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Favorites:

Blue and “Green”, and how Sneaky Fairy lives, with Blue doing what she does the way she does it!

Tink in general, she was perfect!

Roast Swan

Reveal of Regina’s pixie-dust love connection– we so called that! ReHooooooo!  Question though, has fate changed from what it would have been at that time? Has Regina become such a different person that she can no longer be true soul-mates with Robin, or was it the case that had she gone in there they would not yet be right, and will be down the road?  So many ways they could write that.

Snow revealing she has not always been a pampered princess.  (I wonder why she doesn’t just tell Emma about her own sad experiences, but then I guess it would smack of the whole “I had it worse, uhill both ways” thing, because while she did have loving parents for awhile, she then ended up with someone actively trying to kill her and having murdered those loving parents).

 

Least Favorites:

Charming not telling Snow

Neal’s plan to get to NL

 

So about Neal’s plan, I agree with what RG and Phee say here. This tarnished what could have been a shining moment for him, but I agree it is setting him up to be able to understand his father’s desperation better.  As RG said, we have seen many characters do questionable things, some outright bad acts and more gray situations like Snow using the candle to kill Cora or Charming shooting a cannon at the Mermaids, being willing to threaten to  fillet until Snow chided him, and in my opinion, letting Regina go free and risking the entire town to save her.

We have to remember Mulan searched with Emma and Snow for a portal and knew that there really were not an abundance of ways to travel between realms.  Neal did come up with the plan quickly, did remind Robin of the debt, but Mulan and the others also went along, plus Mulan did have her magic sword. There were three adults.  Neal knew very well what the Shadow was like, and I thought you had to go willingly with the Shadow, which was how Bae made a deal with it to take just him, not the Darling boys as a child.  If the Shadow were unstoppable, I do not think Neal would have risked Roland but he was fairly sure they would be able to stop it.  I also noted that Neal was worried enough about Roland being safe that he almost missed catching the Shadow.   Mulan yells at him to  go and then he jumps OUT of the window to get to it.   Still not my favorite moment, but it did highlight Robin’s bravery, though why they would have the boy sleep under the same window seems like more than infuriating optimism but conviction in goodness like Belle, (maybe that is why he’d fall for Regina, despite her reputation and history?)

 

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I have always loved fairytales, Disney versions or not, and I’ve read a lot of the original tales and obscure ones too.   Plus  I’ve seen fairytale mix-up type things before (10th kingdom, but even as a child Sesame Street does some, but more recently a Disney mix-up that I experienced was a video-game with a story, Kingdom Hearts).  I knew I would love this show, when I saw RC had been cast, because I also saw him in Stargate Universe.  Then they cast J.Mo who I’d seen in How I Met Your Mother, and while I hadn’t seen GG in anything I had heard a lot about her acting being very good.  That was all I needed to go all in on the show, though Snow White is probably my least favorite fairy tale princess (But in this show I do like her much better!).

 

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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I didn’t catch that he called her anything but Tinkerbelle.  It would be confusing with Belle/TB!   Though I might hold out hope for a connection to Belle. (born of a laugh, Tinker Momma in reverse!)  I had suspected though that TB was not always in NL and was a relatively new inhabitant compared to Hook and Bae.  I thought that might explain how Hook knew of Regina having Belle locked up but now it would not seem TB could know that as it happened later.  Unless all Hook knew was that Regina had studied under the Dark One.  BF warned TB of that, and that Cora was a heart-stealing witch.   So TB might have revealed these things to Hook, perhaps because he helped her when she fist got to NL.

Then later on, when he escaped before the curse as he was trying to get to Regina he heard while in the castle about a special prisoner, so diverted course.  That would make sense, that his original target was Regina to get information on Rumple, because TB told him about her being Dark One’s apprentice.

Until we hear more, that is my headcannon then.   Hook helped TB when she arrived, and as she told him her story, he realized he had to leave NL to talk to this apprentice.  Especially if more happened to TB before getting to NL to the point where she knew Regina hated the Dark One too, because then Hook might have thought he was finding a powerful ally in his quest.

 

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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I think given the show had a secondary theme of loving again that if the actress is available that they might choose to pursue that for Mulan too.

