Monday, May 21, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 1 - The Pilot - "Where It All Begins...or Ends..."_
"Once Upon a Time there was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know. Or think we know. One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen. Our world. This is how it happened…”
So begins our journey through a land of magic filled with daring quests for happy endings…much like the one Prince Charming is on. He must find Snow White before it is too late. In the woods, as if sleeping, rests Snow White surrounded by her dear friends, the seven dwarfs. Is Prince Charming too late? The dwarfs think so, but there must be way to revive his true love. Where magic is abounding, members of the enchanted forest know of one ultimate cure that will break any curse…true love’s kiss. Will it be enough this time? Alas, it works. Snow White is revived and overjoyed to see her beloved Prince has found her at last, as he proclaims he will always find her.
The two quickly marry, surrounded by nearly every creature and person in the kingdom to wish them happiness on this day. However, the Evil Queen has heard her curse has been broken. Just as Prince Charming and Snow White are about to seal the deal with another kiss, the Evil Queen crashes the wedding. She’s not here to wish them many blessings but to warn them of her wrath. She’s infuriated, but with an eerily calm voice and demeanor threatens them that “soon” she will destroy their happiness. Not just Snow White’s and Prince Charming’s, but the entire kingdom’s. “Soon” everything the all hold dear will be ripped from them.
In the months following the joyous union of Snow White and Prince Charming, the kingdom anxiously awaits for this horrible threat to be fulfilled. The Charmings are expecting a child and Snow White is worried about the safety of her new family and the entire realm. Charming tries to comfort her, but none can be found. Snow White knows that the Evil Queen will make good on her threat, she has before, and then what? What will happen to them? Their child? Only one in the entire kingdom can know. If only she could talk with him. Charming is appalled at such a suggestion. He’s dangerous and manipulative; there’s a reason he’s locked away. But Snow will have none of it. He is the only one who can guarantee the future, and she must know.
Deep in the tunnels there is a dungeon where the one resides to waste away his never-ending days: Rumplestiltskin. He confirms Snow White’s fears. The Queen will make good on her threat and it’s coming. And when it does, all will be taken to a place where there are no more happy endings. Only one will be able to save them—the unborn baby of Snow White and Prince Charming. On her 28th birthday she will return and she will restore the happiness in the realm. So the Charmings quickly gather a group to determine how best to take down the Queen before she can enact a curse. Again, only one solution is available. No one can stop this curse from happening, but the child can be spared. If the stump of an enchanted tree can be made into a vessel, a wardrobe, it can safety hold one.
The plan is set: Snow White will go in the wardrobe, raise the child, and return in 28 years to save them all. However, even the best laid plans can be thwarted. And so it is true with this one when the baby comes too soon with the curse upon the kingdom. The baby must go alone. She will come back for them; they must believe that. With that hope, the Charmings send Emma away in the wardrobe, already anxiously awaiting her 28th year.
Skip to Storybrooke, Maine...or first, Boston, Mass. Emma, grown and taking on the world, is a bail bonds person. She's just come home from tracking down another irresponsible louse. Alone in her empty apartment, she lights a lonely blue candle in the shape of a star in a single cupcake. You see, today is her birthday, her 28th. Normally not significant or any type of milestone year. Just one more on the way to 30. Except, for us. We know her destiny and what her 28th birthday represents.
Just as she's finished wishing upon the lonely blue star candle and blows it out, the doorbell rings. It's Henry, the 10-year-old boy she gave up for adoption 10 years before. He wants her to come home with him...to Storybrooke, Maine, where all the fairy tale characters in his book are trapped because of a curse the Evil Queen made. Emma, for obvious reasons, is skeptical. But she concedes when Henry threatens to tell the police she kidnapped him.
Once in Storybrooke, Emma encounters the first of several things amiss with the town, not that she believes any of it: the clock tower resting at 8:15pm--"Time is frozen here," Henry claims. And they can't leave or else "bad things" will happen. But that doesn't convince Emma. So what if the clock is stopped? Merely a coincidence. But what about Henry's adoptive mother, the mayor? She's a little overbearing, overly polite, and a little off. But that's not her concern. He's the mayor's kid, not hers. She has no ties; she can leave. Besides, she did what the kid asked: she brought him home.
She doesn't get far when she's run off the road by a wolf standing at the city limits. Hauled off to the Storybrooke jail, she wakes up to find out that Henry is missing again. The mayor offers to free Emma in exchange for Emma's help in tracking him down. This leads her to Miss Mary Margaret Blanchard, Henry's teacher, and formerly Snow White. Unaware that Henry used her credit card to find Emma, Miss Blanchard also confesses to giving Henry the fairy tale book. It was her way of giving him hope, of even the possibility of a happy ending. It is clear to Emma and Miss Blanchard that Henry and his mother don't get along, he's lonely, and he needs some form of happiness. The book was Miss Blanchard's solution to helping him. She suggests Emma check Henry's castle--he just might be there.
Emma finds him, where he tries desperately to convince her to stay and fight the ultimate battle to free the town. Emma is having none of it. She's a regular person, not a fairy tale character, and definitely not a hero. However, once she takes Henry home again, she feels somewhat responsible to see to his well-being. After all, she gave him away so that he would have his best chance, and something is just not right here. So she agrees to stay a week, just one week.
And that's when it happens, the clock moves, just a single minute more, but that's enough. It has begun!
So, I know many of you readers have already seen the full season. I thank you for returning to read this review! Here are some questions that pertain to this episode, but also questions that I feel are unanswered throughout the season. Let me know what you think!
Burning Questions:
1) How did the Evil Queen become dethroned?
2) What is the writing on Emma's apartment door? Will we see it again?
3) What kind of power does Rumplestiltskin have if he knows your name?
4) Did Rumplestiltskin choose the 28th year to be the year Emma came back? Or was it because he could see the future and he knew Henry would find Emma and bring her back, and it just happened to be her 28th year?
5) What happens if you break Rumplestitskin’s deals? He’s locked up…so why did Snow White adhere to the deal?
6) How long has Henry been aware that time is frozen?
7) How did Henry make the connections from the Storybrooke citizens to their fairy tale counterparts? What tipped him off—other than their creatively fitting, human occupations, i.e. a therapist for a conscience?
8) What did Regina ever do to make Henry suspect that she was the Evil Queen?
9) How long has Henry been seeing Archie Hopper for therapy? And for what exactly? Because he believes in fairy tales?
10) Where did the book come from? How did Mary Margaret get it?
11) Why would Regina (Evil Queen) want to send everyone to a town where she would have to keep track of them all the time? How is that a happy ending for her?
12) Is Emma’s “superpower” real or just part of her job that she would say that?
13) How can Mr. Gold (Rumple) own the town? Isn’t this the Evil Queen’s happy ending? Does that make him have power over her?
Let me know what you think! Any theories?
~Taryn
So begins our journey through a land of magic filled with daring quests for happy endings…much like the one Prince Charming is on. He must find Snow White before it is too late. In the woods, as if sleeping, rests Snow White surrounded by her dear friends, the seven dwarfs. Is Prince Charming too late? The dwarfs think so, but there must be way to revive his true love. Where magic is abounding, members of the enchanted forest know of one ultimate cure that will break any curse…true love’s kiss. Will it be enough this time? Alas, it works. Snow White is revived and overjoyed to see her beloved Prince has found her at last, as he proclaims he will always find her.
The two quickly marry, surrounded by nearly every creature and person in the kingdom to wish them happiness on this day. However, the Evil Queen has heard her curse has been broken. Just as Prince Charming and Snow White are about to seal the deal with another kiss, the Evil Queen crashes the wedding. She’s not here to wish them many blessings but to warn them of her wrath. She’s infuriated, but with an eerily calm voice and demeanor threatens them that “soon” she will destroy their happiness. Not just Snow White’s and Prince Charming’s, but the entire kingdom’s. “Soon” everything the all hold dear will be ripped from them.
In the months following the joyous union of Snow White and Prince Charming, the kingdom anxiously awaits for this horrible threat to be fulfilled. The Charmings are expecting a child and Snow White is worried about the safety of her new family and the entire realm. Charming tries to comfort her, but none can be found. Snow White knows that the Evil Queen will make good on her threat, she has before, and then what? What will happen to them? Their child? Only one in the entire kingdom can know. If only she could talk with him. Charming is appalled at such a suggestion. He’s dangerous and manipulative; there’s a reason he’s locked away. But Snow will have none of it. He is the only one who can guarantee the future, and she must know.
Deep in the tunnels there is a dungeon where the one resides to waste away his never-ending days: Rumplestiltskin. He confirms Snow White’s fears. The Queen will make good on her threat and it’s coming. And when it does, all will be taken to a place where there are no more happy endings. Only one will be able to save them—the unborn baby of Snow White and Prince Charming. On her 28th birthday she will return and she will restore the happiness in the realm. So the Charmings quickly gather a group to determine how best to take down the Queen before she can enact a curse. Again, only one solution is available. No one can stop this curse from happening, but the child can be spared. If the stump of an enchanted tree can be made into a vessel, a wardrobe, it can safety hold one.
The plan is set: Snow White will go in the wardrobe, raise the child, and return in 28 years to save them all. However, even the best laid plans can be thwarted. And so it is true with this one when the baby comes too soon with the curse upon the kingdom. The baby must go alone. She will come back for them; they must believe that. With that hope, the Charmings send Emma away in the wardrobe, already anxiously awaiting her 28th year.
Skip to Storybrooke, Maine...or first, Boston, Mass. Emma, grown and taking on the world, is a bail bonds person. She's just come home from tracking down another irresponsible louse. Alone in her empty apartment, she lights a lonely blue candle in the shape of a star in a single cupcake. You see, today is her birthday, her 28th. Normally not significant or any type of milestone year. Just one more on the way to 30. Except, for us. We know her destiny and what her 28th birthday represents.
Just as she's finished wishing upon the lonely blue star candle and blows it out, the doorbell rings. It's Henry, the 10-year-old boy she gave up for adoption 10 years before. He wants her to come home with him...to Storybrooke, Maine, where all the fairy tale characters in his book are trapped because of a curse the Evil Queen made. Emma, for obvious reasons, is skeptical. But she concedes when Henry threatens to tell the police she kidnapped him.
Once in Storybrooke, Emma encounters the first of several things amiss with the town, not that she believes any of it: the clock tower resting at 8:15pm--"Time is frozen here," Henry claims. And they can't leave or else "bad things" will happen. But that doesn't convince Emma. So what if the clock is stopped? Merely a coincidence. But what about Henry's adoptive mother, the mayor? She's a little overbearing, overly polite, and a little off. But that's not her concern. He's the mayor's kid, not hers. She has no ties; she can leave. Besides, she did what the kid asked: she brought him home.
She doesn't get far when she's run off the road by a wolf standing at the city limits. Hauled off to the Storybrooke jail, she wakes up to find out that Henry is missing again. The mayor offers to free Emma in exchange for Emma's help in tracking him down. This leads her to Miss Mary Margaret Blanchard, Henry's teacher, and formerly Snow White. Unaware that Henry used her credit card to find Emma, Miss Blanchard also confesses to giving Henry the fairy tale book. It was her way of giving him hope, of even the possibility of a happy ending. It is clear to Emma and Miss Blanchard that Henry and his mother don't get along, he's lonely, and he needs some form of happiness. The book was Miss Blanchard's solution to helping him. She suggests Emma check Henry's castle--he just might be there.
Emma finds him, where he tries desperately to convince her to stay and fight the ultimate battle to free the town. Emma is having none of it. She's a regular person, not a fairy tale character, and definitely not a hero. However, once she takes Henry home again, she feels somewhat responsible to see to his well-being. After all, she gave him away so that he would have his best chance, and something is just not right here. So she agrees to stay a week, just one week.
And that's when it happens, the clock moves, just a single minute more, but that's enough. It has begun!
So, I know many of you readers have already seen the full season. I thank you for returning to read this review! Here are some questions that pertain to this episode, but also questions that I feel are unanswered throughout the season. Let me know what you think!
Burning Questions:
1) How did the Evil Queen become dethroned?
2) What is the writing on Emma's apartment door? Will we see it again?
3) What kind of power does Rumplestiltskin have if he knows your name?
4) Did Rumplestiltskin choose the 28th year to be the year Emma came back? Or was it because he could see the future and he knew Henry would find Emma and bring her back, and it just happened to be her 28th year?
5) What happens if you break Rumplestitskin’s deals? He’s locked up…so why did Snow White adhere to the deal?
6) How long has Henry been aware that time is frozen?
7) How did Henry make the connections from the Storybrooke citizens to their fairy tale counterparts? What tipped him off—other than their creatively fitting, human occupations, i.e. a therapist for a conscience?
8) What did Regina ever do to make Henry suspect that she was the Evil Queen?
9) How long has Henry been seeing Archie Hopper for therapy? And for what exactly? Because he believes in fairy tales?
10) Where did the book come from? How did Mary Margaret get it?
11) Why would Regina (Evil Queen) want to send everyone to a town where she would have to keep track of them all the time? How is that a happy ending for her?
