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Last Rites - 5x21

8/5/2016

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Recap and Analysis
By Joanne Denney - @Dragonlady755
 
Zelena learns the hard way that love is sacrifice. In this episode, we are shown the difference between four couples. On one side, Emma, Killian, Regina and Robin are willing to do anything to save their partner. In stark contrast, Hades and Rumple selfishly put their wants and desires before the needs of their lovers, Zelena and Belle.  

Hades, Zelena and Baby Hood arrive back in Storybrooke. Zelena worries that Regina has not returned as well. Hades reassures her that Regina will soon return. Zelena questions why they're hiding out in the woods rather than returning to the town. Hades explains that Snow White still thinks of them as villains and that it's not safe for them. Zelena tells him that she will convince Snow White that love has changed Hades and has him take the baby to Regina's office where it will be safe.
 
After Zelena departs, Hades is surprised by King Arthur running towards him in handcuffs.  He’s escaped from the Storybrooke jail. Arthur tries to convince Hades that he was unjustly imprisoned and is a king. Hades helps Arthur to his feet, acknowledging that they have a lot in common. He too was imprisoned and should rule over the kingdom. Hades introduces himself to Arthur as the god of death and tells Arthur that he will need his help in ruling Storybrooke. He then snaps Arthur's neck.


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Firebird- 5x20

1/5/2016

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Recap and Analysis by Amy Hood- @Amylia403
As we get closer and closer to the season finale, Once Upon a Time is definitely raising the stakes for all of our favorite Storybrooke residents. This week, we got more insight into Emma's past while in current time her future became more uncertain. Hades proved to be even more devious than we thought, and Rumple pulled a fast one, putting him back in our good graces.
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     The flashback this week was all about Emma. We met Cleo, a bailbonds woman who finds Emma with the intention of taking her back to Phoenix for skipping bail. Cleo gives Emma some leeway and decides to let her stay in town one more day to try and find out more information about where and who left her when she was a baby. Unfortunately for Emma, there isn't anything new for her to learn, but the two women strike up a begrudging sort of friendship in the short time they have together. As it turns out, Cleo gave up a daughter for adoption and can feel for Emma's struggle. In a moment of advice that will start Emma on a journey to who we know her as now, Cleo tells Emma that she has to protect herself, that the jacket she herself wears is armor and Emma should find a way to protect herself as well. She also tells Emma that she needs to let go of the struggle to understand why she was abandoned and move on. Cleo is hurt after she and Emma escape the police while searching records and Emma is forced to leave her bleeding and presumably dead in an alleyway. 

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Sisters--5x19

24/4/2016

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Recap by Leigh Ann (@leigh_ann415)
In this week's episode, we were treated to a bit of sibling rivalry.  Brother vs. brother and sister vs. sister.  And we got a reunion that was a long time coming.  Plus, a Mills family secret was revealed!  We also got two new additions in Ava Acres as Young Regina and Isabella Blake-Thomas as Young Zelena, playing their counterparts spot-on.

We start off with a car tearing down the road.  It is Hades' car, with Zelena as his passenger.  “I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire” is playing.  Hades is taking her on a date, which she wasn't expecting. He shows her the town he made for her saying she deserves more, the real thing.  Hades wants to go to the real Storybrooke and have wants a future with Zelena.  He then goes on to say the Underworld will still exist after he leaves,  and all our heroes will be trapped there.  Everyone's name has a tombstone now.  “It's her or us,” meaning Regina, Hades whispers.  He then drops to one knee, saying, “Will you make chaos with me?”


