Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20160418005754/@comment-5106672-20160418045548

Alright, let’s start with the “big deal”.


 * Despite being part of the community myself, I wasn’t really pushing for OUAT to openly introduce an LGBT storyline because, if it had to be, I wanted them to make it right. On the one hand, this Ruby subplot really forwarded some character’s development (Zelena’s, who’s felt - big shock! - regret and, indirectly, Belle’s) and the overall plot (Snow got out of the Underworld), so it was incorporated smoothly into the show and not just thrown in there to please the fans. Kudos to that.


 * On the other hand, I loved how they characterised Ruby on this episode. They didn’t go downright cliché with the “OMG, but I’m a girl and she’s a girl, what will she think, what will everybody think” thing, and both Snow and even the Munchkins seemed to be totally accepting of Ruby and Dorothy’s love (which could be seen as at least two magic realms’ societies having no stigma on same-sex love, considering the Munchkins didn’t experience present-day LWM and its mentality); but they still found a way to realistically portray the self-doubt, coming out, fear of rejection and hope for acceptance using two metaphors, namely Ruby being a werewolf and Dorothy almost being committed to an asylum. Ruby had to come out and Dorothy had to face discrimination for not conforming, which in-universe wasn’t about their sexual orientation, but reading between the lines made the storyline all the more relatable for many LGBT viewers. So, not in your face and cliché but subtly hinted: that was really a touch of class.


 * Moreover, while I was totally rooting for the Mulan Rouge ship, I’m ultimately glad they added Dorothy to the equation: it’s clearly a nod and tribute to the importance The Wizard Of Oz had for the LGBT community, as well as that of Judy Garland as a gay icon. This shows the writers didn’t just bash the thing in, but really treated the subject with depth and care. (Also, Red Riding Hood is a fairytale about sexual awakening, so that makes sense too). Well done, OUAT.


 * To be completely honest, I was a bit afraid TLK would happen off-screen (you never know). Boy, did they SHOW it! I mean… Meghan… WHOA! I don’t think I’ve ever seen any other couple going so passionate!

So, I’m more than happy with what they did with the LGBT storyline. Most of the rest of the episode was good too.


 * I love those Zelena and Regina bonding scenes. I seriously can’t wait for the next episode.


 * I actually even liked the Snowing subplot with David letting Snow go in his place. That was very sweet.

A few “meh” things.


 * Mulan keeps getting the short end of the stick, but as of point 2, werewolf coming out and tribute to Judy Garland had better potential than “I’m a girl knight, that means I’m obviously a lesbian”. Still rooting for you happy ending, Mulan, though!


 * Alright, I know after being kidnapped x infinity, handcuffed to anything, getting amnesia, always being left behind, getting the most useless romantic subplot ever and did I mention getting kidnapped, the last thing Belle needed was a Sleeping Curse. But let’s be practical: Emilie was already showing in this episode, they had to do something with that. Either another fast-forward pregnancy that, for whatever reason, halted at the same time as Emilie was, or taking her temporarily off-screen. It’s the best they could manage for a real-life situation, it’s not the writers hating Belle. This time, at least.


 * Also, the Hook retcon disappointed me a bit, but then again, they had to deal with Ginny’s pregnancy somehow. I’m more willing to give the show a pass when they’re trying to put a patch on something that’s out of their control.