'Once Upon A Time' Season 5 Episode 10 'Broken Heart' Review

Non Spoiler Review- This episode of 'Once Upon A Time' manages to answer all the questions involving the flashbacks and another very intriguing episode of the series that will as the episode title implies will indeed break your heart if you're a fan of the show. A great episode that really sets the stage for next week's midseason finale. 

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

Highlights of the episode

1. Hook brings back previous Dark Ones- At the end of the episode after Hook's duel with Rumple, he is able to use Rumple's blood to open the door to the Underworld and bring all of the Dark Ones back for an army or something. I'm curious to see what Hook will use the Dark One's for and what his grand scheme is aside from extinguishing the light. I have a theory that this is a subtle hint that the Underworld will have significant importance for the next half of the season and that Hades will be the villain of that half especially after seeing that Hercules was cast on the show. 

2. Hook was responsible for the curse- The episode also comes full circle answering every question from the season premiere when everyone awoke in Storybrooke confused. We learn that Hook killed Merlin to create a curse so he could seek revenge once again. The reasoning behind this is that a a curse requires the death of the person you love most and since Hook is a Dark One and all of the previous Dark Ones are inside him technically Merlin is the thing that Nimue loved most and so it worked. Emma then arrives and wipes everyone's memory so that she can stop Hook and make him the man he was before he became a Dark One. I felt that this made Emma seem less like a villain as her motivations were very pure and revealed that she never really did anything that was very evil. 

3. Hook and Emma splintered apart- One interesting subplot was seeing Emma's mistrust of Hook drove him away from her as he gave into the darkness and then in Storybrooke seeing Hook vengeful of what had happened to him so he wants to both stop Emma and seek his revenge. It was very sad to see their relationship destroyed in some aspects and I think it's led to next week's midseason finale will result in someone's death given the stakes. 

4. Gold bests Hook- I liked how Gold managed to best Hook despite being at a significant disadvantage with no magic while Hook is a Dark One and he uses his wit to win and seizes Excalibur, which is revealed can no longer control either Hook or Emma but can harm them. I'm curious to see if Gold will become more of a hero in the coming episodes and if he will strike the final blow wiping out darkness. 

5. Belle breaks Rumple- At the end of the episode Gold had told Belle to meet him at the well if she did love him and she does arrive but instead tells him that she's tired of having her heart broken by him and needs time to figure herself out really breaking his heart. To me this made absolutely no sense since Rumple is clearly changed, his heart is pure and he is a hero now with noble intentions. This was a very sad moment and I'm curious to see if she'll change her mind and how Gold will be affected by her words. 

6. Emma restores everyone's memories- Emma finally returns everyone's memories after working with Henry and gains everyone's trust once again, which I was very happy to see because I worried that could be dragged out. I also liked that Henry has restored faith and confidence in Emma as that was slightly annoying. 

7. Zelena is allowed to see her child- One very small subplot involved Regina and Robin allowing Zelena to see the child. I liked that they still don't trust her and say that one of the two must be present for her to see her daughter. I'm curious to see if the child will have any greater significance later in the season. I really liked Regina's speech telling Zelena that Henry made her good and she has hope that Zelena's daughter can do the same for her. I'm curious to see if that development will take place throughout the season. 

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 5 Episode 6 'The Bear and the Bow' Review

Non Spoiler Review- Another great episode this season but wasn't quite as enjoyable as last weeks in my opinion. I did however really enjoy the character progression accomplished for Rumpelstiltskin. Overall another solid addition to the season but not quite the best episode of the season. 

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

Highlights of the episode

1. Rumple lifts Excalibur- The big moment of the episode came down to Rumple lifting Excalibur from the stone proving he is indeed now a hero and has great potential to be a great one. Another reason I feel this made him a better person and somewhat redeemed him given that he did it to save Merida and have her heart returns to her. I'm curious to see what will become of him now that he's good and how others will react to his sudden change. 

2. Rumple threatens Emma- One particular moment I really enjoyed was that right after Gold lifted Excalibur he told Emma that she needs to watch out because she created a hero and he will stop her. I'm very curious to see where this leads. 

3. Merlin's message- At the end of the episode Regina and company discovered a message from Merlin stating that Nimue would be able to defeat Emma so I wonder who that is but given that it's the title of the next episode I assume we will learn the answer soon. 

4. Emma tries to gain an ally- I thought this scene was very funny because Zelena was craving onion rings since she's pregnant and Emma appeared with just that to try to appeal to her and wanted her assistance with something although we never got to know exactly what that was or what she wanted an ally for. 

5. Merida and Belle save Merida's brothers- The flashbacks showed Merida and Belle working together to save her brothers and I liked that the central theme of that subplot was that Merida should embrace who she is and show how that makes her a strong leader which worked and not only saved her brothers but her kingdom as well. 

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 5 Episode 4 'The Broken Kingdom' Review

Non Spoiler Review-  This episode was among the best of the season and a majority of the episode was spent in flashbacks either filling in the story of what happened in Camelot or with a flashback showing Arthur's backstory. I really enjoyed this as it filled in a lot of the plot holes and answered many questions.  Overall, it was a great episode that really excited me for the rest of the season as well as being quite entertaining. 