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Ruby Slippers -- 5 x 18

17/4/2016

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by Samantha Lee  @samsjag
"Ruby Slippers" it turns out, was not just the title of the show, but also the name of the newest "ship" on ONCE.  Many fans were rooting for MulanRouge, but I for one was very satisfied with RubySlipers.  In addition to the adventures in Oz, the Charmings continued to try and figure out how to defeat Hades and Belle decided to take matters into her own hands to protect her unborn baby.
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Let's begin with Ruby's story.  Ruby and Mulan have been searching for Ruby's werewolf pack.  Their search has brought them to Oz where they cross paths with Dorothy, who is all grown-up and gained some warrior skills.  They get off to a rocky start as Ruby accidentally frightens Toto who runs away.  So the three women go in search of the dog, but they end up finding Zelena who has just been banished back to Oz by Regina to keep her away from her baby girl.  Zelena has caught Toto and is willing to trade him to Dorothy for the silver slippers.  She gives Dorothy a day to return the slippers which have been hidden away.  Dorothy, along with Mulan and Ruby come up with a plan to recover Toto by knocking Zelena out with a sleeping potion.  Ruby and Dorothy have some time to bond as they go to find some poppies for the potion.  They are attacked by flying monkeys and escape by Ruby changing to her wolf form and having Dorothy ride her away!  They return to Mulan and Dorothy seems shaken by the sight of Ruby's transformation.  She goes to bed early and leaves the other two to talk.  Ruby admits to Mulan that her feelings of not quite belonging, not quite knowing what it was that she needed to be happy have finally found an answer and that answer is Dorothy.  Mulan encourages Ruby to make her feelings known without delay, because she knows what happens if you wait until your chance for happiness has passed.  Ruby goes to Dororthy, but finds she has gone off in the night, presumably to rescue Toto on her own.

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Her Handsome Hero--5 x 17

10/4/2016

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By Joanne Denney - @Dragonlady 755

In this episode, Belle learns that sometimes the end justifies the means.  A hero can't always be compassionate and forgiving.  They have to do whatever it takes to protect their loved ones, even if it is unpleasant.

Belle meets her father, Maurice, in the stables.  He presents her with a new suitor, Gaston, who is a great hunter of animals and women. Belle has heard of him and is not very impressed with his reputation.  Maurice tells Belle that there's more at stake than her preferences in suitors, Gaston’s army could help protect their kingdom from the ogres.  Belle argues with her father, and they are interrupted by the appearance of Gaston, a charming and confident young man.  He flatters Belle and admits that his reputation isn't the best.  She decides to give him a chance, and they go for a walk together in the woods.  ​

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Our Decay--5x16

3/4/2016

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Our Decay
Recap by Teresa Martin (@Teresa__Martin)
Once Upon A Time took us Over the Rainbow this week where troubles most certainly did NOT melt like lemon drops. Zelena and Hades fell for each other, Rumbelle were reunited, Henry began to write, and The Charmings dabbled in a haunting!
The episode opens with a throwback to Emma's lonely birthday in the Pilot as Zelena miserably blows out a single candle. Entertainment at her party-of-one? Viewing a rerun of Mama Dearest Cora abandoning her to exposure so that she can give herself "her best chance." A helpful flying monkey interrupts this sad memory, dumping The Scarecrow at her feet. Zelena perks up as she proceeds to explain her plans to make a time travel spell using a rather vital organ of her prisoner. Lucky for him, Warrior Dorothy saves the day informing Zelena she got word about her takeover of Oz and proclaims an intent to stop her. Who told Dorothy? "Munchkins," Zelena snarls. Dorothy responds she has what Zelena doesn't: the love of the people. 

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The Brothers Jones-5x15

27/3/2016

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The Brothers Jones
Recap by Leigh Ann (@leigh_ann415)
 This week's episode had a much-awaited reunion between Emma and Hook, but not without 
complications from older brother, Liam. We also see more of the Brothers Jones' past. And Henry takes matters into his own hands.

We start off with Henry and Cruella riding in Cruella's car. They are trying to find the quill. Cruella tells him they are looking for some kind of sign. Henry then sees a bright red light off in the distance and asks Cruella to stop. Henry sneaks away from Cruella and bumps into the Apprentice. The Apprentice tells him that Henry is his unfinished business, and he's here to tell Henry not to resurrect Cruella, that it would be a terrible mistake. Henry is in disbelief that the pen can bring someone back, unlike what the Apprentice told him before. He replies that the rules are a little more flexible in the Underworld. The Apprentice says he should record the stories as they are, but Henry says he is sick of the stories, and being on the sidelines. He wants to help Emma, not Cruella. The Apprentice then says that the quill is in the Sorcerer's mansion, protected by a spell, but he needs a key to find it, which the sheriff took. If Henry can find the key, the quill is his.

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Devil's Due - 5x14

20/3/2016

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Devil's Due
by Samantha Lee - @samsjag

In this episode we see another chapter in the difficult marriage of Rumple and Milah. There is also a Captain Swan reunion and a tender moment for Regina. Finally, Hades makes a deal with the Dark One.

