Painting depicting a black Eve and a White Adam. Wood panel, decorating a door in the "Old Pharmacy" in Calw, Germany, Original at the Stadtmuseum Calw, 'Palais Vischer'. 1770.
So. I got destroyed by an episode of television. Again.
look I don't believe in burying the lead. usually.
Gotta say, I enjoyed the hell out of it. All the reasons why--well, the other reasons--are under the cut.
OK, before I get to the unabashed squee-ing (and in case you're wondering, yes that is going to be pretty much the entirety of this post), I wanted to note the one thing that kind of disappointed me. Namely, the handling of the season's mystery.
You may remember how hyped I was to finally have a solid (half-)season-long mystery arc again, because that's what New York City Serenade seemed to promise. "They're cursed again, but nobody knows who did it" seemed like a very good setup for some investigating and sneaking around, season 1 style. What happened instead is that they discovered Zelena's involvement, and as soon as that happened, assumed that she had cast the curse and focused on stopping her more than on investigating further. And granted, in-universe that made sense, but from a viewer's perspective, I would really have liked more of the mystery. This episode, obviously, provides the missing pieces, and surpriiise, it wasn't Zelena who cast the curse. I mean, we knew that, because it's been established who she'd have to kill for that, and Rumple is still very much alive.
Oh, and before we get to all that goodness (hey, angst can be good), just... just one more point of criticism. Not of the writing, mind, of the characters. Specifically, this line:
"Nothing that can't be undone."
The. Hell? I mean, I guess it's been established that most people don't really see Rumple as human (and yes, there is precedent for the Charmings visiting him in a cage/cell to ask for help with fighting a powerful sorcerer), but what kind of cold-blooded, heartless (again, no pun) asshattery was that?? If you don't care about Rumple, at least try and have a little empathy for Belle, for crying out loud.
Ugh. Nobles, am I right?
Oh, one honourable mention to Regina's reaction to finding out (again? again, but backwards in time?) Rumple is alive:
Gotta love that.
Anyway, enough of the complaining, and on to the fun bits! Or something like that, because that scene with the heart crushing. Holy crap. That was some intense stuff.
if you look closely, you can see a total of three hearts breaking here
Just... pain. Much pain. For everyone. David, for obvious reasons (I don't care how brave a face he put on or that he was convinced he was saving everyone, he knew he was about to die, that's not a happy mindset), Snow, for similarly obvious reasons, and Regina... well, here are the two people she still has left in this world, and they're suffering, and she hates it. Guys, she hates it so much. And this would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad, because let's please remember Regine from just two seasons ago who would have done a little jig if she could see this. And while I would have paid to see the Evil Queen do a jig, I still vastly prefer the beautiful character development.
Blabla, Zelena turns up and Makes Everything Worse, the usual and then...
I cheered. So much. Yes, I know, you could argue that it lessens the drama of the Worst Curse Ever (that's what it's called, right?), but honestly? I prefer the thematic reminder that True Love really is the most powerful magic of all. Not only that, this is such a different situation from the original "intent" behind the curse that it seems only fitting that there would be a way around the price. The curse is meant to hurt people, to make them miserable, and it was clearly meant to be cast in hatred. And none of the people involved did that. David willingly gave his life so that the curse could be cast, and Regina was casting it for Snow so they could save people, not cause them to suffer.
And can you see that absolute relief on Regina's face, too? Because, and I will repeat this until I'm blue in the face, she's come so far and I am so proud of her! She really didn't want Snow to suffer the way she has
...look, I am a little bit in love with this scene, OK? I could also write half a thousand words of the emotional state of everyone involved here, but I haven't even gotten to the best bit and this post is going to be so long... (I am nothing if not self-indulgent, alright?)
OK, anything else that left an impression? Hook's side quest? Nah, not really... Good witch? Not much there, either...
though Regina's wordless little "wtf" was a lot of fun
Oh, I know! The culmination of Emma's whole "New York was pretty good" dilemma. Again, not quite as thoroughly explored as I would have liked, but the scenes which centred that were still pretty good. Especially her conversation with Snow, and not just because I love any and all conversations between these two.
pictured: a very concerned, but still adorable badass
Snow's quiet little "because you forgot about us" really hit the core of the issue, didn't it? Yes, they were happy, but only because they didn't know what they were missing. That was all well and good while they didn't have the option to reunite with their family, but now that they do? Does Emma really want to return to that life or is this just her knee-jerk reaction because having family is messy? (hint: I'm pretty sure it's the second) And even if she wants to stay away--does Emma have the right to make that decision for Henry? (Nope. I don't think she does; especially not now that his mom is back)
Oh, and Neal's moment of awesome when he burst out of Rumple like some weird alien creature to send Emma that bottle. Weird as it looked, it was pretty badass.
Alright, now for the main event!
oh you can BET I have more than one of these
Just... ::unholy pterodactyl screech:: Regina broke the curse! With True Love's Kiss! With her son! (please imagine another 300 words of me flailing about the narrative significance of paralleling her with Emma's role as the Saviour in season 1 here) And without her heart in her chest, holy crap, woman, that is some impressive motherly love, right there. Everything might be numb right now, but that’s still more than enough for some good ol’ True Love.
And Henry finally remembers her! My wounds are healed, my skin is clear and my crops flourish, this is the best goddamn thing! No, you weren't promising too much when you said there were good things for these two coming.
And what I loved even more was that the episode actually let them have quiet moment. Because we're clearly in finale territory, now (I've already heard that the last two episodes are more of a coda-movie), and things are happening, but there was still time for "I got pretty good at math", and I loved it.
balm for my poor battered heart. now someone get Rumple away from that witch and we can all go home happy
Less happy that Henry didn't get time to say goodbye to Neal's grave, properly, but I guess you can't fault a baby for doing as babies do.
Alright then! Big finale! I'm fairly sure they're going to stop Zelena, but... uh, let's say "time-screwed Storybrooke" sounds just likely enough that I'm not absolutely certain.
And as a last little addendum: my heart melted like ice cream in the sun when Belle stepped up to the cage and gently coaxed Rumple back to something at least resembling sanity.
Nobody touch me.
Also, nobody mention Rumple's little chant, because it's been nearly 24 hours and I still haven't recovered from that.
