ONCE - Once Upon a Time podcast

Reviews, theories, and talk about ABC's Once Upon a Time TV show

The Thing You Love Most – ONCE002

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The Evil Queen learns how to release the curse to end all curses and Regina tries to get rid of Emma from Storybrooke.

(The following notes are AI-generated, thanks to Castmagic.)

Power and Its Consequences

The allure of power is a central theme in ‘Once Upon a Time,’ and in ‘The Thing You Love Most,’ we observed just how intoxicating this force can be. The Evil Queen’s relentless pursuit of power and authority leads her down a path where she seems willing to commit the unthinkable—killing a loved character. Rumpelstiltskin’s chilling advice to kill what she loves most only adds to the twisted narrative, suggesting that power often demands great sacrifice. We dissected these moments, considering the emotional void and the steep cost of her ambitions.

As we unravelled the queen’s complex character, we debated whether her quest for power was truly fulfilling. The loneliness and loss of personal identity that follows her rise to power are palpably felt, highlighting the destructive nature of her desires. The Evil Queen’s associations with honeycrisp apples and the menacing overtones of her interactions with Emma created a rich tapestry, emphasizing the power struggles that lie at the heart of the show. We pondered the implications of her actions, both in the magical and the real world.

The queen’s resistance to using magic against Emma adds layers to the discussion about the nature of power in the show. It raises questions about restraint, forethought, and perhaps a hint of fear regarding Emma’s role as a disrupter of plans and prophecies. Our analysis led us to speculate on the deep-seated reasons for the queen’s refusal to unleash her powers upon Emma, considering it a strategic move or a hint at a more significant past connection between the characters. Each revelation offered more material for speculation on the long-term consequences of the queen’s ambitious drive for power.

The Frenemies Dynamic

Delving into the tenuous relationship between the Evil Queen and Maleficent, we discussed their portrayal as ‘frenemies’ within the series. Their interactions brim with subtext, revealing a past fraught with rivalry and begrudging respect. When discussing scenes with them, it’s apparent that Maleficent’s dragon-like qualities and magical prowess stand as both a counterbalance and a challenge to the queen’s authority. We explored the dynamics of their relationship, considering how their past and possible future run-ins could impact the overarching narrative.

We further examined the ties to the Disney universe, particularly the significance of Maleficent’s scepter and other iconic elements from Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. These connections not only enrich the story but also hint at further exploration into Disney’s treasure trove of characters and lore. The visuals of the show, like the unicorn seen in the title screen, are thoughtful nods to the source material and were a point of excitement for us as we dissected the episode.

This section of the conversation led us into a detailed analysis of the Evil Queen’s psyche, particularly her conflicted desire for happiness and the moral-driven plot that drives her. The comparison to her fairytale counterpart provided a means for us to scrutinize her motivations and anticipate her future actions. We covered this ground thoughtfully, with a keen eye for the nuances of storytelling that allow for such rich character development within the universe of ‘Once Upon a Time.’

The Ties to Disney Lore

In our exploration of ‘The Thing You Love Most,’ we discovered a tapestry of allusions to classic Disney tales. The conversations between our characters hinted at a deeper interconnection with the iconic stories of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Snow White.’ We marveled at the crafty integration of elements like Maleficent’s scepter and a unicorn in the title screen, which not only served as Easter eggs for astute fans but as artifacts that could foretell upcoming narrative arcs. These iconic symbols from Disney’s repository added a layer of magic and nostalgia to the show’s modern retelling.

The acknowledgment of Disney’s connection to ABC created a meta-layer where listeners like us can appreciate the collaborative spirit that allows ‘Once Upon a Time’ to draw from such a profound cultural wellspring. We delved into the appropriated elements and speculated on the meanings and significance they hold for the series’s unfolding storyline. By looking at past Disney films, we made educated guesses on which characters from the pantheon might make an appearance in Storybrooke based on the subtle hints scattered throughout the episode.

Comparison of the Evil Queen’s fascination with power and the imagery associated with her in Disney movies allowed us to create parallels and contrasts between the queen’s portrayal across different mediums. Furthermore, Henry’s bedroom, replete with fairy tale images, suggested potential clues about future characters and stories to be woven into the fabric of ‘Once Upon a Time.’ This led us to engage in intriguing dialogue about which tales might next be revisited and how they might be twisted to fit the narrative of the series.

