Contributor: Edmund B.
Written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Directed by Ralph Hemecker
Once the smoke dissipated over Storybrooke, the question was which show would the producers of “Once Upon A Time” return with, having given themselves this massive purple reset button. Would it be the intriguing, surprisingly complex version of the first seven episodes, or the haphazard and inconsistent show that followed? The answer is quite a bit of the latter, with a final reveal that might lead to some of the former.
The cloud has restored their memories to most of the residents, Dr. Whale excepted. Although apparently they’ve forgotten where they live, since most of the action takes place in the middle of the street. The “reunion” of Emma and her parents is the key here. They find the right mix from Snow’s joy at seeing her daughter at last to Emma’s wary acknowledgement, since finding her parents hasn’t turned out quite as she expected. Ginnifer Goodwin manages to blend Mary Margaret’s sentimentality with Snow’s steel, especially in dismissing Charming’s reaction to her one-night stand. There’s work to be done to repair this family, which is a refreshingly realistic take that harks back to those heady early episodes.
The street party moves on to Regina’s house. Disney may have tried to soften it over the years, but Fairy-Tale Land has always been a ruthless place. Given all the deaths, disfigurements, and power plays that have been their lot, it’s no surprise the residents are ready for a good, old-fashioned lynching. Much of this showdown is setup, serving to establish Regina’s magic isn’t working (yet. And apparently her tailor did some time in the Village. Nice white piping shout-out for “The Prisoner” fans.) Henry stepping in to protect her makes sense, since it’s always the outside reader and observer who imposes the morality on these tales.
I’m not quite so sold on the Gold-Belle storyline. I understand Gold is so set on his task that he’s bulling ahead regardless of Belle’s presence. I would like him to show more ambivalence. Robert Carlisle is very capable of conveying mixed emotions and motivations that leave you guessing. Here, he is a missile fixed on vengeance and, unlike in the earlier street theatre, he will not be deterred. Of course, I may be falling for a bit of the Disney mythos about what’s supposed to happen when you’re reunited with your beloved. Once the consequences of his current plans shake out, there will quite likely be time for reassessment and softening of his positions.
I’ve been sticking to Storybrooke because that’s where the most interesting things happened. Fairy Tale Land remains the province of cardboard characters, as we are introduced to Sleeping Beauty/Aurora being awakened by her prince. He is accompanied by a masked companion who, even if I hadn’t already heard Mulan would be introduced this season, is obviously an attractive Asian woman long before the mask comes off. Aurora’s jealousy, and the sniping that ensues, was uninspired in both writing and performance. Also, where is Mulan’s great fighting spirit when the Wraith is soul-sucking the Prince? Snow demonstrates that hair spray and a lighter can drive it off. Instead the two of them just stand there and let it happen.
The Wraith provides the linking element, with the reveal that it appears in Fairy Tale Land after being driven from Storybrooke. Having Emma and Snow trapped in a post-curse Land promises some intriguing storytelling to come. Provided this blighted Land is populated with characters as strong as those in Storybrooke, the show may be back on the right path.
Writing: 1/2
Acting: 1/2
Directing: 2/2
Style: 3/4
Total Score: 7/10
