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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 16: “Breadcrumbs”

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 16 last night, Henry got it absolutely right when he finally realized that it’s not about having a good story. Rather, it’s about having a good life and making the most of it by connecting with the people you love and care about. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Breadcrumbs,” Henry is offered a job opportunity in New York, Nook/Rogers helps Tilly secure her own employment, and Zelena/Kelly tries to connect with her daughter. Meanwhile, Rumple/Weaver seeks out Henry’s help against the “Candy Killer,” which leads to Henry’s own encounter with the killer and Zelena/Kelly gets a gift that is far from sweet. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 16 are:

H Town could lead Henry straight out of town.

Henry’s podcast is a hit with everyone and he feels like he is truly making an impact again. He gets a surprising phone call about a possible job opportunity in New York, where he would be able to produce podcasts for others. The only catch is that he would need to leave town and give up his own podcast in the process. While Henry is excited for the opportunity, he quickly realizes that this means he would have to say goodbye to Jacinda/Ella. But is he ready to give up on his chance at true love just yet?

“You want to break the curse as much as I do.”

Since Regina is out searching for items needed to break the curse, Lucy decides to spend the day with Zelena/Kelly. Zelena is very blunt with Lucy about the odds of everything working out and apologizes by telling her that it’s been a while since she’s been around kids. She confides in Lucy that she is having difficulty with her own daughter, Margot/Robin and has been continuing to lie to her. While it will be no easy task for Zelena/Kelly to tell her daughter the truth, she will have to be able to break down her wall sooner or later, especially now that we know that the killer is after her next.

Fake adventure turns into a real adventure.

In this episode, we learn more about Henry’s past and how he ended up proposing to Jacinda/Ella. Henry is desperate to seek out adventure with a great story behind it so that he can give Jacinda/Ella a ring with true meaning behind it. Nook offers to help Henry with this and suggests that they go after Davy Jones’s locker. This appears to be no easy task, however; as the two realize they need to sneak aboard the Jolly Rogers and deal with Blackbeard. After the star sapphire ring is revealed, Henry tries to fight his way to victory, but quickly realizes that this was all a set-up by Nook to give him the adventure he was looking for. Henry is frustrated, but the fake adventure quickly becomes all too real when a major storm approaches the ship. Henry realizes that Davy Jones wants his ring back and tells the crew to sail the ship closest to the eye of the storm so he can return it. The plan works like a charm and Henry has gotten his big story after all. Only he finally understands that he doesn’t need it anymore. He realizes that he doesn’t need a good story, but a good life and proposes to Ella with nothing to offer her but his love and devotion. Ella happily accepts and it appears that these two are destined for the happy ending they deserve. Now only if we can get them back to that in present day.

Nook/Rogers gets Tilly/Alice a job.

Nook made the right decision by agreeing to let Tilly stay with him, but he wants to help her contribute to society and get her life on the right track as well. He helps get her a job working on Sabine/Tiana’s food truck and Tilly is beyond nervous since she has never had a real job before. A few flirtatious remarks are made between Nook and Sabine/Tiana, hinting again at a possible romance brewing between these two. This is put on hold for now, however; as Tilly gets to work. After a few failed attempts to make the perfect beignet, Sabine/Tiana decides to give Tilly a chance at sales. Tilly is determined to prove her worth and is actually quite the sales woman. She comes up with the great idea to give out free samples and runs into Margot/Robin in the process. The two share a heart-to-heart conversation and sparks are flying again, as Tilly finally feels like she is connecting to other people again. Tilly is beyond excited that she is actually getting paid to do something she loves and Nook is extremely proud of her, the way a father is. Now if only he can remember that he actually is her father.

Rumple/Weaver goes to Henry for help.

Henry is surprised when Detective Weaver knocks on his door, as he is getting ready for his trip to New York. Rumple/Weaver explains that the “Candy Killer” is a fan of his work and they found a copy of Henry’s “Once Upon a Time” book at one of the crime scenes. Henry at first seems conflicted about helping Detective Weaver, as he is worrying about leaving for his job interview, but begins to have a change of heart when Rumple/Weaver tells him that Henry Mills was his favorite character. It wasn’t because he merely had hope and belief, but it was because he fought for these things. Rumple/Weaver tries to spark this in Henry again so that he will choose the right path. Henry realizes that the killer must be a character in the book too and is trying to re-write it. They narrow down the search and realize that the killer thinks he is Hansel, proving the fan theories out there to be true that Jack/Nick is Hansel. He is out for revenge against the coven because he holds them responsible for his sister’s death, but will this plan be put on hold now that Henry is on to him? Unfortunately for Henry, he lets his guard down with Nick and tells him about what he told Detective Weaver. Since Henry is now a threat to Hansel’s operation, he holds him captive at his place. We also learn that Hansel’s next victim will be Zelena/Kelly, as she finds her very own box of chocolates waiting on her doorstep. We will have to wait until next week to find out why Hansel finds Zelena mostly responsible, but we know that Zelena will not go down without a fight. Will she be able to stop Hansel? Will Henry be able to escape? Something tells me we need Regina to get back to town fast for back-up. Stay tuned!

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

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 15: “Operation Bromance”

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 15 last night, it’s important to remember that even if you have made mistakes all throughout your life, it’s never too late to do something good to help tip the scale. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Sisterhood,” we learn about how Ivy/Drizella joined the coven and how she crossed paths with another fairy-tale favorite, Gretel. Meanwhile, Regina and Lucy take a break from “Operation Hyacinth” to bring “Operation Bromance” into the mix to help cheer up Henry at “Flynn’s Arcade,” straight out of the film, Tron. Doctor Facilier continues to work on earning the trust of those around him, but not without making a dangerous enemy in the process and the masked killer is finally revealed. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 15 are:

“Your clandestine boyfriend…when were you going to tell me about this?”

