#episode reflection

I had spoilers for her and her backstory so I knew somewhat what to expect, but I wasn’t expecting it to feel so… haunting.

Maybe it’s because I was groomed as a child as well, maybe I sympathize and relate with her a little bit too wellI. I wasn’t sold to my abuser, but I grew up with him. Coming and going constantly, telling me how much he loved me when I did see him.

We differ in the fact that I wasn’t raised by mine, he’s only a year or two older than me if I remember correctly, but he knew more than I did, he knew what he was doing and that it was wrong, and he did it anyway.

It took years after the fact for me to fully realize and understand what happened to me, so when I saw her realize it and process it, it hurt. It hurt in hollow aching sorta way. It made me happy in a bittersweet way too.

My poor girl, you remind me of times I never want to relive. Of a time I wish I could forget, but I can’t. And that’s okay, it’s something I learned to live with and process. It’s something I’ll never be over, what happened never should have happened.

Time for another episode reflection and that one would be a recent episode, well at least recentish. Captain Mateo.

Mainly because the biggest unforseen thing was Esteban getting powers!!😱Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine he would get powers. I mean it was fun to imagine but this was the guy who somewhat enjoyed paperwork, who disliked breaking tradition, who sometimes disapproved of Elena's wild shenanigans, who got endlessly pranked by a spirit monkey. Esteban and magic did not really mix.

And then everything when he fell into the well of Takaíno. I love how they had no foreshadow of this grand event, no hint at Esteban's magical abilities because frankly he doesn't have any, that's why Zopilote needed to teach him. But it also changed the game in another big way. Ash was somewhat forced to keep around because he was useful, Elena has more of a reason to fear her cousin's actions might threaten Avalor and who knows what he'll do with his powers next as he steadily improves.

This episode finally answered some questions we’ve had about the Dark One mythology! Though the episode was light on Killian, and even lighter on Regina scenes, it was a great episode of strength for Emma. Plus, we got to watch Killian and Regina continue working together to save Emma from the darkness. Here are some of our favorite moments involving our ship and our queen from Sunday night’s episode: Nimue.

Best Captain Swan moment:

The scene between Emma and Hook at the well. Though many of us saw this scene days earlier in a sneak peek, nothing compares to getting to see it inline with the rest of the episode. It started with some adorable teasing:

Emma: “I’m working my way back to you, babe.” Killian: “I know when you’re quoting something.” Emma: “And I love that you never know what it is.”

This little scene had so many wonderful moments! Emma’s hope that this darkness will soon be over; Killian’s concern for Emma’s safety; Emma touching Killian’s chest; touching his cheek; Killian holding her hand; a sweet kiss; “Calm down, Swan. I’m not proposing;” he gives her a ring that he believes has helped him survive; he gently folds her hand around it; he tells her he’s a “piercing-eyed, smoldering pirate who loves you;” brilliant smiles; another kiss; Emma tells him “I love you too;” forehead touches; standing three inches from each other the ENTIRE TIME; gazing lovingly into each others’ eyes. They are just so happy, and smiley, and kissing, and loving each other... *sigh*  And creepin’ Merlin! Muahaha!

Runner-up Captain Swan moment:

Emma clutching the ring Killian gave her to remind herself of the love she has. The strength she has. That she matters!!! As she is clutching the ring she reminds herself to  “take the right path”. Looking scared, but shaking the ring in her hands with resolve, she continues with courage: “It’s just in my head.”

Best Regina Moment: Very little Regina this week (hope for more in next week’s 2 hour episode). Her interactions with Zelena and gang in the diner were fun. We are enjoying the continued tense sister relationship between Regina and Zelena. Regina, epic sass master, continues to pitch lines at Zelena, and Zelena keeps hitting them back! We also loved her surprised, but realistic line about Zelena’s loyalty: “Zelena hasn’t betrayed us… yet.”

Runner-up Regina moment:

“Tell your timbers to stop shivering, pirate!” Long live the epic relationship of Hooked Queen! We continue to enjoy the way they interact with such sass and annoyance, but that they are both working hard together to protect the people that they love.

Best moment involving Emma, Killian and/or Regina, alone or in combination with others: All of the Wizard Swan adventure!!!

“If I die, it means you lost your battle and that darkness stained your soul. Everything and everyone that you know will be at the mercy of the most powerful Dark One ever. Yourself. No Pressure.”

No pressure, indeed! Emma admits that she is struggling with the darkness, and that it might be winning. But she is still desperate for there to be some hope. Merlin is direct: the hope lies within her strength to continue resisting!