12) Is Emma’s “superpower” real or just part of her job that she would say that?
13) How can Mr. Gold (Rumple) own the town? Isn’t this the Evil Queen’s happy ending? Does that make him have power over her?
Let me know what you think! Any theories?
~Taryn
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 2 - The Thing You Love Most - Say, Please"
Last week's episode left us with an exciting, though obvious, game changer--the clock moved. Time is no longer frozen in Storybrooke, which presents a whole new set of problems for Mayor Regina Mills, AKA the Evil Queen. She has sent all of Fairy Tale Land to little town Storybrooke, Maine to destroy their happy endings which will be her victory at long last. How that is appealing, I don't know; practically babysitting an entire kingdom's worth of amnesic citizens for 28 years (or in Regina's thinking--presumably forever), making sure they never leave the quaint city limits would not be on my top ten of happily-ever-afters. However, her babysitting gig is about to get cut short. Emma's in town, and her presence is now upsetting the apple cart, so to speak.
First on Emma's to-do list is get to the bottom of why Henry is unhappy. If her entire goal of giving him away was to make sure he had his best chance, she wants to reassure herself that she accomplished even that. But with Regina, Henry's adoptive mother, throwing around evil threats left and right, Emma's not so sure she wants to leave Storybrooke just yet. So, she talks to Henry's therapist, Archie Hopper. If you couldn't guess by that name alone, then his occupation might just give him away--Jiminy Cricket, anyone?
Anyways, while therapy sessions and notes are top-secret confidential, that doesn't stop Archie from handing over Henry's files to a stranger, not to mention a person not even legally responsible to said patient. Nevertheless, Emma takes the file. She only wants to understand her son, or at the very least, simply reassure herself that this might just be a phase and he really is fine. Yet, she only gets to page two before the sheriff has come to arrest her--for stealing Henry's file. She goes, but not before planting the idea of a set-up in the sheriff's mind.
While jail seems to be Emma's go-to in this town, her mother, er, Miss Blanchard comes to the rescue and bails her out. Rather than leaving well enough alone, Emma's not the type of person to sit back and take it. Armed with a chainsaw, she sets out for Regina's single tree apple orchard. No, she's not going to cut the entire tree down, just enough get Regina's dander up. And with a sneer, the apples fall. It's game on and Regina's move. What will she do? Have her arrested again? Give her a poisoned apple? No. Too cliche. How about a nice chat?
So, without ever exchanging numbers, Regina makes a personal call to Emma's cell and invites her over for tea, er, apple cider, and a nice talk. A truce. And Emma falls for it.
Regina corners Emma into exclaiming that Henry's theories are crazy, and unbeknownst to Emma, Henry overhears. Of course, that was Regina's plan all along. Now Henry will be on her side again, Emma will leave, and life will resume as normal--or as constant as before. But Emma is not so hard-hearted as to leave town and not at least try to make things right with her son. So she finds Henry, explains that everything he heard was for their plan, Operation Cobra, to throw the Evil Queen off their trail. And she is not leaving. Not yet, anyways.
Back in Fairy Tale Land, the Evil Queen is preparing to enact the curse. That's right, we're back in time. She's made her threat to the entire kingdom and now she has to make good on it. So she visits an old fiend, er, friend, Maleficent. You know, the evil witch for Sleeping Beauty's story. She wants to get the curse back, the one that will destroy everyone's happiness, the one that will ensure her victory at last. But Maleficent tries to talk her out of it. It's not use. It will not only destroy their happiness but Regina's as well. Regina doesn't care. This is about exacting revenge on Snow White. Nothing else matters.
So she forcibly takes the curse and sets off to do her dirty deed. But it doesn't work. Enraged, she visits Rumplestiltskin. He makes a deal: wealth, freedom, and the Evil Queen at his beck and call if he so chooses to utter the magic word in exchange for the missing link to the curse. According to Rumplestiltskin, Regina must sacrifice the heart of the thing she loves most. But who could she love more than her prized steed? Alas, there is but one left--her father.
With a halfhearted apology and a tear, Regina rips out his heart to add it to the other ingredients of the curse, and viola! , black smoke rises to engulf the kingdom! Can you say, happily ever after?
Burning Questions:
1) How did Regina become the Evil Queen?
2) When did Rumplestiltskin give the Evil Queen the dark curse? Why did she vow never to use it?
3) Will we see Sleeping Beauty?
4) When did she trade Maleficent for the sleeping curse? Why did Maleficent want the dark curse?
5) If Henry got the book only a month before, how did he make the connections so fast?
6) Is there an ending to the Fairy Tale Book? or is Emma's birth the end?
7) What was Storybrooke like before Emma came?
8) What happens if Regina's tree is completely destroyed? Does it hold any type of power?
9) Emma has a tattoo on her left wrist. What is it?
10) When will we hear Emma's back story? Still relevant?
11) Why did Regina want a son? Or was is Rumplestiltskin's/Mr. Gold's idea?
12) Does Regina really love Henry? Can she?
Let me hear your thoughts. Comment below!
~ Taryn
First on Emma's to-do list is get to the bottom of why Henry is unhappy. If her entire goal of giving him away was to make sure he had his best chance, she wants to reassure herself that she accomplished even that. But with Regina, Henry's adoptive mother, throwing around evil threats left and right, Emma's not so sure she wants to leave Storybrooke just yet. So, she talks to Henry's therapist, Archie Hopper. If you couldn't guess by that name alone, then his occupation might just give him away--Jiminy Cricket, anyone?
Anyways, while therapy sessions and notes are top-secret confidential, that doesn't stop Archie from handing over Henry's files to a stranger, not to mention a person not even legally responsible to said patient. Nevertheless, Emma takes the file. She only wants to understand her son, or at the very least, simply reassure herself that this might just be a phase and he really is fine. Yet, she only gets to page two before the sheriff has come to arrest her--for stealing Henry's file. She goes, but not before planting the idea of a set-up in the sheriff's mind.
While jail seems to be Emma's go-to in this town, her mother, er, Miss Blanchard comes to the rescue and bails her out. Rather than leaving well enough alone, Emma's not the type of person to sit back and take it. Armed with a chainsaw, she sets out for Regina's single tree apple orchard. No, she's not going to cut the entire tree down, just enough get Regina's dander up. And with a sneer, the apples fall. It's game on and Regina's move. What will she do? Have her arrested again? Give her a poisoned apple? No. Too cliche. How about a nice chat?
So, without ever exchanging numbers, Regina makes a personal call to Emma's cell and invites her over for tea, er, apple cider, and a nice talk. A truce. And Emma falls for it.
Regina corners Emma into exclaiming that Henry's theories are crazy, and unbeknownst to Emma, Henry overhears. Of course, that was Regina's plan all along. Now Henry will be on her side again, Emma will leave, and life will resume as normal--or as constant as before. But Emma is not so hard-hearted as to leave town and not at least try to make things right with her son. So she finds Henry, explains that everything he heard was for their plan, Operation Cobra, to throw the Evil Queen off their trail. And she is not leaving. Not yet, anyways.
Back in Fairy Tale Land, the Evil Queen is preparing to enact the curse. That's right, we're back in time. She's made her threat to the entire kingdom and now she has to make good on it. So she visits an old fiend, er, friend, Maleficent. You know, the evil witch for Sleeping Beauty's story. She wants to get the curse back, the one that will destroy everyone's happiness, the one that will ensure her victory at last. But Maleficent tries to talk her out of it. It's not use. It will not only destroy their happiness but Regina's as well. Regina doesn't care. This is about exacting revenge on Snow White. Nothing else matters.
So she forcibly takes the curse and sets off to do her dirty deed. But it doesn't work. Enraged, she visits Rumplestiltskin. He makes a deal: wealth, freedom, and the Evil Queen at his beck and call if he so chooses to utter the magic word in exchange for the missing link to the curse. According to Rumplestiltskin, Regina must sacrifice the heart of the thing she loves most. But who could she love more than her prized steed? Alas, there is but one left--her father.
With a halfhearted apology and a tear, Regina rips out his heart to add it to the other ingredients of the curse, and viola! , black smoke rises to engulf the kingdom! Can you say, happily ever after?
Burning Questions:
1) How did Regina become the Evil Queen?
2) When did Rumplestiltskin give the Evil Queen the dark curse? Why did she vow never to use it?
3) Will we see Sleeping Beauty?
4) When did she trade Maleficent for the sleeping curse? Why did Maleficent want the dark curse?
5) If Henry got the book only a month before, how did he make the connections so fast?
6) Is there an ending to the Fairy Tale Book? or is Emma's birth the end?
7) What was Storybrooke like before Emma came?
8) What happens if Regina's tree is completely destroyed? Does it hold any type of power?
9) Emma has a tattoo on her left wrist. What is it?
10) When will we hear Emma's back story? Still relevant?
11) Why did Regina want a son? Or was is Rumplestiltskin's/Mr. Gold's idea?
12) Does Regina really love Henry? Can she?
Let me hear your thoughts. Comment below!
~ Taryn
Monday, June 4, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 3 - Snow Falls - "Charming Adventure"
"Worry not, it's but a fallen tree."
Hiding for her life, biding time until she can incur enough dough to live safely in isolation, Snow White ambushes a royal carriage. A normal, ho-hum occurrence for Snow. Stealing from the Evil Queen just seems right for all that she's put Snow through. But this carriage does not belong to her greatest adversary, but to the handsome and betrothed prince on his way to his castle. Snow White's loot consists of jewels, including a precious ring from the prince's mother, and he's determined to get it back.
Hunting Snow White down after she gets away with the jewels, he entraps her and bargains, er, blackmails Snow into retrieving it. After all, she's a wanted woman with her face and treacherous charges plastered all over the kingdom. Wouldn't want the queen to suddenly get wind of her whereabouts. Snow White has no choice but to help the prince, whom she dubs Prince "Charming" for his charming way with words. But getting the ring back won't be easy. You see, she sold it to the trolls for gold. After all, she only wants to live somewhere alone, where the Queen can't get her. Somewhere she can start over, maybe find true love--well, at least start over. Snow doesn't believe in true love, at first sight or otherwise. Nevertheless, she agrees to get the ring back, and set out for the Troll Bridge.
If you've ever read any stories about trolls or seen any pictures of trolls, you might have an idea of what they look like. Green, hunch-backed, and rude, with a vendetta for whoever tries crossing their bridge. Well, the trolls in Once Upon a Time meet that mark. They're green, walk like they have a hunched-back, and their rude. But most of all, they don't like anyone crossing their bridge. So, when Snow White and Prince Charming ask for a re-trade, the trolls are suspicious, and at the first sign of eagerness, they immediately shout, "Ambush!". Prince Charming is thrown into action, his sword slashing at the green beasts. Snow White gets away, racing to safety, knowing the prince isn't far behind. But when she turns around, she sees him cornered by the trolls, close to losing the fight. Her instinct--run. Forget "Charming" and run. But honor got in the way. After all, she owes him for saving her life.
Just before they reached the Troll Bridge, Snow White ran into a few a of the Queen's soldiers. Their goal: please the Queen and bring back Snow's heart--just like the huntsman failed to do. But Prince Charming came to her rescue. So, you see, running wasn't so easy after all. A life for a life.
Snow White runs back and uses her magic fairy dust she had saved up to annihilate the queen, and poofed the trolls into squash-able bugs. The prince and Snow White trade goods: the prince his ring, and Snow White her gold (which was conveniently up for grabs after the trolls turned into beetles). But they also trade a promise. If Snow White should ever need anything...he will always find her.
But back in Storybrooke, it's Snow White, er, Mary Margaret who does the finding. We caught a glimpse of the prince's "real world" counterpart in episode one. He was a hospital coma patient who'd most likely been in that state for 28 years. But after 28 years he's woken up. Let me back up just a bit first.
Mary Margaret is a lonely schoolteacher. She feels she'll always be alone, but she doesn't want that, won't accept that. She wants to find that guy, her true love, her Prince Charming, but so far all she's gotten are duds. Especially the last one. It's kind of hard to see the love in the man's eyes when they're looking at the skimpy-clad waitress. I mean, come on.
So, with head down, thoughts a million miles away, she walks home, only to stumble upon Emma in her car. If you remember, last episode, Granny kicked her out. Can't have criminals at the cozy bed and breakfast. So she's sleeping in her car. Although Mary Margaret offers up her spare room, being roomies is just not Emma's thing. So, the recliner on the driver's seat is the best she's gonna get for now.
In the mean time, Henry's class is visiting the hospital as part of a volunteer program. They're decorating the halls with banners that say "Get Well Soon" in bright, colorful letters. But Henry's thoughts are elsewhere. He's found the coma patient and he looks familiar--like someone in the pictures of his book. And it's the scar on his chin that confirms his beliefs. It's Prince Charming--Snow White's true love and Emma's father. If only Mary Margaret could somehow--I don't know--wake him up. Maybe read their story to him. Yeah! Why not? After all, they're destined to be together. It just might work.
