It’s time for another Once Upon A Time review! This episode was quite the interesting one, and actually answered some of my questions. But, first, a recap….
Side Plot
Let’s start here. The secondary story that occupied our heroes dealt with Snow and Prince Charming wanting to talk to their son, Neal. Who is not the Neal that is the son of Rumple. Yeah, the family tree is weird.
The Charmings use a phone booth that causes “hauntings.” That’s basically all they do for most of the episode.
Oz Plot
We don’t have an Enchanted Forest flashback this episode. Instead, we go to Oz where Zelena/Wicked Witch is trying to take the Scarecrow’s brain to enact her time travel spell. Dorothy returns and rescues Scarecrow. After they escape, Hades appears and wants to help Zelena because he wants the time travel spell to succeed. He is cursed being the lord of the dead and can either have his heart started again by true love’s kiss or go back in time and switch places with his brother, Zeus. Zelena feels a kindred spirit with the vengeful Hades, but doesn’t want his help at first. When Zelena is unsuccessful at getting Scarecrow back, she lets Hades help. The two find Dorothy’s bike, ride on it and it has all the makings of a date. The bike is used to find Dorothy, and Zelena succeeds at getting Scarecrow’s brain. Hades has disappeared back at the Emerald City, where he has set up dinner to explain that he now loves Zelena. In fact, his heart fluttered inside to prove that, but she thinks he’s just trying to use her and rejects his love…though she kinda feels something in return.
Underbrooke Plot
In the Underworld we find Hades and Rumple causing a portal to get Zelena’s baby, who is in the care of Belle. Zelena has somehow made her way back to Storybrooke and she and Belle and baby are sucked into the portal. They don’t land in Hades’ throne room, and are found by various members of the main group. Rumple finds Belle and baby, and ends up explaining everything…including that he’s the Dark One again. He is trying to convince Belle that she has always loved both the Dark One side of him and his Rumple side. She doesn’t say no, but will take time to think. The
baby is brought to the heroes, and Zelena finds them all too. She realizes that Hades wants the baby to enact the time travel spell too, and have revenge on her. The group decides to help protect the baby, and Zelena tricks them, but then realizes she will ultimately cause pain to her child because her magic is not working. She lets the baby go under Robin and company’s protection. Snow declares that they should be on the offensive against Hades. Henry uses his author power more.
The real big twist is when Zelena meets up with Hades. She finds that he truly is in love with her, and wanted to take the baby away from the heroes and give it to her. His Underbrooke themed Underworld was also to give to her as well. She decides to go and get her baby back after all, but doesn’t quite yet trust Hades. He’s ok with that and lets her know she’s welcome to be with him anytime. End scene.
Review
Well, this was the dooziest of doozies we’ve had in a long time! First of all, it’s nice to go back to Oz instead of the Enchanted Forest. It made for interesting flashbacks and we learn more of a twisted world that we only got glimpses of before.
As far as bringing Zelena back? I’m not the biggest Zelena fan. She hasn’t been the best villain in my book. But, this episode made her grow on me more. Her ruling of Oz felt like a proper villain. Her thirst for vengeance motivation was expressed better this episode than any previous season (again, in my opinion). It really had her shine.
And what about Hades? Man, he just keeps getting slimier and more maniacal. But, it’s great! He may end up being my favorite Once villain. He’s certainly one of the more complex ones. Is he just motivated by love, or is there more? How far will he go to be in relationship with Zelena? It’s making him a very diabolical guy.
My one complaint for the episode is the side story. It was the weakest out of many. It’s trying to keep Snow and Charming engaged in things, but it just didn’t work. It was too small, and that made it have a weak impact. We need more scenes of emotion for them, or something go wrong in their trying to reach out to Neal. It was too straightforward in delivery.
The rest of the episode I will say has now made this a strong second half of the season. We have a big twist in the villain plot, and it’s making this a very interesting arc. Again, it answered many of my questions, and that’s a good thing. They were compiling too many of the questions.
What questions were answered for me?
For one, why is it Underbrooke? It’s because of Hades’ love.
Why is Zelena suddenly here? It’s because of Hades’ love.
Why does he hate the Charming family? It’s because of Hades’ love.
Why has Robin not been more prominent in this season? It’s because of Hades’ love. Well, the needing to introduce it and give Robin something to do.
Hmmm. Maybe I don’t quite like the answers now. Still, it’s nice that they won’t be left as loose ends.
Questions
There are still questions raised.
- Is Hades trustworthy for Zelena?
- So, will we not see Robin anymore this season? Man, he got ripped off with lines.
- Is Henry acting like a teenager, or like an Author? I mean, the bad guy Author was a jerk to people too.
- What does Zeus do?
- So, Rumple just told Belle he’s the Dark One? Just like that?
- With Zelena’s birthday being the same as “Tax Day” is that coincidence or….?
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