So this episode happened.
Here’s the thing; this one is very hard for me to look at and discuss because right now I hurt. That’s the thing with OUAT. It knows how to bait and reel you in. Obviously, the Neal references tonight were just…yeah. All over and they hurt. The problem (THE PROBLEM) is that I now know that they were all bait and they were all there to try and appease a group of fans and that, in the long scheme of things they don’t mean anything. The show will continue to promote another ship (and bait, still, another one) and Neal will be forgotten once more. Notice how they don’t even say his name–Hook gets to say Baelfrie, but Rumple can’t even say “Bae.” Sure. Not bait at all, right.
I guess, if anything, this episode continued to prove to me that SF was always endgame but somewhere along the lines it got….killed.
In other news: 100% better than last week in terms of morals (well, mostly) and a lot better in terms of plot, though still with the abundance of magical McGuffins. Seriously, stop that! Right now it’s tying with 501 for best of the season.
LIKED
–All the Neal references.
–“I liked your dad because he was always himself”
–Henry opening up to Violet about losing his father
–“Only You” being an SF song
–Emma reminding Henry that you shouldn’t change who you are to please someone else. Kinda wish Emma would take her own advice.
–The VioletBeliever date was adorable.
–Carnival in a can….well, that’s one to describe Soda
–Regina shooting down Hook trying to teach Henry how to woo a woman. Atta Tiger Mom!
–Regina and Emma’s conversation at the end. VERY season 1 in a very good way
–Um. Merlin is cute, right?!
–The beginning was interesting. It’s a story I want to know more about.
MIXED
–Belle is only part of the gang when she needs to tell them something. But still…cute outfit!
–Emma taking Violet’s heart. Low blow, Swan. But still shows what a desperate soul will do. Which has always (always!!!) been a major theme on this show.
DISLIKED
–What is this Rumple and Merida NONSENSE. Seriously. What is this story?? It’s stupid is what it is.
–How does Merida know about the book? And how did Merida break into that office?
–Merida couldn’t just try to open the shop door? She had to open it with an arrow?? Why…?