Once Upon a Time 2.19: Lacey

Rumple and Bell’s relationship is so dependent on the fact that Belle can see a side of him that nobody else can; the real him. As a person Belle has always been able to see who a person really is which is something that carries a lot of weight in a world that’s filled with magic and so many falsities. ‘Lacey’ took the foundations of Belle’s character and the idea of her and Rumple, and turned on its ass, which is exciting but also a little scary.


The spell that Regina cast was all in the guise of turning Belle into her Storybrooke, or real world self. But weren’t those identities some offset of the people they were once before? Lacey is pretty much the opposite of that. Instead of looking for the good in people she gets thrills out of their darkness. She made judgement of Rumple before she knew the real him. And instead of seeing that side of Rumple that he’s been trying to bring out, she brought out that side that he was trying so hard to repress. She thought she was seeing the real him, and instead she saw the cover that he’s been putting on ever since he became the Dark One.

I guess it’s not that different from what happened between them before, only now Belle is the worst person for Rumple to be around. This revelation really begs more explanation, though. Is Belle gone forever? Is Lacey just a result of Regina’s meddling, or is she only made possible through Belle’s personality? Does Lacey think she’s met the real Rumple now that she’s seen him at his worst? Does that make her more like Belle?

Some more questions are popping up elsewhere. Now that Emma is struggling with the news that her family might be leaving the only world she’s ever known, will she go with them? I get that she wants to stay, and wants her family to stay with her, but shouldn’t this have come as no shock to her? They were only ever here as a result of Regina’s vengeance. It makes sense that they wouldn’t feel right here in the real world.

Add to that the fact that Owen and Tamara are seemingly looking to tear their new town apart. With Hook on their side, or at least begrudgingly following their orders, they seem to be headed for something big. One thing I’m still looking to find out is what Tamara really wants. Owen wants his father, but she seems far more interested in finding magic for herself. That was what she was all about when she messed with August.

This episode had its flaws, but the show is heading for darker territory, and that’s not a bad thing. ‘Lacey’ did something different, and a little odd sure, but it felt like more of an episode than ‘Selfless Brave and True’ did. I’m not sure where the finale will end up, but it’s definitely going to be different.

7/10

Plus

Robin Hood! I assume he’ll be coming back. I knew he had to be someone important when he showed up in Rumple’s castle if the actor playing him was that pretty.

Lacey’s purple sparkly dress was tackier then tacky. Kill it with fire!

He Said, She Said

Emma: “This world is my home.”
Charming: “It’s been nothing but cruel to you.”

Rumple: “What have you done with Belle?”
Regina: “I’m sorry do I look like a one handed pirate with a pistol?”

Lacey: “You really are as dark as people say.”
Rumple: “Darker, deary. Much darker.”

Also posted at Doux Reviews