ONCE - Once Upon a Time podcast

Reviews, theories, and talk about ABC's Once Upon a Time TV show

ONCE062: Tallahassee

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USA map from Red Lantern Lodge (Tallahassee-2x06)

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Is Neal really Baelfile? What did August have in the box? Were the giants and fairies once working together? Could the nightmares be a future form of communication?

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Portland, Oregon, 11 years ago

Emma is 17, but this doesn’t line up with the newspaper from “Desperate Souls” that does Emma was in Massachusetts.

Neal Cassidy and Emma Swan introduced themselves to each other by full names

There are some Lost references with Neal’s name

Ben’s Swedish passport was registered under the name “Dean Moriarty”. And Dean Moriarty is Neal Cassady’s character in the novel “On the Road”.

And of course the birthplace of Ben and the first meeting of Emma and Neal are both Portland, Oregon.

John

Neal Cassidy is the name of a poet.

After a rewatch, I really think this episode supports the theory that Neal is Bae. When August was pretending to be Baelfire, he knew a lot information – Bae and Rumple’s history, their terms of endearment for one another, and all about the dagger – things that he could only learn had he actually met Bae.

Also, Neal Cassady is clearly an assumed name. Neal Cassady was a poet and writer in the beat movement, famous for his letters to Jack Kerouac, and the basis of the main character in Kerouac’s On the Road. The question now seems to be whether he has a fake name because he’s a criminal or because he’s a fairytale character.

I love your podcast! You’re easily the best OUAT podcast out there!

Katie

Neal stole “Pay-Rite” gift cards, and there was also a pirate keychain next to swan keychain.

Keychains (Tallahassee-2x06)

Emma was dressing the same as Mary Margaret once did.

Hello Daniel and Once Podcast Crew,

Watched the episode last night. We finally got see the backstory behind Emma’s yellow bug and finally met Henry’s daddy. Neal’s not really a bad character. Yes, he and Emma were thieves in love (which is really cute and reminds me of Robin Hood since he was traditionally a thief that stole from the rich but gave to the poor). But he was willing to set aside his own feelings for her and guide her towards her destiny.

I am more convinced now after watching the episode that Neal Cassidy is Baelfire. His eyes have a childlike quality that remind me of Baelfire’s innocence.

I was reading the thread in the forums about what Neal might have seen in August’s box and I think, maybe it was a tiny portal. If Neal is Baelfire, seeing another portal in the real world would have clicked with him since that’s how Baelfire came to our world if that is him.

But like Daniel said, it could have been the page showing Rumpelstiltskin’s dagger. Baelfire would be familiar with the dagger but wouldn’t necessarily know about Emma’s fairytale land history. He was too easily convinced about what needed to happen.

On Aurora/Henry’s dream, I think it was a premonition. We know Rumpelstiltskin can see the future, maybe because Henry and Aurora were under the sleeping curse, it enabled them to see the same future. I think before Emma and Snow can go home, they’ll end up in Wonderland with Aurora and Aurura will get captured by the Queen of Hearts and Emma will rescue her.

I didn’t like August after The Stranger last season and now, well, I want him to confess to Emma his role in separating Neal and her and Emma to punch him real hard.

Oh and did you notice, I think it was in the scene where Emma and Neal were stealing from that store, the dress Emma was wearing was similar to the dress Mary Margaret was wearing on her date with Dr. Whale in Snow Falls?

Can’t wait to listen to the podcast 🙂

obisgirl

Neal said “The little guy saved us,” almost a forethought of Henry’s saving them?

The hotel was Red Lantern Lodge and Neal seemed interested in the “flypaper for nightmares.” The dreamcatcher was also in his apartment in NYC.

