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OUAT: Good Form ( and a little on OUAT: Wonderland)
1. OUAT: Wonderland
The third episode of this series surprised me a little bit with the twist. It focused on the back story of The Knave of Hearts and was not what I expected. First twist this series has delivered to date and in the third episode, not bad.
Turns out the Knave of Hearts was originally the thief Will Scarlet, with Robin Hood's band.
He gets booted out of Hood's band when he steals a magical mirror from Maleficiant's castle along with the gold. Maleficiant is furious about the theft. The mirror he took for his wife, Anastasia. It apparently is a porthole that can take them far away from their land.
The parallel story is about the Grendal that Alice and the Knave are captured by. The Grendal was once a handsome man with a beautiful wife, but his wife died and he stole the forget me knot - which acts as a sort of mirror enabling him to see whoever was last there.
In this case it is his wife and himself in happier times. Turns out that he stole it from the Red Queen, who as punishment turned him into the Grendel. A monster.
When Will Scarlet returns to his wife in the Knave's flashback, it turns out that Anastasia is in reality the Red Queen. And the porthole takes them from Nottingham Forest to
Wonderland. The price...she becomes the Red Queen and is forever lost to Will, who in turn becomes the Knave of Hearts.
Nifty. Didn't see that coming.
One aside? I'm beginning to agree that Emma Rigby is a bit weak as the Red Queen. She appears to only have two expressions, and smiles almost all the time. There's something lacking. The chemistry between her and Naveen Andrews should sparkle, it doesn't.
Regina and Rumple from the parent series are more striking.
2. OUAT: Good Form
A few surprises here as well...
1. While I knew about the Emma/Hook kiss, I did not foresee Pan telling Hook that Baelfire was not only still alive but also still on the island. That surprised me. I was expecting more lag time. This show has a quicker plot than I expected. (What can I say? I grew up on the sluggish television serial plotting of the 20th Century. This is a bit new to me.)
It's interesting too - because the kiss happens for two reasons 1) Emma is grateful that he saved David/Charming/father's life (I was lead to believe it had more to do with Henry, not so much) and 2)it's a dare - who will be more affected/plus a dash of curiousity.
Both are clearly rattled by the kiss. It's not quite clear who is rattled the most. Although my money is on Hook. Who would have kept going if Emma didn't stop it and pull back. He also egged her into it, with the dare. And clearly has a thing for Emma. Emma, on the other hand, stated it was a one time thing, not to follow her, and to wait a bit before rejoining the group. So, she's affected, but not willing to pursue.
Then Pan, whose figured out that Hook has a thing for Emma, decides to use it against him, by dangling the fact that he knows Baelfire is still alive and on the island. And how would Emma react to that knowledge? There goes their little budding romance. Unless of course, Hook decides to keep it to himself.
Hook is interesting - because I honestly don't know where his heart or loyalties lie. He clearly cares a great deal for Baelfire - who I actually think was the initial reason for going after Henry, not Emma. Bae is the son of his one true love - Millah. But he also clearly has strong feelings for Emma, whom he sees as his soul-mate or counter. And understands. So I'm not sure what he'll do.
2. Nor did I foresee Hook finding a way to save Charming (I bought the whole sexton tail - which btw reminded me of the last Sleepy Hollow which also had a sexton as a major plot point. I also halfway expected him to join up with Pan). Although Hook admittedly did it when it would clearly further his relationship with Emma. Seriously, why didn't he tell Charming about the cure three episodes ago? Maybe he didn't remember where it was? Clever how he tricked Charming into going up there. Also, the price - appears to be that you are stuck on the island. So, they are going to have find a way to get Charming off the island, of course first he needs to tell Snow what really happened.
3. Hook's back-story was rather interesting. He started out a naval lieutenant/captain and only became a pirate as an act of vengeance against the King and Kingdom that inadvertently killed his somewhat niave brother. (Hook's been guided by vengeance one too many times in his lifetime.) Apparently the King was hunting a weapon that would wipe out his enemy. But knowing the Jones boys, being men of honor, wouldn't grab it - he lied to them and said it was an herb that would cure all ills. No, that's the waters at the the heart of Neverland - but much like the Holy Grail, they can't leave Neverland. As a result, Captain Jone, Killian's brother - tests the "dreamshade", which Pan warns them is the deadliest poison imaginable, to prove Pan is lying. Jones dies. Killian brings him back with the Neverland water. Pan states the waters will cure him, but at a great price. He doesn't however tell them what it is. When they return to their world, Killian's brother dies and that's when Killian grief-stricken turns the ship into a Pirate ship. "We'll live as free men, and take from the Kingdom. There's more honor amongst thieves, any how." (Hmmm, in short he became a Robin Hood of the High Seas?)
