OUAT....Selfless, Brave and True..

[shadowkat]

Well, we finally know what happened to Pinnochio. Plot-twisty episode, albeit frustrating one.



As an aside, I really wish they wouldn't give me previews at the end. But I can share this - no new episodes until April 21. And in three weeks we get a special on the making of the series.

Interesting episode, albeit frustrating. The non-Rumple episodes are always incredibly frustrating and uneven for some reason. I don't know why this is?

I have three quibbles: 1) Emma didn't get to punch Pinnochio (dang-it) 2) Still no explanation regarding how Baelfire knows Hook nor for that matter any reaction whatsoever from Regina regarding the sudden and unexpected appearance of Henry's dad, who just happens to be Rumplestilskin's long lost son in Storybrook (seriously, you'd think this mattered on some level??? Mileage varies on these points, I know, but it annoys me to no end when writers skip over these sorts of details - while focusing a lot of time on things like poor Snow getting over her misdeeds (yes, we know she's upset and why, we do not need yet another conversation between Charming and Snow about this - we got it). 3) Chinese Dragon was kind of lame. Oh and possibly a 4th - what happened to Pinnochio - found that to be an incredibly frustrating albeit surprising and understandable writing choice. I can't fault the writers for their plotting or metaphors.

Starts with Pinnochio discovering that he is turning into wood...in the Far East. I'm not sure where. Guessing either Thailand or Indonesia. At least they had him speak a different language. It also oddly fits with the Pinnochio story...he's off having fun and pleasuring himself after destroying Emma's life again. But, hey, at least he pays for it - in classic storybook fashion - he turns into wood. Nice metaphor - instead of his nose growing, he turns into wood for selfish behavior. In short, Emma doesn't need to punch him, the universe is doing it for her.

Meanwhile Snow White is feeling sorry herself hiding under the covers, while Charming caters to her ever need. Emma tells her Dad that it is time he stop catering to her and that she find a way of dealing with the fact that she killed Cora. Snow to be fair, does explain to Charming - that it's not that she killed Cora that is bugging her, it's that she used Regina to kill Regina's mother. Yes, they both deserved it, but that doesn't make it right - also as is demonstrated with Pinnochio...sometimes it is best to let karma handle these sort of things.

Speaking of karma...along comes Owen, who Regina does actually recognize, surprise surprise. Kudos to Regina for recognizing him. I wouldn't have. She offers him pie on the house and then follows him to his room at Granny's. (Is Granny's the only hotel in Storybrook? I'm guessing so, everyone appears to stay there that isn't either already residing in Storybrook or has found someone willing to put them up. The loft space by the way is Snow White's home originally, Henry and Emma just joined her, along with Charming. They need a bigger house. It's sort of unfair - Rumple and Regina have these huge houses to themselves, while there are four people living in a relatively small loft apartment.)

Regina (everyone's second favorite sociopath, the first being Rumple) seems to think Owen would be happy to see her again and doesn't hold a grudge. She's actually hurt and surprised that he is upset with her. Oh well, at least she's consistent in this regard. Sociopathic, unremorseful, and a wee bit unself-aware, but definitely consistent. Owen confronts her about his Dad, Flynn. Regina tells him that Flynn left shortly after he did. He accuses her of lying and that people don't disappear. She gives Owen the same spiel she gave Emma, about how she can make his life a living hell and make him disappear - and it would be better for him if he just left Storybrook now. (Yeah, and that worked so well with Emma. Honestly you'd think she'd learn by now? Like I said, consistent.)

Meanwhile...we are finally getting Pinnochio's back story and where he disappeared to. I was confused for a bit there, because I was not entirely certain when the flashbacks were taking place, up until the final flashback - I thought they were taking place in the time period after August/Pinnochio disappeared and when Snow finds him in the trailer. But no, they took place between the time period when August broke Emma and Neal up and he followed Emma to Storybrook. So we told several things with the flashbacks regarding Pinnochio - 1)what August did after he broke up Emma/Neal, 2)why he returned to storybrook to get her to break the curse, 3) when he told Baelfire he'd send him a post-card and how Baelfire reacted to it, 4) where he went and why after the curse got broken.

Turns out he went off to have fun. He started to turn into wood. Hunted down a Chinese Dragon to fix him. Didn't have any money, so stole it from Tamara (who also happens to be Neal's girlfriend - small world, isn't it and a somewhat ironic one?) who claims to be dying of cancer (not), to get the potion to fix him - only to have Tamara steal it back from him (because after all he stole from her first). The Chinese Dragon tells Pinnochio that the potion will only fix a symptom - turning back to wood, it will not cure him - he must do that himself. (ie. Stop being a sociopath.)