And so, after a little bit of convincing from Emma, Mary Margaret goes to the hospital to read. She's skeptical and is just doing this out of a favor for Emma and Henry. But when she's just finished reading about them finding love under the shadow of the troll bridge, John Doe grabs her hand. Mary Margaret races of to find the good doctor, but lousy date, to declare the good news. But the doctor is in cahoots with Madame Mayor Regina and insists the monitors say nothing, but relates a whole new story to the mayor after Mary Margaret leaves.
Hours later, in the dead of night, John Doe has fully waken up and unofficially releases himself from the hospital, taking the gown with him. He's looking for someone and his subconscious leads him into the woods.
Well, John Doe's unofficial release sets the hospital into panic mode. He's not well enough to be released, let alone wander through the woods. Emma, Mary Margaret, the sheriff, and Henry set out to find Mr. Doe. And when they do, they're anything but relieved to find that he's merely taken a swim in the creek. He's unconscious again, and what should wake him up but a CPR kiss from Mary Margaret. Yep, he's awake again, although he doesn't know who he is. But the mayor does.
Back at the hospital, a new player in the game makes an appearance. Remember that Prince Charming was betrothed. Well, in Storybrooke, he's not only betrothed, if you will, but married...to Kathryn Nolan. And his name: David. So long, John Doe and Mary Margaret's happily ever after.
Emma thinks Kathryn Nolan's story is fishy. After all, she didn't even come looking for him all these years he's been in a coma. Surely, she would have checked the entire small town by now, including the hospital. But no. It wasn't to be until now. It's all in the timing...Regina's timing.
With her upper-hand firmly reinstated, Regina makes a few excuses for Kathryn and then declares that Emma and Mary Margaret should be happy about these turn of events because now Kathryn and David can be happy again now that they've found each other, which reminds her why she's so happy to have Henry.
Having someone is important and being alone, like Mary Margaret and Emma, well, it can get very lonely...
And.."because not having someone, well, that’s the worse curse imaginable."
Burning Questions:
1) How can Kathryn even be a possibility? David's been in a coma for the entire 28 years, right?
2) Will Mary Margaret's Snow White ring come into play in Storybrooke?
3) Who is Dr. Whale?
4) Is David really David's name? Is James really Prince Charming's name?
5) Does Snow White feel bad, happy, or indifferent to ruining the Queen's life?
6) Where was Rumplestiltskin in the Snow White/Prince Charming storyline?
7) Is there any kind of magic in Storybrooke? Hence, true love's kiss?
Let me know what you think. Drop a comment!
~ Taryn
Hiding for her life, biding time until she can incur enough dough to live safely in isolation, Snow White ambushes a royal carriage. A normal, ho-hum occurrence for Snow. Stealing from the Evil Queen just seems right for all that she's put Snow through. But this carriage does not belong to her greatest adversary, but to the handsome and betrothed prince on his way to his castle. Snow White's loot consists of jewels, including a precious ring from the prince's mother, and he's determined to get it back.
Hunting Snow White down after she gets away with the jewels, he entraps her and bargains, er, blackmails Snow into retrieving it. After all, she's a wanted woman with her face and treacherous charges plastered all over the kingdom. Wouldn't want the queen to suddenly get wind of her whereabouts. Snow White has no choice but to help the prince, whom she dubs Prince "Charming" for his charming way with words. But getting the ring back won't be easy. You see, she sold it to the trolls for gold. After all, she only wants to live somewhere alone, where the Queen can't get her. Somewhere she can start over, maybe find true love--well, at least start over. Snow doesn't believe in true love, at first sight or otherwise. Nevertheless, she agrees to get the ring back, and set out for the Troll Bridge.
If you've ever read any stories about trolls or seen any pictures of trolls, you might have an idea of what they look like. Green, hunch-backed, and rude, with a vendetta for whoever tries crossing their bridge. Well, the trolls in Once Upon a Time meet that mark. They're green, walk like they have a hunched-back, and their rude. But most of all, they don't like anyone crossing their bridge. So, when Snow White and Prince Charming ask for a re-trade, the trolls are suspicious, and at the first sign of eagerness, they immediately shout, "Ambush!". Prince Charming is thrown into action, his sword slashing at the green beasts. Snow White gets away, racing to safety, knowing the prince isn't far behind. But when she turns around, she sees him cornered by the trolls, close to losing the fight. Her instinct--run. Forget "Charming" and run. But honor got in the way. After all, she owes him for saving her life.
Just before they reached the Troll Bridge, Snow White ran into a few a of the Queen's soldiers. Their goal: please the Queen and bring back Snow's heart--just like the huntsman failed to do. But Prince Charming came to her rescue. So, you see, running wasn't so easy after all. A life for a life.
Snow White runs back and uses her magic fairy dust she had saved up to annihilate the queen, and poofed the trolls into squash-able bugs. The prince and Snow White trade goods: the prince his ring, and Snow White her gold (which was conveniently up for grabs after the trolls turned into beetles). But they also trade a promise. If Snow White should ever need anything...he will always find her.
But back in Storybrooke, it's Snow White, er, Mary Margaret who does the finding. We caught a glimpse of the prince's "real world" counterpart in episode one. He was a hospital coma patient who'd most likely been in that state for 28 years. But after 28 years he's woken up. Let me back up just a bit first.
Mary Margaret is a lonely schoolteacher. She feels she'll always be alone, but she doesn't want that, won't accept that. She wants to find that guy, her true love, her Prince Charming, but so far all she's gotten are duds. Especially the last one. It's kind of hard to see the love in the man's eyes when they're looking at the skimpy-clad waitress. I mean, come on.
So, with head down, thoughts a million miles away, she walks home, only to stumble upon Emma in her car. If you remember, last episode, Granny kicked her out. Can't have criminals at the cozy bed and breakfast. So she's sleeping in her car. Although Mary Margaret offers up her spare room, being roomies is just not Emma's thing. So, the recliner on the driver's seat is the best she's gonna get for now.
In the mean time, Henry's class is visiting the hospital as part of a volunteer program. They're decorating the halls with banners that say "Get Well Soon" in bright, colorful letters. But Henry's thoughts are elsewhere. He's found the coma patient and he looks familiar--like someone in the pictures of his book. And it's the scar on his chin that confirms his beliefs. It's Prince Charming--Snow White's true love and Emma's father. If only Mary Margaret could somehow--I don't know--wake him up. Maybe read their story to him. Yeah! Why not? After all, they're destined to be together. It just might work.
And so, after a little bit of convincing from Emma, Mary Margaret goes to the hospital to read. She's skeptical and is just doing this out of a favor for Emma and Henry. But when she's just finished reading about them finding love under the shadow of the troll bridge, John Doe grabs her hand. Mary Margaret races of to find the good doctor, but lousy date, to declare the good news. But the doctor is in cahoots with Madame Mayor Regina and insists the monitors say nothing, but relates a whole new story to the mayor after Mary Margaret leaves.
Hours later, in the dead of night, John Doe has fully waken up and unofficially releases himself from the hospital, taking the gown with him. He's looking for someone and his subconscious leads him into the woods.
Well, John Doe's unofficial release sets the hospital into panic mode. He's not well enough to be released, let alone wander through the woods. Emma, Mary Margaret, the sheriff, and Henry set out to find Mr. Doe. And when they do, they're anything but relieved to find that he's merely taken a swim in the creek. He's unconscious again, and what should wake him up but a CPR kiss from Mary Margaret. Yep, he's awake again, although he doesn't know who he is. But the mayor does.
Back at the hospital, a new player in the game makes an appearance. Remember that Prince Charming was betrothed. Well, in Storybrooke, he's not only betrothed, if you will, but married...to Kathryn Nolan. And his name: David. So long, John Doe and Mary Margaret's happily ever after.
Emma thinks Kathryn Nolan's story is fishy. After all, she didn't even come looking for him all these years he's been in a coma. Surely, she would have checked the entire small town by now, including the hospital. But no. It wasn't to be until now. It's all in the timing...Regina's timing.
With her upper-hand firmly reinstated, Regina makes a few excuses for Kathryn and then declares that Emma and Mary Margaret should be happy about these turn of events because now Kathryn and David can be happy again now that they've found each other, which reminds her why she's so happy to have Henry.
Having someone is important and being alone, like Mary Margaret and Emma, well, it can get very lonely...
And.."because not having someone, well, that’s the worse curse imaginable."
Burning Questions:
1) How can Kathryn even be a possibility? David's been in a coma for the entire 28 years, right?
2) Will Mary Margaret's Snow White ring come into play in Storybrooke?
3) Who is Dr. Whale?
4) Is David really David's name? Is James really Prince Charming's name?
5) Does Snow White feel bad, happy, or indifferent to ruining the Queen's life?
6) Where was Rumplestiltskin in the Snow White/Prince Charming storyline?
7) Is there any kind of magic in Storybrooke? Hence, true love's kiss?
Let me know what you think. Drop a comment!
~ Taryn
Monday, June 11, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 4 - Price of Gold - "A Small Price to Pay"
“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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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
Friday, June 22, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 5 - That Still Small Voice - "I Wish...I Wish..."
You're free.
To do what we want.
To be who you are.
And you are who you are.
A conscience, as we all know, is that inner voice that tells us right from wrong. It's that still small voice that is always there but not always listened to. And from this we get the phrase a guilty conscience when we've done something against our beliefs that our conscience follows. Or we might have a clear conscience when we've come clean with our guilty conscience and rectified the wrong.
For Jiminy, his guilty conscience is gnawing at him. He's lived a life filled with guilt of conning innocent people of their possessions. He's a master of pickpocketing and a silver tongue. His parents insist conning is only fair; it's the circle of life--take rather than be taken from. But Jiminy doesn't like it. It doesn't seem fair. Of course, it's all he's known since it's the life of his parents. Nevertheless, he wants out.
So after years of living the life of a crook, Jiminy has a plan. No one will get hurt and he will be free at long last. All he has to do is enlist the help of an old family friend...Rumplestiltskin.
As we all know, all magic comes with a price. And that price is never small and insignificant. But what possible harm can come from a simple deal with Rumple?
Rumplestiltskin, always eager to show off his magical abilities in return for greed, offers his assistance to Jiminy, giving him a simple potion in an green opaque vile. His price: just leave his parents where they are after the magic has done its work and he'll come to collect. Without question, Jiminy takes off to begin his future of freedom.
However, his parents have their own tricks up their sleeves. Where do you think Jiminy learned his pickpocketing skills and slight of hand from? You guessed it. And so, after another successful con of providing "elf tonic" to an innocent young couple, which will "save" them from a plague, Jiminy learns that his plan has gone sour. Rather than giving his parents Rumplestiltskin's potion, the young couple took it and now they're wooden puppets. Yet the horror doesn't stop there. The couple have a son who stumbles upon Jiminy and his parents staring at the boy's puppet parents. To say the least, Jiminy feels terrible.
His saving grace? He asks for help from the blue fairy, Rumplestitskin's opposite. Wanting to help the boy and still be free from his parents, Jiminy wishes to become a cricket with a clear conscience. To him, crickets have always represented freedom. And what better way to help the young boy, named Geppetto, than to be his still small voice? The blue fairy grants Jiminy's wish, and there we have Jiminy Cricket's back story.
In Storybrooke, Dr. Archie Hopper is having trouble keeping a clear conscience. He wants to help Henry work through all of his issues, including the most recent, his fairy tale theory. Henry's young with a strong imagination, and there's something to learned from it. But Mayor Mills is guilting him into forcing Henry to see that his fairy tale theory is only a delusion. And if he doesn't, he'll be out of a job and blacklisted throughout Storybrooke. No job, no more helping people find their way in life, only the clothes on his back and his lucky umbrella, which may not be so lucky anymore. And to even entertain such thoughts as these is worthy of becoming a living nightmare.
And so, out of desperation, his listens to the loud and demeaning voice of the mayor and gives the hard talk with Henry filled with words like delusion and psychosis. Naturally upset, Henry runs off to find proof. They'll all see and then they'll be sorry they doubted him.
Just yesterday, the old abandoned mines collapsed when Emma Swan clipped on the official badge of Sheriff's Deputy. The explosion shook all of Storybrooke as the ground caved, exposing the maze of underground tunnels. Of course, only one entrance was actually revealed, but nevertheless, the entire area is now dangerous. Dangerous because more might collapse, but more importantly, it might uncover some of the Mayor's evil secrets. She knows it, and Henry's suspicious; it just might be the break he needs to prove his theory to everyone.
And so, defying the law by crossing the yellow cordoned area, Henry enters the tunnels, armed with a flashlight and candy bars.
While keeping tabs on Henry's whereabouts seems to be high on Regina's lists of things to do each day, it's not always top priority. On this particular day, however, it is. And when it's revealed that Archie's harsh talk sent him into the unstable mine, Regina promptly assembles a rescue team.
In the meantime, Emma and Archie race to the mines, where Archie decides to go in after Henry. Naturally, the mine's entrance caves and the two are trapped below ground.