Dreamcatcher (Tallahassee-2x06)

Neal's apartment in NYC with a Dreamcatch left of the window (Broken-2x01)

Neal’s apartment in NYC with a Dreamcatch left of the window (“Broken”-2×01)

“Retire the Bonnie and Clyde act”

Neal’s wanted poster reveals some interesting things about him:

  • Wanted by FBI for grand larceny
  • Born March 23, 1977
  • From New Jersey
  • 5’9″
  • 170 pounds
  • W238392092039
  • Janitor at a jewelry store
  • Black hair
  • Brown eyes
  • has a scar on his left arm from a knife wound—this was the most interesting thing
  • may be in possession of stolen firearms

Neal Cassidy's wanted poster (Tallahassee-2x06)

Now the “Charlie’s Girl” song from “Broken” makes sense for Neal’s introduction.

August says he’s Emma’s guardian angel, and he’s been looking for Emma for two years.

August asked Neal, “Do you believe in Magic?” “I take it your do.” “And so will you. Trust me.” So what would have so easily convinced Neal of magic and to hear August’s story?

August definitely has a typewriter in his box. Magical and convincing, maybe?

August and Neal with the box (Broken-2x06)

August originally explained his box in “7:15 a.m.” Back then, August wouldn’t answer whether he had been to Storybrooke before.

Couldn’t have been the drawing of the dagger, because Bae would’ve put up a fit. Besides, if August knew this was Baelfire and the dagger would convince him, then August would’ve said different things.

Could’ve been a picture from the book of Emma doing something, or maybe Neal and Emma with a happy ever after?

Okay, so we know that whatever Pinocchio showed to Neal Cassady (probably named for the Beat era writer who was very much a bohemian drifter type: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Cassady … whatever was shown to Neal was immediate proof of magic. I don’t think the book would have convinced him. It would have to be something that would be small and would be incontrovertible.

My best guess is that he had Tinkerbell with him. Proof:

  • Tink is small, and anybody seeing a living fairy would have to face the fact that magic is real
  • Tink is also shown, by the nature of her fairy tale, to be able to enter the normal human world. Thus, she may be the only magical creature who can exist in our mundane world without dying or losing their magic. I think it’s an interesting idea anyway, and could indicate a very interesting twist to the curse.

The Ruby Fangnatic

Obisgirl thinks it could be a mini-portal.

Maybe Neal’s story in August’s box?

Hi guys,

Long time listener, first time emailer.

I believe that the item in the box is the same typewriter we saw in it in Storybrooke.  Please see the attached pic where I’ve put screencaps next to each other.  I’ve tried to lighten the screencap from “Tallahassee” up a bit so you can see the curved shadows, which I believe are the curved edges of the typewriter, as seen in the screencap on the left from “7:15am”.  But why would seeing a typewriter convince Neal that August could be trusted to be telling the truth?  I think there was a page from Neal’s story in the typewriter, and I think Blue Fairy/Mother Superior put it in there. (Sidenote: I believe that Blue is the author of the book and that she kept all of her memories when they came to our world.)

If we go with the assumption that Neal is Bae, (which much of the fandom seems pretty much convinced of), if he saw a page in the typewriter that said something like: “My father.  He is the Dark One,” said Baelfire sadly.  “Oh.  I can’t make him the man he was before,” replied Reul Ghorm,” but I can send him someplace where he won’t be able to use his powers.”  That’s something that Neal/Bae wouldn’t be able to question the legitimacy of.  It was a private conversation that he had with Blue back in the day, and as such, would be an indicator that she was the only one who could have sent August to see him, so what August said could be trusted, and Neal must follow his orders.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on August’s role in this ep.
Thanks for the great podcast, keep up the awesome work.
Much love from one of your Aussie listeners,
Phee

 

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? dream

Hi guys;

I just had to share that after watching this show, I woke up in the middle of the night asking… “What was in the box!” LOL

I was tempted to rewatch the show just to see if they showed it and I missed it but ended up falling back asleep.

I just wanted to share that with you. O and I didn’t light a candle. 🙂

Love your podcast.

Suri Maya

Vancouver, two months later, the only time we’ve seen Vancouver and they actually called it Vancouver.

Emma got eleven months in a minimum security prison in Phoenix. This is where Henry was born. Neal is definitely the father.

