Once Upon a Time’s “Tallahassee” Is Still a Perfect TV Episode

Once Upon a Time’s “Tallahassee,” brilliantly sets up Captain Swan’s romance and still holds up as a solid TV episode.

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Best of 2017: Characters

A great story is easily driven by its complex, compelling, remarkably exquisite characters. Whether they’re heroes or villains or somewhere in between the spectrum, it’s their stories that make the series riveting — their journey, their life, their interactions. They are the reason a series is special. They are the heart. And while there are a number of wonderfully written characters on TV, these are my personal favorites. Also, be sure to check out our Series of the Year | Stranger Things article, as the number one performances, relationships, and moments are all featured there first. They deserved their own special tribute. Plus,

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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 6×19 “The Black Fairy” Recap

Spoilers Ahead It’s like Ellen’s 12 Days of Christmas only with saviors. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learn that Rumple was destined to be the savior, but learning that another would be his undoing, Fiona did everything in her power to stop it only to become the person that was prophesied against her son. She was then banished by Tiger Lily and the Blue Fairy, forcing Rumple’s father to grow resentful of him. In present-day Storybrooke, Rumple pulls an inception on himself, Emma, and Gideon where he learns the truth about why his mother gave him up. Zelena learns how

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Once Upon A Time 6×18 “Where Bluebirds Fly” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Episode Summary:  In flashbacks, we’re introduced to the Tin Man and the Lion allowing us to understand that when Zelena had the opportunity to keep a friend safe, she turned it down believing her magic was more important. In present-day Storybrooke, when the Black Fairy gets one step ahead of the heroes, Zelena’s sacrifice helps them out. Review | Analysis: Once Upon A Time has continuously reiterated the fact that strength isn’t power but rather bravery and selflessness. Through its intricate characters and their gorgeous arcs, it reminded us of the fact that strength is never to be measured

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Once Upon A Time 6×17 “Awake” Recap

Spoilers Ahead  The hills are alive with the sound of True Love! Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learn that Charming woke up long before Emma came into Storybrooke breaking the curse between him and Snow, but the two were forced to give up a life with Emma in order to free everyone from the curse. In present-day Storybrooke, while Regina, Zelena, and Emma try to break the sleeping curse, Killian’s trying to get away from angry lost boys. But with the help of a magical flower and Tiger Lily, Killian and Emma reunite then the entire town decides they’ll share

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Once Upon A Time 6×16 “Mother’s Little Helper” Recap

Spoilers Ahead If only someone prepared us for this episode. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we see the story Gideon told prior brought to life and discover that his heart may not be as tainted as we imagined. In present-day Storybrooke, Gideon asks Emma for her help but betrays her. Killian asks Blackbeard for help but the two end up in Neverland thanks to Gideon’s trap. Everything’s a mess. Henry’s facing some weird author possession. Isaac is set free and the Black Fairy makes her way into Storybrooke. Review | Analysis: “Mother’s Little Helper” did something Once Upon A Time hasn’t done in a while

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Once Upon A Time 6×15 “A Wondrous Place” Recap

Spoilers Ahead No one to tell us no. Or where to go. (But someone should tell Killian which direction he can go back home to Emma.) Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learn about Jafar’s proposal to Jasmine and the princess is united with Killian after her mission with Aladdin goes south. We also learn that Ariel and Jasmine knew one another. After Killian doesn’t come home and Leroy says he saw him leaving, Emma and the entire town believe he’s gone for good. Charming learns the truth behind his father’s death. Snow and Regina try to distract Emma. Basically, a lot happened. Review

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Once Upon A Time 6×14 “Page 23” Recap

Spoilers Ahead That was … strange. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, with the help of Tinkerbell, Regina’s father tries to bring her to her happiness by helping her find the man with the lion tattoo, but instead, she makes it so the magical arrow points her in the direction of the person she hates most. Upon remembering that she’s the person she hates most, in present day Storybrooke, Regina combines her love with the Evil Queen’s hate, and they send her back to the Wish Realm where she can start over. Emma learns the truth about what Killian did to her grandfather

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Once Upon A Time 6×13 “Ill-Boding Patterns” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Hmph. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learn that Beowulf actually existed during the Ogre Wars and Rumplestilskin killed him. Oh, but he didn’t do it out of a free will, Baelfire commanded him to. (The kid who presumably hated magic.) Robin teams up with Zelena in order to leave Storybrooke, and Regina comes to the realization that she should’ve never split herself from the Evil Queen. Rumple darkens his soul for Gideon. Emma finds the ring, and Killian pops the question with a giant secret hanging over their head. Review | Analysis: Every once in a while it’s

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Once Upon A Time 6×12 “Murder Most Foul” Recap

Spoilers Ahead It’s okay not to be okay. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we’re taken back to the moment when David and James were separated while in present-day Storybrooke, David attempts to uncover the truth behind what really happened to his father. Killian struggles with David’s perception of him, and because he wants to take things with Emma to the next level, he needs her father’s blessing. Regina shows Robin around Storybrooke and after a kiss, she learns that he really isn’t the man she fell in love with. Review | Analysis: Once Upon A Time has proven many things within

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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 6×10 “Wish You Were Here” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Episode Summary: When the Evil Queen uses Aladdin, she wishes that Emma’s wish to have never been the savior be granted sending her into an alternate universe where she grew up as a princess in the Enchanted Forest. In order to bring her back, Regina wishes to be sent there as well. And just as the two are about to return home, a fan-favorite thief stops them. The hooded figure is revealed and new twists await. Review | Analysis: Once Upon A Time is generally masterful at creating heartwarming alternate universes with their characters, but in “Wish You

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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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