OUAT: Go the Distance

Last time on “Once:” It was Once’s 100th episode! Most of the leads arrived in the Underworld, searching for Hook. Regina ended up reuniting with her mother, who warned her to leave the Underworld or something terrible would happen to her father. Gold reunited with his father and got the Draught of Sinead so Emma could talk to Emma. It didn’t work but she glimpsed a battered and bloody Hook. Regina also used the draught to talk to her father, who told her to stay and help her friends. He forgave her for killing him, giving Regina some closure.

In the Enchanted Forest, Regina celebrated her birthday by almost killing Snow White. Henry Sr. tried to convince her to let the vengeance plot go but she refused. He contacted Cora, who came and took Snow’s heart as a present for her daughter. But Henry ended up switching the hearts, so Snow got to live. Regina punished him by putting him in a box before banishing her mother once again. But Cora took the box with Henry in it from Regina before she returned to Wonderland.

With Regina remaining in the Underworld, she had to stop her mother from hurting Henry, Sr. Regina and Henry stood up to Cora and the fire receded, letting him cross over into a better place. He first got to meet his grandson and say goodbye to his daughter before leaving the Underworld.

Henry dubbed their quest Operation Firebird and the heroes continued their quest to save Hook.
We open with Hook. He’s still bloody and battered, awaking in some sort of prison. Hook decides to try to leave but a scared young woman warns him not to. She says they all end up back in the cells and that they can’t escape. Hook tells her that someone is there for him and he’s going to find her. He takes the young woman, insisting they will escape together.

Hook and the woman start running as they hear growls behind them. It soon becomes clear that they won’t be able to outrun whatever is pursuing them. But Hook can give the woman a chance to get out. He tells her to find Emma Swan and tell her that she knows where Killian Jones—Captain Hook—is. The woman nods and Hook takes a stand as Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound, emerges from the shadows.

(Creepy)

OUAT: Hellbound

Last time on “Once:” The Ringwraith Convention haunted Storybrooke as our heroes tried to find Captain Hook. They learned that he intended to send them to the Underworld, allowing the Ringwraith Convention to come back to life as Dark Ones. Regina tried to reason with him while Emma prepared to sacrifice herself to save everyone.

Meanwhile, Zelena was going to use the fact everyone was about to go to hell as a way to get sole custody of Peanut. Robin and Regina worked together and Regina banished Zelena back to Oz.

In the flashbacks, the Evil Queen tested Hook by insisting that he kill the father who abandoned him as a child. Hook and Papa Jones had a heart-to-heart where Papa Jones insisted he’s changed. So Hook decided to fake Papa Jones’ death, and to squirrel him and the son Papa Jones now has out of the country. But when Hook learned that his new brother shares the same name as his late brother, he saw red and killed Papa Jones.

Back in Storybrooke, the heroes prepared to go to hell. Gold sent Belle on a world adventure, the Charmings had one more family dinner and Outlaw Queen actually made provisions for their children. Emma tried to talk sense into Hook and he it worked. He took in all the darkness and asked Emma to kill him with Excalibur. She did so, freeing herself from being the Dark One.

When Emma discovered that Gold was the Dark One again, she blackmailed him into taking her to the Underworld so she could rescue Hook. Everyone else decided to come along for the ride because their names are in the credits.

Which brings us to now…

OUAT: Be Careful What You Wish For

Last time on my Season 1 OUAT watch: Mary Margaret and David were drawn to each other but couldn’t be together because of Kathryn. As a storm approached Storybrooke, Mary Margaret ended up discovering that Kathryn might be pregnant. Emma and August shared a conversation and maybe flirted a little. Meanwhile, Mary Margaret was determined to return a bird to its flock and ended up in danger. David rescued her and they had another moment. When it turned out Kathryn wasn’t pregnant and Mary Margaret tried to move on, David though gave in and they shared a kiss.

In the Enchanted Forest, Snow dealt with the fact that Charming was to marry Princess Abigail. She made a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to get a potion that will stop her from loving him. Charming decided that he loves Snow and sent her a letter to see if she felt the same. She put the potion aside and went to see Charming, getting captured in the process. Snow met Grumpy in the dungeons and they were busted out by Stealthy, who was killed during the escape. King George found Snow and threatened to kill Charming if she didn’t break his heart. She did so and was taken in by the dwarfs.

When Grumpy announced that Charming wasn’t getting married after all, she didn’t react. He realized she took the potion after all.

Uh oh.

