Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20160926013536/@comment-25926288-20160926195425

GothicNarcissus wrote: Well, the fact that at least some of the redux is intentional and played as a "same situation, different outcome" is pretty clear from the Rumbelle segment: they deliberately tried to draw a parallel with Skin-Deep and have it play out differently. Which almost did, on Rumple's part, except Belle wasn't quite as keen. But they need to be very careful with that. Especially with Belle, who's getting very repetitive – and unfortunately I think we're going to get an awful lot of Rumbelle because, well, what's coming out next spring?

I think we might have a issue with Zelena, too: I love her character and her arc, but she's following on Regina's foosteps and, if they're going to play the get-better-relapse-over-again, she's really going to be S2 Regina 2.0, which was one of the lowest points of the character. Fortunately, she seemed pretty consistent with her new direction since her heel-face turn last season, so maybe we'll be spared that.

Interestinlgy, I think there was something off about JenMo and Robert's acting in the last episode. Actually, there might have been for a while, now. I don't know, I just get the impression they're just doing their job without any passion for their characters anymore – which, in Robert's case, is pretty much undestandable, considering Rumple's been on a downward spiral since mid-S2. I don't know, just compare it with what Lana and Rebecca did, or even with what Ginny did with whatever little material they gave her. If I'm right, that might really be a problem for the show's longevity. Zelena's not Regina 2.0 whatsoever though. She's her won character and she shows it at every turn. Zelena's redemption is a bit less formulaic as she's more of an opportunistic person. Zelena's still (and was always) grey and casually evil. She's not relasping as she's trying to "find her place" where she's loved. I'm sure she's continuing her casual evil and realize that it's not worth it versus Regina's overbearing evil and struggled to choose otherwise.

JMO and Robert's acting was pretty standard. I sensed nothing off at all. I see Robert off as more like in 4A where if you rewatch "Fall" and how emotionless his face was, especially in the fairy scene, it was hilarious. That was him not trying. Given how he totally 100% did the Rumple impression, I'm sure it was between "My best work" and "I'm not really tying". Robert always does great with Emilie. He's essentially the best actor on the show, so I can't tell if it's just him that lifts up a scene or just acting chemistry. JMO on the other hand is just doing her standard stuff. She's not doing an emotional-tragic scene so this is just her level of acting.The only thing off about Rumple was the wig, lol.