Because The A.V. Club knows that TV shows keep going even if we’re not writing at length about them, we’re experimenting with discussion posts. For certain shows, one of our TV writers will publish some brief thoughts about the latest episode, and open the comments for readers to share theirs.
- This seemed like an early season Once Upon A Time episode (so, better): Just when we think that there’s nothing else we could possibly mine in an Evil Queen flashback, we get to see her father again, and a nice allegory with Regina coming face to face with the person she hates most: herself.
- This leads us to the final resolve of the Evil Queen storyline, which was a bit syrupy for my tastes, with Regina giving the Evil Queen some of her love to make them equal. But they both seemed 100-percent good, not evil at all, making them a bit less interesting. But the Evil Queen and alt-Robin had some decent chemistry, so that wrapped up in a satisfying fashion. And Lana Parrilla did a exemplary job with the dual role, especially when the Evil Queen was camping it up to high heaven.
- Tinkerbell shows up to remind us that it’s really weird that Tinkerbell is Australian (as is Belle).
- The decor in Regina’s office never fails to crack me up. It just doesn’t look like anyone could ever live there. Just like Emma’s house, actually, which always looks like someone just moved out.
- Also ridonculous: Zelena’s hats. Like most of the hats on this show.
- No Rumple this week, boo. Maybe Robert Carlyle was at the T2 Trainspotting premiere.
- My son said that between “the first time in well, forever” line and the snow, he thought Elsa was coming back. I don’t think he’s right, but I liked where he was taking this.
- “Love can save the darkest souls. You just have to believe in it!” You do you, Snow.
- Emma did see genuinely gleeful over the wedding plans. Although y’know, you’d think they’d want to break that sleeping curse first so that both of her parents could be at the wedding, more than dealing with Gideon.
- “Excuse me, I sleep on hay! Which is on dirt…”
- Did Emma and Hook have the shortest engagement in TV history? I would be sadder about him getting caught out on that submarine if I didn’t like Nemo so much. And next week’s episode is written by Jane Espenson, so I have high hopes. See you then!
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