First we see Hades torturing Hook who refuses to choose who must stay in the Underworld.  Hades threatens to throw him into the River of Lost Souls as punishment.  He is particularly unhappy that Hook's friends brought Hope to the Underworld. 
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Rumple arrives at the Underworld Pawn Shop where he finds a note from Pan telling him that the shop is his to use. He brews up a potion and uses a crystal ball to find "who he seeks" and has a vision of Belle. She seems happy and well, but for some reason Rumple becomes upset and he drops the ball which shatters to pieces. 

Meanwhile, Regina, Hook, Emma and the Charmings are cleaning up the apartment after Cerberus' attack. They are making more plans to go rescue Hook. Rumple shows up and tells them that he has decided to help them after all because it's the only way they will ever get out of the Underworld. His plan involves just himself, Emma and a "helpful dead person".

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Labor of Love - 5x13

19/3/2016

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Labor of Love 
​By Joanne Denney - @Dragonlady755
 
In "Labor of Love", Snow gets her groove back. We learn about her meeting a childhood friend, Hercules, and how he helped her gain confidence by training her to use a bow. 
 
In an underground prison, a bloody and beaten Hook awakes and tries to stand up. He is warned by another prisoner, a young woman, not to move. “It’s just a trick.  He wants you to think that you can escape, but you can't,” she tells Hook with despair.  But Hook is convinced that Emma is coming for him and he must do everything he can to help her find him. He convinces the other prisoner to escape. As they run through the dark tunnels, they hear growling and then see a set of red glowing eyes, and then another set and another.  It is Cerberus, the three-headed Hell hound.  Hook distracts the beast, and sends the young woman out with a message for Emma about his location. 

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Souls of the Departed- 5x12

9/3/2016

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Souls of the Departed- 5x12
Recap & Analysis by Amy Hood- @Amylia403
     The winter hiatus is over and the first episode up was definitely worth the wait. Once Upon a Time turned 100 this week and a carriage full of guest stars turned up for the landmark episode. In a moment that many fans had hoped for, Neal returned to warn Emma of the dangers ahead. He assured her that he isn't in the Underworld and is in a place where he is happy. The meeting took place in the yellow bug, near a roller coaster, suggesting that Neal's Heaven is his younger days with Emma. This moment also gave Emma the ability to tell Henry later in the episode, when he was trying to find Neal at Underworld Granny's, that his father was happy  
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     The flashback this week centered around the events of Regina's birthday. Unhappy with her inability to kill Snow White, she wants only for her birthday to be over. Henry Sr., always the concerned father, asks Sydney/Magic Mirror to summon Cora so he can speak to her through the mirror in an Enchanted Forest to Wonderland trans-realm call. Cora uses this chance to escape the mirror and, in her twisted motherly way, gets the one thing Regina really wanted for her birthday: Snow's heart. In an effort to save Regina's soul and keep her from going dark forever, Henry Sr. steals back the heart and returns it to Snow. This is only revealed when Regina goes to crush it and instead of being in pain, Snow simply laughs off Jiminy (getting a little fresh) who had been stuck in her tuffets. Furious, Regina shrinks Henry Sr. and puts him in a box, which Mommy Dearest Cora grabs just before she is banished through the looking glass and back to Wonderland. 

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Swan Song--5x11

31/1/2016

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Recap by Leigh Ann--@leigh_ann415

​The winter finale of Once Upon a Time was full of heart-wrenching, epic moments sure to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.  Add to that a twist that nobody saw coming and a cliffhanger to keep us wanting more.  Adam and Eddy did not disappoint with the writing of this episode.  With stellar performances from the entire cast, most notably Jennifer Morrison and Colin O'Donoghue, “Swan Song” proved to be an episode for the record books.
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Our tale starts off with a flashback on a ship in a raging storm.  It cuts to a young Killian, obviously frightened.  He yells for his father when the flame flickers out in the lamp.  We are then introduced to Brennan Jones, Hook's father.  He tells Killian it's all right because he's there, and relights the lamp.  He tells Killian there's nothing to be afraid of. “Whenever you feel scared, all you have to do is look inside,” pointing to his heart, “We're all braver than we think, if we just look deep enough.”  He then goes on to say that he's trying to prepare Killian for becoming a man, and what kind of man is he going to be.  Young Killian thinks about that for a minute, and then says he wants to be just like his father.  His father smiles and says that's a nice answer.  Then he tucks Killian back into bed, telling him to find that brave part deep inside himself.  And he doesn't have to worry about anything; his father will watch the light for him.
Sometime later, Killian awakens, and the light is out again.  He knows something is wrong, so he gets out of bed and goes over to wake Liam, his brother.  He says that their father is gone.  He opens the door, and a man walks in saying, “Looking for your father?  Look out there; he rowed away an hour ago.”  The man goes on to then say Killian's father isn't who he thinks, he's a fugitive from the law.  Killian obviously doesn't believe the man, asking “Why would he leave us?”  The man goes on to say, “He traded you and your brother into my service.”  Killian is furious saying, “No, he wouldn't do that.”  And the stranger says now he knows what kind of man his father really is.  
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Broken Heart-5x10

