Was just able to watch the episode tonight.
Liked:
– Flashback Rumple is always fun, and seeing him with Bae again was great since their relationship was at the heart of the show originally.
– The Beowulf isn’t really a hero twist. I like surprising twists and this was for me.
– Not ruining Wonderland continuity. When they first mentioned Grendel, I was upset, so I was glad he was made up.
– Rumple’s “selfless” actions in the past and present to keep his sons from the darkness.
Mixed:
– Really cool battle scene at the beginning, but why is no one using Snow’s trick of shooting them with an arrow in the eye? Had no one figured that out yet? Also, where were all the young teenagers like Morraine that were supposed to be fighting?
– The CS proposal. It was nice to have a long awaited moment come, but why did they have to partly ruin it by making it bittersweet? It reminded me of RumBelle’s marriage in 3×22 aka when they started ruining Rumple’s character development.
– Bae’s decision to force Rumple to kill Beowulf. As many have said, it was OOC. Real people have OOC moments of weakness, but it would have been a lot more believable if they’d shown Bae having instant remorse. In the hovel, they could have had him saying how much he regretted his decision, but was still tempted to use the dagger again. Then Rumple could have given him the tea to both remove his guilt and ensure Bae didn’t go down a dark path. Bae’S reaction needed to be more complex to be believable.
– The Blue Fairy. I’m so frustrated by the writers with her! She’s partially responsible for Rumple losing BOTH of his sons, and now we find out she created an enchanted sword, which Gideon, raised by the Black Fairy wants to use? If the writers aren’t going to reveal Evil Blue or Blue is Black, then they’re just screwing with us on purpose.
Disliked:
If Queen Cobra could escape her cage so easily, why did it not happen until now? I know, PLOT.
– Hook not caring about Charming knowing what he did, just Emma.
– I feel like they’re waiting too long to bring in the Black Fairy. How are we going to have enough time with her before season’s end?