And his relationship with Pan...not at all what I'd expected. Pan seems to have the upper hand and appears to be the one with all the power. Hook is not father figure, nor does he seem to hate Pan. So much as fear and respect him. Pan weirdly respects Hook, and treats Hook much the same way he does Rumplestilskin. Telling Hook - the one reason they've always gotten along is Hook is a suvivor and an opportunist. Pan is a piece of work. And a far better villain than Hook was in the books or films. Hook's more interesting as a devilish and unpredictable rogue.
4.Rather like some of the metaphors and mythological references. The Jewel of The Crown (later renamed The Jolly Roger) has a sail taken from the Wings of Pegasus, allowing the ship to magically fly (much as it did in the Peter Pan story except in the story it was with Pixie Dust). Dreamshade is the deadly poison - growing on a vine. (Sleeping Beauty, anyone?) And Water revives. (Just like the Fountain brought back magic).
5. Okay, whose in the other basket? They've drugged and strung up Baelfire/Neal in one basket, who did they string up in the other one? The one next to him? It can't be Stilskin. So who? Tinkerbell? Someone else?
6. Regina takes out the nasty Lost Boy's heart. (I know I'm supposed to be upset about this - but the kid got on my nerves, so I was admittedly rooting for Regina not Snow.) Snow
argues against it - not the way to go, makes us as bad as Pan. Emma much like Regina is panicking because the kid just told them that Henry sliced him across the cheek not Pan. (What he fails to tell them - is Henry apologized afterwards, and he goaded him into it.)
So Emma physically restrains her mother, and lets Regina do it. Then they have the kid go talk to Henry, and give Henry a mirror which allows him to see them. But Henry has to discard it the moment Pan shows up - so Pan doesn't catch him with it. (Bright move Henry!)
It's clever plan. Snow agrees, but she doesn't want Emma to go down that dark path or touch darkness. Regina scoffs. "That's why I did it. Not her. It's what I'm here for." LOL!
So far poor Regina hasn't been able to do much in regards to the Henry search - so this must have felt great.
7. No Rumple this week, unless of course, he's in the other basket? (See #5)
The third episode of this series surprised me a little bit with the twist. It focused on the back story of The Knave of Hearts and was not what I expected. First twist this series has delivered to date and in the third episode, not bad.
Turns out the Knave of Hearts was originally the thief Will Scarlet, with Robin Hood's band.
He gets booted out of Hood's band when he steals a magical mirror from Maleficiant's castle along with the gold. Maleficiant is furious about the theft. The mirror he took for his wife, Anastasia. It apparently is a porthole that can take them far away from their land.
The parallel story is about the Grendal that Alice and the Knave are captured by. The Grendal was once a handsome man with a beautiful wife, but his wife died and he stole the forget me knot - which acts as a sort of mirror enabling him to see whoever was last there.
In this case it is his wife and himself in happier times. Turns out that he stole it from the Red Queen, who as punishment turned him into the Grendel. A monster.
When Will Scarlet returns to his wife in the Knave's flashback, it turns out that Anastasia is in reality the Red Queen. And the porthole takes them from Nottingham Forest to
Wonderland. The price...she becomes the Red Queen and is forever lost to Will, who in turn becomes the Knave of Hearts.
Nifty. Didn't see that coming.
One aside? I'm beginning to agree that Emma Rigby is a bit weak as the Red Queen. She appears to only have two expressions, and smiles almost all the time. There's something lacking. The chemistry between her and Naveen Andrews should sparkle, it doesn't.
Regina and Rumple from the parent series are more striking.
2. OUAT: Good Form
A few surprises here as well...
1. While I knew about the Emma/Hook kiss, I did not foresee Pan telling Hook that Baelfire was not only still alive but also still on the island. That surprised me. I was expecting more lag time. This show has a quicker plot than I expected. (What can I say? I grew up on the sluggish television serial plotting of the 20th Century. This is a bit new to me.)
