'Once Upon A Time' Season 4 Episode 16 'Poor Unfortunate Souls' Review

Non Spoiler Review- A much needed episode that dives into the origins of a few characters, and provides intriguing plot twists, etc. I consider this episode along with last week's episode to be some of the best episodes this season. 

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

Highlights of the episode

1. The Author's location- At the end of the episode it was revealed that the sorcerer trapped the author inside the book. This revealed that the sorcerer and the author are indeed separate entities and not the same person as I suspected earlier this season. I really enjoyed the twist and find it fitting that the author is trapped inside his own creation.

2. Ursula gets her happy ending- I liked that Ursula was able to obtain her happy ending by getting her singing voice back and rejoining her father with Hook's help. However it's a little strange that the Queens of Darkness are now missing one of the original members. I did like that a villain was able to obtain their happy ending without the author's assistance proving that it is indeed possible.

3. Hook tells Emma she's his happy ending- A heartfelt moment of this episode was when hook spoke to Emma about his concern his happy ending will be taken from him given that he was formerly a villain and she asks what the happy ending was. he then answers saying it is Emma. I enjoyed this scene and hope to see more scenes like this in the future.

 

4. Ursula Origin- This episode provides us with Ursula's origin and reasoning for becoming a villain. I was very happy to receive this since prior to this episode, she and Cruella seemed to be weak links in Rumplestiltskin's plan and not very evil. It made me understand why Ursula chose the path she did and I enjoyed seeing character development for her and Hook making both characters more complex. I also was glad that to see the origin since it has been referenced in the past few episodes. I hope to see more villain origin's soon (**cough, cough** Cruella **cough, cough**). It also made for a nice Ariel cameo in Storybrooke.
5. Gold plans to use Emma-  At the end of the episode Ursula tells Hook of Gold's plan since he helped her obtain her happy ending. It is revealed that Gold plans to make Emma evil. I honestly don't feel that this was a big surprise or anything given the promotional material for the midseason premiere and Snow White's worry that Emma has potential for darkness. Honestly I think this seems very ridiculous, I'm fine with the show runners wanting to make it plausible Emma could turn evil, etc. but I think they are really stretching it but it seems obvious that someone with powerful magic would be a powerful villain.

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 4 Episode 15 'Enter The Dragon' Review

Non Spoiler Review- Another interesting episode with a few more twists and surprises than last week's episode. It also manages to develop multiple characters at once taking advantage of the flashbacks, etc.  

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

Highlights of the episode

1. August restored- At the end of the episode the Queens of Darkness convince Regina to kidnap Pinocchio and she does so in an attempt to gain their trust. They bring him back to their hideout and Rumpelstiltskin reveals himself to Regina and tells her that he can help her find the author, etc. He then uses his dagger to restore Pinnochio to August again. I'm glad that the show has done this because the character was much more interesting as an adult than a child and there is much more depth to his character as August. 

2. Rumpelstiltskin's game of deception- Another twist was that Rumple was posing as Captain Hook and approached Belle suggesting to relocate the dagger and that only he could be trusted with it. She gives him the dagger and as she leaves he reveals himself as Rumpelstiltskin once he's alone. I like that Rumple is one step ahead and aware of what he must do to be ahead and what measures he must take. I wonder how Belle will react when she learns the truth. 

3. Belle and the Knave are a couple- After Rumple has the dagger he goes to his shop and speaks to Belle about the rose she has and where it came from, etc. In this conversation she reveals that she and the Knave are an item and that he makes her happy despite still having feelings for Rumple. This puts Gold in an awkward position so he leaves and appears to be saddened by the news. I feel very bad for him despite the villainous acts he has committed this season. If Belle learns the truth it willl only distance the two.

4. Maleficent backstory- The flashback provides some much needed backstory to Maleficent and Regina in one flashback subplot. It was very interesting and was honestly a more interesting situation for Maleficent than that seen in 'Maleficent' last year.

5. Regina goes undercover- Regina goes undercover and pretends to be evil to fit in with the Queens of Darkness and learn the secrets they are keeping. I'm glad Regina is placed in this situation because it helps to make her a much more interesting character that I enjoy much more now.

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 4 Episode 14 'Unforgiven' Review

Non Spoiler Review- This episode contains many more twists and turns and proves to be much more exciting than the midseason premiere last week. 

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

Highlights of the episode

1. Belle and the Knave kiss- At the end of the episode, Gold is wandering the streets and peeks into his shop and notices Belle and the Knave kissing. For one, I don't understand how Rumpelstiltskin can just walk about and night and nobody seems to ever notice him. But this seems to have deeply affected him and will motivate him in his quest to earn happy endings for villains.