After learning that Doctor Facilier is after the Dark One’s dagger, Regina needed to decide whether or not to involve Rumpel. She does tell him what’s going on, but it’s clear that Rumpel is not pleased that she waited so long. After all, Rumpel always knows more about keeping secrets than anyone else. Rumpel gets a lead on Anastasia and explains to Regina that they need to find her before Ivy does to prevent her power from being unleashed into the wrong hands. Even though Doctor Facilier is working very hard to win over the trust of Regina, Rumpel trusts him about as far as he can throw him. The two come face to face and a new rivalry has emerged: Rumpel vs Facilier, who will win?

“Operation Bromance is a go.”

Lucy confides in Regina that she feels awful about keeping her mother and father apart, but Regina assures her that she is doing the right thing until they can figure out a way to break the curse without harming Henry. While Jacinda has Lucy to cheer her up, Lucy is worried about her father, Henry. Thus creating, “Operation Bromance.” Back in the world prior to the curse, Regina explains that Henry’s two best friends were Nook/Rogers and Jack/Nick. Lucy strategically texts them all to get them down to “Flynn’s Arcade” in an effort to provide Henry with some much needed fun. Henry is not initially pleased saying, “she literally texted me into the friend zone,” but Lucy has good intentions. After a while, Henry begins to relax and have a good time with his friends, making “Operation Bromance” a success, until he makes wagers about who will walk through the door next.

“The next girl who walks through the door, I’m going to ask her out.”

In walks Jacinda, as if straight out of a cheesy romantic comedy flick that makes you cry even though you’ll never admit it. The lighting is just right, her hair has just the right amount of bounce, and she smiles at Henry so brilliantly that you can practically see stars in their eyes. Fate has brought these two crazy kids together again and the begin talking about odds and chances, proving that you make your own luck, but sometimes destiny has a funny way of not letting go until nature runs the right course. While it’s great to see this moment between Jacinda and Henry, it’s dangerous for them to be together until Regina and Lucy can break the curse. But will they be too late?

“I guess you underestimated the power of sisterhood.”

Just as Ivy/Drizella has announced that she will make amends and do good, temptation comes her way several times throughout the episode, making her choices that much more important. She initially turns down Gothel’s deal and takes a stand against her, refusing to make the same mistake she did when she killed Gretel to join the coven. Even though Ivy/Drizella is standing alone, she needs to stay strong in order to survive. However, this becomes difficult when the killer targets her next. Luckily, her pepper spray and stiletto heel provide just the right amount of back-up to get away, but Ivy/Drizella is clearly feeling vulnerable now that she knows her life is in immediate danger. With perfect timing, Doctor Facilier approaches her and offers her up a deal. He explains that she can use a magic bean to escape to another realm, but she will need to sacrifice her sister, Anastasia to do so. Doctor Facilier tries to manipulate her decision by explaining that Ana will die either way, but at least she can survive in one outcome. Ivy/Drizella is able to bring Anastasia to her with the help of a lighted lantern but makes the horrible decision to choose herself over her sister. The tables turn quickly, however; as Gothel wakes Anastasia up and puts sister against sister. Ivy/Drizella has made numerous mistakes just like her mother, Victoria and now she has one final chance to do something right. She drops her weapon and the two sisters choose their bond over revenge, spoiling Gothel’s plan. It took you long enough Ivy/Drizella, but we’re happy to see you finally get it right.

Intentions are revealed.

Even though Ivy/Drizella has left this realm with her sister, she did not have the key to breaking Henry’s curse, which leaves Regina in the same mess she was in before. Doctor Facilier approaches her and explains that he merely left the two sisters so they could find each other and tapped into Ana’s magic when they re-formed their bond. Regina is still skeptical at this point of Doctor Facilier’s motives, but he gives her the magic as a gift so that she can use it to find a way to save her son. Regina tries not to let her feelings get in the way as she asks what the price is of accepting this gift. Doctor Facilier charmingly explains that “the only price is your smile,” but it seems a little bit too cliché if you ask me. While Doctor Facilier may have Regina fooled for now, Rumpel is not about to let him just take his dagger. While all of this is going on, the masked killer is finally revealed to be…..Jack/Nick. But why? What does he have to gain here? Who will he target next? Stay tuned to find out!

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

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 14: “The Girl in the Tower”

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 14 last night, the words of Lewis Carroll seem more than appropriate, reminding us that all the best people are mad and I completely agree. One can really sympathize with Tilly/Alice who feels invisible in the world around her, desperately trying to find someone to connect to. Whether it be to Nook or an unconventional silent friend, Tilly/Alice is hanging on by a thread and desperately needs someone to believe in her. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “The Girl in the Tower,” we learn how Alice is able to break free from the tower with the help of a giant troll and we see the first time that she meets Robin. Meanwhile, Rogers/Nook puts everything on the line to help Tilly, Ivy/Drizella takes off to find her sister, Regina and Lucy put “operation hyacinth” into motion, and Zelena tries to find out what her sister is hiding. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 14 are:

Ivy/Drizella goes to find Ana.

While it appears that Ivy/Drizella is finally trying to do the right thing, no one said that this would be an easy task. Ivy/Drizella is learning that and realizes she needs to go and find her sister, Anastasia on her own and continue to make amends. She confides to Henry that she wishes she had met him before and maybe she would have made better choices as a result. While Ivy/Drizella cannot go back and change the path she took, it’s not too late for her to break off into a new one that could lead her to good. However, after seeing the preview for next week’s episode, it looks like she may not be ready to help Regina, so is this goodness short-lived?

“Nobin” and “Tower Girl.”