5/12/2015

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​Broken Heart
Recap ​by Teresa Martin (Teresa__Martin)
Once Upon a Time delivered an intense, devastating episode this week. The full truth of what happened in Camelot was revealed, and Hook embraced his Dark Side in a way not yet seen on the series. 
The Camelot portion of the story begins with Hook being reborn as the Dark One. As he transforms, unresolved issues flash before his eyes: hatred for Rumple, losing Milah, Rumple cutting off his hand and later ripping out his heart, and Emma choosing to become The Dark One. To his horror, Hook emerges from this state realizing not only is he alive, but that "Rumple" is inside his head. This "Dark Vision" though wins him over by promising that he can help him get final revenge on Rumplestiltskin.
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Hook and Emma have bitter confrontations as the former unleashes on the latter for her decision to make him Dark. Several scenes play out where Hook's anger and Emma's declarations of love abound, and it all climaxes with Hook tricking Emma. In Granny's diner, he has Merlin's heart. Hook wishes to cast The Dark Curse so that he can return to Storybrooke and kill Rumple. Nimue takes over the Dark One form and states a new curse is eminent for, on Hook's behalf, she will kill the thing she loves most: Merlin. Though technically it will be Hook who crushes the heart, it will work because Nimue lives in all Dark Ones. Despite Emma's pleas, Hook crushes Merlin's heart, killing him. However, before the purple cloud reaches them, Emma knocks Hook out and uses the dreamcatchers to take his and everyone's memories,  Emma tells DarkVisionRumple that all of it was her fault so she will fix it alone.

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The Bear King - 5x09

26/11/2015

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Recap by Joanne Denney
@Dragonlady755
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What does it take to be a good leader?  Do you have to do whatever it takes no matter what or do you have to be willing to sacrifice?  In this episode, Merida seeks knowledge on how to lead her people and save them from a witch’s curse.  She also discovers her father’s killer in the process.
 
Zelena transports Arthur to Camelot after being defeated by Merlin and Emma.  Arthur thinks that his knights can overcome the Charmings and Emma if properly motivated.  He asks Zelena how far her magic can transport them since he knows of a magical object that can help them in DunBroch.
 
In DunBroch, Merida lays flowers at her father's grave after saving her brothers and proving that she is fit to be queen.  But she still worries that she cannot rule over the clans.  Her father made it look so easy, and Merida wishes that her father were there so that she can ask how he did it.  Her mother reassures her that her father is always with her.  It is her coronation day.

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Birth - 5x08

15/11/2015

 
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"Birth"
By Joanne Denney
​@Dragonlady755
 
Would you want to know the truth, no matter how terrible the answer?  Captain Hook has relentlessly pursued Emma to learn what happened in Camelot that turned her to the dark side.  In this episode, Emma’s dark secret revealed, and we witness not one, but two births.
 
As the episode begins, Charming, Hook, and Robin arrive at Arthur's camp and confront him on why he tried to burn the Crimson Crown and the identity of Nimue.  Arthur attempts to flee cutting his way through the tent.  Hook and Arthur tussle. When Killian loses his weapon, Arthur brings his sword downward only to be blocked by Emma with Excalibur.  She has appeared out of nowhere to save Killian.  Arthur realizes that Excalibur is finally whole before Emma knocks him out. 
 
Hook demands to know from Emma about Nimue and why she wants Excalibur.  Emma finally confesses that she's doing it all for him and then disappears.