Searching the dark with his flashlight, Henry discovers a glimmering shard of glass amiss the rocky rubble. Curious, he searches on, only to be stopped when the ground shakes and he nearly runs into Archie. In danger of being permanently trapped or injured, the exploration for proof is put on hold. Getting to safety takes precedence.
Almost simultaneously the rescue team (made up of all our known fairy tale characters to date, minus Mary Margaret and David Nolan--more on that in a minute), and the trapped duo, find an air shaft which holds an old-style elevator. Below ground, Archie and Henry attempt to get the elevator moving upwards. Above ground, Emma is sent into the shaft to rescue the two. Emma, Henry, and Archie meet in the middle. Henry grabs hold of Emma, but the ground starts to shake just as Archie tries to attach himself to the harness. The elevator falls, but Archie's lucky umbrella has come through again, hooked into the harness' buckle.
There's a joyful reunion. Hugs and smiles all around. However, in the elevator shaft, Henry helped Archie realize that it was up to him to decide right from wrong...who he wants to be. He is, after all, a conscience. And so, Archie counters Regina's threats with one of his own. In case of a custody battle, courts typically consult an expert who has worked the child, and so from now on, he's going to do the job the right way, his way.
The revelation brings about another revelation: the crickets are back in Storybrooke. Hmm...things really are changing.
But the real tickler comes when Regina, who had pocketed her own glimmering glass shard from the mines, surreptitiously drops it down the now-closed air shaft. It falls and falls in the shimmering moonlight until it lands in a pile of glass shards next to...Snow White's coffin. The two worlds have collided!
Okay, so what's up with Mary Margaret and David Nolan? He's safely made it out of his coma and set to leave the hospital in a week. Mary Margaret, as we know volunteers at the hospital, is spending quality time with David making new memories with this mysterious new man. He reveals that Mary Margaret's the only thing that feels real about this strange world he's woken up into. No matter how many "memories" Kathryn shares with him about their "past", it's Mary Margaret that feels right, that feels real. If only Kathryn wasn't so nice, the decisions he has to make wouldn't be so hard!
But it's that very issue that alerts Mary Margaret's conscience. As much as she wants to believe David and her own developing feelings for him, being around him will only make it harder. And so, as an attempt to separate herself from him, she resigns from volunteering at the hospital (which is only a temporary fix because he's going home in a week). But it's a start down the right path, right?
Burning Questions:
1) What is the significance of Storybrooke's tree emblem? It's on Emma's and Graham's badge, as well as the sheriff's car.
2) Anyone else ever question how Jiminy became a cricket? I assumed he'd always been a cricket with a special trick of talking.
3) What is Rumplestiltskin's plan with Geppetto's puppet parents? Display of his magic/power or something else?
4) What ever happened to Jiminy's parents?
5) Why is Snow White's coffin is Storybrooke? Has is always been there? Has Regina always known it existed there? Will Snow White's coffin ever be discovered by someone other than Regina?
6) What else is beneath Storybrooke?
7) Will there be a custody battle? Season 2?
8) We've now seen Ruby and Billy, the tow truck driver, twice together. Is that going to come into play again? Who's Billy supposed to be?
Til next time...
~ Taryn
To do what we want.
To be who you are.
And you are who you are.
A conscience, as we all know, is that inner voice that tells us right from wrong. It's that still small voice that is always there but not always listened to. And from this we get the phrase a guilty conscience when we've done something against our beliefs that our conscience follows. Or we might have a clear conscience when we've come clean with our guilty conscience and rectified the wrong.
For Jiminy, his guilty conscience is gnawing at him. He's lived a life filled with guilt of conning innocent people of their possessions. He's a master of pickpocketing and a silver tongue. His parents insist conning is only fair; it's the circle of life--take rather than be taken from. But Jiminy doesn't like it. It doesn't seem fair. Of course, it's all he's known since it's the life of his parents. Nevertheless, he wants out.
So after years of living the life of a crook, Jiminy has a plan. No one will get hurt and he will be free at long last. All he has to do is enlist the help of an old family friend...Rumplestiltskin.
As we all know, all magic comes with a price. And that price is never small and insignificant. But what possible harm can come from a simple deal with Rumple?
Rumplestiltskin, always eager to show off his magical abilities in return for greed, offers his assistance to Jiminy, giving him a simple potion in an green opaque vile. His price: just leave his parents where they are after the magic has done its work and he'll come to collect. Without question, Jiminy takes off to begin his future of freedom.
However, his parents have their own tricks up their sleeves. Where do you think Jiminy learned his pickpocketing skills and slight of hand from? You guessed it. And so, after another successful con of providing "elf tonic" to an innocent young couple, which will "save" them from a plague, Jiminy learns that his plan has gone sour. Rather than giving his parents Rumplestiltskin's potion, the young couple took it and now they're wooden puppets. Yet the horror doesn't stop there. The couple have a son who stumbles upon Jiminy and his parents staring at the boy's puppet parents. To say the least, Jiminy feels terrible.
His saving grace? He asks for help from the blue fairy, Rumplestitskin's opposite. Wanting to help the boy and still be free from his parents, Jiminy wishes to become a cricket with a clear conscience. To him, crickets have always represented freedom. And what better way to help the young boy, named Geppetto, than to be his still small voice? The blue fairy grants Jiminy's wish, and there we have Jiminy Cricket's back story.
In Storybrooke, Dr. Archie Hopper is having trouble keeping a clear conscience. He wants to help Henry work through all of his issues, including the most recent, his fairy tale theory. Henry's young with a strong imagination, and there's something to learned from it. But Mayor Mills is guilting him into forcing Henry to see that his fairy tale theory is only a delusion. And if he doesn't, he'll be out of a job and blacklisted throughout Storybrooke. No job, no more helping people find their way in life, only the clothes on his back and his lucky umbrella, which may not be so lucky anymore. And to even entertain such thoughts as these is worthy of becoming a living nightmare.
And so, out of desperation, his listens to the loud and demeaning voice of the mayor and gives the hard talk with Henry filled with words like delusion and psychosis. Naturally upset, Henry runs off to find proof. They'll all see and then they'll be sorry they doubted him.
Just yesterday, the old abandoned mines collapsed when Emma Swan clipped on the official badge of Sheriff's Deputy. The explosion shook all of Storybrooke as the ground caved, exposing the maze of underground tunnels. Of course, only one entrance was actually revealed, but nevertheless, the entire area is now dangerous. Dangerous because more might collapse, but more importantly, it might uncover some of the Mayor's evil secrets. She knows it, and Henry's suspicious; it just might be the break he needs to prove his theory to everyone.
And so, defying the law by crossing the yellow cordoned area, Henry enters the tunnels, armed with a flashlight and candy bars.
While keeping tabs on Henry's whereabouts seems to be high on Regina's lists of things to do each day, it's not always top priority. On this particular day, however, it is. And when it's revealed that Archie's harsh talk sent him into the unstable mine, Regina promptly assembles a rescue team.
In the meantime, Emma and Archie race to the mines, where Archie decides to go in after Henry. Naturally, the mine's entrance caves and the two are trapped below ground.
Searching the dark with his flashlight, Henry discovers a glimmering shard of glass amiss the rocky rubble. Curious, he searches on, only to be stopped when the ground shakes and he nearly runs into Archie. In danger of being permanently trapped or injured, the exploration for proof is put on hold. Getting to safety takes precedence.
Almost simultaneously the rescue team (made up of all our known fairy tale characters to date, minus Mary Margaret and David Nolan--more on that in a minute), and the trapped duo, find an air shaft which holds an old-style elevator. Below ground, Archie and Henry attempt to get the elevator moving upwards. Above ground, Emma is sent into the shaft to rescue the two. Emma, Henry, and Archie meet in the middle. Henry grabs hold of Emma, but the ground starts to shake just as Archie tries to attach himself to the harness. The elevator falls, but Archie's lucky umbrella has come through again, hooked into the harness' buckle.
There's a joyful reunion. Hugs and smiles all around. However, in the elevator shaft, Henry helped Archie realize that it was up to him to decide right from wrong...who he wants to be. He is, after all, a conscience. And so, Archie counters Regina's threats with one of his own. In case of a custody battle, courts typically consult an expert who has worked the child, and so from now on, he's going to do the job the right way, his way.
The revelation brings about another revelation: the crickets are back in Storybrooke. Hmm...things really are changing.
But the real tickler comes when Regina, who had pocketed her own glimmering glass shard from the mines, surreptitiously drops it down the now-closed air shaft. It falls and falls in the shimmering moonlight until it lands in a pile of glass shards next to...Snow White's coffin. The two worlds have collided!
Okay, so what's up with Mary Margaret and David Nolan? He's safely made it out of his coma and set to leave the hospital in a week. Mary Margaret, as we know volunteers at the hospital, is spending quality time with David making new memories with this mysterious new man. He reveals that Mary Margaret's the only thing that feels real about this strange world he's woken up into. No matter how many "memories" Kathryn shares with him about their "past", it's Mary Margaret that feels right, that feels real. If only Kathryn wasn't so nice, the decisions he has to make wouldn't be so hard!
But it's that very issue that alerts Mary Margaret's conscience. As much as she wants to believe David and her own developing feelings for him, being around him will only make it harder. And so, as an attempt to separate herself from him, she resigns from volunteering at the hospital (which is only a temporary fix because he's going home in a week). But it's a start down the right path, right?
Burning Questions:
1) What is the significance of Storybrooke's tree emblem? It's on Emma's and Graham's badge, as well as the sheriff's car.
2) Anyone else ever question how Jiminy became a cricket? I assumed he'd always been a cricket with a special trick of talking.
3) What is Rumplestiltskin's plan with Geppetto's puppet parents? Display of his magic/power or something else?
4) What ever happened to Jiminy's parents?
5) Why is Snow White's coffin is Storybrooke? Has is always been there? Has Regina always known it existed there? Will Snow White's coffin ever be discovered by someone other than Regina?
6) What else is beneath Storybrooke?
7) Will there be a custody battle? Season 2?
8) We've now seen Ruby and Billy, the tow truck driver, twice together. Is that going to come into play again? Who's Billy supposed to be?
Til next time...
~ Taryn
Monday, July 2, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 6 - The Shepherd - "Double Trouble"
You're on the road to True Love.
Ever wonder how mothers of twins can so readily tell them apart? They say there are subtle differences in appearance that one can catch if you look hard enough. Sometimes it's personality or attitude. Interests often play a large part in differentiating twins. While all of this applies to the twins in Once Upon a Time, there is still one glaring factor...one is royalty, the other a simple farm hand. How is this possible, you ask? Simply, Rumplestiltskin. But let me start from the beginning...
Prince James is deft at swordsmanship. He's known as one of the bravest men in the kingdom. The way he can deflect each blow and remain on top is nearly unmatchable, even against larger and more beast-like men. King Midas sees this display of power as his ticket to rid his kingdom of a dragon that terrorizes his people. Prince James can kill the mighty beast, in exchange, Prince James' kingdom will be supplied with endless gold from Midas' fingertips. However, on one particular day, after King Midas' deal is struck and he has left satisfied with James' skillfulness, James' overconfidence gets the better of him when his opponent surreptitiously plunges his sword through the crafty prince's chest. Prince James is dead and his father is desperate to not lose King Midas' deal.
Enter Rumplestiltskin.
Before Prince James was born, King George and his wife were desperate for a child. On the farm, a young mother of twins and her husband were in desperate need of money to save their humble sheep farm. All parties were in luck. Rumplestiltskin had the answer...one twin for the king would provide sufficient money for the farm. However, the farmers had to keep the heritage of the new prince a secret from everyone including his own twin, their son.
And so, years later, when Rumplestiltskin shows up at the farm to collect the second twin, because his princely brother is dead, everyone is shocked, especially the second twin. He is but a simple shepherd trying to keep his humble farm afloat for his mother. He can't just up and leave her just to slay a dragon simply because he looks like the deceased prince. He doesn't know the first thing about swordsmanship. But aside from marrying a girl for money to keep the farm, he really has no choice. Not if this will help his mother. And so, he makes his choice, gains a haircut, and a quick lesson in how to wear armor. His only role, stand there and look handsome, and then present the dragon's head to Midas.
Fully suited, the knights and the prince's doppelganger make their way to the dragon's lair. A simple job, in and out. However, the dragon doesn't want to be slayed and fights back with hot breath and snapping teeth. Several of the knights are wounded or killed quickly, leaving the twin to save the day. Using his only skills of shepherding, his traps the dragon and swiftly severs the head. All in a days work.
Midas is very pleased, marked by turning the dragon head to gold. But his gratitude is worth more than a kingdom full of gold. He wants to unite such bravery with his kingdom in the form of marriage. Yes, King Midas has a daughter and the new prince is conveniently available. The only problem, well, the one BIG problem...he's not really a prince. And to top it off, the only choice he ever had, to choose his own love, has just been stripped from him. But if he doesn't comply, King George will destroy his mother's farm and kill her. So, without argument, the new prince accepts Princess Abigail's hand, has a quick good-bye to his mother, who gives him her beloved emerald ring, and away the prince and princess are to their new castle where they will live happily ever after...if only the scenic road they take wasn't holding an ominous vagabond in the trees named Snow White, ready to ambush a royal carriage...
