Once Upon A Time - 4x21 “Operation Mongoose, Part 1” FULL REACTION
Added 2020-09-04 01:33:31 +0000 UTCEnjoy!
Comments
Thank you so much for another great reaction! Any idea when you might post part 2? :)
Even a Frozen Heart Can Melt
2020-09-04 19:39:56 +0000 UTCI like this a lot too. :)
Heidi Elizabeth Marcum
2020-09-04 04:57:01 +0000 UTCOperation Mongoose Part One- I love this first episode of the two part finale, so thank you so much for your continued reactions!! I really hope you've enjoyed this Queens of Darkness arc like you enjoyed the Frozen arc as well. I certainly miss Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff. But I absolutely love Maleficent, Cruella, and Ursula too, and seeing them unite with Rumplestiltskin as villains to try to take back their happy endings, and steal them away from the heroes. It's brilliant!! Now... I like that this episode begins with showing us how Isaac came to be the Author, and who he was beforehand. It's interesting that he was a salesman, who saw more in the world than most people. Who believed in the possibility of magic without ever seeing proof it could exist until he meets the Apprentice. I like that the Apprentice calls him in as if for a job interview, then asks Isaac to choose one of the few quills he lays out in front of him... much like when Indiana Jones must choose which cup is the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones: And the Last Crusade. Him choosing wisely shows that Isaac was once worthy of being the Author, but unfortunately, Cruella led him astray and Isaac eventually came to be a villain no better than she was. I also like that in him choosing the right quill meant for him, the Apprentice is able to show Isaac that he was right about there being more, as Isaac is able to see the new realms through the magical door. Next... I love seeing all of the heroes seek out answers on how they can stop Gold and the Author from enacting their plan inside the mansion. And I love that August returns briefly for this episode as well, and continues to share with his friends all that he knows about the Author, as well as the Apprentice. Which brings him to show his friends a drawing of the old man, allowing Killian to recognize him as the old man he unwillingly helped Gold to trap inside the Sorcerer's hat back in episode four... The Apprentice. Thankfully, the Blue Fairy is able to help them to free the Apprentice from the hat at last, much to Killian's relief. It's clear that he feels deep regret for allowing Gold to manipulate him into doing so, especially when we see the Apprentice glance over at him in shock upon recognizing him to be the man with Gold that day, as Killian looks away from him and Emma out of shame. I really love these scenes with everyone together and seeing them succeed in helping the Apprentice, who in turn warns them all they must find the Author and return him inside the book in order to stop him. Unfortunately, the heroes fail to stop Isaac and Gold from their plans, as the Author finishes his new storybook, but not before Isaac asks Gold about Baelfire, and how he would like him to be a part of his new life and happy ending. I really like this moment for Gold, as he talks about wanting to remember his son, with a new ending where Baelfire saw him as a hero, rather than as the man who abandoned him and was a villain. And then... just as Emma, Regina, and the Apprentice are about to confront them as they're about to reach the pawnshop, the Author's power pulls everyone into his storybook, except for Henry and himself. Isaac uses the quill's and ink's power to rewrite his now happy ending, making himself the most famous and beloved book author of our world's versions of his storybook, Heroes and Villains. But as for Henry... he is the only one within Storybrooke who was born within the real world and not in the Enchanted Forest, and therefore Isaac has no power over him to be able to write him into his storybook. I really love that Henry is left behind alone in Storybrooke, until he soon catches up to Isaac and uses the key to transport himself as well as Isaac into the book, just like the Apprentice had done in order to lock the Author into the page. And now... Henry is able to search for his family and loved ones, and little does he really know what awaits him, in spite of having a copy of Isaac's book to guide him. Unfortunately, Isaac is willing to do anything to keep Henry from succeeding, and reminding everyone of ho they really are. Absolutely brilliant! :) I love, love, love the twisted roles given to most of our beloved characters within Isaac's alternate reality. Although, some of them such as Robin and Zelena aren't much different than their true selves, which I feel is a little disappointing. The only differences in their realities is that Robin and Zelena are engaged. because Robin loves Zelena and not Regina. I really wish Adam, Eddie, and this show's writers had been a little more creative with their new realities. However, in spite of this, it makes sense why they are together and are supposedly happy. Also... I really do love that Snow White takes on the role of the Evil Queen and Charming becomes an Evil version of the Huntsman. I love the twist in their love story, as Evil Snow actually once loved David's twin, James until he was killed, and that in grief, she rips out Charming's heart and forces him to unwillingly make himself look and act like James, even though neither one are in love with one another. This is brilliant, and I even like their new looks. Snow with her short hair fashioned in a mohawk like style, while Charming is dressed all in black and wears black eyeliner around his eyes just like Hook has always done. I love it!! Don't get me wrong... I love Snow and Charming as their true selves so much better. But I really love the uniqueness and changes in their character for this alternate reality, and I really appreciate the changes just so we can see them differently from how they are for real in every other season. It's really amazing to see something so different, and to see this newly created alternate reality in an alternate Enchanted Forest. I also like that the dwarfs are still loyal to Snow, and are evil versions of themselves too. As is Granny, and surely Red would be too if they would have been able to get Meghan Ory back for these two episodes. So far... Robin and Zelena are the least changed from their true selves and I really thought this was a bit weak, aside from Zelena actually appearing to be a hero who is in love with Robin. So if there was really anything I didn't like about this episode, it's that they really did nothing for their characters. As for Regina... I also really love that we see Regina in the role of bandit Snow, seeking freedom from the Evil Queen's wrath by stealing from the rich just like Robin Hood, who is her greatest competition and is making it difficult for her to steal enough money for passage out of the Enchanted Forest. I really enjoy Henry's interactions with her throughout this episode too, as Henry does everything he can to remind Regina of her being his mother and of the hero she really is. And in doing so, Henry learns just where Emma is within this alternate world, and that Isaac had lied to him about bringing the Savior into his storybook too. I really love that she's been imprisoned within a far off tower, without magic, having never become the Savior. Brilliant! Like you... I love how Henry is so central throughout this season's two part finale. And as for Rumplestiltskin... in all honesty, I really don't like the changes made for him as he's made into a hero and a beloved knight of the people. To me... his acting in this role seems really off and even cringey. It just feels wrong to me, even when he saves Henry from being killed by the ogre after Isaac ties him up to leave him to die. Overall... I really love this episode. I love seeing Regina's interactions with Evil Snow and Charming, and seeing Robin save her from being killed. My only complaints, aside from not liking the changes made with Gold, but also, are mostly that a few characters aren't given enough of a change for me to really care about their storylines throughout these finale episodes. However, I love all of the parallels to a number of the previous episodes throughout the show so far. It's fantastic! Thank you so much, Liam! Until the second half of the season four's finale...
Heidi Elizabeth Marcum
2020-09-04 04:56:17 +0000 UTCI liked the 1966 opening scene in which the Apprentice tells Isaac that the previous Author had just died. Did you notice the letter he sent to Isaac was dated December 15, 1966? That was the day Walt Disney died.
Paul Fisher
2020-09-04 03:57:00 +0000 UTC
