Home › Forums › Once Upon a Time › Season Four › 4×11 “Heroes and Villains” › FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE MOMENTS from this episode 4X 11 HEROES AND VILLAINS › Reply To: FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE MOMENTS from this episode 4X 11 HEROES AND VILLAINS
This was a very…different episode. Since Season 3B, I’ve noticed that the last episode of the arc just draws on the major themes of the entire half-season, since the actual plot ended in 4×10, “Shattered Sight.” That said, I couldn’t really think of anything to say about this episode other than, “…Okay?”
Favorite Moments:
1. I liked the good-bye scene for the Frozen characters. Whether or not they should’ve been in the story itself, they were well-cast and had some cool relationships with the main cast (some cooler than others, i.e. Emma/Elsa was better than Anna/David).
2. Regina’s understanding at the Marian circumstance. At this point two seasons ago, we would’ve seen the Gates of Hell open if someone tried taking happiness away from Regina (which, if I may remind you, we almost did), so it’s nice to see a different reaction.
3. Henry showing Emma and Regina the Secret Writer’s Room. The Operation Mongoose arc has been my saving grace of the season, so I’m glad to see a positive development in it, especially since it signifies that we could have an actual author! Plus, I like that Regina was happy to let Emma join Operation Mongoose. It shows how developed their friendship is.
4. The scene between Rumple and Regina. While it bugged me that it felt that Rumple was putting up a personality front, I liked his overall message to Regina – you can’t force someone to give you a happy ending, you have to take one and make it your own.
5. BELLE! She felt very left out of S4, so I was really happy to see her doing things that advance plot. She broke off her relationship to Rumple, and I’m glad that she realized it had to be done.
6. Rumple on a bus! I was laughing my butt off at that.
Least Favorite Moments:
1. The introduction to the “Queens of Darkness.” First, I hate the term. None of them are queens (one is a goddess, the other is a mistress, and the final one is an obsessed lunatic). Second, it was never established that Mal had accomplices. She always seemed like someone who worked alone, and this episode made it seem like she couldn’t do anything without Cruella and Ursula. I mean, I’m sure she wouldn’t have failed defeating Aurora and her mother if she had her other “Queens” had helped.
Also, I really didn’t like Ursula. She, more than the other two, felt like a spoiled brat who didn’t get what she wanted and is now throwing a fit on a grand scale. Plus, the effects on her tentacles were…jarring.
And Cruella is a shape-shifting Dalmation. That’s like taking the crazy out of character’s personality and injecting it into her concept. How wonderful.
2. The final Arendelle scene. I feel like we had a nice sendoff to the characters, so the wedding day scene felt out of place.
3. I’m really annoyed at the fact that we don’t have any clear motivation for what Rumple was trying to do other than, “GIVE ME ULTIMATE POWER AND I’LL GIVE YOU WORLD DOMINATION. MWAHAHAHA!” Again, it really cemented the fact that his character development was retconned. I mean, I understand that he was a slave to Zelena. However, he still felt remorse for his actions while being enslaved (as evidenced by his apologies to Robin when he needed to get Regina’s heart). Now, he “doesn’t have time for everyone else.” S3!Rumple =/= S4A Rumple.
4. Cruella is a shape-shifting Dalmation. I cannot stop laughing at the stupidity of this concept.
Overall, this wasn’t a terrible episode. I liked it better than others in the arc and I do enjoy the idea of exploring what it means to be a hero and a villain. However, compared to the drama of 3×11 and how it felt like a conclusion, this episode felt like, “How many different Disney characters can we cram into one episode?” On the bright side, I have hope for an actual author!
Keeper of Thor’s Hammer, Will Scarlet’s Genie Bottle, Emma’s Gun, Emma and Henry’s Moment at the Castle, Cora, and the infamous Family Tree!