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Once Upon a Time - The Apprentice - Review: "Blatant fanservice badly executed"

Oct 23, 2014

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So that was disappointing: after a few very highly entertaining episodes OUAT crawled back to some of its worst habits: not much of a plot progression, too much setup, roundup logic, stale dialogue, among other things. OUAT sometimes bring some of these elements into its storytelling and it makes it clunky, but most of the times it has a lot of things going for it that allow me to just let them slide. But during this episode it was really hard for me to ignore those flaws.

For starters, it was really, really slow. There is next to no action, mostly talking and those dialogue were pretty much stale and clichéd. There are some remarkable lines- see the stray observation section-, but during most of the episode what is said is beyond predictable, like drama 101. Lines such as “unlike me, you haven’t changed one bit” or “Don’t say I didn’t warn you” make the direction for the episode all the more clear and makes it less surprising and less enjoyable.

And let’s face it; this week’s episode was almost all about Emma and Hook’s date. Actually, it was all about fanservice and stating- once again- why these two can’t be together like a normal couple. Remember last season when Zelena cursed Hook’s lips so he couldn’t kiss Emma? It’s essentially the same thing, only with a lot of blackmailing and some pseudo-psychological effects on Hook.

The writers were so set into putting barriers for Emma and Hook only because they can’t concieve them as a normal couple; even while Emma has decided to leave her issues aside and just thrust herself into this possible relationship with Hook there must be something to done to ruin it. Instead of building a stable and likeable couple like the writers have up until now, Andrew Chambliss & Dana Horgan- this week’s writers- decided to go the cliché way: give them more obstacles!

Why? If Emma and Hook are going to be a couple, let them be. If they have to break up let it be by real issues instead of forced out plots and farfetched manipulation. Seriously, it’s beyond clichéd, it has been done by thousands of fantasy series before this one and every time it becomes more and more annoying.

The reason I find this week’s plot so weak is because we’ve seen Hook being a good man; in his flashback episode, he was an honorable man before he lost his brother, and even after he lost him and he became a pirate, was he ever really that bad before he lost his hand? The worst I remember of him is stealing Rumple’s wife- whom wanted to ditch Rumple anyway-. Things like teaming up with Cora and killing Black Beard came after he lost his hands, so his worst deeds came after he lost the hand, ergo it doesn’t really make much sense that he’d revert to the worst version of himself because of a hand.

And even if he did, isn’t he in a place in which he would be able to handle it? That’s when the psychological effects shown by his hand are actually just pseudo-psychological; it shouldn’t have affected him at all.

He faced his own darkness before and changed. I don’t buy that this is Hook’s true nature and that he is having such a hard time facing it, because he already faced it before and changed: upon change we become much more suited and equipped to deal with our past demons. So even if his hands was actually cursed- which was not in the end- he should have handled it much better than he did onscreen.

In the end it was all a psychological trap made by Rumplestiltskin, which is understable considering their past history, so obviously Rumple would be thrilled to make him suffer a little- even while he promised Neal to be better than that, better than the villain he played during the episode-. The whole blackmailing game between Hook and Rumple became stale as the episode progressed. At some point they were just rambling words, trying to make sense of something that became confusing and hard to follow; it didn’t flow naturally, it was forced in order to work out for the plot.

By the way, Will/Knave of Hearts is still around town, but his story gets no development whatsoever. He crashes Emma’s date, he gets and Alice in Wonderland book and gets arrested. That’s not saying much and his character was really underused and only only served the plot of the week, which was quite weak.

So, is there something that isn’t a complete disaster on this week’s episode? The Flashback, and even then we have some serious issues.

Anna’s quest on the Enchanted Forest comes at early end as she finds Rumple and asks for help. She falls on Rumple’s manipulation and she agrees to his terms.
She goes to a man’s house to give him something that looks like poison; she doesn’t, then it turns out that liquid was actually going to save the man from becoming a rat. Anna and Rumple go back there, and Rumple corners her as she signed a contract which traps her unless she kills Rumple. Tested against her own darkness, Anna turns away and gives Rumple what he needs; a tear from someone who faced darkness and turned away.

This whole plot keeps Anna as a cartoonish character; while Elsa had a chance to go beyond her Frozen persona on the last two weeks, Anna stays pretty much the same person that we knew on Frozen- aside from the fact that she knows swordplay-. I still find her adorable, but we need to see more to her, and I seriously don’t see how this “turning away from darkness” is any different from what we’ve already seen of her. There's really no progress to her character whatsoever.

