Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24386552-20161217174626/@comment-26238001-20170107220416

Best:

1) Red Handed - I personally adore the first two Red Flashback episodes because they're so contrived in their own right in the Red Riding Hood mythology, however this one personally just gave so much insight on a Secondary Character and a Guest Star at the time (Red & Granny).

2) Going Home - This to me should've been Rumple's indefinite departure from the show. Rumplestilskin could've still made appearances via flashbacks every so often however the redemption arc here was so powerful that the climax felt defeated once he returned. However, the departure of Henry & Emma, the return to the EF, Rumple's "Death" were all magnificent.

3) Sympathy for the De'vil - For me, the BEST centric episode for an Arc's Villain. Cruella's character was captured perfectly, a few flaws yes but doesn't beat that it is still possibly my favorite in the entirity of Season 4.

4) It's Not Easy Being Green/Kansas- Zelena's first two Centric Episodes was possibly her best, I loved the evolution of her character during S3 and when it came to her 'Death' in Kansas I think it opened up more possibilities for her character in the future.

5) TIED: The Outsider and Changelings  - Weird choice but I am all for a good Belle centric, The Outsider was such a good turn of events seeing Belle come to Rumple's aid to find his son but when Hook shot her (More on him soon) and for her to lose her memories was heartbreaking. As for Changelings, it gave so much power to the pairing of Rumbelle, seeing her try to work against him to save her son whilst Rumple was set up by the EQ was magnificent. Also love a good few scenes with Shady Blue.

Shout Out to Souls of the Departed, just got cut off from the Top 5 despite it being my Favorite Regina Centric.

Worst:

1) Swan Song - What makes this episode unbearable for me is the toxic pollution of Captain Swan. Honestly, the show was at its prime until the forceful act of pleasing the shippers came forward. What made it worse, Swan Song was the SECOND episode IN A ROW of Hook Centric. Hook's character has served no purpose but limit screentime from actual interesting characters (Zelena, S6) with little backstory. For me, his Character finished serving a purpose at the end of S3 after Pan's arc. And for the 'Death' and revival and the continuous goodbyes grew too tiresome for me to care.This episode was overly bad, Hook's Death, their sudden desire to go to the UW, Sidelining Zelena for FOUR episodes.

2) Broken Heart - Hook's first 'Death' and it pissed me off. Seeing Emma go to all ends to save a man shes loved for lets say a year or two twice in two different episodes over Neal who she knew from a teenager aggravated me. The Flashback's held up no real insight other than the 'Shock' Finale which wasn't overly shocking. Also how they tarnished Merlin's character.

3) The Brother Jones - Shocker, ANOTHER Hook centric. I swear, the only good centric he has had is The Crocodile and that wasn't even entirely his was it? Anyway, TBJ was flawed in so many ways the actors Colin and whoever played Liam had no connection, no emotion. The CGI was terrible on a whole new scale also can I note that this is the THIRD Hook centric within a 6 episode timeframe? Wtf went through their minds.

4) Dark Waters - We're meant to believe that during Hook's time for caring for Baelfire, being with Milah, his time with Blackbeard he somehow met Nemo upon a large submarine thats somehow been in the EF eventhough we've never seen technology like that before? Liam #2 was an alright reveal but to me the only redeeming quality of this episode was the decent CGI, their underwater shots were reasonably well done.

5) A Broken Kingdom - Why did we need an entire episode dedicated to Guinevere and Lancelot?

Dishonorable Mentions:

The Bear King/Ruby Slippers/Last Rites were all slaughtered in their own right but I feel each had their own slight improvements due to certain character involvements.

That Still Small Voice is one I really can't be bothered about, Jiminy Cricket as a character isn't one who interests me and serves a better purpose in a recurring capacity.

Best Laid Plans - I wasn't all too fond for the slaughter of Snowing but it has its perks (Cruella)