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Nimue - 5x07

15/11/2015

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Nimue
by Samantha Lee - @samsjag
In this episode of Once Upon a Time we learn about Merlin's tragic love story and how it is related to the origin of the Dark One.  In Camelot, Emma continues to battle against the Darkness inside her, while in present day Storybrooke the Dark Swan finally manages to reunite Excalibur and the Dagger.
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In the Beginning, or 1000 years before the Age of Arthur anyway, two men are racing across the barren desert.  It's Merlin and a companion.  They have escaped from someone.  A flash of light draws them on with the hope of water.  What they find is nothing less than the Holy Grail.  The companion chooses poorly and ends up as dust, but Merlin knows to be humble and asks the gods' permission before drinking.  In return, he is granted powerful magic and the desert is transformed into an enchanted forest when he touches the ground.  So Merlin's story begins.


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The Bear and The Bow-5x06

3/11/2015

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The Bear and The Bow
By Amy Hood- @Amylia403

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This week's episode was an adventure for many of our characters. It was a strong week for Belle, who got to show her wits in both our land and Camelot. The title (which was the original title of Disney's Brave prior to its theatrical release) suggests that Merida would be the one to find her bravery this week. What we actually saw was several characters, in both big and small ways, find their voices and their hearts, leading them to stand up and be BRAVE.
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     In our Camelot flashback, we see Merlin, with the help of Belle (who suggests a spell from a book she's studying), dissipate the cell bars and free both Lancelot and Merida. (Score one for the smart girls!) As the group heads out, Merida lags behind in what we find out is a plan to Bellenap...er, kidnap Belle. She bonks her on the head and they sail for the shores of Merida's kingdom. Belle wakes up, a wee bit unhappy, but a fast friendship is struck when she hears Merida's story. It turns out that Merida was captured by Shady-As-Heck Arthur when she stole one of his boats to try and get home to save her brothers. This tale takes place about ten years after Brave, Merida's father has died, and the hot Scot with an attitude has convinced the other clans that Merida is not fit to be queen. Yes, you are thinking, weren't these guys all super cool with Merida by the end of Brave? Aye, lassie, they were. But in the time that has passed, Merida no longer feels Brave. What we have not seen is that Merida shot an arrow to save her father from an attacker, and missed. (Something is shady here. Merida wouldn't miss). The attacker was able to kill her father, and Merida has blamed herself ever since. 

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Dreamcatcher - 5x05

25/10/2015

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Jennifer Morrison. Image courtesy ABC Studios
Dreamcatcher
Recap by Zach Van Norman (@TheZachVan)
The fifth episode of Once Upon A Time’s fifth season was full of dreamcatchers; rather appropriate, given its title. But instead of warding off bad dreams, they actually brought nightmares to characters and changed one of the show’s most enduring relationships. Let's discuss what happened.

Once upon a time in Camelot, Merlin confronted the anonymous first Dark One and attempted to destroy them, but could not bring himself to do so and dropped the dagger, leading to the Dark One using his tear over his lost love to imprison him in a tree. (This memory is provided by Emma in the six-weeks-past timeline using a dreamcatcher.) Emma reveals her discovery to Regina in Merlin's tower, who realizes they can use a tear of lost love in a potion to free him, and the two of them set off to do so.

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Broken Kingdom - 5x04

18/10/2015

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By Joanne Denney
@Dragonlady755
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How far will a man go to save his people?  In this episode of Once Upon a Time, King Arthur is faced with the dilemma of a broken sword and a broken kingdom.  A king’s got to do what a king’s to do to win at all costs.  David is also facing the dilemma of trying to save his daughter, Emma, from Dark forces.  Does he sacrifice his hero’s glory for his child’s sake?  Each man’s decision on how to face the problem is a drastic contrast to the other.  
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The episode begins in Camelot many years ago when Arthur and Guinevere are childhood playmates.  Arthur tells a secret to Guinevere that Merlin is trapped in a tree, and that Merlin spoke to him, giving him a prophecy that he would pull a sword from a stone and become king of Camelot.

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Siege Perilous - 5x03

17/10/2015

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Siege Perilous
by Samantha Lee - @samsjag

This week Once Upon a Time was an hour of action that ended with a couple of surprising twists.  The story focused on Charming and his need to feel useful when his loved ones are in danger.  I thought it was a nicely written episode with a script that was tighter than a pair of David's Storybrooke jeans.