What’s interesting is that Anna gets a chance to grab Rumple’s dagger- in the silliest yet somewhat funny sequence I’ve seen- when the rat falls on Rumple’s face. Then she makes him promise he will turn the rat back to a human and that she will be sent back with what’s the item that’s keeping the sorceress’ hat sealed.

We know Rumple got to it somehow, so his story with Anna is not over, and I can only wonder what’s going to happen when he gets to Arendelle and meets up with Elsa, Snow Queen and everyone else. That looks very promising, chaotic and interesting, and I really want to get there.

Back in Storybrooke, Rumple has the hat and he tricks Hook into helping him using it to trap the man who used to guard it. Cue to even more blackmailing mumbling, which basically sums up like this: Hook has to beware of Rumple because he now has dirt on him.

The episode ends with its most promising sequence, when Henry decides to help Regina move forward with their operation; after trying in vain to find a cure for Marian, Henry and Regina start talking about happy endings, and how Rumple got one, so Henry suggest he should go undercover, cue to him to ask for a job there, being Rumple’s apprentice, and he starts by sweeping.


Is that a wink to the audience? Do you think Henry will take on Mickey’s role on Fantasia? It would probably be the most interesting thing the show has ever done with him- yet again, I thought that too when he had the heart of the truest beliver and that was a huge let down. Hopefully though, as Jared S. Gilmore proves to be a more skilled actor now than ever, this storyline could be actually kind of great.

So there is promise, there are some moments worth sticking for, some great humor (see stray observations below), but as a whole I felt this episode was pretty lackluster, slow paced and almost endless boredom and that’s OUAT biggest sin considering it usually settles for a more fast paced storytelling with great humor, good acting and great dramatic scenes when it gets the right timing to pull them off. None of those great OUAT qualities are in shown in this episode.

Grade: C-

Stray Observations:

-Trying out something new: I’ll be sticking the grade on the first image so you all know it before handed. Let me know if you like it!

Now, the funny bits!
-Rumple: “I see that blackmailing brings out the romantic in you.”

-David: “I wasn’t too hard on her was I?”
Elsa: “You should have seen me when Kristoff started dating Anna. It was the first time in my entire life that I made someone sweat.”

-Snow: “She seems happy.”
David: “I think she really is changed.”
Emma: “I can hear you guys.”

-Anna to Kristoff: “You smell wonderful.”
Cue to Sven’s constant sniffing.

Now, onto some other stuff:

-Am I the only one who would read the entire contract with Rumplestinskin before signing it? It may be incredibly long, but hey, there’s a lot at risk there. By the way, I once read the terms & agreement contract of Norton Anti-virus out of boredom, so I’d take the time.

-Was that a “Lady and the Tramp” reference at the italian place?

-I may love Fantasia, but not even the references and a flashback centered around it can’t lift this mediocre episode.

-By the way, Hook’s new outfit looks great!

-Emma keeps Knave on jail for crushing her date… well, she says that but we know it’s because he’s shady to him.

-By the way, sorry about not replying anything on the comment section of my last review, I had a lot on my plate during the weekend. I love to talk with you guys. I did notice how much you defended the Snow Queen’s logic and some of you made some interesting points, but I still think that it was quite a dumb plan to begin with.
Also, I can imagine many of you disagreeing with the grade, but here’s the thing: I love OUAT, and because I love it I won’t go easy on it when it delivers an episode that I consider bad. I explained above all the reasons I disliked it, but it’s not an attack on the show, they are things that didn’t work for me, so don’t take it too personally.

-So tell me why you liked me and feel free to disagree with this review as a whole; I may come to appreciate the episode better, that has happened before- I once gave a Community episode a D+ grade and upon discussion I came to see the episode as C material, so that could happen. Convince me!

-The promo for next week’s episode does look promising though.


About the Author - Pablo
I'm currently studying Psychology while also writing fantasy books (one already published in my home country, Chile, you can check it out on the facebook icon). I watch many different types of shows, including my favorites Revenge, Game of Thrones, Once Upon a Time and about 23 more. Currently writing reviews for Once Upon a Time, The 100, Community and Marry Me
Recent Reviews (All Reviews)






23 comments:

  1. Zelena cursed Hook's lips last season not Rumple's

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  2. No convincing from me...it wasn't a great episode. (Although I'm sure there were still a lot of fans that automatically gave it an "Awesome!" on the did you like the episode poll.) Every TV show has a lousy ep now and then, it just drives me nuts that so many fans are blindingly supportive and won't admit it.