The storm has claimed a victim in Storybrooke—Henry’s beloved castle playground. He and Emma meet there to take in the ruins of their secret meeting spot. But Henry is worried about the book, which he keeps hidden from his mother there. He checks it, relieved to find it there.

(Aww. The poor playground!)

Galavant: Curtain Call

Last time on “Galavant:” Chef and Gwynne found themselves in the center of the battle as the armies of Valencia and Hortensia converged right where they had settled after leaving the palace. Galavant and Richard arrived with their zombie army, allowing them to reunite with Isabella and Gareth. Madalena betrayed Gareth by using her magical powers to turn the battle to her favor. As most of the main cast sought refuge in Hortensia’s courtyard, Madalena made them one last offer. When they turned it down, she faced Gareth’s betrayal and left to finish the battle.

Who wins? Who loses? Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

(Sorry. I haven’t been able to stop listening to the Hamilton cast recording).

But before we begin, I just learned that Joshua Sasse and Kylie Minogue (the Evil Queen back in Episode 1) are engaged! I’m not sure if they met on set or before that, but it’s kinda sweet. So congrats you two!

Back to our story…

We start in the past with a young Richard and a young Gareth. He goes to play with the kids his parents paid to be his friends. I know I was trying to spot young Roberta but I don’t think they had her, which is a total missed opportunity. Because I’m pretty sure she liked him even then and probably was a true friend to Richard, like Gareth. Come on, show!

Anyway, Richard realizes that everyone is just praising him because they’re scared of Gareth, not because of anything he really does. He wonders if he’ll ever make something of himself and sings about it. Older Richard comes in to sing a duet and reveal that, no, they don’t really make anything of themselves. But he can alongside Galavant.

(Richard and his inner child have a depressing realization)

The song is interrupted as the others remind him they are in the middle of a battle and have zombies trying to break down the gates. He’s like “But I was communing with my inner child.” They tell him to knock it off and focus on trying not to die.

Galavant: Rally!

Last time on “Galavant”: Madalena sold her soul in order to get the dark powers of D’Dew from Wormwood, despite the fact Gareth didn’t want her too. Isabella tried to rally her troops. Galavant realized his zombie army responded to true love. Richard and Roberta finally got together but broke up when Richard insisted on fighting with Galavant. She knew he wouldn’t survive and decided to go live on Spinster Island.

Time for the exciting conclusion!

Hey, remember the Mightiest Earworm to Ever Try and Take On “It’s A Small World”? You know, the song that opened Galavant that you were humming until ABC killed it by using it for several commercials?

It’s back.

The Jester recaps everything using the song that opened the show and, to be honest, it’s now a very nice callback. He finishes, standing between the forces of Hortensia and Valencia as they applaud. Madalena and Gareth express their appreciation for the Jester’s voice yet again.

(All hail the Jester)

Galavant: Off to War

Last time on “Galavant:” Though he was rushed to greatest healer in the land, Neo of Sporin, Galavant died. But Richard was able to provide an ingredient for a potion that could bring the man back to life. While dead, Galavant learned about the impending battle between Isabella and Madalena. He also learned that Isabella thought he hated her. Determined to right everything, Galavant returned to life…just as Roberta and Richard were going to kiss.

Wormwood helped Gareth and Madalena plan their war and wondered if a wedding was also in their future. This freaked Madalena out but in the end, she and Gareth agreed they were in love and would proceed from there. They rallied their troops and headed out to Hortensia.

Isabella ended up being the one to lead Hortensia into battle and she was distraught to see she had barely anything to work with. But she remained determined as she prepared to go out to war.

Neo of Sporin provided an army when he revealed he had a bunch of zombies wandering around his abode. So Galavant led them out to save Isabella.

Will he succeed? Let’s find out!

The zombie army marches on with Galavant at the helm. Sid is still feeling guilty about his part in killing Galavant and not even Galavant himself can help him forgive himself. As they break for the night, Richard and Roberta decide to pick up where they left off in Neo’s lair—it’s time for their kiss. And maybe more.

Go, Richard. And go, Roberta. You’ve waited long enough for this!

(Sorry there wasn't a better shot. It was night time)

Galavant: Welcome to Purgatory

Last time on “Galavant:” After wandering the woods, the main trio came upon the lands belonging to Galavant’s father. He wanted to keep going but was outvoted. He learnt his father was taking in young boys and training them to be knights. Galavant and his father made up and it was sweet.
Isabella returned to Hortensia, rescued her parents from the dungeons, threw out Wormwood and finally got Harry to call off the arranged marriage.

