Starting with the end. Love where they are taking Snow at the moment. She was struggeling most of the season with her conscience, her decisions, but now it comes out into the open. It’s often not an easy to answer question, what is the right thing to do, did I do the right thing? what if I’d choosen a different path? Cause and effect and consequences. Made me remember an episode of Xena from season 02, “Remember nothing” (where Xena is given a second life if she manages to not ever draw the blood of anyone, to give up the warrior way – of course she does in the end fight). Well, actually the whole series was a lot about that issue, these questions. And about things like destiny, taking responsibilty and redemption.
As much I love the connection they make with Cora. Dark. That woman is not all about power she is as much on a revenge trip, and even more hellbent on it than Hook is about killing Rumple. Not enough to kill the woman who in some way hurt her (whatever the story, it might be just jealousy but Cora does hurt), nope, destroy her legacy, destroy the goodness and happiness of that woman’s child. So can’t wait what they are going to tell in the next episode.
So, Cora is on a power trip, revenge trip (against Snow because of Eva and guess as well against Rumple) and overly possessive mother. And she is patient and works very tactical. Extrem danger.
Did anyone else think that was some ambigous statement, when Cora told Regina in the digging scene? Cora: “I’ll use that dagger to force The Dark One to kill anyone you like.” So everyone Regina likes to be killed and/or everyone Regina likes will be killed.
Meanwhile Regina believes that she is better off to forsake doing good and just go for the power to make everybody do what she wants. Hmm. We know this is not really going to work. But the Evil Queen is back – thank you. Regina offered some twisted world view at the dinner.
On the other hand had some strange thoughts about what defines who is good and who is evil in fairy tales. Most of the times in fairy tales it seems to be obvious, not really a question, we have a hero and after some turmoil the good guys always get the happy ending. Or should we say: those who get the happy ending in the tale always are the good guys, have to be, what they did was justified in the end, maybe not all good, but they basically never really were losing it. No, it’s not that simple either, but a different perspective. In real life things are lot more complicate. And when taking a closer look on most fairy tales things aren’t so simple there either. Not always. It’s a matter of perspective, isn’t it.
Now, I am the last person who thinks what Rumple, Regina, Cora or Hook did was or is any justifiable, but that doesn’t exclude that sometimes I find their actions and reactions understandable and relatable even. Best story telling: when you not just find something in the good guys but in the villains as well. When you can relate to both sides. At least I think it is great story telling, because humans are ambivalent, never just one or the other, conflicted and able to do so much great and so much evil.
Back to the episode.
Once again Bailee Madison wowed me. What a talent. The scene with her, Rena Sofer and Lesley Nicol were all great (and read some found it whiny – folks, have you ever seen a child worry and lose their mother at that age?)
Gold is pushing Emma’s buttons, and no, I think it’s meant not all friendly. Mr. Gold is not Mr. nice grandpa all of a sudden, he still is Gold and Rumple and The Dark One depending on context – and he will use everything to his advantage.
Gold is though right about Emma. And what a heart breaking moment. There she was considering for a moment if maybe she should give it another chance, still guard up, but cautiously try, and then bang, there comes the fiance. Sorry Swanfire fans. That must hurt. Being no shipper though what I see is an interesting obstacle and challenge for the characters, something to explore them more, and that I like. Besides we know so little about this new character Tamara at the moment, she might have some interesting story on her own, who knows. So, welcome to the show.
Knew early that something was wrong with the Blue Fairy, that was not quite herself when we saw her with Snow. Little things, the way she talked, moved, (kudos to Keegan Connor Tracy) and that strange offer. Right, some people suspect her having her own (eventually evil) plan in all this. Well, I don’t. The moment when Mother Superior reacted genuinely confused what Snow was talking about it became sure for me, that it had been Cora in disguise.
Wonder though, what would Cora have done if Snow had taken the bait and saved her mother?
Wonder even more how are they planning to find a cloaked pirate ship in New York without the help of Hook. Emma using magic? Oh, they can use the dream catcher to see where it is 😉 Doubt by the way that she will leave him behind this time. No, I am no CaptainSwan shipper either, but nevertheless.
Wonder what Cora implied, when she said in the major’s office “By the time Rumplestiltskin returns, Emma Swan and the rest of them will be nothing more than a vaguely unpleasant memory, and Henry will be yours.”
And have to mention that Galanthus (Snowdrop, Schneeglöckchen – also known as Fair Maids of Februar and Candlemas Bells, the flowers shown) are one of my favorite flowers. Whenever they showed up in winter it was a sign for me, that not too long and it will be Spring again, and I am not a fan of winter time. No surprise that Galanthus indeed symbolizes hope. Although in some places they are as well associated with death. More ambiguity.
¯\_(?????? ?)_/¯