OUAT (When Rumple met Regina) and Revenge
Oct. 8th, 2012 01:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatEdgy as all get out this morning. Slept horrifically last night. Good thing I have today off and could sleep in or I'd be a wreck. But hey, it's cooler. In the 50s. No air conditioning for the first time in months. Also what happened to card shops and greeting cards? Struggling to find one for a friend's 70th birthday. Also have my mother's 70th. Did find one for her. Will most likely send her a plant or flowers. No idea what to get the friend - thinking a few vintage post cards.
Watched Once Upon a Time and Revenge last night, haven't gotten to 666 Park Avenue, Good Wife or Call the Midwife yet.
* Once Upon a Time or When Rumple First Met Regina - was interesting in two respects, its continued development of Regina, and further development of what is happening in the town and with Rumplestilskin who has in some respects been frustrated in his aims by himself.
The Barrier One wonders if the barrier would exist if Rumple had not brought magic back to Storybrook? If so, he'd be able to find his son. Now he's basically stuck. And not a happy camper. Once again he loses what he wants by wanting magic. Regina figures this out faster than he does - realizing that magic isn't necessarily going to get her what she wants. Interestingly enough we did not see Belle this week. This week's episode focused on lost kids and regaining them, so it does sort of make sense.
When Rumple Met Regina or a Twist of the Classic Rumplestilskin tale.
The classic Brother's Grim Rumplestilskin tale (which to date hasn't really been animated by anyone because it's not that romantic or popular, although I remember reading it as a child) - has at it's a core a beautiful Miller's Daughter who becomes Queen through the help of Rumplestilskin, who wishes in return to have her child.
In Once Upon A Time - we have the beautiful Regina, who requires Rumple's help to free her from her mother. She doesn't want to be Queen, she just wants to be freed from her mother's desires for her. She has no desire for power, or so she says. Power can't bring her what she truly desires. But she's become desperate, so she asks for a way to fight her mother. And Rumple gives her two things - her mother's book of spells (which he'd given her mother long ago) and a magic mirror which she thrusts her mother through. Rumple tells Regina they'd met before. They go way back. He cradled her in his arms, and always knew that one day she would come back and want something from him. One day she will help him get what he wants.
The irony about all this is the original tale is about a struggle over a baby or child which Rumple wants and the Miller's Daughter refuses to hand over. And the current one, on its face, does not appear to about that, but what if it turns out to be? What if Henry is Rumplestilskin's grandson and the way or means of getting his son back is through Henry and Emma? And therefore through the Miller's Daughter/Regina?
At the moment, however, the two most powerful people in town remain frustrated from their inability to reacquire the one thing they desire the most - their children. For Regina - Henry. For Rumple - his son.
PRince Charming's Dilemma - the Prince is struggling with the Wimpy David that he remembers and is not proud of. Wimpy David hurt his one true love and his family. He tells the town that they are both their Storybrook personas and the Enchanted Forest personas and need to embrace both.
I can see him becoming Jack in the Beanstalk or that being his back story. Since Jack was a farmer/shepard/rancher who sold a cow for beans which took him to a giant's kingdom.
Sort of fits with the son who'd do anything for his family bit...even if it is misguided.
I do like this version of Prince Charming better than Wimpy David. Please show, whatever you do, do not have Charming cross that barrier...do not want Wimpy David back.
He's also fighting Regina for the grating Henry. Nice enough kid, just grates for some reason. Henry at least isn't annoyingly stupid. He tells Regina like it is. I'm going with only because I don't want you to hurt anyone because of me. But you have zip to offer me.
I don't care about your magic. I don't want riches and treats. I want what you took. I want freedom. Which ironically is the same thing Regina wanted once upon a time. Regina via flashbacks realizes she's repeating her mother's mistakes, and chooses to let Henry go. Stating she wants to be redeemed. She admits to PC that the Enchanted Forest still exists, just that she has no idea how to get there. She also shoots him a zinger regarding how well he took care of his daughter - shipping her off in a box to Maine as a baby. And hopes he'll do a better job of taking care of Henry.
The kid theme bit continues with Jefferson still thwarted in his attempts to reclaim his daughter and Gepetto still thwarted in his attempts to reunite with Pinnochio, who apparently go well enough to leave his room?
