Once Upon a Time (ABC TV Series)

[Disney's Divinity]

Spoilers for future episodes: Ruby and Mulan will appear in the 3/17 episode.

Also, there's been talk about the "brothers" to appear in the finale may be Jekyll and Hyde because both have scars in the exact same spot. Not sure how I feel about that? I mean, I don't mind they'd go there, but I'm not sure if that would hold a whole arc though...

[unprincess]

huh & here I thought we were done with the horror world. If it brings us more Whale I'll be all for it!
And yeay for Ruby coming back!

[Atlantica]

Wow - that episode was really suprisingly emotional. I really enjoy Zelena, and this storyline looks set to be brilliant. They both work really well together on screen as well. Looking forward to its conclusion ! Is Zelena set to appear in S6 or hasn't it been confirmed yet ? I suppose it will be dependant on S5 conclusion.

Lovely to see Belle again as well, and loved her and Rumple together. And the fact he actually told her, right off the bat about what he'd done.

[JeanGreyForever]

Out of anti-hero/villainous characters, my favorites have been Cora, Peter Pan (although I hated his character arc), Arthur (I know he wasn't well-liked), Cruella, and now Hades (whenever his head isn't on fire). And Hook has certainly grown on me although considering his male counterparts (Charming, Robin), it's no wonder I feel that way.

I like most of their villains, but my ordering is probably Cruella > Ingrid = Pan > Cora > Hades > Hook > Sidney > Nimue > Arthur > Maleficent. If I were to include the Wonderland characters, btw, Jafar would probably be up there with Zelena for me. I loved all of the main characters and couples on Wonderland, too--Cyrus, Alice, Ana, Will.

Oh, I forgot Elsa. And I liked young Baelfire, young Snow, Wendy Darling, and Hercules, as far as good characters who only had a few appearances (one in Herc's case).

I forgot about Ingrid. She ranks high for me as well! The Frozen arc in general I loved although I know a lot of people felt it took away time from the main characters. I actually think that's one of the reasons I loved it so much. Besides that though, I think OUAT had excellent depictions of Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff. Even Hans who I prefer as a good guy rather than villain but he did well in the villain role here imo.

Maleficent and Ursula were butchered imo. Actually Ursula wasn't really even much of a villain as much as she was Ariel 2.0. I'm still hoping for the idea OUAT introduces the sea goddess Ursula who we briefly saw at the end of the Ariel episode.

I really liked Baelfire as well. It's a shame he's too old now to play the role again. I'm honestly not sure how the OUAT writers started with Baelfire and ended up with Neal. Young Snow is an amazing casting choice for the older Snow White. Not only is their resemblance uncannily similar but even some of the facial expressions. Herc was fun and reminded me a lot of the Disney character, but Meg was a complete joke. I'd almost rather she hadn't been included.

Spoilers for future episodes: Also, there's been talk about the "brothers" to appear in the finale may be Jekyll and Hyde because both have scars in the exact same spot. Not sure how I feel about that? I mean, I don't mind they'd go there, but I'm not sure if that would hold a whole arc though...

Apparently the two brothers will set the stage for season 6 so I guess they might have an arc planned for them.

[Disney's Divinity]

Tonight's episode was better after it went along than I expected at first. Belle episodes always bore me to tears and this looked to be going the same way, but I did enjoy some of Belle's interactions with Hades and Rumpel this episode. I think I like Rumbelle more now that they're on somewhat equal ground (with her knowing everything and speaking her mind). I know the girl from the "B&tB" tale isn't outspoken like Belle in Disney's B&tB, so they might've been more inspired by the original tale when they first started the show, but I can't really take passive, wimpy Belle. My favorite moments of her are when she's taking charge or laying down the law with Rumpel, and she did that several times this episode, thank goodness.

