Overall: 8/10
– Really liked this episode. The storybrooke scenes dragged a bit up until we saw King George but the flashbacks were the best in a long while. And I liked the twist that Hook officially killed Robert despite King George being the one to execute the killing.
Liked:
– That Hook killed Charming’s dad. I honestly did not think the show had any stones anymore and with the upcoming potential CS wedding, I did not think they would have Hook do it. So kudos to them for actually doing it. I said I would not like the episode if they just brought back King George for one episode to show he killed Robert and then poof, go away after that. The fact that it’s Hook means it’s a storyline that still needs to play out, now that Hook remembers and obviously Charming and Emma are going to find out. And as far as Hook getting away with it again….I take issue with that. The show and Emma specifically has been consistent in saying that she forgives him for the man he was in the past. She understands he has changed and isn’t that man anymore. She has forgiven him for things he’s done in the past so despite this one thing being a tough one to swallow, I can see everyone eventually forgiving him. We know Hook was a bad guy in the past. And we know he is a changed man now. Nothing has changed. It will be shocking for everyone and there will be repercussions after Charming just gave his blessing, but I refuse to look at it as Hook potentially getting away with something again. That’s not fair.
– Hook asking Charming for his blessing.
– Robin and Regina kiss not working. Good. Get this side story over with already. He’s not the same guy. We get it. Move on.
– Rumple not using Robert’s hair in the deal and actually showing a soul as the DO. That was amazing. The layers of Rumple…..leave it to Espensen to peal them back effectively. For Rumple not to use something he retrieved in a deal because he empathizes with another Dad looking for his son, is just incredible.
– Charming vs King George battle in storybrooke.
– Charming getting angry and showing emotion about living up to be Prince Charming.
– Snow helping Regina cope and understand the Robin situation. These two have come a long way.
– Pleasure Island and Pinocchio. CGI looked great and I completely forgot we had never seen August after he abandoned Emma as a child and went off with those boys. Glad he had a role to play in Robert finding James.
Mixed:
– Charming still calling Hook a pirate in a negative way in the beginning of the episode. Like, I thought we had worked past this.
Disliked:
– The Zelena freak out. Talk about over-acting and just over the top nonsense here. I did not care for it.
– Robert not fighting back was weak. Not even a punch thrown….lame.