While we know that there is a romance between Alice and Robin at some point in time, we get a glimpse into their very own “meet cute.” Robin points an arrow at Alice, who is spying on her father, Nook from afar. After Robin reveals the reasoning behind Nook’s new nickname, Alice playfully suggests that they call her “Nobin.” “Yea don’t call me that,” Robin says, clearly not a fan of her new nickname. In return, she calls Alice “Tower Girl,” and the two head off to find the troll that is destroying villages. Alice tries to defend the troll and explains that he is her friend, but Robin is determined to prove that she can live up to the legend of her father.

“Sometimes you just have to look up and face your problems.”

After getting captured, Robin escapes to go kill the troll and Alice follows quickly behind, proving that she can improvise with a hairpin as well. Just as Robin is about to take the shot, Alice intervenes to protect her friend. Robin turns on the men she came there with and explains that she would “rather be a troll lover than fight beside a bully like you.” Robin makes the right call and chooses friendship over pride. The famous “yellow bug” car makes a cameo appearance as well, bringing fans back to the days of Emma Swan. Robin and Alice try and stop the troll and Alice realizes that she created him during her loneliness. She is able to successfully turn him back into a statue, now understanding what true freedom means. Robin has now returned to Hyperion Heights in present day and she meets Tilly who is in desperate need of some advice. Robin tells her that “sometimes you just have to look up and face your problems,” before revealing that she is reading “Alice in Wonderland,” which is her favorite book. Tilly takes her advice literally and realizes that the troll statue has a camera hidden in his eye, providing her with the alibi she needed to prove her innocence.

Rogers/Nook tries to help Tilly/Alice.

After last week’s episode, it seemed like Nook would never be able to see the blaring clue right in front of him that Tilly/Alice is his daughter. While he still has not realized this, Rogers/Nook finally makes the right decision and tries to help Tilly. He hides her out at Henry’s apartment and tells her, “I believe you now.” Even after Tilly discovers that no one in the town remembers her and the pieces of hair show up in her backpack, Rogers/Nook does not abandon her. He continues to help her and at the end of the episode, he asks Tilly to stay with him, which is beyond heart-warming.

Step 1 of “Operation Hyacinth.”

While Lucy doesn’t seem thrilled about the idea of “walky-talkies,” she is ready to go to work and help Regina find out what Doctor Facilier is doing in town. Initially, Regina keeps this from Zelena, however; and takes Doctor Facilier on a decoy date while Lucy breaks in to see what she can find. Zelena interrupts the date and asks her sister why she is lying to her. Regina explains what is going on and tries to warn Lucy who is able to get out in just the nick of time, but not before finding the tarot cards revealing the death card. Doctor Facilier proves that he is not easily fooled and drops by Regina’s place with Lucy’s hat. He tells her that he is here for The Dark One’s dagger and shows Regina her own fortune cards, revealing that love is still a possibility for her. But at what cost? Regina finally tells Zelena everything, including about her feelings for Doctor Facilier. When Robin comes in to see her mother, Zelena hates that they have to lie to her and Regina tells her, “welcome to the club sis.” While Regina was able to get some important information out of Doctor Facilier, is he being completely truthful with her? Will Regina tell Rumpel what is going on? Stay tuned to find out!

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

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 13: “Operation Hyacinth”

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 13 last night, it’s true that love can be blind in more ways than one. In an effort to help others and find the killer, “Nook” ignores the very person who needs his help the most…his daughter. While it’s clear that “Nook” will need to follow his heart to get to the truth, perhaps he needs to open his eyes as well to the girl who has been practically pleading with him for help. But will it be too late once he figures it out? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Knightfall,” we learn more about Alice growing up locked in the tower and sympathize with Nook’s desire to help her, which even causes him to turn to one of his greatest enemies to do so. Meanwhile, Ivy/Drizella tries to pick up the pieces and truly change for the better, Henry leans on Regina’s shoulder for some guidance, and Lucy finally goes to see the one person who can help her save her father. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 13 are:

“The calm before the storm.”

In the beginning of the episode, we learn more about Alice’s childhood and get a glimpse into her loving relationship with her father, “Nook.” Mother Gothel’s curse prevents Alice from leaving the tower, but “Nook” is not about to give up without trying. We learn that Alice is the one who created his beloved painting and they exchange their chess pieces before “Nook” goes off to find a way to save her. “Nook” refers to his daughter as “my little rook” and tells her that she is “the bravest girl he knows.” One cannot help but sympathize with “Nook,” who wants nothing more than to free his daughter from this magical prison. As a result, he turns to one of his greatest enemies, Rumpel and is ready to “make a deal.” While we know that we cannot trust the outcomes of Rumpel’s deals, “Nook” has no other choice but to try and see it through, not knowing where else to turn.

“I think it’s time we had a little talk.”

In present time, Nook/Rogers and Rumpel are trying to figure out who the killer is and what he or she wants with these witches before someone else is harmed. Mother Gothel/Eloise shows up with beyond perfect timing and is willing to help them as long as she can talk to Nook/Rogers alone. Rumpel begrudgingly agrees but is never too far away, as he has the camera working at all times to ensure he doesn’t miss anything. While it’s clear that Mother Gothel/Eloise cannot be trusted, she seems very much invested in trying to get Nook/Rogers to realize who he is. But what does she get out of this in return? While we don’t know her true intentions just yet, she is playing the part for now and seems somewhat willing to help them stop the killer.

“You will fail her again and again.”

