Once Upon a Time S01E13: "Skin Deep"
After weeks of looking forward to "Skin Deep"—the much vaunted "Beauty and the Beast" episode of Once Upon a Time—our friends in the writers room served up some half-baked monkey business that not only butchered the original fairy tale but verged on self parody. As a Valentine's Day episode, "Skin Deep" was more disappointing than a heart-shaped box full of uncooked oatmeal.
It didn't bother me that Rumpelstiltskin was supposed to be the Beast. I had plenty of time to mentally prepare for that, thanks to the episode's promos, but what I was not prepared for was Robert Carlyle's eery, chittering laugh to be thrown in after every line.You could have "a body like Arnold and a Denzel face" and I still wouldn't let you near me if that Leprechaun chuckle came out of your throat. Curly-toed shoes, decades of age difference and rotting prosthetic teeth aside, there's no love that could overlook a shriek-chuckle like that.
Still, the failure here is not Robert's. Fairy tales are embedded with the kind of psychological truths that echo in the most primitive regions of our minds. Plot elements, character names, and details change over the years, but the essential messages, the soul of the folklore, stays the same. OUaT makes a point to tinker with these deep psychological truths that have been honed in hundreds of years of re-telling and upgrade them in some twisty little way. Therefore the classic meaning of Beauty and the Beast (you love someone for what's inside them, not for how they look) became a more amorphous "if someone loves you and you have low self esteem, you will shut them out and lose them." It doesn't bother me that they wanted to graft this more specific message onto the classic moral, but it does bother me that they completely undermined the original meaning. In OUaT's update, Belle returned to the Beast because the Evil Queen told her he could be cured of his beastliness (i.e. body glitter and contacts) with the kiss of true love. Belle sprinted back to Rumpelstiltskin's side in the hope of giving him a magical makeover. That's not exactly the "true love is blind" message shining through.
Also, she really shouldn't love this person. The beloved Disney cartoon, which ABC has unlimited access to borrow from, made a point of giving the Beast an arc that transformed him from cruel bully into protector and friend, and so his relationship with Belle seemed natural and inevitable. What about Rumpelstiltskin won over the beautiful Emilie de Ravin? Was it the time he threw her in the dungeon, or when he didn't whip her with a riding crop for dropping a teacup?
Maybe it was his giant grandmotherly spinning wheel or his promise to get used to daylight or how he said he would tell her about his son and didn't. I have now mentioned the extent of the romance between Rumps and Belle, because in this episode it was not the romance that was privileged but the break-up. And it's a shame, because Emilie de Ravin is fantastic, and created a real chemistry between herself and Carlyle. Yet after a few moments of conversation and an awkward kiss, we spent twice as much time on Rumpelstiltskin's horrible breakdown, screaming into his mirror, terrifying Belle and forcing me to laugh until my sides ached. (You have to step out of this show and laugh at it, or it becomes too claustrophobic.)
I think we got more scenes between Carlyle and Chip the Cup than between Carlyle and de Ravin. Don't tell me they didn't have the time to fully develop their romance in an hour-long episode. All this show has is time. The writers could easily have made this a two- or three-episode arc. Rumpelstiltskin is a major character and Disney's Beauty and the Beast is currently in theaters. Don't tell me that new viewers coming in on the second episode of a multiple-episode arc would be alienated, because this whole show is alienating if you haven't seen every episode before. Sequential viewing reaches its zenith in shows like OUaT and Lost, and if the writers are going to cultivate that kind of loyalty in their viewers they might as well reward them by giving them miniseries-like development for important relationships. That's what they're doing with the loathsome David Nolan and Mary Margaret.
