Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20170313005929/@comment-25926288-20170313143505

Esk's Grade Report for the episode.

Plot ( 2.5 of 3)

- It was a solid plot. This adds a little intrigue, but practically wraps up David's plotline for the season. They had an actual map and other worldbuilding dynamics which would make it an automatic 4 out of 3 for me, but I try to put my bias aside. It gets a knock off simply because it introduces a new plotline that seems a bit melodramatic and redundant. If this show was really all about Hook, it would be called "Secrets and Lies".

Character ( 3 of 4)

- Jane and Jerome do pretty nice character development in past and present in ways that don't seem like they are hitting you over the head. So...

+ David and Hook: Much better than last week. I won't spent too many words on it as it was beautiful, even with the "twist" at the end. David is at his most complex ever.

+ Regina and Robin: Regina was unintentionally self-centered and single-minded...and it was balanced out. Regina talked with Snow and ran into a shrill Zelena and got a double dosage of reality checks. Regina has shed her snarky side for a more vulnerable one. A plotline arose out of it, but it brought up many good issues, mainly Regina's hypocrisy which is on it's 2 season-streak (Season 5A to now). Hopefully, it'll be fully addressed.

- Zelena was a bit too underused and shrill. Emma and Snow avoid each other like the plague. The Rumple-Belle-Gideon element was left out.

+ Emma and Henry went on a trip. What? It actually gives the characters more umph to actually do real-life things.

General Consensus ( 1.5 out of 2)

- It appears to be well-received by the fandom. Even if the twist was "ugh", it's mostly talked as an interesting episode. But then again, Jane episodes tend to be that way. Jerome seems to be a nice co-writer.

Balance (1 of 1)

- Where as Adam and Eddy balance extremes, Jane and Jerome use muted elements of both so there's a seamless transition. Ex. Hook inquiring David's goal, while also having some magical potion fun without it seeming outlandish.

Overall Score: 8 out of 10, or a B+, or a solid episode. A weirdly placed episode, but great writing anyhow.