Once Upon a Time and Revenge
Jan. 21st, 2013 10:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatFinished reading crappy novel (NOT the one by Margaret Atwood - this is the 99 cent Kindle one), which turned out to be slightly less crappy than expected. But made me realize I have a craving for a certain story trope or tropes, so if you know of better works of fiction that contain these tropes - please advise. The one I finished was far more interested in the graphic sex scenes and UST between the leads and less in the actual plot and what it is like to not remember anything and be reunited with a family who thought you long dead.
* amensia/memory loss
* back from the dead - being reunited with husband or wife who you thought was long dead
* gothic mystery (more in line with Mary Stewart, less in line with Laurel K. Hamilton - ie non-supernatural gothic. The sort where the heroine or hero suspects the other of dastardly deeds.)
May try Brat Farrar...although not quite the same.
1) Once Upon a Time - plays wonderful games with memory loss and being reunited with people lost and then found. Which is one of the reasons I enjoy it. Although like the book I just finished...still wished it had better execution, so I didn't feel unsatisfied afterwards. It's a bit like craving a chocolate mousse, eating the chocolate mousse and think damn...why do I still feel empty?
* Poor Rumplestilskin - he did the right thing by letting Hook live, but lost Belle anyhow. Although I feel more sorry for Belle - who has lost herself because she idiotically get between Hook and Rumple. Honestly, hon, when you find out the last gal who did so got her heart removed and crushed - it's time to take a long breather from the relationship.
Have a feeling right about now - Rumple is wishing he hadn't listened to Belle and killed Hook or killed him instead of Milla ages ago. That feeling probably isn't going to go away any time soon. Don't get me wrong I'm quite pleased he didn't kill "Hook" - who by the way bears a startling resemblance to the old Sheriff/Huntsman who Emma sort of had a thing for. Actually Emma and Hook have that in common - they both had someone they loved die, when their heart got crushed. But, from Rumple's point of view - life would be a great deal better with Hook not hanging around.
I rather liked Rumple's comments to Emma and family:
* You owe me a favor, Emma, and I've come to collect - we're going to track down my son Baelfire in Manhattan. I'm going and you're coming along to help me.
* And look on the bright side it keeps me from killing Hook. Every day I hang around here the more tempted I get to kill Hook.
* IF anything happens to Belle while I'm away, you know me well enough, to know I mean this when I say it - I'm going to kill all of you!
I'm thinking, eh, not all. Seriously. That's a bit of overkill.
Methinks Gold/Rumple is still a long way from redemption. Actually the series is doing a decent job with its redemption story lines. Both Regina and Rumple state they want to be redeemed, but not because they feel any remorse for hurting anyone - but because they want to get back their loved one's affection. Regina wants Henry, Rumple wants Belle...now Belle is forever gone and we're going back to the original lost boy, Baelfire.
This should be interesting - particularly if I'm right about who Baelfire is. Because if I am, poor Rumplestilskin is in for one hell of a rude awakening as is Hook and Cora/Regina for that matter. At the moment, Rumple's interest in Emma Swan and for that matter Henry is somewhat limited to the curse and well her relationship with Henry reminds him a little of his with Baelfire. Just as Regina's with Henry reminds him of his with Baelfire. But a few things to keep in mind - Rumplestilskin is the reason Emma ended up separated from her parents for 28 years (he created the curse), and he's the reason Regina got a hold of Henry - he arranged for the adoption - so that Emma would return to break the curse. He also may well be indirectly responsible for the actions of the loathsome Pinnochio/August who broke up Henry's family and caused Emma to give up her's and Neal's son for adoption.
To date, Rumple doesn't care - after all it has made it possible for him to go find his son, Baelfire. Baelfire - who remember - deliberately chose to come to our world, which had no magic, to escape the monster his father became and with the hopes of getting his father back - curing him. But his father betrays him and chooses magic and power over him. Also...if I'm right about who this guy is...Baelfire is going to be less than happy with his father.
Speaking of Cora/Regina....nice family reunion. But Regina honey, you're not going to get Henry back by hurting his family or snatching him from them. You'd think she'd learn? After all this is the kid who went searching for his biological mother. So clearly you were doing something wrong to send him off to do that? Also, listening to Mom...hmm, how's that worked out for you so far? Regina much like Rumple is a long way from redemption. Both want it for the wrong reasons. And both are still addicted to power - and have both fallen off the wagon, Rumple when he lost Belle, Regina when she lost Henry.
Shame, Henry and his family know now that Cora framed Regina, but they can't find her to tell her. Not that it matters - Regina has given in to the temptation her mother offers.
Much as Rumple gave in to Cora's temptation - he accepted her truce to locate his missing son. And Regina - gave in - for aid to get Henry back and no longer have to deal with the others.
Not sure what Rumple is expecting in regards to his son...surely not a kid? After all his son escaped to a world without magic and is mortal.
