Once Upon a Time 2.16: The Miller's Daughter

This episode went to the root of so many causes, but it also birthed some new ones. Vengeance, retribution, forgiveness and redemption all played a part here. Whether it was Cora’s decision to pursue her quest for power, Snow’s struggle with the anger she feels for Regina’s mother or Rumple’s last attempt to make the ones he loves remember the man he once was, there was a sense that the show was closing one door and opening a new one.

If Cora’s death will teach us anything, it’s that Regina’s road to atonement is pretty much destroyed. Fool Regina once, lose your home, fool Regina twice lose everything else. Snow’s made her bed, now she has to lie in it.

I’m delighted to see the show take a risk like this and make Snow responsible for something so dark and twisted. When she was faced with losing her mother she managed to do the right thing, but after everything that Cora has put her through I guess she’s given up on altruism. It’s a move that’s changed Snow almost irreversibly; she’s shown real darkness, and never turning to it is something she always held over Regina’s head. There’s going to be no contesting that fact.

Cora may have changed when she was Snow’s age, but I don’t think that it was all as cut and paste as it seemed in the flashbacks this week. If Rumple’s easy seduction is anything to go by, she’s always been a little corrupt, or weak for power. Then she made the decision to give up her own heart, knowing what it could do to her. She had her fair share of animosity, sure, but haven’t all of these guys? That being said, I really liked delving into the story of what originated one of the show’s darkest characters, and as hard as it is to deal with that new face of hers, Rose McGowan clearly enjoyed being a part of this episode; she slipped into the role of Cora so well and the chemistry between her and Rumple was crazy.

It’s odd to think that he was there all this time; manipulating his way to Storybrooke. He’s come a long way, and I think that phone call to Belle was one of the most prominent showcases of the man he can be if he tries. I think it might be what brings Belle back to him. I could tell that what he was saying registered with her, whether she remembers who he is or not. Even Bae seems to be opening up to Rumple, even if it was just because his father was on his death bed.

I really think ‘The Miller’s Daughter’ marked a major turning point. With Cora gone the show will almost have to return to its roots. Except now, Snow isn’t the innocent she once was; she’s just as responsible as Regina will be accusing her of being. I’m happy that Once Upon a Time has gone down this route, one that’s not all rainbows and smiles; it’s easy to forget that sometimes the good guys get it wrong.

9/10

Plus

Anyone else notice Bae/Neil’s very pirate-esque sword?

I’m going to miss Cora. Barbra Hershey was a great addition to the cast.

I was almost expecting flames in Regina’s eyes when she looked up from Cora’s body. Snow better start looking into some anti-flaying spells.

He Said, She Said

Rumple: “You make me want to go back, back to the best version of me.”

Snow: “She can’t love, so she can’t love you.”
Regina: “She always wanted the best for me, that’s love.”

Rumple: “Did you ever love me?”
Cora: “Why do you think I had to rip my own heart out?”

Cora: “This would have been enough. You would have been enough.”

Also posted at Doux Reviews.