I only wish they'd got a hot Gaston; it would've made enduring this episode a little bit easier. Either way, I liked some of the connections made to the episode Belle is traded to Rumpel by her father. Zelena/Regina's convo and Emma talking about what she's feeling was nice. I'm liking Regina much more this arc, overall. I was kind of hoping the flowers that were sprouting had to do with Hades' hope (re: Zelena) and not with the various people moving on. Oh, well.

I would've posted earlier, but The Glass Slipper and The Slipper and the Rose were playing on TCM. I'd seen part of TS&tR the day Downton's finale aired (of course things have to air at the same time), but missed the beginning. I missed the first half of TGS tonight because OUAT was on, but at least I've seen all of TS&tR now.

Apparently the two brothers will set the stage for season 6 so I guess they might have an arc planned for them.

I've heard speculation that the cast may end up getting dragged to Dr. Whale's realm somehow and get locked up in asylum. Not sure if that's anywhere close to true or not, but how...interesting.

[JeanGreyForever]

I wasn't much excited for this episode at first either. I find Belle dreadfully boring and most of her scenes insufferable with her holier-than-thou attitude. Honestly, I was glad that she ended up being the one to "kill" Gaston just so we don't have to hear her spout off more about how the world is either light or dark. I agree though that her best scenes are when she's taking charge, because usually she's relegated to the whimpering role where she stands by and lets everything else happen around her. It's been nice that Rumple has been upfront with her about his powers so we don't have to spend half of the rest of the season with her being kept in the dark.

I thought the flowers were meant to represent Zelena a la Persephone but I suppose not.

Wasn't expecting to see Red at the end. Does anyone know where the red cloak came from? It seemed like Snow White just whipped it out all of a sudden. She obviously wasn't carrying it with her and Red in wolf form couldn't have had it on her otherwise she wouldn't be a wolf.

Anyone excited for the return of Mulan and Red? Dorothy hasn't struck me as particularly interesting so far but maybe that will change next week. Glad to see Zelena has a heavy role next episode.

[unprincess]

It felt like they were trying to do a Hans thing with Gaston. He seemed pretty nice at first but then he showed his true colors later. Very different from the film's version.



If they revisit the B/w gothic world next season that would be a prefect place to introduce Quasimodo since he fits just as well in that world(even better than in the EF really)

[JeanGreyForever]

If they revisit the B/w gothic world next season that would be a prefect place to introduce Quasimodo since he fits just as well in that world(even better than in the EF really)

I would kill for this to happen. He really would be a perfect fit in that world.

[Disney Duster]

Yea I really like that Belle now is on equal ground with Rumple.

I also liked her sacrifice for the kingdom. Is it unfeminist for her to give up her freedom? Probably not since Linda Woolverton had her do that for her father in the original film. Anyway I like what she did by taking Gaston's hand. I still have hopes that Gaston will be saved. I'm religious so maybe I think God will ultimately save any good souls, if Gaston turns good.

It looks like a different actress is playing Mulan...? No? Well whether that's the case or not, I thought she was going to hook up with Merida. Now I wonder if she'll hook up with Red. The writers said they may do a same sex relationship and it's about time!

JeanGreyForever, yea, that cape came out of nowhere. Wonder if they'll explain it.

Divinity, I so wish I caught The Glass Slipper! I've never seen it. But how did you like The Slipper and the Rose? I own the Blu-ray and the more I watch it, the more I LOVE it! With a better Cinderella ball dress and better songs and a more developed Cinderella, it could have been the perfect Cinderella movie. It also feels like it has more of a soul than the otherwise perfect (to me) Kenneth Branagh Cinderella. I love staying up late watching The Slipper and the Rose with some form(s) of chocolate.

[JeanGreyForever]

I enjoyed this episode as well but anything Zelena-centric I find to be enjoyable (plus anything that throws in Cruella). So glad that she and Hades finally got together by the end. I wasn't buying how long the writers were keeping the two separated.

Sad to see Snow go home. I really thought it would be David which I would have preferred since he's basically had nothing to do for the past few seasons now. I suppose they were never going to send him home without confronting his twin brother which we'll see next week.

