Another episode featuring Zelena and Oz and since neither new song added to Wicked For Good seem to fit this episode, I’m using lyrics instead of song titles.
My Once Upon a Time recaps return, resuming with Season 6 since I never finished those recaps! Here we go!
Last time on “Once”: Hook encountered Tiger Lily, who helped him stay away from angry and vengeful Lost Boys. They managed to evade them as he tried to get his way back to Storybrooke.
In Storybrooke, Regina tried to find a way to break the curse on Snow and Charming. She got an idea as they drifted off into a presumably permanent sleep and had everyone in Storybrooke share the curse. This weakened it and allowed Charming and Snow to finally wake up.
Flashbacks revealed that Charming and Snow woke up during the first curse and were briefly reunited. They found a way to get to little Emma but Rumple convinced them not to go to her, to let fate play out so they could stop Regina – who was still in full Evil Queen mode. So they left Emma in foster care and allowed themselves to be cursed again.
Parents of the Year.
Anyway, Fiona and Gideon are still threats and Rumple and Belle are still determined to stop her and save him.
No wonder my “Last time” recaps were almost as long as the regular recaps! Because that was me trying to condense it into one paragraph and failing!
We open in the merry old land of Oz as young Zelena walks down the yellow brick road. She encounters a boy about her age with an axe who is cutting wood. She warns him to be careful before they find a nest that’s fallen with a broken egg. He reveals someone knocked it out of the tree and Zelena uses her magic to fix it.
 |
| The yellow brick road needs a new paint job. |
Other kids come out of the woods to mock Zelena and warn the other boy to stay away from her. But they were the kids who knocked the nest out of the tree before the tree fell. So the boy threatens them with his axe and they run off. He introduces himself as Stanum and it seems Zelena has herself a friend!
We flash out of Oz and to Zelena’s farmhouse as Baby Robin cries. Zelena quickly makes a bottle for her and when she races into the next room, she stops short. The Black Fairy stands there with Peanut in her arms, taunting Zelena. She pretty much demands that Zelena help her or she would hurt Peanut.
 |
| Poor Peanut. |
And now Zelena is pissed off, which can never end well for anybody.
Cue the credits!
We next visit Emma’s house where she is making pancakes for breakfast. Hook comes up behind her and they are getting flirty in the kitchen. But their prelude to some sexytimes comes to an abrupt end when Snow barges into the kitchen. The roles are reversed now and she looks like Emma did the time she and Henry walked in on Snow and Charming in bed together.
You know, doing her best impression of a fish.
 |
| Currently reconsidering every life decision she's ever made. |
She shakes off her surprise and announces that she’s there to help Emma and Hook plan their wedding. They are a bit hesitant since Gideon is still at large and still determined to kill her. Emma is still having those flashes of him doing so. So it doesn’t seem like it’s a good time to plan a wedding but Snow convinces her otherwise. It gives them hope that everything will work out.
Besides, Snow has missed out on so many moments in Emma’s life. She really wants to plan her wedding. Emma can’t deny her mother that.
Everyone then shows up at the Sheriff’s station where Zelena tells them about the Black Fairy’s visit to her. They recognize this is a big deal but they aren’t taking action immediately. Regina tries to convince Zelena to not rush into something, to let them continue planning a way to stop the Black Fairy but Zelena is too riled up, especially since Peanut was involved. As always, Zelena runs on pure emotions as she leaves the station.
 |
| There's no stopping her now. |
The Charmings then tell Regina about their wedding plans. Regina isn’t too sure it’s a good idea but it’s clear there is no stopping them. Besides, she has a sister to worry about. So it seems wedding planning is a go.
We then cut to the pawn shop where Belle is relieved to hear that Gideon is still good at heart. She shares a hug with Rumple, who promises her that he will save their son. But for now, they have to keep the fact that they have an unconscious and powerless Blue in their backroom a secret from the others. She agrees.
 |
| If you don't want anyone to discover the unconscious woman you're holding captive, maybe find another place to keep her? |
And then someone almost immediately discovers it.
Zelena walks in and asks Belle to babysit Peanut for her. Belle agrees and goes to get a bassinette, which is when Zelena discovers Blue. But she doesn’t care about that. She just says goodbye to Peanut and disappears before Belle could get any more information from her.
 |
| Belle should open her own babysitting service at this rate. |
Meanwhile, David returns to the loft and notices the door is open. He slowly approaches it, gun at the ready to confront the intruder.
