Coming Tonight: Once Upon a Time 4×10
CAUTION: Here there be spoilers, sneak peeks, and speculations
“Shattered Sight” – Storybrooke is in a state of chaos with all the residents under the Snow Queen’s Spell of Shattered Sight at each other’s throats. Emma and Elsa race against the clock to free themselves of the ribbons and take down the Snow Queen and her curse. David can only watch when Regina clashes with Mary Margaret in an epic battle. Meanwhile, Gold gathers Belle and Henry as he prepares to leave town forever, and Will Scarlet looks to square his tab with Hook. Kristoff’s thick-headedness leads Anna to a heartwarming discovery, written by Scott Nimerfro and Tze Chun, and directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton.
Here’s the promo that aired after last week’s episode:
In the first sneak peek, Anna tries to diffuse the tension between the cursed Charmings.
In the second, Regina gets in touch with an old friend.
Judging by the bits and pieces we see in the clips above, this episode is, at least visually, a tightly coherent well constructed culmination of 4A. Consider three simple examples. Anna’s on the opposite side of the bars; outside rather than inside the cell. Regina catching her reflection mise en abyme and literally redrawing herself in accord with the spell recalls the mirrors that dotted scenes early in the season. And we have he dramatic defenestration in the sheriff’s office, shattering glass all over again.
Hook’s almost certainly after Henry at Gold’s behest, as part of his plan to leave Storybrooke with his wife and grandson. While it might seem out of character for the ancient imp to care for a boy he not so long ago considered tossing off a cliff, we had some set-up for this earlier in the season. Henry came to him expressing his own mongoose motivated desire to develop their relationship and an interest in magic. Evil or not, Rumplestiltskin is an emotional fellow given to bathetic sentimentalism.
Last episode, Emma mentioned that Regina had kept a dragon below the library for twenty eight years. We know that was Maleficent and that while her dragon form was destroyed, she’s not exactly gone. Heading through the tunnels to get to the beach seemed like a weird way to kill time until the end of the episode, but maybe it served a a larger purpose in the season as a whole. Elsa’s breach of the wall may have let whatever was left of the black fairy out of her prison. And Reul Ghorm’s own imprisonment may have broken the enchantment over her. It’s even possible that she had something to do with the inaccurate maps.
Moreover, she’s connected to the Merry Men and Will Scarlet in particular via Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. The mirror he and Anastasia used to travel between realms was hers. And yes, a mirror. So, on theme.
I’m hoping we’ll get at least a hint about Gerda’s message in a bottle to her daughters by the end of this episode. She said in 4×01 “A Tale of Two Sisters” that it was “the only thing that can save them.” I suspect it’s either something that can save them from shattered sight or perhaps the yellow ribbons.
“Shattered Sight” should be the funniest episode of season four as we see everyone at their snarkiest. All seven dwarfs are credited, so expect a grand melee in the town square. And we should get some more information about Emma’s past with Ingrid.
The Dinglehopper 