Early Observations About “Heroes and Villains”

We bid 4A farewell. Two ships are sunk. The cobra joins the mongoose. And the last Arendelle scene mirrors the first.

Cassandra’s “Always… no, no… never… forget to check your references.”

“Heroes and Villains” – The Beach Boys

Is heroes vs. villains a fair descriptor for the second half of the season?
KITSIS: Absolutely. That is the title of episode 11.
HOROWITZ: It’s “Heroes and Villains.”
KITSIS: That’s actually named after the Beach Boys song.

Frozen

EMMA: [The Snow Queen] wanted to make Storybrooke her Ice Castle.

The perfect “Wait, what?” Anna carries on about how great this Gold fellow must have been and then David tells her he’s Rumplestiltskin.

ANNA: Did you see these bruises?
ELSA: Have you seen Hans’s eye?
ANNA: Yeah. Totally worth it.

Anna’s wearing the gloves in the family, now.

This scene, with Anna saying, “What is that amazing smell?” instead of Elsa.

The Sound of Music

Anna’s skip-hopping arms wide approach to the town line completes all possible riffs on her costume. She hasn’t moved that way at all through the season. While it didn’t seem wildly out of character, it did take a moment to recognize where they were going with it.

When the ad for The Sound of Music Sing Along aired, we had a good belly laugh.

Star Wars

Holo-Belle more or less crying, “Help me, Obi-Wa… Rumplestiltskin. You’re my only hope.”

Wish Upon a Star

Rumple tempts Belle with a honeymoon in “a magical city called New York.” The opening line of this Olivia Goldsmith novel is, oddly enough, “Once upon a time in a magical city called New York a girl under a spell lived on an island.”

Fantasia

The broom is back. With enough personality to outshine some of the other recurring guests on the show, this bit player from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” struts its stuff, cracks its knuckles, and reveals the portal back to Arendelle. All while its creepy modified theme music plays in the background.

Bonus: Turns out the house does belong to the Sorcerer after all, validating a lot of fans who called it at the beginning of the season.

The Little Mermaid

One of three freebies, everyone’s favorite predatory subprime magic lender Ursula appears as part of a trio trying to swindle Rumplestiltskin.

Her contribution to the plot against Rumple is a sand dollar bearing the holographic message.

After wrapping Belle in her tentacles, she says, “Such a pretty thing.  Seems a shame I’ll have to crack her pipes.” It’s a dialogic stretch to reference the film.

101 Dalmatians

Cruella de Vil, whose costume is a nice mix of mostly animated classic with the makeup of the live action adaptation.

While the green smoke around the Belle-ogram is characteristic of the cloud following Cruella, it apparently wasn’t a big enough clue, so they added a Dalmatian to lead Belle away.

Maleficent

Her raven, Diablo, delivers the ransom message to Rumplestiltskin. At least, his name is Diablo in the animated classic. In the recent reinterpretation, he’s recast as Diaval.  It remains to be seen which one they’ll go with.

Maleficent’s costume has undergone a drastic redesign, bringing it in line with the 2014 film.

Once Upon a Time

Some key themes reappeared in this episode. Color coded clothing showed us a Regina who’d do the right thing in blue and a Belle who’d make some shocking choices in grey and black. Rumple stalked around with Geppetto’s parents hanging in the background, reminding us what an evil imp he is.

But they brought the Frozen arc full circle visually. Our first glimpse of Arendelle’s royal siblings in “A Tale of Two Sisters” was their clasping hands from behind, Anna on the left and Elsa on the right. The shot’s inverted, or mirrored, at the end of their scene with Elsa on the left this time.

Erin’s Happy Shipper Moments

Kristanna

• Not that we got much interaction between the two on screen, but the good news is that once they got back to Arendelle, Anna’s right hook apparently made short work of Hans, and Kristoff and Anna were finally going to get married. Mazel tov!