    As for the Hook hand thing...I agree - it was dumb. Although we really don't know much about Hook's piracy days before he met Rumple, so it's possible he really was an evil bastard, killing and pillaging and raping. Still, you'd think he would be able to recognize Rumple toying with him, just as he is trying to manipulate Rumple. And, he should know that Rumple is way better at that kind of thing than anybody.

    On the other hand, Anna has just heard that Rumple is the one to see to help her. She probably doesn't know his reputation enough to beware the contract - she is impulsive and desperate to get answers. (As evidenced by yet another droll bit of dialogue, "I'd do anything to find out.")

    AND, can we talk about how Emma following around the Snow Queen who is stalking her is just a waste of time - kind of like Emma carrying a gun that she never successfully uses? (Seriously, I laugh every time she takes it out and points it - particularly at magical people/things.) It was like, oh yeah, we haven't forgotten this story line this week, we're just not actually going to move it forward. (Kind of like last year's first half of the first half where they just walked around in circles in Neverland without accomplishing anything in that timeline - it was just something for them to do while we got the flashbacks we needed.)

    The focus of the episode was obviously to move the Sorcerer's Hat thing forward, but it just didn't really appeal to me...maybe things will happen later that were set up here and we'll be able to forgive this. Still, these actors deserve better writing. I will say that the summary for next week's episode (it's on IMDb already) sounds a bit more promising...

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  3. I'm sure that's what I wrote up there. If not. I'll change it ASAP

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  4. Oh, the Snow Queen stalking... that was a really dumb way to kill minutes. Seriously, what was with that? I swear, this show sometimes does things just because

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  5. man do I agree with this review. am really very tired of extremely trite trope/formula they have for romances, especially on genre shows. actually, i'm sick to shit with them. if they want to do a relationship, even one that has bumps/adventures like Emma's parents, then do it and stop with all the freaking game playing a ridiculous and convoluted obstacles. Hook needs to grow a pair and not repeat the same pattern from last season and just tell Emma what happened, it was that bad/big of a deal anyways.



    it was cliched in the worst way and the rest of the episode didn't help work much either.

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  6. I thought the Emma and Hook obstacle was a real issue. It has something to do with Hook's inner struggles. The whole episode was basically comparing him and Rumplestiltskin. How after all this time, Rumple hasn't changed despite Belle in his life. Hook has Emma in his life now and he thinks he can't shake off the pirate as Rumple cannot shake off the Dark One. Hook was still a pirate for 300 years and some of the things he did makes him ashamed of who he is next to Emma and the Charmings. You see Hook boasting about his good looks, and cunning wit etc but the next minute you hear him tell the giant that he's the worst human around. He has low self-worth. And being with someone like "The Savior" probably gets at his insecurities.

    See, it's not just the hand, it's not some silly obstacle, this is an exploration of the complexity of Hook's character given his past and his insecurities and low self-worth while delving into a new relationship with Emma.

    And last thing, the date was great. It was a chance to see Emma vulnerable and open to love and a chance to see the Charmings in that kind of situation. It was one of the best parts, in my opinion. Not just of the episode but the whole show. It was precious.

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  7. The whole show? Seriously? Different strokes; seeing Emma vulnerable is good, but I think the show has showed that way more effectively before.

    The way you put it it makes sense, Hook's insecurities are real obstacle, but I thought the way they brought it was forced and lame; instead of just hitting a bump in the road with Emma he was easily manipulated to hit said bump and as such it feels more manufactured than organic. I'd rather it show up while dating Emma than just out of manipulation, which he should have seen coming if he knew Rumple as well as he is supposed to. And to think that just because of that he would start acting so different from one week to another? I don't buy it, those things don't happen one minute to another, it builds over time.

    Still, it's interesting to read your approach; I think the writers were aiming for what you saw on the episode. It just didn't click with me

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  8. this review

    http://img.pandawhale.com/36243-slow-clap-citizen-kane-orson-w-bJkI.gif

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  9. "Was that a “Lady and the Tramp” reference at the italian place?"

    Yes, When Emma and Hook enter to this restaurant, other couple eat spaghetti.

    And I love Ouat but your grade is fine!

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  10. Great review. I think the jury is still out for me on this episode. I have to see how they handle Hook and Rumple going forward. The whole "hand thing" was a major plot contrivance and far too similar to the cursed lips of last season. It will be important to see how this is handled. If it results in Hook hiding the truth from Emma and her losing trust then that is just a repeat of last season and angst for the sake of angst. Been there, done that. If we see some character development from Rumple, Hook and Emma then I can learn to live with the ham-handedness (pun intended- sorry!) of the episode.
    For me the strength of the episode is often demonstrated by what scenes I would like to see again. In this case, loved the scenes with Rumple and Ana, Emma asking Hook out, and before and after the date at the loft as well as Henry and Rumple at the end. The rest was lacking, particularly in the dialogue between Hook and Rumple in the scene when Rumple returns the hook to the Captain.

