What’s the opposite of directionless? The EP’s recently made allusions to ‘Heart of Darkness’ being the pivotal turning point of the season, the episode where things really start to pick up steam and it seems they lived up to their promise. ‘Heart of Darkness’ was all about evil, and how it’s a path that’s decided upon, not one that you fall on to, but it was the switch-up of power that made this episode the fundamental phase in Once Upon a Time’s story that it was.
Still under the effects of Rumpelstiltskin’s potion, Snow decides to get revenge on Regina in ‘Heart of Darkness’. James races to stop her to protect her from becoming evil herself. Meanwhile, Emma arrests Mary Margaret after she discovers a connection between her and Kathryn’s death.
As a re-imagining of classic stories, it’s important that this show is just that; a story, something with a beginning, a clear middle and an end. This early on in the show’s lifetime, I’m not expecting any kind of endgame, but what I did love seeing was a clear purpose forming itself.
Since the pilot, all of the characters have ended up playing themselves right into Regina’s hands. She’s used almost every single situation to her advantage, manipulating Storybrooke’s residents like the evil puppet master that she is. What really got me excited here was Emma’s realization that for the first time, they finally have the upper hand. This is made even more glaring by that fact that not only has the evil Queen lost control of the investigation, but she’s now lost control of the person she so desperately wants to destroy, the person on whom this whole plan rides. It’s a great way to get this season moving towards something. I can’t imagine Regina will remain the principal antagonist for the show’s entire run, so her downfall should happen soon so she can become the unwilling ally she so clearly needs to be.
The further this series gets, the stronger an impression I get of what kind of a universe these characters have come from and the clearer the flashbacks are becoming. Every story they explore is made that much stronger when the utilise characters that we’ve already delved into, and use these new developments further on down the line. Just like Belle helped Grumpy in ‘Dreamy’, Red, now fully aware of the animal within her, was able to use it to help someone else, which would have been impossible had she not been made aware of her true identity before running off with James. They’re subtle elements, but they’re also pivotal to remind us that this isn’t just about a core group of people, it’s about an entire universe of characters, all trapped by the same curse and they're the key to making sure every part of the story is important.
This whole missing Kathryn story has been a little drawn out, but I get the point of it all, and where it’s taking the story to next. Still, despite bringing the best out of Mary Margaret and making me finally feel something for her, its made David out to be this giant douche. Knowing Mary for the kind and wonderful person that she is, he still found himself accusing her of committing this despicable crime. Did he not even stop to question the fact that it was winter in that memory? Or that Mary’s hair was clearly longer that it was before Kathryn was killed? Although that could have been a wig, I know I always put my long black wig on before I commit any first degree crimes; it’s a fashion faux pas not to.
The show is in a really great position right now, with a lot of momentum being built. The ball is firmly in the writers’ court; if they make any major missteps now, it could cost the series a lot in terms of potential and excitement. Don’t mess it up, please?
8.5/10
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