Captain Swan

• To be honest, I had been hoping for the Captain Swan relationship to be more central to the episode. Instead, it fell fourth fiddle to the Arendelle crew, the Rumpbelle dissolution, and the coming of the Queens of Darkness. As the plotline involving Gold having Hook’s heart developed, I fully expected there to be some major touching scene between the two. Instead, we got two minor scenes.
• The first of these was in Granny’s Diner when Gold puppeted Hook into telling Emma where the portal was to get Anna out of the way. Emma finally touched him intimately on the face and asked what was wrong, that he was acting strange[ly]. The only response he could make of his own volition was to grab her wrist with a shaking hand. But does she pursue him or this clue that clearly something is truly messed up? No. Jeez, Emma, can’t you see your man is in trouble?! You are a less than stellar girlfriend.

• The second was when she reinserts his heart. (Note, there was no romantic anything when Emma and Snow arrive at the clocktower to see Gold about to crush Hook’s heart.) So he asks her to be gentle, but this is Emma, so she just shoves it back in, thinking that it must be like pulling off a band-aid. But as soon as it’s back in, he lays a great, passionate kiss on her. When the kiss breaks (why, oh why, did it have to?), he reiterates that he’s a survivor, and she shyly smiles.

Rumpbelle

• This relationship, more than any other, was at the center of the episode. Considering how much damage the writers had done to this ship since the iconic dance in the ballroom, I ended up being rather relieved that Belle finally figured out that Rumple loved power more than anything and kicked him out of town. That said, it was an emotional scene, and Robert Carlyle sold it so well, I actually felt bad for Rumple as he lost Belle, then his magic, and crumpled from the return of his crippled leg.
• First, Rumple wakes Belle from a sleep that I can only imagine he put her in magically and tells her that he’s going to take her to the magical land of New York. She goes to pack her bag happily.

• Belle saves the day, or at least Hook, by controlling Rumple with his dagger after using the magic gauntlet to reveal to her what Rumple’s greatest weakness is (that’s not good wife behavior). The betrayal is merely in response to the many, many betrayals Rumple has offered her this season. Not even the sort of sweet flashback scene of him trading the gauntlet for her life could redeem him.

• So she finally forces him out of town, using the dagger to make him go. It’s painful for both of them (and the audience). We know this won’t be the end of it, since Rumple won’t stay gone for long (you, know, just till March), but Rumple’s going to have to work his hinney off to win her back. She’s gotten wise to his unchanging ways.

Outlaw Queen

• I liked that the first thing we saw Regina do this episode was return Marian’s heart, that there was no hesitation. In return, Marian offers to back off if Robin chooses to be with Regina. How civil.
• Robin chooses Regina! He points out that though it may be complicated, the most important thing he can model for his son is to live honestly and follow his heart.
• Not that it matters, because Plot Conveniences Playhouse presents the relapse of Ingrid’s ice curse, and the only way to save Marian is for her to cross the town line into the non-magical world from which she can never return. But Regina won’t let her go alone–she insists that Robin and Roland have to go with her. Which is honorable and stuff, but very sad for the Outlaw Queen shippers around the world.

• Their good-bye is full of feels. Thank goodness Marian couldn’t see that kiss–not that Robin would know that. Ballsy, Robin!

Swan Queen

• Emma offers to do shots with Regina after Robin leaves town, but then Henry breaks up their fun with news about The Author (pretentious indeed!). The three of them go to the mansion’s secret room and find the blank storybooks. Emma opts in for Operation Mongoose and reiterates her promise to bring Regina a happy ending.

Once Upon a Time “Shattered Sight” Previews and Predictions

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.

Once Upon a Time “Breaking Glass” Previews and Predictions

 Coming Tonight: Once Upon a Time 4×05

CAUTION: clips, chatter, and a spoiler warning

“Breaking Glass” – Regina reluctantly teams up with Emma to search for the Snow Queen after Sidney, who is once again Regina’s prisoner in the mirror, discovers her whereabouts and agrees to lead her to the location. With Belle babysitting baby Neal, a nervous Mary Margaret and David prepare for their first date night away from their child and find themselves on a mission to track down Will Scarlet, who has escaped from the town jail, and Elsa sees Anna in the Storybrooke woods. Meanwhile, back in the past, young Emma finds herself a kindred spirit when she befriends a girl who, like her, is a runaway orphan, written by Kalinda Vazquez & Scott Nimerfro and directed by Alrick Riley.

