OUAT: Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

No, I won’t be using only Frozen songs for this arc. But I will probably be breaking out a bunch of Christmas ones because they reference snow. Enjoy!

In the season finale, Emma and Hook went back in time and screwed up her parents’ meet cute. Disguised as Princess Leia and Prince Charles, they worked to get the Snowing romance back on track. In the process, they rescued a woman from the Evil Queen’s dungeons and decided to bring her back with them to the future. Rumple locked them in his Vault of Things He Can’t Deal With and Emma’s desire to go home reignited her magic. She, Hook, and Mysterious Woman went back to Storybrooke where Mysterious Woman was revealed to be Robin Hood’s wife, Marian. There went Regina’s happy ending and my shipper heart broke. Mary Margaret and David named their new son Neal while Emma decided to stay in Storybrooke. Rumple and Belle were married, though he had yet to reveal she wasn’t in charge of his actual dagger. And an urn that came back with them opened as Queen Elsa emerged.

Once is Frozen.


We open in the middle of a storm at sea. A ship is tossed about and a woman decides that now is the perfect time to write a letter. Her husband tries to convince her that abandoning ship is probably better but she refuses. She says she needs to write the letter so their daughters know why they were on the voyage. She tells him that they probably won’t make it home but the letter in a bottle will. (Maybe). They hurl it into the angry waves before one destroys their ship.

(Must finish this letter rather than report to the lifeboat) 

As a placard tells us it is now five years later, we see two people clasp hands. They walk away from the camera, revealing two familiar backsides and two familiar stones. It’s Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, come to pay their respects to their parents—the people in the previous scene. Elsa tells Anna their parents would be proud of her and she says they would be proud of both of them. Elsa then tells Anna she has a surprise for her. Anna, naturally, is a bit hesitant but Elsa clarifies it is for Anna’s wedding!

(Good job, casting department!)

In the barn from the finale, Elsa leaves and is lost. She wanders around, a trail of ice following her. As she walks down the street, she comes across a sign: Storybrooke.

Back in Storybrooke, Regina leaves Granny’s. Emma follows but Regina warns her that she doesn’t want to deal with her right now. Emma, though, wants to apologize and explains she didn’t know who Marian was. Regina does believe her but once again, Emma’s actions have hurt her. Emma doesn’t know how the respond. At this time, Robin Hood comes out with Marian. He insists that Regina has changed and Marian just has to meet her. 

(He's touching her! As an Outlaw Queen shipper, I have to hold on to the little things)

Marian, though, is having none of this and insists that Regina is a monster. Regina clutches her hand, resisting the urge to incinerate Marian. Good, Regina. Good. David and Mary Margaret come out with Henry to check on Regina. Marian thinks the world has gone mad and can’t understand why people care about the Evil Queen. Robin starts to defend Regina again and Marian realizes that he was involved with Regina. She grabs Roland and storms off. Regina leaves as well as Henry voices concern for his mother.

In Arendelle, Anna tries to guess what Elsa’s surprise is and is a little disappointed to see it’s an attic. Elsa opens a wardrobe to reveal a beautiful wedding gown. She says that it’s their mother’s and now it’s Anna’s. Anna goes to try it on and Elsa asks about the best man. Namely, is it Sven? Anna assures her that she doesn’t have to walk down the aisle with a reindeer. She also assures her that the groom will be properly attired and even got a haircut for the occasion.

(TA-DA!) 

But Elsa’s stopped listening. She’s looking around, opening an old desk. A book is there and she picks it up, reading it. For those with eyes sharp enough to make it out on your TV, you’ll see the book was written in runes. She grows upset as she reads it. Anna comes out and notices Elsa’s distress thanks to the snow falling about her sister. Elsa reveals that she’s the reason her parents are dead. And then she runs away.

(Anyone care to translate?)

Grumpy is on a drive with Sleepy. And learns that it’s probably not a smart idea to stick someone named “Sleepy” behind the wheel as the driver dozes off. Grumpy wakes him up in time for them to come across someone on the road. It’s Elsa, who is scared by the sight of a car. She freezes the car and runs off.

(Carsicle!)

