Once upon a Time Rewatch 2.21, "Second Star to the Right"

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

---

2.21, "Second Star to the Right"

Written by Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg
Directed by Ralph Hemecker

Synopsis

At least the signage is good.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

After a recapitulation of series events, the episode follows the adolescent Baelfire after his separation from his father, a portal opened by a magic bean depositing him alone outside Kensington Gardens. The episode continues to follow Baelfire faring poorly in London six months later, sneaking into an open window to steal bread, where he is swiftly confronted by a girl and her dog; the girl offers him the bread and introduces herself as Wendy Darling.

Baelfire wakes in Storybrooke to find Tamara getting ready to train. She leaves him sleeping. Meanwhile, Gold and Lacey accost Whale until interdicted by Baelfire; Gold dismisses Lacey in favor of talking with his son. The exchange goes poorly for both of them, though worse for Gold. Seemingly at the same time, Emma and David enter Regina's office under arms in search of the magic beans, clearing the room and finding that it has been burgled. The search continues, Emma voicing her theory about Tamara and sending Mary Margaret and David to talk to Gold.

Tamara puts in at the town's docks, joining Greg as Hook restrains Regina. Tamara reports the magic beans, and the two exult in their success. After an exchange with Hook, Regina is subjected to torture by Greg.

In Victorian London, Baelfire is living in the walls of the Darling home, aided by Wendy until her parents confront her. Wendy's mother determines to take him in, despite her father's objection. In Storybrooke, Emma again searches Tamara's room, finding evidence that she has been lying to Baelfire. And back in Victorian London, Baelfire settles into the Darling household, where he is bidden watch for a strange shadow with the children--one possessed of magic. Baelfire warns the children against the magic, citing his experience, and they agree to remain apart from the shadow.

Are we suddenly in grad school?
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

David and Mary Margaret call on Gold for assistance with Regina, David calling in an owed favor to compel the assistance. He completes a working that facilitates a connection between Mary Margaret and Regina, and he dismisses the pair. Lacey reenters, having overheard the conversation, and she challenges Gold over his abilities. Mary Margaret uses the tool Gold provided, linking her perception to Regina's amid the latter's torture.

They really pack these in...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In Victorian London, Baelfire sees Wendy looking out at the shadow again, despite her promise. Baelfire warns Wendy again, and she refuses, taken up with the thrills offered by Neverland and departing thence. In Storybrooke, Emma and Baelfire search out Tamara and Regina, finding the former on the beach. Tense conversations ensue, and Emma's search continues. Tamara, however, repairs to where Greg is torturing Regina, and she and Greg note their intent to destroy magic in the world, noting their previous successes and their group's. Mary Margaret, having lost her link to Regina, reports what information she can--which is not much amid the pain. The smell of sardines she notes, however, gives away the location of Regina's confinement--which happens to be near where Emma is walking, coincidentally, and Emma summons aid to her location.

Baelfire wakes in Victorian London as Wendy returns to the Darling house. She reports her experiences in Neverland, noting her reasons for return: the shadow wants a boy, and will be taking one of Wendy's brothers. She admits the correctness of Baelfire's warning, and he purposes to protect her.

In Storybrooke, Gold prepares another working, demonstrating for Lacey. She grows greedy for what his power can provide, and he notes the possibility of his own undoing. She encourages him to eliminate the threat to him. Meanwhile, Emma and Baelfire move ahead of assistance to search for Regina, encountering David and Mary Margaret. The search continues, observed via camera by Tamara; she prompts exfiltration, which Greg refuses in favor of finding his father. Tamara departs, and Greg proceeds; Regina reports having killed Kurt long since.

Dark, man. Dark.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In Victorian London, Baelfire arranges matters with the Darling children to hinder the advance of the shadow. They secure the room as best they can and wait for it to come--which wait is brief. The shadow comes, and Baelfire interposes himself between it and its target, sacrificing himself for the Darling family. The shadow takes him swiftly aloft above London and thence to Neverland.