After striking up a deal with Rumpel, “Nook” learns that he needs to retrieve “Maui’s Fish Hook,” bringing the Moana story-line into the mix. “Nook” quickly learns that another pirate possesses the magical weapon, Captain Ahab who is from Melville’s classic tale, Moby Dick. Captain Ahab clearly doesn’t seem willing to part with the weapon and “Nook” warns that “it’s a dangerous thing to call me old man.” After gambling to win the magical object, Captain Ahab is not about to leave without getting to the bottom of this. He follows “Nook” and realizes that he had no intention of killing Rumpel aka “The Dark One.” Nook’s pride gets in his way as the two participate in a pistol duel that determines “Nook” to be the winner but not without a consequence in the process. Mother Gothel anticipated that Nook’s pride would get in the way of his true mission and poisoned the bullet he was struck by, which created the magical curse that causes him great pain whenever Alice is near. “Nook” doesn’t want to believe that he will “fail her again and again” as Mother Gothel suggests, but in present day, he is currently failing to see the cries of help from Tilly. What is it going to take to wake “Nook” up so he can help his daughter in present time? Will his pride continue to get in the way? It seems like Mother Gothel is banking on this, but “Nook” still has time to follow his heart and put his pride aside to help Tilly.

“I think you could be the hero I need.”

After her mother, Victoria’s death, Ivy/Drizella is left alone to pick up the pieces. Henry goes to visit her when she is cleaning out her mother’s office and Ivy/Drizella tries to make romantic advances toward him to deal with her grief. Henry gently turns her down, but offers to still help her. Ivy really is a “wounded bird” at this point in time, not knowing what to do with her life. She finally realizes that her mother loved her all along and Henry suggests that she now try to make connections and amends with the rest of her family, which seems like a good starting point. After having a heart-to-heart conversation with Jacinda that ends in a believable hug, Ivy/Drizella is ready to “be the best person she can be.” The next step is to find her sister, Anastasia and Ivy/Drizella needs Henry’s help to do so. Has Ivy really turned over a new leaf? I’m hoping so, as we could really use her help to balance out the forces of good and evil.

“Operation Hyacinth.”

Just when it seemed like Henry and Jacinda were ready to share true love’s kiss, Lucy intervened when she found the page of the fairy-tale book that revealed that Henry would die if this were to happen. Lucy now tells her mother that she no longer wants her to see Henry, which is clearly breaking her heart. At the end of the episode, Lucy turns to the only person who can help her…Regina. She tells Regina what is going on and shows her the page, learning that Regina is awake. Regina is happy to help and tells her that when you save people, that “makes you a Mills.” “Operation Hyacinth” is on and Regina and Lucy are ready to help give Henry and Jacinda the happy ending they deserve. It’s about time!

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

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 12: “H Town”

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 12 last night, I wish I could get the opportunity to listen in on Henry’s full podcast, “H Town.” While he carefully unravels a mystery for his listeners, he is spot on when he asks the relevant question: “what could possibly happen next?” When one door closes on OUAT, fans know that several more are about to open, bringing new faces to town and dangerous enemies as well. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “A Taste of the Heights,” we finally learn more about Sabine/Tiana’s past, which introduces us to new characters like Doctor Facilier and Prince Naveen. Meanwhile, Rumpel finally throws his hat in the ring to uncover the mystery behind Lucy’s doctor’s death, Henry finds out about the mix tape Jacinda made him, and Regina’s jaded past catches up to her. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 12 are:

Welcome back Rumpel!

So even though Rumpel has been in most of the episodes this season, it seems like he has been taking a back seat to the drama, which seems uncharacteristic and suspicious. Well that’s all about to change and it’s about time. Rumpel begins investigating the death of Lucy’s doctor and doesn’t believe for one second that it is pure coincidence that she died at the exact moment that Victoria did. He loops in Hook or “Nook” and explains that the lock of hair could mean that there is an evil in town extending past Eloise/Mother Gothel. Our two favorite detectives interview Hilda who runs a bakery. What’s her best seller? Gingerbread of course, which Rumpel points out, is really out of season. Hilda is blind and is clearly the witch from Hansel and Gretel. While initially it seems like she might know more than she is letting on, she is then attacked and a lock of her hair goes missing as well. Is this the work of Doctor Facilier? Seems likely when we think about voodoo magic, but we know that Rumpel and Nook are on the case.

“Food Truck Queen of the Heights.”

So I was thrilled that we finally got the opportunity in this episode to really get a glimpse at Sabine/Tiana’s back story. It really was perfect timing since Dr. Facilier and Prince Naveen have also conveniently shown up in town, now that Victoria is dead. While Tiana/Sabine recognizes that she is a perfectionist, she’s used to putting on a “one woman show,” as Naveen/Drew reminds her. Tiana always puts her people first in her past and tries to do what is right. In her present, she is quite nervous about her food truck debut and is heartbroken when the cop tells her she can’t debut at the event because she is missing her safety permit. While she initially blames Naveen/Drew, he does the right thing to win her trust and gives her his own safety permit. Swoon! While this seems to be bringing these two back together again, Doctor Facilier/Mr. Samdi shows up and tells Naveen that he did a good job winning her trust. Is Naveen/Drew really out for himself or will he do the right thing and be true to Tiana/Sabine?

“The dark one in denim. How quaint.”

Zelena was absolutely hilarious in this moment and I couldn’t help chuckling myself. While Rumpel may not have the best fashion sense, he is vital to bringing down the new threat in the Heights. When Rumpel approaches Regina and Zelena, Regina is initially angry because she tried to bring Rumpel into the fold much earlier. However, she recognizes that he might be the key to them saving Henry. They put two and two together and realize that someone is killing witches. This means that the threat is nowhere near over and it also means that Regina and Zelena are in danger themselves. Will they be able to stop this new threat before it’s too late?

“Word on the street is you made me a mix tape.”