Merlin had a lot of really great lines in this episode. His exchange with Nimue as she was on the precipice of turning dark was very telling, and potentially important as our season continues. “I’m not fighting for him, I’m fighting for YOU! I need you to be the woman I know.” Merlin wants Nimue to be the same woman he fell in love with. Emma’s family and friends all want her to fight the darkness and stay the woman that they love too! There were some great parallels between Nimue’s story and Emma’s journey as the DO (and Rumple too)!

And what a moment when Emma fought back! We know that she is strong, and brave, and that she struggles with love. But it was incredible to see her defeat the dark thoughts for now that almost had her kill Merlin:

Emma: I’m not nothing! I was never nothing! The power you have? I don’t need!!!

And speaking of important lines that have relevance to our characters both in the past, and likely in the future:

Merlin: “It’s easier to live with the darkness if you can dress it up as vengeance.” Emma: “She loves you still. It’s all twisted up, but I felt it.

Emma: “Is it possible for someone to have the darkness, but use it for good? Use it to protect people? Merlin: “Don’t let those thoughts tempt you. Someday, perhaps, there will be a person whose worthy to hold that much power and not let it burn through to darken their soul. But if we can wipe out the darkness, we’ll never have to ask that much of anyone.”

Runner up moment involving Emma, Killian and/or Regina, alone or in combination with others:

Emma forging the sword and dagger back together (NOOOOO). We always love watching her use magic, even if it is for a seemingly dark purpose. Plus, it was pretty silly having Nimue and all of the former Dark Ones there encouraging her in some strange Dark One party! The moment of hesitation Emma has after reforging the sword was really important. She remembers that Merlin strongly advised against her taking the sword.... but, with so much encouragement from the Dark Ones whispering for her to “take the power,” we saw Emma lose this particular battle. This moment is heartbreaking, but we look forward to seeing where this storyline is going, and watching Emma ultimately defeat this darkness!

Hope you enjoyed the episode, and we are excited to be back next week sharing lots of our favorite moments from all three characters of our Trifecta of Awesome!           -Admins Odette and Lydia

This episode was full of angst, pain, and a lot of great S1 parallels. Here are some of our favorite moments involving our ship and our queen from last night’s episode: Dreamcatcher.

Best Captain Swan moment:

There were only a few short moments in this episode (we can’t complain too much after the glorious CS scenes from last week’s episode). Our favorite moment was when Killian notices the box in Dark Swan’s house. He mentions the dreamcatcher Neal gave Emma long ago. They don’t show us all of the development between characters. Little moments like this, in addition to the onscreen development we get, tell us that Emma and Killian are building a trusting, open relationship with each other.  And that’s beautiful!!!

Best Regina moment:

This episode had tons of fantastic Regina moments. Our favorite scene was the last scene between Dark!Emma and Regina on the porch. It was a fantastic and tense exchange, and it was very reminiscent of season 1, except inverted! There we so many great moments between our two leading ladies. Regina’s comment to Emma about it never being too late to come back from the things you’ve done was so heartbreaking. It ached of sincerity from a woman who has done so much, but come so far!  She believes in Emma, but is distraught at the things Dark Swan is doing. Regina saying “there is always a choice, Emma” gave us chills!

Runner-up Regina moment:

Watching Emma and Regina talk to Henry about what makes him special was everything! It is incredible to watch these two mothers radiate love for Henry in this scene. All the Swan Mills family feels!!! 

Best moment involving Emma, Killian and/or Regina, alone or in combination with others:

Regina stopping Killian from pulling out the sword:

Regina: “Stop! I can’t believe I’m about to say this but it could be booby trapped, you could get killed.” Killian: “Oh, I didn’t know you cared.” Regina: “I don’t. But right now you’re useful….ish”

Runner-up moment involving Emma, Killian and/or Regina, alone or in combination with others:

Watching Emma wield light and dark magic simultaneously was pretty incredible!

AND

The scene in the Sheriff’s station where Killian offers to give Henry dating advice was pretty great. Regina’s response was HILARIOUS: “Over your dead body” haha! And Killian’s smirk after Regina objects. These Hooked Queen scenes are amazing!

Hope you enjoyed the episode! -Admins Odette and Lydia

On Friday (6/13), it was my Poppy's 72nd birthday so I presented him the WoY birthday song... PERFECT. Enough 6/13 things... I have a lot to review. It's just me, not Caroline with me this time... JUST ME, Whitney and I will review this week's new episodes, The Day, The Night, The Lonely Planet, and The Brainstorm.

First up is The Day which is a continuing loop from The Night. Here, we have Sylvia trying to escape Lord Hater's ship while Wander is asleep.

Look at my precious little angel sleeping... D'AAAWWWWW. 

I wonder who else likes the scene with the watchdogs in the shower room.