August promised to send Neal a postcard if Emma does her job.

Is Neal Emma’s True Love?

Hi guys!

This is my first time writing to a podcast but I felt compelled to do so after watching Tallahassee. There has been some debate over whether or not Neal is Emma’s true love. I personally wouldn’t mind them pairing up since they both had great chemistry and it’s pretty much shown that they were or are both still in love with each other.

It’s strange that Emma held on to that yellow bug and keychain necklace for ten years! Even when she believed that Neal set her up and left her to take the fall, she was well within her rights to sell it or torch the car if she really hated him. It seem that her feelings are still very strong from the way she told Hook she once was in love with the same heartbreak look on her face.

Neal also did not seem like he moved on from the premiere episode. Having waited 10 years for a postcard from August, to let him know that Emma is free from whatever obligation she was suppose to do. (Possibly to pursue her again?) That takes some dedication doesn’t it? Instead we see he cleaned up his act and got a legit job by the looks of it. Most likely a single NYC guy who can’t afford the rent. We don’t know what was said by August that convinced Neal enough to stay away from Emma, but clearly he did it for her well being.

I hope they expand more on Neal’s character. By the looks of it he will probably be integrated more in the story in future episodes. I’m also anxious to know if he may be a fairy-tale character since he believed August a little too easily then just an average joe.

Thanks for reading, I absolutely love your podcast and will continue to listen every week. You also have my vote in the Podcast awards. Keep up the awesome work!

-Michelle, New York

Guard’s name at prison is Loretta and she gives Emma the keychain Emma kept as a necklace.

Present-Day Fairy Tale Land

Giants used beans to plunder all the lands, according to the victor’s story. But the truth could be that the Giants made the beans for the fairies. If that’s true, then Jack killed the giants a long, long time ago.

Hook explained the victor’s tale and Snow nodded in agreement. They’re not lying. It’s the truth as they know it.

Hook’s allegiance is to whoever gets him to Storybrooke first. This is a selfish and fitting perspective for a pirate.

Hook has a counter spell from Cora. The fact that Cora trusted him with both bracelets seems like Cora planned for someone else to go up the beanstalk with Hook.

Mulan’s sword is “the most powerful blade in all the realms.” Could there be more to this story?

Hook recognizes abandonment because he was in Neverland with the Lost Boys. Again, no mention of Peter Pan.

Seems like forgiveness or understanding between Snow and Aurora as Aurora starts having nightmares.

Hook said giants can smell blood. “Fe, fi, fo, fum. I smell the blood of an English man.”

Waiting for the giant to fall asleep is similar to Mickey and the Beanstalk.

Hugo the Giant. Ain’t that one of Sawyer’s nicknames?

Calvin

Aurora described the nightmare in a little more detail than Henry.

Snow said the nightmares fade. If the nightmares are a possible communication method between worlds, are they running out of time?

The giant said that the humans attacked and stole all the beans.

Emma can tell that Hook isn’t lying, but she can’t take the chance

Storybrooke

[About the] shared nightmare. The red room with no walls and burning curtains has to be symbolic about something. In the initial reactions podcast you talked about Snow’s reaction to Aurora talking about it. To me it looked like Snow knew exactly what the nightmare was about. I’m still not sure if Snow still has the dream. She turned away really quickly as if not to show she was lying about how long the nightmare lasts. Now Aurora said she saw “him”, and Henry mentions “her”, so they are not seeing the same person. I like the theory that they are seeing each other, but for some reason I doubt it. I think it is probably the person they missed the most while they were asleep. Aurora would see Phillip and Henry would see Emma. There are other possibilities, but I haven’t quite wrapped my mind around them yet. If they are seeing each other, then they could communicate with each other and each other’s world. Maybe they will be able to send information. And finally, we may be able to see Rumpel/Gold retrieve a memory from Henry (even if it gets messy). He could help Henry see what happens in the nightmare.

Keep doing a wonderful job!
CJ (TheWizardofOnce)

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