Well, that was boring. I was so excited after last week’s premiere, so of course they barely focused on the most interesting parts of the previous week. We barely got to see MM, Emma and our two Disney princesses this week. I get why they did it, and they tried to make the short screen time they had interesting as MM and Emma are now stuck with Regina’s mother. But honestly, who wasn’t expecting Regina’s mother to show up somewhere at the end? The episode felt more like filler and with so many potentially fascinating stories and new characters that are supposed to show up, did we really need another Regina back story episode? Did we really need Charming straining his pretty little mind to try to come up with a plan that ultimately added up to keep calm and carry on?
Regina’s flashback told us a bunch of things we already knew about her, but we did find out that she banished her mother with Rumplestiltskin’s help and was presumably going to be tutored by him. I didn’t find Regina all that sympathetic last season but now they’re really trying to make me feel sorry for her. However, all the terrible things she’s done over the years cancel out that scared, innocent Regina. I know this is a fairy tale and they are always more screwed up than they seem, but stuff like locking Belle in a dungeon if she had further use for her or forcing Graham to sleep with her isn’t okay. I don’t want a redemption storyline with her; I wouldn’t believe it and there’s not a better villain around. On a shallow note her outfits, especially her riding wear, were fantastic.
Obviously all of Regina’s sneaky, underhanded ways are nature not nurture though. Henry is terrible at stealth, and I expected Regina to be waiting for him outside with one raised eyebrow, because seriously? Instead, branches had to shoot out and violently grab him, and with her coercing him to go with her in the first place, it was pretty disgusting. And I did like the scene where she told Henry she loved him and didn’t want to force him to do anything. It was a great parallel between her and her mother but it wasn’t enough.
What I did love in this episode were the little plots and interactions between the town. I loved Ruby quietly taking a leadership role, backing Charming and trying to keep everything in control. More of her, always. I was glad someone started looking for beautiful Eion Bailey who I would definitely welcome on the show again because he is beautiful. I love Sebastian Stan showing up and talking and being crazy as he is so good at it. This feels like Lost, where sometimes one character’s episode would fall flat or the story would get too convoluted, but there was always little moments between the characters that made me hold on. My favorite scene was the seven dwarves going to look for fairy dust to revive Sneezy. It was like the C plot, but that little moment was way more inspiring than David’s speech. Even if Sneezy did want to sacrifice a poor turtle. Also, Dr. Whale wants to know if the nuns are still nuns or if they can date. Is hitting on magic fairies better than nuns? Oh, and he doesn’t want them to know it was him asking. I cannot deal with him being so adorable and looking so like Mr. Sark in his nice, non doctor clothes.
The Rumpelstiltskin stuff made no sense to me. What was he trying to do? I tend to relate everything he does to Belle or his son because I guess I like him all vulnerable and emotional instead of gold and lizardy. So I thought he either wanted to find his son or take Belle and run away where they could be happy and he wouldn’t disappoint her. Anyway, I didn’t really care because I didn’t get his motives. Sometimes being in the dark is good but sometimes it’s too confusing and I hate build up because I don’t trust the show to follow through.
Also, David was around and he tried. He mentioned that Snow was the talker and he was fighter, but isn’t Snow a better fighter too? I mean, she didn’t do her best this episode, but Charming seems like his skills are mostly luck, so I’d pick Snow to fight too.
What did you think of this week’s episode? I’m looking forward to next week because I’m excited to get to know the Others. Lancelot is a lot better than Ana Lucia.
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This ep was Ok I did want to know more about Snow and where they were at and how is it all still there . I did like the Scenes with PC and Henry . Also I ship Ruby & Whale so much Give me them show now. . I liked how the Town came together for each other .ITA about Regina kept her the Big Bad that where she should stay at I do not want her to be Water down I would also Love to see the Other Witches / Bad Guys are at and what are they going to do with the town and Regina.. . I also wanted to know what Mr.Gold out side of town it has to be about his Son + Love Gold and Belle . WHO IS WHALE I WANT TO KNOW ?
