Oh boy I did see this negativity coming…so not surprised. I guess I probably liked the episode better than everyone else, but it certainly had it’s flaws.
7/10
Liked:
– Arthur’s story coming back full circle. He didn’t just come back, and get killed. We then saw him place a vital role in the UW, and now lead a “broken kingdom” of his own. I thought it was fitting and a little redemptive for the character.
– Everything Cruella
– The storybook. I liked that the book appeared to Emma when she needed it most. It’s consistent.
– The sister bonding. Listen, I know some on here really thought it should be Emma who defeated Hades. However, I wanted it to be Zelena the whole time. They set it up to be her and they delivered. She had to choose between her sister and her new true love. It was heart-breaking, but Lana and Rebecca really ate this scene up. And this was a huge moment for those sisters. And it was a big test for Zelena. Those two will be bonded in a away no one can understand now.
– Robin’s death. Sorry guys. Never liked the guy. He was never developed well. And we knew this was coming. Keb was saying how true love is sacrifice and apparently he was right. Now I get that Robin has two kids, and he should be more careful here, but he has always been very consistent with sacrificing himself for others. He knew if he was killed, Regina would be there for Roland and Robin jr. And if anything, Regina can protect them better than he can. I was annoyed that Regina didn’t try any magic before Hades unleashed the crystal on Robin, but once he did, I was fine with everything else.
– The funeral scene was done very well. The arrows were a nice touch. The scene with Emma and Snow was great. And poor Roland :(.
– The scene with Emma and Charming was also great, him telling her to actually be a person and to grieve. But also Emma’s response was great because as others have pointed out on here, she is the Savior, so she needs to protect storybrooke.
– I continue to love Jmo’s acting. Her putting a flask on Hook’s grave……let’s just say the feels, she does a good job.
– Evil Rumple. Yesss!!!!! I’m sorry but unless Belle can accept Rumple being dark and then turn darkish herself, I cannot ship Rumbelle. Robert Carlyle is too good at being a villain. I say this all the time, but for me, there is just no way he can come back from some of these actions and phrases. It feels he’s too far gone again to make him a hero. But I’ve said that before, and have been wrong. But at this point, just let Rumple flash his cane around and try and take as much power he can so he can rule everyone. No more back and forth. Let’s just stay right here so that when we are down the final stretch, it’s him vs Emma.
– I think if we are going to talk about when Hook is a jerk, we need to talk about when he is not. He saved Arthur. And helped kill Hades. He had many lines in this episode that showed how far he has come. Let’s not just ignore them.
Mixed:
– Hook’s resurrection….Ok so if anyone can bring back the dead, it should be a God, and I guess it should be Zeus. That I don’t have an issue with. But Zeus’ reasoning I do. Hook didn’t really kill Hades. Zelena did. Sure, they wouldn’t have even known the crystal could do that without Hook, but still. This was a stretch. I think I may have been more inclined to buy this if we saw how awful Hades was in a flashback, and how horrible his relationship was with Zeus. Then I could understand why Zeus would pardon Hook here. But we didn’t get that so it seems a little silly.
– Naming the baby Robin. Saw it coming a mile away. It’s fitting but predictable.
– Moe not waking Belle. He’s such a jerk, and yet it’s consistent. he doesn’t like Rumple and he feels he’s Belle’s weakness. So I get why he may want to play the waiting game until Rumple is gone somehow, and then wake Belle. It’s still crappy, but again, consistent with his character. And I think based on Rumple’s recent actions with taking the crystal, I don’t see Belle getting woken up this season. Which I’m fine with. She’s his only moral compass right now, so her gone means evil Rumple and that’s just too delicious to pass up.
– The souls reaching up and grabbing people. Ok I get it, with Hades not there, things are getting cray cray. And the CGI was fine. Idk, I just found all of it quite whatever.
Disliked:
– No Hades flashback. Kind of shocked by this honestly.
– Why on Earth would Hades fix a broken crystal that can “end” people when he can just snap people’s necks no problem. Also, that’s the one thing that can kill a God!!!! You idiot.
– No magic fighting. There were no showdowns. Just a stab and flick of a magic crystal. How does Regina not use any magic there? She just runs and shoves him…..sigh.
Again, I think I liked this more than most, but still it had issues. I’m interested in seeing what happens with Regina now, because yeah Robin……very much dead and not coming back…unless Zeus has that power since that crystal is likely his. If anyone can do it, it’s Zeus. But anyway, this half season did an unbelievable job with Zelena and Regina’s relationship so I’m glad it was Zelena who killed Hades. However, they need to showcase Emma now. Hook is back so that’s done. Let’s have her be the Savior again. Thanks.