Mari

Um . . . uncle. Damian is Baelfire's brother, which makes him Henry's uncle. As for Aladdin and Jasmine's relationship, this might improve it. She seemed less interested in Aladdin the person, and more interested in what Aladdin could do for her. This actually probably increases that, so she should be pleased. So, everyone in Storybrooke can forgive Regina for . . . everything, but Regina, even a Regina who's had her "worst" traits removed, can't forgive Zelena for following advice that Regina gave her?

That was dull.

He and Avery probably drifted apart when Henry would've had to explain that he has grandparents that are the same age as his mother, that he has a second mother, and that the second mother is not Blonde Mom's current or former romantic partner, but is his grandmother's stepmother. (And, coincidently, is currently making out with his other grandfather.) Also, that the guy that was probably going to be his stepdad is dead, because Blonde Mom killed him, and that in the meantime, Blonde Mom has a very serious boyfriend that just moved in with them, and, yeah, it was that crazy stalker guy she had arrested just before they left town. Oh, and he has a new cousin, who's the daughter of his other mom's sister and other mom's dead boyfriend. And, yes, he is a twelve-going on sixteen-year-old boy who's obsessed with fairy tales. It would've been awkward.

Well, yes, but I honestly do not understand why we haven't had a scene where RegularRegina is in the Crypt preparing a suicide strategy, or a coma potion, or tracking down the magic-eliminating cuff, or crossing over into the LWM, or . . . Like I said, I don't expect A&E to actually do anything permanent to Regina. But, why haven't they had Regina try something, if only to end it when Henry (or please, not Emma. Please.) interrupts her and gives her the "We're family and we'll overcome this." (Blech. Blech. Blech.) speech? I just don't get it.

Nope. And while I wouldn't expect them to actually go through with it, it doesn't make sense that it hasn't come up at all. Most of the main characters have sacrificed themselves, or at least tried to do so. Even Rumple has. It's pretty glaring that there hasn't even been a "Maybe RegularRegina should put herself into some sort of stasis" conversation. I can't decide if that's because they love Regina so much it doesn't occur to them it's even an option, or if it's because they're planning on a "shocking" twist, where Regina sacrifices herself. (Like we haven't already seen that with Rumple, Emma, Hook, Snow . . .)

Well, they weren't alone for that. He was a horrible father, a terrible husband, and a bad boyfriend. It's not good when I only enjoy 1/4 of the characters getting focus.

I enjoyed it, even though I struggle through most things with Zooey Deschanel in it. (She's one of those people who in interviews it seems like I would like, but I find her performances grating and unconvincing.)

Well, it's important to have things in common. Maybe his previous True Love was a Munchkin using him for his business connections?

So there's no plot, and I can't say I feel particularly enlightened about what most of the characters are actually thinking/feeling, apart from whatever their one issue is this season. What, exactly, are A&E trying to accomplish? Because I don't think this is it.

"There's just so many people that it's like, it's sometimes hard to do that story and sacrifice Regina's story. That's just showbiz." —Edward Kitsis

Which is distressing, because I truly like Jasmine's actress.

"There's just so many people that it's like, it's sometimes hard to do that story and sacrifice Regina's story. That's just showbiz." —Edward Kitsis

Yup. And the show--as well as the promotions at the time--portrayed it as though Sydney had committed a horrible betrayal by refusing to continue helping Regina. Sometimes I hate this show.

About Regina, Henry, and/or the tremors.

True, but the first time EQRegina made a pass, he seemed surprised. Then, it was almost like he did a quick recalculation in his head. I'm not saying he IS manipulating her, just that I'd buy it if that was the story later.

I've wondered if he's using her attraction to him as a manipulative tool. Which could be interesting, in theory, at least--each one thinking they're using their wiles to get what they want out of the other one.

So, how old do you think they've decided Henry is, now? Because Jared's not twelve any longer, and they don't seem to be writing Henry as if he were. I've decided that he must've been spelled to age more rapidly. It's my new headcanon.

If this were another show, instead of TS; TW, I'd assume they were doing it on purpose to clue us into the good/bad qualities mix. Unfortunately, it is TS;TW, so the most logical explanation is that it's an ongoing REC issue, and they have no clue they're doing it.

Well, yes, but that would require the writers and showrunners to do a little pregnancy research and use math skills. This show has a decided antipathy towards both research and math. In-show, logic or not, it's not been nearly as long as it should've been.

Well, it's been, what? A month? Maybe?

Well, that was only 1/3 as horrific as the usual Emma/Regina episodes are. So, why is super-good Regina different from regular or Extra Evil Regina only in that she's not murdery? Because I'm not 100% unevil, like she's supposed to be, and I feel guilty for and/or apologize regularly for things I did when I was having a bad day. Why does she snap at people for reminding her she did horrible things and made horrible choices, instead of being guilty or sad or anything but dismissive and offended? So, starting to think they may actually kill Rumple off this season. Why were Belle and Zelena so comfortable going to Aladdin and demanding he do things for them? And, am I the only one who wants to roll my eyes when Belle goes on about how evil Rumple is? Yeah. He's super evil. Everyone else figured it out years ago, while you were telling them how Rumple had a good heart. Have you apologized to any of the people you victim-blamed, yet? I'd sort of like a guest episode with someone like Dr. Phil or Dr. Laura, just so they can chew out character after character for their horrible life choices. I thought they did a really good job with it--by the end of the montage, they definitely seemed strained.

Okay. I'm being nosy. (Almost sorry.) But . . . did he like the episode?

I think there's some sort of quota--getting one or two of those a season is the price we pay for anything nice in the show. I figure that's what the FF button is for. Well, Regina feels with her soul. The others don't have souls.

It means we're stuck wondering, again, why Regina bothered to form what seems to be an affectionate relationship with Snow, David, and Emma, since she still blames Snow for Cora's murder of Daniel. It also completely undercuts and devalues both the closure that Regina supposedly got in the Underworld regarding Daniel, as well as her relationship with her soul mate, Robin, and makes her reconciliation with Cora extra maddening. As for David's hair--I noticed that, too, and then decided not to care one tiny, little, eentsy bit, because it meant we weren't subjected to the horrible wig. It was Enchanted Forest magickry, saving us from the wig. That's my story.

So, does this confirm that Snow and David don't truly love Emma, or would the transfer kiss curse her, too?