What happens when the Evil Queen is deemed the new Savior?
With Emma embracing the Darkness, a new Savior emerges in Regina, but not everyone is excited about this new development. The dwarves head to the town line to see what this new curse brings and poor Dopey turns into a tree. As Regina points out “that’s new” but it’s actually something we see in Camelot.
(ABC/Jack Rowand)
Flashback to Camelot: where Arthur admits they know where Merlin is located. He’s been trapped in a tree outside of the castle. Bewildered by this, our heroes try to think of ways to free Merlin. Regina and Emma head to Merlin’s tower for answers but to no avail. Regina had controlled Emma with the dagger earlier because she didn’t want her to reveal they had brought the Dark One into Camelot so Regina is posing as the new Savior. The Savior comes with some perks, a Ball thrown in your favor and a new jewel necklace to wear to the event. Regina is nervous to attend the Ball, having never been a good guy at these events or even knowing how to dance. Charming and Snow assure her she’s doing the right thing and Charming gives Regina a quick dance lesson. During the Ball, Henry introduces himself to Violet, a young lady of the court and they share a cute moment where he explains his ipod to her.
Meanwhile Regina is on the dance floor with Robin when Percival interrupts. Percival describes to Regina a story of a young boy who witnessed death and destruction by the hands of the Evil Queen and he reveals he knows Regina is in fact the Queen and he was the little boy. He takes out a sword to stab Regina, but Robin and Charming come to her rescue. Their act of heroics leaves Robin wounded and only Emma can save him. But Rumple reminds Emma that all magic comes with a price but she chooses to save Robin anyways.
This price comes in a scary black creature called a Fury. It follows the heroes back to Storybrooke and has its eye on Robin. Belle explains to Regina that the Fury is a demon there to drag Robin to the Underworld and the only way to stop it is to sacrifice someone else in his place. Regina searches for answers and confronts Emma about the Fury. Emma taunts Regina about having the courage to do what a Savior needs to do and she doesn’t believe Regina has it in her. As Robin’s life hangs in the balance, Regina, Charming, Snow and LeRoy chase down the Fury just as it’s about to give Robin to the Underworld. Regina sacrifices herself in Robin’s place and the rest of the heroes stand by her causing the Fury to lift the curse and disappear. The group heads back to Granny’s to celebrate. As Emma looks on from the street, she walks back to her house where Rumple is waiting for her and we see she has Excalibur in her basement and that the dagger is the second half of the famed sword. Rumple explains that once the two pieces are together, the Dark One’s power will be at its peak. But Emma will need a hero to pull the sword out of the stone once again.
Although this episode felt a lot like filler, I really enjoyed it and how much it’s testing Regina and Hook in their quest to save Emma. Hook is madly in love with Emma but his kiss can’t save her this time. I loved that he was able to walk away from the Dark Swan’s flirtations. “This may be who you think you are, but this isn’t who I am” Hook says to her as he walks out the door. I’m also loving his bonding moments with Belle. They should form a club: Dark One Exes.
OUAT is great at balancing the tone of the show. While we’re fighting darkness and seeing a Savior become a Dark One, they throw in a lot of cute parts. We only saw Zelena for a second, but I enjoyed her scene with Regina and Robin laughing as Regina stops Zelena from speaking. I also loved Charming and Snow watching Henry at the Ball and Grandpa Charming giving Henry tips on talking to Violet. I feel like most grandparents would think it was cute when their grandson likes a girl for the first time and then of course Regina is being protective asking “who is that girl my son is talking to?”. It’s really a great portrayal of family in a fantasy setting.
I’m not sure what to make of Arthur and Guinevere yet. I don’t think their intentions are pure. We hear them talking about needing Excalibur complete to fulfill their destiny and I don’t think it’s a happy one.
What did you think of the episode? What do you think Arthur is up to? Is there a darker reason Merlin is stuck in that tree?
Let us know in the comments or tweet me @kristincarole13 your theories and reactions!
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