If the Beauty and the Beast story was a slap in St. Valentine's face, David Nolan buying two last minute ninety-nine-cent greeting cards for his wife and mistress was a roundhouse kick to the personal regions. David caught Mary Margaret leaving the saddest girl's night out of all time:
... and gave her a valentine meant for his wife, leading MM to the obvious conclusion that if he really wanted them to be together he would LEAVE THAT WIFE. David promised he would "find a way" for them to be together: David, you don't have to head to the lab and invent a new element, it's pretty obvious what you have to do: LEAVE THAT WIFE. Seriously, what is the conflict in this relationship?
That's not a rhetorical question, I want some answers. Is he not leaving his wife because he is afraid of losing the house and wouldn't be able to pay rent on his animal shelter income? Is it because he genuinely kind of likes the wife that didn't check the local hospital when he went missing for untold years? The series, in its haste to create dramatic suspense, has eviscerated Prince Charming's character and intentionally made him a creep. The promo for next week addresses this head-on, promising that we'll finally see him "manning up" and continuing the now eight-episode arc of this pair failing to get their sh-t together.
So why not give Robert Carlyle a little extra time to develop an epic romance? Was Emilie de Ravin that booked? I just don't understand why Once Upon a Time insists on rushing us through all the emotional highs so we can continue to tread water in the giant emotional low of Storybrooke. I love this show dearly, but NOTHING EVER HAPPENS. Forward momentum comes only in the form of reveals that may one day possibly be important, and in this episode three possibly important things happened:
1. As discussed, MM told David Nolan to go home and stop making her creep, creep yeeeah, just keep it on the down low, nobody is supposed to knoooow.
2. Mayor Regina put a lot of time and effort into putting Mr. Gold in jail so she could force him to admit he remembered being Rumpelstiltskin in the long-ago before-times. (Which apparently happened on ANOTHER PLANET? In his words, "I've been Mr. Gold as long as I've been on this Earth.") This moment was a small highlight in a lot of grim darkness.
3. Deep in the bowels of the hospital, guarded by a nurse with circular bangs and a spooky emo janitor, Regina was keeping Belle prisoner, as possibly a mental patient? Belle was looking out at daylight despite being apparently three stories underground, is all we know.
This is fascinating, because Evil Queen Regina told Rumpelstiltskin that Belle had been driven to suicide by her father. Now she has a trump card she can play at any time to undermine Rumpelstiltskin, which may one day be a key plot point (several years in the future, when the show finally kicks the plot into gear). Three times a charm: I love this show, but with the fine actors, lovely costumes, and meaty premise available to them, "Skin Deep" was essentially an origin story for Chip, and that disappointed me on a profound level.
QUESTIONS
... You caught the "Game of Thorns" reference on the flower van, right?
... How did Regina not know that Mr. Gold remembered his fairy tale identity? Wasn't that the subtext of many of their previous conversations and part of their "Please" deal? Why does this knowledge benefit her—because she can now use Belle as a bargaining chip?
... Are you excited about Ashley's proposal? Were you stunned that her Prince worked at a cannery?
…Did you miss Lumiére and Cogsworth?
... What is keeping David Nolan from LEAVING THAT WIFE?!
... Do you still have love for "Creep" by TLC?
Hi, Lily! Posting while I wait for your review of last night's episode...
Is it possible that the lesson we're supposed to learn from the flawed love story isn't Rumplestiltskin's, but Belle's? "Don't go into a relationship expecting to change the guy"? or "Accept him as he is, not as a term project"? I've known too many people who think "True love conquers all"- so if partner slips into (or back into) bad habits, it must be because they haven't been loved enough, or properly, or some such rot.
This negates the one life lesson I have actually grasped- that relationships are WORK! It's worth doing and it makes life worth living, but it's not all hearts and flowers and mushy crap. Sometimes it's cleaning up barf at 3 am together because your kid is sick- it may not be classically romantic but still one of the most truly loving things I've ever seen.moreless
for once i totally disagree with you Lily, that's a first.
I absolutely loved this episode and was one of the best this season!
Robert Carlyle is such a good actor, I love him in this and though i hated Lost
and didn't like Emilie on that, she was fantastic in here as The Beauty.