Here’s the promo that aired after last week’s episode:

Once again we’ve got two sneak peeks this week.  In the first, Elsa exits the vehicle to investigate a voice in the fog.  There’s something shimmering…

In the second, Regina, at her wits end unable to help Marian, turns to the Magic Mirror for help finding the Snow Queen.

We’ve been reflecting on the use and placement of mirrors since the first episode of the season.  In “Rocky Road,” it was hard to miss them in Any Given Sundae.  I’ve been suggesting that Sidney’s working with the Snow Queen as a result, but it’s been sort of intertextual fanfiction.  However, it looks like even that can point in the right direction.

This still from the promo shows The Snow Queen holding something in her right hand.  Something that looks a lot like a compact pocket mirror, which would be incredibly convenient if you wanted to communicate easily with Sidney Glass on the go.

It might also shine strangely in the fog.  We’re fairly certain the Magic Mirror isn’t so much helping Regina as leading her into a trap.  And Elsa definitely should have stayed in the car.

Given what we see in the sneak peek, though, who can blame him?  He’s been trapped in the mirror again and now Regina’s reneged on, “it’s only temporary,” and resorted to further threats.  It’s pretty much exactly the same stupid mistake Hook made with Rumple.  And look where that got him.

Emma and Regina teaming up, even or especially under duress should shake out the a heart to heart Ms. Swan’s been trying for since the party at Granny’s.

The voiceover for the promo is, “When darkness falls and terror rules the night, magic springs from cruel desire and evil comes to light.”  It sounds a bit Thriller to me, but then I’m seeing Jackson everywhere this season.  Still, this is more or less the Halloween episode.  Masks will come off and secrets will be revealed.

We should get flashbacks exploring Emma’s history with the Snow Queen hinted at over the last two episodes.  The credits list Idun and Adgar, so here’s hoping we discover their relationship to her as well.

Once Upon a Time “The Apprentice” Previews and Predictions

 

Coming Tonight: Once Upon a Time 4×04

CAUTION: sneak peeks, spoilers, and suppositions

“The Apprentice” – After Emma asks Hook out on a real first date, Hook visits Mr. Gold and asks for his hand to be reattached so that he can embrace her with both hands. But magic always comes with a price. Henry and Mary Margaret try to offer hope to Regina when she becomes frustrated over not being able to find a cure to save a frozen Marian, and Will Scarlet attempts to break into the Storybrooke library to find a special book. Meanwhile, back in the Fairy Tale Land that was, Rumplestiltskin is after a magical box that the Sorcerer’s apprentice is guarding, and he may use Elsa’s sister Anna to help him get it, written by Andrew Chambliss & Dana Horgan and directed by Ralph Hemecker.

Here’s the promo that aired after last week’s episode:

ABC has released two sneak peeks for “The Apprentice.”  In the first, Anna walks in on the Dark One and we see what happens when unshakable faith meets immoderate imp.

In the second, Killian refuses to take some free advice.

In our initial reactions to “Rocky Road,” Erin noted that the episode was well timed for and the setup so contextualized that it might cause “some Halloween-themed shenanigans ala Evil Dead 2.”  From the preview, it doesn’t even look like Rumple needs to take an active, er, hand in such an outcome.

And while this still could launch a thousand ships all by itself, the single rose in conjunction with anything to do with the Beast, especially a magical transformation, has some definite Disney dimensions.

Let’s just say we don’t expect Hook to be dual wielding by the end of the episode.  And we wonder what he’ll have to do to be rid of his sinister past once again.

The cast credits teased that we’ll see both the Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Zoso, the Dark One prior to Rumplestiltskin.  Getting some non-Frozen flashbacks for any character is probably something veteran Once fans would do whatever it takes to get.  So that should be interesting.

The themes for the episode appear to be theft, the impertinence of being earnest, and the solid, repeating beat of family.  Look for other opportunistic pilfering to pile on Anna’s excursion and Will’s library larceny.  Expect honesty in every situation to be ignored, exploited, or suspected.