While I can’t really buy Henry using the phrase, “word on the street,” this moment is absolutely adorable between him and Jacinda. Lucy is now awake and it seems like Henry and Jacinda’s romance can finally begin or begin again. Lucy is beyond excited and they invite Henry over for a game night. Lucy confides to Henry that it’s all real and that her grandmother, Victoria showed her the book. While she doesn’t know where the book is now, she is convinced that true’s love kiss will break the curse. However, Lucy finds a missing page of the book which reveals the truth that the kiss will end Henry’s life. She quickly intervenes just in the nick of time and stops the kiss from happening. Now that Lucy knows the truth, who will she turn to for help? Will Henry and Jacinda ever be able to get their happily ever after?

Regina’s past is revealed.

While it seems apparent that Doctor Facilier could be the evil threat everyone is talking about, I was shocked to learn that Regina had a romantic past with him. At the end of the episode, Regina pays him a visit and says, “You think you can just waltz into my town and pretend you’re cursed.” She asks him what he is here for, which is something we are all wondering, but Doctor Facilier does not appear to be intimidated by his former flame, Regina. Big mistake Doctor Facilier. If there is anything I know for sure, it’s that you don’t mess with Regina Mills!

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

You can now follow me on Twitter as well! https://twitter.com/TV_Fanatic_Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 11: Love is Stronger than Magic

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:

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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

“Charmed” is Back for a Reboot! Ranking the top 5 couples from the original “Charmed.”

Happy Wednesday TV fans! I have been recently re-watching one of my favorite television series of all time, Charmed for the 7^th time through and I was very interested to find out that the CW has requested a pilot order for the reboot of the show. It has been about 20 years since the show premiered and ran for 8 seasons with the magical Halliwell sisters portrayed by Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan, and Shannen Doherty. Holly Marie Combs is openly opposed to the reboot but Shannen Doherty is trying to stay positive. It’s understandable for there to be controversy around the reboot, as the original story and characters can never be replaced.

The original Halliwell sisters of Charmed still represent strong female characters to look up to and root for even re-watching today. That can never be replaced, but it would be exciting to see something similar for the new generation and something nostalgic for the rest of us who remember the series so well. 90210 had a reboot years later and even had special appearances by the show’s original cast, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to the original series and never will. Other shows featuring TV witches such as The Secret Circle and Witches of East End didn’t last for very long airing after Charmed was off the air so it’s hard to predict if the reboot will be able to have a successful run.

Similar to the spinoff proposed series of Wayward Sisters from Supernatural, the Charmed reboot has a real chance to capture an audience in desperate need of strong and smart female leads who can save the day from demons and deal with everyday problems. While I don’t know much about the pilot, it doesn’t seem like it will follow the lives of the next generation of Charmed ones, but may be set on a college campus with three new witches coming to power. Either way, I am all for giving the show a chance. How about you?

The attention around the Charmed reboot sparked my interest in discussing some of my favorite moments, episodes, characters, villains, and ships. For today, I will be discussing the most memorable couples/ships from the series. While some couples on the show do find their fairy-tale happy ending, others end a passionate bond in tragedy, breaking the hearts of our beloved Halliwell heroines along the way. Either way, their love was inspiring, fiery, and memorable. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

My top five ships from Charmed are:

Paige & Kyle aka Agent Brody.

When Paige is introduced as the half-sister of Piper and Phoebe in season 4, she has to learn about her powers and new destiny very quickly to keep up with the rest of the Charmed ones. Paige steps into the role of the third sister seamlessly and really captures the sisterly bond, but her ultimate destiny focuses more on helping others through Magic School rather than on a romantic relationship.

Paige does have her share of relationships over the seasons, but the most memorable one for her would be with Kyle aka Agent Brody. Portrayed by the charming Kerr Smith, Kyle came to the sisters seeking revenge on the new big bad, The Avatars, who he believes are responsible for the death of his parents. Paige and Kyle instantly have a spark and move quickly into a romantic relationship.

One of my favorite moments is when they get trapped in a 1930’s novel set in black and white and need to solve a mystery to get back. They embrace the world, costumes and all, and end with a very passionate kiss, letting fans know that this is the start of something lasting for sure. Sadly, Kyle’s quest to take down the Avatars leads to his untimely death, separating him from his love, Paige. While Kyle does become a white lighter and implies that they may see each other again, the series ends without them together, as Paige finds love with Henry instead.

Prue & Andy.

In the first season of the show, Prue is handling a lot. She moves back in with her sisters, basically has to represent the mother-figure as the oldest sister, gets attacked at her new job, and is reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Andy. As if that isn’t enough, Andy is an Inspector for the police and is desperately trying to figure out why Prue is connected to so many of his unresolved cases.

Prue’s love for Andy is pure and true, but she tries to keep her distance from him to protect him. When Prue thinks that she may be able to trust Andy with her secret of being a witch, she casts a truth spell that lasts for 24 hours. To her dismay, Andy reveals that he would not be able to continue a relationship with her. At the end of the season, Andy sacrifices himself to protect Prue and her sisters.

Prue has a fleeting moment with him in limbo before he is gone forever and it’s now clear that he would have accepted Prue completely, secret and all. He just needed more time to fully process what she shared, which is completely understandable. Sadly for Prue, she has to say goodbye to Andy forever and is never really able to find anyone as worthy again.

Phoebe & Coop.

Out of all of the Halliwell sisters, Phoebe has gone through the most relationships. Toward the end of the series, fans were wondering who she would ultimately end up with and immediately spot the romantic tension between her and Cupid, Coop. Coop is there to lead the way for Phoebe to open her heart again and find love; only he ends up falling in love with her in the process.

Coop is funny and charming and is really the only worthy candidate for Phoebe to end up with since Cole is gone forever. While they don’t necessarily have the same passion she had with Cole, Phoebe does learn to truly open her heart again with Coop and finally get the family she has been dreaming of.

Phoebe & Cole.

This list would not be complete without including Phoebe and Cole. Cole is introduced in season 3 and is a demon who is half-human. While he initially tries to use his budding relationship with Phoebe to worm his way into the house to steal the Book of Shadows, Cole falls deeply in love with Phoebe, jeopardizing his cover and bringing his humanity to the surface.