Also, the reveal at the end was frickin awesome...god i love this show!
LOL @ some of these comments. If you get this frustrated and angry over someone not having the same opinion as yours, I'm sure it's a real joy to talk to you in real life.
I also don't get why these people also bother to read reviews online if you can't handle having it be of a differing opinion... Do you need that much validation and approval of your own beliefs that you must only read reviews that agree with you?
can we just talk about the show?
if people get hot and bothered don't waste comment space telling them they have problems with other people's opinions. seriously, there's like ten comments just like this one.
btw, love the Hobbs profile pic
and a gotcha...you missed the hat worn by Mickey Mouse in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from Disney's 1940 film Fantasia. (me too, the first time thru.)
"Don't forget this was developed prior to Lost and it seems they may have "just dropped the baby at the sitter's"!!"
Skin Deep
Director: Milan Cheylov
Writer: Jane Espenson(also gave us Eps. 8 Desperate Souls.)
Horowitz & Kitsis return for Eps. 14
"Deep in the bowels of the hospital, guarded by a nurse with circular bangs and a spooky emo janitor..."
???
Yo Lilly, ever see a movie called "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"?
Was the time well spent or would it have given the main story more time and depth to skip the homage?
oh hello reason, I've missed you.
What's with the Game of Thorns? & TLC will still rock for ages to come :)
Lily taking alot of heat from this review... Don't get it. 9 out of 10 times shes spot on as a critic. Just because of 1 review that most fans don't agree with doesn't warrant this level of criticism. I could see if it was something she does on a regular basis but it is not. Like i said i disagree with this review i loved the episode but keep doing your thing Lily....... your a solid critic .... And yes Who doesn't love creep?
Maybe I'm biased, because I really love Rumplestiltskins as a character (if that's not made clear by my profile picture; and i like his laugh) but I thought the episode did progress the romance enough to the point where we knew there was a definite attraction between the two. I think more of the emotion comes from the regret we see from "Rumps" (as you called him) that he was never able to explore the romance furthur. The fact that he had a girl who loved him and because she screwed up once, he freaked and lost her forever. We even see that he wants her back. When the queen mentions her father threw her out, his first thought is "she needs a home! I have a house!". I don't know...I know that the de Ravin comes back on March 4 to play belle and the girl in the nut house. And I'm definitely counting on Regina using her to manipulate Rumps. I think it's too soon to tell if they butchered this story, there's obviously more coming. And I really do just love Rumplestiltskins, but like I said, that's just me.moreless
SPOILER ALERT:
also, next weeks episode is ALL about snow and prince, and also about Grumpy falling in love I guess.
:/
is it just me or does that seem unnecessary?
its just you... lets give it a shot before we start calling it unnecessary
well said.
I love the show no matter what though.
Man, Lily!! when you stir things up you use the Blendtec Smoother Q-Series 20 Amp !!
Great job!! I love seeing thought going into a discussion. Now if we can just teach 1 TV exec how to read....
I assume you're referring to Chris Harrison....:)
LMAO, nah that's a lost cause. Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis really do need to put hands on for this show. Don't forget this was developed prior to Lost and it seems they may have "just dropped the baby at the sitter's"!!
Because the wife can't return to Royal Pains yet. lol I liked the Rumple as Beast storyline. Wish they had more time together, seemed rushed. Robert was great as Rush on Stargate SGU.
Wow! Lily, your review has inspired a lot of discussion! I may re-post this after the next episode, but in the meanwhile, I'd like to take advantage of the site being a bit quiet for a few days. In retrospect, my comments last week about the writers at OUAT may have slipped a bit into snarkdom. I do, indeed, get frustrated with the level of writing, and Lily, not to put words into your mouth, but I agree with you that this show has so much potential that it is hard to watch some of the more cring-worthy moments. So I do want to write an addendum, but this time without the snark.
