Once Upon a Time - 2x5 "The Doctor" Full Reaction

Thank you very much for another great reaction! I love this episode too. I have to admit, I was surprised to learn that Doctor Whale is Victor Frankenstein, and a little taken aback by it because the story of Frankenstein doesn't fit into the fairytale world. However, the more I thought about it, the more I liked it, because it does fit into the storybook world since Frankenstein is a classic novel. And we got to see another new world again, known as the Land Without Color... because the world is black and white just like the old classic black and white monster movies. And we have the lightning striking down as well. It's really brilliant! I always love seeing new worlds and Kingdoms brought into this show. I really did like the twist in his story and I love the backstory between Victor, Rumplestiltskin, Regina, and Jefferson, who was finally shown as the true Mad Hatter he used to be before his life was turned upside down by Regina, and I love this side of Jefferson. He's amazing in this episode. I also love how the three men worked together to manipulate Regina into making her become the Evil Queen. It's very sad, but brilliant. What a twist! As for my thoughts on why Regina became the Evil Queen... it's because Regina finally realized and understood she had no reason to remain good for. The love of her life was truly dead and because Jefferson harped so much on the fact that if Dr. Frankenstein couldn't bring back the dead, then no one could. For Regina... when the Doctor failed to revive him as far as she knew, that was it. Daniel was truly dead and she no longer carried that hope that magic or science could bring him back to her. So, instead of remaining good like a part of her did for Daniel's sake, she gave into the hate and anger she felt for Snow White and her mother, and returned to Rumplestiltskin to finish her lessons no matter what path he took her down. She showed Rumple she was prepared to do whatever he asked of her, even if it meant killing innocents. Lana Parrilla's acting in this episode was phenomenal and her scenes with Rumplestiltskin are amazing. I felt so badly for Regina both in her past storyline with trying to bring Daniel back from the dead with Victor's help, as well as her present storyline with Whale, who actually succeeded this time, even though Daniel was revived to become more like Frankenstein's monster, and not just himself as he was, like most people would expect of him to be. Because he's in so much pain. It was so sad she had to watch Daniel die as she killed him for a second time. And Daniel is dead, thanks to the preservation spell being taken off of him, and therefore his body is restored to as it would be had Regina not cast the spell. Very sad. I also love seeing Regina go to Archie twice throughout this episode so he could help her talk through her pain. Regina's really trying to change for Henry, and I love this development in her character. Now... I really love the scenes between Henry and David too. It was very sweet for David to give his grandson a horse to take care of before he learns to ride it. Very smart of David to tell Henry that he must learn to care for it and to allow the horse to get to know him before Henry learns to ride it. And lastly... I absolutely love the first meeting between Hook, Emma, and Mary Margaret, along with Mulan and Aurora there too. I love, love, love how sassy Hook is, and it's phenomenal when Emma saw right through Hook's lies, even though his story was convincing even though we know exactly who he is. I love how Hook explained he was asked by Cora to join with Emma and Mary Margaret to find out everything he could about what they would be facing upon arriving in Storybrooke. And I absolutely love the scene while Hook is tied to the tree. It's my favorite moment from this episode, especially Hook's line as he introduces himself as Captain Hook... absolutely fabulous. :) "Killian Jones. But you all may know me more by my more colorful moniker... Hook.", to which Emma retorts, "As in, Captain Hook?" Perfect! And I love Hook working with them now and how quickly he's prepared to change sides. That he's willing to turn his allegiance over to whoever can give him what he wants. Yep... he blabbed everything because he doesn't care. He's very sly and clever. I also love his answer he gave to Emma to convince her why he wants to go with them to Storybrooke. Because it's the simple truth. He wants revenge against Rumplestiltskin for cutting off his hand, and more. Oh yeah... and in regards to why Jefferson has to come with anyone who jumps into the hat with him... It's because Jefferson serves as a guide for the hat. If you remember back to season one's episode, Hat Trick... the first time you see Jefferson inside the hat along with Regina, we see a multitude of doors surroundings them. These doors all lead to another land with magic in which they could travel, including Wonderland like in Hat Trick, and now to Frankenstein's black and white world... a Land Without Color. Jefferson is needed so he can show Dr. Frankenstein which door to take. If he were to enter the world with the Doctor, then the rules of the hat would have applied, but Jefferson only would have traveled as far as inside the hat. At least... this is what I believe. Just my theory, unless the possibly writers overlooked this detail. All the scenes with Hook in them are my favorite scenes throughout this episode, but I also really enjoy Whale's overall backstory with Rumple and Jefferson too. And there's so much more to come!!! I can't wait for more!! Until next time... Thank you!

Heidi Elizabeth Marcum