At the same time - we get a bit of insight into who Tamara is. Turns out Tamara is a bit of a bad-ass. But not a storybook character or a litigator, instead she's a warrior woman with a bad-ass shocker device that seems capable of killing bad-ass immortal storybook characters.
Also, in the plot-twist to end all plot-twists, is Owen's girlfriend or the "HER" that he keeps contacting by cell phone and sending photos to. (Although I sort of figured out that plot-twist when I saw the previews from last week - those previews are deadly. I did not however figure out Pinnochio...he looked like John Henry the lumberjack in the previews.)

Turns out Owen and Tamara are in cohoots and have been for some time. Tamara followed August/Pinnochio to Baelfire/Neal and orchestrated their meeting. And Tamara has been hunting down magic. August believes she wants to take the magic out of Storybrook. I'm not so sure - she seems to lust after it in much the same way Rumple does. At any rate, her relationship with Baelfire/Neal has suddenly become quite ironic. Plus the woman has a lot of money. How'd she come by it? Not that it matters. But Regina may have met her match.

Tamara gives August (ironically) the same spiel that Regina gives Owen. August unlike Owen does take her up on it, until he finds the photo she allegedly gave the Dragon, and realizes she killed the Dragon. And doesn't have cancer and lied. He rushes back to Storybrook to warn Emma. Runs into Tamara - who he stupidly attempts to confront. Tamara shocks him. He dies trying to tell Emma the truth. The Blue Fairy per Henry's guidance, brings him back to life - except as the little boy, Pinnochio, not the grown man, August. And he's younger than Henry. So unfortunately for Emma can't remember anything. Dang-it. Yet clever, very clever on the writers behalf.

Snow White is happy, as is Charming, if Pinnochio can find redemption so can she. Well, it was at a great cost...there is that. Which is admittedly troubling. Also Snow, unlike Emma, got the cathartic moment of hitting Geppetto for tricking her, and depriving her of 28 years with her daughter. Then she ruins it, by stating no, no, this wasn't me, I didn't do that.
Of course you were right in what you did, he was your child and you've paid for it. (Okay she's right about that and so was Emma, because he was apologizing/confessing when she slapped him.)

Emma convinces Baelfire/Neal to tell Tamara the truth about where he came from and who he is - thinking he's the liar in this picture. Eh. No. Turns out Tamara already knew - thanks to Pinnochio. (Seriously Pinnochio is like a plague on Emma and Neal/Baelfire's lives, with friends like Pinnochio - who needs enemies? They are much safer with him as a kid again - well as long as he doesn't befriend Henry. Stay away from Henry, Pinnochio.) Also talk about double-standard - she whines to Baelfire/Neal about his interest in Emma, when she's sticking her tongue down Owen's throat. Not only is his beloved fiancee, a liar, she's also manipulative and in love with someone else. Apparently Neal/Baelfire's luck with women is a bit similar to his father's?

At any rate, Tamara's connection to Owen redeems her a little in my eyes. Clearly they have been planning this for a while. What they are planning outside of taking down Regina and Storybrook and finding Flynn, I'm not certain.

Oh...and guess who is missing from lockup in Manhattan? Hook. Emma doesn't see a problem, after all she's beaten and locked Hook up three times now. Baelfire isn't so sure - dude, you have bigger problems on the horizon.

The writers are definitely having fun, I'll give them that. Also we appear to be past the Snow White Angsting Over Her Immortal Soul bit for at least a while. Regina also appears to be finally paying attention to Greg Mendel/aka Owen.

I did find it ironically amusing that Emma tells Bae - you invited Tamara here? What are you going to tell her when she sees a giant walking by or a werewolf? Or who you are? Isn't it bad enough we have Greg Mendel to deal with? Bae - oh it won't be so hard. Emma - tell her the truth. Turns out? Didn't have to. Both Greg and Tamara know about Storybrook and have been hunting it for quite some time. Yep this is a major plot arc for the season finale - I was right about that, just didn't see how it would come about - like this approach better than what I predicted. It's twistier and more ironic.

Comments

[flameraven.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Not sure of the timeline and if Tamara was working with Owen before she met August and Neal. She seems to have run into August in Hong Kong and then followed him or run into him again only a little while later (weeks? A month?) when he was talking to Neal.

If Flynn is not dead, I assume he's in the mental ward where Belle was being kept. Poor guy. :/ Belle only lived the same day over and over, but Flynn would have experienced 28 years of solitary. That's just awful.

