle helplessly from it. This is obviously a fight that only she can win and thankfully she takes the chance causing her curse to be lifted and allowing her and Charming to return to their families free from their fears.

So how does this story apply to the real world? Well once again Charming will have to defeat the night root, but this time the fears that he has to face is his own. The big question, how do you get night root in Storybrooke Maine? From Mr Gold’s safe of course. Posing as her assumed identity, the wicked witch is able to dupe Belle into leaving her alone in Gold’s shop so she can brake into his secret safe. Is it just me or was that way to easy? I mean I know they have a lot to pack into an hour but, it seems like the villain can move through the town with out notice or consequence.

As Mary Margret and David Nolen’s mid wife, the witch has all but solidified a strong hold in the town and a direct line to the child of Snow and Charming, which is what I believe is her ultimate goal. This is how David/Charming comes in contact with night root as it is fed to him by the benevolent appearing hands of the midwife in a cup of tea.

Now why would the witch want David’s fears to confront him? It all comes down to courage. She uses his facing his fears through courage to steal a totem, his sword. So, as the episode comes to an end, the witch has courage and a “mad” rumple who I think is the symbol of wisdom… is the next episode the heart?

Lord help the sister: A Once Upon a Time review

Toto, I don’t think we are in a plot line that makes sense anymore. So, last week on Once Upon a Time we were given a glimpse of the newest threat and curse to Storybrooke Maine, Oz’s very own “Wicked Witch.” Clearly our beloved writers are running out of viable options in the classics, but what made me really chuckle is that any Drop Dead Diva fan was probably busting a gut at the fact that the witch is played by Lady Robin, a Dominatrix who made a one episode appearance. Got to love when you recognize small parts from different shows. In addition to the forgetting, people seem to be also disappearing which has set in a panic.

The obsticale this week is getting into the Queen’s captured castle in the enchanted forest as in the real world the cursed Queen tries to deal with Henry’s lack of recognition and a desperate attempt to find out what has happened. Needless to say everyone believes she has something to do with the “lost year” save the “charming family.” This broken form of Regina’s is actually upsetting to me, I have a soft spot for mothers being a single mother myself. I don’t think you can understand her raw performance without putting your heart into your child and having them walk away from you. I have problems being away from my son for longer than a day, a year… or a lifetime would kill me.

With Robin Hood in tow, Regina attempts to enter the castle through a system of under ground tunnels. It’s here that we learn that the death of Marion was Robin’s fault and that he is also dealing with serious losses but, Regina’s martyer complex keeps her from really seeing his comfort. The that man looks, I’d let him comfort me… maybe a few times. The other side of that, however people who think that you should just move forward and live for something else annoys me. I’m a griever, I need to be able to wallow sometimes and the plucky little “pick yourself up” speeches always seem to make me want to retreat further. Aparently, I share this trait with Regina who decides that she wants to put herself under a sleeping curse because being in hell is better than feeling the loss of know you can never hold your child.

In the real world, Emma and Regina make an aliance at first to recreate the memory potion that Hook had. When this is drastically unsuccessful, they move to a ruse in order to smoke out the curse caster who is going around posing as a mid wife in order to get closer to Snow. Meanwhile in the tradition of Storybrooke, we find that this time when you leave the city line you are swept up by flying monkies. Seriously, why would you even try leaving anymore? Something bad always happens… In this instance you don’t just get attacked by a flying simian, you may even turn into one as was demonstraighted bythe lovely “Little John.”

The chemistry between Robin and the Queen is seriously delicious. I can’t even believe it. I think it’s because the way she talks to him is how I treat men that I like, could you imagine what I do to the douche caps I hate… I think it is the common grief they feel that makes them play off each other so well. Then again, if you ever want to see sparks between two people, have a serious exchange between powerful witches. From the moment they meet Regina and the Witch are practically throwing daggers at each other, and it isn’t long before we find out why, they are half sisters.

So, here’s where I think this is going. I’m seeing that yes they are sisters, both daughters of Cora, but who is the witches father. She has revealed that she knows of Rumplestiltskin, and Cora did have a contract. I know that she did try to screw him out of a baby… But, what if? What if she is his illegitimate daughter with Cora and he took her to Oz in his traveling of the realms. Perhaps, he is the wizard of Oz! That would make Neil her half brother… Then again we don’t even know where Neil is at the moment. It almost feels like this episode has more questions than answers, we still don’t know what the base of this curse is, and what it is meant for, we don’t know how to break it, we don’t know what the witch truly wants aside from destroying Regina, or even what’s happened in the past year.

In the end we get a few little morsels of foreshadowing, information, and joy. Regina decides she wants to stay awake finding a will to live in the desire to destroy her half sister. Although, I think that hair pin with the poison on it will come back to haunt her… And most shocking of all is the return of Rumple although I believe that whatever was of gold in him has now been eaten away by a serious case of madness. It’s nice to see my favorite creeper but, if I’m going to be honest I demand more Robin Hood!

Something wicked this way comes: A Once Upon a Time Recap

Once came back in full fantasy glory after its mid-season break as prince Philip rides gallantly to dramatic music.  Turns out a very pregnant and very hungry Arora is waiting on him to have lunch, wa wa wa….  It does however set up some great background to everyone getting back to the enchanted forest.  Is it just me or does Snow look better with the extremely short boy cut, and why is it Regina looks way better in modern clothes than the fantastic out fits of the enchanted forest.  Don’t get me wrong she looks amazing but, there is totally something more appealing to the power suit.

