Once upon a Time Rewatch 1.22, "A Land Without Magic"

Read the previous entry in the series here.
Read the next entry in the series here.

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1.22, "A Land Without Magic"

Written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Directed by Dean White

Synopsis

After a recapitulation of events, the final episode of the season begins with Charming attempting to escape confinement. Initial efforts fail, and he is dragged off to be executed; renewed efforts along the way see more success for him. He encounters the Huntsman along the way, who assists his exfiltration.

Oh, dramatic irony!
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

The title card follows, pivoting to Henry's admission to the local hospital. Initial diagnoses are inconclusive, and Emma's report of events is disbelieved against the lack of observed symptoms. When she ransacks Henry's rucksack, Emma is confronted with visions; she violently confronts the arriving Regina, rebuking her for her attempted poisoning and extracting a confession from her. They turn, reluctantly, to Gold, named openly as Rumpelstiltskin.

Checkmate, mate.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In the Enchanted Forest, Regina confronts the Huntsman regarding Charming's escape. She acts against the escapee via magic, transporting him to an unexpected location deep within the sprawling, trackless woods, where he confronts Rumpelstiltskin. It does not go well for him.

David moves to confer with Mary Margaret, apologizing again and acknowledging his foolishness. He notes his imminent departure, and she turns away from him once again.

Rumpelstiltskin enlists Charming in protecting distilled true love. He is to lodge it in "the belly of the beast." Emma and Regina ask Gold for help with Henry; he notes having a source of restorative true love magic hidden away where only Emma can retrieve it--and at sword-point.

Henry languishes under medical observation, and Emma speaks to him in his plight, apologizing for doubting him. Regina takes her turn as Emma stalks off, apologizing to him for her perfidy and being confronted by Jefferson. He seeks to collect what Regina owes him; she refuses, and he threatens her futilely. Emma tries to bring August along, only to find him immobilized by his progressing condition. He encourages her as best he can as he turns wholly to wood.

Hell of an entrance.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Emma and Regina proceed to the defunct town library, within which is a secret elevator leading to a system of underground tunnels. Emma presses for more information about the confrontation she faces; she is briefed and proceeds--just as Charming had proceeded against Maleficent before. He finds himself fighting her dragon form, just as Emma does, the two battles running in parallel as Charming works to insert into, and Emma to extract from, Maleficent the love-potion.

Mary Margaret reads to the comatose Henry, unknowingly reading her own story. Henry's condition worsens abruptly, and Mary Margaret is escorted out. Jefferson uses the commotion to sneak into the restricted portion of the hospital, drugging the attending nurse and stalking past where Sidney is held to release a particular inmate--Belle's Storybrooke counterpart--sending her to Gold with a message about her incarceration. She heads out that way.

Charming reports success to Gold and claims his reward, seeking out Snow White again. Emma continues to fight Maleficent, succeeding in slaying the dragon and retrieving the distilled true love.

Charming proceeds towards Snow White on another peculiarly well-maintained road, drawn on by the beacon Rumpelstiltskin had provided. He arrives at his love's glass coffin, opens it, and kisses her; the kiss breaks the sleeping curse as had been shown before, and the two are reunited happily. They walk together for a time, conferring, and he proposes at the lakeside. She accepts, and they take stock of how they will proceed.

You know what it is...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Emma is betrayed by Gold as she returns to the surface; he has restrained Regina and taken the love-potion. News reaches the women of Henry's condition, and they rush to the hospital, finding him lost. Gold exults in his collection and is found by the rescued Belle; he reacts in a way that surprises her--she does not remember him, though he clearly does her. In the hospital, Emma gives Henry one final kiss on the forehead, and a ripple of rainbow magic proceeds outward, waking him to the surprise of all present--and restoring the memories of all in the town. The curse breaks, and David, newly awakened, returns to Mary Margaret. Others begin to retrieve their memories, and Regina is put to flight. Reconciliations and reunions follow--as does Regina's sorrow.

Gold enacts his own working in the wake of the curse breaking, the which occasions fear from all who see its effects. It admits magic into Storybrooke, where it had not been before--and some are pleased at the revelation.

Discussion

Even more than in an earlier episode, there's a motion to resolve matters rather than to introduce new neo/medievalisms. Admittedly, there are plot hooks for a second season in place--clearly so, in fact; I'm not up enough on the production history of the series to say for certain, but it's obvious that the showrunners knew they had another season to make when they made the present episode. How much they ring of the neo/medievalist is an open question, of course; I'm not aware of any obvious sequel-setups in the earlier literature, although it's possible that such interleaving and interweaving as appears in SGGK and some of the earlier-presented-but-later-composed sections of Malory might serve as antecedents. I'm not sure how closely akin the phenomena can be called, though.

Please note that next Thursday, 25 November 2021, is Thanksgiving in the US. There'll be no update that day--but there will be one the following Thursday, 2 December 2021. Please join us then!

Once upon a Time Rewatch 1.21, "An Apple Red as Blood"

Read the previous entry in the series here.
Read the next entry in the series here.