Phoebe and Cole’s love is the most passionate on the show. They have this almost magnetic pull toward one another, which does lead to some rocky moments, however. Cole eventually becomes the source of all evil, even luring Phoebe to darkness for a while, but his love for her never fades. It seems like Cole has been vanquished several times, but he always finds a way to return, holding on to the hope that he can be with Phoebe.

When he is finally vanquished for good, Phoebe says that maybe “it wasn’t meant to be.” However, fans still cling to the idea of Phoebe and Cole ending up together. The downfall of Cole was too much, however; leading to his demise, but their connection to one another has always been undeniable. Cole leaves a goodbye letter for Phoebe that reads:

Dear Phoebe,
If I’m dead right now,
I know it was at your
hand. No one else in
heaven or hell had
Power over me. Please,
don’t cry. I was dead
Before I met you. I was
Born the day you loved
me. And my love for you
will keep me alive…
Forever
Love,
Cole

This letter is one of the most resonating moments for me on Charmed. Cole brought new life into the show and was one of my absolute favorite characters. While being one of the greatest villains for the Halliwell sisters, he is Phoebe’s ultimate weakness. Even when they were apart, Phoebe knew that she may never love anyone the same way again.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one ship are:

Paige & Henry
Prue & Bane
Phoebe & Jason
Piper & Dan
Prue & Jack

Piper & Leo.

My number one ship has to go to Piper and Leo as if there was any doubt! At the beginning of the series, their blossoming relationship is charming and real. Phoebe even initially competes with Piper to win Leo’s affection, but it’s always been clear where Leo’s heart lies. As Piper’s white lighter, it is forbidden for them to be together, but they cannot deny their connection.

Piper and Leo have been through so much together and Leo is even ripped away from her during their first attempt at a wedding. Ultimately, Piper and Leo are meant for each other. However, they go through quite a lot on the way and are tested constantly. Piper and Leo have two beautiful sons, Wyatt and Chris, and form a beautiful family together, constantly trying to keep this priority above all others.

While Piper is known for her quick temper, Leo balances her out and always keeps her calm. When they are apart, it’s truly heartbreaking, as fans recognize the selfless love these two have for one another. Piper and Leo do get their happy ending and keep their friendship and love strong in the process. There is something so believable and undeniable between Piper and Leo, still holding the test of time and reminding us what true love is all about.

I hope you enjoyed my list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about the ships on Charmed along with your thoughts on the new reboot. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 TV witches: “The power of 3 will set us free!”

Happy Friday TV viewers! When you think of witches, what comes to mind? Society has embraced the idea of the witch as an old hag with a wart, hooked nose, and pointy hat flying off on her broomstick, cackling across the night sky. But to be honest, witches have so much more depth and character than this common stereotype. Sure it may be fun to embrace the costume for Halloween, but what’s so great about witches is that they are a source of female empowerment.

They may possess magical abilities and can whip up a spell in the blink of an eye…or the wiggle of a nose, but what makes these women so intriguing is their humanity. Some of my favorite witches on television desperately attempt to balance a “normal human life” with their calling and magical duties. They want something more out of life and sometimes feel stifled by their magical responsibilities, feeling that it gets in the way of having true and meaningful relationships.

While they sometimes reveal their secrets to mortals, it is clear that being a witch is very complicated and not all it’s cracked up to be. However, they sure do have some very cool magical powers that could come in handy now and again. Please note some spoilers are ahead.

My top 5 TV witches are:

Bonnie Bennett from The Vampire Diaries.

When you combine being a witch with being a teenage girl, things get beyond complicated. Bonnie and her best friend, Elena, live in Mystic Falls where it seems like supernatural beings are creeping up behind every corner. While the show focuses primarily on vampires, Bonnie’s witchcraft is a key component and an influential force. When Bonnie discovers her powers as a witch and realizes that she comes from a very powerful line of witches in history, she has to confide her secret to her best friend.

One of my favorite scenes occurs when Bonnie and Elena are sitting on the bed and Bonnie closes her eyes and makes the pillow feathers float all around them. Her powers are beautiful and mysterious, but as the series goes on, she becomes more and more powerful. While she sometimes drains on magic and needs strength from those around her, Bonnie is the essence of good magic and is a great asset to Elena and the Salvatore vampires.

Zelena aka The Wicked Witch of the West from Once Upon a Time.

There is clearly a lot of unlocked magic in the quiet town of Storybrooke, ranging from evil queens to saviors. However, when something wicked comes their way, Zelena proves to be the witch you don’t want to mess with. She embraces the green skin and looks absolutely fabulous. We later learn that Zelena is Regina’s half-sister, which explains their connection and Zelena’s constant quest for revenge against her. While Zelena does transform into a powerful ally later on, her snappy one-liners and her refusal to let others get in her way make her stand out in a crowd of fairy-tale villains and heroes, absolutely stealing the show.

Fans everywhere root for Zelena and desperately want her to get her own version of a happy ending. In the most recent season, Regina goes off to find Zelena in San Francisco, when a new memory curse has been cast on our favorite characters. In Zelena’s new life, she is actually a cycling instructor and even tells her class to “fly like monkeys,” keeping her humor and character alive.

Willow Rosenberg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

While the show focuses primarily on Buffy and her strength and powers as a vampire slayer, Willow gives up on a being a quiet nerd in the background and tries out witchcraft to help her best friend fight evil. In the beginning, her powers seem harmless and involve floating pencils, which does come in handy when she actually uses it to stake a vampire. As the series goes on, Willow becomes more and more powerful and has an unquenchable need to consume magic.