Sid escaped Valencia and ran into Wormwood. He found out what happened between Isabella and Galavant and set out to right things. Wormwood went to offer a war to Madalena and Gareth.
When Sid found Galavant, he tried to give Galavant a sword. It ended up in his stomach.

Oops.

(Sign post)

Sid, Richard and Roberta rush Galavant to the greatest healer in the land—Neo of Sporin. (Get it?). When they get there, Neo sings about how he can save everybody instead of, you know, healing Galavant. So by the time the song is over, Galavant is dead.

Uh oh.

Galavant: Daddy Issues!

Last time on “Galavant:” Galavant and Richard fought. Again. They ended up on opposite sides of a feud between giants and dwarfs, who were fighting over a bridge. In the end, Bobbi made everyone see commonsense. The dwarfs and giants made up while the other three rode out to Hortensia.

Wormwood continued to exert power of Isabella using the magical tiara, even having her send her parents to the dungeon. He made a mistake, though, when he sent Isabella to see why Princess Jubilee didn’t RSVP. During the rough-and-tumbled Jubilee’s number about being a rebel, the crown was knocked off and Isabella was freed from his grasp. And boy was she pissed.

Meanwhile, Gareth confided in Sid that he was starting to fall for Madalena. Sid tried to talk Gareth out of it but Gareth just told Madalena all the bad things Sid said about her. So Sid had to run for his life.

Sid takes refuge out with the peasants of Valencia. However, Madalena has already had wanted posters printed up and the people want to turn Sid in. He pleads with them not to and reminds them that they are victims of Madalena and Gareth as well. He rallies the people to the side and they prepare to storm the palace. Sid even carries a red flag, which I like to believe was a shout out to Les Miserables.

(Do you hear the people sing?)

Unfortunately, it was all a ruse. The people run off once Sid’s in the courtyard, pretty much leaving him gift wrapped for Madalena and Gareth. He realizes he’s screwed.

The Red Dress: A Psychological Thriller

I know, I know. I said I would give Sean Maguire a break. But LMN (Lifetime Movie Network) aired this movie on Sunday, January 24th, and of course I watched it, despite some hesitation because I know the fair LMN airs. So, how was it? Let’s take a look.

Beware sneaky husbands, supposed friends and SPOILERS!

Galavant: There Aren't Giants in the Sky

Last time on “Galavant:” Richard continued to make trouble for Galavant and learned that Roberta was a childhood friend of his. When Galavant learnt this, he plotted to get the two together in hopes that Richard would then focus on Roberta rather than him. Dinner, though, was disastrous and it didn’t seem to work on Richard. Roberta, however, did fall for Richard. Or rather, she was already falling and realized that he was dense.

Or agreed with my theory that Richard is gay and in love with Galavant.

Madalena was invited two a roast held by two powerful queens and was horrified to learn that she was the one being roasted. She then walked home and when Gareth learned of her humiliation, he exacted revenge. Touched, Madalena and Gareth realized they might have deeper feelings for the other.

Isabella was still happily making wedding plans but Gwynne was having a hard time adjusting to life in the palace. So she and Chef left.

Aww.

Richard wakes Galavant to introduce his friend to Tad Cooper, his lizard. I’m sorry, his dragon. Galavant tries to get the king to see reason and that Tad Cooper is probably an iguana. But definitely not a lizard. In the end, he loses his cool and unleashes on Richard once again. This time, Richard takes Tad Cooper and goes off to sing a sad song. It ends with him being captured.

(Is there a problem?)

OUAT: Season 5A Wrap Up

So, the first half of season 5 is over. How was it?

Overall, not bad. There were many good episodes in fact. But at the same time, it was a bit of a letdown. I don’t think this storyline fit the half-season arcs they’ve been doing. The Dark Swan deserved a full season.

Why? Let’s count the ways:

Character development

We got a lot of character development…for Hook. Over eleven episodes, he fought for Emma and then had to fight for his very soul. He sunk to his darkest as the Dark One and nearly did in every hero on the show. But then his love for Emma and his desire to be a better man for her won out. He sacrificed himself for her and her family, dying a hero.

Galavant: Poor Bobbi

Last time on “Galavant:” Richard discovered his palace had been taken by his subjects and turned into a new town. He also discovered that they realized they didn’t need him and now had a democracy. Richard tried to figure out his new place in his kingdom while Galavant tried to drum up support to raise an army to rescue Isabella. In the end, the people decided not to do so but one woman, Roberta, agreed to go after Richard’s impassioned plea on Galavant’s behalf.

In Valencia, Gareth was being plagued with nightmares starring Richard. Sid got him to realize he was feeling guilty over his betrayal of his king and friend. He then helped Gareth (and Madalena) finally get some rest.

