Contributor: Edmund B.
Written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Directed by Paul Edwards
Elsewhere on this site, John Keegan has talked of the challenges facing a Halloween episode and the dangers of straying too far from a show’s established tone in pursuit of the macabre or bizarre. In his case, “Haven” handled the assignment well. The same cannot be said for “Once Upon A Time”, as they finally introduce us to “The Doctor”.
Dr. Whale’s last name, shared with the director of the film, had led to speculation that he was Dr. Frankenstein. That is confirmed here, but it feels as clumsily grafted on as the mismatched parts of the Doctor’s original creation. It is also a characterization that draws more on the cinematic than literary tradition. The precedent has been set to draw on works beyond the Brothers Grimm, but this felt like a stretch. Wonderland and Neverland are established fictional locales, and while the Hollywood sign used to have -land tacked onto it, it doesn’t rise to the sense of place the others have.
The grafting continues with the story of Daniel, Regina’s mis-begotten stable boy lover, folded into the Doctor’s. Apparently glass coffins are like Tupperware for corpses, so Regina has had Daniel’s body stashed away since Cora killed him. Jefferson is a far less reluctant collaborator than we saw last season, using his hat to make other-worldly procurement runs, including the Doctor to try and revive Daniel.
The show has had great success in reinterpreting fairy tale tropes and lore. Here, it felt forced. From Cora’s attack in the present-day Enchanted Forest to Regina’s training to Frankenstein’s experiments to restore lovers or brothers, it was a heavy-handed mix of heart metaphors. The contrast of Regina being manipulated into the Dark Arts, and now seeking therapy to break her addiction to them is potentially interesting. But it was squandered by the stolid Daniel story.
There was also an inconsistency and missed opportunity in the Storybrooke side. After Frankenstein had made such a point of being a man of science opposed to using magic (mostly, except for the enchanted hearts), it was absurd to see Daniel return as the epitome of his handsome, smooth-faced self. Magic may have returned, but the doctor himself is still limited to modern methods for transplantation. Techniques have improved, so neck bolts aren’t necessary. However, a few scars or other signs of trauma would have made him more of a physical monster, especially given this is the Halloween episode. Also, they gave him the guttural incomprehension of Karloff, but, sadly, none of his heartbreaking humanity.
Things are looking up for the once and future princesses back in the current Fairy Tale Land. I am very glad Emma and Snow have retained their street smarts, not being taken in at all by Hook, even if Emma’s self-proclaimed truth-teller skills are still unconvincing. I just hope their encounter with the beanstalk, and the famously large man at the top of it (hello, Hurley), is more entertaining than this attempt at revisionism.
Writing: 1/2
Acting: 1/2
Directing: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Total Score: 5/10