"All magic comes with a price."
No matter who tells it, what minor changes are made, such as which actors get the gig, hairstyles, time period, etc, the story of Cinderella will always be a rags to riches tale. However, it is not the traditional story that Once Upon a Time chooses to tell in this segment, but rather the how it happened and what happens after the "happily ever after" we all know. Thus, ultimately changing all that we know about Cinderella.
Yes, there is a fairy godmother, glass slippers, and a ball with a handsome prince. However, Cinderella's--or should I say Ella's--story of soon-to-be pumpkin to gold-plated carriage is interrupted by Rumplestitskin's sudden appearance. He implodes the fairy godmother into her own dust before proceeding to bribe Ella into signing a contract that will give her her happy ending while entitling him to a small, yet valuable possession. Ella signs the contract blindly, only seeing her wonderful future. However, as her happy ending is reaching the point we all know, Rumplestitskin surprises her with another visit, reminding her of their deal, only this time, he reveals his price--Cinderella's first born. He'll be back to collect in 9 months.
No matter who tells it, what minor changes are made, such as which actors get the gig, hairstyles, time period, etc, the story of Cinderella will always be a rags to riches tale. However, it is not the traditional story that Once Upon a Time chooses to tell in this segment, but rather the how it happened and what happens after the "happily ever after" we all know. Thus, ultimately changing all that we know about Cinderella.
Yes, there is a fairy godmother, glass slippers, and a ball with a handsome prince. However, Cinderella's--or should I say Ella's--story of soon-to-be pumpkin to gold-plated carriage is interrupted by Rumplestitskin's sudden appearance. He implodes the fairy godmother into her own dust before proceeding to bribe Ella into signing a contract that will give her her happy ending while entitling him to a small, yet valuable possession. Ella signs the contract blindly, only seeing her wonderful future. However, as her happy ending is reaching the point we all know, Rumplestitskin surprises her with another visit, reminding her of their deal, only this time, he reveals his price--Cinderella's first born. He'll be back to collect in 9 months.
Afraid of what will happen and of disappointing her new husband, Ella decides to run. She tells her husband, Thomas, about her deal with Rumplestiltskin and why she must leave: her happy ending will be over. However, Thomas is not so easy to give up. So they devise a plan with the help of Prince Charming and Snow White: make a second deal with Rumplestiltskin, and when he signs the dotted line with a magic quill, his powers will be frozen, long enough to imprison him in the cage we first saw him in.
Luckily for them, Rumplestiltskin's greed gets in the way of his thinking and he signs only to realize too late what's been done. He threatens that he will get her baby no matter where she is, no matter if she's in Fairy Tale Land or elsewhere. This concerns Ella. She wonder's if they did the right thing. I mean, after all, all magic comes with a price, and they just used some serious magic. However, Thomas assures her all is well again and not to worry, but then Thomas disappears. Where's he go? Did someone take him? Will she see him again? Is this the price of their magic?
Luckily for them, Rumplestiltskin's greed gets in the way of his thinking and he signs only to realize too late what's been done. He threatens that he will get her baby no matter where she is, no matter if she's in Fairy Tale Land or elsewhere. This concerns Ella. She wonder's if they did the right thing. I mean, after all, all magic comes with a price, and they just used some serious magic. However, Thomas assures her all is well again and not to worry, but then Thomas disappears. Where's he go? Did someone take him? Will she see him again? Is this the price of their magic?
In Storybrooke, Cinderella's life hasn't been as fabulous as her fairy tale counterpart. Actually, it seems she's gone backward in time. Now she is Ashley Boyd, a 9-month pregnant maid with a stepmother, two step-sisters, and an estranged boyfriend. She's made a deal with Mr. Gold to sell her baby because no one thinks she can raise it on her own.
Yet, it's not long before she crosses paths with Emma who convinces her that this decision is her own. If she wants the baby, she should have it. She's the only one who can change her life. And so, Ashley takes Emma's advice, breaks into Mr. Gold's pawnshop to steal their contract, and then skips town.
