Once Upon A Time 6×21-22 “The Final Battle” Recap

Spoilers Ahead And they lived happily ever after. Episode Summary: The Black Fairy’s curse hits Storybrooke trapping Killian, Snow, Charming, Regina, Zelena, and co. in the Enchanted Forest while Emma’s in a Psychiatric Hospital and it’s up to Henry to help her believe again. As it turns out, if Emma stops believing that the life she once had is real, it’ll fade from existence. Rumple faces his mother one last time. The families reunite. And they live happily ever after. Review | Analysis: Once Upon A Time is a special show — for six years it has allowed us to

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Once Upon A Time 6×11 “Tougher Than the Rest” Recap

Spoilers Ahead “Tougher Than the Rest” was a solid season premiere that finally addressed something we’ve all been wanting to know. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learn that a little last-name-less Emma was about to burn away pages of The Ugly Duckling story in order to keep warm after running away, but a kind stranger talks her out of it by telling her she’s capable of changing her fate. Back in the Evil Queen’s wish realm, Emma seeks August’s help to rebuild the wardrobe that sent her into our world while Regina seeks out Robin to learn if he’s happy in

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Once Upon A Time 6×09 “The Changelings” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learn about Rumple’s mother after he steals a baby and summons the Black Fairy. And in present-day Storybrooke, Aladdin becomes the Genie, Emma finds a weapon from her visions, and Belle gives birth to her son and then sends him away for a better life. Review | Analysis: Once Upon A Time is often great at maintaining an engaging speed with its storylines, but sometimes, there is such a thing as slowing things down, and pregnancies are one of them. Frankly, it’s disturbing and this should be the final time it’s ever done.

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Once Upon A Time 6×07 “Heartless” Recap

Spoilers Ahead One heart, one curse, and perpetual weeping by all fans until these are resolved. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we’re taken back to a time when Charming and Snow met without ever knowing who the other was. In present-day Storybrooke, the Evil Queen finds a new way to torture the couple when she comes and accepts that they’re willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the town. Review | Analysis: Belief has often been an incredibly powerful theme in the world of Once Upon A Time and in “Heartless” it serves as a gorgeous reminder of

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Once Upon A Time 6×03 “The Other Shoe” Recap

Spoilers Ahead We are in this world to right our wrongs, love with all our hearts, and give with all our might. Episode Summary: When Ashley realizes she has a second chance to save her stepsister Clorinda (Mekenna Melvin), she chooses to do it all on her own, but is later in need of healing touch. Emma battles with the desire to give Killian his happy ending, but fears and the savior shakes continue to overpower her. Snow decides she wants to go back into teaching. Charming searches for the truth about his father’s accident. The Evil Queen teams up with

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Once Upon A Time 6×02 “A Bitter Draught” Recap

Spoilers Ahead It’s definitely time for a movie night; in fact, it’s long overdue. Episode Summary: Regina and the Evil Queen come face to face when the Count of Monte Cristo attempts to kill off the Charmings as he was once convinced to. Emma goes to a session with Archie. Killian offers Belle a space on his ship. And the Evil Queen shares her plot to turn everyone against each other. Review | Analysis: Once Upon A Time’s “A Bitter Draught” wasn’t my favorite episode, but it opened up a lot of great issues. And most importantly, it reminded viewers

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Once Upon A Time 6×01 “The Savior” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Welcome back to season one. Oh, wait no season six. Episode Summary: Resuming right where we left off in the season five finale, our heroes are disturbed with a dirigible from the Land of Untold Stories, but when they finally capture Mr. Hyde, it turns out he’s actually going to be usual to Emma, leading her on a journey where she learns what her visions mean. Gold wakes up Belle and in her sleeping curse, the two meet their son, Morpheus (Giles Matthey). And while Regina’s made the decision to make proper amends, the Evil Queen has a plot

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Once Upon A Time 5×17 “Her Handsome Hero” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Once again, do not make the deals with the devil, kids — there’s always a trick with him. Episode Summary: Flashbacks reveal Belle and Gaston’s first meeting followed by an adventure that showcased what a powerful team they could’ve been if their story evolved further. However, when they’re reunited in the underworld, Gaston reveals she was a weakness and his quest to kill Rumple is the unfinished business he’s doomed with. And unfortunately, when Rumple’s involved, souls don’t move forward to eternal bliss, instead, they decay in the “River of Lost Souls”. In an attempt to stop the

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Once Upon A Time 5×16 “Our Decay” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Love is enough … or at least for some. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learn that at the time when Zelena was first concocting her time travel spell, Hades was there to help her; only instead, he fell in love, but Zelena chose to carry on with her plans. In the present day, Belle, “baby green bean,” and Zelena are teleported to the underworld where Hades and Zelena unite and Henry’s time as the author isn’t as peachy as imagined. Review | Analysis: Once Upon A Time is always here to remind us that love is not only

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Once Upon A Time 5×10 “Broken Heart” Recap

Spoilers Ahead It’s a dark, dark world out there. Episode Summary: In Camelot, we see an upset Killian enact the curse through Nimue which then forces Emma to wipe everyone’s memories in order to take care of everything on her own. In Storybrooke Killian takes away Emma’s memories and resumes his revenge while the heroes attempt to figure out his plot. Review | Analysis: The episode left a good majority of viewers puzzled, but in a way, that’s a good thing — a “penultimate” episode is supposed to be a massive conundrum. And while we’re on the edge of our