* Doctor Whale is the B storyline or back-story of the week. I rather prefer back-stories of the week or flashbacks of the week to cases or monsters of the week. Far more interesting.
This was a narrative device that we can thank the tv series LOST for and one of the reasons I enjoyed LOST.
We finally find out what Doctor Whale did - apparently Frankenstein's Monster is his brother, who he attempted to bring back to life - only succeeding in bringing back a monster.
Oh - shout out to Gregory Itzin of 24 fame playing the Dad. Great character actor.
And his burgeoning friendship with Ruby the Werewolf aka Red Riding Hood is quite wonderful.
Frankenstein and the Werewolf.
Loved his line: "I wanted my name to go down in history as meaning eternal life, instead it's monster with dead-bolts."
And Ruby's :"When Regina constructed her curse to punish us all by forgetting our pasts, I don't think she anticipated quite how much crap we wanted to actually forget." (Actually I think Regina constructed it punish Snow and Charming, and everyone else just got caught up in it. And she was manipulated in casting it by Rumplestilskin because he just wanted to locate his son and not lose his power/magic in the process. Shout-out to selenake who pointed out that Rumple actually is as dangerous without magic as he was with it - considering how he managed to manipulate everyone in town including Regina for years without it. Hook's a great antagonist for Rumple, just as Cora is for Regina.)
I rather like how this series builds on itself.
I finally caved and bought the first season on DVD via Amazon. I should not be permitted on the internet when I'm at loose ends. I buy stupid things. Sigh. Some people buy clothes or shoes, I buy DVDs, Itune albums, and books. My apartment is cluttered with CDs, DVDs, and books - but has ratty furniture.
Have fallen into the mental doldrums..which means I want to read cotton candy books for the brain, or mindless books that require little thought, have lots of emotion, and I can easily forget afterwards. In short the reading equivalent of Revenge, Once, Vamp Diaries, and General Hospital. Pure Entertainment, no analysis required, and much snarking allowed. Although I still draw the line at sentimentality - me and Nicholas Sparks are unmixy things. I also don't seem to appreciate punnery for some reason or other. Neither do the parents or kidbro - so it may well be genetic. Want melodrama, don't want tepid sentimentality, want subtle dry wit and snark - not puns. In short want chocolate mousse not skittles.
At church, a lovely women gave me a splendid idea regarding New Year's Resolutions. She's not worrying about it until March 1. March 1 is the beginning of her New Year. I'm going with March 9th - that's my birthday, up until then still on the 45th year of my life anyhow.
So, have some time to get my act together.
2. Revenge
Well, we're finally moving forward. While I'm getting tired of the shadowy Initiative storyline...I'm liking the complexity it has provided the Grayson's and the David Clark story.
*Ah, Nolan finally figured out Padme was playing him. I loved his discussion with Emily.
Nolan and Emily are amongst my favorite pairings. He tells Emily that he was right someone is after the program, but he pointed the finger at the wrong CFO. It was not snarky Marco, it was Padme. Emily suggests he play Padme back. So Nolan and Emily ensure the Initiative gets what it wants, much to Victoria Grayson and Aiden's chagrin.
*Aiden and Victoria are both pissed at Emily. Aiden blames her for his sister. Victoria for letting Daniel get a win for the Initiative and losing an ally. Aiden is probably the most dangerous in the short-term, Victoria...I wouldn't worry about, she has bigger problems.
It's hard to care about Aiden. He's so dumb. I mean hello, did you really think the Initiative wasn't going to kill your sister? And how do you know that's a recent vid?
Plus, how exactly is this Emily's fault again? Can we kill him now? Seriously, the boy makes Jack and Declan relative genius' by comparison.
* Speaking of Jack/Declan - thank god for Amanda, and then again maybe not, she arranges a deal with Conrad Grayson to get rid of the bad-boy guys who are plaguing Jack/Declan (portrayed by Michael Trucco of BSG fame) and someone else that I recognize but can't quite place. Unfortunately this means that an old friend has turn himself in. And ...well, Conrad, being Conrad, double-crosses them and makes a side deal with Michael Trucco when he points out to Conrad how lucrative the shoreline can be as a gambling den. This is not going to turn out well. Also, Conrad/Trucco - while Jack and Declan were clearly born yesterday, Amanda was not.
But the storyline admittedly got a heck of lot more interesting once Conrad got involved or rather Amanda got him involved - you'd think she'd have learned by now how bad an idea that is? She should have gone to Emily for help first. Not that Emily's available.
* Daniel...poor Daniel. While he's figured out that his mother manipulated Emily into getting back together with him to stop him from doing the deal and getting in deeper with the Initiative. He hasn't figured out why or for that matter why Emily did it. "You must think I'm really dumb" he tells Emily. Well, yeah, considering how well she's been able to manipulate you to date.