Sylvia knows how gross it is to see a man's "no-no zone".

The freaking laundry room looks like the luggage thing from Toy Story 2. 

Never thought was going to be a Lord Hater episode... *victory claps*

Sleep-walking Wander is just too badass and adorable. :3

That little sleep-walking badass space cheeto vs. This evil skeletal overlord. LOL. :3

They ride a missile, the missile explodes like an atom bomb... I wonder how they survived... (average cartoon logic).

 Next up is The Night which is a continuing loop from The Day. Here, we have Wander trying to keep everything peaceful and quiet... and avoid getting captured by watchdogs while Sylvia is asleep.

Wander is the God of telling everything to shut up. He even told the wind and the river to shut up... even his heartbeat. Wow.

The part where the bugs were crossing on Wander reminds me of the Luigi screaming scene from Mama Luigi.

Wander is trying to scream in terror, but him stepping on a sharp wee pebble almost made me cry because he was going to cry. My poor little baby...

Wander screaming on top of the mountain definitely reminds me of that one Tom and Jerry episode.

The cotton sound blockers reminds me of the episode, Survival of the Idiots from SpongeBob SquarePants.

How is it possible for watchdogs quietly carry Sylvia with their strength? IMPOSSIBLE!

Throughout the part where Wander and his sleeping pal run away and crashed... he (almost) got away with it.

Okay, next up is The Lonely Planet where Wander meets a talking planet named Janet who becomes over-obsessed with him. This episode is just so stressful to see Sylvia get hurt... and get rashes from the "poison jivy". 

I love how Wander makes Janet... alive. 

When Wander introduced Janet to Sylvia, it was all like the "Jake from State Farm thing" where Janet's like "Why do you need her anyway?"

Janet freezing Sylvia immediately made me think of Let it Go from Frozen which is the best song... ever. 

Janet is badass herself... accepting Sylvia's little challenge and trolled her. 

Wander gets a free breakfast like a somewhat Disney Princess. FREE PANCAKES.

OMG. The inside of the house Wander went in... oh boy she is completely over-obsessed with him. This was his face when he first saw the house:He knew that Janet was up to something.

Janet tied him up and tried to kiss him as well. 

Why would a planet try to kiss Wander... like she is only a planet. On the other hand, she is not just over-obsessed... she has a crush on him!

From a journey from the center of Janet, Sylvia finally rescues Wander from this lovestruck planet, but upsets the poor planet. 

Le moon is rather dapper, I say.

Last, but not least is The Brainstorm where Peepers makes up several plans to take over a kingdom, but Lord Hater rejects almost all of them because of Wander and Sylvia ruining them.

That film Peepers made was probably made from a galactic iMovie app... LOL. First thing I said.

The meeting room looks like a real-life office. Nice scenery.

One of the plans contained Skeleton Dance. I bet the Skeleton Dance shippers screamed. It was cute, although I don't ship it.

Hater and his sub... it made me hungry.

Hater calls a glove "socks for your hands" which is an honest name for them, but it was worth cracking up. Also it reminds me of my drawing I posted here about Wander using baby booties as "finger mittens".

BANJO. BANJO. BANJO. The banjo is now a.k.a. "the most badass weapon on this show" as of me.

When the watchdogs' pants were pulled down... LOOK AT THEIR PINK LITTLE CHEEKS. So cute!

The last word in this episode: BANJO.

I've been super busy with school and some tragic family stuff happened in the last few days so time here is even more limited.

But oh my gosh I just watched Pot O Gold. I would say EVERY THING I THOUGHT, but due to lack of time, I'll say the top things on my mind right now:

I fucking love Burt Hummel and I cried when he said "Your Glee club" saved my kids life and bahhh I died at everything. I love him. HUMMEL FOR CONGRESS.

HUDSON-HUMMEL DINNER OMG. And Kurt being so worried about his dad's health. And Finn asking to eat the mountain of carbs. And Burt saying, "You taught me that." Dying forever over everyone in this family.

Candyman was great. I hate seeing the drama, but I know it's for the good of the bigger picture/plot, so it's whatever for now.

Noah Puckerman is so kjfkgjdf <3 I definitely do not want a relationship with Shelby, but I'm anxious to see where this goes. I love Shelby.

I also love season 1 references/when they take things from the first season, so yay for Puck's pool cleaning business being referenced again!!

I teared over Damian. He was brilliant and I was sooooooo proud mama-ing over my baby being on Glee :) He killed his songs, and ugh especially his notes in at the end, ahhh my baby <3 Welcome to Glee.

I love how Rory says "Finn Hudson".

Kurt, Tina, and Artie staring at the Troubletones... HEARTBREAK

Great episode, season 3 is absolutely wonderful.