Reply To: 3X20 KANSAS – – FAVORITE and LEAST FAVORITE MOMENTS – – –

[sweetgrass]

I went in with low expectations, like I’ve done for the last episodes and ended up enjoying the episode.

I saw the mega spoilery excerpt with Regina taking down Zelena so that might have prepared me. I like the underlying message that  everyone has a choice to become a better person and embrace a better future.  I think it is realistic that some people can’t embrace a brighter future because they can only see themeselves by how they have been previously defined.  Zelena grew up with a “father” that always thought her magic was evil.  Zelena internalized that and can’t see herself as something other than evil.   I liked that Rumple told her nothing would change because she was the same person.  I liked that Regina refused to be defined by Zelena.

However, while I feel most people deserve redemption and opportunity to grow and change, I think that people should also be held accountable for their deeds and face the consequences of their actions.  That is where I have trouble with Regina becoming the bearer of the strongest white magic. It’s way too much and far too soon.  Actually, I don’t think Regina or Rumple should ever be capable of white magic.  Through her use of dark magic, Regina has gotten everything and I actually found it rich that she would lecture both Rumble and Zelena about seeking revenge,  especially since Regina is now good because she got her son and a new love (Robin).  Her experience shows the exact opposite.  If Zelena had killed Henry you know Regina would want revenge as well.

I think the writers need to do a better job making sure that everyone gets to shine when they take down a villain.  I want the non-magical people that bring down the villain.

I think the thing with this show is that if you go with the flow and not think too deeply it works.  The cast is stellar.  I loved the pained expression on Rumple’s face when he is hugging Belle.  He knows what he is going to do will break her heart and that pains him, but not enough to stop him.  Belle has always had a huge blind spot when it comes to Rumple.  Hopefully this will open her eyes and she can become a more interesting character.  Rumple has always played her by doing things behind her back, so to me this is more of the same.  And hopefully, Rumple goes back to being his sneaky manipulative self.

I actually think that the planned Rumple arc is why Bae needed to die for story reasons.  Rumple works best when he is being manipulative and when he is mostly pursuing his own interests and Carlyle wants to play tormented evil Rumple.   Rumple reverting to his darker impulses makes sense with Bae’s death.  It also makes the Rumple Belle relationship interesting.

I loved Charming in this episode, although his suggestion that Emma take Hook was not a bright one.  Hook is the one person that can take Emma’s powers.  I did like that Regina and Emma erected a magic barrier.

I felt for Hook at the end as he watched the Charming family.  Hook can’t catch a break no matter what he does.

I liked the Oz flashbacks.  I wonder if the totems also represents the witches –love/heart, brain/wisdom, innocence/baby charming and I forgot what Glenda was but wonder if it ties into courage.