I do advocate for actors. My cousin is an actress, mostly theatre, some TV. There have been a few periods when she has been first tier, but most of her career has been second tier, much better known on the East and West Coasts than in the Midland. It has been fascinating to occasionally see the process of artistic creation up close. I've seen shows where the creative juices are really flowing between producers, director, writers, choreographer, and actors, and everyone is having the time of their lives. In contrast, I've also seen one show where blood was literally spilled backstage, and several shows where the performers are treated like chattel.
I have a good friend who found out that she was being replaced as the lead in a New York musical by reading about it in Variety, for Pete's sake. (But after a few days of licking her wounds, she was back out auditioning the next week. These are very brave people.)
The one thing that you'll never see even if a writer or producer has just thrown a temper tantrum backstage is an actor come out and give anything less than his or her best. (Yep, I know, cue Ethel Merman :-) Truly, these folks are consummate professionals. I am a doc, often considered a demanding profession, and I also happen to be a survivor of a commercial plane crash. But, straight up, there is no way that I would have the guts, the personal fortitude, or the dedication to be a professional actor. So yeah, I truly admire the group, and my natural tendency is to be an advocate.
So that's why I do get frustrated when these writers just seem to be phoning it in sending down some clever concepts, no doubt, (the 'surprise of the week'), but all too often wrapped within vapid dialogue and shallow, inconsistent, characterization. Lily, I support you absolutely for holding the writers to a higher standard. If they are capable of providing better, more consistent, material (and I have begun to wonder whether they are capable, but if they are), then they should do just that. This is a talented cast, and there's so much more at stake than just the writers' egos.
OK, got that off my chest. Clearing channel Oncer :-)moreless
Didn't see it.
I felt over this show last ep.
I am only commenting because I think Lily is catching undeserved heat. All her criticisms are backed up with examples and explanations. And I agree with them because I felt a lot of those same irritations and insults to my intelligence were present in the previous ep.
This show had a lot of potential but didn't live up to it. That is my opinion. Those of you who still enjoy it, more power to you. But I don't think attacking Lily because she is pointing out some elephant sized flaws is cool.
I disagree with Lily. What do you mean that no one could love the beast with all that prosthetic and rotten teeth. Didn't Beauty in Beauty and the Beast love the beast? And by the way, I loved the episode. Not disappointing to me nor I'm sure to many fans. I wish when these bloggers write their blogs, they ensure that they speak of themselves and not let it seem like it was disappointing to anybody else, unless they have done a survey.
I'm sorry, but that's not how criticism works. In an editorial, the idea that its the critic's opinion is assumed, so its redundant to say "Well this is just my opinion but..." that is implied by the fact I'm a critic and my name is at the top, not a giant banner that says "THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS SHOW." Its a subjective process written from as objective a viewpoint as possible, written purely without influence from third parties. I write my review after watching an episode without reading anyone else's opinion and I put it under my name, and you are free to agree or disagree with it. This is not a verdict, this is not a consensus, this is one person's analysis of a tv show. Why people think the fact I put up reviews is an excuse to hurl the kind of abuse at me that would make them appear like a sociopath if said aloud in public is for psychologists to decide.moreless
Go Lily!
I like reading reviews of the shows I like not to have a summary or a blind-praise but to learn what other people thought. In particular this review made me think about the subtext of the B&B story, something that I didn't notice or I didn't eviscerate while watching the episode.. You (raviespecial and all the others that sounded off in the comment bashing over Lily) must learn to discuss with someone that hasn't your same opinion without criticizing their work or undermining their professionalism. You don't agree: fine. Say so. But stop all this hate against the author. It's her right (and her job) to express HER opinion. Just let her do her job. If you want just enthusiastic review there should be someone out there, with their fan blog, that suits your needs! I prefer to read a person whose opinion I learned to respect reading all her reviews than some huge fan. But it's just me.moreless
the tv.com critics...have such thin skins....NYYYEEEEEHEEEHEHEHEHEEEEE
I see a lot of comments and even replies by the author Lily Sparks about how this should have been stretched out to two or three episodes. Hell no.