*Mulan and Aurora and the Wraith - the Momster (who also watches Once) and I keep fighting over this. It just does not work for me. How can anyone blame two women who are found under a bunch of wreckage for bringing in a wraith? A wraith who by the way is wearing a medallion that only Mulan seems to understand and comes from Mulan's world?
And was chasing them prior to Snow and Emma popping up. Granted they asked Regina to send it through a portal, but the wraith was not summoned by them and they accidentally followed it. Also how in the hell does Mulan know it came through a portal, or came from elsewhere? She seems to initially believe it's her fault? I don't know. Seems a bit...dumb and contrived to me. "Oh, I need someone to blame for my true love's demise, I know, I blame the first unconscious and weaponless people I find in funky clothing." (Sorry doesn't work, took me out of the story last week and this week. Also makes me really dislike Mulan. And Mulan was a cool character. They better do something about this pronto.)
In short, preferring Storybrook, and old Fairtaleland flashbacks to Cinder Fairytaleland stories at the moment.
That said was interesting to see Cora pop up again. Clearly she was just banished to another realm and when Regina initiated the Curse which burned up half of the Enchanted Forest, she and the other Fairytaleland characters that were left behind sort of migrated to a new home. I'm guessing she probably is the Queen of Hearts - it certainly works metaphorically - woman with no heart, rips out others.
* Revenge - entertaining. Lots of webs within webs.
I think we can trust to a degree what Victoria tells Charlotte and what she told the White Headed Killer. She wanted to flee with Charlotte. She is afraid of the Agency or Initiative or whatever it is. And was paying the White Headed Guy to let her and Charlotte start new lives elsewhere. When Charlotte's inheritance is taken and her money source gone, she comes up with a plan B - which is basically to frame the White Headed guy for everything and make herself look like the victim. White Headed Guy figures out Emily Thorn is taping the whole thing, when he notices the clam, and heads to Emily's where she agrees to give him the tapes that would clear him and hurt Conrad and Victoria - in exchange for intel on her mother's whereabouts. He tells her that while Victoria asked him to kill her mother, he didn't necessarily do it. Also, that the reason for the action was her mother could reveal her father's innocence and crumble the entire plan (not sure how - wouldn't the mother's testimony be thrown out due to lack of competency? Seems like a better bet to just leave Momma in the insane asylum. Seriously, who would believe her? Going after her just shines a big light on her, don't you think?)
Meanwhile Emily has decided to tell Amanda that the baby she's carrying is not Jack's, when in reality it is and Jack has the correct test results. She's letting Amanda believe otherwise. Which as Nolan states is dark, even for Emily. Nice mind-game.
Speaking of mind-games, Takenwada has a stake in Grayson Global as an investor and his shareholder is on top of things. Pushing Conrad to go after the kids inheritances in order to bolster business. While Daniel gives Charlotte most of his trust fund, and lets her stay in the house while he moves to the pool house with Ashley (not so sure that will sit well with Ashely, any more than Charlotte and Victoria taking up residence again in her
hard-won digs.) Daniel good care less - he's still pining after Emily. (Personally I'm rooting against where the series is headed, I find Daniel more interesting and appealing than Jack - who feels rather one-note and a bit cliche. Can we have Jack be the body in the boat in Feb? No?)
The new guy in Emily's life is interesting. He's saved her life twice now. Why?
And what is Takenwada's agenda? Why did he send Amanda back, obviously pregnant with Jack's kid and why send the other guy? Assuming he did and the other guy didn't go on his own.
Still loving Nolan who provides much needed comic relief. "Oh, could you please turn around, so I can put on some pants." And "I know I'll hire you, I don't want a 15 year vet, I want someone I can groom, control, and ...(be hot for)."
In other news, have decided to kick Vegas to the curb. Seen two episodes now. It's not going to change. What's wrong with it, can't be fixed. Chicklis' character is more interesting than Quaid's. And Quaid is grumpy, sullen, and craggy. I miss the shitty grin and flirtatious side that he does so well. Doesn't hold my interest - it's gone.
Watched Once Upon a Time and Revenge last night, haven't gotten to 666 Park Avenue, Good Wife or Call the Midwife yet.
