'Once Upon A Time' Season 4 Episode 8 & 9 'Smash The Mirror part 1 & 2' Review

You may notice that this review is formatted somewhat differently and that is because this was a two part episode and is technically two episodes but they were shown back to back and work better connected as one 2 hour episode. There were several highlights in this episode so i felt the best way to split them without doing highlights from part 1 and part 2 was to divide it into flashbacks and Storybrooke. 

Non Spoiler Review- These episodes were probably the best episodes so far in the 'Frozen' arc of episodes. They are centered on Elsa, Anna, Rumpelstiltskin, and Emma. I'm very excited for the midseason finale after these episodes.

*******There will be Spoilers from this point on*******

Highlights of the episode from flashbacks

 1. The Sorcerer's Apprentice offers a solution- I was very intrigued when it was revealed the sorcerer knew about Emma before even Rumpelstiltskin. I think he may turn out to be the author of the book who Regina is seeking. I also thought it was interesting that the Sorcerer's Apprentice was able to easily conjure a portal to the land without magic when it seemed like Rumpelstiltskin had so much trouble getting to Story Brooke.

 2. We learn the fate of those in Arendelle- We now know that everyone was frozen by the Snow Queen so they could still possibly be alive. I'm sure Elsa will somehow be returned to Arendelle by the end of the season.

 

3. Anna traps Elsa in urn- So we know that the Snow Queen was technically telling Elsa the truth about the urn but she kind of twisted the truth. I wonder when Elsa will regain her memories of this.

 4. Snow Queen casts Spell of Shattered Sight on Anna- So the Snow Queen was really behind putting Elsa in the urn so that way Elsa wouldn't be able to resist her.

Highlights of the episode from Storybrooke

 1. The Snow Queen casts Spell of Shattered Sight- So it looks like next week's mid season finale will be about another curse being cast in the town. it seems to be a recurring pattern since Season 2.

2. Rumple takes Hook's heart- I did not expect this, I'm sure that Rumple will use Hook for nefarious deeds until he has captured the magic he needs. I wonder what he will force Hook to do, and feel that that will be an important part of the rest of the season.

3. Rumple vs Snow Queen- it was great to see these two constantly one-upping each other. First, Rumple trapped Ingrid so he could take Emma's magic. Then when that failed and the trap wore off, Ingrid prepared her spell and made some evil friendship bracelets. I can't wait to see the end of this conflict.

4. Missing Page- While this wasn't as important to this episode, I think it will be more important for the second half of the season. I think the author used magic to put the alternate page in Robin's sack and I think we will continue to see missing pages appear.

5. Elsa helps Emma- It was interesting that Elsa was the one that helped fix Emma and not Henry because true love seems to always fix everything. I'm glad that Elsa is an important character and hope she will stay on the show. 

Promo