DR. WHALE. I need to know too! I believe we're supposed to find out this month. I've heard everything from Frankenstein, Peter Pan and King Arthur to Mushu from Mulan. But I'm pretty sure that last one is a joke. Unless...
Well I guess I'll have to disagree - this was amongst the best episodes in this show yet, right there with Red-Handed, Stable Boy, Heart of Darkness and Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.
I liked seeing David/Charming struggle. His FTL person was such an utopian hero with nigh any flaws that its fascinating to see just how different David/Charming is from both David and Charming and imo it helps to establish the main point Charming was trying to make - both lives are equally real and make everyone who they are today, which strengthens the already awesome storyline that Regina had this episode.
Regina's story is fascinating and I strongly disagree about her having to "keep" a big bad status - she never really took it herself. It was forced upon her by plans and actions of other people, as well as circumstances. So far Rumple looks like a far more of a badguy than Regina, because Regina at least seems to be capable of regretting her actions, while Rumple just gets angry at consequence and then does it again.
I strongly disagree about Regina's nature being evil - again and again through the first season we have seen that Regina was shaped by events around her and that the young Regina was not evil, We saw a good and nice strong woman loosing what she loved the most and being manipulated into a role of vengeance, that made her feel even worse. We have seen that she is affected by Henry and his existence and we have seen her walls, for first time in long time, since Daniel's death, to crumble as she chose her son over the curse in the finale.
We even had a parallel in a Heart of Darkness that showed just how easily Snow White could travel the same path and in OUAT nothing is white and black, good and evil - this show, after all, is all about subverting fairytale expectations and bringing a little bit of gray morality into it all. The only way to assume that Regina's "nature" is evil is to ignore the entire brilliant first season..
Yeah, I think we view the show differently, so it's cool to have two different perspectives.
Re: David, I think Charming is sort of bumbling and useless no matter where he is. I tend to not like having a main focus on him, but I do think his and Henry's scenes will be cute next week.
And about Regina, the nature comment was more of a joke, but I disagree with your view of her. I'm not saying she can't change, but she definitely does have big bad status. It doesn't really matter what circumstances surrounded her, she wasn't forced to do anything. She choose to act evilly again and again. A lot of fairytales play into the archetype of the suffering hero who doesn't falter even under insurmountable odds. So, yes, just about any character could choose a dark path, but Regina is the one who did. And even if she stumbled onto the path unwillingly she stayed there, and I'd say some of her actions went way beyond venegance and were just sensless and cruel.
I'm not sure whether her or Gold is more evil but to me it's just more clear that he is acting from a place of weakness and fear.
I actually really did like seeing Charming take the role of leader. You sort of saw the confusion between his Charming side and Prince side, and ultimately got to see him being a Prince in the normal world. I like it.
I'm intrigued by the idea of finding more history between Rumplestiltskin and Regina, although I will agree that it's a bit disappointing to have Regina all redemptiony. She is just so awesome as a villain. Remember when she KILLED GRAHAM?
The one redemptive thing about her IS Henry, but considering that she has lied to him, made him feel crazy, and controlled him...I don't know, I still like her more as villain. Guess we'll see where it goes. She and Rumple are both the most interesting things about this show, so further developing their characters is a plus IMO.
Yeah, she is a crucial character so I always like learning more about her, even if it's not the best episode.
Of course I remember when she killed Grahman! R.I.P Wolf man!
Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who love Regina as the villian, she can have all the good qualities she wants, but if she wants to do evil stuff then she'll continue being evil.
I agree with you that my favorite part of this episode where the other people storylines, Red was the best one. She's kicking ass just like granny.
And yes! Someone has to look for August, I can't stand the agony of not knowing what's going to happen with him. Now that he's back to his puppet self everything is going to be much more interesting; I just want the operation Cobra team back togheter again, I loved his interactions with Henry and Emma. And Geppeto, the poor guy wanted an emotional reunion too; at least Henry told him about August, because that was bothering me, everyone is too busy fo Geppeto.