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  11. We do know that Hook was killing and raping at least, that's from his own admission.

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  12. Yeah, it was a really bad episode. They've rushed this Captain Swan stuff so that Emma just seems like a gullible fool. And having her lock up Will for 'ruining' her date was really bad. It pushed Emma back to her Season 1 amorality. If they're going to continue to have the Charmings be an oligarchy like this I hope the police corruption is brought up.

    As far as obstacles go, the 'cursed' hand was so silly because it was all stuff Hook does on a regular basis. So it really doesn't make sense that he's duped by Rumple on that one.

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  13. Something very interesting happened with your review.While I agree with some very important points you made,I somehow disagree with your view of the episode as a whole. ; )

    First of all,I agree that the episode was definitely slower than the previous 3.It bothered me as well,even though I did enjoy it just fine.It was obvious that they wanted to focus on some of the characters and move along the plot with the hat,but I wouldn't have minded a little more action.

    Now,I wouldn't say the episode was all about the date.It was definitely an important moment,but I think it had more to do with the anticipation of it all.I mean,including the preparations the whole thing lasted 5 minutes(in a 40+ minute episode).Also,generally,I don't agree with the term "fanservice".I'm not just talking about this review,or even this show.It's something I keep hearing about and just don't agree with.I mean,let's be honest,with Once in particular,if there really was fanservice,some things may have been very different.
    But that's just me,so moving on..

    I quote you: "The writers were so set into putting barriers for Emma and Hook only
    because they can’t concieve them as a normal couple; even while Emma has
    decided to leave her issues aside and just thrust herself into this
    possible relationship with Hook there must be something to done to ruin
    it."
    Yes,Emma decided to leave her issues aside.That doesn't translate into no obstacles,because there are two people in this relationship and in this case the obstacle came from Hook.So far,Emma was the one holding back so as soon as she decided to go for it we assumed that everything would be okay.But Hook(or any character) is also bound to have some issues.
    And while they could have gone with something more convincing than the cursed hand(which really was silly,I'll definitely give you that) the problem is very much real.He's insecure,he has low self esteem when it comes to himself as a person.He doesn't think he's worthy of Emma,no matter how much he loves her and how much he believes they're meant to be together.

    The main reason I liked the episode though is because it brings back the feud between Gold and Hook.Yes,they did agreed on a truce in Neverland and they had Zelena to deal with afterwards,but now I'm flad that it didn't just go away.One of my biggest issues with this show is that some pretty nasty stuff never get mentioned after a while.For example,Neal reunited with his father,had all kinds of issues with him,eventually forgave him but not ONCE did he think to ask if it's true that hiw father killed his mother or,you know,ask why!

    One last thing,the whole Hook does something bad,someone holds it against him and makes him do something even worse while keeping it a secret from the others does seem redundant so far,that's true.However,I'm withholding judgement until I see how it'll play out.Hopefully,they learned something from last time.

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  14. I have enough with Captain Swan.
    Where's the real plot!?

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  15. A little harsh. I agree it was the worst episode yet this season, but you seem angry in the review as if it was truly horrendous- which it wasn't. Your title sums it up well; there is not much more too it. I am sure next episode will be better:)

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  16. Good title. I think it sums up the Hook and Emma portion of the episode nicely. Although, the episode was somewhat salvaged for me with the storyline involving Rumple, Anna, the Sorcerer's Apprentice, and the Fantasia hat. This was the worst episode so far this season, and the only one I won't be watching again. I hope the showrunners don't do whole episodes dedicated to Hook and Emma's romance again.