The way OUaT has operated so far is to slowly move ahead with the this-world-storyline each episode and show a segment of the life of the involved from the fairy-tale-world that plays into who or what these people are.
This episode was about Rumpel. It was not about Belle (who is not [yet] a main character). It was about the fight between Rumpel and the Evil Queen. Not about the romance. Granted it did start a side storyline that might become important in the future but for now it just served as an explanation about why Rumpel was beating the crap out of this florist and why Regina got Mr. Gold to admit that he knew he was Rumpelstiltskin. That last bit was really the point about the whole episode, the romance was just part of the way that took us there.
When this becomes more important in the future I am sure they will revisit the story between Rumpel and Belle but for now the episode did pretty much what it was supposed to and that it did great.moreless
I agree too. I enjoyed the romance but the big thing was that Mr. Gold remembers who he is AND he declares that he is still more powerful than Regina. The only reason we had to know about Belle was so we weren't all "Why does he care so much about the cup?" and "Who's the chick in the looney bin?"
It's back story, and well thought out back story too, I think.
agree with Daniel but not just because he is also a Stargate fan like me. lol I hope the new world Bell meets Mr. Gold and they end up as a real item. Hope others from Lost etc guest or join too. Better yet, Stargate!
I really liked the episode, the fact that they made Mr. Gold into the Beast means that there is still hope for him. Loved it and Ms. De Ravin as Belle is just awesome!
pretty much word for word :)
Why do I even bother to read this site's peudo-critics? Each time I try, they have less and less credibility. I'm done.
I agree with others here:
-Loved it. Top 5 of the series.
-Lily is too hyper-critical. Maybe TV.com needs to find someone who enjoys the ride OUaT is giving us.
-David is really annoying.
I actually thought this was one of the strongest episodes yet. Not sure what you were watching.
I agree completely. I listen to what "so called" critics say and wonder what world they live in.
No need to bash the critic, it is always a matter of opinion. It is already bad enough she sat through an hour of something she did not like. No need to pile on. Opinions are opinions.
Yes, but she makes it seem as if she has done some survey with the fans and that fans have said they were disappointed. Maybe she needs to write in a question form and ask if people were disappointed, not make it a statement. That's why I came to the article, cause I wanted to see why someone would say it was disappointing when I was thoroughly captivated by the episode.
Didn't you want to see more of R and Belle's love story? More fun than the Catherine/David?Mary Margaret triangle- that's getting aggravating!
I liked this episode better than some others, but the Beaty and the Beast story line was a pretty lame far stretch (I thought they could have done better). BUT glad Chip made an appearance. And David is a jerk.
...Who's Ashley again?
Ashley is Cinderella. "Girls' night " was a bit contrived, but I liked the chance to see Ruby in something besides her diner uniform. Although she's almost more of a predator than prey, wouldn't you think?
wouldn't that be an interesting twist? Red Riding Hood more dominating rather than submissive? When do we get her back story???
two things stood out for me. The Beauty and the Beast Story seemed to be merged with The Hunchback of Notre Dame and I think the Janitor in the mental hospital is Quasimodo. Number two was the mention of "that mermaid".
will she be an evil ''Ariel''?
the queen mentioned SHE had a problem with "...a certain mermaid..."
is ariel really gonna fit? I mean, we'd probably end up with something cheesey like a girl who likes to swim
or a girl who likes fish...
there's really no good way to take that one. I think it was just a clever allusion.
And also I loved the Edward Cullen reference...I never understood how a man that sparkle can be sexy...until I saw Carlyle...I found him quite attractive as Rumple...
THANK YOU
nobody ever agrees with me that he's attractive.
check out Stargate SGU, ''Rush'' aka Robert C. aka Mr. Gold/Rumple/Beast. He is my fave next to Mary/Snow White and new biker guy and Lana[Queen].