It's interesting too - because the kiss happens for two reasons 1) Emma is grateful that he saved David/Charming/father's life (I was lead to believe it had more to do with Henry, not so much) and 2)it's a dare - who will be more affected/plus a dash of curiousity.
Both are clearly rattled by the kiss. It's not quite clear who is rattled the most. Although my money is on Hook. Who would have kept going if Emma didn't stop it and pull back. He also egged her into it, with the dare. And clearly has a thing for Emma. Emma, on the other hand, stated it was a one time thing, not to follow her, and to wait a bit before rejoining the group. So, she's affected, but not willing to pursue.
Then Pan, whose figured out that Hook has a thing for Emma, decides to use it against him, by dangling the fact that he knows Baelfire is still alive and on the island. And how would Emma react to that knowledge? There goes their little budding romance. Unless of course, Hook decides to keep it to himself.
Hook is interesting - because I honestly don't know where his heart or loyalties lie. He clearly cares a great deal for Baelfire - who I actually think was the initial reason for going after Henry, not Emma. Bae is the son of his one true love - Millah. But he also clearly has strong feelings for Emma, whom he sees as his soul-mate or counter. And understands. So I'm not sure what he'll do.
2. Nor did I foresee Hook finding a way to save Charming (I bought the whole sexton tail - which btw reminded me of the last Sleepy Hollow which also had a sexton as a major plot point. I also halfway expected him to join up with Pan). Although Hook admittedly did it when it would clearly further his relationship with Emma. Seriously, why didn't he tell Charming about the cure three episodes ago? Maybe he didn't remember where it was? Clever how he tricked Charming into going up there. Also, the price - appears to be that you are stuck on the island. So, they are going to have find a way to get Charming off the island, of course first he needs to tell Snow what really happened.
3. Hook's back-story was rather interesting. He started out a naval lieutenant/captain and only became a pirate as an act of vengeance against the King and Kingdom that inadvertently killed his somewhat niave brother. (Hook's been guided by vengeance one too many times in his lifetime.) Apparently the King was hunting a weapon that would wipe out his enemy. But knowing the Jones boys, being men of honor, wouldn't grab it - he lied to them and said it was an herb that would cure all ills. No, that's the waters at the the heart of Neverland - but much like the Holy Grail, they can't leave Neverland. As a result, Captain Jone, Killian's brother - tests the "dreamshade", which Pan warns them is the deadliest poison imaginable, to prove Pan is lying. Jones dies. Killian brings him back with the Neverland water. Pan states the waters will cure him, but at a great price. He doesn't however tell them what it is. When they return to their world, Killian's brother dies and that's when Killian grief-stricken turns the ship into a Pirate ship. "We'll live as free men, and take from the Kingdom. There's more honor amongst thieves, any how." (Hmmm, in short he became a Robin Hood of the High Seas?)
And his relationship with Pan...not at all what I'd expected. Pan seems to have the upper hand and appears to be the one with all the power. Hook is not father figure, nor does he seem to hate Pan. So much as fear and respect him. Pan weirdly respects Hook, and treats Hook much the same way he does Rumplestilskin. Telling Hook - the one reason they've always gotten along is Hook is a suvivor and an opportunist. Pan is a piece of work. And a far better villain than Hook was in the books or films. Hook's more interesting as a devilish and unpredictable rogue.
4.Rather like some of the metaphors and mythological references. The Jewel of The Crown (later renamed The Jolly Roger) has a sail taken from the Wings of Pegasus, allowing the ship to magically fly (much as it did in the Peter Pan story except in the story it was with Pixie Dust). Dreamshade is the deadly poison - growing on a vine. (Sleeping Beauty, anyone?) And Water revives. (Just like the Fountain brought back magic).
5. Okay, whose in the other basket? They've drugged and strung up Baelfire/Neal in one basket, who did they string up in the other one? The one next to him? It can't be Stilskin. So who? Tinkerbell? Someone else?
6. Regina takes out the nasty Lost Boy's heart. (I know I'm supposed to be upset about this - but the kid got on my nerves, so I was admittedly rooting for Regina not Snow.) Snow
argues against it - not the way to go, makes us as bad as Pan. Emma much like Regina is panicking because the kid just told them that Henry sliced him across the cheek not Pan. (What he fails to tell them - is Henry apologized afterwards, and he goaded him into it.)