* Once Upon a Time or When Rumple First Met Regina - was interesting in two respects, its continued development of Regina, and further development of what is happening in the town and with Rumplestilskin who has in some respects been frustrated in his aims by himself.
The Barrier One wonders if the barrier would exist if Rumple had not brought magic back to Storybrook? If so, he'd be able to find his son. Now he's basically stuck. And not a happy camper. Once again he loses what he wants by wanting magic. Regina figures this out faster than he does - realizing that magic isn't necessarily going to get her what she wants. Interestingly enough we did not see Belle this week. This week's episode focused on lost kids and regaining them, so it does sort of make sense.
When Rumple Met Regina or a Twist of the Classic Rumplestilskin tale.
The classic Brother's Grim Rumplestilskin tale (which to date hasn't really been animated by anyone because it's not that romantic or popular, although I remember reading it as a child) - has at it's a core a beautiful Miller's Daughter who becomes Queen through the help of Rumplestilskin, who wishes in return to have her child.
In Once Upon A Time - we have the beautiful Regina, who requires Rumple's help to free her from her mother. She doesn't want to be Queen, she just wants to be freed from her mother's desires for her. She has no desire for power, or so she says. Power can't bring her what she truly desires. But she's become desperate, so she asks for a way to fight her mother. And Rumple gives her two things - her mother's book of spells (which he'd given her mother long ago) and a magic mirror which she thrusts her mother through. Rumple tells Regina they'd met before. They go way back. He cradled her in his arms, and always knew that one day she would come back and want something from him. One day she will help him get what he wants.
The irony about all this is the original tale is about a struggle over a baby or child which Rumple wants and the Miller's Daughter refuses to hand over. And the current one, on its face, does not appear to about that, but what if it turns out to be? What if Henry is Rumplestilskin's grandson and the way or means of getting his son back is through Henry and Emma? And therefore through the Miller's Daughter/Regina?
At the moment, however, the two most powerful people in town remain frustrated from their inability to reacquire the one thing they desire the most - their children. For Regina - Henry. For Rumple - his son.
PRince Charming's Dilemma - the Prince is struggling with the Wimpy David that he remembers and is not proud of. Wimpy David hurt his one true love and his family. He tells the town that they are both their Storybrook personas and the Enchanted Forest personas and need to embrace both.
I can see him becoming Jack in the Beanstalk or that being his back story. Since Jack was a farmer/shepard/rancher who sold a cow for beans which took him to a giant's kingdom.
Sort of fits with the son who'd do anything for his family bit...even if it is misguided.
I do like this version of Prince Charming better than Wimpy David. Please show, whatever you do, do not have Charming cross that barrier...do not want Wimpy David back.
He's also fighting Regina for the grating Henry. Nice enough kid, just grates for some reason. Henry at least isn't annoyingly stupid. He tells Regina like it is. I'm going with only because I don't want you to hurt anyone because of me. But you have zip to offer me.
I don't care about your magic. I don't want riches and treats. I want what you took. I want freedom. Which ironically is the same thing Regina wanted once upon a time. Regina via flashbacks realizes she's repeating her mother's mistakes, and chooses to let Henry go. Stating she wants to be redeemed. She admits to PC that the Enchanted Forest still exists, just that she has no idea how to get there. She also shoots him a zinger regarding how well he took care of his daughter - shipping her off in a box to Maine as a baby. And hopes he'll do a better job of taking care of Henry.
The kid theme bit continues with Jefferson still thwarted in his attempts to reclaim his daughter and Gepetto still thwarted in his attempts to reunite with Pinnochio, who apparently go well enough to leave his room?
*Mulan and Aurora and the Wraith - the Momster (who also watches Once) and I keep fighting over this. It just does not work for me. How can anyone blame two women who are found under a bunch of wreckage for bringing in a wraith? A wraith who by the way is wearing a medallion that only Mulan seems to understand and comes from Mulan's world?