This dangerous consequence leads to her tapping into dark magic. Willow even gives up using her witchcraft, recognizing that the addiction is hurting those around her. When her love, Tara dies in her arms, there is no stopping her, however. The dark magic pours into her, making her one of the most powerful and dangerous villains Buffy and the Scoobies have ever faced. Luckily, Xander is able to bring her back to goodness, refusing to lose his best friend to evil.

Samantha Stephens from Bewitched.

This list would not be complete without including one of the most famous television witches who paved the way for the rest to come. I grew up watching re-runs of the show in black and white and was mesmerized by Samantha’s powers. With the wiggle of her nose, she used her magic to even the score, proving to be very powerful. Samantha had trouble balancing her life as a loving housewife with being a powerful witch, introducing the very concept of a witch looking for something more meaningful in life beyond magic. While she loved her husband dearly, she didn’t want to just be labeled as a housewife, still holding on to her identity as a witch. Samantha was absolutely a source of female empowerment, refusing to merely comply in a man’s world.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick for TV witches are:

Sabrina Spellman from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
Davina Claire from “The Originals”
Melisandre from “Game of Thrones”
Endora from “Bewitched”
Rowena from “Supernatural”
The Coven from “American Horror Story”
The Beauchamp family from “Witches of East End”

The Halliwell sisters from Charmed.

So my number one pick has to go to the Halliwell sisters. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige all possess amazing magical abilities and have a sisterly bond that cannot be broken by any evil that comes their way. Charmed is one of my favorite series of all time and each sister possesses their own strength, but as the “power of 3,” they are unstoppable. My favorite power belonged to Piper who could literally freeze time by putting her hands up. What makes the Halliwell sisters so great is that they didn’t always know they had powers. When their grandmother dies and they move back into their child-hood home, they release the power behind the “Book of Shadows,” reconstituting the power of 3. At

this point in their lives, they are already dealing with finding love, finding a career, and dealing with the daily pros and cons of being a sister. They are known as the most powerful witches of all time and many demons and evil beings try to defeat them. When Prue is tragically killed off at the end of season 3, Paige Matthews steps in as their long-lost half-sister and has just as much power as the rest of them. The sisterly bond continues and they deal with some really tough decisions. On more than one occasion, the sisters have the opportunity to relinquish their powers and lead normal lives, but the Halliwell sisters embrace their destiny and understand that protecting the innocent isn’t just a job…it’s who they are.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite TV witches. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 10 winter finale: You just need to believe

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 10 last night, I am wondering if every curse can really be broken. True love’s kiss or belief in the impossible is not always enough. Rather, sacrifices need to be made for the greater good. But can our favorite characters from OUAT make these difficult choices? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, we learn about the moments leading up to the curse and how it was cast. The power of the coven of 8 is introduced and an old friend is back to help. Meanwhile, Rumpel enlists the help of Anastasia, Robin and Alice are revealed to be in love, and poor Lucy is still in a coma. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 10 are:

Zelena is back.

When Regina took Henry to San Francisco to enlist some help, fans were excited because we knew Zelena would be the one she goes to. In Zelena’s new life, she is an exercise peddling instructor and even tells her class to fly like monkeys. Zelena is hesitant about stepping out of her new life. Regina uses MacCutcheon whiskey to bring back her memories. Lost fans will be pleased once again with this Easter egg as Charles Widmore’s liquor of choice is getting quite a bit of screen time this season. When Zelena remembers who she is, she confides to her sister that she is about to get married and enjoys her new life, complicating her choice. Zelena ultimately decides to help her sister, but it is clear that she will want to return to the simple life she has come to know and love here in San Francisco.

Rumpel tries to help Anastasia unleash her magic.

Rumpel is convinced that Anastasia is the guardian and this will ultimately help him achieve his own destiny. However, he recognizes that Ana is the only one who can save Lucy right now. He lays out several knives on the table in front of her and explains that “all you have to do is tell me which one of these has magic.” Lost fans will recall a similar conversation when Richard Alpert goes to visit John Locke as a child and lays out several items on a table and asks “which one of these items belongs to you already?” Whether this was intentional or just familiar, this scene allowed us to see exactly what Ana is capable of. It is clear that she is overflowing with magic and is unsure how to control it all. Will her powers be used for good or evil?

Gothel proves to be a worthy foe.

Ana’s childish innocence gets in the way later when Drizella tries to trick her into giving away her magic. However, Gothel double crosses her and gives Ana all of Drizella’s power, hoping to unleash the full force of the coven of 8. The symbol of the coven of 8 has been surfacing all over the place, but it is clear that unleashing their dark magic will be a threat to our favorite OUAT characters. Regina and Zelena are powerful witches, but can they defeat an entire coven? Who else will be joining? Once again, Gothel proves to be a worthy opponent and leaves viewers wondering what else she has in store for everyone.

Regina is the one who unleashed the curse.

When Regina and the others confront Gothel and Drizella, they prove they are going to fight for what they believe in and keep the curse from happening. Regina challenges them asking, “You want a witch fight? Happy to oblige!” However, Drizella and Gothel anticipate this and capture Henry, poisoning him in the process. The only cure for him is a land without magic. To Regina’s horror, she realizes that she is left with the impossible choice of letting her son die or casting the curse herself to save him. The good in Regina and the unconditional love she has for her son are weaknesses that Drizella and Gothel were counting on. The other characters completely understand her decision and cling to each other, hoping that they can find each other again once the curse takes place.

“Every curse can be broken. You just need to believe.”

