Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20170424005911/@comment-24386552-20170424012836

I thought the episode was decent and kept up astoundingly with continuity and callbacks. Though it wasn't specifically mentioned, it was alluded to where Belle and Zelena were and the whole vibe last season and how it contrasted to their relationship this season. Subtle, but meaningful. I also found the Snowing fight a bit meh for me but the ending made up for it. That ending was so intense. Now was it confirmed if Malcolm was returning or are we just seeing The Black Fairy?

I really do think Zelena got a lot of development and loved how the episode came full circle in a sympathetic sense. Something they usually do with Regina but this one fit perfectly. She started at the table alone but assuring herself she was fine and ended up there again knowing damn well she wasn't and possibly could never be.

Now there was this complaint that she can't be sympathetic for creating her own issues, but every character has screwed themselves over at least once. Regina with drinking the anti-pregnancy potion. Rumple with kicking Belle out and bettering his relationship with Bae. Hook's alcoholism led to his and Liam's slew of issues in their centric episode last year. However, I can see why Zelena wouldn't choose friends. She had presumably given up Hades and accepted that she wasn't Cora's first choice, but she was determined to be her first choice. Speaking of which, the whole basis for Zelena's issues derived from her jealousy over Regina, but only mentioned her once in the flashback, very briefly. I think it was a sign that her jealousy wasn't her biggest issue. It was always the need to be the greatest.

All in all, another good episode. This second half is really coming off strong. If the show does end on this note, I can say the series didn't disappoint at the end.