My friend's theory was that Tamara and Owen met in a "OMG Magic Exists!" chat room. It wouldn't surprise me.

Yeah, what IS up with that taser? You'd think the Dragon would be more magically defended, and I'm not sure why it worked on Pinocchio at all. Could be magic. Maybe something she stole? Clearly Tamara has connections and/or influence or power of some kind. I mean, where did she get those piles of money in multiple currencies?

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

My friend's theory was that Tamara and Owen met in a "OMG Magic Exists!" chat room.

*DietCoke!Keyboard*

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

If Flynn is not dead, I assume he's in the mental ward where Belle was being kept. Poor guy. :/ Belle only lived the same day over and over, but Flynn would have experienced 28 years of solitary. That's just awful.

Agreed. It's the one thing that I'm not sure Regina can be redeemed for, without a really great sacrifice - sort of in line with Pinnochio's.
Because what she did to Owen and Flynn was...


My friend's theory was that Tamara and Owen met in a "OMG Magic Exists!" chat room. It wouldn't surprise me.

LOL! I luckily was not drinking anything when I read that. Poor masq.
Wouldn't surprise me either. I can totally see the writers doing that.

Yeah, what IS up with that taser? You'd think the Dragon would be more magically defended,

My first reaction was gee, that's a lame Chinese Dragon - I thought Chinese Spirit Dragons had more juice than that. Granted he was old, but don't you get more powerful with age?

and I'm not sure why it worked on Pinocchio at all. Could be magic. Maybe something she stole? Clearly Tamara has connections and/or influence or power of some kind. I mean, where did she get those piles of money in multiple currencies?

Wondering much the same things. Where did she get those piles of money - either someone or something is financing this lady, she's independently wealthy (which is possible) or a better thief than Baelfire. Also, that's one badass taser - normally they just render you unconscious - this one took out a Chinese Dragon and Pinnochio. I'm guessing magic too.

Personally I can't wait until she meets Mr. Gold/Rumple. If Rumple doesn't see through her game - Rumple is way off his. He has sort of been off his game of late, understandably so...considering.

Interesting that Rumple wasn't anywhere in this episode, isn't it?

Not sure of the timeline and if Tamara was working with Owen before she met August and Neal. She seems to have run into August in Hong Kong and then followed him or run into him again only a little while later (weeks? A month?) when he was talking to Neal.

I'm not either. Been trying to figure that one out. I'm guessing she may have known Owen before...because that works better and is less complicated.
And Btw...if the writers don't have a Tamara/Rumple confrontation or tete-a-tete, I'm going to be even more annoyed than I am about Regina not reacting to Baelfire being Henry's Dad. (Seriously, if I were Regina - I'd think Rumple manipulated that one, because what are the odds???)

[flameraven.livejournal.com]

I got the impression that she had that much cash from some kind of criminal dealings. You don't need large amounts of different currencies unless you're moving around a lot and trying not to be found. Or running cons. The whole affair seemed very shady. And she certainly seems very comfortable manipulating people.

I almost wonder if she hadn't been following Pinocchio for awhile, or if she just recognized something about him when she saw him at the Dragon's. I mean, the whole bit at the bar was clearly a set-up; I find it hard to believe anyone would leave their bag with all that money to be guarded by a stranger. She had to know he'd take it.

It seems like Tamara is set to be the 'big bad' for the finale, though I'm not sure how that will play out. Though Hook still has to be dealt with too. Looking at the remaining episode titles, it seems clear that the Peter Pan mythos will be important, but given how many twists this show has, I don't think I can assume anything.

She does seem intent on getting the magic in Storybrooke. What she wants it for, I'm not sure. Rumplestiltskin would seem to be the obvious target-- he has more magic than anyone. I'm sure they'll face off. But I don't blame Rumple for maybe trying to absent himself from the Charming family's problems-- I think he sees that as involving himself in situations where he will be expected to help for no benefit to him, and he hates that.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

I think you may be right about Tamara...it did feel like a set up. Although she may not have known about Pinnochio until he visited the Dragon, it's hard to tell. I'd have to re-watch.

Agree..that she may well be a criminal - which is ironic and fits with Neal Cassidy/Baelfire - who remember was a thief, who conned Emma. Actually in a way, Tamara is Neal's comeuppance. Even though Neal didn't deliberately play Emma - the situation he left her in was pretty nasty - he set her up to take the fall for his stealing. He was a bigger time thief than she was. Tamara is clearly playing Neal - in more ways than one. Neal sees himself as the bad-ass thief who is lying to poor Tamara, who remember, he states to Emma, he invited to Storybrook because he needs her with him. Neal is in for some serious pain. Also Tamara reminds me a little of Milah - Neal/Bae's mother.
Who became, remember, a pirate.