Welcome home, David Nolan!
How awful would it be to wake up in a strange land where not one piece of your surroundings was familiar and then you were brought "home" by a woman you don't know only to be swarmed by a welcome home party of townspeople you didn't know? Awful, right?! Well, there are two familiar faces, Emma and Henry. But the only person who feels real to you is missing. So what do you do? Go find her.
David doesn't know his "wife" or "friends" or even his home. He doesn't know his town or how he got there. Everything everyone is telling him about himself doesn't ring a bell. Except one thing. He's not sure why exactly, but one thing feels right and safe. Mary Margaret Blanchard, the sensible school teacher who's been avoiding him ever since he told her these feelings. But maybe she's the answer, the key to making sense of everything. And for that reason, he can't stay away, and he knows she has to feel the same.
And so, ditching his own party, David makes his way to Mary Margaret's apartment, where she's hanging a bird feeder in a tree in the dark. He helps her hang it and then confronts her about avoiding him. After a quick exchange of honest feelings, Mary Margaret tells him that he shouldn't come around. He's married, and all the feelings he has stem only from her saving him, nothing more. So he needs to stay away and live his life with his wife.
Mayor Regina Mills couldn't agree more. He's married to her new, and only, friend Kathryn. Mary Margaret does not belong with David and she needs to keep away.
But David doesn't feel the same. No matter how hard he tries to remember, Kathryn and her pictures of their life doesn't spark any true memories. Which leaves only Mary Margaret.
In order to pursue these feelings, David leaves Kathryn and moves into Granny's B&B. He tells Mary Margaret that if she has any feelings for him whatsoever to meet him where they first met...the T(r)oll Bridge. He'll be waiting. If she doesn't come, then he'll stay away, but he's REALLY hoping she comes.
There's just one catch. David has no idea how to get to the Bridge. The last time he went there it was in a post-coma, dreamy state. And who should he run into on his way...Regina. With directions that equal several wrong turns, David winds up in Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop. Mr. Gold, always ready to make a deal, tries to sell some of his goods to David. One item in particular, a charming unicorn baby mobile. (And as we know, it's from baby Emma's nursery in Fairy Tale Land). While it would seem that such a significant item would spark a strong memory, David merely blinks and ask that Mr. Gold give him more accurate directions to the Bridge.
Mr. Gold does and sends him on his way. But not before another item catches David's eye. A simply carved windmill. Kathryn had told him about a windmill that had been outside their house. David had hated it, only deciding to buy the house if the windmill went. And here, in front of him, is a windmill. There's something about it, something mesmerizing. Time seems to slow as realization dawns in David's eyes as he reaches out to spin the wheel. As it turns, David's brows furrow as he mutters, "I remember."
Of course, whatever possible memories that just assaulted David can't be real, right? Mr. Gold or Regina's doing, or both? Either way, David is now "assured" of his life with Kathryn, which means that Mary Margaret is right. They can't be together. And now he has to break the news to her, which is only harder since she is waiting for him at the Toll Bridge. Naturally, she's heartbroken, and tired of being so. He shouldn't have suggested such a thing as love to her if he was only going to take it away. And so she leaves, deciding her only cure for a broken heart is a few drinks and a heart-to-heart chat with arrogant Dr. Whale.
In the meantime, Sheriff Graham is busy complying to Regina's fancy. When Emma, who took the night shift for Graham, stumbles upon Graham leaving Regina's house in the middle of the night, he confesses his unseemly relationship with her. Emma is horrified and disgusted. She stalks off leaving Graham. No more favors for him, especially night shifts.
And so, while the Fairy Tale Land seems to be making wonderful progress in the right direction, Storybrooke has made a wrong turn. What's going to happen to David and Mary Margaret's relationship now? They're supposed to be together and we know it, but there's just two problems: Regina and Kathryn, who is most likely a result of Regina. Will the problems ever get fixed or is the knot just going to keep getting tighter?
Burning Questions:
1) What is the new Prince James’ real name?
2) How can Abigail be so snooty while her Storybrooke counterpart, Kathryn, be so kind?
3) What are David's new memories? Who put them there?
4) Who is Dr. Whale? Why does he keep coming back to Mary Margaret?
5) Again, what is Rumple's fetish with babies?
6) What happened to the shepherd's mother? Is she in Storybrooke?
~ Taryn
Ever wonder how mothers of twins can so readily tell them apart? They say there are subtle differences in appearance that one can catch if you look hard enough. Sometimes it's personality or attitude. Interests often play a large part in differentiating twins. While all of this applies to the twins in Once Upon a Time, there is still one glaring factor...one is royalty, the other a simple farm hand. How is this possible, you ask? Simply, Rumplestiltskin. But let me start from the beginning...
Prince James is deft at swordsmanship. He's known as one of the bravest men in the kingdom. The way he can deflect each blow and remain on top is nearly unmatchable, even against larger and more beast-like men. King Midas sees this display of power as his ticket to rid his kingdom of a dragon that terrorizes his people. Prince James can kill the mighty beast, in exchange, Prince James' kingdom will be supplied with endless gold from Midas' fingertips. However, on one particular day, after King Midas' deal is struck and he has left satisfied with James' skillfulness, James' overconfidence gets the better of him when his opponent surreptitiously plunges his sword through the crafty prince's chest. Prince James is dead and his father is desperate to not lose King Midas' deal.
Enter Rumplestiltskin.
Before Prince James was born, King George and his wife were desperate for a child. On the farm, a young mother of twins and her husband were in desperate need of money to save their humble sheep farm. All parties were in luck. Rumplestiltskin had the answer...one twin for the king would provide sufficient money for the farm. However, the farmers had to keep the heritage of the new prince a secret from everyone including his own twin, their son.
And so, years later, when Rumplestiltskin shows up at the farm to collect the second twin, because his princely brother is dead, everyone is shocked, especially the second twin. He is but a simple shepherd trying to keep his humble farm afloat for his mother. He can't just up and leave her just to slay a dragon simply because he looks like the deceased prince. He doesn't know the first thing about swordsmanship. But aside from marrying a girl for money to keep the farm, he really has no choice. Not if this will help his mother. And so, he makes his choice, gains a haircut, and a quick lesson in how to wear armor. His only role, stand there and look handsome, and then present the dragon's head to Midas.
Fully suited, the knights and the prince's doppelganger make their way to the dragon's lair. A simple job, in and out. However, the dragon doesn't want to be slayed and fights back with hot breath and snapping teeth. Several of the knights are wounded or killed quickly, leaving the twin to save the day. Using his only skills of shepherding, his traps the dragon and swiftly severs the head. All in a days work.
Midas is very pleased, marked by turning the dragon head to gold. But his gratitude is worth more than a kingdom full of gold. He wants to unite such bravery with his kingdom in the form of marriage. Yes, King Midas has a daughter and the new prince is conveniently available. The only problem, well, the one BIG problem...he's not really a prince. And to top it off, the only choice he ever had, to choose his own love, has just been stripped from him. But if he doesn't comply, King George will destroy his mother's farm and kill her. So, without argument, the new prince accepts Princess Abigail's hand, has a quick good-bye to his mother, who gives him her beloved emerald ring, and away the prince and princess are to their new castle where they will live happily ever after...if only the scenic road they take wasn't holding an ominous vagabond in the trees named Snow White, ready to ambush a royal carriage...
Welcome home, David Nolan!
How awful would it be to wake up in a strange land where not one piece of your surroundings was familiar and then you were brought "home" by a woman you don't know only to be swarmed by a welcome home party of townspeople you didn't know? Awful, right?! Well, there are two familiar faces, Emma and Henry. But the only person who feels real to you is missing. So what do you do? Go find her.
David doesn't know his "wife" or "friends" or even his home. He doesn't know his town or how he got there. Everything everyone is telling him about himself doesn't ring a bell. Except one thing. He's not sure why exactly, but one thing feels right and safe. Mary Margaret Blanchard, the sensible school teacher who's been avoiding him ever since he told her these feelings. But maybe she's the answer, the key to making sense of everything. And for that reason, he can't stay away, and he knows she has to feel the same.
And so, ditching his own party, David makes his way to Mary Margaret's apartment, where she's hanging a bird feeder in a tree in the dark. He helps her hang it and then confronts her about avoiding him. After a quick exchange of honest feelings, Mary Margaret tells him that he shouldn't come around. He's married, and all the feelings he has stem only from her saving him, nothing more. So he needs to stay away and live his life with his wife.
Mayor Regina Mills couldn't agree more. He's married to her new, and only, friend Kathryn. Mary Margaret does not belong with David and she needs to keep away.
But David doesn't feel the same. No matter how hard he tries to remember, Kathryn and her pictures of their life doesn't spark any true memories. Which leaves only Mary Margaret.
In order to pursue these feelings, David leaves Kathryn and moves into Granny's B&B. He tells Mary Margaret that if she has any feelings for him whatsoever to meet him where they first met...the T(r)oll Bridge. He'll be waiting. If she doesn't come, then he'll stay away, but he's REALLY hoping she comes.
There's just one catch. David has no idea how to get to the Bridge. The last time he went there it was in a post-coma, dreamy state. And who should he run into on his way...Regina. With directions that equal several wrong turns, David winds up in Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop. Mr. Gold, always ready to make a deal, tries to sell some of his goods to David. One item in particular, a charming unicorn baby mobile. (And as we know, it's from baby Emma's nursery in Fairy Tale Land). While it would seem that such a significant item would spark a strong memory, David merely blinks and ask that Mr. Gold give him more accurate directions to the Bridge.
Mr. Gold does and sends him on his way. But not before another item catches David's eye. A simply carved windmill. Kathryn had told him about a windmill that had been outside their house. David had hated it, only deciding to buy the house if the windmill went. And here, in front of him, is a windmill. There's something about it, something mesmerizing. Time seems to slow as realization dawns in David's eyes as he reaches out to spin the wheel. As it turns, David's brows furrow as he mutters, "I remember."
Of course, whatever possible memories that just assaulted David can't be real, right? Mr. Gold or Regina's doing, or both? Either way, David is now "assured" of his life with Kathryn, which means that Mary Margaret is right. They can't be together. And now he has to break the news to her, which is only harder since she is waiting for him at the Toll Bridge. Naturally, she's heartbroken, and tired of being so. He shouldn't have suggested such a thing as love to her if he was only going to take it away. And so she leaves, deciding her only cure for a broken heart is a few drinks and a heart-to-heart chat with arrogant Dr. Whale.
In the meantime, Sheriff Graham is busy complying to Regina's fancy. When Emma, who took the night shift for Graham, stumbles upon Graham leaving Regina's house in the middle of the night, he confesses his unseemly relationship with her. Emma is horrified and disgusted. She stalks off leaving Graham. No more favors for him, especially night shifts.
And so, while the Fairy Tale Land seems to be making wonderful progress in the right direction, Storybrooke has made a wrong turn. What's going to happen to David and Mary Margaret's relationship now? They're supposed to be together and we know it, but there's just two problems: Regina and Kathryn, who is most likely a result of Regina. Will the problems ever get fixed or is the knot just going to keep getting tighter?
Burning Questions:
1) What is the new Prince James’ real name?
2) How can Abigail be so snooty while her Storybrooke counterpart, Kathryn, be so kind?
3) What are David's new memories? Who put them there?
4) Who is Dr. Whale? Why does he keep coming back to Mary Margaret?
5) Again, what is Rumple's fetish with babies?
6) What happened to the shepherd's mother? Is she in Storybrooke?
~ Taryn
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 7 - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - "Main Squeeze"
I loved him so much.
After his secret about Regina is exposed to Emma, Graham feels the need to explain his actions. Of course, without the memory of how he got sucked into Regina's terrible manipulations from way back when in Fairy Tale Land, words are failing him. He exclaims that he can't feel anything, which is by no means comforting to Emma. She could care less. But Graham wants her to understand it, something he can't fully do himself. So, since words are no help, Graham escalates to physical contact, a harmless kiss. Whoosh! Before his eyes he sees a vision: trees in a forest and a white wolf with one red and one black eye. Startled, he jerks back. Emma, of course, did not see the wolf or trees. She's disgusted by his forwardness, especially in his drunkenness. She tells him to get lost.
Graham, now completely confused, decides the best way to test his theory of not feeling anything is to go to Regina. Regina is taken aback. Graham's never come to her before. He's the one on call. But nevertheless, lets him in.
It's then he has another vision...a dream this time. He's startled awake. Apparently Graham's lack of feelings have also affected his good sense because he hurriedly recounts his dream to Regina. Regina is alarmed by his behavior and suggests he get more sleep. He's sick and she's worried because his vision, which he claims feels like a memory, hits a little too close to home. She knows who he really his and if he remembers, all will be lost to her.
