Holy hell they did it right last night. Once Upon a Time is not playing around, and "The Shepherd" proved that not only do the show's writers have a solid roadmap for the season, but that the first stop is breaking our hearts.
The real-world plotline of this episode was unapologetically romantic: David, fresh out of a coma, aggressively pursued Margaret Blanchard, leaving his wife and begging Margaret to meet him at the Toll Bridge if she feels the same way. On his way there, Regina hustled him into Mr. Gold's shop, where his fake memory was implanted and he remembered his wife, so he confessed to Margaret that while he has intense feelings for her, it's only right for him to give his marriage a chance. Great sequence of events! Plenty to build on going forward! I effing hated it. I was literally muttering "I hate this show" and cringing with emotional pain. I know that opposition and obstacles are the crucible in which the best TV couples are formed, but to make David's conflict an internal one (whether it's the curse implanting false memories or not) undermines the fairytale romance his relationship with Margaret is supposed to epitomize.
The dance of will they/won't they is one of the most vital parts of a series staying interesting. But that dance has more meaning for characters who haven't already gotten married and had a baby together. Emma and the hipster police chief: Now those are two characters I would like to see get caught up in an agonizingly slow-build romance. I don't know if they necessarily like each other, so their eventual pairing would be compelling. Snow and Prince Charming have mixed DNA, so for him to look at a windmill and decide to go back to his fake wife is not piquing my interest in their relationship so much as punishing me for caring about them in the first place. It doesn't help that Josh Dallas might seriously be into Ginnifer Goodwin. I mean, if the acting he's doing opposite his fairytale mom is any indication, I don't think that crackling energy in his scenes with Ginnifer is acting. #StartingRumors
Meanwhile, the fairytale world plot laid out Prince Charming's backstory, the best one so far but with some of the worst CGI yours and mine eyes hath ever seen.
What we thought was a mano-y-mano fight on top of a precipice was the Prince auditioning to kill a dragon for King Kenneth Branagh. Then this happened:
Oh no! Luckily, the slain prince turned out to be one of Rumpelstiltskin's stable of stolen babies, and he had a twin brother, so the deal with King Midas is still on!
Twin Brother/Shepherd Charming had an idyllic life frolicking with lambkins, winding strips of leather around his wrists, and sharing a cottage with a middle school art teacher. Rumpelstiltskin tracked him down and whisked him off to slay the dragon in his dead brother's place (which he did using shepherding skills, don't ask), and as a reward King Midas gave him his daughter's hand in marriage.
This tied in beautifully with the "Snow Falls" episode, made Prince Charming more accessible and dimensional as a character, and reinforced Rumpelstiltskin as the hub of all the show's plotlines. Impressive! Also, Emma discovered the sheriff practically throwing himself out of Regina's third-story window during her night shift, so now she knows about that emotional/physical/magickal/sensual/sexual alliance.
I was surprised that Emma's only objection was that Henry was in the same house. Emma, that house is the size of a train station! The sheriff and Regina could have an oompah-loompah jug-band jamboree in the master bedroom and Henry would still be obliviously writing fan fiction about his therapist 45 rooms away. Chill! Also, I now have so many questions about cops. Can you just "BECOME" a deputy without graduating from a police academy? Can you really run around town policing people in a motorcycle jacket, high-heel boots, and jeggings? Are Emma and Sheriff Graham the only police in Storybrooke?
True enough, this episode was brilliant, engrossing, and well written, but yeah, it effing killed me. It's embarrassing that I care enough about these characters to be so butt-hurt about Prince Charming. Maybe it's the childhood association that makes me so protective of these characters, or maybe the actors are simply earning their paychecks. Maybe it's frustration with people who make themselves martyrs to ethics that disregard honesty: If David loves Margaret, it's immoral to settle for his wife because their relationship is a lie. Regardless, the Prince/Snow White relationship has me hooked, I have to keep watching, and I will accept it on any terms I can get it. Unless Margaret hooks up with this guy:
That's the day my cold coal heart flips the kill switch and I mentally re-classify this show as a RenFaire soap to keep myself from suffering a nervous breakdown.
Questions:
... How delicious was it to have all grown-ups onscreen and no Henry?
... Is Sheriff Graham a frontman in an indie band? And where did he get that bear claw, because it looked delicious.
... Is Ginnifer Goodwin married? And should her husband be concerned about Josh Dallas?
... Which fairytale relics did you spot in Mr. Gold's shop? (To name a couple: Alice's tea party set, Aladdin's lamp)
... Isn't gold way too soft to make an effective sword? Metallurgists, let us know!
