So I am thrilled that ABC’s Once Upon a Time has finally returned from its long winter hiatus, bringing us new episodes. While it was recently announced that this will be the final season for OUAT, it really gives the show the opportunity to sum up its new story line. When fan-favorite characters left the show and we found out about that season 7 would focus on a new story with only some of our favorite characters still sprinkled in to keep us hooked…pun intended, I had some doubts about how much longer the series would last for. Now that we know the series is ending, however; this could actually be a great thing. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore this show and will miss it, but I’d rather see it go out strong than continue to grasp at straws and unconvincing story-lines just to be able to produce new episodes. Either way, I’m looking forward to see how it all ends and I hope the Lost Easter eggs keep coming! Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Secret Garden,” Zelena learns a hard lesson about parenting from Hook, Henry refuses to sit by without trying to help Lucy, and Regina opens her heart to her sister. Meanwhile, Mother Gothel has her own agenda and Victoria/Lady Tremaine makes the ultimate sacrifice. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 11 are:
5
Lost Easter Egg: The Apollo Bar.
So my top 5 moments would not be complete if I didn’t dedicate one to our favorite candy bar, the Apollo Bar. For those of you who are Lost fans like myself, I am sure you jumped out of your chair with this Easter egg. While the Apollo Bar has made appearances before on OUAT, I was thrilled that it was actually in a hospital vending machine this time. In Lost, Jack is seen getting an Apollo Bar from the hospital vending machine and fans swooned over the “vending machine scene” featuring Juliet and Sawyer reuniting in the series finale. It was great to see our favorite candy bar make another appearance, keeping fans satisfied with a much needed sugar rush.
4
“Test me too.”
After watching the mid-season finale of OUAT, it was clear that Henry was in great pain over Lucy’s condition. While he hasn’t made the connection yet that he is her real father, he is not about to just sit around and pray that she gets better. When Lucy’s parents are blood tested, Henry asks the doctor to test him too. While she explains that the match would be much higher if he was blood related to Lucy, Henry is willing to try anything, even if there is the slightest chance that he could help her. Little does he know, his test results prove that he is a match to Lucy, bringing to light his relation to her. When the doctor looks over the results, an unknown threat poisons her and takes the results along with a lock of her hair. While we don’t know who is behind this just yet, I’m thinking that Rumpel has to be involved somehow. We’ll have to stay tuned to find out more, however.
3
“We’re going to do it together.”
We’ve seen so many ups and downs for our favorite sisters, Zelena and Regina, but it looks like Regina is ready to put all of their differences aside for good. When she suggests that they team up to take down Mother Gothel and help Lucy and Henry, Regina suggests that they do it together. Zelena says “wicked and evil,” but Regina corrects her with “no…sisters.” These two are a powerful force and now that they have truly embraced their sisterly bond, there will be no stopping them. Mother Gothel is no match for them, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to take her down. When Mother Gothel approaches Zelena, she asks her to bring her the resurrection amulet, but Zelena immediately recognizes that there will be a catch. Mother Gothel will certainly not go down without a fight, but let’s hope Zelena and Regina’s bond doesn’t shatter like the sign of their bar. They need to stick together and fight the good fight.
2
“Piss off Nook.”
Zelena finds an unlikely source of help in Hook…or “nook.” She comically comments on how she forgets that there are two Hooks and gives him her new nickname, meaning “new Hook.” Zelena is distraught over her daughter, Robin’s decision to go to Mother Gothel to learn about magic, but Hook reminds her not to give up. He tells her that love is stronger than magic and he is absolutely right. Even though Zelena initially claims that “I don’t need a parenting lesson from a pirate,” she quickly realizes that her unconditional love for her daughter is the only thing that can save her. Hook tells Zelena that her love for her daughter makes her “so daring, so brave, so utterly fearless,” and I can’t think of a better description for our former wicked witch. Zelena is able to save Robin by taking her place as the sacrifice, allowing Robin to truly see that her mother cares for her. It looks like Zelena has found a calling far greater than ultimate magic and power. Good thing she had Hook…or Nook along to help her see it.
1
Victoria/Lady Tremaine redeems herself.
While it initially seemed like Victoria/Lady Tremaine was a villain without a soul, we now get to see her walls come down, as she finally does the right thing. She has a lot to make up for and even tries to come clean to Anastasia with all of her horrible deeds. The truth hurts, but Victoria knows that she needs to make amends, especially after what she did to Lucy. She refuses to let Mother Gothel keep her held captive, using her Louis Vuitton shoe to get her out of the well. Who said that fashion couldn’t be useful? When the power of the resurrection amulet is unleashed, Victoria quickly learns that the sacrifice is now her other daughter, Ivy/Drizella. Victoria makes the same decision as Zelena and takes the place of her daughter, sacrificing herself in the process to save her. This act of kindness and unconditional love is truly touching. Even though one cannot deny all of the horrible things Victoria has done in the past, her sacrifice shows her daughter that love can conquer evil. Let’s hope that this is enough to bring Ivy/Drizella to the side of good. We’re going to need all the help we can get against Mother Gothel.
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Once Upon a Time below. Happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