So Emma physically restrains her mother, and lets Regina do it. Then they have the kid go talk to Henry, and give Henry a mirror which allows him to see them. But Henry has to discard it the moment Pan shows up - so Pan doesn't catch him with it. (Bright move Henry!)
It's clever plan. Snow agrees, but she doesn't want Emma to go down that dark path or touch darkness. Regina scoffs. "That's why I did it. Not her. It's what I'm here for." LOL!
So far poor Regina hasn't been able to do much in regards to the Henry search - so this must have felt great.
7. No Rumple this week, unless of course, he's in the other basket? (See #5)
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Agree that Pan is turning into a great villain, and kudos to the actor playing him for his excellent work.
I was thinking to myself during the part where Regina suggests taking the Lost Boys' heart out so she can bend him to her will, that-- well, that's a pretty darn good idea there, Regina. The mirror was a clever bit, also-- we got to see that Henry assumed it was a trick, and being able to see both of his mothers there surely helped convince him that it wasn't.
And in all honesty, it was interesting to see Snow facing the fact that sometimes dire circumstances will obligate you to do things you really rather wouldn't do.
Pan weirdly respects Hook, and treats Hook much the same way he does Rumplestilskin. Telling Hook - the one reason they've always gotten along is Hook is a survivor and an opportunist.
I think the key word there is "survivor". I'm guessing that betrayal is going to play a big part in Pan's backstory when it's finally revealed, and Pan sees himself as a survivor of that. The opportunist part relates to gaining power, which Pan is clearly after.
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Up next to the other one. They were deliberately vague.
And in all honesty, it was interesting to see Snow facing the fact that sometimes dire circumstances will obligate you to do things you really rather wouldn't do.
Yes, Snow's become a tad black and white in her worldview, and also a little idealist. As Emma states - they are at war with Pan, you do have to be somewhat pragmatic. I rather like Emma and Regina's relationship - both are pragmatic. Although Regina is admittedly rather Machiavellian in that regard.
Agreed on Hook. Although some of his choices lead more towards opportunist.
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How dead is Charming's brother? Dead dead, with the body being seen and disposed of by all? There were a fair number of reminders of him lately and I'm wondering if with Charming stuck on the island if there could be a bit of a stolen identity situation coming up.
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Pan? I agree - that kid has chemistry with everyone. I think the actor is around 15 or 16? The character is as old Rumplestilskin - so it sort of makes sense.
Are you thinking James (Charming's brother) might be in the other basket? While I like the idea of the twin switch, I don't know, James got pierced with a huge iron spear through the chest. Not sure you can come back from that. It wasn't like Phillip or Snow, who were merely out of action due to sleeping curses or wraiths. And if you could, his adopted father definitely would have figured it out. Actually he tried to get Rumple to do it, but Rumple stated - nope, can't bring people back from the dead.
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After seeing Teletubby and Harry/Snape erotic fanfic, I'm shock-proof.
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Pan and Young Baelfire are amongst the best child actors I've seen on television in quite some time.
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The kid's got range.
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That kid has a career ahead of him. The last kid I saw with that amount of range was Vincent Kartheiser - whose got a great gig on Mad Men.
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And alas, he is not much of a kid anymore is it? All growed up.
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That said, I hope they don't squeeze all the moral ambiguity and opportunist out of Hook they established in season 2. One more chisel-jawed hero is not what this show needs.
Rumplestiltskin would never be in the other basket. SelenaK's theory that it's Rumple's father is interesting, although I hope not. I want to meet the man in flashbacks, not another present day Really Longed Lived guy like his son and grandson (and, you know, the pirate, too).
I could see it being Tinkerbell, and her having to work with Neal to escape. Tink wasn't in this entire episode, but she was part of the group last week.
I am SO SO SO glad they didn't have Neal walk in on Emma and Hook kissing. Although it's still a possibility, I suppose. But giving Hook a choice about it at least allows the writers to side-step the whole Boring love triangle replay.
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That's definitely the reason he didn't. He pretty much tells Charming that on top of the cliff or mountain. Dead Man's Head (which I think in the originally story is where Pan defeats Hook...but Selenak would know. I honestly can't remember.)