And then relaxes when he realizes it’s just Henry. Henry sits on the couch with the book, trying to find a way to change the outcome of the final battle so he can save Emma’s life. David reminds him about the dangers of trying to change the story and Henry understands. He also shows that he really can’t change the outcome as every time he tries, the words just disappear. He’s powerless and he hates it.
 |
| Henry needs a vacation and therapy. |
David reassures Henry and encourages him to come help look at wedding venues with the rest of the Charmings rather than trying to decipher some cypher instead.
Regina stops by Gold’s store and realizes that Belle is looking after Peanut. Belle says that Zelena had something to do. Regina realizes that her sister is going after the Black Fairy and rushes to go stop her from doing something stupid.
Zelena approaches a dilapidated shack in the middle of the woods and enters it.
We return to Oz as Zelena enjoys a meal alone. A servant comes in to announce that she has a guest but Zelena doesn’t want company. An older Stanum enters the room and so Zelena decides to entertain him for a little bit. He explains that he’s been cursed and is slowly turning to tin. But there’s a way to stop it. He needs to find a certain heart in the middle of the woods.
(Get it? He only needs a heart!)
Zelena is not inclined to help him but he appeals to the girl he met on the road, knowing she is still there inside Zelena. He also offers her friendship and companionship, something she clearly is still looking for. So she agrees to help him.
 |
| Does Zelena do everything in this room? |
In the tunnels, Zelena realizes she isn’t alone and turns around to find Regina there. Regina is annoyed with her and Zelena asks what she’s going to blame her for this time. Regina is confused and Zelena says that Regina keeps blaming her for Robin’s death despite that sacrificed Hades for her. She pretty much tries to say that she isn’t responsible for Robin’s death and that annoyed me, even all these years later. She is responsible and I hate the fact that the writers didn’t let Regina unleash on her.
Zelena tries to storm off but Regina uses magic, throwing her against the wall. Zelena tells her that she shouldn’t have done that and the cave agrees as it caves in on them.
 |
| These two take sibling rivalry to another level. |
We then cut to Granny’s as Snow evaluates it as a possible wedding venue. She seems to think it will be perfect while Emma and Hook are happy just to agree with her. David, though, is less than thrilled with the option. He even brings up the date Mary Margaret went on with Whale back in Season One.
Ouch, Charming.
David then proceeds to insult Granny’s and he’s lucky she’s not there. I’m pretty sure she would not think twice about using him as target practice for her crossbow. Snow recommends a few other places and they leave to keep looking.
 |
| Nothing ever warned of a father-of-the-bridezilla |
Back in the cave, Regina is like “This is another fine mess you’ve gotten me into” and Zelena is like “Sure, keep blaming me.” Regina tries to tell her that this is a stupid idea but Zelena is certain she can stop the Black Fairy on her own. That Regina and Emma may need some stupid wand but she doesn’t. Regina realizes that Zelena wants to be seen as better than all of them and asks why. Zelena replies that it’s because she is. She then storms off to try and find the Black Fairy.
We all know this going to end poorly. Zelena may be powerful but she’s too impulsive and too temperamental as well as too cocky. It’s clear the Black Fairy is going to use this to her advantage.
We cut back to Oz, where Zelena and Stanum walk along a dark road. He believes they are getting closer to the monster’s lair and Zelena says she hopes so as she has some terrorizing on her schedule. He tells her that she doesn’t have to pretend with him and that he knows she would rather be there with him than alone in her palace. She denies it, explaining that she’s working on a power time travel spell so she can go back and prove to Cora that she should’ve kept Zelena rather than Regina. Stanum says that’s a lot of trouble for someone who didn’t want her in the first place and says that won’t make her happy.
Before he can tell her what will make her happy, something takes him out. It’s lion and he pauses for a moment before dragging Stanum away. Zelena gives chase, ready to fight the lion.
Returning to the cave, Regina gives chase to Zelena. She then notices crystals along the wall of the cave and realizes they are fairy crystals. She guesses that the Black Fairy wants to use the vein of crystals for something but Zelena doesn’t know why she would want so much light magic. The Black Fairy shows up and says that she doesn’t want light magic before taunting Regina. When Regina tries to attack, she hurls Regina away and sends Gideon after her.
 |
| Ooh, shiny! |
The Black Fairy asks Zelena if she’s there to join her. Zelena says that she’s there to kill her. So the Black Fairy sends more rocks flying before disappearing. Zelena tells Regina to deal with Gideon before she chases after the Black Fairy.
