Another more transitional episode. Some funny moments, some interesting moments, and more questions than answers. Not an episode to love on first sight, but think, it’s worth a couple of more looks.
Having a thing for old black and white movies, and for early monster movies, so liked the look of the flashbacks. Liked that Rumple stood out being in color red, although it made me wonder why on the other hand Frankenstein had color when he came to the Enchanted Forest. Probably one of those insignificant technicalities only geeks lose sleep over 😉
Speaking of: Who called 911? Or have they set up some hidden alarm system at the town line? SnowCharmingSwan SWAT team was there in no time, impressive.
Liked the little moment at the hospital showing Grumpy particular cares about Belle. Remember here or in some other forum someone already wondered, if they would tie it in, that the two have met and helped each other.
The watch Gerhard got was a pocket watch, while Whale later threw a wrist watch into the water, the later watch actually belonged to Greg (there is a scene with David earlier, in which Whale is musing about it). So it was not the same watch. Maybe the watch is not at all important besides that it reminded Whale here of what happened with his brother. Or maybe there is more to it. Noticed as well in the episode before, that the very moment the stranger, Greg, crossed the line into Storybrooke, a thunderstorm started. Hardly any coincedence.
Would freak out like Belle when waking up after an accident in hospital and some strange creep is kissing me. Her reactions later in the episode, when Rumple tried to jog her memory with the chipped cup made me think, there is more than amnesia going on. Actually, she does not really suffer amnesia, because she does remember something, but memories of a different personality, not her Fairy Tale Lands identity. She reacted like someone afraid of a newly mental breakdown. So maybe her Storybrooke personality always kinda has remembered, foggy bits and pieces, but has been thinking, those are not memories of real events but of halluzinations and illusions, believing that maybe she was crazy, possible diagnose schizophrenic. Hearing Rumple now talk of castles and magic makes her feel like she’s having a relapse. So she’s getting angsty and angry.
Rumple’s evil sides coming out more obviously again – of course, he is desperate. Desperate about Belle, Hook sure has hit his heart. He probably tried true love’s kiss, hoped it to work, and that is a big thing for Rumple to even try. Remember what happened in the Fairy Tale Lands when Belle kissed him? The curse of the Dark One was starting to break. So if he seriously hoped for true loves effect in this moment, it meant, he was risking his powers. It didn’t work though. Maybe because of him too. For sure because Belle doesn’t remember a thing about him. Thanks that the writers don’t think, that just one kiss makes people fall in love.
When Rumple threatened the Charmings that was not unexpected, that is the Dark One. He is there, he is slowly taking over again, and it’s happening now, when Rumple is eventually about to find his lost son. Bad timing for him. Will be interesting to see what’s going to happen, expect no quick, all happy family reunion. (they keep it intersting)
Cora meant what she was saying, she wasn’t lying to Regina, doesn’t change that she wants her daughter all for herself, her absolute love, and define what is her happiness, without regards for Regina and certainly not for anybody else. Cora will do everything for it. She never will share her daughters love with Henry either.
Regina, all torn about her mother. Yes, she is inconsistent, and weak and vulnerable when it comes to Cora, and even when she manages to stand up for a moment it doesn’t take long for her to cave in. That is not bad writing, that is a portrait of a codependency (that is a psychological condition in which one person is controlled and manipulated by another having mostly some sort of pathologcial condition, often drug addiction or narcissism). Doesn’t excuse anything Regina has done and is doing, but it explains a lot.
Know that some think Jared Gilmore’s acting is not all gold, but think when he played Cora as Henry he did some good job. There was something slightly off in his body language and movement giving away early it was Cora in disguise. Not sure if this was intentionally but besides that I missed Henry’s bagpack as well, making me think, that was not him.
Rumple and Cora. We guessed there is some more story between those two, I always had a hunch some close relationship even – why all the horror about the kiss? Come on, not only the young and beautiful are kissing, get a grip. I was wondering, how Regina knew about true love’s kiss eventually working on Rumple / The Dark One, she suggested it to Belle – maybe just a good guess, but it sounded like she was quite sure about it. And Regina said something to Belle in that scene in the episode “Skin Deep” (1×12): “master and lover”. Now Cora called Rumple half jokingly master. That scene in the shop between Cora and Rumple was so interesting, they sure have some history. Anyone else even more curious now?
And what a setup by Cora. Getting Rumple out of her way. Rumple, he who is toying and manipulating people now for centuries is played by his apprentice. Oh dearie. Doubt that Cora is done with him, but right now she has what she wants first, Rumple out of town and time to work on her daughter.
Whale and Ruby – still think she deserves far better, but at least he proved to be not all of a douchbag. Monster to monster bonding.
Interesting that Ruby voiced, that maybe Regina did them a favor without wanting too, offering a new fresh start. To be expected somewhat from Ruby, but at the same time she is one of those who have to fear the most if the real world will ever find out about magic Storybrooke. Showing that things are far from simple, staying might be as attractive for some as going back.
The flashbacks. Nice that they fleshed out Whale’s story, tied in quite nicely with the present Storybrooke dilemma of helping or letting someone die, and Whale stressing out about that saving one person seems to end up in his experience in killing someone else. Everything has a price. Whatever we do has consequences. While Whale though doubts it’s worth it and fate maybe is something better not to tempt, Rumple and Cora have a different attitude.
It’s an interesting motif in this episode: losing hope and regaining it. Whale, Rumple, Regina – all close to lose hope about something. In the end Whale regains some hope, doesn’T kill himself but saves the stranger, Rumple gets distracted from the seemingless hopeless situation with Belle by looking for his son, Regina gets some delusive hope offered by her mother.
The stranger. Greg Mendell. Well, we will have plenty of time to talk about him, have we, something to fill the break.
Emma has some medical knowledge. Very normal for a former bail bond person and now sheriff. Just kidding. It was funny to hear her “diagnose” at the scene of accident that Hook has broken rips though. So had a giggle with that little moment when Emma came to interview Greg. Nope, no nurse. (btw, Lana Parilla as well played a doctor before, the series though never made it beyond first season) 😛
When Henry was geeking and babbling was hilarious. As normal as it can get in this family. “Eat, I really want to go to bed”, haha, Emma nailed it. Who wouldn’t have liked at some point in the show to shout at Henry: shut up, clever boy! And the headdesk moment – priceless. 😆
Nods to pop culture – should make any geek swoon. Little candy like the Star Wars ringtone (so, Greg is pressumably a geek. Didn’t catch the R2 42 – nice one TheGoldenKey! Movies scary for aliens, uhm any magical beings. Splash – another tease for mermaids. And thanks precocious Henry everybody watching the show should now know, that Frankenstein was not the one with neck bolts! Thank you!
And that was a broad hint, so all now know what we guessed for a while : there are not just fairy tale characters in this story. Phew, clarification was so overdue. Finally my geeky soul can rest at peace at night again. Or not. :geek:
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