2. Snow killed Maleficent's baby- The revelation that Snow White somehow took away Maleficent's child explains why Snow White has such a big secret. I'm sure Maleficent will try to seek revenge by going after Neal or converting Emma to the dark side. I'm interested to klearn more of the villains plot and how they will get a happy ending.

3. Snow reveals a secret and asks a lot of Regina- Snow White reveals that Emma has a great potential for darkness and asks Regina to spy on the evil group in town. It seems obvious that the Savior, who has powerful magic, could potentially be a powerful villain so I don't understand why this is a big deal because I'm sure Emma won't join the group because she seems to be quite happy as is.

4. Maleficent resurrected- Maleficent was brought back to life by the villains somehow and I don't understand why no other characters have been able to be resurrected other than Rumpelstiltskin. Why couldn't Gold bring back Neal? I think it's great that Maleficent is alive again because she is my favorite Disney villain and I enjoy the character. I think part of the reason they brought Maleficent to the show is that 'Maleficent' was quite popular and did quite well at the box office. I'm excited to see maleficent in Storybrooke and to learn what is in store.

5. Regina asks for help- I really liked to see Regina apologize to Gepetto for screaming at him and Pinocchio. I also liked that she reached out for help and that Gepetto saw the change in her and gave her some of August's things. I like seeing the shift in Regina and enjoy her more as the hero.  

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 4 Episode 13 'Darkness on the Edge of the Town' Review

Non Spoiler Review- Overall a somewhat disappointing return to the series after the midseason break. This episode seemed to be a filler episode that served one purpose and I was annoyed that practically none of the characters were given anything interesting to do, character development, etc. which are the things that make up compelling characters. This episode focuses too much on setting up the next to provide a fun and entertaining viewing experience. 

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

Highlights of the episode

1. Snow makes a threat- Despite the little that happened in this episode, at the end Snow and Charming meet with Cruella and Ursula and Snow threatens to rip out their hearts if they reveal a secret regarding something that happened in the Enchanted Forest. This was more of a big tease at the end of the episode that just added to the list of things that makes me dislike Snow White's character.

2. Rumple is back in Storybrooke- I thought it was great to bring Rumpelstiltskin back into Storybrooke and as you can see above Rumple gains his magic and strength as soon as he crosses the line. I really liked the reveal that he had been orchestrating everything behind the scenes. That was probably one of the few enjoyable parts of character development that occurred.

3. Regina allows Ursula and Cruella into Storybrooke- It was interesting to see Regina wanted to give other villains a chance to redeem themselves showing she has come a long way and another reason I have grown to like her character. 

4. Chernabog- As soon as the beast appeared I recognized it as the chernabog from Fantasia. However I never knew it's name till I looked it up for the purposes of this review. but it was interesting to see another Disney beast adapted for the show. The visuals for the chernabog were great also and probably helped to somewhat redeem the episode.

5. Queens of Darkness- It was fun to see these three villains assemble in a flashback in the Enchanted Forest to help Rumpelstiltskin and I'm curious to learn what else these three were up to while they worked together.

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'Once Upon A Time' Season 4 Episode 12 'Heroes and Villains' Mid-Season Finale Review

Non Spoiler Review- This episode is not quite the best episode of the show but definitely the best episode this season. This episode resolves the 'Frozen' arc, introduces the new villains, and sets up the foundation for the storyline of the next half of the season. 

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

Highlights of the episode 

1. Rumple looks for help- I liked the ending of the episode where we see that Rumple was so desperate that he had to go to Ursula, Maleficent, and Cruella for help. I hope it's explained why the three of them weren't in Storybook and how they got where they are, etc.

2. Rumpelstiltskin forced to leave Storybrooke- A very sad part of the episode was when Belle forced Rumple out of Storybook and he can't return due to the Snow Queen's curse on the town line. I'm sure he will find a way back though and I wonder what will happen when he returns.

3. Robin leaves Storybrooke- Another sad moment was when Robin had to leave to guide Marian because she couldn't leave Storybook alone and so he can't return for the one he truly loves, Regina. I hope he is able to come back because I really liked his character. 

4. Henry finds the Author's library- I liked this because it means there is hope for Regina to find a happy ending. I'm very interested in learning who the author is, I think that will likely be resolved in the season finale.

5. Anna and Elsa leave Storybrooke- Well the 'Frozen' arc is over and I'm kinda glad because I was getting tired of the 'Frozen backstory and didn't like that their presence pushed other characters to the sidelines like Snow White and Regina.

6. Rumpelstiltskin almost succeeds- It was nice to see that Hook was able to survive but I pity Rumple because he was defeated and cast out. I wonder what he will do when he returns.

7. Villains want a happy ending- This is probably one of the best flash back stories the show has had in a while because it adds more to the backstory of Bella and Rumpeltiltskin. It also introduces the new villains who I'm interested to see. 

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