In Storybrooke, Greg tortures Regina into unconsciousness. Greg flees, and David and Mary Margaret make to secure her, biding Emma interdict Greg. Tamara reveals herself then, entering via heavy pipe, and confronts Baelfire with the truth. She shoots him, and melee ensues. Tamara deploys one of the stolen magic beans, creating a portal and using the distraction of it to cover her escape. Emma and Baelfire admit their love for each other, and Baelfire sacrifices himself to preserve Emma.

Elsewhere, the fled Greg digs in the woods for his father's remains, finding evidence of his death. The Mother Superior heals Regina, and Emma returns to report events; her parents attempt to comfort her. In Neverland, Baelfire struggles against the shadow, falling from its grasp into the dark ocean and eluding its search--whereupon he is rescued by the crew of the Jolly Roger. And Tamara joins Greg in the woods, holding the crystal that Regina had meant to use to destroy Storybrooke--which they now intend to use for that purpose.

Discussion

As in the previous season, and as in previous series, the end of the season (the present episode is its penultimate episode) admits of less new medievalism, being focused on drawing a storyline to a close. Given the nature of serial television, of course, it is setting up for the next major story-arc (this is a rewatch, after all), but it is not introducing much new material even with that; it is clear that the series will be going into Peter Pan, but that was already an option with the initial appearance of Captain Hook, so that's hardly new.

A bit of a note: after wrapping up the season and addressing the coming International Congress on Medieval Studies, I'll be taking a bit of a break. Just so you know.

Once upon a Time Rewatch 2.20, "The Evil Queen"

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

---

2.20, "The Evil Queen"

Written by Jane Espenson and Christine Boylan
Directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton

Synopsis

After a recapitulation of series events, the episode begins with a bound Hook being confronted by Greg and Tamara in the ruined clock tower in Storybrooke. He refuses, citing the death of Rumpelstiltskin--and he is shown that Rumpelstiltskin yet lives. The demonstration convinces him to aid in recovering Kurt in exchange for assistance in killing Rumpelstiltskin.

Where's Wat Tyler when you need him?
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

The episode pivots to a scene in the Enchanted Forest during which Regina leads a small party to investigate a cottage where Snow White had been hiding. The villagers are gathered and pressed for information, but none is forthcoming, prompting an execution order.

In Storybrooke, conversation about returning to the Enchanted Forest between David and Mary Margaret ensues. Regina, disguised, overhears the conversation and proceeds on her own path. In the Enchanted Forest of the past, she confers with Rumpelstiltskin about her failure to elicit cooperation from the peasantry regarding Snow White, and he makes Machiavellian comments regarding her reign that she contests with little success. She asks for further magical assistance from Rumpelstiltskin, plotting revenge; he agrees to assist her in exchange for cutting trade with George's kingdom. The deal is concluded, and Regina, disguised, proceeds upon her plan to find and kill Snow White.

In Storybrooke, Regina meets with Henry confusing him. She shows Henry the magic beans she has purloined. She works to suborn Henry to her against the plan to leave her behind when they return to the Enchanted Forest. She overplays her hand, however, and Henry balks at the idea, resisting until Regina ensorcels him to wipe his memory.

Things seem remarkably regular, uniform...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Disguised as a peasant, Regina stalks through a local market. Amid doing so, she overhears talk lambasting the queen and rails at it. She is taken prisoner by local authorities, forgetting the constraints of her disguise.

In Storybrooke, Hook meets Regina in her office. He asks her for sanctuary, noting Greg and Tamara's plans and trying to argue for another arrangement of his own. She notes the presence of magic beans and her own plan to abscond with Henry--which will also defeat Rumpelstiltskin.

Hell of a cheat sheet.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Emma runs into Tamara at Granny's, noting a strange list as she helps her pick up dropped goods. They confer briefly, awkwardly, and Emma realizes Tamara's deceit--and Tamara, Emma's understanding. She reports her suspicions to Mary Margaret, who tries to allay her concerns. Henry overhears and plots to assist in investigating Tamara. And Regina and Hook proceed into the caverns beneath Storybrooke's library.