The story opens in Present Day Storybrooke where we find six of our favorite dwarves whistling a familiar tune as they mine for Fairy Dust.  Suddenly, the Dark Swan shows up and steals Happy's pick axe.  Then we flashback to Camelot where Regina, still pretending to be the Savior, is frantically studying Merlin's spell books and trying to concoct a potion to free him from the tree.  Belle, Mary Margaret and Emma are all searching Merlin's tower for clues and ideas.  A stray comment from Belle and a suggestion from Mary Margaret gives Regina a flash of inspiration.  If she can't transform Merlin back from a tree, maybe they can still find a magical means of communicating with him.  She finds just the spell she needs, but it requires a special ingredient: Crimson Crown, a very rare form of toadstool.   Charming has been tending Baby Neal throughout this exchange.   Arthur walks in and says that Crimson Crown can be found in the Forest of Eternal Night.  Fired up by the additional testosterone in the room, Charming tosses the baby to Mary Margaret, gets suited up for battle and with Arthur by his side sets off on the Quest to find the Crimson Crown.


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The Price - 5x02

6/10/2015

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THE PRICE
by Amy Hood- @Amylia403

     Season 5 is off to a running start and the break-neck speed continued in this week’s episode, "The Price". Longtime fans of the show know that the title is reflective of Rumple’s frequent warning that “All Magic Comes With A Price.” We discovered this week that it is not just Rumple who asks payment in return for magic, but every act of dark magic requires it, no matter who requests it.
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     The residents of Storybrooke are trapped in the town once again by a curse. This time it is Emma, the new resident Dark One, who has cast it. The group of heroes who traveled to Camelot six weeks prior have no memory of what happened, and anyone trying to cross the town line is changed into a tree. (Alas, poor Dopey. His bravery in testing the town line will be remembered). Similarly, this is reflected by Merlin’s predicament in Camelot, as we see in a flashback that he is trapped in, or as, a giant weeping willow. 

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The Dark Swan - 5x01

29/9/2015

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The Dark Swan
Recap by Zach Van Norman--@TheZachVan
Emma's reign as the Queen of Darkness began in the Season Five premiere of Once Upon A Time. Dark times ahead? Oh yeah. Mystery and intrigue? Check. Awesome costumes? Always. Here's what happened when "The Dark Swan" landed in Storybrooke.

Picture this: Minneapolis, 1989. Young Emma (wearing red plaid) goes to a showing of The Sword in the Stone. After she steals Apollo candy bars from a nearby patron, a young man in a red blazer appears; he says she will one day have the chance to remove Excalibur from the stone, but she must leave it alone. In Camelot, Arthur and Lancelot ride to Excalibur, its location the subject of a prophecy made by Merlin. Arthur removes the sword and the tip is missing, but the blade carries the beginnings of a familiar serpentine shape: the Dark dagger is made from the end of Excalibur.

Meanwhile, our heroes in Storybrooke, shocked over Emma’s sacrifice, attempt to summon Emma with the dagger but she does not appear. Regina realizes that she’s in another world. The Apprentice tells them she has gone to the Enchanted Forest and gives them a wand that will open a portal. Next we see Emma emerge from the Vault of the Dark One. The Darkness manifests itself in Emma’s head as the form of Rumplestiltskin, attempting to trick Emma into using Dark magic, so she leaves to find Merlin. Along the way Darknesstiltskin succeeds in getting Emma to use Dark magic and she meets Merida, who is chasing a will o’ the wisp which can lead Emma to Merlin.

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Operation Mongoose- Recap & Analysis

12/5/2015

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Recap by Zach Van Norman - @TheZachVan

We begin with a flashback to December 1966, when Isaac first chose the quill and became the Author. In present-day Storybrooke, Isaac and Mr. Gold discuss what to do about Baelfire while Emma and the other heroes free the Apprentice from the hat, but Isaac completes the new story and everyone except Henry disappears. Henry finds Isaac at a book signing/convention and uses the magic key to enter “Heroes & Villains,” learning from Isaac that bells will signal the end of the book and the new reality becoming permanent. He is rescued from an ogre by Rumplestiltskin the Knight and finds Regina living as a bandit, convincing her to find Robin Hood so that True Love’s Kiss can end the new reality and send them all home. Isaac, who also entered the book, finds the Evil Queen Snow White and her dark husband Charming and warns them about Henry and Regina before demanding their deaths as payment for knowledge of their location. Later, Regina tries to rob a carriage but finds Snow White inside, who nearly kills Regina with a magical fireball before Robin Hood rides in and saves her. They go to a local tavern and Regina seems to have feelings for him, but Zelena arrives and it is revealed that she and Robin are to be married that day. Regina leaves and tells Henry that Robin is to be married, and Henry realizes that the wedding bells are the signal Isaac spoke of earlier. He begs Regina to try again and she tells him to go away, but when he mentions Emma’s nickname of “the Savior,” Regina reveals she’s heard of a woman with that name, locked away in a tower by Snow White. Emma is revealed in her tower, chained to the floor and in great distress.

