Once Upon a Time (TV Series) A Curious Thing (2014) User Reviews

Curiouser, curiouser and curiouser

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 21 April 2018]

When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.

Season 3 for me has been a very solid one. "A Curious Thing" is another one of the best. Would also consider it one of the best episodes of 'Once Upon a Time' up to this point and ever. Like the previous episodes after the mid-season finale "Going Home" (that episode being one of the show's most special) it has been great that the second half of Season 3 has not been affected at all by the hiatus after the mid-season finale. There is a slight inconsistency regarding the production and recreation of the Dark Curse, or so it seemed, with the recreation taking much shorter. That is nowhere near a big flaw to mar the episode or to consider it an issue.

"A Curious Thing" forwards momentum, progresses story lines and advances character development better than any episode of Season 3 and is one of the more successful episodes to achieve all of the show up to this point. It also has new intriguing ideas with enormous potential, has a lot of surprises and the introductory appearance of Glinda/The Good Witch is as far away from a wasted opportunity. It actually feels like she's been present for longer, so well she seems to have settled.

Am continuing to love the character of Zelena, who made a very big impression when she was first introduced, she is a very interesting and well written character. Peter Pan left very big shoes to fill as the villain of the first half of the season, Zelena fills them pretty brilliantly. The flashbacks are illuminating and compelling to watch, with nothing being padded out or confused, really advancing the characters. The character relationships are never less than intriguing.

Can't fault any of the acting, there is a lot of meat for everyone to sink their teeth into which all do with aplomb. Lana Parrilla and Rebecca Mader especially.

Furthermore, "A Curious Thing" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.

Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue.

Summing up, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Once Upon a Time reveals what happened in the lost year, and gives the characters all the information they need to stop Zelena.

[Amari-Sali · 3 May 2014]

Seemingly, in one episode, Zelena has already been setup to fail. Which, in many ways, is quite sad. For while her rise was a little shaky, undoubtedly she is the 2nd best villain of the series. However, with our heroes having their memories return, much less Emma taking Zelena on and besting her, it seems the beginning of the end is nigh.

Topic 1: History Repeats Itself (Snow)

In the episode, most of the important pieces happen in the past, but as we watch Snow threat about a witch trying to sabotage her before birth, déjà vu comes over the cast. Of course now Regina is on the side of the heroes, but nonetheless it seems every time Snow is pregnant, the world pays for the child's birth.

Luckily though, this time Zelena is Snow's foe and while she maybe more powerful than Regina, much less have Rumple on her side, she still has weaknesses. One of which is Glenda, who makes a brief appearance. So brief in fact that besides presenting the fact Zelena's powers are very much connected to that emerald jewel around her neck, not much else is uncovered about Glenda. We don't fully get to know her relationship with Zelena, nor fully understand why she is banished, much less what world she is in considering Regina's reversal of the curse seemed to close all portals.

Either way though, by Snow discovering Zelena's one weakness, her necklace, of which Emma could only take, there becomes a question of how to get back to Emma's realm. Which, as noted, is rather difficult for Regina made a wall between realms when she reversed the curse. Making it so that no magic bean, magic hat, or anything similar could work. Instead, the curse had to be renewed. Yes, you got it folks, Zelena didn't sacrifice anyone at all. In fact it was Snow. She sacrifices Charming's heart to reenact the curse, and Zelena flies in quick enough to put a spice to it where everyone forgets their return to the Enchanted Forest.

Perhaps leaving you to wonder how is Charming alive? Well, Snow decided to split her heart between herself and Charming, and that is what keeps Charming alive. And too bad this idea never came to mind for Rumple or Neal, otherwise they both would be alive now. But, I guess the show wants to be highly selective of who they create new rules and circumstances for. Either way, Regina splits their hearts and Charming comes to life, but I do wonder if half a heart is strong enough for Snow to give birth? Or will that not even be an issue?

Topic 2: Memories – A Gift & A Curse (Hook)

But, while we get to see what memories our heroes lost in the Enchanted Forest, the present day versions of themselves finally remember how the last memory spell was broken: Henry. So, despite Emma not wanting him to remember the madness of Storybrooke, they are forced to try to find that book Henry used to bring with him everywhere. During this venture, a lot of shots are taken at Regina. Most of which deal with her past relationship with Henry which, despite her and Robin starting something new, doesn't replace the love she feels for Henry. Making every mention of how she wasn't Emma, or something else dealing with her personal failings as a mother, like her heart getting squeezed.

Naturally though, as the heroes look to break the curse, Zelena pushes Hook to try to kiss Emma and rid her of her magic. Something which he tries to avoid by sending Henry off with Mr. Schmee back to New York, to be with who though isn't noted. But, before this can be done, Zelena's flying monkeys come in, but with Emma and company en tow, with Henry's book. Then, moments away from undoing Zelena's part of the curse, she appears and seems ready to choke the life out of Henry, which admittedly I kind of wished would have happened since this show needs a permanent death or two. But, being that this isn't Scandal nor Game of Thrones, Henry doesn't end up dying. In fact, Emma uses her powers to burn Zelena and free Henry.

Then comes the interesting part: in a sort of retribution for all the Charmings had said over the episode, it is Regina's kiss to Henry which breaks the spell and we get to witness her and Henry bond all over again, making it seem that she now almost has it all. She has her second chance at love with Robin Hood, her second chance to be a loving mother toward Henry, and now all she needs is her heart. Something which poor Hook may not get much use of anymore.

You see, Zelena reveals how Hook failed her, and with this the Charming family gets immediately suspicious. In fact, Prince Charming is the first one to really stab Hook in the back by bringing up the whole question of who contacted him to get Emma? Said answer: Neal. For, after Zelena put her twist on Snow's version of the curse, she drank one bottle so she can keep her memories, and gave another to Rumple. Who was going to take it himself until Neal ripped himself from Rumple and sent that bottle to Hook. Leading him to believe the Charmings sent the bottle, when in truth it was Neal doing the one thing he knew could save his extended family. Making the fact that the all-knowing Rumple didn't speak on splitting Neal's heart when he was revived the ever more heartbreaking. No pun intended.