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Once Upon A Time 5×06 “The Bear and the Bow” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Adventures and fierce ladies always make for great episodes. Episode Summary: In Camelot, Belle convinces Merida to courageously fight for her kingdom without the use of magic. In Storybrooke, while still under the Dark Swan’s control, Merida attempts to bring courage out of Rumple by threatening Belle. Arthur lies to the group about making contact with Merlin and when they learn the truth, they get Henry to do it — only they reach his “voice mail”. Rumple manages to pull Excalibur from the stone. And unanswered questions leave us on the edge of our seats. Review | Analysis:

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Once Upon A Time 5×05 “Dreamcatcher” Recap

Spoilers Ahead You can’t just end an episode there! Episode Summary: In Camelot, Emma resorts to the drastic decision of taking Violet’s heart in order to use Henry’s heartbreak as a way to free Merlin. Killian, Robin, Belle, and Regina break into the Dark Swan’s house and find Excalibur there. In Storybrooke Emma also makes amends with Henry and Violet, but it’s too late when Henry’s learned the truth by listening in on Regina and Robin as they watch a flashback through a dream catcher. Review | Analysis: Tonight’s episode wasn’t exactly our favorite, but then again, who wants to watch

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Once Upon A Time 5×03 “Siege Perilous” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Bromances, darkness, and more mysteries. Episode Summary: In Camelot, Charming and Arthur bond while in Storybrooke Robin and Hook plot a mission of their own. Dark Swan tries to find the hero that’ll pull Excalibur from the stone, but things go south when Hook refuses to give in to the darkness. Gold awakens and Arthur is the worst. Review | Analysis: Tonight’s episode was yet another reminder that we stand where we do because of the choices we make. While evil forces have power, at the end of the day so does light, and when we find ourselves

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Once Upon A Time 5×02 “The Price” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Trees. There will apparently be lots of them this season. Episode Summary: In Camelot, our heroes go to a ball where one of their lives is in severe danger due to Regina’s lie of being the savior. Although Emma succeeds in saving Robin, darkness creeps up on her. In Storybrooke, Emma tries to get Regina to take responsibility for her actions, and in the end, we learn that with the help of everyone, she could defeat the fury. Review | Analysis: Tonight’s episode has left us with a lot of mixed feelings. There were some beautifully magical moments

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Once Upon A Time 4×21-22 “Operation Mongoose” Recap

Spoilers Ahead And just like that Once Upon A Time reminds us of the fact that Emma Swan is one of the greatest fictional characters in history — “Operation Mongoose” Parts I and II were a solid two hours of fantastic television. Between the gorgeous costumes, exceptional performances, and nerve-wracking storylines, it’s been an epic ride leading us into a torturous three-month-long hiatus. Episode Summary: Isaac rewrites everyone’s stories into a best-selling novel called Heroes and Villains. However, the stories in the book will only ever become a permanent reality if things aren’t made right before the loud tolling of bells

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Once Upon A Time 4×14 “Enter the Dragon” Recap

Spoilers Ahead  Citizens of Storybrooke who really trust each other should come up with some kind of a secret code to verify they are who they say they are. Enchanted Forest Flashbacks: Regina seeks Maleficent in order to get her revenge started, but what she comes to find is that the darkest of them all has given up. However, when King Stefan (Sebastian Roche) traps the two of them after he catches them trying to bring Maleficent’s dragon back, Regina’s magic and encouragement play a role in the revival. The two of them later find Aurora, and Maleficent feels that

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Once Upon A Time 4×12 “Darkness on the Edge of Town” Recap

Spoilers Ahead As always Once Upon A Time resumed with a strong premiere reminding its viewers that this is a series filled with an insanely talented cast and fiercely badass women. Enchanted Forest Flashbacks: Rumplestilskin lies (shocking) and the Queens of Darkness manage to escape from the Chernabog. Present-Day Storybrooke: Things are finally calm in Storybrooke and it sadly doesn’t stay this way for long. Killian helps Belle search for a way to free the fairies from the hat. Emma continues to help Regina find the author of the book. Snow’s teaching again. And the lovebirds manage to have a quick moment

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Once Upon A Time 4×09 “The Fall” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Tonight’s episode felt like a fantastic mix between the Pilot, “And Straight on to Morning”, “Good Form” and “Going Home” — each of them being episodes we’ve adored. Arendelle Flashbacks: When we left off with the Snow Queen, what she had done with Arendelle wasn’t apparent, thus as it turns out, she froze the entire kingdom until this very moment when they were finally brought back to life. With Hans ruling now that Elsa’s trapped in the urn, Anna and Kristoff set off to find Blackbeard in order to ask for the wishing star. Also, since we were

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Once Upon A Time 4×06 “Family Business” Recap

Spoilers Ahead If there’s one thing this episode’s taught viewers it’s that an intense obsession never ends well, and secrets will only ever hurt those we love. Arendelle Flashbacks: When Belle’s mom dies during the Ogre Wars, and Belle has no memories of how it occurred, she travels to Arendelle in hopes of finding the trolls in order for them to restore her memories. While at Oaken’s (how spot on was Darcey Johnson’s performance?), Anna overhears her desire to find the trolls and offers to take her to see them. After their journey when Anna discovers the truth about her

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Once Upon A Time 4×01 “A Tale of Two Sisters” Recap

Spoilers Ahead At some point audiences may get tired of hearing things like “Storybrooke has frozen over,” but enormous Disney nerds like us will doubtlessly get chills from excitement every time. With such a strong premiere, the rest of the season will change things like no other. Yes, it’s only been an episode, but with our expectations being exceeded so far, we’re not too sure how much more perfection we can handle as the rest of the season progresses. Arendelle Flashbacks: Before the King and Queen of Arendelle die due to their ship sinking on their voyage to the Enchanted Forest, they

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