The next day, Robin goes to visit Regina. Outlaw Queen fans, grab your box of tissues! He and Regina have a heart-to-heart. Robin assures her that what they had was real and his feelings for her are real (he even corrects himself to use the present tense!). BUT…Marian is his wife. And he has a code which he has always lived by. He made vows to her and he can’t go back on them. If he did, he wouldn’t be the man Regina loves. And she knows it. Bottom line: Robin is choosing Marian. He leaves and Regina gets so mad, she blows up a mirror in her office. Which gives her an idea.

(That is the face of a man who really hates what he has to do)

Meanwhile, the Nolans are out for a stroll with Emma and Henry. Emma, though, is still trying to reach out to Regina. No dice. Henry decides to call her, thinking maybe it’s just Emma Regina doesn’t want to talk to. Emma has to admit he might be right. Mary Margaret decides to talk about someone else—namely, Hook. Emma doesn’t know what to say. She’s not sure what’s going on and hasn’t told Henry yet. Given how fast gossip travels in this town, he probably knows. And speak of the devil, Hook shows up. He tells Emma he can’t find Regina either. He also thinks Emma is avoiding him and she at least admits it, saying she needs some time. Or a distraction as Grumpy comes running up to announce they are under attack. Again!

Regina walks through the hospital and enters a secured wing. She opens one of the cells to reveal…Giancarlo Esposito! Hi, Giancarlo! He’s happy to see her as Regina declares she needs her mirror.

Uh oh.

(Look who's back. Back again)

Belle and Rumple are on their honeymoon! Which involves a trip to the cemetery! Creepy. But it’s really a chance for Rumple to say goodbye to Neal. He talks to his son’s grave, confessing to Neal that Belle still doesn’t realize she doesn’t have the real dagger. But he’s going to become a better man in memory of his son. All together now: Aww.

(Here he lies, no one knew his worth...)

Anna finds Elsa sitting on a rock. She convinces her sister to tell her what the book said. Apparently it wasn’t a diplomatic mission their parents were on. They were going to a place called Mist Haven to learn more about Elsa’s powers. So she’s the reason they are dead. Anna tells her that’s not true and she knows who will convince Elsa otherwise—her future in-laws!

Regina and Sidney have their reunion. He says he knew she had a plan for him and that she hadn’t forgotten him. Regina’s face tells him she had. She says there is someone in her way and she needs his help. Resist the evil, Regina! Resist! Sidney agrees. She sends him back into his mirror, much to his dismay. Regina assures him it’s only temporary. She then says “Mirror mirror on the wall, show me who I want to kill most of all?”

(Sidney did not sign up for this)

The mirror shows her taunting Marian in the village, telling her to give up Snow White. Marian refuses. As the Evil Queen walks away, Marian yells out that she feels sorry for her. That she has no family, no one to love her. In the end, she’s just a monster. The Evil Queen doesn’t take too kindly to this and declares that Marian will die at dawn. Sidney asks if he showed her what she wanted to know. Regina says he has.

Belle directs Rumple to a house that mysteriously appeared in Storybrooke. And she decided that, since it’s empty, they should honeymoon there. Really? Anyway, they go in and she shows him around. At one point, Rumple freezes her in order to switch out the daggers. When he unfreezes her, she leads him to a library. With a dance floor. He says they’ve been married a whole day but he hasn’t danced with his wife. With a snap of his fingers, they are dressed in outfits straight from “Beauty and the Beast” and the song’s melody even plays as they dance.

All together now: Aww.

(Tale as old as time...)

Anna and Elsa arrive at the trolls’ field. Anna calls for Pabie, who rolls up to her. They show him the book and he tells them he doesn’t have the answers they seek. Just that their parents went to Mist Haven and it might hold the secret to Elsa’s powers. Elsa is frustrated they didn’t get more answers but Anna says they should go to get the answers. Elsa doesn’t want to leave—she’s the queen and apparently Hans and his brothers are scheming to steal Arendelle. Well, okay. Anna says she’ll go but Elsa tells her not to.

(Also, did you enjoy John Rhys-Davis’ voice as the Grand Pabie?)

(Did the Disney animators work on this?)