Emma and Henry: Out of the Curse

A standout topic of conversation in our episode surrounded Emma and Henry—the only characters unaffected by the curse that freezes Storybrooke in time. As we delved into their background, we discussed the implications of Emma being abandoned at the side of the road and being the only character besides Henry who is aging. These unique circumstances set them apart and hint at a larger narrative unfolding for both characters. We considered the role of ‘the savior,’ as designated by the fairy tale book, and how this aligns with the themes of identity and destiny prevalent in the show.

Our discussion inevitably led to contemplation about Emma’s disbelief in her true heritage and how this skepticism mirrors the audience’s journey through the series. Her evolution from skepticism to belief is a cornerstone of the series’ intrigue, offering both relatability and a sense of wonder as she discovers the truth about herself. These topics sparked thoughts on the broader themes of belief, reality, and the power of stories to shape our perceptions.

Emma’s introduction into the town disrupts Regina’s carefully laid plans for happiness, as evident from her aggressive stance toward Emma. We dissected the implications of this disruption, theorizing about Regina’s past loves or life events that may have crafted her into the antagonistic force she portrays. The uncertainty about whether Regina is aware of the curse contrasted starkly with the knowledge she possesses as the queen. Our trio of hosts debated the meaning behind the queen not using her magic against Emma, theorizing on the possible past between the two that may yet come to light in future episodes.

Regina’s Threatened Happy Ending

Regina as both the mayor and the Evil Queen presents a dichotomy that forms the bedrock of conflict in ‘The Thing You Love Most.’ Our discussion honed in on the nuances of her threatened happy ending, considering her demonstration of absolute control being challenged by Emma’s arrival. Regina’s actions in Storybrooke, underlined by her menacing behavior towards Emma and association with honeycrisp apples, symbolize her bid to maintain authority. We dissected her motives, contemplating whether her antagonistic posture harbors deeper emotional complexities rooted in past love and loss.

The podcast delved deeper into Regina’s psyche, postulating on the loss she experienced that could have led to her creating the curse as an act of desperation. The speculation about the significance of Regina’s past relationships and the idea of her having had someone she was going to marry but was taken from her added depth to our conversation. We talked about the potential for the queen to have chosen the path of darkness as a response to profound personal tragedy—the theft of her own happy ending.

Despite the seeming omniscience of Regina’s character in Storybrooke, Emma’s presence has started to unveil chinks in her armor, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability. The impact of Emma on Regina’s realm of influence and the simmering conflict between them provided fertile ground for us to theorize about shifts in power dynamics and the evolution of Regina’s character. In dissecting these plot threads, we anticipated dramatic twists in the interplay of destiny, choice, and the pursuit of one’s happy ending within the show.

Speculations and Theories

Every twist and turn in ‘Once Upon a Time’ spurred our imaginations, leading to a treasure trove of speculations and theories. Central to our discourse was the enigmatic Rumpelstiltskin, whose counsel to kill what one loves most foreshadows darker elements yet to unfold. As we pondered his influence and potential foreknowledge of events, questions about his relationship with the evil queen and his uncanny ability to shape destinies were discussed with enthusiastic curiosity. His knowing Emma’s name possibly giving him power over her became a particularly tantalizing idea for us to explore.

The chilling notion of frozen time and a town caught in a state of suspended animation captivated us, as we speculated on the implications of Regina’s rule and her ability to instill fear. We spoke about the visual symbolism of the mirrors in the mayor’s office and speculated on the man behind the mirror—could he be someone significant from the fairytale world, living unknowingly among the townspeople? Theories about the actors who might play such a role added an extra dimension to our musings.

Further conjecture arose from the removal of pages from Henry’s book, igniting debates over if and how the queen might come into possession of them. The speculative nature of our conversation highlighted the open-endedness inherent in TV series narratives—in particular, references to the show ‘Lost,’ which, like ‘Once Upon a Time,’ leaves us grappling with mysteries and the dramatic interplay between the characters’ pasts and their current Storybrooke lives. Our examination of the possible repercussions of the curse’s specifics provided a rich area for hypothesis and even more questions to hunt for clues within the enchanting world the show has created.

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