I enjoyed Belle pricking herself to sleep. All of her scenes have been making me nauseous this season. I'm finding her incredibly hypocritical so I'm glad we won't have to endure her for a few episodes at least. I'm not sure if I understand her logic though in putting herself to sleep to "stop time." Surely Hades could still accelerate her baby's growth even if she is asleep.

I like the Dorothy and Red pairing although it did seem to have sprung out of nowhere. Not sure I'm buying it was true love, at least not from Dorothy's point of view but I suppose we did see all of their scenes from Red's point of view anyway. I really thought Red was going to be paired with Mulan, which makes me wonder if they will ever find a love interest for her, if we even see her again since she had little to no role in this episode.

Not looking forward to seeing Robin again next episode, even if there is a gun to his head. I'm glad Cora is coming back although I just hope she and Zelena end up meeting each other. I feel like their meeting has long been overdue.

[Disney's Divinity]

Pretty good episode. I didn’t like that they shifted gears with Ruby, going from Mulan to Dorothy; although I’ll say Dorothy’s actor grew on me, where I kind of hated the direction they went with her in the Zelena flashback a couple eps ago. I enjoyed what they did with Ruby/Dorothy in spite of everything, even if Ruby was kind of an ass to Mulan. And poor Mulan—she’s gone through Phillip, Aurora, and Ruby. Maybe we’ll eventually get Shang after all? And poor Aunty Em. I was really hoping Zelena would convince Hades to revive her before he dumped her into the pool. :/

Lots of Zelena goodness. Some fans have speculated that Hades may just be manipulating Zelena, but I didn’t really believe it. Tonight left me wondering if that might be the case. I hope not, anyway.

I did like Belle’s decision to put herself under the curse, even if it’s the typical action via inaction. Why was David hellbent on Snow going back to Storybrooke instead of him? Like you, JeanGreyForever, I was looking forward to David being gone and Snow continuing to get her groove back, and then they switched it before the episode was over. And wouldn’t he die if she died anyway, since they share two halves of the same heart? Not sure what the point was.

Looking forward to Cora next week. I’ve been looking forward to her and Zelena meeting for so long. Hopefully Pan’ll show up next episode, too.

[Disney Duster]

OMG FINALLY THE GAY ROMANCE!!!! I liked Ruby and Dorothy together.

Belle totally put her child in a weird, possibly horrible situatin by putting herself under the sleeping curse...bad idea I think.

I don't think Mulan liked Phillip. I used to think that, but I think she really liked Aurora all this time/the writers were going to have her like Phillip but changed their minds.

And poor Aunty Em. I was really hoping Zelena would convince Hades to revive her before he dumped her into the pool. :/[/b]
I know, same here!

And wouldn’t he die if she died anyway, since they share two halves of the same heart? Not sure what the point was.

Yea, you're right. Bad writing there.

[unprincess]

I know they established Mulan being gay but I dont think we'll ever actually see her in a gay relationship on this show. She's an official Disney princess after all. Instead they chose the two characters who arent actual Disney characters to be the gay relationship. Very safe choice for them, they get to be "edgy" without messing around with their own canon and maybe upsetting more conservative fans.

Poor auntie Em!

[Disney's Divinity]

^ You're probably right about that. There's already bitching all over the place about lesbians (really bisexuals) on OUAT, just like the episode where Mulan's feelings for Aurora were revealed. Adultery, rape, mass murder, child abandonment/abuse/kidnapping/murder, torture, matricide, patricide, etc. is okay for a "family show," but two girls kissing crosses the line!!1! Sad world we're living in. I doubt it'll affect the ratings though.

[unprincess]

haha yeah, Ive seen that. The thing is, I think the relationship was awfully done(it was so rushed!) but not b/c its a homosexual relationship. It was just badly written.

[Sotiris]

I'm not sure if I understand her logic though in putting herself to sleep to "stop time." Surely Hades could still accelerate her baby's growth even if she is asleep.

Heck, she could even give birth while asleep. Sleeping Beauty did.

