Once Upon a Time 02x08: Into the Deep
I've watched this episode twice now and I have to say that although a lot happens and it moves the plot along quite a bit, and there were some amazing bits of dialogue (some of which I intend to quote below) I felt a bit like it dragged in places. I missed having flashbacks to FTL too. Aside from that though, I enjoyed this episode and it definitely gave us plenty to think about and ponder before next week's mid-season finale.
- I have to say I really liked Cora's umbrella. It reminds me a bit of one Regina had back in a S1 flashback (I can't remember which episode - the Hansel and Grettel one I think).
~ Cora said to Hook that she's "crossed through too many worlds to be cut short at the brink of success." I'm assuming this means she's been to several of the magical worlds since Regina pushed her through that looking glass. It will be interesting to see how that comes into play in future episodes.
- Emma placed the blame for what happened to Henry on herself for not believing him sooner. I have to say that broke my heart a little and also made me realize that they haven't really shown any of her reaction to Henry's bout of unconsciousness until now. I suppose it was rather overshadowed, first by the curse breaking and then by them getting stuck in FTL. I suspect this will be dealt with whenever they are reunited.
- BELLE AND RUMPEL ON A DATE <3 <3 <3 I love that even though it was a brief scene we got to see some followup to her invitation from "The Crocodile". LOL at Gold's over praising of condiments. He really likes his ketcup.
-OMG Granny cracked me up in this episode. I just love how she was all snarky to Gold and then how she immediately tried to clear everyone out when Regina came in. Her line about how making the burgers "Didn't take any dark magic either," was one of my favourites from the episode.
-Gold mentioned that he had a complicated relationship with Granny - interesting comment as we've yet to see the two of them in any scenes together back in FTL. I wonder if their history is somehow connected to her no longer changing into a wolf? Or perhaps he's responsible for their family becoming werewolves in the first place?
- It seems Regina and Gold thought Cora was dead? They'd seen a body? WTH? I want this backstory now! Obviously something more happened after Regina pushed Cora through that mirror.
-LMAO at this exchange between Regina and Rumpel: Rumpel:(Cora is) not as powerful as I am; Regina: Debatable; Rumpel: Actually, no it's not. These two need to be in more scenes together in modern day because their constant back and forth is endlessly amusing to me.
- Charming's face and the tone of Rumpel's voice as he told the story of how he was trapped was hilarious. That whole scene basically had me going back and forth between rolling my eyes and laughing.
- A mermaid huh? has he come into contact with Ariel perhaps?
- I thought Henry could control the flames in the dream now so I was really confused when they seemed so out of control again when he talked to Aurora the second time. Makes more sense now that we know that pulling Aurora out of the dream early is what caused it. That netherworld does seem dangerous, but it's ridiculous to me that they instead went to such convoluted lengths when all they had to do was let Henry go back one more time to relay his message.
- Snow had told Aurora that her dreams had stopped but still she was able to get to the netherworld with a deep enough sleep. I wonder if this is something she'll be able to do again if necessary or if
- LOL Charmings plan to put himself under the sleeping curse is the WORST PLAN EVER. Seriously. as soon as it started to go that way I decided that this was the episode where everyone is stupid because WTH? I mean, he got the message across, but other than that, all he accomplished was making himself more vulnerable (I don't doubt for a moment that King George won't come and try to kill him at the earliest convenience), he's left the town basically unprotected if you go by the way he's basically become it's leader, he's left Henry in the hands of Gold and Regina which okay, I dont' think either of them would ever hurt him but still, kinda goes against everything else that's gone down this season with that aspect of the story. I mean he really thought that Snow's kiss would work in a netherworld where both of their physical bodies are in completely different lands? I'm sure Gold knew it wouldn't work though so I wonder if he wanted Charming under the sleeping curse for some other reason. I wouldn't put it past him to have another ulterior motive. Anyway, I've gotten a bit ahead of my notes...
- Why is Emma only choosing now to blame Regina for all of this, she's kind of known she was behind the curse all along, she knew she was to blame for Henry's sleeping curse. I guess again it's a case of her just not being in Storybrooke right now?
- Did anyone else think that Regina doing magic was a bit like…. chemistry…?
- "They always find each other" It must be killing Regina to say that and know that in this case she's HELPING them do it when usually she's trying to keep them apart
- The whole thing with the spinning wheel… So ridiculous and just basically WTF. Okay show. Well done. I enjoyed that but probably not in the way the writers intended. I basically found the whole thing hilarious
- Rumpel to Regina: "You did his wife, I'm sure you'd like the honours" LMAO They put a lot of comedic lines in this ep, but that one was by far my favourite. Again MORE GOLD and REGINA SCENES Okay writers?
- Aww Emma supporting her mum. "I'll be right here" and holding her hand. That was really sweet.
- I love how Rumple waits until the last minute to tell Charming about the Dark place
- Snow's hysterical reaction over Charming being in the sleeping curse when she woke up was pretty :( Emma looked a bit panicked seeing her like that.
- This episode has left me kind of shipping Mulan and Aurora. I mean, first Mulan is all protective of her over the whole dream world thing, and then she freaks out when Aurora is taken and she steals the compass to try and get her back and then she's willing to die for her. It's like they are each other's true loves! Also, did you see the look of joy on her face when Aurora returned? Pretty adorable.
- LOL Hook. Again with the funny lines: "Customarily surprise is part of the fun of gift giving"
- adflajfksldjal;fkdjafjdklafjdaklsfdjak;sldj Cora with Aurora's heart OMG did not see that coming. I just, I can't. I was just really starting to like her and then this happens? And poor Mulan. Also danger, danger, danger to everyone. ACK. What I'm wondering though, is does this mean that she's dead? Or is she just being controlled, kind of the way Graham was although Regina never used him actively like a puppet (that we saw anyway), but it wouldnt' surprise me if Cora knew more uses for the hearts than Regina did. Also, is there a way to return a heart to it's owner? I sure hope so, because it would be awful if this was Aurora's downfall.
- Also, what Cora said to Aurora about Phillip earlier in the episode was fascinating and pretty much what I suspected from the get go - the wraith has his soul but he's not actually dead. So it seems he can be saved?
- I haven't seen the trailer for next week, but it does seem that we're definitely headed to a pretty intense final episode before the break. I really hope the inevitable cliff hanger at the end isn't too traumatic...
PS: As part of my Nano project this year, I've been working on a OUAT story that's now nearing the end and I'm going to be in need of a beta for it. It's a gen fic that basically explores the question of what might happen if Snow had gone through the wardrobe with Emma before the curse took effect. It's roughly 25k and I think it needs some serious tightening up in some places and some expansion in others but I'd really love to have another option on it. Anyway if this sounds like something you'd be interested in helping me with, please let me know.
Also, in case you missed it, I'm offering 31 prompted drabbles to be posted in the month of December and at the moment there is a serious lack of OUAT prompts. You can find out more and leave a prompt in this post.