Now it's Mr. Gold's turn to come to Emma. He knows she can track Ashley down. And so, in vague terms, convinces Emma to find Ashley and bring her back so that he can retrieve what rightfully belongs to him.
Along the way, Emma realizes (i.e. is told) that it's the baby that Mr. Gold is after. And because of Mr. Gold's trusting, delightfully sweet character, Emma's purpose is changed: She cannot let Mr. Gold get that baby.
Yet, it's not long before she crosses paths with Emma who convinces her that this decision is her own. If she wants the baby, she should have it. She's the only one who can change her life. And so, Ashley takes Emma's advice, breaks into Mr. Gold's pawnshop to steal their contract, and then skips town.
Now it's Mr. Gold's turn to come to Emma. He knows she can track Ashley down. And so, in vague terms, convinces Emma to find Ashley and bring her back so that he can retrieve what rightfully belongs to him.
Along the way, Emma realizes (i.e. is told) that it's the baby that Mr. Gold is after. And because of Mr. Gold's trusting, delightfully sweet character, Emma's purpose is changed: She cannot let Mr. Gold get that baby.
With Ashley getting closer and closer to Storybrooke's city limits, the race is on to catch up to her because no one can leave or else "bad things will happen." But, of course, the writers wouldn't actually hurt Cinderella, right?
Emma finds Ashley in time, albeit in a ditch and in labor, and drives her to the hospital. While there, Mr. Gold gets wind that Ashley is having her baby and he's come to collect. Nevertheless, with her change of heart, Emma does the one thing that can stop this deal: she makes another one...with Mr. Gold.
He's pleased with this new contract but unsure what he wants out of it. So he leaves it as a favor she'll owe him. Someday he'll collect, and we can all bet it won't be something as small and innocent as a child.
Oh, and you better keep a watchful eye on that scruffy town sheriff. Boring council meeting with the mayor....yeah, right.
Emma finds Ashley in time, albeit in a ditch and in labor, and drives her to the hospital. While there, Mr. Gold gets wind that Ashley is having her baby and he's come to collect. Nevertheless, with her change of heart, Emma does the one thing that can stop this deal: she makes another one...with Mr. Gold.
He's pleased with this new contract but unsure what he wants out of it. So he leaves it as a favor she'll owe him. Someday he'll collect, and we can all bet it won't be something as small and innocent as a child.
Oh, and you better keep a watchful eye on that scruffy town sheriff. Boring council meeting with the mayor....yeah, right.
Burning Questions:
1) What does Rumple need with the fairy’s wand?
2) What is Rumple’s fetish with babies? It fits with his original character but not his Once character.
3) When is Henry’s birthday? If Emma had him when she was 18 and she just turned 28 how is Henry already 10? Just a slip up in writing or something else…?
4) How is Ruby/Red and Ashley/Cinderella connected in Fairy Tale Land? Friends then or just now?
5) As in every episode, what is the “bad thing” that can happen if anyone tries to leave? Is the "bad thing" specific to fairy tale character or always the same? What are the parameters of the curse?
6) How awful would it be to be 9 months pregnant for 28 years?
7) What was/is Henry’s code name for Emma?
8) And ultimately, what will Mr. Gold want when he cashes in his deal/favor with Emma?
Until next time...
~ Taryn
1) What does Rumple need with the fairy’s wand?
2) What is Rumple’s fetish with babies? It fits with his original character but not his Once character.
3) When is Henry’s birthday? If Emma had him when she was 18 and she just turned 28 how is Henry already 10? Just a slip up in writing or something else…?
4) How is Ruby/Red and Ashley/Cinderella connected in Fairy Tale Land? Friends then or just now?
5) As in every episode, what is the “bad thing” that can happen if anyone tries to leave? Is the "bad thing" specific to fairy tale character or always the same? What are the parameters of the curse?
6) How awful would it be to be 9 months pregnant for 28 years?
7) What was/is Henry’s code name for Emma?
8) And ultimately, what will Mr. Gold want when he cashes in his deal/favor with Emma?
Until next time...
~ Taryn