Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20151116022115/@comment-5106672-20151117202148

We interrupt Once Upon A Time to bring to you this unnecessary Brave sequel, called Brave of Thrones.

So, the bad:


 * I didn't like Caroline Morahan as Queen Elinor one bit. She seemed very out of place, I don't know why.


 * “Hey Snow, 'sup? I though I'd pop in the Enchanted Forest via the very last remaining Magic Bean (until the plot needs snother one) 'cause I'm bored and the writers don't know what to do with me, is that okay with you?”. “Sure Ruby, go. I'm not bothering asking any of my subjects if they need a ride to the Enchanted Forest 'cause you know, however precious that bean might be, screw them, family and friends come first!”. Typical example of Charmings' logic.


 * Wasn't Merida's arrow and the attached piece of fabric overgrown by plants or weathered in those two years in the forest? Also, how could Ruby still smell Arthur's scent in it? Whatever.


 * Arthur was really an a****le this time. Although I still consider him (and now Merida) among the most competent monarchs in OUAT. Waaaaay above the Charmings and Regina, anyway.


 * I guess overall this episode was simply misplaced. I mean, I'm glad they found some time to indulge with secondary characters, they were smart to broadcast two episodes at once, and OUAT really needs to take some time off from the plot sometimes… but just like that, right after a big cliffhanger? Also, it's Mulan and Ruby's comeback that made this episode. I don't know how many viewers are invested in such a recent addition as Merida to be interested in a whole episode centered around her.

The mixed:


 * I'm glad they gave Merida some closure (except for Emma's interruption), but I'm highly doubtful of how much of it I would have understood without seeing Brave before. They really need to focus on telling their own story start-to-end and drop the fanfictions. Although this one played out really nice in the end.

The good:


 * Despite my general disinterest in Merida, the more I watched the episode, the more I actually got invested in her story. It was well written. Just misplaced, as I said.


 * The rest of the Brave cast was flawless, especially King Fergus and the witch. The witch was amazing. Truly amazing!


 * It was nice to have Mulan and Ruby back. It was so, so, SO nice! Incredibly nice. I would watch a spin-off about their adventures. Also, I ship the hell out of 'em.


 * Snow White and Red Riding Hood friendship moments. GOSH, how I missed that! How!


 * Also, there was some very interesting writing in this episode. The pronoun game in Mulan's speech to Merida about her broken heart was very well done. And Ruby's speech to Mary Margaret gave off lots of LGBT vibes. “I'm feeling lonely, I don't fit in, I wish I could go out there and find others like me”: that's something very relatable. We all know where Mulan and Ruby's journey is ending… probably off screen, sadly.

So… it was an unnecessary episode, especially after the big cliffhanger of the previous, but it was broadcasted right after so we won't have to wait two weeks to get back to the story, which I appreciate. Also, I'll say it again: OUAT needs some moment to catch a breath from the fast-paced action and let the characters be themselves. So I give thumbs up to Brave of Thrones!