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 6×01 “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 5×14 “Devil’s Due” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Don’t make deals. Don’t ever make deals. Don’t make deals with Rumplestiltskin. Don’t make deals with Hades. Don’t make deals with Cruella. Just don’t make deals okay? Episode Summary: When a rare snake in flashbacks threatens Bae’s life, Milah and Rumple seek a man who can magically help him, but they cannot afford his asking price. Milah asks Rumple to kill him in order to steal the elixir, but instead, his naiveté inspires another decision instead: their second-born child will be given away. We also see Milah and Killian’s first meeting after he defended her from a drunken man

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Once Upon A Time 5×11 “Swan Song” Recap

Oh, we’re off to see the … Hades?! Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we learned that when Regina chose to test Killian, she had him confront his father after he’d abandoned him and Liam. In Storybrooke, we learned that in order for a soul from the underworld to be brought back, someone living must die. And a hero’s sacrifice saves the day, but because our town savior isn’t okay with losing her love, she’s on a journey to the underworld in order to split her heart. Neverland 2.0 here we come. Review | Analysis: There’s a reason we don’t often theorize

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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 5×04 “The Broken Kingdom” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Darkness is getting stronger and alliances are being tested. Episode Summary: In flashbacks, we watch Arthur’s obsession with becoming King overrule his rightful thinking while in present-day Snow and Charming showcase what it truly means to be in a partnership with your spouse. Killian tries to take Emma’s mind away from the voices inside her head. Sands of Avalon is used for all the wrong reasons. And the Dark Swan’s got a new puppet. Review | Analysis: Tonight’s episode did a wonderful job of contrasting real love and forced. It reminded viewers of the fact that selfishness ultimately leads

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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 4×17 “Heart of Gold” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Moment of appreciation for the fact that no series does plot twists the way Once Upon A Time does. (Sometimes that’s a good thing, other times…well.) Enchanted Forest Flashbacks: We see Robin’s first acquaintance with Zelena as he attempts to steal a potion from her for Rumplestilskin. And during his journey to her castle in OZ, he meets Will who tells him about his broken heart from grief. The flashback concludes with a beautiful scene of Marian assuring Robin that she’s in it for the long haul with him. Present-Day Storybrooke and New York: While Robin, “Marian”, and Roland are

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Once Upon A Time 4×16 “Best Laid Plans” Recap

Spoilers Ahead Even the seemingly best-laid plans can end terribly. Enchanted Forest Flashbacks: Snow and Charming have different visions of how Emma will grow up, so they turn to the sorcerer to ask for help. The sorcerer states that there’s no way of knowing because choices play a part in the outcome; however, there is a way to take the darkness if it’s placed in someone else with a similar faith (ie: a child who’s to be born at the same time). After they’re told that Maleficent’s having a child as well, believing that it’ll be a dragon just like her,

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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 4×09 “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 4×05 “Breaking Glass” Recap

Spoilers Ahead If this episode has taught us anything it’s that those who learn from their mistakes receive the kind of happiness they’re deserving of. Flashbacks (1998): While attempting to steal pop tarts after she ran away from her foster home, lost girl Emma befriends someone she feels she has a lot in common with. Lily defends Emma when the grocery store worker accuses her of stealing by saying that they’re doing a little shopping for their parents. They later run away from Lily’s father into a summer vacation home where they bond over video games, food, and hand-drawn tattoos. When

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Once Upon A Time 4×04 “The Apprentice” Recap

Spoilers Ahead For an episode that reminded us of the emotional roller coasters Once Upon A Time is able to take us through, the Disney gems throughout the episode were exceptional additions — starting from the couple reenacting Lady and the Tramp to Mickey Mouse being the Apprentice, and the broom from Fantasia guiding Rumple and Hook to their destination. Enchanted Forest Flashbacks: Determined to learn the truth about why her parents voyaged to the Enchanted Forest, Anna makes a deal with Rumple unlike any of the ones he’s made before. In order for him to uncover the power inside the box which holds the Sorcerer’s

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