Once Upon a Time 4.5 - Breaking Glass
Let's talk about that ending first! Seeing that the Snow Queen was one of Emma's foster parents threw me for a loop. I mean, I knew that she had known Emma in some regard based on her reaction to her when they first encountered each other, but I didn't think that THAT would be how. Well done writers! Nice twist.
Speaking of the Snow Queen, I'm still intrigued by her, even though we know even less about her now. Not only was she apparently in non-Storybrooke world, but she wants a real family? I thought she had one because Elsa and Anna's mother was her sister. It makes me think that it was her sister that put her in the urn, but I'm guessing it wasn't for a totally nefarious reason. I'm really intrigued by what her backstory is, and why having a giant mirror is going to be part of her getting her own family.
Also, Elizabeth Mitchell just imbues so much mystery in her characters that I want to learn more about them. I felt this way about Juliet on Lost, even when I didn't give a crap about the rest of the Others. I really do hope, though, that the Snow Queen is not just a standard villain. I'm kind of hoping she's like Regina and she can turn good and maybe stick around for a while. Only because I feel like someone as good as Elizabeth Mitchell should have work all the time.
In the non-Snow Queen front, I really enjoy that Regina was pissed at Emma, but Emma was making overtures to make things up with Regina, and not out of guilt, but out of a sense of friendship. Regina being surprised by that was lovely, too. It's pretty clear that she's never had many (any?) friends. And Emma and her do make a good team, especially against giant axe-wielding snowmen. She really does need someone she can trust, especially now that Sidney is a turncoat. Really, though, she should have expected that. I'm pretty sure he turned against her at one point in the past, too.
I'm rather ambivalent about the Will Scarlett story. It's probably partially because I haven't watched OUaT in Wonderland yet, so I don't have the character recognition or any backstory. But it feels like inserting him into this series is already filling and overstuffed season. I may change my mind once we learn more about him. I will give credit where credit is due and say that I do like that he's not driving large chunks of story right now. There are already enough large stories that keeping him in mainly the C-story will be beneficial for now.
My only real quibble about this episode is the use of the various forms of the word "reflection". It was a bit heavy-handed. I know, I know, the show isn't always great with subtlety, but this seemed especially anvilicious.
OK. I guess that's a minor quibble. The major quibble is that Emma's backstory was, for the most part, unnecessary. Yes, it mirrors (goddammit--even I had to use a reflection-like term for this) what she's going through with Regina, but really, that entire part of the episode was pretty much fast-forward worthy. I will not be surprised if we happen to see Lily at some point in the future. Especially since she had the star scar/birthmark/tattoo/whatever the hell it was and the show made note of it. I'm not entirely sure who she could be in the fairy tale realm, so maybe one of you has an idea on that front.
Overall, a decent episode. I still feel like we need more Elizabeth Mitchell in episodes, but I'd feel like that even if she was in many of the scenes. That is how much I like the actress.
I don't remember the previews at all, so I don't know what's going to happen in next week's episode, but I am very much looking forward to it. I also look forward to seeing if anyone else has some thoughts on the episode. :)