6x05--Street Rats

​1. What did you think of Once's Jasmine and Aladdin?

Teresa: I adore Jasmine. Karen David really resonates with me in her role. Aladdin, less so. Though the scene he had alone with Emma does provide potential to something deeper in his character.

Mia: It's an interesting take on the classic story of Aladdin and Jasmine that we know from Disney. I still like that they kept in the details of Aladdin being a thief and Jasmine as a princess who is trying her best to do right by her kingdom. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold, and I'm happy they reunited at the end of the episode.

Mauri: Together? No. I just like Jasmine. Aladdin wasn't too interesting and his accent was distracting..

Sam: While I love Karen David as Jasmine, I am not so sure about how Aladdin was portrayed. He looks the part of the Disney Aladdin, but the accent really threw me off. But I am still interested in finding out more about Jasmine and Aladdin's untold story and seeing what they will have to teach Emma about being a Savior. 

​2. Now that Emma's secret is out, how do you think Regina, Henry and her parents will move forward?

Mauri: I think they will do all they can to prevent Emma's death.

Mia: I think now that Emma's secret is out, her parents, Henry, Regina, and Killian are all going to help her do whatever it takes to make sure the vision doesn't come to pass. I think Snow and Charming are going to spend as much time as a "normal family" as they can with Emma, and they are going to act like every second counts, as they should. 

Sam:  I think the Charmings will do what they always do and that's protect their family. Getting her secret out is a good thing. Now, what about Hook? Given the choice, will he do what's best for Emma or what's best for Storybrooke?

Teresa: I agree with Sam. The Charmings will be there for her, as will her son. Regina has shown also that she is fierce in doing what needs to be done for Emma. It will be very interesting to see it all unfold.

​3. What was your reaction when Zelena chose Wicked?

Mia: I was not pleased with Zelena's actions in this episode. What happened to all of her character development from the end of Season 5? I was looking forward to see Zelena continue on a good path, raising her baby and building a healthy relationship with Regina. Instead, it seems all her development has been thrown out the window and she's reverting back to the way she acted when she was first introduced in Season 3. 

Sam: Zelena's wickedness is just below the surface. I think she will continue to play games with the Evil Queen, but I do think there are some moral lines the somewhat reformed version of Zelena won't cross. Although, given her track record, she's willing to go pretty far!

Mauri: My first thought was "Maybe they'll kill her off now." Not that I don't like Bex, but redeeming Zelena was so hard to watch knowing the horrible thing she did to Robin. 

Teresa: I'm fascinated. As Mia said, it does change a direction from where Zelena was headed last season. This backtrack could perhaps be the beginning of the end for Zelena or leading to her becoming the new villain. Mauri brought up the Elephant in the Room: she violated Robin Hood in the worst way possible. How can she be redeemed from that with the baby onscreen to remind us? She really is the Wicked Witch and, unlike the current "villain" Rumple, who is the Beast and hence destined to have a complete transformation--he has to have it, otherwise 5 years of wasting fans' time--the Wicked Witch's story ends with her death. Needless to say, I love Rebecca Mader. I can sort of enjoy her as good, but I really root for her as the villain. It is in character for her to be so.

4. Hook pulled a Rumple at the end of the episode. What does this portend for his relationship with Emma?

Sam: This is not good news for the two lovers.  Trust is such an issue for Emma and she will not forgive Hook easily when she finds out he is lying to her. Emma does need to find the right balance between being the Savior and having a personal life. Snow and Charming managed to find that balance, but it took them many years.  

Teresa: I was thinking that the shoe is on the other foot now with Hook, He was very judgmental with Rumple for his dagger switch. Now he might discover that sometimes the end does justify the means, or at least from an individual's point of view. Pretending to hide the shears that could change Emma's life in such as drastic manner was far more serious than Emma not sharing her potential death via vision. It may put a major obstacle to their fundamental relationship.

Mauri: Emma will be disappointed in him, but he's doing what it takes to save the person he loves just like she did when she made him a dark one to save him. So I hope Emma doesn't go Belle on Hook, holding him to a double standard. Like it's okay if I do things against your wishes, but if you do it I'm not going to forgive you.

Mia:  I think when Emma finds out about Killian keeping the shears, she might be shocked and maybe a little disappointed at first, but they'll see it through. Just like he understood why she didn't tell them about her vision at first (because she was scared). Ultimately, he kept the shears because he wants to protect her, since they are true love and they don't want to live without each other. 

​Favorite Moments

Teresa: Henry with Emma! I love it when they interact and he is always so honest with both his moms.

Mia: My favorite moment too was the discussion between Emma and Henry. It was so heartfelt, and brought me back to the dynamic they had in Season 1. I loved that Emma reassured him that bringing her to Storybrooke wasn't a burden, because she got to be with her family, and finally felt like she belonged. I love seeing any mother/son scene that they share. 

Sam:  I am going for the lighthearted moment this week when the Evil Queen and Zelena had a girl's day out and shared gossip at the spa. Topic of conversation: Gold's new hair and "did you ever?"

​Favorite Quotes

​Mia: Emma, talking about Henry bringing her to Storybrooke: 
"It gave me a family. It made me a mother. I have actual magic in my life. I have you. If I could go back, I wouldn't change a thing" 

Teresa: Ditto to Mia's, especially "I have actual magic in my life. I have you." 

Sam:  Everyone to Gold about his hair cut: "It highlights your eyes".  (Personally, I still prefer the floof! 

Anything Else?

Mia:  I'm still curious to find out more about Emma's vision and I hope they delve into it more in the next few episodes.

Sam: This episode was slow for me, but I did enjoy the many call-outs to Disney's Aladdin. This season has been very strong so far, and I love the overall feel of the writing and the way the untold stories are being woven into our main story in Storybrooke.

Teresa: I really liked the actors in this episode, but the story did not intrigue me. And I feel rather sorry for CaptainSwan fans in that they did not get to see more with Hook moving in nor processing Emma's secret. Then they got a punch: the shears switch at the end. Being Rumbelled is never fun. I'm not a big fan of CaptainSwan, but I love all fans and when anyone is sad, I am sad. On the other hand, it seems that the double-standard which has appeared to favor one couple over others is now being balanced. I believe this needed to happen for some credibility in the narrative.