... Did you love this episode, or did it hurt your heart too much?
I enjoyed it. Just one question - who the heck arranges to meet someone at a spot when they don't know where it is? Eeesh. And I hate that whole ' if you don't turn up I'll assume you don't want me..." deal. I mean, seriously, who would be dumb enough to say that in real life? You'd never know if they didn't turn up because they really didn't care or because something had happened to prevent them while they were on their way. Useless.
I also enjoyed this ep more because Henry was absent for most of it. Hate to say it, but he's getting on my nerves big time.
I completely believe Josh and Ginnifer are a couple. It's become increasingly obvious over the past week or so.
Ha - these episode recaps always make my day. :)
Anyone see the promo for episode 7? It seems like anyone who speculated that the Sheriff was the huntsmen from snow white. Or it could just be the typical promo: making you think one thing, when something else entirely happens :P
I've fallen in love with this story and the storytelling. Great editing/cutting between scenes.
I just watched the most recent episode again and I've been struck by the detail. They've made the town so classically retro beautiful. Examples: The tables in the diner with the 50s/60s Formica tops (my grandparents had similar ones); same with the diner's stools and clock. The computer monitors at the police station from 6-8 years ago. The 60s black ATT telephones.
Each house/inn looks lived in: Emma's apartment has a 50s/60s stove; the wallpaper at the Inn and at the Nolan's. The wood widows have sealant that looks 20 years old and not uniform. It's a wisely planned community that looks like a story book Maine town should look. Great job to whoever is responsible!
The costumes/wardrobes. Wow! I love how Mary Margaret's clothes are those of a Penny's shopping elementary school teacher. Emma's outfits have attitude. All of the hunky men have hunky outfits.
And how about the horrible blue dress for Midas' daughter? Rich, tasteless, unflattering.
Small annoyances: (a) the sword the prince uses in the battle with Midas' champion has no blood on it when the prince pulls it out (perhaps to let us know the semi-giant wasn't dead?); (b) Why didn't the dragon just light up prince James when they were face to face that's how he dealt with the rest of the soldiers? (c) Mary Margaret's tear on the right side of her face at 41:51 has disappeared; (d) the burnt to a crisp soldiers with prince James should have left skeletons.
In the dragon scene I'll give them a pass on the burning grass and carts (the fires would have long since died out) as poetic license.
I hope that they have sketched out the entire story and end it when it should end rather than try to keep it going forever. Heroes lost it's mojo after that first wonderful season. Same with Prison Break and Desperate Housewives.
With ABC owning it and a clear chance at DVD sales, I can see a 3 year story arc but not much longer. But what a glorious 3 years it may be!
D
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I don't mind Henry; I just wonder who all of the other children are sometimes, and why he really doesn't interact with them (maybe evil-Mama won't let him).
Didn't care for the cop/donut cliche, bearclaw or not. Really, one of the few quibbles I had with the episode.
Don't do tabloid stuff; don't care. A good actor can convince his/her audience that he/she is totally, completely in love with their co-star, and still go home to spouse with no issue.
We all saw the lamp. We saw the tea set (how could you miss it? They practically shoved it in your face) but didn't make a connection. Too busy paying attention to the story.
I'd be willing to bet that fairy-tale gold is a lot more flexible (and I don't mean physically) than real-world gold, so it would make an incredible sword.
Loved it, and it broke my heart.
Side note: I DO have a little trouble seeing Mr. Gold and not thinking "The Full Monty".moreless
The Sword:
I first thought the sword would be worthless in a fight, given the softness of gold and it's weight.
But for one stroke I think it would work.
I found a web sight that said "pure gold is practically worthless for jewelry" but that it is "softer than silver but harder than tin". www.hannonjewelers.com.
Since I've cut myself on tin, I'm inclinded to believe a gold sword would cut on the first stroke. It would dull very quickly and would likely break if in a long fight with another knight. (Plus it might be slow to work with given it's weight.)
The next concern I had was the weight of the sword. I was concerned the sword would be too heavy to pick up and effectively fight with (maybe 80 lbs). But I found that the average historical sword weighed 4.5 lbs (http://thearma.org/essays/weights.htm) so even though gold is about 2.5 times heavier than steel (19.3 a gram vs. 7.85 on average for steel), a gold sword would still only weigh 11 lbs.
Conclusion (to my surprise): The gold sword would likely work!
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Gold is REALLY heavy, so I dont know if your maths do the trick (they might), but what I DO know is that you need a sharp egde on a sword - you will never get any sharpness with gold. A gold mace maybe ?