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1.21, "An Apple Red as Blood"

Written by Jane Espenson and David H. Goodman
Directed by Milan Cheylov

Synopsis

More frightening than any dream...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

After a recapitulation of series events and the title card, the episode begins with Regina eating with Henry, the two quiet at the table until interrupted by Emma. Emma notes that she has been invited, Regina refusing her entry, and Regina finds herself beset by vengeful townsfolk. It is a dream, of course, from which Regina wakes in fear. She stalks off to check on Henry and relaxes after satisfying herself that he is there--although he is, in fact, fleeing Storybrooke with Emma. Henry balks at the haste of their departure, trying to talk her into addressing the curse; she refuses, and he takes matters into his own hand, running her car off of the road and pleading with her.

In the Enchanted Forest, George addresses the captured Charming, castigating him for his flight. Charming accepts his execution, but the execution is interrupted by Regina. She purchases Charming from George.

Not into subtlety, are we?
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Regina frets over the apples on her tree rotting on the branch and seeks Gold. She upbraids him, and the two note that killing Emma will break the curse; Regina tries to broker a new deal with Gold, and he reminds her of the implications for her of the curse breaking. She turns instead to the Mad Hatter, Jefferson, for aid.

Emma and Mary Margaret confer, the latter rebuking the former sharply for her sudden flight. Emma explains herself, poorly, and finds further rebuke.

In the Enchanted Forest, Snow White and an array of others plot to free Charming from his captivity. Regina's presence is noted, as is the certainty of a trap; all affirm their desire to press on. Regina's animus against Snow White is noted, and she calls on the captive Charming, mocking him with her intent.

In Storybrooke, Regina continues to consider her tree as Jefferson arrives. They confer aspersively, with Regina revealing that she has his magic hat--and enough magic to power it. He is once again reluctantly persuaded to assist her, asking for and being promised a new start with his daughter as his price for aid.

I'd swear I've seen this somewhere before.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In the Enchanted Forest, the rescue operation gets underway. A number of forces converge on George's castle, entering it and killing their way through the defending forces to their objective.

Henry calls on August, reporting events with Emma. August notes his failures to the boy, revealing his condition and its causes to him. Henry notes the need for haste, and August demurs in favor of making best use of his remaining time with his father. He commends the task to Henry and sends him out on it.

Emma confers with Hopper about reclaiming Henry; he advises against it, citing a number of reasons. She dislikes the report.

The rescue attempt continues in the Enchanted Forest, Snow White reaching Charming's cell to find him absent; a mirror shows him imprisoned in Regina's palace, elsewhere. They confer in sadness, and her exhorts her to faith before Regina interrupts the vision. She offers a parley; Snow White accepts the offer, disarming herself and proceeding despite the advice of her friends.

I fell into a burning ring of fire...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Regina takes Jefferson into her crypt, the repository of her magic. She feeds magic to his hat, sacrificing even her last remembrance of her late beloved stable boy, to make it work; it is a partial success, allowing something to be grabbed and brought through. Regina has an idea, and Jefferson allows her to reach through and bring out an apple from her tree in the Enchanted Forest.

In the stable where her lover had died, Regina confronts Snow White; she takes her to the place where her lover is buried. She reveals what had actually happened to him, and Snow White sorrows at the news, shortly thereafter accepting a bite from the poisoned apple and its concomitant magical slumber against the life of Charming--who is aware that something has happened to his beloved, despite his captivity.

Regina retrieves the same apple whence it had rolled away, and she plots to have Emma eat from it, as well. The plot takes the form of an apple turnover, which Regina serves Emma as the latter makes an unexpected visit and offers a bargain. Emma is suspicious of the tart, but takes it and leaves, to Regina's delight.

They're so precious when they're sleeping...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Snow White's companions find her body in stasis, believing her dead. Regina exults in her victory and the sorrow of Snow White's companions. Regina exults over Gold, as well, though he does not react as she had expected. Henry visits Emma, eating of the turnover after she explains her intent and her inability. He falls into a coma.

Discussion

A couple of things stand out for me in the present, penultimate-for-the-season episode. One is that the anachronism at work in the series manifests again, with the guillotine George intends to use against Charming and the surprising grappling-bolts shot from the crossbows during the rescue mission. The compression of the pre-modern continues to grate, although it does not surprise--or it should not, anyway, given how recently it has popped up again.

The other is the manifestation, early in the episode, of the dream vision. Yes, it is something of a hackneyed plot device to have things happen and "have only been a dream" if the dream is used to wave away the consequences of events. When, as in the present episode, there is prophetic or revelatory power, however, the dream-sequence becomes a useful tool--as medieval writers of such visions understood. I've commented on such things before in this webspace, some relatively recently to this writing; my comments remain true, I think--or I hope so, anyway. I'd hate to think I've gone so far wrong...

Once upon a Time Rewatch 1.20, "The Stranger"

Read the previous entry in the series here.
Read the next entry in the series here.