In the Enchanted Forest, Regina faces summary execution and calls out to Rumpelstiltskin for aid. She is saved by an attack from Snow White and flees from town with her.

Regina and Hook proceed, Hook musing on revenge. As he does, he displays a token that Regina's mother had given him; she demands it back from him, and he obliges her. In the event, it mutes her magical abilities, perilous as they move to confront Maleficent and she uses Hook as bait for her as she reconstitutes herself from ash and dust. Melee ensues, going poorly for Hook. Regina, meanwhile, retrieves another bit of magical apparatus.

In the Enchanted Forest, Snow White attends the still-disguised Regina. Conversation alludes to other adventures on Snow White's part, and Snow White rehearses her story with Regina. In Storybrooke, Henry and Emma confer about how to proceed investigating Tamara. Henry talks about travel to the Enchanted Forest, longing for the life that might be available there. They snoop, Emma finding a loose floorboard before being warned off by Henry as Neal approaches. Neal realizes Emma is snooping about and he confronts her about Tamara. They investigate the floorboard, finding nothing, and Emma reluctantly withdraws.

Remarkably tidy deaths, these.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In the Enchanted Forest, Regina rises to find Snow White preparing to evacuate against the approach of Regina's own patrols. She accompanies Snow White into the woods and presses her about her relationship with the queen, and Snow White opines on it. Regina is somewhat taken aback, and her ruse begins to falter. They come upon the massacred village, and Snow White's heart is soured against Regina; Regina's ruse is broken, and she flees.

In Storybrooke, Regina returns from her expedition to find Hook waiting for her, to her surprise. He confronts her with Tamara and Greg, and she finds her magic has been muted. Meanwhile, Emma and Henry confer about their hindering, and David takes Leroy and Mary Margaret to investigate the bean field. They find it burned and despoiled.

Regina confronts Rumpelstiltskin for the removal of the spell he placed upon her. She accepts his Machiavellian ideas, and he restores her to herself. And as the evil queen, she faces Greg and Tamara, who take her captive.

Discussion

One brief note of interest: There is an extra in the episode played by a man credited as Hrothgar Mathews. Þæt wæs god freólsman!

There is a common conception that medieval rulership was absolute and monolithic. As with many common conceptions, it is incorrect. Even a fairly broad overview of medieval theories of rulership indicates as much, noting that even in the highest and holiest instances of medieval rulership, there was an understanding that bad rulership could rightly be overthrown. While what counted as "bad" might very from place to place and time to time, the fact that such justifications were seen even in relation to the pinnacles of governance is...telling. And it is seen, indeed, even in such commonplace medieval/ist works as those treating Robin Hood and the wars of dynastic succession that constitute and inform so much; how many would rise up against a system they see as working well for them?

Consequently, the attention the present episode pays to the unrest against Regina's reign in the Enchanted Forest--surprisingly more so than against her governance of Storybrooke, which takes place in an explicitly election-driven dynamic--while seeming at first blush to run counter to "medieval" thought in favor of pandering to a predominantly American audience, accords more closely with reported medieval understandings than is typically supposed. That it is intentionally so is doubtful; there's enough the series gets wrong, as has been noted repeatedly, that makes clear "correctness" is not a major concern (with some justification, of course). But even an unintentional act has effects, and what we do without thinking about it says quite a bit about us as we approach the world.

Once upon a Time Rewatch 2.19, "Lacey"

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

---

2.19, "Lacey"

Written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Directed by Milan Cheylov

Synopsis

Not all it's cracked up to be, really...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Following a recap of series events, the episode begins with a celebration of Henry's birthday, Gold offering him a gift of any single object from his shop. He selects a magic wand, the functions of which Gold demonstrates--by transforming the boy into ceramics and shattering him. It is revealed to be a dream, from which Gold starts awake.

After the title card, the episode shifts to Baelfire and Henry playing as Gold looks on. Regina joins him, and Gold notes to her that his son is Henry's father--making them family, a machination of fate. Regina prophecies his failure with his descendants.