Waaaay too much time on your hands....
Also, from Mr. Gold's shop:
Emma's mobile of unicorns that Snow and Charming had on her crib in the pilot.
The tea set belonged to Beauty and the Beast (who we'll meet in ep. 12).
2 violins (perhaps the Fiddlers 3) above the antique sewing machines
Just to the left of the sewing machines is what looks like an ivory horn. Perhaps either Oberon or the Pied Piper's?
1) Please never use the word "delicious" to describe anything other than food. It's disgusting sounding.
2) Bear claws are delicious
3) Ginnifer and Joey Kern have broken their engagement [May 20, 2011].
4) Did you notice the Apollo bar last week? Shout out to LOST again!
5) Gold CAN make a sword, but it would be easily damaged by a sturdier metal weapon.
6) Loved it! Rumplestilskin is the true villain here, and the more we see of him, the more that fact is solidified.
I think we will find out that Rumplestilskin's insistence that "all magic comes with a price" will be directly related to his "firstborn collection"
1) I have a similar problem with the words "scrumptious" and "moisture"
6) Rumpelstiltskin maybe also true hero?
P.S.: and I liked that for once the match was won by evil!
The best part of the episode was the killing of the "original" Charming. During the combat with the barbarian I was all "Yeah yeah we know where it will go" and I really didn't expect that spear across his chest!
P.S.: obviously Midas' gold is not our Au79 gold :)
I like your thoughts on magic gold. I thought the kill off was brilliant, both because it was unexpected and also because i like the idea that Prince Charming was raised tending sheep and hanging out with his mom.
Nooo! Mary and Sark? Say it ain't so!
Josh Dallas is married but I like to pretend he's not. Is that bad?
1 - I don't have a problem with Henry. He's actually one of the only TV kids that I do like. I don't see why people have such an issue with him.
2 - Yeah, I can see him being the front man. ;)
3 - Not married, that I can tell, but engaged. And yes, he should be concerned!
4 - Honestly, I didn't notice anything. I SAW the stuff you mentioned, but it didn't click until you mentioned it. :P
5 - Maybe Midas doesn't turn things into gold, he just gold plates them? Hah! That would piss off a lot of people if they found out!
6 - Both. Loved it, and it hurt the heart too much.
As an aside, about the Sheriff and Regina doing the nasty when Henry is in the house. Secretly banging someone while your kid is asleep in the house is just kinda creepy. What if Henry needs a drink, or hears something, or any other number of things? It's just wrong.moreless
What if Henry is really just another one of Rumple's kids as well. Meaning whatever he does to children when he gets them. Maybe turn them into trolls or something. Maybe Henry really is a troll. Then that would mean these twin Prince Charmings are...then that would mean Emma is half-troll...which leads us back to Henry. Am I making any sense? lol!
Second episode, (and perhaps premiere). Henry was the Evil Queen's father's name. I'm asssuming that since he was sacrificed to enable the curse, that young Henry is the reincarnation of her father. This is why he knows what's real.
We need to break down the reincarnation theories going around! How did that get started? Does sacrifice imply reincarnation? None of the characters are reincarnated into our world, they are magically transported and "locked in time", a physical move (which is why tehre is physical evidence of the fairy tale world in the mines). I don't see the logic of Emma giving birth to a reincarnation of Regina's dad instead of a normal baby, and they haven't really suggested anything regarding reincarnation. Is there a spoiler I missed, because this theory seems to be gaining momentum but as far as I can tell, no evidence. Edify me!
I like Once Upon A Time. I really do. But i didn't think this weeks episode was so great.
I lost him once, now i have him back...but it's like i still don't have him...back.
I mean, i'm trying so hard to be strong...but he just keeps coming.
Seriously who writes those lines. Don't they seem weird to anyone else?
As much as I enjoy watching Jennifer Morrison can please someone make a chart of her facial expressions. Or lack thereof. But maybe it's the writers fault and the script really says "Emma looks mildyl irritated" every time she has a scene.
And somehow i think this one bite of bearclaw she gulped down satisfies her calorie intake for the next week. I just cant picture her eating such a thing in real life. What makes it somewhat harder to believe her charcter does.
Also, and i usually am not that kind of guy, but does she seem more well rounded in some areas since i saw her on How I Met Your Mother?
Finally. as much as i love Robert Carlyle, i think this weeks Rumpelstiltskin was a bit overacted.
