So that was an amaaaazing episode (especially for CS)!!!! I am so glad they did the two episodes in a row because I would not have been able to handle waiting a week in between.
The opening got me immediately with the flashback to Emma’s childhood as teenage(?) Emma watched a young girl presumably get adopted while she was left behind for what I am assuming was the umpteenth time since older kids rarely get adopted. So sad 🙁
Though she didn’t seem to be acting that way at the end of 3A the whole running away to see if she misses it thing I thought worked well. I figured this time because of the false memories she had something to run to, something she did miss even if it was fake, while at the end of 3A she hadn’t experienced a simple life with Henry yet.
Overall I felt like this episode was focused all about Emma and her decisions NOT revolving around Killian. What I mean is that she gave an alternative reason for wanting to leave rather than being afraid to be in a relationship with Killian. She didn’t get her magic back from TLK but rather from internally coming to grips with her feelings regarding her family.. etc. I wasn’t disappointed because that is a much stronger word but just a little bummed/surprised that he wasn’t more of a *direct* cause of things. At the same time though I think overall that this was a much better development of her character and keeps Emma/Killian more independent as individuals than Snowing. He was also obviously right there supporting her, calling her out as needed, etc.
A few quibbles due to my personal headcanon – I was hoping for something like a “why did you follow me?” when Emma realized Killian was in the past with her too. I guess she assumed he got pulled in not by choice. I was also hoping for Killian to openly display missing his ship more to re-emphasize what he gave up for her. I am surprised he didn’t have more “feels” seeing it again.
They really made us wait for that kiss all the way to the end haha (I don’t count Emma kissing past Hook :P). It was glorious though! Sooo happy 🙂 I did notice the cuts they did with the Rumbelle wedding as well and was really happy about that. Despite making us wait all of the little touches, the dancing, etc was just wonderful throughout the episode. Normally he is very much in her personal space but they rarely touch so that was nice to see. She was also so open to him the whole episode… even in the beginning before they dropped into the past portal when she was talking about finding home. Jealous Killian punching himself was awesome! I am okay with no ILY, no TLK, etc. Him giving up his ship was as strong as an demonstrative ILY can be w/o saying it. TLK will be come up next season I am sure.
I hope they don’t fast forward time at all and the jump between S3 and S4 is just like S2 to S3 where it is literally no time passing in between. I want to see CS in their full on honeymoon phase.
So I feel bad for OQ shippers but I think most people were waiting for the other shoe to drop. Emma made the right choice but no surprise that Regina is going to hate her for it. My thing is that the Tinkerbell/Robin/Regina thing happened BEFORE he was with Marian so OQ is destined for one another. This is just going to be drama angst HOPEFULLY just for the sake of drama angst. Personally I really don’t want to see Regina go “bad” again since they took her as far as wielding light magic. I wonder if the past is going to “catch up” and Marian is going to die anyway somehow.
The Rumbelle wedding was sweet but overshadowed by Rumple’s continued lies. I do have to wonder if he is going to get away with it though since he got around Zelena being dead. He may have gotten too greedy by not switching the fake knife with the real knife after he did what he wanted to do. Belle keeps trying to give it back to him so he is voluntarily perpetuating the deceit. I really don’t get it. If I was a Rumbelle fan I would be pretty disappointed overall.
I feel like a jerk saying this but I did not like the baby being named Neal. I see what they were trying to do but it just comes off as awkward. I would have preferred Baelfire if they really wanted to honor him. At least that is a different name than what Emma is used to referring to Neal as. I did like Rumple’s subtle acknowledgement of the honor.
What do you all think of the Elsa reveal? I love Frozen but this seems just like an opportunity to leech some of the popularity from the movie while it is still possible. I will of course wait and give it a chance though. Maybe Elsa freezes Emma’s heart and Killian has to TLK it away 😛 I am assuming her beef is gonna be with Rumple though. Perhaps she gets the (fake) dagger from Belle and that is how she finds out Rumple tricked her.
Gonna be a loooooong hiatus!
Btw maybe they are out there but I am surprised I haven’t seen a gif of Emma seducing past Hook rubbing his hook with Jen’s quote from an interview about the hook. Hehe