Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20170327005929/@comment-25926288-20170327151433

Esk's Grade Report for the episode.

Plot ( 2 of 3)

- The Flashback was sufficent; neutered by a retread on a subject we learned previously, not more usage of Tinkerbell, and left without a solid conclusion, but we do know she continued on her hate-filled path. Regina and Queenie finished their arc (or mini-arc for this half) and it ended with a less predictable outcome. It was fully developed as an end to Regina's storyline (besides Zelena). Shears were a macguffin actually used across storylines and was used here. A downside however is that magic is once again dictated by plot rather than by established rules (i.e. Heart darkness/light transfer), but that's more on the series as a whole than this episode. Emma and Hook's plot continues and takes an rather angsty turn (even more so than it was). Gideon was rather random.

Character ( 2 of 4)

+ Regina. Great development and on both parts. Nothing much more to say than what was shown.

- Extra characters were weird. Snow was talking about lack of redemption, oblivious to Hook's angst, and this was when she was doing quite well with the new Hook-Snow interaction. Zelena is snide and starting to be more annoying than ought to be. It's clear she is being set up for a future episode, but it hasn't been a good transition from Zelena's apology to Regina and their desire to team up.

+ Hook. Hook is at times paralleled to Regina, although more self-aware, harsh on himself, and more realistic. I think he has shown great insight. Some fail to mention it, but he does exclaim "How could I sit across from your mother and father and look them in the eye?" The angst was more realistic in nature, although he, Regina, and Rumple often fall into repetitive character arcs.

- Emma. Emma was in character; however, she was quite unreasonable given the recent storyline. Emma would react as such, and rightfully so; however, she was just in a character arc where she kept secrets from her loved ones, previously did selfish things, etc. Emma (just as Regina had one against Zelena) has just experienced a hypocritical moment. Since this is objective as possible, my thoughts lie here (Emma has been replaced by a domestic hypocrite floral-attire-wearing "hero" that has selective memory and higher standards placed on others. So, basically her mother. XD)

General Consensus ( 1 out of 2)

- It appears to be well-received relatively well on Regina's and Hook's character development, but marred by its angsty undertones and weird resolutions.

Balance (1 out of 1)

- I think it was decently balanced between humor and dark.

Overall Score: 6 out of 10, or a D+, or a mixed episode. Great development in most parts, but not as well-recieved.