I can’t say whether they swapped the direction or not, but it was very subterranean text in terms of clues we saw.  I did feel bad for Mulan, but ultimately, even in the subterranean text Aurora never showed signs of reciprocating.  The whole context of Mulan’s feelings arose from mistaking genuine friendship-love from Aurora for romantic. She must have realized as she was falling in love how one-sided it was because even when they thought Phil was dead, Aurora thought of Mulan as associated with Phillip so she ought to have suspected some of the closeness came from that, friend of a loved one thing.    Not sure why she missed that before when they found Phillip but maybe they will eventually explore what happened to make Mulan, honorable as she is and friend of Phillip that she was too, so tempted to declare her love anyway.

 

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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Ok yes, Watcher –pixie dust was not the same as fairy dust, and I loved how they differentiated it as “nuclear” fairy dust.

I hope Tink does get her wings back.  I thought the actress was perfect but not sure how long they intend to keep her around, and I also wonder why PP trusts Tink.  Is Tink going to betray them in some way?

I cannot wait to find out more.

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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We have kicked around the “magic is dying” theory for awhile–that is exactly what Pan said to Henry.  I think it is a slow burn kind of thing, like using up fossil fuels.  They had a very long time, as immortal beings, to plan for that day, and make a plan to avoid it or find a new renewable magic source, and I think Henry is part of that plan.

The question is: Are Blue and Pan working together, or are they two different camps trying to reach different solutions to the same essential problem?

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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We have a thread for this one already, somewhere, WickedRegal made sure of that !    A long time ago (but not once upon a time ago) we had a thread of suggestions for Regina’s next love in terms of new characters and Robin Hood was a popular one, but then they cast him and Marian and we all thought there goes that.  Then they recast him, and we got spoilers, so I’ve been on board this idea for a bit, even though yes it messes up Disney /Classic version continuity with Marian but I’m not a stickler for that.  The original versions exist so OUAT is the mashing machine, so I say, bring it on.   Its not as if we really met Marian (and even then I might be ok depending on how they handled it).

I agree MysteryKat–the idea of Henry having a step-brother is awesome, as is in a way, a second chance for Regina to be an Awesome Step-Mom instead of an evil one.

What’s even better though is we get our insatiable curiosity about her next love resolved now, but Regina is still given time to grow into the person that he could love again.  I feel she has a rough road but she will get there and she is trying to be better and cleanse that Dark Heart.

 

 

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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Hearing previews I was worried about Neal using a boy  but ultimately I was ok with that, because of the following:

1. Mulan was there to approve it and as a neutral 3rd party full of honor, she wasn’t swayed by desperation or guilt over a debt unpaid
2. Robin (and Roland) are brave
3. Roland is only 4 and the shadow has to take you willingly.  With Papa right there saying no, pretty sure Roland was as far from willing as you can get.
4. Neal knew the shadow could be attacked and had limited intelligence (good thing too or it would have slammed into walls to dump him off!).

So basically Neal was not being evil and exploiting a little kid, but Robin and Roland were being brave to help him despite the carefully controlled risks.

Now, that aside I did find something funnier than Neal hanging onto that shadow flying through the air:

 

Let’s just hope that isn’t how Neal and Emma are forced to use the Bug if everyone returns to the Enchanted Forrest
.Now that I’m done being silly and giddy, I have to say I was just grinning during this episode.  Even with the “boyfriend” moment about Hook, the way I saw it, Emma’s reaction wasn’t even defensive, it was more “Say What? What got into you?”.  I thought for a brief moment they weren’t going to go all in on ReHo, that it was a hint towards HookedQueen, because Regina seemed jealous.  I think she was, but not that she necessarily wanted Hook or Emma herself, but in that way that Regina does like to be the center of attention and sort of had residual issues over being trapped in a loveless marriage where she was ignored.  But more in a Regina thread!

Emma and Hook are growing closer, but so are Emma and Regina so I really didn’t get a romantic vibe at all with either of them.  I do have to hand it to Screwball Ninja and the others who saw the SleepingWarrior moment coming, but I am not worried that it might mean that the reason for no MuFire was more on Mulan’s side than Neal’s.  Neal showed no interest towards Mulan, and the whole episode he was frantic to get back to Emma as well as Henry.

I also loved that he acknowledged he needed a second chance, and loved his line that if you love someone, you should not wait to say it.   He knows he has to make up ground with Emma, and he is going to work hard to do it–but he is going to be separated from her awhile longer.     I’m ok with that, because I am going to hope there are some SF flashbacks ahead (or even a present day reunion maybe?).