I love the women in this show...they are so clever.
* amensia/memory loss
* back from the dead - being reunited with husband or wife who you thought was long dead
* gothic mystery (more in line with Mary Stewart, less in line with Laurel K. Hamilton - ie non-supernatural gothic. The sort where the heroine or hero suspects the other of dastardly deeds.)
May try Brat Farrar...although not quite the same.
1) Once Upon a Time - plays wonderful games with memory loss and being reunited with people lost and then found. Which is one of the reasons I enjoy it. Although like the book I just finished...still wished it had better execution, so I didn't feel unsatisfied afterwards. It's a bit like craving a chocolate mousse, eating the chocolate mousse and think damn...why do I still feel empty?
* Poor Rumplestilskin - he did the right thing by letting Hook live, but lost Belle anyhow. Although I feel more sorry for Belle - who has lost herself because she idiotically get between Hook and Rumple. Honestly, hon, when you find out the last gal who did so got her heart removed and crushed - it's time to take a long breather from the relationship.
Have a feeling right about now - Rumple is wishing he hadn't listened to Belle and killed Hook or killed him instead of Milla ages ago. That feeling probably isn't going to go away any time soon. Don't get me wrong I'm quite pleased he didn't kill "Hook" - who by the way bears a startling resemblance to the old Sheriff/Huntsman who Emma sort of had a thing for. Actually Emma and Hook have that in common - they both had someone they loved die, when their heart got crushed. But, from Rumple's point of view - life would be a great deal better with Hook not hanging around.
I rather liked Rumple's comments to Emma and family:
* You owe me a favor, Emma, and I've come to collect - we're going to track down my son Baelfire in Manhattan. I'm going and you're coming along to help me.
* And look on the bright side it keeps me from killing Hook. Every day I hang around here the more tempted I get to kill Hook.
* IF anything happens to Belle while I'm away, you know me well enough, to know I mean this when I say it - I'm going to kill all of you!
I'm thinking, eh, not all. Seriously. That's a bit of overkill.
Methinks Gold/Rumple is still a long way from redemption. Actually the series is doing a decent job with its redemption story lines. Both Regina and Rumple state they want to be redeemed, but not because they feel any remorse for hurting anyone - but because they want to get back their loved one's affection. Regina wants Henry, Rumple wants Belle...now Belle is forever gone and we're going back to the original lost boy, Baelfire.
This should be interesting - particularly if I'm right about who Baelfire is. Because if I am, poor Rumplestilskin is in for one hell of a rude awakening as is Hook and Cora/Regina for that matter. At the moment, Rumple's interest in Emma Swan and for that matter Henry is somewhat limited to the curse and well her relationship with Henry reminds him a little of his with Baelfire. Just as Regina's with Henry reminds him of his with Baelfire. But a few things to keep in mind - Rumplestilskin is the reason Emma ended up separated from her parents for 28 years (he created the curse), and he's the reason Regina got a hold of Henry - he arranged for the adoption - so that Emma would return to break the curse. He also may well be indirectly responsible for the actions of the loathsome Pinnochio/August who broke up Henry's family and caused Emma to give up her's and Neal's son for adoption.
To date, Rumple doesn't care - after all it has made it possible for him to go find his son, Baelfire. Baelfire - who remember - deliberately chose to come to our world, which had no magic, to escape the monster his father became and with the hopes of getting his father back - curing him. But his father betrays him and chooses magic and power over him. Also...if I'm right about who this guy is...Baelfire is going to be less than happy with his father.
Speaking of Cora/Regina....nice family reunion. But Regina honey, you're not going to get Henry back by hurting his family or snatching him from them. You'd think she'd learn? After all this is the kid who went searching for his biological mother. So clearly you were doing something wrong to send him off to do that? Also, listening to Mom...hmm, how's that worked out for you so far? Regina much like Rumple is a long way from redemption. Both want it for the wrong reasons. And both are still addicted to power - and have both fallen off the wagon, Rumple when he lost Belle, Regina when she lost Henry.
Shame, Henry and his family know now that Cora framed Regina, but they can't find her to tell her. Not that it matters - Regina has given in to the temptation her mother offers.
Much as Rumple gave in to Cora's temptation - he accepted her truce to locate his missing son. And Regina - gave in - for aid to get Henry back and no longer have to deal with the others.
Not sure what Rumple is expecting in regards to his son...surely not a kid? After all his son escaped to a world without magic and is mortal.
* Doctor Whale is the B storyline or back-story of the week. I rather prefer back-stories of the week or flashbacks of the week to cases or monsters of the week. Far more interesting.
This was a narrative device that we can thank the tv series LOST for and one of the reasons I enjoyed LOST.
We finally find out what Doctor Whale did - apparently Frankenstein's Monster is his brother, who he attempted to bring back to life - only succeeding in bringing back a monster.