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1.20, "The Stranger"

Written by Andrew Chambliss and Ian Golding
Directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton

Synopsis

After the title card, there being no recapitulation of the series premise, the episode opens with August aiding Emma and Mary Margaret in securing their apartment. The latter makes to return to work, cautioning Emma in her efforts to take Henry from Regina. Henry requests Emma's presence at Granny's; August accompanies her, noting larger issues and pressing her to accompany him. She refuses, meeting with Henry instead. He notes alterations to his book, an unfinished story about Pinocchio. Emma urges him to school.

Looks like they're all wet.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In the story, Geppetto and Pinocchio brave a storm aboard a raft at sea. It goes poorly for them; their raft is swamped, and they are washed ashore. Geppetto comes to on the shore to find Pinocchio still and lifeless, weeping over him. The Blue Fairy descends to render aid, making the puppet into a flesh-bound boy. She sends them off with a warning to Pinocchio.

August considers the cap Pinocchio had worn and makes a call to Gold, reporting difficulties. He struggles to leave his room, his flesh turning to wood.

At school, Mary Margaret is confronted by Regina. It is a terse exchange, and one in which Mary Margaret gets the better of her interlocutor. She walks off, and Henry arrives, Regina delivering his lunch and finding Henry belligerent towards her.

Master Bra'tac?
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

August reports to Gold's shop, where the counterpart of his father awaits him. Gold chides him with his inability to speak to his father and rebukes his lack of progress with Emma.

In the Enchanted Forest, Geppetto walks Pinocchio through repairing a clock and freeing Jiminy Cricket from it. The Blue Fairy arrives with a message for Geppetto, summoning him to lend his woodworking skill to the aid of the kingdom. He reluctantly agrees.

Why, yes, I'll avail myself of your saucy dish...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In Storybrooke, Emma confers with Gold about taking Henry; Gold refuses to assist her in the matter. She stalks off in anger, calling swiftly upon August and asking to be shown a way to defeat Regina. Elsewhere, David exits a pet shelter to see Regina struggling with her vehicle; he assists her, offering to take her home. She agrees without much argument, and she invites him to dinner. He demurs, but carries in her groceries as she sees a note, ostensibly from Henry; David is convinced to dine with her.

In the Enchanted Forest, the Blue Fairy continues to brief Geppetto about how matters stand. Geppetto asks what will happen to Pinocchio and claims a price for his assistance; Pinocchio will go into the new world. Jiminy argues against Geppetto's bargaining, only to be rebuked for his earlier perfidy, and the Blue Fairy agrees to the terms; she delivers the carver and the tree to Charming and Snow White, as well as the news.

August conducts Emma to the outskirts of town, offering to tell his story. David enjoys eating at Regina's, and he hears her report of how he was found before. She notes that she had found him in the cold one night, unconscious at the side of the road; he remarks on the seemingly fated nature of their meeting, and she attempts to kiss him. An awkward exchange follows, and he departs, to her chagrin.

In the Enchanted Forest, Snow White labors to deliver Emma and Geppetto labors on the wardrobe. The Blue Fairy pleads with Geppetto to relent; he refuses, saving his son at the expense of Emma's parents. He charges Pinocchio with the oversight and guidance of Emma, despite the boy's protestations. Jiminy admonishes Pinocchio, and Geppetto secrets him in the wardrobe he has carved, sending him into the new world with his benediction.

Convincing, yes?
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

August takes Emma to a diner; she rages at him. He reveals that he was the boy who had originally "found" her; she does not believe him.

The pair's arrival in the world of Storybrooke is depicted, Pinocchio emerging first in confusion and fear. Emma arrives not long after, and Pinocchio takes up the crying child. August walks her back to the site of their arrival, facing her continued disbelief; he presents more details, trying to convince her of the veracity of his claims about her--and himself, as he admits to being Pinocchio. She turns away from him, stalking off; he tries to follow and falls, noting his failure to convince her of the truth, to be where she needed him to be. He believes he shows her his wooden leg; all she sees is hairy flesh. He continues to plead with her for belief, and she continues to resist and deny.

Memories of time in an orphanage for Pinocchio. They swiftly turn to memories of rebuke and shame, and his departure from the orphanage--and from Emma.

Note the daylight in the window...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

August goes to his father's Storybrooke counterpart, confessing awkwardly to a man who does not know him and receiving a strange absolution. And Henry is roused from slumber by Emma's summons; she purposes to spirit him away from Storybrooke under cover of night.

Discussion

I'm not sure there's any new neo/medievalism at work in the present episode, but, as has been the case with other series before, it may well be because the first season of the series is drawing towards a close at this point, and it's not the time to bring in new material so much as to resolve plot threads. I suppose there might be something in Regina's abortive seduction of David, a subversion of the knight claiming his reward for saving a damsel from distress--although enough of the Malorian knights do such things that it's not a subversion of the medieval trope so much as it is one of the neomedieval. It's a tenuous thing, though.