Once Upon a Time - The Price of Gold - Review by Karen

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep."- Disney's Cinderella

If you want your life changed- "Then change it!" -Rumpelstiltskin

Is that statement easier said than done? We all have thoughts of experiencing a "Cinderella moment" in our lives. The moment that transforms us from a life of unfortunate circumstances and/or poverty, anonymity or even loneliness- and then with the wave of a wand, or a winning lotto ticket, or opportunity knocking on your door, or even a magic phone call, one's life is positively and forever changed.

I am a believer in people having the power to change most anything, yet somewhere deep down inside I also hold on to the hope that a little dose of magic exists. But in reality sometimes personal "will" isn't enough and a little magic may be needed to change one's circumstances. Sort of like the bullshit many of us are experiencing right now with those of us who are scared about our uncertain futures, without jobs, without money, losing our homes, wondering how we're going to take care of our families, failing at achieving a dream, letting ourselves/family down, or fearing that life is going to throw us back into a life of wretchedness- all desperately needing some sort of magic to help us out of a huge mess and give us hope that will lead us back to our happy place.

For some, the idea of magic once lived, now it has been tossed away as a foolish childish notion because reality proves no magic exists. As much as I hate to face it the bottom line is...there is no such thing as magic, and I know that I, a grown woman, shouldn't believe in magic- and that makes me sad.
It's all an illusion and believing in the power of magic is what gives it its power to begin with.

Rumpelstiltskin actually says some positive things and warnings to Cinderella about what she desires, but she is so smitten with the magic of magic and desperation to change her life that she ignores his advice and is more willing to make a deal than believe in her own positive and magical power. Ultimately Rumpelstiltskin does the only thing he can do with such an easy mark- he uses her; But why? Was it a test?

Maybe it was destiny and not a magic spell that played a role in Cinderella's good fortune. After all she claims she wasn't really interested in "riches". Life isn't about the things we have. It's about being part of a family, the giving and receiving unconditional love, having a place to call home, having a positive purpose and becoming an inspiration to others...even if and when you have to go back to an undesirable set of circumstances.

Is it possible that in this beautiful fairy tale some genuine magic really does exist? How much would you be willing to sacrifice for such magic?

Trickery:
Rumpelstiltskin is usually the trickster. Is he easily tricked by the altered contract? Or does he really know there's no such thing as magic, only the people who believe they believe in magic?

Fear:
The characters are boxed in by fear. They have to start deciding which people, things and situations, if any, are worth fearing. Fear is another thing that is brought to life or given power to, only when you believe it to be true. Rumpelstiltskin and Regina have won power over the characters in this adventure.

Mirror-Mirror:
Take a good look at yourself. Change and transformation are always possible! But one must be warned that putting painful emotions away in a metaphoric box or hiding them away in a deep dark corner cell of your mind or heart will only delay your growth.

In ONCE the identity and/or lack of identity issue is paramount. Again the characters' don't know who they are and this journey may prove their way to discovering their truth. Emma doesn't know who she is or where she really belongs. She will be learning more about herself and how the choices she's made and makes contributes to her own personal growth. Growth on all levels needs to be nurtured.
In this episode I felt as if the characters and Emma are talking directly to Emma; as if the story and its characters are telling Emma her own story so she can actually see it from another/outsider perspective and face it head on. But what the hell do I know?!

Watch the clock:
Stop wasting precious time. Time is a very important theme in this fairy tale. The time on the clock tower basically shows us the same hours. And note that Henry's room {and a few other rooms} contain more than one/many clocks.

Circles:
The circle motif was all over the episode. All of the people in the ONCE universe are connected. We also see them in a redundant cycle; they even make many of the same mistakes.
Emma makes a deal with Mr. Gold to give Ashley her baby- Is this a sacrifice on Emma's part so she can help the little family, or is it just a vicious cycle of deal making and mistake making with no end in sight?
The characters may have to go around in circles a few times before they can find their way back home.

Continue Reading Review Here: Karen's Adventure in Storybrooke