Oh - shout out to Gregory Itzin of 24 fame playing the Dad. Great character actor.
And his burgeoning friendship with Ruby the Werewolf aka Red Riding Hood is quite wonderful.
Frankenstein and the Werewolf.
Loved his line: "I wanted my name to go down in history as meaning eternal life, instead it's monster with dead-bolts."
And Ruby's :"When Regina constructed her curse to punish us all by forgetting our pasts, I don't think she anticipated quite how much crap we wanted to actually forget." (Actually I think Regina constructed it punish Snow and Charming, and everyone else just got caught up in it. And she was manipulated in casting it by Rumplestilskin because he just wanted to locate his son and not lose his power/magic in the process. Shout-out to selenake who pointed out that Rumple actually is as dangerous without magic as he was with it - considering how he managed to manipulate everyone in town including Regina for years without it. Hook's a great antagonist for Rumple, just as Cora is for Regina.)
I rather like how this series builds on itself.
I finally caved and bought the first season on DVD via Amazon. I should not be permitted on the internet when I'm at loose ends. I buy stupid things. Sigh. Some people buy clothes or shoes, I buy DVDs, Itune albums, and books. My apartment is cluttered with CDs, DVDs, and books - but has ratty furniture.
Have fallen into the mental doldrums..which means I want to read cotton candy books for the brain, or mindless books that require little thought, have lots of emotion, and I can easily forget afterwards. In short the reading equivalent of Revenge, Once, Vamp Diaries, and General Hospital. Pure Entertainment, no analysis required, and much snarking allowed. Although I still draw the line at sentimentality - me and Nicholas Sparks are unmixy things. I also don't seem to appreciate punnery for some reason or other. Neither do the parents or kidbro - so it may well be genetic. Want melodrama, don't want tepid sentimentality, want subtle dry wit and snark - not puns. In short want chocolate mousse not skittles.
At church, a lovely women gave me a splendid idea regarding New Year's Resolutions. She's not worrying about it until March 1. March 1 is the beginning of her New Year. I'm going with March 9th - that's my birthday, up until then still on the 45th year of my life anyhow.
So, have some time to get my act together.
2. Revenge
Well, we're finally moving forward. While I'm getting tired of the shadowy Initiative storyline...I'm liking the complexity it has provided the Grayson's and the David Clark story.
*Ah, Nolan finally figured out Padme was playing him. I loved his discussion with Emily.
Nolan and Emily are amongst my favorite pairings. He tells Emily that he was right someone is after the program, but he pointed the finger at the wrong CFO. It was not snarky Marco, it was Padme. Emily suggests he play Padme back. So Nolan and Emily ensure the Initiative gets what it wants, much to Victoria Grayson and Aiden's chagrin.
*Aiden and Victoria are both pissed at Emily. Aiden blames her for his sister. Victoria for letting Daniel get a win for the Initiative and losing an ally. Aiden is probably the most dangerous in the short-term, Victoria...I wouldn't worry about, she has bigger problems.
It's hard to care about Aiden. He's so dumb. I mean hello, did you really think the Initiative wasn't going to kill your sister? And how do you know that's a recent vid?
Plus, how exactly is this Emily's fault again? Can we kill him now? Seriously, the boy makes Jack and Declan relative genius' by comparison.
* Speaking of Jack/Declan - thank god for Amanda, and then again maybe not, she arranges a deal with Conrad Grayson to get rid of the bad-boy guys who are plaguing Jack/Declan (portrayed by Michael Trucco of BSG fame) and someone else that I recognize but can't quite place. Unfortunately this means that an old friend has turn himself in. And ...well, Conrad, being Conrad, double-crosses them and makes a side deal with Michael Trucco when he points out to Conrad how lucrative the shoreline can be as a gambling den. This is not going to turn out well. Also, Conrad/Trucco - while Jack and Declan were clearly born yesterday, Amanda was not.
But the storyline admittedly got a heck of lot more interesting once Conrad got involved or rather Amanda got him involved - you'd think she'd have learned by now how bad an idea that is? She should have gone to Emily for help first. Not that Emily's available.
* Daniel...poor Daniel. While he's figured out that his mother manipulated Emily into getting back together with him to stop him from doing the deal and getting in deeper with the Initiative. He hasn't figured out why or for that matter why Emily did it. "You must think I'm really dumb" he tells Emily. Well, yeah, considering how well she's been able to manipulate you to date.
I love the women in this show...they are so clever.
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no subject
Date: 2013-01-22 11:19 pm (UTC)I can't figure out why anyone would take him-- and even if someone was interested, pretty much all the major characters were involved with other things when the magic fell and he disappeared. So I'm assuming he left on his own, although what he would do, I have no idea.
no subject
Date: 2013-01-22 11:29 pm (UTC)