Gold calls on the amnesiac Belle, and the two confer. She accepts that her past, unremembered self had a relationship with Gold, and she recalls having been healed. She also asks him for help in recalling herself to herself--which help he agrees to provide, as it will help him, as well.

The episode pivots to Belle's captivity with Rumpelstiltskin in the Enchanted Forest. Rumplestiltskin rebukes her for her weeping and its distractions from his work, and their conversation is interrupted by sounds of a break-in in progress. Rumplestiltskin proceeds to intercept the burglar. When the episode pivots back, Belle is making ready to leave the hospital where she has convalesced. Regina calls on her and presents Belle a matchbook that carries a spell with feigned memories.

Ooh! A map!
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

Meanwhile, Greg and Tamara continue to plot. He notes no success in finding his father, though he reaffirms his faith in his father's presence. She notes being ready to retrieve a package that evening.

David and Mary Margaret drive Emma to a hidden field, one cloaked and bearing a crop of nascent magic beans, tended by Anton. Emma intuits their purpose with the beans, railing at their intent to return to their native realm even as they invite her to return with them in the hopes of a happy ending.

Gold finds Belle has left her hospital room and stumbles upon the matchbook Regina had planted. He follows its clue to a disreputable establishment and finds Belle under the identity of Lacey--that with which Regina has enchanted her via the matchbook. The episode pivots to Rumpelstiltskin tormenting the thief that had breached his residence as Belle cleans. As he takes a break from his efforts, Belle calls on his victim, tending to him and releasing him to flee. The episode pivots back to Gold confronting Regina for her workings on Belle. She coldly dismisses him from her office.

Gold calls on David, asking for help with Belle. Reluctantly, he offers advice for reawakening her actual--not curse-borne--identity: "Show her the man she fell in love with." The episode pivots to the Enchanted Forest, where Rumpelstiltskin prepares to resume "work" and finds the prisoner escaped--with Belle's admitted assistance. She challenges him, and he notes that she had been gulled, vowing vengeance and compelling her to accompany him in its pursuit.

The episode moves to Gold's pursuit of Belle, showing his inept courtship. David encourages him in his efforts, which yield some success. Elsewhere, Regina confronts Emma as the latter reads, a tense exchange ensuing. And after, the arranged date between Gold and "Lacey" commences, awkwardly, and the episode pivots to Rumpelstiltskin's pursuit of the thief, during which he and Belle confer. A confrontation with local authority ensues, revealing that Rumpelstiltskin's quarry is Robin Hood. After a brief pivot back to the date, from which "Lacey" has fled for an assignation, pursuit continues, where Robin heals Marian of a malady with the wand stolen from Rumpelstiltskin. The revelation that Marian is pregnant stays Rumpelstiltskin's hand, about which Belle lauds him. And in Storybrooke, Gold finds that "Lacey" rejects him.

In the night, Regina follows the trail of David, Anton, and the dwarves back to their hidden field, finding the work on which they have been engaged and delighting in the possibilities thereof. Gold returns to his old ways, and "Lacey" happens upon him engaged in them, finding him all the more compelling therefore. Baelfire returns Henry to Emma, and she asks him about returning to the Enchanted Forest. And Tamara makes good on her promise of delivery--of Hook.

Discussion

While scenes from a dream are often regarded as variants on the deus ex machina, they are, as has been noted previously (here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, if not also elsewhere) staples of medieval literature. Dream of the Rood is one example, of course, and Pearl another, with Arthurian literature offering any number of others. Dream vision is not original to medieval literatures, perhaps; JA Cuddon remarks that while it is "extremely popular in the Middle Ages," it has its precursors in Cicero and Macrobius's remarks on the same. Even so, it is pervasive in that time, so that it is ripe for taking up by a medievalist property such as the present series--which does, as repeatedly noted and observed, make use of the device, to greater and lesser degrees.