Henry immediately leaves San Francisco when he learns that Lucy is in a coma. He rushes to Jacinda’s side to comfort her. When he is left alone with Lucy, he reads to her from his “Once Upon a Time” book and knows exactly which passage to start with. His love for Lucy is clearly one of a father’s, even though he doesn’t realize it yet. He will do anything to help her and even tells her that he will believe that he is her father in another world if she will just wake up. He kisses her on the forehead but true love’s kiss is not enough here. Lucy’s own beliefs had been shattered previously, preventing this magic from waking her up. Regina later reveals that if the curse is broken, Henry will die, but if it remains, Lucy will be its victim. Once again, this leaves Regina with an impossible choice. How will she be able to choose between her son and her granddaughter? Is there another way around this? We will have to wait until new episodes return to find out, but if anyone can unearth a way, it’s Regina.

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

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 heart-breaking moments from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

It’s Throw-Back Sunday TV Fans! For today, I have once again returned to one of my old favorites, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There’s something to be said about moments in television that can bring you to tears. You invest a lot of time into the shows you watch and connect with the characters on a profound level, which is what makes it so impossibly emotional when certain moments happen, shattering the calm and happy existence you have come to know and rely on.

Whether it is one of your favorite characters dying, an epic romance coming to end, or something else entirely, there are certain heart-breaking moments on television that still impact us today. After many re-watches of Buffy, there are still certain moments that I recognize. I find my heart starting to skip faster, anticipating the worst, even hoping that somehow the outcome might be different with a re-watch.

However, the tragedy replays as it did the first time watching, still bringing tears to our eyes and tugging at our own feelings in the process. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the full series yet.

My top 5 heart-breaking moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are:

Giles’s discovery of Jenny’s death.

In season 2, Angel loses his soul when he experiences true happiness with Buffy. When he returns to his former monstrous self, Angelus, he stalks and torments Buffy and her friends. It is not enough to simply kill them. He wants them to truly suffer, weakening them further in the process. Fans loved the blossoming romance between Giles and Jenny Calendar.

When Angelus learns that Jenny is on the verge of finding out how to bring the curse back along with his soul, he views her as a threat in the episode, “Passion.” He hunts her down in the school and snaps her neck, which was horrific enough for viewers. However, Angelus doesn’t stop here. Rather, he stages a romantic evening for Giles to walk into. Giles approaches his doorway with a rose waiting for him and happily walks into opera music playing along with champagne and a note reading, “Upstairs.”

To Giles’s horror, he finds Jenny’s lifeless body waiting in his bed, dropping the champagne bottle and shattering it, while the opera music crescendos louder and louder. What makes this moment truly tragic is Giles’s reaction to it. Giles and Jenny were finally going to be reunited and make things work, but Angelus viciously ripped this happiness away from him, toying with his emotions.

Tara’s death.

In season 6, Warren is not about to let Buffy and the gang make a fool of him. A once harmless villain has now become deadly. He points a gun at Buffy and Xander to the surprise and horror of fans and shoots it. Xander falls to the ground and it first appears that he is his victim, but the bullet ricochets to the upstairs window and strikes Tara right in front of Willow.

Tara’s blouse has a single blood stain on it, as she falls and collapses in Willow’s arms. Willow’s eyes turn black in rage, now releasing the dark magic and power that she had kept away for so long. The love between Willow and Tara was so pure and beautiful and fans were horrified to see Willow’s love taken away from her in a violent act. The Scoobies have faced evil day after day, but what makes this so awful is that it was a mortal act of violence.

It wasn’t a vampire or a monster, rather it was a human being who felt wronged by the world and took his anger out with a man-made weapon, revealing that mortals can be just as dangerous as monsters in this world.

Buffy sacrifices herself to save Dawn.

In the season 5 finale, “The Gift,” Buffy recognizes that her blood is just like Dawn’s. Dawn’s blood is the key to closing the portal that will destroy the world, but she is not about to let her innocent sister suffer the consequences. Buffy makes the decision to jump into the portal to sacrifice herself.

She tells Dawn that “you have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world — is to live in it. Be brave. Live…for me.”

This is one of the most powerful and heart-breaking quotes in the entire series for me. Buffy’s unconditional love for her sister, her friends, and the world is beyond words. She has touched the lives of so many people and helped saved innocents with each action, but there is something about this act that transcends all of that.

She recognizes the sacrifice and embraces it, leaving her friends mourning her behind. Spike is left in tears, making this moment that much more tragic for fans, as he does truly love her and feels like he let her down.

Buffy kills Angel when his soul returns.

In the season 2 finale, “Becoming,” Buffy knows what she must do and is now truly ready to defeat Angelus so that she can save the world. She recognizes that the good man she came to know and love is gone, leaving only a shell of a monster behind. Seems easy enough, right?

Before Buffy is about to strike the final blow, Willow’s spell works and Angel’s soul returns. Angel doesn’t remember what has happened and Buffy tells him to close his eyes and kiss her, right before she strikes him fatally with a sword, sending his body through the portal. Buffy is still relatively new and young as a slayer in season 2, dealing with high school drama and this is more than any teenage girl could handle.

She leaves Sunnydale behind, unable to deal with her emotions and the loss of her great love by her own hand.

Buffy finds her mother’s body.

In season 5, Buffy is dealing with a new sister and a god named Glory who will stop at nothing to find her key and destroy the world. What makes this moment truly tragic is that it is a mortal tragedy. Buffy’s mother, Joyce, has been sick for a while, but when Buffy discovers her body lying on the floor, she becomes an innocent and terrified young girl. Buffy whispers “Mommy,” as we empathize with her completely.

Her powers will not help her here. She is left to attempt CPR and call an ambulance, but it is too late. Her mother is gone and she has to deal with this loss along with realizing that she will now have to pick up the pieces of her family and grow up even faster than she already has.

This episode did not feature any background music so that viewers were able to completely focus on Buffy’s reaction and emotions throughout this heart-breaking scene, which is still incredibly difficult for me to watch.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to share some of your own heart-breaking moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the comments section. Thank you so much for reading and happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites! Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available! If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

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Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!