#OUaTrevisit S4:E21/22

Note: For various reasons, I’m publishing my revisit writeup as a Medium post (and tweeting a link) instead of a Twitter thread. Please also read Cindy’s and Katie’s write-ups.

It’s a Wednesday on the Internet and that means it’s time for another #OUaTrevisit! Cindy and Katie and I are working our way through the seven-season ABC fantasy/adventure/melodrama/soap opera Once Upon A Time, two episodes per week, until we finish the series or somebody pays us to stop.

S4:E21 Mother
“Regina remains suspicious of her mother’s intentions.”
Air date: May 3, 2015

• Hey, it’s dad, hi dad.
• In case we’d forgotten about Regina’s previous dark deeds, this is a reminder. Doesn’t hesitate to murder.
• Cora’s back? Wasn’t she banished?
• Pretty sure I know which Gastown bar Robin and Regina are at.
• I don’t remember Zelena being responsible for Neal’s death.
• We’re all going back to Storybrooke!
• Maybe don’t tempt this guy into finding a way to kill you.

• Finally, we get an explanation of why Gold needs Emma to turn dark. The ink!
• They totally just skipped out on the check.
• Emma is still not ready to deal with her parents.
• “I borrowed a rabbit.”
• Regina’s necklace is a giant spider.
• Huh. We know this won’t work because it didn’t work.
• That hall always seems to need mopping.

• Oof, Gold is not in a good way.
• That implies the Dark One is a separate entity, rather than a mantle. Interesting.
• Hello, Sheriff.
• Dennis Moore, Dennis Moore.

• This scene with the Author and Regina is really something. She’s his “favorite character to write for”. He literally creates reality. And they’re just chatting.
• They don’t need Emma to go dark because they now have Lily!
• Maleficent actually making sense here. But Lily isn’t having any.
• “I don’t need grooming advice from Annie Hall.” 🔥
• “I’m not here to kill you.” “Okay…”
• Snow/Charming really owe her.
• “Dark Star Pharmacy”
• Regina’s first outfit in this scene: 100%
• Regina’s second outfit in this scene: not so much
• Uh, that’s not Robin. Damn, Cora.
• Maybe don’t talk like that to the extremely powerful Evil Queen, bro.
• Hah, she saw right through it.
• Regina could have asked.
• Oops, Lily in Storybrooke is going to have magic. And she’s Maleficent’s daughter. 🐉
• Maybe not-Evil Regina is going a little too hard on Zelena.
• “I like when people find their good hearts along the way.”
• I guess Maleficent probably can’t be hurt by Lily’s dragon fire. But I’m surprised she didn’t change.
• Oh dang, nice healing work, Emma.
• I’m here for sympathetic Maleficent, frankly. It works with Angelina Jolie and it works with KBvS.

• Writing Zelena out of the story this way is kind of brutal.
• 🎵 Part of that world 🎵
• Monologuing in front of the Author was kind of dumb, frankly.
• “Heroes and Villains”, is that from 5E?

S4:E22 Operation Mongoose Part 1
“Henry steps up to save his family.”
Air date: May 10, 2015
Note: Part 2 aired on the same date.

• That TV!
• I love everything about this scene. The old ABC logo. The decor. “Does it have a clicker?”

• The senior salesman is not too pleased with Isaac.
• Star Publishing. Who might this be? Empty room with just a desk.
• Oh, it’s the Apprentice! This is Isaac becoming the Author.
• “I’m more of an IBM Selectric kind of guy.”

• I actually have that engraved metal ballpoint pen.
• “Come with me if you want to write.” 🤖
• August!
• How did they get the magical hat device back?
• Henry has grown a bit.
• Room service and indoor plumbing, exactly.
• So, not your memories at all.
• Blue PeeChee folders in Henry’s backpack.
• Changing that bit of Gold’s story is going to have butterfly effects, I think?
• Tinkerbell wind vane!
• Right, Henry can leave town.
• Very majestic cover photo.
• Now I wonder where this building is.
• “Don’t write your own happy ending.”
• I was not expecting that. Henry inserted himself into the new story.
• How did the Author get trapped as well?
• Ogres, I’ve got an Ogre Slaying Knife, It’s got a +9 Against Ogres!

• Robert Carlyle really playing up the knight in shining armor.
• Regina in the Snow outfit!
• Medieval Regina doesn’t blink an eye at a bound, printed book.

• Who is the Queen in this scenario? Snow? That’s hardly a sad villain ending for her.
• The Black Dwarfs. I love these guys. “Heigh-ho, boys, it’s off to work we go.”
• Evil Snow’s outfit and her hair are 🔥
• Heart walkie-talkie mode.
• The dark makeup on Snow and David is great.
• Isn’t he interfering in his own story now?

• This story reversal is so good.
• She didn’t know Robin. Interesting.
• Here’s the thing: I believe Regina in this role more than Snow. Maybe Lana is just a better actor.
• Aahhh Zelena is the bride!
• Same tavern, right?
• Where is Emma, anyway?
• She’s in Rapunzel’s tower… And she’s insane.