The episode also introduces the Robin Hood mythos into the series. There is no shortage of material discussing such, of course, with accessible entries here and here, among others. Some more reactionary types might well decry the presentation of people of color amid such stories, believing as they do in the myth of the monochrome Middle Ages and hoping that their presentations of such beliefs might somehow justify their execrable ideologies and their even more contemptible attempts to impose those ideologies on the world they inhabit. They are, of course, in error, severally, and should be decried and rebuked for those errors as often as can be done. And it is the case that, even among concerns of "accuracy," it muse be remembered that the medieval stories that have been transmitted--which transmission is itself a concern--are themselves products of change and refiguration. Arthurian literature shows it, among others; Arthur changes substantially from Gildas and Nennius to the Galfridian conception through the high chivalric to Malory. He is far from the only such. How the changes occur and what changes are retained--and imposed--shows much about those who do the changing and those for whom the changes are made; they are well worth the attention, for those and other reasons.

Once upon a Time Rewatch 2.18, "Selfless, Brave, and True"

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

---

2.18, "Selfless, Brave, and True"

Written by Robert Hull and Kalinda Vazquez
Directed by Ralph Hemecker

Synopsis

An auspicious beginning...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

August, with company abed, wakes in pain in Phuket, his leg beginning to turn to wood. He rouses his companion, attempting to show her the progress of his turning to wood and finding that she cannot see it. He hobbles up and begins to realize what is happening to him.

After the title card, the episode shifts to Storybrooke in the present, David tending to Mary Margaret as Emma looks on and comments aspersively, prompting an argument. After Emma leaves, Mary Margaret rises, determining to "think things through" on her own, sending David to tend to the bean crop. She reminds him of her perfidy and urges him to understanding.

Meanwhile, Emma takes Henry to Baelfire, where Henry asks after the nature of the Enchanted Forest. Baelfire asks to talk to Emma, noting that Hook has escaped confinement and that his fiancée, Tamara, is coming to Storybrooke. Emma is upset by the second news more than the first, but Baelfire notes needing his betrothed. Emma bids him confess all, and he asks her to remain to confer with Tamara.

I'm sure there's some joke to make here...
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In the woods, Mary Margaret practices her archery, finding her aim strangely off. Startled, she seeks in the woods, finding tracks to follow that lead her to a derelict RV. Investigating it, she finds August, wooden and animated, struck by her arrow. A flashback to Hong Kong follows, tracing August's trip to a hospital for examination that reveals nobody other than him can see his lignification; a demonstration occasions pursuit, and August flees until he encounters a messenger from "The Dragon." August explains what he knows of his situation to Mary Margaret, remarking that his condition is a separate issue from the curse Regina had cast. Mary Margaret urges August to return to town, but he refuses, citing his many failures and rejecting Mary Margaret's attempts to offer comfort.

A tense conversation among Tamara, Baelfire, Emma, and Henry begins over bagels. As Emma makes to take Henry off, Henry leaves his book with Baelfire, and Baelfire and Tamara confer about his son. Baelfire makes to confess his background and history to Tamara, offering her Henry's book as explanation. She expresses disbelief at his claims, rebuking him for his continued feelings for Emma and departing.

In another flashback to Hong Kong, August is taken to the Dragon. While he waits, he returns a dropped phone to its owner--Tamara. And in Storybrooke, Regina meets with Greg at Granny's, introducing herself to him and thanking him for finding Henry. She notes finding him familiar, which assertion he rejects. As she makes to leave, she encounters Mary Margaret rushing in, offering her rebuke as she departs. Mary Margaret reports August's condition to Emma and Marco, and they determine to seek help for him from the Mother Superior--which Tamara overhears with interest.

Tamara seems to have a type...
Image taken from the image, used for commentary.

The flashback resumes, Tamara bidding August call on the Dragon. He does so nervously, though he is greeted warmly enough, and he finds that the Dragon can perceive his lignification--and knows his identity. He offers assistance--with conditions, demanding his remaining puppet string in exchange for his efforts, as well as a hefty cash fee. In Storybrooke, the Mother Superior remarks that she cannot help Pinocchio resume his flesh; his woodenness a punishment for his failures. Mary Margaret continues to hold out hope, and the flashback resumes, August encountering Tamara once again. They drink together, Tamara showing a substantial amount of cash and relating the story of how she came to seek the Dragon. As Tamara takes a call, August purloins the cash from her purse and flees--and she confronts him in Storybrooke.