And was chasing them prior to Snow and Emma popping up. Granted they asked Regina to send it through a portal, but the wraith was not summoned by them and they accidentally followed it. Also how in the hell does Mulan know it came through a portal, or came from elsewhere? She seems to initially believe it's her fault? I don't know. Seems a bit...dumb and contrived to me. "Oh, I need someone to blame for my true love's demise, I know, I blame the first unconscious and weaponless people I find in funky clothing." (Sorry doesn't work, took me out of the story last week and this week. Also makes me really dislike Mulan. And Mulan was a cool character. They better do something about this pronto.)
In short, preferring Storybrook, and old Fairtaleland flashbacks to Cinder Fairytaleland stories at the moment.
That said was interesting to see Cora pop up again. Clearly she was just banished to another realm and when Regina initiated the Curse which burned up half of the Enchanted Forest, she and the other Fairytaleland characters that were left behind sort of migrated to a new home. I'm guessing she probably is the Queen of Hearts - it certainly works metaphorically - woman with no heart, rips out others.
* Revenge - entertaining. Lots of webs within webs.
I think we can trust to a degree what Victoria tells Charlotte and what she told the White Headed Killer. She wanted to flee with Charlotte. She is afraid of the Agency or Initiative or whatever it is. And was paying the White Headed Guy to let her and Charlotte start new lives elsewhere. When Charlotte's inheritance is taken and her money source gone, she comes up with a plan B - which is basically to frame the White Headed guy for everything and make herself look like the victim. White Headed Guy figures out Emily Thorn is taping the whole thing, when he notices the clam, and heads to Emily's where she agrees to give him the tapes that would clear him and hurt Conrad and Victoria - in exchange for intel on her mother's whereabouts. He tells her that while Victoria asked him to kill her mother, he didn't necessarily do it. Also, that the reason for the action was her mother could reveal her father's innocence and crumble the entire plan (not sure how - wouldn't the mother's testimony be thrown out due to lack of competency? Seems like a better bet to just leave Momma in the insane asylum. Seriously, who would believe her? Going after her just shines a big light on her, don't you think?)
Meanwhile Emily has decided to tell Amanda that the baby she's carrying is not Jack's, when in reality it is and Jack has the correct test results. She's letting Amanda believe otherwise. Which as Nolan states is dark, even for Emily. Nice mind-game.
Speaking of mind-games, Takenwada has a stake in Grayson Global as an investor and his shareholder is on top of things. Pushing Conrad to go after the kids inheritances in order to bolster business. While Daniel gives Charlotte most of his trust fund, and lets her stay in the house while he moves to the pool house with Ashley (not so sure that will sit well with Ashely, any more than Charlotte and Victoria taking up residence again in her
hard-won digs.) Daniel good care less - he's still pining after Emily. (Personally I'm rooting against where the series is headed, I find Daniel more interesting and appealing than Jack - who feels rather one-note and a bit cliche. Can we have Jack be the body in the boat in Feb? No?)
The new guy in Emily's life is interesting. He's saved her life twice now. Why?
And what is Takenwada's agenda? Why did he send Amanda back, obviously pregnant with Jack's kid and why send the other guy? Assuming he did and the other guy didn't go on his own.
Still loving Nolan who provides much needed comic relief. "Oh, could you please turn around, so I can put on some pants." And "I know I'll hire you, I don't want a 15 year vet, I want someone I can groom, control, and ...(be hot for)."
In other news, have decided to kick Vegas to the curb. Seen two episodes now. It's not going to change. What's wrong with it, can't be fixed. Chicklis' character is more interesting than Quaid's. And Quaid is grumpy, sullen, and craggy. I miss the shitty grin and flirtatious side that he does so well. Doesn't hold my interest - it's gone.
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no subject
Date: 2012-10-08 08:04 pm (UTC)So first the Wraith fights Phillip and Mulan, something happens to the Wraith (I though Phillip defeated it, but maybe Rumple summoned it?),
Wraith appears in Storybrook, wracks lots of damage, and goes after Regina. Emma/Snow/PC all attempt to save Regina. Regina states the Hat can open a portal to a void where nothing exists, that the enchanted forest is gone. So she sends Wraith through it. Wraith reappears and Phillip fights it again, but it is after him this time, because he picked up the gold token that Mulan dropped and it imprinted on his palm. He gets killed by the Wraith or soul-sucked (his body is still around so who knows?). Mulan and Aurora discover Snow and Emma, and of course immediately assume it's their fault, because after all they are lying there right where the wraith appeared and well..