As much as she tries to persuade Graham to stay with her and get more sleep, he leaves. He has to get to the bottom of why he's seeing these things. Stumbling out to his car, he drops his keys. He bends down to snatch them up only to come face to face with the very white wolf from his dreams. Graham is stunned silly. He can only watch as the wolf trots off.
The shock of seeing the wolf wears of quickly. He feels connected to this wolf somehow, like he knows it from somewhere. And what better way to see if that's true? Graham decides to track him down. But the woods surrounding Storybrooke are vast, and when Graham stumbles upon Mr. Gold "gardening" in the middle of the woods, Mr. Gold assures Graham that there are no wolves in Storybrooke, "at least not the literal kind." Mr. Gold's moment of honesty somehow gives Graham license to trust Mr. Gold. So, Graham spills the beans on all of his visions and that he really saw the wolf. Mr. Gold just tells him to keep searching and that dreams are sometimes memories of another life.
Spurred on by Mr. Gold's words, Graham continues the hunt and actually finds the wolf. The wolf comes to him and he touches its head. Whoosh, again! More memories surface. The woods, the wolf, a young woman with black hair, red lips and skin white like snow. She's crying as Graham raises a blade at her. And then an emblem on a building. What does it mean? Who is the woman? Mary Margaret?
As the final bell rings, Graham finds Mary Margaret cleaning up her classroom as students rush out. Graham's not here for small talk and gets straight to the point. He asks Mary Margaret if they know each other. Not from now, but from a past life. She's confused. She can't say, but as far as she's concerned, there is no past life. So he sticks it to her. When did they first meet? She starts to answer, but then takes it back. Confused that she can't remember, she simply replies, "No." Graham can't remember either. He can't remember when they met or when he met anyone else. He thinks it's odd, but Mary Margaret just thinks that's part of life. But when Graham starts asking if he's ever hurt her, she's quick assure him otherwise. She thinks he's been talking to Henry. He looks feverish and maybe it's best he get more sleep.
Graham leaves but not to go home. It's a certain 10-year-old he seeks. After Graham explains that he wants to see Henry's book, Henry excitedly lets him in. Finally, someone who might believe his theory.
So who is Graham? What's his fairy tale story? The clues we have so far are the woods, a wolf, Mary Margaret, who we know is Snow White. If he's trying to kill her, he must be that small but significant character...the Huntsman.
You see, the Huntsman was raised by wolves, much like Mowgli from the Jungle Book. They're more like family to him than humans. And when anyone tries to harm one of his beloved family members, they'll pay with their lives. And when one such fight breaks out in a local tavern, a glass shard gives access to the Evil Queen. You see, she's killed Snow White's father; Snow White doesn't know, and she wants to keep it that way. She's got one down and one to go. Snow White must die. And what better way than at the hands of a ruthless huntsman. And when she sees this particular huntsman kill like there's no tomorrow, she decides right then and there he's the one.
She sends her men out to bring him in. And after a brief confirmation that he's adept at murder, she hires him with a simple exchange of assurance that hunting wolves is outlawed in all the kingdom. The Huntsman dresses up as a knight and takes Snow White for a walk in the woods. It's not long before Snow White realizes that the Evil Queen has set her up. She's sent this man to kill her. Why? She doesn't know. But she's not going to be easy prey. After slugging him with a handy branch, she runs. But not for long. Because the Huntsman catches up to her, only to find her...composing a letter?
She confesses that it would only be a matter of time before he caught her anyway, and this way she can at least say her final words of forgiveness. This touches the poor Huntsman. He takes pity on her and tells her to run. He won't kill her but he'll take the letter back to the Queen.
Without too much question, Snow White runs. The Huntsman brings back a heart, only this is the heart of a stag. But before he hands it over to the unsuspecting queen, he requests that she know what the letter said. He reads it for the queen. But rather than hear the touching words and forgive Snow White, the queen's heart hardens. This is all the more reason to kill Snow White. She deserves to die after the heartache she put upon the her. After the betrayal of trust. In rage, the queen demands for the heart. She's fooled, but when her heart chamber box doesn't open, she realizes she's been duped.
And who should pay? The Huntsman, of course. His heart he can no longer have. Enraged, she rips the heart from the Huntsman's chest and commands he be taken to her chamber. His heart goes in the box. And should he ever betray the queen, one little squeeze and he's a dead man...
Back in Storybrooke, in Henry's room, Henry explains that the visions all lead to one definite conclusion: Graham is the huntsman, from Snow White. As for the emblem, well, that's where the Evil Queen is keeping his heart.
Graham is overjoyed. He thanks Henry and leaves, only to run into Emma. So much has happened since they last spoke, but now Graham has hope. He explains that he can't feel anything and the heartbeat that Emma feels is just part of the curse. He explain that he has to follow the wolf. The wolf will lead him to his heart. Emma is shocked that a grown man would believe a kid's theory and take it seriously. But when the wolf appears, Emma can't help but follow Graham and the wolf. The wolf leads them to a mausoleum. Graham spots the symbol right away and exclaims his heart must be in there. Emma, not fully believing him, decides to humor him and help him search for the heart. They bust down the door and start searching, but nothing comes up. They're about to leave, when who should stumble upon them: Regina. She's horrified that they would be snooping around her father's grave. And for what? Nothing could be that important.
But it's not so much that they're messing around her father's resting place, but that Graham is with Emma. Harsh words fly and Emma's had enough. Fist wound up, she lets Regina have it and slugs her. Regina retaliates and after one bloody lip and a few soon-to-be sore muscles, the fight calms. Regina's not worth it, Emma explains. And for Graham, his and Regina's relationship is over. He doesn't feel anything and never will.
Of course, Regina doesn't take this lightly. No, the only way to stop this madness, this rebellion, is to end it. Once in the tomb, Regina simply pushes the coffin to the side and climbs down a secret staircase to a wall of boxes. Inside is Graham's heart. The one she took back in Fairy Tale land. A simply squeeze will do and it will be over.
Back at the sheriff's office, Graham helps patch Emma up. They kiss and Graham fully gains all of his memories. He remembers...everything. But before he can tell all, his heart gives out. He falls to the floor and Emma desperately tries to revive him to no avail. Graham's dead and Emma's horrified. Back in the mausoleum, Regina's wrath is satisfied..
Burning Questions:
1) When Regina takes hearts, how can it sometimes be to instantly kill and other times just to control or the emotional side?
2) What is Mr. Gold burying in the woods?
3) How many, and whose, hearts does Regina have in her heart box chamber?
4) Will the whistle the Huntsman gave Snow White come back into play later?
5) How will Graham's death/missing heart be explained in an autopsy?
6) What did Snow White do to justify the Evil Queen's wrath?
Until next time...
~ Taryn
After his secret about Regina is exposed to Emma, Graham feels the need to explain his actions. Of course, without the memory of how he got sucked into Regina's terrible manipulations from way back when in Fairy Tale Land, words are failing him. He exclaims that he can't feel anything, which is by no means comforting to Emma. She could care less. But Graham wants her to understand it, something he can't fully do himself. So, since words are no help, Graham escalates to physical contact, a harmless kiss. Whoosh! Before his eyes he sees a vision: trees in a forest and a white wolf with one red and one black eye. Startled, he jerks back. Emma, of course, did not see the wolf or trees. She's disgusted by his forwardness, especially in his drunkenness. She tells him to get lost.
Graham, now completely confused, decides the best way to test his theory of not feeling anything is to go to Regina. Regina is taken aback. Graham's never come to her before. He's the one on call. But nevertheless, lets him in.
It's then he has another vision...a dream this time. He's startled awake. Apparently Graham's lack of feelings have also affected his good sense because he hurriedly recounts his dream to Regina. Regina is alarmed by his behavior and suggests he get more sleep. He's sick and she's worried because his vision, which he claims feels like a memory, hits a little too close to home. She knows who he really his and if he remembers, all will be lost to her.
As much as she tries to persuade Graham to stay with her and get more sleep, he leaves. He has to get to the bottom of why he's seeing these things. Stumbling out to his car, he drops his keys. He bends down to snatch them up only to come face to face with the very white wolf from his dreams. Graham is stunned silly. He can only watch as the wolf trots off.
The shock of seeing the wolf wears of quickly. He feels connected to this wolf somehow, like he knows it from somewhere. And what better way to see if that's true? Graham decides to track him down. But the woods surrounding Storybrooke are vast, and when Graham stumbles upon Mr. Gold "gardening" in the middle of the woods, Mr. Gold assures Graham that there are no wolves in Storybrooke, "at least not the literal kind." Mr. Gold's moment of honesty somehow gives Graham license to trust Mr. Gold. So, Graham spills the beans on all of his visions and that he really saw the wolf. Mr. Gold just tells him to keep searching and that dreams are sometimes memories of another life.
Spurred on by Mr. Gold's words, Graham continues the hunt and actually finds the wolf. The wolf comes to him and he touches its head. Whoosh, again! More memories surface. The woods, the wolf, a young woman with black hair, red lips and skin white like snow. She's crying as Graham raises a blade at her. And then an emblem on a building. What does it mean? Who is the woman? Mary Margaret?
As the final bell rings, Graham finds Mary Margaret cleaning up her classroom as students rush out. Graham's not here for small talk and gets straight to the point. He asks Mary Margaret if they know each other. Not from now, but from a past life. She's confused. She can't say, but as far as she's concerned, there is no past life. So he sticks it to her. When did they first meet? She starts to answer, but then takes it back. Confused that she can't remember, she simply replies, "No." Graham can't remember either. He can't remember when they met or when he met anyone else. He thinks it's odd, but Mary Margaret just thinks that's part of life. But when Graham starts asking if he's ever hurt her, she's quick assure him otherwise. She thinks he's been talking to Henry. He looks feverish and maybe it's best he get more sleep.
Graham leaves but not to go home. It's a certain 10-year-old he seeks. After Graham explains that he wants to see Henry's book, Henry excitedly lets him in. Finally, someone who might believe his theory.
So who is Graham? What's his fairy tale story? The clues we have so far are the woods, a wolf, Mary Margaret, who we know is Snow White. If he's trying to kill her, he must be that small but significant character...the Huntsman.
You see, the Huntsman was raised by wolves, much like Mowgli from the Jungle Book. They're more like family to him than humans. And when anyone tries to harm one of his beloved family members, they'll pay with their lives. And when one such fight breaks out in a local tavern, a glass shard gives access to the Evil Queen. You see, she's killed Snow White's father; Snow White doesn't know, and she wants to keep it that way. She's got one down and one to go. Snow White must die. And what better way than at the hands of a ruthless huntsman. And when she sees this particular huntsman kill like there's no tomorrow, she decides right then and there he's the one.
She sends her men out to bring him in. And after a brief confirmation that he's adept at murder, she hires him with a simple exchange of assurance that hunting wolves is outlawed in all the kingdom. The Huntsman dresses up as a knight and takes Snow White for a walk in the woods. It's not long before Snow White realizes that the Evil Queen has set her up. She's sent this man to kill her. Why? She doesn't know. But she's not going to be easy prey. After slugging him with a handy branch, she runs. But not for long. Because the Huntsman catches up to her, only to find her...composing a letter?
She confesses that it would only be a matter of time before he caught her anyway, and this way she can at least say her final words of forgiveness. This touches the poor Huntsman. He takes pity on her and tells her to run. He won't kill her but he'll take the letter back to the Queen.
Without too much question, Snow White runs. The Huntsman brings back a heart, only this is the heart of a stag. But before he hands it over to the unsuspecting queen, he requests that she know what the letter said. He reads it for the queen. But rather than hear the touching words and forgive Snow White, the queen's heart hardens. This is all the more reason to kill Snow White. She deserves to die after the heartache she put upon the her. After the betrayal of trust. In rage, the queen demands for the heart. She's fooled, but when her heart chamber box doesn't open, she realizes she's been duped.
And who should pay? The Huntsman, of course. His heart he can no longer have. Enraged, she rips the heart from the Huntsman's chest and commands he be taken to her chamber. His heart goes in the box. And should he ever betray the queen, one little squeeze and he's a dead man...
Back in Storybrooke, in Henry's room, Henry explains that the visions all lead to one definite conclusion: Graham is the huntsman, from Snow White. As for the emblem, well, that's where the Evil Queen is keeping his heart.
Graham is overjoyed. He thanks Henry and leaves, only to run into Emma. So much has happened since they last spoke, but now Graham has hope. He explains that he can't feel anything and the heartbeat that Emma feels is just part of the curse. He explain that he has to follow the wolf. The wolf will lead him to his heart. Emma is shocked that a grown man would believe a kid's theory and take it seriously. But when the wolf appears, Emma can't help but follow Graham and the wolf. The wolf leads them to a mausoleum. Graham spots the symbol right away and exclaims his heart must be in there. Emma, not fully believing him, decides to humor him and help him search for the heart. They bust down the door and start searching, but nothing comes up. They're about to leave, when who should stumble upon them: Regina. She's horrified that they would be snooping around her father's grave. And for what? Nothing could be that important.