Maybe Tamara is the LandWithoutMagic version of a Pirate. I wonder if she knows Hook?

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

I wonder if she knows Hook?

Oy, that would be COOL, but see above somewhere re: this show is Complicated Enough.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

True. Also a tad too coincidental. Complicated isn't the word I'd use though...incestuous maybe or extremely small world and limited budget.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

What if she *did* run into Hook in Neal's basement, though, and LIED ABOUT IT?

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Oh...interesting. Tamara could have been the one who let Hook loose.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

You know, August somehow figured out Neal was Baelfire, although they never explained HOW. That's a big thing to know.

So it's possible Tamara found out, too, somehow, and targeted Neal specifically to get to his father through him.

It would be lame if she tries for the dagger right after Cora's attempt, but if there is one place you could go to get "magic in Storybrooke" (since it's not the well), it's the dagger.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Yes, so far at least two people have unsuccessfully gone for the dagger - Pinnochio and Cora, and it did not go at all well for either.

Be interesting if they address how August figured out Neal was Baelfire (he clearly knew Bael's history - because I think August/Pinnochio wrote the book that Henry keeps giving his parents or is carting around with him), when they don't address other things. Writers address the oddest details, yet leave other details unresolved.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

I don't know if August wrote it. As a writer, he might have a plausible understanding of book-binding.

However, as a theory about who wrote it, August is a good one. After all, these are "not the fairy tales in the traditional sense," and where in the hell else did it come from. My original theory was Mr. Gold, but not if his memory didn't return until Emma showed up.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

No, too many clues lead to August.

1. Type-writer that he carries around in the box.
2. The book-binding and printing press he uses to add a page to the book and remove another.

Also, remember if he knew about Emma being in prison, chances are he knew about her pregnancy and about Henry. I can't help but think that he sent Henry to Storybrook and sent the book to Mary Margret, in the hopes she'd eventually give it to Henry.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

I hope they address it in back story at some point.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

Rumple not reacting when someone breaks his Bae's heart (or at least plays him big-time?) That would be OOC.

I see some heart-ripping-out in her future.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Particularly since she reminds me a bit of Milah.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

Milah committed one sin in her life, IMO, leaving her son. Other than that, I see everything else she did as very Belle-like. It's all about adventure and seeing the best in bad boys.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

I didn't say she was evil, just that Tamara reminds me a little of her.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Eh..I changed my mind, Tamara reminds me more Cora - Rumple's other girlfriend.

Which is sort of interesting actually, Neal is getting conned, or Rumple's son is getting conned. Oh the irony.

Not to mention...Tamara may want Rumple's dagger/power - which means Neal who has worked so hard to get away from all that - run smack dab into it, plus Rumple's about to get bit in a big way for bringing magic back.

Hmmm, I wonder if this may lead to the arc where Henry is Rumple's undoing?

I'm oddly enough, shipping Henry:Rumple and Rumple:Emma (platonic, please !).
I'm going to start using ":" for platonic, just to be clear from now on. You'd think it would be...but fandom is an odd place.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

I know, I'm all the time putting plus signs between my pairings so people don't think I'm some sort of parent-child incest... person.

And Emma and Rumplestiltskin together are "gold."

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

I've also decided I've got it all wrong...

Baelfire is more like his mom than his father, lots of resemblance to Milah, while Emma reminds me a little of Rumplestilskin, and Henry a young Bae.

So...

Emma/Neal/Tamara

Rumple/Milah/Hook

And Graheam/Huntsman was probably Emma's Belle.

Rumple identifies strongly with Emma on various levels, which may explain her success with him - where others have failed.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

There was one other person who had success with Rumple until recently. Henry. Who probably reminded Rumple of Baelfire a great deal.

He must be hella bewildered why Mr. Gold got so mean to him all of a sudden.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Henry's behavior reminds me a great deal of a young Bae...

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

OMG, he's his father's son all over. I think that was a deliberate choice by the writers.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

That was how I figured out Henry had to be Baelfire's son towards the end of S1. Too similar to the little boy in Rumple's flashbacks - also Rumple seemed to pick up on it - and relate to Emma and Bae in that way.

BTW - Carlyle who is playing Rumple is rocking that role. Excellent character actor.