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.

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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.