Initial reactions.

This has been a VERY interesting episode! Kept on the tension but answered some of the questions too and developed the plots that we were so craving for!
First things first so my initial thoughts as the episode was rolling:
– August in Thailand – not only cool because he was talking like a native, meaning he must have spent there a LONG time, but also the subtle 8.15 time reference to LOST 😉
– As we knew already from the sneak peeks, Emma’s taking a radical approach to face MM problem and she’s absolutely right!
– BEAN CROP ANY TIME SOON??? I thought it takes 1000 years?! Some super-special fertiliser?! Is this going to appear in the finale, I wonder…
– Going back home – glad Snow is still keeping her firm stance on that one, there is going to be a conflict and I’m pretty sure the dark Snow will have a lot to say in it!
– A brief mention about the Hook actually made me a bit annoyed. Did they honestly expect for him to stay locked up and possibly starving to death? I’m not a fan of his character but this to me is a bit of a lazy writing.
– Emma’s reaction to Neal bringing Tamara – ok, so clearly, she’s not over him at all, she overreacted quite a bit! I know she must be under a lot of stress, but bringing the ‘giant’ and werewolf into the picture? When Anton is of a human size and Ruby can now control her inner beast? And what kind of advice is that: “be honest with her, tell her everything”? Please, like YOU believed Henry to start with. BAD ADVICE. Did she do it on purpose?
– This must have been the coolest scene of the episode – Snow shooting arrows to the music of “Bad reputation” – just brilliant!
– I must say August was looking pretty well in the wooden cgi, a lot better than I expected!
– I really liked August flashbacks – explained a big chunk of his history, although I still long for some story on how he found Neal in the first place and how he knew who he was.
– I liked how August pointed out to Snow that she never had to worry about forgiveness and there she was sitting and realising she really has to face what she’s done and it’s just as real as the wooden man in front of her, feeling sorry for himself and that she cannot end up like him.
– When I saw Tamara at the Dragon, I was a bit disappointed. Too many connections with everyone already! But then it grew on me, clearly she has an agenda and it makes me mega curious on what it is. What does she need magic for? Is she from FTL or is she really non-magical just like Owen? When Neal presented her with the fairy tale stories, of course she had to deny knowing or believing in it, otherwise he would probably get suspicious, but I’m wondering if she was also surprised because she didn’t expect him to be that honest with her?
– Speaking of which – Regina was super nice to Owen before she knew who he was – a completely different approach to strangers than she had before (hostile to both August and Kurt). Is it just because he helped her with Henry?
– But hey, Regina’s out with her lines! “If I were you I’d try the fish special, it’s right up your alley. Blackened Sole.” I bet she was practicing this one for hours!
– Wow, the Dragon clearly knows his stuff. I liked the little test August put him to when he showed him the wrong leg. Is the dragon the real dragon? I don’t believe he’s dead so I’m really hoping he will make a reappearance! And what does he need a personal thing for? Is it necessary to create magical spell specific to the problem? (he returned Tamara’s photo afterwards so he didn’t need it, but then again the potion he gave August was meant for August, not Tamara… or was it?)
– August came back to Blue Fairy right after the curse was broken???? And she didn’t tell anyone?! Even Pinocchio’s own father?!
– I liked the little twists in the story – August stole the money but eventually the potion wasn’t his and he never got healed. Tamara has never had cancer to start with etc
– Is Tamara’s grandmother important? I didn’t recognise her from anywhere but perhaps she could be the fairy that Rumple killed? But then, how come she had a photo of her? It seemed quite important and personal, I do hope it’s not just for the convenience of this episode only…
– When Regina finally recognised Owen, for a second there was a smile on his face, as if he was happy for that. It would be nice to explore this little history but I guess we won’t go there, with other things going on.
– “Monthly juice cleanse, does wonders for the skin.” Gotta love Regina.
– I’m pretty sure Regina’s lying about Kurt though, she wouldn’t let him go ever, not after he saw magic. I know the outsiders are not able to find the town anyway, but with these two, she couldn’t be ever sure any more.
– What did she mean by “People can just disappear”??? Was is an actual threat to him or was it what happened to Kurt?
– Snow slapping Gepetto – can’t say he didn’t deserve it! Also, strangely, I’m glad they are making Snow be darker – she’s much cooler this way!
– Interesting scientific approach on magic – doesn’t contain a single element from our world. And there is Tamara again. Is she going to be another big villain now, once Hook and Cora are gone? She clearly has this advantage that no one knows about her but how is she going to use it and will Pinocchio ever remember what he was trying to warn Emma about?
– Speaking of which – little Pinocchio shouting ‘He’s a real boy!’ – there was no ‘again’ or anything like that which makes me think that Blue Fairy brought his memories back in time to exactly the same point when he rescued his father from the whale. Would he have any memories of him being a real boy before, even from FTL times?
– Tamara now “officially” believes in magic, it will make it easier for her, I guess. I have a feeling her plan needs Neal to be close to her and dependent on her. But when she said she loved him, he hasn’t said the same, unlike when he said it to 18-year old Emma, making me certain the writers really want Neal and Emma to be back together, boo.
– Emma apologising to Henry and asking “Don’t push me away” – does she start realising it’s exactly Regina and Henry situation all over again? Sure, Regina’s done worse things but the base for Henry seeking help was that she was lying to him. Can Emma see the parallels?
– Snow and Charming little talk made me laugh. “I’m not mad!” – David literally shouting at Snow… It was a nice touch that they were showing their love and trying to find a way to lighten her heart again but, to be honest, I was a bit disappointed that the episode was going to end on that note…
– …until the screen showed the phone with “HER” on it. Perfect ending. Left us with so many questions but good ones! Tamara is clearly up to no good but what does she need Owen for? Suddenly all the things he’s done get a different light, what is he exactly going to do with the recordings? Is he planning to blackmail Regina/anyone else in Storybrooke or just to show Tamara the proof? She might have promised him to help him find his father, but aside from that, WHAT IS THEIR AGENDA???!!!!
All in all, great episode, shame for the three weeks hiatus though!