I’m more worried about Pan really than Hook at this point.

Edit, picture not working: http://www.funnyandhappy.com/impeccable-carriage-of-vw-beetle-for-horses/

 

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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I think Regina definitely has problems using magic, but it isn’t magic as much as it is power.   Remember, she became the Queen, and even when she “ran the town” as Mayor Mills, she had little magic to work her will, but she still tried to (and with Greg-Owen) did ruin lives.   As Queen, she ordered guards to kill a village.  That was evil and no magic there.

Magic is power, but when that power is used out of love, in that case there probably is not a bad price to pay.  Or maybe in this world there is, but it is hard to say.    Magic doesn’t have to be logical, and we know sometimes the writers might be kind of plot-devicey about magic being useful or not.

Ultimately though, I do not think Regina’s story is simply that she needs to stop using magic and she will be fine.  She needs to stop craving power to force people to do what she wants, and start (forgot who said this, RG?) realizing she can’t always get what SHE wants.    She’s been very selfish and self-absorbed for far too long, because while her pain and loss were great, she has by far inflicted greater suffering on so many others.  She lost ONE true love, and because of her actions, we’ve seen entire families killed, people cursed, children separated from families, and endless other horrors.  Yet we feel for Regina, and I do want her to attain redemption.   I am totally excited for a story line where she starts to care about someone else other than Henry.  He’s a child, and the power imbalance always exists between child and parent, but another adult?  Someone who can challenge her and guide her?  Rumple  and Cora, weren’t motivated to guide her to good, Henry Sr./Mirror were too weak to stand up to her, but someone who is strong enough to stand the moral high ground (and who she doesn’t hate and distrust like Snow), that would be awesome to see.

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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I prefer to keep my expectations low and be pleasantly surprised, but so far I feel like A&E talk about CS the way they do Charming dying, like Neal may be too late, and maybe they cannot save Charming.  I think with Hook they do intend to do what they are doing with Regina and redeem these two and get them to a Happy Ending, but I do not think either of them will get there that soon, or with Emma or Neal.  Maybe together but what happens with ReHo if anything or Hookriel has me not really rooting for HookedQueen so much. I do feel though that Hook will be part of the “family” anyway because  Neal is to Hook as Regina is to Snow. Regina never wanted to mother Snow but  Snow did want her as a mother at one point.  Inversely, Hook deeply loved Milah and also formed a genuine affection for Bae, until Bae found out Hook lied about knowing who he was.  It is all complicated but those feeling have not gone away just because it was “300 years ago”.  Hook very much is not ready to love anyone yet, and Emma really is not for many reasons a good choice.

Beyond the does she even want him or the same things, beyond how it might strain a reconciliation with the man he once wanted to father, the fact that he has harmed people she cares about, they do come from two different worlds and mindsets.  Neal gets both parts of her life that way, having lived in the real world as well as the FTL.  They are both hybrids in that sense (as was August but now he is not).  I read the writers might have been planning an August/Neal/Emma triangle until they got this NL arc.  In that light, Hook makes perfect sense as a foil for Neal but not intended to be the true love in the end.  As J.mo said, the situation is complicated.

Some random thoughts I had watching the panel, odd connections, I thought of, but when Emma accuses Neal of playing her, and knowing who she was the whole time, it is the same thing Neal correctly accused Hook of doing.  No wonder Neal tried to bluntly say how wrong that assumption was!  He knows it is worse to be played than anything and he needed to be completely truthful or Emma would know.  And for Neal, the last thing he wanted was to get mixed up with someone that destiny would force him to leave and break her heart that way.

Then, I thought about Emma being unable to look at Henry.  I think part of Neal not going back to Emma to explain something or anything is that if he tried, he would have lost the nerve to do what he knew because of his understanding of fate and destiny had to be done.  Of all the pirates, in all the enchanted worlds, he just happened to meet the one who ran off with his mom and wanted to kill his Dad?  Of course he believes in that stuff, even though he spent a decade in the real world before meeting Emma (rounding off), and even a decade later he still knows you do not mess with that stuff.

Oh but I am excited to see him deal with it, and hope he gets to NL soon, but even if not tonight I think the hopeful end to the story is for the two people who love each other to find a way past the wounds.

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

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