Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20170306015934/@comment-25926288-20170306155118

Esk's Grade Report for the episode.

Plot ( 2 of 3)

- It was a solid plot. The story was interwoven quite effectively. However, what ever positives there were was quickly countered by weird contrivances (3 can go through, magic cuffs everywhere, etc). The conflict was better emphasized in the Storybrooke side than the WR side, but WR did make great use of its setting.

Character ( 2.5 of 4)

- Character is the most important part of any good show, with Plot not too far behind. So...

+ Rumple and Belle: Needless to say, they were better than they ever have been in recent times. There was actual character insight by both. Character insight, not the "rule of cool" character moments. There interactions with Gideon were just as great.

+ Emma and August: Perfectly done. Albeit, August was a selfish jerk at one time (which is never brought up again), the point was brought across and I can believe there's some friendship that is established. Emma had some insight, but mostly just promo-worthy character moments.

- David and Hook: David counteracts his stupid action with stupid desperation. Consistent, but this isn't actual development or insight as he's done this since season 2. Hook was just there. Generally, he's at least a voice of reason or at least opposing with some other idea. Guess Hook loses all bite these days. They get downpointed mostly because their interaction with Belle went almost the same way as it did in season 5. Stagnation doesn't mean that it's any better than regression. There needs to be progress.

o Regina and Robin: Regina was unintentionally self-centered and single-minded. It was all "How could he be happy without me?!" Roland and Robin Jr. were all left out of Regina's retelling of Robin of Old. It was brought back into reality briefly when she realized Marian was an important factor in Robin's life. WR Robin is also not a cardboard cutout spouting from a heroic code that doesn't exist.

General Consensus ( 1.5 out of 2)

- I went around to most reaches of fandom and it appears that the episode was "meh" to "great".

Balance (1 of 1)

- The humor and camp didn't necessarily overburden the show where the dark tones couldn't be realized.

Overall Score: 7 out of 10, or a B, or a solid episode