If anyone is technically at fault for Phillip's death it is Mulan for not explaining what wraiths are, tokens, and allowing him to pick it up. After all - she knew. She knew how to pick it up. She knew what wraiths are, and she knows how to defeat them. But instead of taking responsibility - she whines about Phillip protecting Aurora, and she takes Snow and Emma prisoner.
And yes, Snow and Emma may have apologized or said yes...we followed a wraith down a portal - but keep in mind they know nothing about them.
Mulan does. Mulan is abusing her power and authority.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-08 08:27 pm (UTC)Mulan: Cretin. In your land, you would call it a wraith...The cretin – the wraith – is one of the most dangerous creatures in all the known lands.
And this is what happens in the first wraith scene, when it attacks Phillip...
(Phillip and Aurora are talking, while Mulan surveys the area. She pauses, then crouches down to feel the ground. She feels a vibration and draws her sword. From below, a wraith bursts through, throwing Mulan backwards. Phillip draws his sword and swings it wildly at the wraith.)
Aurora: Phillip!
(He eventually hits the chain of the medallion around the wraith’s neck, causing it to fall to the ground. The wraith flies away. The three of them gather, and Phillip bends over to pick up the dropped medallion.)
So the Wraith arrived, wearing the medallion, and in the scuffle, there wasn't necessarily time for Mulan to tell him not to touch it. The way I read the episode was that all of the present-day Fairy Tale Land scenes occurred after the Storybrooke scenes. So, Gold takes the medallion he has in his shop, uses his Dark One powers to summon the Wraith from it, in order to attack Regina. The Wraith flies off, taking the medallion with it. It tracks down Regina to the jailhouse. They chase it off and face off with it in Regina's office, where the Wraith is sent through the portal. This is the point where it burst through to Fairy Tale Land and attacks Phillip, but Phillip is able to cut off its medallion. Later on that night, the Wraith returns, and sucks out Phillip's soul. Mulan explains to Aurora what happened with their world, and then, a moment later, they hear noises among the wreckage where the Wraith first emerged to attack Phillip, and they discover Emma and Snow, and so Mulan concludes that since they came in through the same portal as the Wraith that they're responsible for it...which, they are. The only reason the Wraith is there is that Regina suggested that nothing was left on the other side...
Regina: It will open a portal to our land. All we have to do is send the wraith in there.
David: Oh, yeah. Just that.
MMB: I don’t understand. I thought our land was gone?
Regina: It is. But, sending it to a place that no longer exists… Well, that’s banishing it to oblivion.
The Wraith didn't just accidentally wind up there. The accident was that they thought there was nothing left. So I can definitely see Snow apologizing for that, in a "We had no idea..." sort of way, and Mulan not believing that they had no malicious intent.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-08 10:31 pm (UTC)But, unfortunately, it Still doesn't quite work for me. Two unconscious people in the same spot the wraith came through, who immediately state - oh, where are we, we thought this would be oblivion - you mean Fairytaleland still exists? And keep in mind one doesn't even quite believe in its existence.
Sure, if you are Mulan, you might find that unlikely. But look at their dress. The fact neither has any weapons to defend themselves. That they are injured and unconscious. So isn't it possible they were either hunting the wraith to destroy it? Fighting it? Innocent victims of it or innocent victims of the individuals who were really responsible for conjuring it? Based on their unconscious bodies - Mulan leaps to the "negative" conclusion that they "obviously" conjured the wraith or were responsible for Phillip's death based on circumstantial evidence - when they just happened to be lying in the same place the wraith came through? Considering she's lived her life in a land where things are seldom what they seem - you'd think she'd be bright enough to look beneath the surface and ask a few more questions before leaping to conclusions. Or give them the benefit of the doubt, as she obviously wanted Aurora to do for her. (Then again, she assumes Aurora can't fight and is a hapless victim who never sacrificed anything.)
Mulan is clearly being written as an egotistical, vengeful, grieving warrior princess with an ax to grind, and an unrequited love complex. (Seriously, Mulan, Phillip didn't seem that interesting.)