Isabella moped about after Galavant’s (supposed) diss. Her parents hired a wedding planner and Isabella agreed to plan it. The wedding planner, Wormwood, had evil purposes and took control of her with a magic crown. His goal? To take over the kingdom. He’s evil.

Will the others’ suspicions be enough to stop him in time?


Galavant and Richard are in tense negotiations. Things seem to be going well…until Richard opens his mouth. He ends up causing a fight that Galavant and Roberta have to end. Good thing this democratic/communist community believes in teaching the women to fight as well! In the middle of the fight, Richard realizes that he knows Roberta. He goes to tell Galavant that she used to be one of the children his parents paid to play with him and marvels at the fact they’ve been reunited. Galavant, though, is more focused on not dying. They manage to get away and flee into the woods.

(Now's not the time, Richard!)

Galavant: Democracy!

Last time on “Galavant:” Galavant and Isabella worried that their one kiss wasn’t all that great and maybe their romance wasn’t as strong as they believed it to be. When Galavant found a way to talk to Isabella, everything went wrong and she ended up brokenhearted. Richard, meanwhile, learned of Gareth’s betrayal and was brokenhearted. But they pressed on to Richard’s castle…only to find it gone. Meanwhile, Isabella returned to her room and agreed to marry Harry—unaware Galavant was coming to get her.

Meanwhile, Gareth and Madalena argued about how he decorated the throne room and about their differences in general. They agreed they both hate Sid and went from there.

Also, I came to the realization that Richard is gay and in love with Galavant. And I ship it.

Send help. I have way too many ships in my armada as it is.

Anyway, Richard is miffed that his palace is gone. So naturally, he wants to go find it. And Galavant goes along in hopes of getting Richard’s army so he can storm Harry’s kingdom and rescue Isabella.

They come across a village and Richard says there seems to be something very familiar about it. He hails a peasant, played by Matt Lucas. The peasant is very excited to see Galavant and less so to see Richard. But Richard ignores that to focus on one thing: What the hell happened to his palace? Turns out the reason the village looks so familiar—it is the palace.

Galavant: Can You Hear Me Now?

Last time on “Galavant:” The entire cast, crew and creative team were surprised they got a second season and the cast sang about it. After the song, the Good Pirate Bonneville’s ship was destroyed when Richard chose the wrong spot to land. The pirates sent him and Galavant on their way and they stopped at the Enchanted Forest, where Kylie Minogue made a shirtless Galavant perform and Richard serve drinks. But Richard’s Uncle Keith broke them out and they continued on their way.

In Harry’s kingdom, everyone but Isabella enjoyed freedom and good life. She was still trapped in her “room,” waiting to marry her young cousin. Meanwhile, Sid ended up working for Gareth when he was employed to help Gareth get the recognition he deserved from Madalena: King of Valencia.

Also, John Stamos briefly returned as Sir Jean Hamm. It was blink and you might miss him.

Moving on, we’re back to square one with Galavant and Richard. Namely, the king is annoying the knight with his all his incessant whining. Richard plops down on a log and needs a rest, while Galavant once again tries not to strangle him. Galavant then apologizes and admits he’s missing Isabella. Richard points out that they only shared one kiss and it wasn’t even a good one. Galavant argues that…until he starts to reconsider everything.

Galavant Season 2: Electric Boogaloo

When last we left this musical comedy, our characters were separated. Madalena was still in Valencia, ruling with Gareth, as Sid languishes in their dungeons. Chef, Gwynne, Jester and Isabella’s parents are in Prince Harry’s kingdom while Isabella stays locked up, awaiting to marry her very young cousin. Galavant and Richard went off with the Good Pirate Bonneville’s crew, escaping Valencia to head back to Richard’s kingdom.

Time for the season 2 premiere, titled “A New Season or Suck It Cancellation Bear.” Awesome.

We open on the ship of the Good Pirate Bonneville as Galavant and Richard moan about how long they’ve been at sea. Pretty much all year, since it’s been a year since the first season of Galavant. To cheer himself up, Richard asks Galavant to sing his theme song again. He starts but the pirates stop him. Apparently he’s been singing it a lot and they are sick of it. Six of them walked the plank voluntarily last week! They say it’s a new season so it’s time for a new song.

(Welcome back, you two!)

OUAT: Sacrifice

Last time on “Once:” Everyone had to figure out what Dark!Hook is doing while Emma struggled with the ramifications of what she’s done. She had alienated herself from her family and had to figure out a way to earn their trust again. Henry was her best hope and he came through, helping her get the dreamcatchers back.