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Mother - 4 x 21

9/5/2015

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Recap by Lori Fitzgerald - @MedievalLit
www.WhiteRavenWriting.blogspot.com
"Mother" is an intricately crafted episode exploring the core Once Upon a Time themes of family relationships and happiness. It is amazing how many truths about the human condition are found "this side of the fictional realms," and it is truly a testament to the brilliant writing of Jane Espenson as well as the show's overall vision.

As soon as we see the black carriage thundering down the road, we know we are about to witness the Evil Queen in all her dark glory. True to form, Regina interrupts a wedding ceremony, taking the groom's heart because they are on royal land without her permission. Her father knows the real reason behind her actions: today is the anniversary of Daniel's death, and Regina cannot bear to see another couple gain the happiness that she lost. But when he tries to counsel her against her actions, saying that she needs the citizens' support and they may view her as weak and short-sighted, Regina flies into a rage. She crushes the groom's heart, just as callously as Daniel's was crushed. 

Regina then proceeds to visit Daniel's grave and discovers a yellow rose...and Cora! The yellow rose is a symbol of friendship, and later in the episode Regina discovers that her mother has returned from Wonderland with a "friendly" peace offering: she wants to help Regina find her soul mate. 

We cut to Robin and Regina in a New York bar, both looking positively devastated. Regina is upset because "understanding and seeing are two different things." (No kidding.) Robin is worried about his son, who Regina will help with a forgetting potion, and he is angry that Zelena killed Marian "like she was nothing." Regina seems hopeless, but Robin is the one who insists they can move forward from this. This conversation is almost a summary of a theme we have seen throughout Once: relationships are messy. 

"What do we do now?"

Go back to Storybrooke, of course. Go back to home...and family.

Hook gleefully informs the "toothless old dog" (Gold) of Emma's imminent return as Gold and the Author eat breakfast at Granny's. This is a problem, as the ink needs to be governed by Emma's dark impulses. Gold is having serious heart issues now, and later in the episode we see it is almost completely black.

The yellow bug returns. I always love Once's reunion scenes; to me, they really portray the heart of the show... the characters finding each other, and finding themselves in the journey. Emma has hugs for Hook and Henry...but still not for Snow, who you can tell is hurting terribly but trying not to show it. And here is a new reunion: Maleficent's face is suffused with hope as she sees her daughter for the first time. Lily looks doubtful. It is almost a mirror of the "reunion" in Season 2 when Snow realizes who Emma is ("You found us") and Emma looks so uncomfortable.


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Unforgiven - 4 x 14

8/3/2015

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Recap by Samantha Lee - @SamsJag

Last week Once Upon a Time returned with an action packed episode that saw Rumple and the Queens of Darkness talking themselves into Storybrooke.  This week in “Unforgiven” Rumple continues to guide Ursula and Cruella from behind the scenes as they work on resurrecting Maleficent.  We also discover the dark secret that Snow and Charming have been hiding about Emma. 

The clock changes to 2:38am.  Mary Margaret awakes to find David is missing.  She goes and takes Neal out of his cradle.  Suddenly, Maleficent, Ursula and Cruella are then in the apartment.   Just as quickly Neal is gone from her arms and appears in Maleficent's grasp.  Mary Margaret begs, “Please don't hurt my family!”  Maleficent replies sweetly, “When I'm finished you won't have a family left to hurt.” 

Then Mary Margaret awakes again.  It's still 2:38 am. It was just a dream.  David is not in bed.  She finds him awake, alone and drinking.  He is worried about Ursula and Cruella being in town.  She tells him about her nightmare and that Maleficent was in her dream.  They are worried that the other two will reveal their dark secret about what they did to Maleficent in the past.  They must get them out of town. 

We are left to wonder what terrible deed the Charmings did so long ago in the Enchanted Forest.  What did they do to Maleficent? 