Zelena and the Black Fairy enter a room filled with fairy crystals in a design that would make Ingrid from Season 4 jealous. The Black Fairy tells Zelena that she should’ve taken her up on her offer but Zelena just hits her with some magic before insisting that Wicked Always Wins. She shoots green magic at the Black Fairy, who just laughs and stands. The Black Fairy taunts Zelena before redirecting her magic toward the crystals, which quickly turn black.
Gideon and Regina race into the room as the Black Fairy thanks Gideon for his role in this plan. She uses a Vader choke hold on Zelena before swatting Regina away, essentially beginning a monologue. She says that Zelena was right about being more powerful than Regina and the Black Fairy was able to harness that power. She explains that Zelena’s power is very unstable because Zelena is essentially desperate for love and acceptance. Honestly, this monologue is mostly taunting Zelena while also delivering some hard truths to her.
The Black Fairy reveals she tricked Zelena into starting the Final Battle. She says no one will be around long for much longer before releasing a blast of purple magic from the crystals. With a wave of her hand, she sends Zelena and Regina from the cave as she laughs and everything shakes around her and a concerned Gideon.
We return to Oz as Zelena chases after the lion. I’ve noticed that Zelena never really runs. She just kinda walks fast. I’m not sure why that is – if it’s a deliberate choice from Rebecca Mader or if the costumes just limit her movement. Anyway, she comes across the lion and tries to throw magic at it. The lion easily avoids it and jumps her, ready to devour her when an axe distracts it. Stanum is there and the lion turns its attention to him, allowing Zelena to hit him with magic. He retreats, running off as Zelena calls him a coward.
 |
| He doesn't look very cowardly right now. |
Stanum notes that Zelena came to help him before his hand turns to tin. She asks him what’s happening and he says he doesn’t have much time left so they continue.
Zelena and Regina appear outside the fairy mines and Regina is annoyed. Zelena then gets annoyed about Regina thinking this is all her fault. But it is! Regina is right that Zelena’s desire to prove she’s better than everyone else gave the Black Fairy everything she needs to destroy them. Zelena wants to go back in there to take the crystals but Regina knows that’s a bad idea. She tells Zelena that she needs to go to Oz where she can be the best and can stop creating issues for Storybrooke. Zelena can’t believe Regina said that but Regina reiterates it before leaving to find the Charmings so they can figure out how to stop the Black Fairy.
 |
| I almost feel bad for Zelena. |
The Charmings are now in the space where town meetings are held. Everyone but David thinks it’s a good place and Snow gets excited over the decorating possibilities. However David thinks it’s too drafty (Henry says there might be a window open somewhere) and it needs new paint. Emma tells her father that she gets they are royalty and he wants something fitting that but unless they go back to the Enchanted Forest or the Excalibur in Las Vegas, they will need to make do in Storybrooke.
David then says that’s a great idea and Emma thinks he means going to Vegas. He means going back to their castle in the Enchanted Forest and asks Henry how many beans they would need. Snow orders him outside and they leave. Henry also walks away as Emma suggests eloping to Hook. He says he’ll bring the rum.
Outside, Snow and David have it out. David thinks they are rushing the wedding and that Emma deserves to have a wedding day without their doom hovering over them. Snow, though, is worried that if they don’t have the wedding now, they never will and insists it will give everyone hope. David wants them to put themselves and Emma first for once. He doesn’t want to keep pretending that he isn’t terrified that their daughter could die and you know what – valid. David wants her wedding day to be a day of celebration and about celebrating a new chapter in her life.
Emma agrees as she, Hook and Henry join them. She thinks it is best for them to wait until the Black Fairy has been dealt with so that there is nothing hanging over her wedding. Snow is still hesitant but Emma gets her to realize that this is for the best – and that it gives them an incentive to make sure this wedding happens.
 |
| Concerned Henry is Concerned. |
Zelena returns to Gold’s shop to pick up Peanut. Belle asks if she was successful and Zelena says she wasn’t but it didn’t matter. Belle offers to watch Peanut whenever but Zelena tells her it won’t be necessary. She then tells Peanut it is time for them to go home where they belong and Belle looks worried.
We then cut to the farmhouse. Zelena carries Peanut out into the large field by the farmhouse. She uses the dark crystal to summon a green tornado, trying not to cry as it approaches her and sweeps us away to Oz.
 |
| Goodbye, Zelena? |
Zelena and Stanum arrive at a random stone structure in the woods. There’s a box on it and Zelena opens it to reveal the Crimson Heart. Stanum has hope and even Zelena looks excited as she picks up the heart, ready to shove it into his chest. He’s ready too but before she can do anything, the heart starts to suck her magic. She slams it back down.
