Review by Panda
The new narrative was taken full advantage of this week as the race to the season finale really started to pick up.
The past and present storylines ran side by side as, in both time periods, the Charming family discovered exactly how to stop Zelena; light magic. Conveniently, Emma is really starting to come into her powers just in time.
The way that we learned about each new piece of information was clever. The flashbacks filled in the blanks, and in the present day things were given more reiteration. Although this episode was a big one in terms of magic and action, it was also home to some of the strongest emotional moments of the season.
My favorite was Regina being the one to break the curse. It’s confusing that she was able to do it sans her heart, but I was just too happy about what was happening to sweat the small stuff like that. Now that she’s getting hot and heavy with Robin, it looks like she’s starting to get closer to the happy ending she felt she was robbed of by Snow and her loose lips.
Another big moment was Snow sacrificing Charming to help stop Zelena and protect her family. I was surprised that Snow actually went through with this crazy plan and crushed Charming’s heart; it all felt a little easy, as did Snow’s sudden Eureka to split her own heart with her other half. Despite the silliness, I bought into what was happening enough to accept it.
Considering how hard they fought to get back to Emma, it must be hard to see her wishing they hadn’t. But Emma wanting to go back the simple life she had with Henry in NYC is part of why she’s Emma; she’s relatable. In the midst of the fair of heart princesses and dull as mud princes, she’s the grounding force. She’s the one bit of normal in the middle of all of this. She’s also the only one to have had a taste of the easiness of life outside of their crazy little town. Why wouldn’t she want to leave?
She obviously won’t. She’s too important to her family, and even more important to the residents of Storybrooke whose lives are in her hands. She wasn’t the savior of the second curse, but she’ll be the one to end Zelena’s reign of terror.
Plus
Why was everyone so quick to kill all the monkeys considering they’re just their friends under a spell?
Also, too bad for Aurora and Philip. Will they be turned back once Zelena is stopped?
Regina fashion watch: That blue number. J’adore.
He Said, She Said
David: “Why do women keep their shoe boxes?”
Mary Margaret: “Because after true love there is no more powerful magic than footwear. It has to be protected.”
Conclusion
The story is really starting to take flight with Snow’s baby on the doorstep. I’m curious to see how Zelena will be stopped in time, or to see if she succeeds and changes the lives of everyone in Storybrooke. Either way I’m excited and that’s down to A Curious Thing doing a great job of building towards a climax.
Panda Rating
B+
Previously posted at PandaTV.
Fantastic episode and I loved how Regina was the one breaking the curse.