Also agree - I hope they don't squeeze the moral ambiquity out of him. Although having him betray Charming at this point would have been counter-productive, by saving him - he wins points with Emma, and manages to stick it to Charming (Charming is stuck on the island now as well as indebted to Hook, so no longer threatening him to stay away from his daughter.) Hook definitely got something out of it. I rather loved the exchange:
Charming: Why'd you help me? Why go out of your way? It's not like you're going to get anything out of it.
Hook (with a wry wink): We'll see about that mate.
He got a kiss out of it. He played Charming to get to Emma. Now Pan has thrown a wrench into the mix - is Hook willing to betray Baelfire to get Emma? Considering what Bae means to Hook...the bound is a bit different than brothers. More father/son.
So no, I don't think Hook will become noble hero. I think he's going to remain complex, well as complex as the the rogue with heart of gold can be, it is an admittedly well-traveled trope. (I read a post that compared him to Spike, but seriously? Starbuck, Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds, Angel, Sawyer (LOST) all fit the description. Personally I thought Spike was the best attempt at it - because unlike the others - his back-story wasn't heroic so much as just pathetic.)
SelenaK's theory that it's Rumple's father is interesting, although I hope not. I want to meet the man in flashbacks, not another present day Really Longed Lived guy like his son and grandson (and, you know, the pirate, too).
Eh..agree. Although we probably will meet the man in flashbacks one way or the other. But..adding him to the mix would make it a bit, I don't know, silly? I mean this island is beginning to feel like Six Degrees of Henry...(you know the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Game).
Does everyone have to be related to Henry? The kid is connected!
I could see it being Tinkerbell, and her having to work with Neal to escape. Tink wasn't in this entire episode, but she was part of the group last week.
I think Atpomn is right and it's Tinkerbell. She makes the most sense.
I can't think of anyone else that makes any sense.
Also agree that having Neal see their kiss would be beyond cliche. That's been overdone. The love triangle only interests me to the extent that it delves into the character's back-stories, furthers the plot and their development. If it doesn't do any of the above (like the annoying Katherine/David/Mary Margaret love triangle in S1? I'm bored.)
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It just seems they'd have to go too OOC to pull of an extended triangle with these three. But I've been wrong before.
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While I admittedly sort of enjoy both - because I admit, I have a weakness for rogues with hearts of gold. I still find Baelfire/Emma more interesting from a character, relationship, plot, and writing perspective. Hook/Emma is well, too similar to Buffy/Spike, Starbuck/Apollo, Kate/Sawyer, Juliet/Sawyer, etc...and I want to see something new. I can sort of predict where Hook/Emma will end up. I can't predict Baelfire/Emma.
I'm hoping the writer's agree with me. And don't go the easy route. The twist, where Pan tells Hook Neal/Baelfire is still alive, gives me hope they'll go a different route.
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I mean come on...you have the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming falling for the son of Rumplestilskin (who basically was the cause for Emma's separation from her parents to begin with). They are both thieves. They both have abandonment issues. Both survived in a foreign land, on their own, without magic. Both are skeptical of magic or not fond of it. And he betrayed her in the worst way possible - he let her take the fall for his crime. There's just so much back-story and ground to cover there. They have a history, and it's an interesting one. He taught her stuff. And he lied to her. He's the reason she became a bounty hunter, and the reason she gave Henry up for adoption. And they have a precocious child together. There's baggage and it's interesting baggage.
Compare to Hook - there's no previous relationship between him and Emma. Actually Hook's back story is with Baelfire and Rumple. And he stole Millah.
You do Emma/Hook - it's just repetitious of Millah/Hook - not all that interesting. I only find Emma/Hook interesting in short term. IT's hot, it's fun, and it's going to play havoc with everyone. But it's really only interesting - when you look at it from the perspectives of everyone else. Stand-a-lone? Not so much.
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So I'm not sure what Emma/Hook fans want really, except the bad boy kink thing. Which, really, also describes Emma/Neal back in the day.
Given that young Baelfire was so gosh darn earnest, you can probably say that his interactions with Hook and Peter Pan set him on his adult path, so in some ways Emma/Hook is a bit of a retread, only she's not 18 anymore.
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Then Rumple wasn't seen at all this week. Normally they show him.
So...probably is Rumplestilskin. Wouldn't be the first time he got put in a cage...remember Cinderella put him in one with the ink.
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At any rate, whoever is in the basket was shaking it like crazy, and if Rumple was in shaking form, he'd be out of the basket.
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