She then explains to a confused Stanum that the heart is worthless without someone else’s magic. Paranoid, she asks him if he knew that and he swears he didn’t. She doesn’t believe him and even accuses him of working with Dorothy. But he insists he doesn’t know a Dorothy as we hear him rusting up more.
He tells her that maybe this is what she needs – a way to have a friend. But she’s not willing to give up her magic for him, reminding him that he said her magic made her special. Stanum insists that it was her decision to use her magic for good that made her special. That if she chooses otherwise, then she will always be lonely. Zelena, though, insists that magic makes her special and she lets him completely become tin. She grabs the heart and races away, telling him to wait for Dorothy to rescue him.
 |
| Justice for Stanum! |
The Charmings, Emma, Hook and Henry are at the sheriff’s station along with Regina. They are horrified to hear about the Black Fairy having so many crystals powered by dark crystal. Hook asks a great question – how is Zelena still the villain when she isn’t the villain they are fighting? Regina assures them that she’s dealt with Zelena. Henry asks if this means the Final Battle has begun and she doesn’t know. Snow asks about the wand and Regina promises she will work on it now that Zelena is gone.
Except Zelena isn’t gone. She comes into the station with Peanut and explains that she was about to go to Oz but realized there was nothing there for her. Everyone there hated her. And even though they don’t have the greatest relationship, Regina is all she has and so she wants to stay.
She also wants to help stop the Black Fairy. The crystals are tied to her magic so she is the only one who can destroy them. Zelena pulls out a familiar case and says that it arrived from Oz via a tornado. She reveals that it will help…by destroying her magic.
 |
| Everyone looks skeptical. |
In Oz, Zelena returns home and sets the container down. She takes her seat and prepares to have dinner…just as regret and loneliness hit her yet again.
Zelena sets up the heart in Regina’s vault. Before she picks it up, she asks Regina to take care of Peanut if something bad happens to her (Zelena). Regina assures her that nothing bad will happen but she promises to take care of Peanut. Emma makes the same promise and assures Zelena that Peanut is one of them. Reassured, Zelena picks up the heart and it sucks out her magic.
 |
| Goodbye, Zelena's magic |
When it is done, it releases a burst of green energy that pulsates through Storybrooke and into the mines. The Black Fairy and Gideon watch as the crystals turn back to white.
Back at the vault, Regina asks Zelena how she feels. Zelena says she feels weak but Regina assures her she has never looked stronger. She then apologizes and gives Zelena a hug while the black crystal turns clear. Emma says they should call Blue and have the dwarves start mining the crystals but Regina says that she hasn’t been able to reach Blue. Zelena then reveals that Gold has her in his shop.
Belle apologizes for keeping Blue Fairy from them but begs them to understand why she and Gold did it. Gold also apologizes and promises to find a way to wake her. Zelena says they can do that and he needs to except their help. Belle also pleads with him to let them help, saying they’ve already missed so much with Gideon and she doesn’t want to miss anymore. And the only way to do that is to free him from the Black Fairy.
 |
| Rumple is slowly learning the power of Teamwork |
Gold agrees. Emma steps forward and crushes the crystal, letting it cover Blue’s chest. It disappears and when Belle checks her pulse, she reveals that her heart is beating again. Gold says its only a matter of time until she wakes up again.
The Black Fairy watches from a crystal and Gideon’s trying not to gloat about them waking up Blue Fairy. He wonders how important that wand fragment must be but she replies that it isn’t really about the wand. Blue knows her darkest secret – one she doesn’t want Rumple to know.
The real reason she gave him up.
dun dun DUN!
Whew!
No wonder these recaps used to take me so long to write. I forgot how dense these episodes could be. They definitely packed a lot into these episodes and I think especially this season. A seventh season wasn’t a guarantee and by this point, they knew that Jennifer Morrison wasn’t going to be returning for the next season. They needed to wrap many things up before the finale.
Which also meant that they probably rushed some things and didn’t give them the proper time to develop.
Like Zelena’s redemption.
I’ve already written ad nauseam about how much I detest how the writers handled everything between Robin and Zelena as well as how they bungled his death. And I think that Regina and Zelena had the potential to have a great relationship but the writers kept rushing it, likely inspired by Lana’s and Bex’s real-life friendship. That hurt both characters, in my opinion. It made it seem like Regina didn’t really care about Robin while Zelena didn’t really get a chance to truly grow.
So I think that’s all I say about that for now.
Anyway, I’m excited to watch the next episode again. Hopefully it won’t take months for me to recap!
Next time: We learn more about the Black Fairy.
No comments:
Post a Comment