Season 4 as a whole has been a really good ride for me so far; I really enjoyed the Frozen arc - with the notable exception of the Snow Queen as a villain -, and the “villains arc” - is it called that? -, is really pitching some really interesting ideas.
OUAT is a very creative show, and I like how it is pulling out some very interesting directions as it goes on.
This episode heavily focus on Ursula backstory, and though it was honestly a bit cheesy, I liked what I saw. Coming from The Little Mermaid singing had to have a prominent role on the story, but tying Ursula’s singing voice as a memento from her mother is a choice that allows for a believable development on the story.
I like that Hook and Ursula got along well, and that he didn’t go for Poseidon’s offer right away and tried to help Ursula, and as he asked her for the squid ink I smiled, as it was a very good moment of quid pro bono moment. It was a little moment, but the relationship of Ursula and Hook felt natural and organic, as much as it was meddled in something that was a bit cheesy.
The flashback ends with Poseidon coming at Hook and Ursula, and as he takes away the ink, a pissed Hook gets back at him by stealing Ursula’s singing. And as Ursula feels betrayed by both his father and Hook, she takes her father’s trident and uses to become the Ursula we all know. Oh, and she mentions there is an Ursula which is a sea goddess of old, so there’s a chance we’ll get to meet that version in the future, that would be fun!
Ginnifer Goodwin managed to make all the Regina facial expressions perfectly as Regina’s voice over explains what is going on.
I’m glad Rumple’s return wasn’t kept from Belle for long, the sooner she knew the better, and she is now even more disappointed at him than before as she was tricked once again. However, not everything is lost, as Hook thinks they can get Ursula in their side if he can give her what she wants, her singing voice, which would be her happy ending.
Turning Ursula around was a pretty interesting idea, and as the one who felt the most sidelined of the evil queens, it was a witty and smart development. Though for a moment it seemed that she was going to keep her alliance with Rumple when Hook gave her the shell and she couldn’t get her singing voice back.
I do think that the show is making Hook look rather weak as he wasn’t able to last even a couple of seconds against Ursula; he looks cool and all pointing that gun at Ursula, but lately it seems like he can’t hold his own. However, I am happy to see that Ariel is back and Hook being thrown overboard allowed for her to make her reappearance.
That on itself ties back with the action as Emma and company rescue August, and while Ursula has Snow’s neck on her tentacles, Poseidon comes and restores her voice, giving back Ursula the most treasured thing for her. It was an easy resolution, and just a bit too cheesy for my taste, but it did came in a way that felt at least a bit earned, since the episode was already pointing for that direction.
So that makes for one of the queens of darkness down, as she steps down. I honestly hope we see her on the heroes side now.
And also, she keeps her end of the bargain with Hook, telling him that the only way Rumple can get the villains happy endings is not only by getting to the author, but actually filling Emma’s heart with darkness, which we all know is coming.
As a whole the episode lacked at some times, but it gets me really excited as to where we are headed; there is plenty of great character interactions, lines and development that made me truly enjoy the episode, and keeps me convinced that the writers are pulling a great job here, and that they have struck gold story wise; should they exploit this well, this could be very well the best OUAT arc yet.
Grade: B+
Stray Observations:
-I wasn’t really impressed by Ernie Hudson’s take on Poseidon, then again the writers didn’t give him much to work on.
-Maleficent looks so much like Zelena with her outfit that I do wonder how it’s going to look like when Zelena actually comes back.
-Will was a bit more useful this week as he gave Hook a way to get the Jolly Roger back to the way it was, but I still don’t know what the writers want to do with him. They better tie him down to a storyline soon.
-Regina’s dream tells us that something is coming and that she will have to be on her prime form to face it, even as the evil queen. Start fearing.
-Maleficent: “Are you having troubles sleeping? I have something for that.”
-Showing the fairy tale roots: having August’s noise grow when he lied to make us remember he is still the Pinocchio we all know, kid or not, wood or not.
-Rumple: “Cruella will be our guard dog.”
That has to be intentional.
-Snow hitting Cruella with a frying pan reminded me of Tangled. I honestly laughed quite a bit at that.
-Snow: “First thing you learn as bandit, back door is usually unlocked.”
-Emma asked Hook if he found his happy ending. Seriously, girl! How clueless are you? It really bothers me that she didn’t see right through it.
-Oh, and Emma is getting better and better at magic. That oughts to give the episode some extra points.
-So next week we’ll learn how Snow and David ruined Maleficent’s life. That ought to be interesting!