The flashback continues with August returning to the Dragon, who offers him a vial of magic. As August makes to tender the payment, his condition afflicts him, and the Dragon notes that the lignification is a symptom of a condition he must address for himself. August takes the vial and departs, fleeing from Tamara as she confronts him for his theft--and takes the vial. She is no more forgiving in Storybrooke, though her perception of his woodenness gives him pause. She demands his aid in her purpose, noting that some of the contents of the vial remain--in New York City, payment for him leaving Storybrooke forever. She notes, too, that Baelfire is not concerned with or aware of her purposes, and urges him to save himself once again.

Greg returns to his room to find Regina waiting for him, aware of his true identity: Owen. He notes the temporal disjunction and asserts his purpose in finding his father. She notes that Owen's father departed, which he disbelieves, and she threatens him. Meanwhile, Mary Margaret, Emma, and Marco proceed to August's trailer, conversing along the way; Marco confesses his perfidy, his failure in having sent Pinocchio with Emma, and earns rebuke that Mary Margaret realizes comes from the tainted portion of her own heart. As they reach the trailer, they find it empty, August having departed for New York City.

There's a reason for the sobriquet.
Image taken from the episode, used for commentary.

In Hong Kong, Tamara returns to the Dragon, confronting him for information. She makes to assail him, and though he begins to show power, she subdues him. Evidence of her having done so presents itself to August, and he comes about to return to Storybrooke, seeking Emma and attempting to warn her about Tamara. She interdicts him, however, and a confrontation ensues that leaves him incapacitated. He does manage to tender an incomplete warning to Emma and company, finding forgiveness from his father as the life leaves him. The arrival of the Mother Superior on site invites his return to life--which is given him in the form of a boy whose memories of previous life are muddled. Tamara arrives and notes the truth of Baelfire's claims, looking on apprehensively as Pinocchio is asked about the warning. Tamara reaffirms her love to Baelfire.

A flashback to New York details another meeting between August and Baelfire. August notes his intent to Baelfire, promising a report--as Tamara clandestinely observes. She uses the opportunity to ingratiate herself to Baelfire. And in Storybrooke, Emma apologizes to Henry, which apology he accepts, and Mary Margaret reports her attempt to get Regina to kill her to David. He offers her comfort, certain their love will suffice to any purpose. And Tamara meets Greg in his hotel room, their romance revealed.

Discussion

Aside from the rampant deus ex machina at work in the episode, a couple of points suggest themselves. One is that the present episode makes use of a number of interweaving narrative threads impressive for less than forty-five minutes of screen time, integrating several plot threads that extend back through the season and further back. It is reminiscent of the interweaving identified by a number of scholars, including the late and revered Larry D. Benson and eminent Arthurian Molly Martin, as typical of Malory's work. Such work is not the only to make use of the technique, of course, but given how much of Once Upon a Time works in medieval/ist tropes and explicitly invokes Arthuriana, the parallels to Malory suggest themselves.

The more important point, though, concerns forgiveness. The present episode focuses on the possibility of redemption and the struggles that accompany it; in the episode, valiant self-sacrifice appears as a means to effect redemption--perhaps the only one. I find myself in mind of Dream of the Rood as I think on it, the Early English poem speaks eloquently to that notion and to the preoccupation of the medieval mind, insofar as such a thing can be supposed to be a singular thing, with the concept of salvation. Admittedly, viewers now can look back on then and see a sort of world that asks for release from it; certainly, the stereotypes about it are of an unclean, unpleasant place from which an exit to paradise would be welcome. But there is not less evil in the world now than then, nor necessarily less desire to see the effects of misdeeds undone, even if all too many of those who espouse execrable ideologies, not seldom "supported" by sometimes willful misunderstandings of the medieval, fail to see themselves as the stains upon the collective soul that they are. There is not less need for redemption, nor less belief that it is in giving of one's self that it can be found.