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

Highlights of the episode

1. Merida will teach Gold to be brave?- One big twist was the reveal of what happened to Merida in Storybrooke as we learn that she has been tied to Emma's bug as a prisoner of sorts. Emma takes out her heart to gain control over Merida to force her to attempt to teach Gold to be courageous although that seems like it will be a very difficult task. I'm excited to see where Merida's character will go in the upcoming episodes.

2. Merida jailed by Arthur- The episode also revealed Merida's location in the flashback part of the story as we learn that she's imprisoned by King Arthur for unknown reasons. I'm very curious to see if she and Lancelot will escape and what will become of the two characters.

3. Arthur's Backstory- The backstory to explain Arthur's motivation was very interesting and answered a lot of questions as to why he is evil and more of his perspective. I really enjoyed how this was done and would like to see it continued in coming episodes.

4. Magic that will make what is broken appear to be fixed- The magic Rumple gives Guinevere allows for things that are broken to appear as though they are repaired. It was used to change the Charming's perspective as well as basically hypnotize all of Camelot into believing the kingdom is great. I'm curious to see if this magic will be further used this season and for what purpose.

5. Hook helps Emma- Another great part of the episode was seeing Hook help Emma overcome the voice of Rumple in her head. It was a great part of her character arc this season and I'm excited to see the outcome of this. 

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 5 Episode 3 'Siege Perilous' Review

Non Spoiler Review- A decent episode of 'Once Upon A Time' compared to the previous two episodes this season. The episode focuses on David in both the flashbacks and main story and actually made him a slightly more interesting character, which I think has been lacking from his character for awhile. I also liked the few reveals and twists in the episode that were very interesting. The story of the episode was fairly generic though so I hope next week's episode will have more drama. 

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

Highlights of the episode 

1. Emma awakens Gold- A big twist was seeing Emma awaken Gold from his sleep and telling him that he is currently neither good nor evil and that she will make him a hero so that he can lift Excalibur for her. I really liked this twist because Gold is my favorite character so to see him get more screen time is great! I can't wait to see the outcome of this subplot.

2. Arther is a villain- Another big twist that I actually liked was the reveal that King Arther is actually a villain and  has other plans.   This is revealed in a flashback when lancelot tells Snow about the twisted man and is further supported by his actions in the current story when he asks a man to poison himself ignorer to prevent Regina, David, and Snow from learning about his true intentions.   I really like this because it allows for another villain aside from Emma as the Dark One and I'm curious to learn of his plans for Storybrooke. 

3. David joins the Knights of the Round Table- A interesting plot point was to see David added to the Knights of the Round Table and i'm curious to learn if he did so to manipulate David and have a stronger pull over him to possibly gain the Dark One's dagger.

4. Emma and Hook- When Emma asked Hook to meet her I feared she was planning to manipulate him to lift Excalibur but we learned by the end of the episode that was not her intention but she needed Hook's sword to awaken Gold. I hope their relationship will find a way to continue because I enjoy the characters together.

5. Regina threatens Zelena- A scene I particularly enjoyed was one between Regina and Zelena whee she tells her the child will survive but she can't promise the same for Zelena. I was glad to see Zelena get a little bit more screen time this week and hopefully this trend will continue because i like the character and every scene she's in.

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 4 Episode 18 'Heart of Gold' Review

Non Spoiler Review- This episode focuses more on flashbacks and fills in the time which Gold, Robin, and Robin's family left Storybook and were in New York. It also provides another flashback to Robin becoming who he is today and why he has the moral code he has, etc. A very interesting episode with several plot twists that look to pay off for the rest of the season. Overall another great episode of 'Once Upon a Time'. 

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

Highlights of the episode 

1. Zelena is alive- The big twist was the reveal that when Gold "killed" Zelena she didn't die but went back in time and ended up killing Marion and posing as her using magic. So the entire time the Marion that was brought back was Zelena. Selena plans on attacking what Regina loves most; Robin Hood. So she is using Robin's feelings for Marion against Regina. I think it's an interesting plan and I'm glad to see Zelena back.

2. Gold blackmails Regina- Gold reveals to Regina he is working with Zelena and she will kill Robin of Regina falls out of line. He wants to use Regina to help guide Emma towards becoming evil. I find Gold's plot to be very interesting and can't wait to see how it plays out.

3. Gold enlists the Author- Gold finds the author before the good guys and convinces the author to help Gold in his evil scheme. It seems that Gold has everything about his plan in motion and everything is in his favor because he has the author, the remaining Queens of Darkness, Zelena, and control over Regina.

4. Flashbacks- It was interesting to learn what happened to Gold, Robin, and Robin's family while they were in New York. I especially liked the subplot of saving Gild's heart which lead to the revelation that Selena is indeed alive. I hope for more flashback like this to help fill in gaps in the timeline.

5. Robin gains a moral code- It was interesting to see Robin gain the moral code where he steals to help the unfortunate and for the better good, etc.

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