Mary Margaret’s back in her neutral colors, so she’s likely to be the emotional cornerstone of the show, wary but determined.  This should contrast with Anna’s unfettered hope and possible eventual doubts about her own mission and actions.  The end result will be a retrenching of emotional positions, which is a good place to be in for a fourth episode.  Anna’s “whatever it takes,” will be back later in the arc for some crocodile hide.

Oh, and mirrors.  There will absolutely be mirrors.  Adding more Beauty and the Beast imagery pulls Adam’s own mirror into the story, if only by proxy.  I should have seen in in “White Out,” when Rumple was shown spying on Anna through the crystal ball.  He’s confined to the castle only to reinforce these visual metaphors.

 

Once Upon a Time “Rocky Road” Previews and Predictions

Coming Tonight: Once Upon a Time 4×03

CAUTION: previews, spoilers, and speculations

“Rocky Road” – When an icy spell is cast on Marian, which will ultimately freeze her heart and kill her, the Storybrooke residents place the blame on Elsa. But unbeknownst to anyone, a mysterious woman who runs the town’s ice cream parlor has the same powers as Elsa and is trying to frame her. Emma and David find former Merry Men member Will Scarlet rummaging through Robin Hood’s tent, Regina teams up with Henry to try and discover who the author of the fairy tale book is, Mary Margaret is having trouble balancing her duties as leader of Storybrooke and mother to young Prince Neal, and Hook begins to suspect that Mr. Gold is still in control of the dagger that calls upon him to be the Dark One. Meanwhile, in Arendelle of the past, Elsa and Kristoff set off to stop Hans from attempting to take control of the kingdom, written by David H. Goodman & Jerome Schwartz and directed by Morgan Beggs.

Here’s the promo that aired after last week’s episode:

ABC released three sneak peeks for “Rocky Road.”  In the first, Marion succumbs to a Frozen curse at Storybrooke’s new mayor’s first fireside chat.

Meanwhile, in Arendelle of the past, Elsa and Kristoff discuss Anna.

Back in Storybrooke, Elsa explains to Robin and Regina that the only way to counter the curse is an act of true love.  The tortured looks on their faces are priceless.

The premiere, “A Tale of Two Sisters,” ostensibly referring to Anna and Elsa, likely pointed to another referent: Emma.  In that episode, plenty of parallels were drawn between the Queen of Arendelle and the savior of Storybrooke.  Among them their siblings, their guilt, and their lack of magical control.  “White Out” brought the two together and built on Emma’s natural empathy for Elsa’s situation.  They bonded over family and mysterious magic.

In “Rocky Road,” look for Emma to be the one person in town with complete faith in Elsa, and for that to begin to be reciprocated.

Last week, I talked about how Snow White’s rant in the power plant might be foreshadowing a gradual descent toward her darker side.  And in that first sneak peek, when she calls the town together in Regina’s old office, we witness something else we’ve never seen before.  She’s wearing black.  She still has the frumpy Mary Margaret shirt, but her skirt is also a touch more glam than normal.

Look for her to become frustrated by her lack of control and the disrespect of the Storybrookers, her clothes to darken, and her sense of style to improve.

There are some visual patterns that should also repeat tonight.  Both aired episodes have featured Regina behind doors with someone, Emma and Henry so far, delivering Anna’s “I know you’re in there.”  At the very least, the situation should come up again.

Mirrors played a large part in the premiere, and the crew was careful to include at least one in episode 2, with Bo Peep gazing vainly at herself.  Look for another incidental looking glass in either Fairy Tale Land or Storybrooke this week.  My guess is that they’re a reminder that the Magic Mirror could be anywhere.  Any time.  And we shouldn’t forget the significance of the mirror in “The Snow Queen,” either.

Finally, the theme of the Frozen arc, if not the entire season, is not giving up on those you love.  Kristoff noted Anna’s persistence in “A Tale of Two Sisters.”  Anna’s influence on David ran through “White Out.”  Expect “Rocky Road” to reprise the phrase and maybe even carry it forward through another character.