But it's not so much that they're messing around her father's resting place, but that Graham is with Emma. Harsh words fly and Emma's had enough. Fist wound up, she lets Regina have it and slugs her. Regina retaliates and after one bloody lip and a few soon-to-be sore muscles, the fight calms. Regina's not worth it, Emma explains. And for Graham, his and Regina's relationship is over. He doesn't feel anything and never will.
Of course, Regina doesn't take this lightly. No, the only way to stop this madness, this rebellion, is to end it. Once in the tomb, Regina simply pushes the coffin to the side and climbs down a secret staircase to a wall of boxes. Inside is Graham's heart. The one she took back in Fairy Tale land. A simply squeeze will do and it will be over.
Back at the sheriff's office, Graham helps patch Emma up. They kiss and Graham fully gains all of his memories. He remembers...everything. But before he can tell all, his heart gives out. He falls to the floor and Emma desperately tries to revive him to no avail. Graham's dead and Emma's horrified. Back in the mausoleum, Regina's wrath is satisfied..
Burning Questions:
1) When Regina takes hearts, how can it sometimes be to instantly kill and other times just to control or the emotional side?
2) What is Mr. Gold burying in the woods?
3) How many, and whose, hearts does Regina have in her heart box chamber?
4) Will the whistle the Huntsman gave Snow White come back into play later?
5) How will Graham's death/missing heart be explained in an autopsy?
6) What did Snow White do to justify the Evil Queen's wrath?
Until next time...
~ Taryn
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 8 - Desperate Souls - "Cursed Coward"
I know how to recognize a desperate soul.
It's only been two weeks since Sheriff Graham's death and newly appointed Sheriff's Deputy Emma is about to be promoted by Storybrooke law. It's her place to take over as town sheriff; however, Mayor Regina has other plans.
Regina easily feigns grief over the death of Graham. He was a good man and made this town run smoothly under his reign. And Emma most certainly has not earned such a honor to take his place. No, it is also by law that the mayor may appoint another so long as it's within two weeks following the death of the former sheriff. And who better to take office than her own little puppet, Sidney Glass.
Yes, from the newspaper.
It's not so much that Emma wants to be sheriff, but by doing so, it's just one more step in removing Graham from the picture. Graham was special, made her feel again. And now, Regina's holding all the cards to bring this town down into further destruction.
Henry's afraid that Regina might go after Emma. And who knows what kind of trouble that might bring. Sure, the autopsy said Graham's death was from natural causes, but knowing what he knows, Henry's sights are set on his adoptive mother. He wants Emma to forget Operation Cobra, their plan to bring Regina down and win the battle. It's too dangerous right now. Emma still doesn't believe, but maybe that's what will keep her safe. It's what will throw Regina off the trail.
But despite Henry's beliefs, Emma can't just sit by and let Regina win. Evil can't always win. She's got to show Henry that good can win, and it will.
So, while Regina is prepping her puppet for office, Emma's turned to Mr. Gold, who just as much wants to see Regina defeated. He knows that the city ordinate states that the mayor can appoint a candidate, which requires an election. Emma appoints herself as the opposing candidate and the battle for town sheriff begins.
Nevertheless, Mr. Gold's plan to win back the office is dangerous and wrong. Burn the mayor's office building down while Emma's there to rescue her. Emma will be a town hero and the votes will just fly in. Regina will have no chance. However, Emma doesn't want to play dirty. That's the very reason she wants to win. Fair and square. The right way. To show Henry it's possible. And so, she leaves Mr. Gold high and dry.
But as we know, Mr. Gold doesn't like "no." The plan is already set in motion. And so, without Emma knowing it, Mr. Gold follows through with his dangerous plan. Emma, unknowingly, saves Regina and what do you know, becomes a town hero.
Emma is infuriated that Mr. Gold went through with it. And now what? She'll win based on false pretenses. To get him back and make everything right for Henry and for her, at the debate, Emma confesses to the fire and her false heroism and the fact the it was Mr. Gold who was behind it. And she's sorry for misleading the town.
The town is shocked. Emma's disappointed it got this far and walks out. Henry was right, evil wins. And tonight is just one more example. And so when Regina and Sidney Glass walk in to Granny's, Emma wishes him the best of luck as sheriff. However, Sidney can't take Emma's congratulations because it was not he who won. Yep, Emma won the town over with her honesty, and with the most votes it is he who has to congratulate her. Sheriff Emma Swan. Sounds good, doesn't it?
Later, as Emma's cleaning out her new office, Mr. Gold drops by to remind Emma of their little deal, her favor to him. He doesn't know what he'll use it for yet, but don't think he won't come to collect. Oh, and Emma's entire confession, revealing that he was behind her heroism...well, that was part of his plan, too. Yes, the townspeople fear Regina, but they fear him more. And so, thanks to him, her new, for better or worse, ally, she is the new sheriff. And that favor she owes him, well, it won't be just any small matter...
Rumplestiltskin. Brings to mind a certain type of man. Wily, manipulative, powerful, creepy, and dangerous. Cowardly would not be among the list of adjectives that define Rumplestiltskin. However, like all of these Once Upon a Time characters, there is more to them than meets the eye. Each character has a beginning, a story that tells how they got to be who they are as we know them. And Rumplestiltskin is no exception.
Before Rumplestiltskin became the powerfully manipulative baby-snatcher that he is, he was once a desperate man, unsure of how to save his young son, Baelfire, from going to battle in the Ogres War. Because on every child's 14th birthday, they are required to become young soldiers in the War, and low and behold, it is mere days from Baelfire's birthday. But Rumplestiltskin's a coward. He can't stop what will happen. He doesn't know how. And even if he did, he wouldn't have the guts to go through with it.
That is until he meets an old beggar man. This man trust's Rumple with some valuable information. The Dark One, the one who has the power to forcibly control the people and make them surrender the children to battle, he can be defeated. How? There is a dagger with the Dark One's real name on it. The one who is in possession of the dagger can control the Dark One. And if you kill the Dark One, you gain his powers.
Desperate to save his son, Rumplestiltskin decides to get that dagger. With the Dark One's powers, he can stop the Ogre's War madness. And so, in the dark of night, Rumple storms the castle, burns down the rafters, and steals the dagger. In the woods, he commands the presents of the Dark One. He is in control now.
Calling out the name on the dagger, Zozo, the Dark One appears. But who should it be but the old beggar man. He tricked Rumple. But the beggar is not finished with his trickery. With a few choice words, he invokes Rumple's anger at being betrayed. Rumple, enraged, stabs the old man, who with his dying breaths, laughs. For Rumple does not know the dire consequence of his action. By killing the Dark One, he is now in possession of all of the Dark Power and becomes the new Dark One. And it is not something the old beggar would wish upon anyone. For that type of power can turn the heart black.
Rumplestiltskin, afraid, can feel the evil overwhelming him as the beggar man dies.
The next morning, the kings men have arrived to take Baelfire to battle. But the Dark One stops them. Rumplestiltskin, now cursed and no longer cowardly, kills the knights. Baelfire is afraid of his changed father. He's dangerous now. But what can be done...
Burning Questions:
1) What is Mr. Gold's favor with Emma?
2) Other than removing more power from Regina, what advantages does Mr. Gold now have by helping Emma become sheriff?
3) Where and who is Baelfire, Rumple's son?
4) Who is Henry's father?
5) What is Emma desperate for? Her family? Her son?
~ Taryn
It's only been two weeks since Sheriff Graham's death and newly appointed Sheriff's Deputy Emma is about to be promoted by Storybrooke law. It's her place to take over as town sheriff; however, Mayor Regina has other plans.
Regina easily feigns grief over the death of Graham. He was a good man and made this town run smoothly under his reign. And Emma most certainly has not earned such a honor to take his place. No, it is also by law that the mayor may appoint another so long as it's within two weeks following the death of the former sheriff. And who better to take office than her own little puppet, Sidney Glass.
Yes, from the newspaper.
It's not so much that Emma wants to be sheriff, but by doing so, it's just one more step in removing Graham from the picture. Graham was special, made her feel again. And now, Regina's holding all the cards to bring this town down into further destruction.
Henry's afraid that Regina might go after Emma. And who knows what kind of trouble that might bring. Sure, the autopsy said Graham's death was from natural causes, but knowing what he knows, Henry's sights are set on his adoptive mother. He wants Emma to forget Operation Cobra, their plan to bring Regina down and win the battle. It's too dangerous right now. Emma still doesn't believe, but maybe that's what will keep her safe. It's what will throw Regina off the trail.
But despite Henry's beliefs, Emma can't just sit by and let Regina win. Evil can't always win. She's got to show Henry that good can win, and it will.
So, while Regina is prepping her puppet for office, Emma's turned to Mr. Gold, who just as much wants to see Regina defeated. He knows that the city ordinate states that the mayor can appoint a candidate, which requires an election. Emma appoints herself as the opposing candidate and the battle for town sheriff begins.
Nevertheless, Mr. Gold's plan to win back the office is dangerous and wrong. Burn the mayor's office building down while Emma's there to rescue her. Emma will be a town hero and the votes will just fly in. Regina will have no chance. However, Emma doesn't want to play dirty. That's the very reason she wants to win. Fair and square. The right way. To show Henry it's possible. And so, she leaves Mr. Gold high and dry.
But as we know, Mr. Gold doesn't like "no." The plan is already set in motion. And so, without Emma knowing it, Mr. Gold follows through with his dangerous plan. Emma, unknowingly, saves Regina and what do you know, becomes a town hero.
Emma is infuriated that Mr. Gold went through with it. And now what? She'll win based on false pretenses. To get him back and make everything right for Henry and for her, at the debate, Emma confesses to the fire and her false heroism and the fact the it was Mr. Gold who was behind it. And she's sorry for misleading the town.
The town is shocked. Emma's disappointed it got this far and walks out. Henry was right, evil wins. And tonight is just one more example. And so when Regina and Sidney Glass walk in to Granny's, Emma wishes him the best of luck as sheriff. However, Sidney can't take Emma's congratulations because it was not he who won. Yep, Emma won the town over with her honesty, and with the most votes it is he who has to congratulate her. Sheriff Emma Swan. Sounds good, doesn't it?
Later, as Emma's cleaning out her new office, Mr. Gold drops by to remind Emma of their little deal, her favor to him. He doesn't know what he'll use it for yet, but don't think he won't come to collect. Oh, and Emma's entire confession, revealing that he was behind her heroism...well, that was part of his plan, too. Yes, the townspeople fear Regina, but they fear him more. And so, thanks to him, her new, for better or worse, ally, she is the new sheriff. And that favor she owes him, well, it won't be just any small matter...
Rumplestiltskin. Brings to mind a certain type of man. Wily, manipulative, powerful, creepy, and dangerous. Cowardly would not be among the list of adjectives that define Rumplestiltskin. However, like all of these Once Upon a Time characters, there is more to them than meets the eye. Each character has a beginning, a story that tells how they got to be who they are as we know them. And Rumplestiltskin is no exception.
Before Rumplestiltskin became the powerfully manipulative baby-snatcher that he is, he was once a desperate man, unsure of how to save his young son, Baelfire, from going to battle in the Ogres War. Because on every child's 14th birthday, they are required to become young soldiers in the War, and low and behold, it is mere days from Baelfire's birthday. But Rumplestiltskin's a coward. He can't stop what will happen. He doesn't know how. And even if he did, he wouldn't have the guts to go through with it.
That is until he meets an old beggar man. This man trust's Rumple with some valuable information. The Dark One, the one who has the power to forcibly control the people and make them surrender the children to battle, he can be defeated. How? There is a dagger with the Dark One's real name on it. The one who is in possession of the dagger can control the Dark One. And if you kill the Dark One, you gain his powers.
Desperate to save his son, Rumplestiltskin decides to get that dagger. With the Dark One's powers, he can stop the Ogre's War madness. And so, in the dark of night, Rumple storms the castle, burns down the rafters, and steals the dagger. In the woods, he commands the presents of the Dark One. He is in control now.
Calling out the name on the dagger, Zozo, the Dark One appears. But who should it be but the old beggar man. He tricked Rumple. But the beggar is not finished with his trickery. With a few choice words, he invokes Rumple's anger at being betrayed. Rumple, enraged, stabs the old man, who with his dying breaths, laughs. For Rumple does not know the dire consequence of his action. By killing the Dark One, he is now in possession of all of the Dark Power and becomes the new Dark One. And it is not something the old beggar would wish upon anyone. For that type of power can turn the heart black.
Rumplestiltskin, afraid, can feel the evil overwhelming him as the beggar man dies.
The next morning, the kings men have arrived to take Baelfire to battle. But the Dark One stops them. Rumplestiltskin, now cursed and no longer cowardly, kills the knights. Baelfire is afraid of his changed father. He's dangerous now. But what can be done...
Burning Questions:
1) What is Mr. Gold's favor with Emma?
2) Other than removing more power from Regina, what advantages does Mr. Gold now have by helping Emma become sheriff?
3) Where and who is Baelfire, Rumple's son?
4) Who is Henry's father?