Hook challenged Gold to a duel and he accepted. Though Belle was concerned, Gold said he needed to do it to be a better man. To stop being a coward. He asked Belle to meet him by where they got married after the duel, which she did once Gold got the upper hand against Hook. Belle though didn’t want to get back together with Gold yet. She wanted time to figure things out by herself, breaking 
Gold’s heart.

Robin and Regina agreed to let Zelena hold Peanut and visit her, despite their best intentions and the audience screaming at them not to.

Back in the Enchanted Fores/Camelot, Hook did not react well to becoming a Dark One. Emma, though, managed to get him to believe in her and agree to work to get rid of the darkness. But once he was back with Merlin, he crushed the wizard’s heart in order to enact a Dark Curse. So Emma erased everyone’s memory including Hook so that no one knew he was a Dark One—including himself.

At the end, Hook used Gold’s blood to open the portal to the Underworld. Nimue led the other Dark Ones back to Storybrooke as she and Hook prepared for the next step in their plan.

Looks like I get to use this gif again:

OUAT: Dark Hook May Be the Worse Villain Yet

Last time on “Once:” We took a side trip to Dun Broch for a little trip with Merida, Mulan and Red that really had no bearing on the current plot and killed the momentum.

Last time on the other episode of “Once:” Emma rescues Merlin from Arthur’s control when he and Zelena make the miscalculated step of threatening her loved ones. Hook’s belief in them and their future helps her light the Flame of Prometheus. But when a wound he suffered from Excalibur proves to be fatal, Emma sacrifices everything to save Hook.

In Storybrooke, Zelena’s pregnancy was accelerated and she gave birth to a daughter. It was feared Emma would use the baby to destroy the light but she actually wanted to capture Zelena. She planned to put the darkness in Zelena and kill her. Hook and Zelena escaped as the Nolans and Regina tried to stop Emma. Zelena revealed Emma’s deep dark secret—the way she saved Hook? She turned him into a Dark One too.

What a twist!

We open where we left off in Episode 8, with Emma frozen with squid ink and Dark!Hook ready to burn Storybrooke, it seems. He works with Zelena and she uses her cuff on Emma before they blow that popsicle stand, despite Emma begging Hook to listen to her and to let her help him. But Hook is having none of it. Not when she turned him into the one thing he detested most of all:

The Dark One

(Zelena is enjoying this)

The Third Wish: A Stronger Rewrite?

I may be obsessed with Sean Maguire right now. Okay, I may have been obsessed with him since he showed up on Once Upon a Time at the start of season 3. Anyway, I’ve been catching some of his past work. Including this movie that I guess was made for TV.

Lucky us, huh? 

Rub a lamp and wish for SPOILERS!

OUAT: A Scottish Adventure

Last time on “Once:” Hook pursued Emma to get some answers and she finally let him in. Unfortunately, his answers were that Emma was doing everything because she turned Hook into a Dark One while in Camelot in order to save his life. So she accelerated Zelena’s pregnancy, causing her to give birth. She then kidnapped the witch and was going to put all the darkness into her before killing her. But Zelena was freed and Hook was not pleased to be a Dark One.

Uh oh.

And now for something completely different…

We open in Camelot, where Zelena and Arthur return to the palace. He seems mad that Zelena poofed them out of there even though he asked her to. This guy is just crazy. Zelena pointed out that she saved him because he wasn’t going to make it against the heroes. They need to think of something else. Arthur has an idea.

(Aww, is someone sulking?)

OUAT: Twice the Darkness and a Pinch of Cute

Last time on “OUAT:” We learned about the origins of Merlin and the Dark One. Merlin drank from the Holy Grail, which gave him magic and immortality. He helped a village thrive when a young woman named Nimue asked him for help. She fell in love with him instead. He created a sword in order to get rid of his immortality but he needs one more thing. So he and Nimue go on a quest when she found the man who destroyed her village. She tried to get vengeance but it seemed she died. Except she didn’t—she had drank from the Holy Grail and became immortal. She killed the man by crushing his heart and became the Dark One.

Merlin and Emma went to get the flame but they have to summon Nimue, who has it inside of her. Nimue though encouraged Emma to give into the darkness but Emma proved stronger. She got the flame and was one step closer to being rid of the darkness. Merlin though disappeared, summoned because Arthur had Zelena bind him to Excalibur. She had betrayed the others after helping them into the palace.

In Storybrooke, Emma reforged Excalibur as the past Dark Ones celebrated.

Everyone is in trouble now.