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As usual, I couldn’t just write things immediately after the episode – it was that good!
For once, it was exactly what I expected and I couldn’t ask for much more 😉
I think first of all, a massive standing ovation to Bailee, her acting was amazing and I actually shared a tear when Eva died (yes, it is actually unusual for me 😉 ), it was impressive.I’m also glad that the episode answered a lot of questions – Neal being more than 200 years old (or actually NOT being that old, so kinda a confirmation of his visit to Neverland), Rumple hiding his dagger in the tower clock (proving that the map was completely unnecessary), and, most of all, getting some more details on Snow and Cora’s history. I didn’t pick it up at first that Blue might not be Blue at all, didn’t even raise much suspicion when back in Storybrooke she did not recognise the words Snow said to her (assumed she was bound by the promise/magic not to talk about it).
I’m mega satisfied with the conversation between Regina and Snow – although sad because the episode proved that Regina really was delusional about her mother’s support and she would get the dagger for her without any objections. Really, writers?!
Now, going to New York, I wonder if Henry is going to change his stand/take some actions, now Rumple has been so aggressive towards him. I thought Gold could change for Bae and Henry but obviously he’s holding a big grudge against the kid and more than likely will not hesitate to eliminate him if necessary – although I’m still hoping for his internal moral battle to appear on the screen.
And finally – Snow. So she wasn’t too much of a brat, unlike expected. She was just a kid with a wrong perception but quick to fix it (I think?). I wonder how much of her trying to be good is coming directly from her (because she wants to be) and how much from her mother wanting her to be? (because other expect her to be)
I guess we will find out very soon, when she will resolve to ‘change herself’. I’m still not convinced she will kill Cora, not only because she might not be capable of such an act, but also because, well, Cora has proved to be an extremely cunning and powerful person, I’m sure she set her defences extremely high. Then again – if Snow changes, i.e. becomes unpredictable to Cora, so full of herself, it might just do the job…[adrotate group="5"]My first reaction was on what Johanna said about “wishing upon the blue star and it will come true”…. In the pilot Emma wished on a blue star and there was Henry knocking on the door… 😯 Any idea if this was just random that Henry came on her 28th years birthday? Not before, not after but at the same moment Emma made the wish and he was surprisingly there? 🙄
How Hook found Gold and how his hook is poisoned! I guess he found away to hurt Rumple after all these years….
It was unpleasant with Tamara-Neal-Emma situation…. Poor Emma, how she finds out that her true love and baby’s daddy is engaged with another woman…. !
This was an epic episode! I knew the basic gist of it- read enough spoilers to conclude that Cora had murdered Eva, but I didn’t put two and two together that Cora was posing as Blue Fairy! In hindsight, there was something fishy about how the fairy appeared before Snow made her wish and then how in Storybrooke, Blue didn’t know what Snow was talking about. It also seemed strange that the fairy would seem so heartless about death or offer Snow such an awful solution.
I knew Johannah was likely to die, but they way she was forced out the window was shocking- and that they even showed her body on the pavement! I thought she was just going to get her heart crushed.
Now we know why Snow is always so insistant that she is good. How sad that her birthday is so tainted.
In NY, boy were they a tease with Neal! They have only hinted so far about his past when I thought they would confirm it when I saw that brief clip in the Canadian promo. Season 2 has had such a divided narrative that they aren’t having enough time to focus on any particular part of it. Wow, how strange to see Rumple deathly injured like that…I believe he will live (It's confirmed by photos of him on set for future episodes) but I wonder how.
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, Schneegl̦ckchen Рalso 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.
¯\_(?????? ?)_/¯
I thought this episode was great Manhattan, The Queen is Dead and The Miller’s Daughter all seem to be like the best of the season. Again loved the performance by young Snow, the moment when Hook busts through that door? And that line after he stabs Rumple?! And to top that whole sequence off Bae calls Rumple Papa! Wow! I was wondering at first how Hook was able to find them so quickly then it hit me! The map that they found wasn’t to the dagger it was to Bae, and that meant the easiest way for Cora and Regina to get the dagger was for Snow and Charming to find it for them.
@AngieBelle wrote:
I knew Johannah was likely to die, but they way she was forced out the window was shocking- and that they even showed her body on the pavement!
It was a much better Star Wars tribute than the “You’re our only hope” line.
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See the “help us Mother Superior/Obi Wan Kenobi, you’re our only hope!” line made me laugh. I wonder how Ginny said it with a straight face…. surely that will be on the blooper reel this season!
Ok, folks… since my initial reactions ran about 1,700 words I figure I’d better not post it here. It’s up at TheChristianGeek.net at The Queen Is Dead as they always are for you pleasure. 🙂 Thing it, this episode was such a dense “whammy” ep, that it took me two watchings just to get initial thoughts together.
I think before next Sunday’s The Miller’s Daughter I need to rewatch Manhattan and this episode. I have a feeling the will make a mini-arc.
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