Now getting away from all the shock for a moment, remember Emma had just been kissed by Hook, no I’m not a fan of hook swan spit swapping.  Apparently, Emma wasn’t either because she has herself a steady fella in the new life she’s created, Walsh played but Christopher Gorham.  Who is this guy?  Well that plagued me too; the face was so familiar that it got in the way of the episode at first.  Now, think Ugly Betty, a show I miss all the time and wish had never been canceled, suddenly it all fell into place.  He used to be Betty’s nerdy “love of her life” accountant until he became a father and the story line didn’t pan out.  She ended up with a better catch in my opinion.

Back to the story Walsh and Emma sit down to a special dinner and he’s practically vomiting “I Love You’s” all over the table.  Emma still off somewhere in her head and reeling from her encounter with hook is almost a drift, think lonely blonde balloon.  Walsh excuses himself for a moment and in his place sits hook to try once more to get Emma to listen to reason.  Before he is rushed off with Emma’s denial he slips her Neil’s address as a way to prove that he’s telling the truth.  As if that’s not enough on her plate Walsh proposes with an ice cream sundae, not very original but, what are you gonna do right?  Emma asks for time, I’m going to go with that’s not really going to work out.
Back in the enchanted forest, the new arrivals decide that they will head for Regina’s castle and from there repair the kingdoms as a united front.  Arora and Philip offer Snow and Charming horses and aide to be able to reach the castle, still between a few people there is a definite apprehensions. 

Balefire and Hook have their own agendas to work.  Hook is going after the Jolly Rodger and eventually Emma.  Let’s be real, he’s never going to stop traipsing after Bale’s girl.  Balefire or Neil has a similar idea, but his involves trying to get back his father and find a way back to the real world.  Man Emma can inspire men to do just about anything.

Still not all is right in the enchanted forest, as our lovely band of merry characters trek onward to the castle.  As soon as they leave Arora reveals there is a “she” or “her” that has taken control of this land.  Arora has every intention of alerting this ominous presence much to Philips dismay.  The problem with fighting with a pregnant woman, they will always push their stomachs ahead of them.  That is just what our ex sleeping beauty does, in an ugly move she convinces Philip that if they do not rat out their old allies then the new force of evil will take it out upon their unborn child.  Heh, she’s probably right actually….

Back in the present, or our world, Emma is pledged by thoughts of Hook.  The curiosity burns inside her until she goes the address, Neil’s apartment, and sees the dream catcher and Henry’s camera.  If the memories were true that couldn’t have happened.  Instead of believing in Hook, Emma decides to set him up and has him arrested for assault.  That’s right drag the pirate dressed guy in eyeliner to the clink, this should be interesting.

In the enchanted forest, Regina has retreated back to her old ways and has decided that she must again burry her heart because it’s better than living with the pain of losing Henry.  As a mother I could never imagine saying goodbye to my son forever and to be honest if I could never hold him again I’d rip my heart out myself.  Snow, always being miss “work through your feelings” convinces her that feeling nothing at all isn’t worth it.  That would have been a great bonding moment if it wasn’t for the freaking flying monkey that comes tearing out of the bushes.

After some serious swooping and scratching, the pair is saved by Robin Hood and his Merry Men.  Hey look, she finally met the man with the lion tattoo, thanks Tinkerbelle, better late than never right?  I wouldn’t count Regina’s interaction as love struck though more like I seriously dislike you but you have a hot body.  I suppose it would be better if he didn’t “smell like forest.”

Sprung from the brig, Emma meets Hook at the jail.  He seems a little shaken and I would be too if a police officer tried to force feed me “Bologna.”  That just sounds incredibly dirty doesn’t it?  Not as bizarre as someone who has been force fed lunch meat offering you magic potions.  I guess it’s a good thing that the potion worked isn’t it?  It allows Emma to remember everything which spells tragedy for Walsh.  I don’t think you can marry someone based on false memories of a life unlived can you?  Well Walsh isn’t that upset, or rather Walsh isn’t real.  Walsh is a flying monkey that has had a disguise spell cast on him.  That’s right a flying monkey, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Emma has slept with that flying monkey… 

Back in the enchanted forest the team manages to make it to the castle, only to find that there is a spell on it not allowing them in.  In her anger Regina makes goldilocks references and veiled threats of violence.  Man, I thought having a heart would have made her relax, you know like insta-zanex.  No?  Well then let’s take this woman ruffing it!  At least that’s where I thought this was all going.

Emma returns to Story Brooke and finds her parents, Snow and Charming.  So much for being put back in the Enchanted Forest forever right?  Here’s the kick, they don’t know how it happened or why but they are back and cannot remember the last year of their lives.  However, they probably should start thinking long and hard about it, because Snow is very pregnant. 

The end of the episode reveals what most of us already figured out a long time ago, the presence in the enchanted forest is the wicked witch of the west.  There is an ominous potion in a bottle that glows as the monkey that attacked Regina adds a drop of her blood.  The episode sums up what I’ve always known, “wicked always wins.”