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  17. I really agree with what you said. I am getting a little tired of the angst for the sake of angst. We have seen the evolution of CS for two seasons and now it seems like the goal is to see why they can't be together, not why they can and the issues are the same as what we have already seen. To me the whole CS this season has been confusing at best. I honestly don't know what is going on between them. One minute they are passionately kissing and the next they are talking to each other like strangers. I liked the date, it showed how they really feel about each other - it was short, IMO- took all of 5 minutes of the episode. Can't believe a street savy, stuck ion himself pirate like Hook can be so easily swayed by Rumole who Hook knows as well as he knows himself- so that whole,scenario seemed like just a way to prolong the inevitable, which is a real relationship between Emma andHook- just because it is TV and even though we have been developing this for two seasons we need to make the fans wait another season for them to truly be together. To have this relationship not happen, which seems to be a theme- let's not focus of why they should be together- let's focus on why they should not-would be an incredibly bad move on the creators part. IMO as many if not more fans are waiting to see this relationship.happen than want the frozen thing. At the end of the day, many of OUAT fans are women and women want romance- and fairy tale romances at that. If the writers decide that Hook will continue to lie to,Emma even if it is for love, then they. I get as well write them off as a couple as there is no way she would ever trust him again. IMO let's just put them together finally, move in wit other characters that we want to see and have them face challenges together.nthey will still challenge each other, still have issues etc but at least it won't be this over-played, redundant theme to keep the drama going.

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  18. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I so agree with your review. This episode just left me feeling sad. Why is Emma just following the Snow Queen around, seemingly randomly? Hook just seems to be a different person this season, very inconsistent. Early on he has been overly sappy and with this episode, he seems to have gotten stupid. I hope this rapidly plays out better for them than the way Hook handled the poison lip curse from Zelena. Maybe if he learned something from that situation and comes clean right away with Emma, the review of this episode can be redeemed. Otherwise, this will be one more lap around the bad decision track that the show has already circled.
    Also, Everyone knows Gold is not really a nice guy, why do they run to him with so many problems?

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  19. Sorry if I sounded angry, I wasn't. I was honestly disappointed, but angry? Nah.
    I still believe this is going to be a good season for OUAT, the show just sometimes delivers a bad episode. This was no way near the worst episode I've seen of OUAT: "Selfless, Brave and True" (2x18) gets that honor.

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  20. I totally get what you're saying. I just think the general response to this episode is overall harsh, and I don't think it deserves it, especially given it's better than most of the Season 3B episodes. But I appreciate your review and look forward to more!

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  21. I agree with your review. I'm sure if they released the deleted scenes, some of this would have made more sense. I think they might stop doing that because people have been annoyed about the cut scenes. For example, a scene they discussed at comic con was deleted for time. Another scene would have explained why other things happened in the episode.


    First of all, let me say that I am not a fan of Frozen and I was not happy to hear that they were adding it to this show. Perhaps I would not be so annoyed if I hadn't seen Frozen. So, just in case you haven't seen it, don't. I keep thinking from previews that the next week will get better, but it hasn't. I am a loyal fan and will keep watching but this first half of the season may be worse than season 2.


    This was supposed to be a Rumple centric episode but it was overshadowed by the date. Was this supposed to be an explanation for why he wants the hat. Suddenly Rumple is bad again. We get the heartfelt speech at Neil's grave. He exchanges the dagger and then poof, back to his old tricks. I'm really not sure why he felt he needed to entertain Hook's threats about the dagger. This was very un-Rumple like. It might have helped if they told us what limitations the hat could conquer. Does he think there is a way to bring Neil back so he needs the hat?


    Anna must have an i.q. of 180. She seems to figure everything out and make it right. Ugh. She is a cartoon and the ditzy/brainy scenes are beginning to get annoying. Also, the dialog and interaction between Kristoff and Elsa are clearly FROZEN. Ugh. The best actor of the Frozen group is Sven.


    We've been told that Belle will find out about the dagger early on but it hasn't happened. We haven't even seen them as a couple and the only one that has acknowledged that they are married is Henry.


    And what's with Henry using Rumple and playing on his feelings for Neil? I thought Henry was one of the good guys and wouldn't do something like that, regardless of what Rumple has done or thought about doing to Henry in the past.


    I just want to let this first half of the season GO.

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  22. Actually from Hook's own admission he never forced a woman to do,anything against her will. I can't remember quite the right episode but do remember him saying that. Hook has a past as a pirate but is trying and has been doing a good job of trying to redeem that past- until they came up,with the redundant, hand plot. You would think with the creativity this shows has shown, they could find something a little more original. Hopefully they won't follow the same pattern as the cursed lips and Hook will,have learned something.

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  23. Sadly, I must agree. I am very disappointed in the whole Rumple/Hook blackmail storyline. I fully expect the Captain Swan road to be a bumpy one and enjoy the ups and downs. But this whole storyline making Hook already start lying and nefarious deeds at Rumple's request is too contrived. Overall, I was disappointed in the entire episode - it was much more filler than anything else. And for us Capt Swan fans, they could have thrown us a bone for one episode without having it be clouded by "new" obstacles. As fans, we deserve better than to be given this mediocre writing.

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