Once Upon a Time: Ill-Boding Patterns

First Aired March 19th, 2017.

Flashbacks show Beowulf (played by Torstein Bjorklund) leading an attack in the Enchanted Forest during the Ogre Wars. He’s the last person standing and nearly dies before Rumpelstiltskin (played by Robert Carlyle) kills the remaining ogres.

Rumple is hailed as a hero, although Beowulf reveals he is the Dark One and his use of dark magic will only harm them. Later, Rumple is called upon to kill the Grendel after Beowulf never returned from the mission. Though reluctant to break his promise to his young son Baelfire (played by Brandon Spink) about the use of magic, he agrees. In Storybrooke, Rumple/Mr. Gold and Belle (played by Emile de Ravin) search for Gideon (played by Giles Matthey). Gold captures Gideon and tries to convince him that he’ll never be a true hero if he uses darkness to kill Emma (played by Jennifer Morrison) to become the Savior. Robin (played by Sean Maguire) enlists Zelena/The Wicked Witch (played by Rebecca Mader) for help breaking the protection spell around Storybrooke. He wants a fresh start and reasons they can both have one away from Regina (played by Lana Parrilla) and Storybrooke. Gideon recounts the abuse he suffered at the hands of the Black Fairy (played by Jamie Murray) and Gold attempts to erase his memories of it with a potion. It proves ineffective and Gideon grabs Gold’s dagger to force Gold to help him kill Emma.

At first glance, it seems like Robin is a jerk for trying to run out on Regina and leave Storybrooke, but it’s understandable. Even his escape plan involves the sister of his ex, who is also the mother of a child he doesn’t want (that can make anyone’s head spin). Speaking of father’s, we get another glimpse into Rumple’s tenure as a father to Baelfire. He saved the village, but clearly didn’t impress Baelfire or especially Beowulf with his use of magic. Watching those scenes I kept waiting to see what new way Rumple was going to hurt and/or disappoint his son. In the present, Gold made a valiant effort but fell short once he decided to be the Dark One instead of a parent. Once Gideon started to recount the awful things he was subjected to, a father would have comforted him and tried to make him feel safe. If there was any trust being built up between Gideon and Gold it was shattered once Gold took out that cup. Taking away Gideon’s memories would be erasing his childhood and half his life, however awful it was, thereby erasing who he is.

Rumple and Baelfire go to rescue Beowulf from Grendel, but it’s revealed it was a lie made up by Beowulf. He killed villagers to spread the rumor and plans to frame and kill Rumple and claim himself a hero. They get the dagger back, but after Beowulf correctly points out nobody will believe Rumple over him, Baelfire uses the dagger to force Rumple to kill Beowulf. Rumple uses a memory potion to erase Baelfire’s memory, and Baelfire accuses Rumple of being a monster after learning Beowulf is dead. Gideon learns from Gold he needs the blood of the Blue Fairy/Mother Superior (played by Keegan Connor Tracy), his fairy godmother, to forge a magic sword to kill the Black Fairy. Regina finds Robin and Zelena and reveals their potion won’t break the spell. But after seeing how hard it is for Robin to live up to the memory of the man Regina knew, she agrees to help him leave and find a new life. Gideon captures the Blue Fairy, but Gold stops him and, to prevent Gideon from darkening his heart, drains her magic to create the sword.

The tragic story of how Rumple/Gold was a bad father to Baelfire has had many chapters which all ended the same, but tonight brings a twist. He realized that his son was slowly following in his evil footsteps and decided to further strain their relationship in exchange for preserving Baelfire’s innocence. Though it was the same trick with the potion, there was a selflessness behind it that was usually absent from Rumple’s usual actions. There were noticeable similarities between them when Baelfire decided Beowulf had to die, and, let’s be honest, who would miss that jerk? Unfortunately, in the present, Gold chose the worst time to be an encouraging parent, but being evil together might actually bring them closer. Meanwhile, Regina finally realized how hard things were for Robin and decided to do the selfless thing—which she always seems to do. But, while she works to find a way out of Storybrooke (didn’t they find two or three before?), they might bond and reconnect so there is still hope for Regina/Robin fans.

The Blue Fairy is left in a coma, but Belle is overjoyed at Gold’s decision, reasoning if he can put their son first there is hope to save him. Hook prepares to tell Emma about murdering Prince Charming/David’s (played by Josh Dallas) father; but when he realizes she found the engagement ring he stays quiet and officially proposes. Zelena returns the Evil Queen in her snake form to Regina, who laments that even without her evil half she always pays the price for her past. The cage, however, is empty; the Evil Queen escaped and bit Robin to regain human form and tempts him with an alliance. Gold did nearly kill the Blue Fairy, but, at this point, Belle is looking for any glimmer of hope. Hook and Emma’s mini-plot is basically a setup for the hard fall when Hook’s secret comes out. Regina always had a hard time accepting she could find happiness, but she looked truly defeated. But the return of the Evil Queen, however, was a surprise, and it actually brings a demented sense of hope for Regina/Robin fans, in a twisted sort of way.

Quotes/Thoughts

“Once you give in to the darkness, it’s almost impossible to resist its calling.”

Can anything kill the Blue Fairy? She survives any attack thrown at her.

“Regina, I can’t live up to the legacy of a man who died for you.”

If you enjoyed Manny’s review, you can find the rest of his work right HERE on Sci-Fi Bloggers. You can also follow him on Twitter @KN_Manny.

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