Back in the Enchanted Forest, Snow and Charming return home from their honeymoon only to find everyone in the castle under a sleeping curse.  They call out for Regina, but it's Maleficent, Ursula and Cruella who step out of the shadows.  They want to make a deal with the Charmings. 

In present day Storybrooke, Mary Margaret and David have coffee at Granny's while Cruella and Ursula stand at the counter waiting for Granny to wait on them or even acknowledge them.  Will Scarlet walks in and Granny hands him “the usual” which is two coffees to go.  Cruella comments that if Granny still “wolfed out” she would turn her into a coat for her collection.  Regina and Henry arrive.  Ursula and Cruella suggest that Regina could help them get some service by ripping out Granny's heart.  Regina sends Henry to her office and then tells them they'd better not bring up her dark past in front of Henry again or she'll kick them out of town. 

David and Mary Margaret ask Regina about getting rid of Cruella and Ursula, but she says she wants to give them a chance to redeem themselves.  David says they must be watched and Regina tells him that's a job for the Sheriff's Department, not the Mayor.   Emma and Hook arrive for lunch.  Hook and Ursula exchange a meaningful look as she passes by.  David rushes to Emma and says he's sure they are up to something and he wants to follow them right now.  Emma whines about missing lunch, but she goes with David anyway.

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Darkness on the Edge of Town - 4 x 13

1/3/2015

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Recap by Zachary Van Norman
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Our return to the Enchanted Forest begins with a trip to the Forbidden Fortress. An unsuspecting guard stands at his post until he is swept aside by the tentacles of Ursula, doing her best runway walk down the hall. As she approaches the chamber she is stopped by the voice of Maleficent asking who she is; Ursula spins, launching her tentacles at the Mistress of All Evil, but is blocked by Maleficent’s staff. Ursula replies that she may be referred to as “Your Majesty,” hinting at a sure-to-be-revealed-in-flashback royal lineage. Ursula asks who Maleficent is before revealing that she was invited to the Fortress. Maleficent tells her that this is her home, and that she did not send for Ursula. The sound of barking dogs interrupts their argument as they turn to see two Rottweilers on the attack, and Maleficent prepares her staff for a magical blast. The dogs stop just short of the villainesses and we are treated to the sight of Cruella de Vil sauntering towards them. She advises that she wouldn’t use magic if she were them, assuring the other two that they don’t eat fish or dragon...unless she tells them to. She crouches to the ground, blowing green magic at the dogs which fells them silent before asking what she’s doing there. Maleficent reiterates that this is her home and she didn’t ask for visitors; the other two declare that they received instructions but Maleficent refutes them, saying they’re trespassing.The three of them are interrupted by Rumplestiltskin, who reveals that it was he who gathered them together. His reason: they’re villains, and it’s time for the villains to get their happy endings. 

In Storybrooke, the clock tower’s minute hand moves from 8:15 to 8:16, and we see the town is at peace and back to normal: Regina drops Henry at the school bus outside Granny’s then destroys Snow’s bird painting in the mayor’s office with a fireball as she unpacks items to reclaim the mayor’s office, Snow teaches a class (including Henry) about birds, Granny holds baby Neal while Emma grabs her sheriff’s badge and a dark red jacket before going outside to meet (and kiss) Hook. The two of them walk past the closed pawn shop before greeting Belle outside the library; Hook goes inside with Belle while Emma departs. 

Inside the library, Hook has assembled a board with information about the missing fairies, the hat, and the Apprentice’s house. (A post-it note says that records indicate the Apprentice’s landlord is Yensid, known to Disney fans as the Sorcerer from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in Fantasia.) Frustrated, the dear Captain knocks the board down before exclaiming that it’s been six weeks and the fairies are still trapped in the hat. Belle assures them that they will find a way to release them and that she’s reached out to some of the finest linguists in the world to help them translate runes. Hook says that it’s all because he was tricked by the Crocodile, to which Belle replies that they both were, and that she should have seen through Rumplestiltskin. Hook tells her that she was blinded by love but he has no excuse; Belle tells him that he was blinded by love too, but for someone else, and Hook says that love is a weapon as dangerous and persuasive as magic. Belle agrees, saying that Rumple had both of their hearts, but Hook tells her that Rumple loved her. Belle expresses hope that he has found whatever he was looking for.

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