And poor Mulan—she’s gone through Phillip, Aurora, and Ruby. Maybe we’ll eventually get Shang after all?

Mulan got friendzoned again!

The romance between Ruby and Dorothy came off as gimmick-y. It sprung out of nowhere, it was rushed and felt artificial. They knew each for like 2 seconds and somehow that was true love? A Mulan/Ruby romance would have been more believable since the foundation for a potential relationship had already been set. They knew each other longer and were shown warming up to each other.

Restricting the gay romance to a single, disposable episode is a cowardly move on their part (not to mention a recipe for poor storytelling). They get to appear 'progressive' without having to commit to a longer storyline that might alienate their conservative viewer base. I bet this will be the last time we see Ruby and Dorothy together.

I don't think Mulan liked Phillip. I used to think that, but I think she really liked Aurora all this time/the writers were going to have her like Phillip but changed their minds.

I agree. It's implausible that Mulan had feelings for both of them at the same time. Besides, there was never any clear indication that she was interested in Phillip romantically.

[Disney's Divinity]

Restricting the gay romance to only a single episode is a cowardly move on their part (not to mention a recipe for poor storytelling). They get to appear 'progressive' without having to commit to a longer storyline that might alienate their conservative viewer base. I bet this will be the last time we see Ruby and Dorothy together.

I agree that Mulan and Ruby would've been better because we already wasted an episode on them in the Fall (and Merida... ), but at the same time there aren't any main characters they can suddenly create a gay romance with that would be in more than one episode. I don't think it's cowardly any more than other one-off episodes about Ariel/Eric, Grumpy/Nova, Cinderella/Thomas, or all the others were cowardly. What's even the incentive of creating a gay romance if they didn't just want to? It wasn't promoted for ratings' sake in any of the advertisements I'd seen.

It's implausible that Mulan had feelings for both of them at the same time. Besides, there was never any clear indication that she was interested in Phillip romantically.

Sorry, I disagree. It was pretty clear when Aurora asked her if she had feelings for him. And I didn't say she had feelings for them at the same time, I said she grew feelings for Aurora while she was searching for Phillip. Although--yes, it is possible for a person to have feelings for more than one person at the same time.

[Sotiris]

It was pretty clear when Aurora asked her if she had feelings for him.

Well, that's subject to interpretation. Mulan flat-out denied that. It was merely an assumption on Aurora's part so it's not really 'canon'. It's subtext at best. The distraught look on Mulan's face could be attributed to her having to conceal her feelings for Aurora and Aurora being oblivious to that with the "I know love when I see it" line. For what is worth, the actress portraying Mulan debunked the theory that Mulan had romantic feelings for Philip.

[Disney's Divinity]

Well, that's subject to interpretation.

And that's sort of the point? But there's nothing to gain arguing over it, because everything in the episode implies she is to me and nothing that's said after the fact changes that. There's no way Mulan had feelings for Aurora at this point. Aurora had never even met Mulan, and Mulan is hostile towards her and treats her like a useless burden in their first interactions.

[Sotiris]

I don't think it's cowardly any more than other one-off episodes about Ariel/Eric, Grumpy/Nova, Cinderella/Thomas, or all the others were cowardly.

I suppose you're right. The thing is that the show had over 40 straight romances so it's reasonable and expected some of them would be underdeveloped. I was hoping something better for their first and only gay love story. And even the one-episode-only romances you mentioned like Eric/Ariel and Grumpy/Nova were told better than this. They had better structure, they were less forced etc. I guess it's better than nothing. I am glad that they finally showed a gay kiss. For a moment, I thought they would have them kiss off-screen.

Anyway, the second half of the season has been pretty underwhelming to me. I don't even care for most of the characters anymore. The only thing I want out of it is Zelena to turn good and get her happy ending. Even if the romance with Hades doesn't pan out, I'd like to see her back at Storybrooke happy and at peace, raising her daughter and having a healthy relationship with her sister.