Elsa wanders through town, trying to get her bearings. Emma and the others discover her and try to approach. That…doesn’t go so well. Elsa feels threaten and calls up Marshmallow to fend off the townspeople. They go running in panic as Marshmallow storms through town. Emma, though, notices Elsa and follows her with Hook.

The scared queen takes refuge in a garage. Emma and Hook try to convince her that they just want to help, but Marshmallow answers for her. 

(It's no)

He chases them into the woods. Meanwhile, Elsa discovers a newspaper. The lead story announces Rumplestilskin and Belle’s wedding. While Elsa doesn’t seem to recognize Rumple, she does recognize something else in the picture—a necklace she had given Anna. It’s her first clue.

In Arendelle, Elsa tries to find her sister. She even goes down to the stables to ask Kristoff. And you know what? Michael Scott Foster looks pretty good as our favorite ice cutter and seller. He tries to feign ignorance of Anna’s whereabouts, but Elsa stares it out of him. Kristoff tells her that she’s gone to Mist Haven and she’s leaving…now.

(And for those curious, yes, Sven was there and yes, Kristoff talked to him).

(The reindeer of the hour: Sven!)

Emma, Charming and Hook warn Robin about Marshmallow just as the snow monster comes barreling through. They try to fight him but end up knocked unconscious. I’m starting to feel bad for Robin—it seems he ends up knocked out a lot more in Storybrooke. Anyway, Marian takes up her own bow and tries to go up against Marshmallow. He knocks her down but she remains conscious. It seems nothing can stop Marshmallow.

Then Regina appears from behind a tree. 

(A wild Regina appears)

She surveys the scene, calm as if there is no giant snow monster behind her. Marian begs Regina to help them. But Regina poofs away in a cloud of purple smoke. Marian realizes she is doomed…until Marshmallow goes boom. Regina had snuck up behind him and used her fireballs to destroy him. Marian is surprised.

Everyone else regains consciousness and Robin runs toward Regina. He stops, though, checking on his wife. She assures him she is fine. Marian then thanks Regina and says maybe she isn’t a monster after all. Regina walks up to her and says she is trying to be a better person. She then welcomes Marian to Storybrooke before leaving the woods.

After surviving the monster attack, Hook and Emma have another heart-to-heart. Emma says she wants to take things slow and Hook is okay with that. She invites him over to watch Netflix. He has no clue what it is but just wants to spend time with her.

All together now: Aww.

(Look how happy he is!)

In Arendelle, Elsa makes it to the docks just as the ship sails away. Elsa wants to bring the ship back Kristoff talks her out of it. He says Anna’s determined and they both know they won’t be able to stop her. They just have to trust her. Elsa wonders why he didn’t go with her. He tells her that Anna asked him to stay behind so Elsa wouldn’t be alone. They would wait for her together.

Emma goes after Regina, who is curled up behind her office door. She tries to convince Regina to let her in but it's still a no go. She assures Regina they are there for her and leaves. 

(More Frozen parallels)

She picks herself up and talks to Sydney. She tells him that she doesn’t want to Kill Marian anymore. Way to go, Regina! She elaborates that Marian isn’t the reason she no longer has a happy ending. Instead, she blames the book. So she’s going to find who ever wrote the book and make him (or her) give her her happy ending. Sydney looks like Regina’s gone insane.

That night, Belle sleeps on as Rumple takes the dagger again. He goes back to an object that had caught his eye earlier. Waving the dagger over it, the object glows and transforms into something else. Something very familiar to Disney fans…

The Sorcerer's Hat.

Meanwhile, Elsa uses her snow powers to break into Gold’s shop. She finds Anna’s necklace. Holding it, she promises Anna she will find her.

(Dun dun dun!)

There it is! The premiere episode! Season Four is off to an interesting start. I know some people weren’t too thrilled with the Frozen reveal and some thing they’ve been sticking too close to the source material than they have for other fairy tales. But I think I know why. They are following “Frozen” which is almost entirely Disney, not the original “Snow Queen” fairy tale. So they are going to stick close to the source material, probably not sure where they have wiggle room. But we’ll probably see them play with the “Snow Queen” if the rumors are correct and Elizabeth Mitchell is playing the original “Snow Queen.”

Next week: Emma on Ice!