5) What is Emma desperate for? Her family? Her son?
~ Taryn
Friday, July 20, 2012
Review - Season 1 Episode 9 - True North - "A Family Dynamic"
Family always finds one another.
Family matters. It represents a unit full of love unconditional. It's something many of us strive for. However, not all of us find it. For Emma, it's been the very thing that's made her who she is. She's run from it and towards it her entire life. And while she may have built up walls to protect herself from love of any kind in case it might be ripped from her, the walls are thin; she just can't let go of finding her family someday. And when Henry shows up, the walls begin to break. He's given her hope. Another chance at having a family. A whole family. With her father, mother, and son.
And family is the very cause for the curse. Of course, at this point in the show we don't have all the facts. That will come later. But what we do know is that the Evil Queen has no concept of what a family really is. She's confused when confronted with the idea of unconditional love for another person. Could that be why she is so bitter? The reason why she hates Snow White? Enough reason to enact a curse and break up all hope for everyone and send them to a place where they can live miserable lives just like she? It's possible.
Which leads us to this episode, filled with more broken families, but leaves us with hope for a happy ending...
Hansel and Gretel, a classic fairy tale of two children who run into some trouble with an old witch in a sweet house. They're abandoned by their parents for financial reasons and left to survive in the woods. However, these children are smart and find multiple ways, one being the infamous bread crumbs, to get back home. Nevertheless, in traditional Once Upon a Time fashion, this version has a few changes, which, in my opinion, endears me to the show even more.
Hansel and Gretel live with their father, a woodcutter. On one trip to the woods, he sends his twin children out to gather dry kindling. Their storing up for a cold winter. However, the Evil Queen interrupts their simple day. She kidnaps the father and bargains for his return by sending Hansel and Gretel into the house of the blind witch to fetch a certain something. It's in a black satchel, she says. All they have to do is retrieve it without eating anything.
Desperate to get their father back, Hansel and Gretel sneak into the gingerbread house. However, Hansel can't help himself. Just as they're about to leave with the small package they came for, Hansel sinks his sweet tooth into a fluffy chocolate cupcake.
The blind witch, now aware of their presence, awakes from her snoring. She's hungry. And who just walked into her parlor? Dinner!
Locking the children up, she prepares the oven and gathers a few extra tasty ingredients, butter and gravy. However, true to the original story, Hansel and Gretel are two smart children. With a few smooth moves, they trick the witch and shove her into the oven, escaping with the precious package and their lives.
The Evil Queen is pleased. Finally, she has the perfect weapon to take down Snow White. It's red and delicious, good for making cider on a cold day, with just a touch of sleeping poison. And to make good on her promise to the children, she counters with a better offer. They can come live with her. They'll have all that they want and more. They won't even miss their father.
But Gretel and Hansel don't want just anything. They want their father. And they'll do whatever it takes to find him.
This does not make the Evil Queen happy. So, she does what she does best and magically poofs them away to the middle of the Enchanted Forest with nothing more than a simple compass to lead the way. Oh, they can be a family again, just as soon as they find one another...
(The only thing missing here was an evil laugh.)
Storybrooke proves to offer the same challenges for young Ava and Nicholas. Their orphaned and all they have left of their missing father is a cracked compass. It doesn't work, but nevertheless, they'll keep it forever. It reminds them of what they might have someday.
When Emma has to deal with their shoplifting, she discovers their current family state. They're all they have and Emma is determined to find their missing father. She knows what it's like to live without knowing her family. And there is no way she's sending them into the foster care system. Not if she can help it. These kids, whoever they are, need their father.
Henry, of course, knows exactly who they are. Hansel and Gretel. All alone, abandoned by their parents... It's obvious, right? This prompts Henry to ask about his father. Emma tells a sweet tale of a young man who was training to become a firefighter. They hung out. He meet success, she continued down a road of failure. By the time she was in jail (for what?) and knew she was pregnant, she learned that Henry's father had died saving a family. She doesn't have anything to show Henry about his father....
...but maybe Ava and Nicholas do.
Just their cracked compass.
Such a lovely crafted piece of work could only have come from one place in town...Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop. Mr. Gold is happy to help. Of course, with a small price. Forgiveness. Emma's not ready for that and offers only tolerance.
Mr. Gold accepts and gives her a name off of a blank index card. The name is all she'll need to find who she's looking for. And find him she does. At the local auto shop. He denies having kids even after seeing the compass they've carried around. It's his, but he wants nothing to do with them. He's not father material.
But Emma won't give up so easily. When Regina arranges for Emma to take the kids to Boston (the only other city on the show), she heads out of town and towards the city limits. Bad things happen when any fairy tale character tries to leave and this time is no exception. Emma's car rattles and shakes to a stop. Who to call when you have car problems in Storybrooke...why, the auto mechanic, aka, Ava and Nicholas' father, of course.
It's no surprise then that when he shows up he figures it's all been a set up. One last ditch effort to get him to take the kids. And it's here we get our second happily ever after. (The first was with Cinderella/Ashley after she had her baby). After seeing their sweet faces, the father can't help but take his children. And home they go.
Such a happy ending initiates a conversation with Mary Margaret. Emma thinks it's time to give up searching for her parents. If they wanted to be found, they would be. Besides, they better have a good reason for not wanting her, and definitely not because they tried to save her from a curse by sticking her in a wardrobe.
Mary Margaret laughs. But when Emma tells her Henry thinks Mary Margaret is her mom, Mary Margaret laughs it off but takes a moment to consider it. But that's not possible. She would remember if she had a kid, wouldn't she?
And as Emma leaves to take a walk, audiences everywhere held their breath when Mary Margaret spots Emma's baby blanket, holds it to her nose, and breaths in. For a second, we're hopeful she's had some realization. But just as fast, she shakes her head and sets the blanket down.
Outside in her sheriff's car, Emma reviews her old file. A few newspaper clippings stating she'd been found by a 7 year-old boy on the side of the road. She's just about to read more when Henry shows up. He brought her a slice of pumpkin pie, his father's favorite according to Emma. His innocent face almost makes Emma confess to Henry that the entire story she told him was false. But she can't do that. That'd break his heart. So, she accepts the pie and takes a bite just as the roar of a motorcycle engine revs up the street.
A stranger, in Storybrooke? Impossible. But he's looking for a room. He's planning on staying for a while. Emma gives him directions. And as the mysterious stranger rides off, Henry confirms the impossible. Strangers don't come to Storybrooke.
So who is he?
Burning Questions:
1) Who's Henry's father and why doesn't Emma want him to know?
2) Why send the kids all the way to Boston? Surely there are closer foster care systems.
3) Did Emma's car really break down? If so, can Emma leave Storybrooke?
~ Taryn
Family matters. It represents a unit full of love unconditional. It's something many of us strive for. However, not all of us find it. For Emma, it's been the very thing that's made her who she is. She's run from it and towards it her entire life. And while she may have built up walls to protect herself from love of any kind in case it might be ripped from her, the walls are thin; she just can't let go of finding her family someday. And when Henry shows up, the walls begin to break. He's given her hope. Another chance at having a family. A whole family. With her father, mother, and son.
And family is the very cause for the curse. Of course, at this point in the show we don't have all the facts. That will come later. But what we do know is that the Evil Queen has no concept of what a family really is. She's confused when confronted with the idea of unconditional love for another person. Could that be why she is so bitter? The reason why she hates Snow White? Enough reason to enact a curse and break up all hope for everyone and send them to a place where they can live miserable lives just like she? It's possible.
Which leads us to this episode, filled with more broken families, but leaves us with hope for a happy ending...
Hansel and Gretel, a classic fairy tale of two children who run into some trouble with an old witch in a sweet house. They're abandoned by their parents for financial reasons and left to survive in the woods. However, these children are smart and find multiple ways, one being the infamous bread crumbs, to get back home. Nevertheless, in traditional Once Upon a Time fashion, this version has a few changes, which, in my opinion, endears me to the show even more.
Hansel and Gretel live with their father, a woodcutter. On one trip to the woods, he sends his twin children out to gather dry kindling. Their storing up for a cold winter. However, the Evil Queen interrupts their simple day. She kidnaps the father and bargains for his return by sending Hansel and Gretel into the house of the blind witch to fetch a certain something. It's in a black satchel, she says. All they have to do is retrieve it without eating anything.
Desperate to get their father back, Hansel and Gretel sneak into the gingerbread house. However, Hansel can't help himself. Just as they're about to leave with the small package they came for, Hansel sinks his sweet tooth into a fluffy chocolate cupcake.
The blind witch, now aware of their presence, awakes from her snoring. She's hungry. And who just walked into her parlor? Dinner!
Locking the children up, she prepares the oven and gathers a few extra tasty ingredients, butter and gravy. However, true to the original story, Hansel and Gretel are two smart children. With a few smooth moves, they trick the witch and shove her into the oven, escaping with the precious package and their lives.
The Evil Queen is pleased. Finally, she has the perfect weapon to take down Snow White. It's red and delicious, good for making cider on a cold day, with just a touch of sleeping poison. And to make good on her promise to the children, she counters with a better offer. They can come live with her. They'll have all that they want and more. They won't even miss their father.
But Gretel and Hansel don't want just anything. They want their father. And they'll do whatever it takes to find him.
This does not make the Evil Queen happy. So, she does what she does best and magically poofs them away to the middle of the Enchanted Forest with nothing more than a simple compass to lead the way. Oh, they can be a family again, just as soon as they find one another...
(The only thing missing here was an evil laugh.)
Storybrooke proves to offer the same challenges for young Ava and Nicholas. Their orphaned and all they have left of their missing father is a cracked compass. It doesn't work, but nevertheless, they'll keep it forever. It reminds them of what they might have someday.
When Emma has to deal with their shoplifting, she discovers their current family state. They're all they have and Emma is determined to find their missing father. She knows what it's like to live without knowing her family. And there is no way she's sending them into the foster care system. Not if she can help it. These kids, whoever they are, need their father.
Henry, of course, knows exactly who they are. Hansel and Gretel. All alone, abandoned by their parents... It's obvious, right? This prompts Henry to ask about his father. Emma tells a sweet tale of a young man who was training to become a firefighter. They hung out. He meet success, she continued down a road of failure. By the time she was in jail (for what?) and knew she was pregnant, she learned that Henry's father had died saving a family. She doesn't have anything to show Henry about his father....
...but maybe Ava and Nicholas do.
Just their cracked compass.
Such a lovely crafted piece of work could only have come from one place in town...Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop. Mr. Gold is happy to help. Of course, with a small price. Forgiveness. Emma's not ready for that and offers only tolerance.
Mr. Gold accepts and gives her a name off of a blank index card. The name is all she'll need to find who she's looking for. And find him she does. At the local auto shop. He denies having kids even after seeing the compass they've carried around. It's his, but he wants nothing to do with them. He's not father material.
But Emma won't give up so easily. When Regina arranges for Emma to take the kids to Boston (the only other city on the show), she heads out of town and towards the city limits. Bad things happen when any fairy tale character tries to leave and this time is no exception. Emma's car rattles and shakes to a stop. Who to call when you have car problems in Storybrooke...why, the auto mechanic, aka, Ava and Nicholas' father, of course.
It's no surprise then that when he shows up he figures it's all been a set up. One last ditch effort to get him to take the kids. And it's here we get our second happily ever after. (The first was with Cinderella/Ashley after she had her baby). After seeing their sweet faces, the father can't help but take his children. And home they go.
Such a happy ending initiates a conversation with Mary Margaret. Emma thinks it's time to give up searching for her parents. If they wanted to be found, they would be. Besides, they better have a good reason for not wanting her, and definitely not because they tried to save her from a curse by sticking her in a wardrobe.
Mary Margaret laughs. But when Emma tells her Henry thinks Mary Margaret is her mom, Mary Margaret laughs it off but takes a moment to consider it. But that's not possible. She would remember if she had a kid, wouldn't she?
And as Emma leaves to take a walk, audiences everywhere held their breath when Mary Margaret spots Emma's baby blanket, holds it to her nose, and breaths in. For a second, we're hopeful she's had some realization. But just as fast, she shakes her head and sets the blanket down.
Outside in her sheriff's car, Emma reviews her old file. A few newspaper clippings stating she'd been found by a 7 year-old boy on the side of the road. She's just about to read more when Henry shows up. He brought her a slice of pumpkin pie, his father's favorite according to Emma. His innocent face almost makes Emma confess to Henry that the entire story she told him was false. But she can't do that. That'd break his heart. So, she accepts the pie and takes a bite just as the roar of a motorcycle engine revs up the street.
A stranger, in Storybrooke? Impossible. But he's looking for a room. He's planning on staying for a while. Emma gives him directions. And as the mysterious stranger rides off, Henry confirms the impossible. Strangers don't come to Storybrooke.
So who is he?
Burning Questions:
1) Who's Henry's father and why doesn't Emma want him to know?
2) Why send the kids all the way to Boston? Surely there are closer foster care systems.
3) Did Emma's car really break down? If so, can Emma leave Storybrooke?
~ Taryn