Plus, if I would have a possibly life changing date i'd sure as hell go early AND check if I knew the way.moreless
The lines are sometimes pretty weak- luckily they've cast actors who make the most of them. Really concerned about Emma's pants, would love to see her in chinos/sweat pants, etc. Also concerned about her almost waist-length hair.
Yeah I can't watch this anymore it's just completely gone off the rails of what I was hoping it would be, which is more like Fables (the comic of course). Oh well.
Then why did you start watching it, when it was stated, by the creators in the beginning, that it was going to be nothing like Fables?
In Fables, they know who they are. They know where they came from. They're just in a different place. In OUaT, they DON'T know who they are. Right there, that's a major plot difference! What made you think they would be similar?
Not to mention the fact that James is not really his name. That was his brothers name that he had to adopt. So for now he is back to just being Prince Charming.
I thought this episode was great and I am soooo loving the Prince/Snow storyline in the real world and the fairy tale world. And as much as I like Henry... I have to admit that I didn't even notice that he was not in this episode... Hmmmmm....
Henry was in the beginning of this episode. He was just MIA for the rest of the episode.
I am a little tired of set up. Is first season just going to be an exhibition of what fairy tales characters would be like in the real world or is there going to be some semblance of a plot or the feeling of moving forward? Plus, they should have had more non-fairy tale characters in the beginning if they're going to use mythology from everywhere. Why not have Djinn's or Minotaurs to at least show us how far from fairy tales they intend to go. And changing Midas from being cursed to blessed, I don't remember the fable with the morale is "greed is good".
Why would they show us everything that would be in the series in the first couple of episodes? That would defeat the purpose of setting up a plot. Also, they barely touched on the Midas thing and I still saw it as a curse. You have to look at the way Midas constantly stands and acts about his hand. He simply may be making the most out of an unfortunate situation.
I think the subversions of the traditional fairy tales and their characters are one of the things I'm enjoying most about this series. I like the fact that they aren't the stories from our childhoods. Keeps things intriguing.
ahhhh loved this review!
Men, you are so right. Emma and Graham need to hook up RIGHT NOW (SPOILERS: they will LOL)
They have this mistery about the future and path of their relationship that is what get me hooked on couples.
Snow and Charming are flipping adorable, but I already know they'll end up together...they are already in love...so I don't worry about them. Just sit and enjoy their awesome ride.
BTW I think this episode was incredibly written specially because... JDavid does love her (that's something that happened "in the past" when they married, got mixed DNA etc) but he doesn't remember that he loves her...that he is supposed to love her so when he got his memories back maybe he started thinking that whatever he feels for Mary is uncertain, is not supposed to happen. Hence him leaving her and going after his wife-who he was supposed to love.
(1) not gonna lie, it was nice. I like Henry but I feel we need to see some character deepth there.
(2) YES! or at least he shoud be LOL Seriously, I love him so very much I wouldn't even need any bear claws...
(3)No idea
(4) I saw the teacups...but thought about Beauty and the Beast(but I guess that BanB only had 2 teacups?)
(5)yeap
(6) Yes I did. Only great shows really break our hearts XDmoreless
Graham's gonna die.
Dang bro! Where'd you get that dire prophesy?!
is prince charming mother little bo-peep?
I still don't know how i feel about them doing the flashbacks to fairy tail world backwards or all out of order. We all know how that worked out for Lost ... and considering some of the same writers are in on this one - i hope they remember what they wrote this time.
I never watched "Lost" so the flashbacks and such work just fine for me.
It was a good episode, but I'm totally bummed out by Charming ditching Margaret for his
creepy fake wife. Couldn't stand that actress in Damages (she was a whiny, total waste of space), and loathe her in Once. I sure hope the writers drop her down a well and let Charming get with Snow. Wish...wish...wish...
Awesome episode, awesome series! I'm addicted to "Once Upon a Time" and can never miss an episode!
Which fairytale relics did you spot in Mr. Gold's shop? (To name a couple: Alice's tea party set, Aladdin's lamp)
Micky Mouse! Theres a stuffed toy in the case when Charming first walks into the shop
1. It's better than waffles with chocolate. Although I have to admit that last week he wasn't that annoying. Or maybe the episode was so good that I didn't think about it.
2. He is HOT. I am still wondering if he is the huntsman...other possibilities?
3. If he is, he should be concerned. This two have chemistry even in fairyland...
4. I was too angry about what I saw coming...damm!!!
5. Not even Schwarzenegger in his best years could hold a gold sword. Too heavy!!!!
6. It hurt to watch it, but still loved it.
i found my new LOST!!!!!!