Ah, now this is the image of Cinderella I’ve been waiting my whole life to see. Not one who gets swept off her feet and lives happily ever after, but one who rushes to her step-sister’s aid with a rifle in hand. Once Upon A Time has used the format this season to tell lots of “Untold Stories”. They’re finally succeeding at getting back to their Season 1 roots, and I absolutely adore that approach. This was a really fun one to watch.
This week on Once Upon A Time: In the flashbacks, Cinderella meets her prince for the first time, and learns a shocking secret about one of her step-sisters. In present day, Cinderella is hunting for her step-sister, but not for the reason that Emma, Hook, and Henry think. Regina tries to bribe Hyde, but the Evil Queen gets there first. David makes a deal with Gold to find out information about his father’s death, and in exchange makes a delivery to Belle.
This was a really fun episode, because even though they did pretty well last week, this was the first one that felt like it could’ve been a Season 1 episode. If you’ll take a quick trip down memory lane with me, you’ll remember how fascinating and intriguing the first season was. It was twisty and turny, and you were dying to see the next adult version of a story you grew up hearing. People kept watching because of the air of mystery there. “The Other Shoe” is the first time that I’ve really felt like it was back. I’m so happy about it, too. It’s just so satisfying to watch a show that you love return to the form in which you fell for it.
That’s what I loved most about this episode, was the mystery. It wasn’t just the Cinderella story and how it different from the one that I knew, but David’s father’s death is going to be a real fun one. He’s never going to stop investigating until he finds out (somehow) that it was Captain Hook or the Evil Queen that killed him. Of course, I’m just speculating, but if it were hook, it could really throw a wrench in the “blossoming bromance” that Josh Dallas and Colin O’Donoghue told me about at San Diego Comic-Con. Of course, maybe it’ll be even better and there will be a new mystery. But my money’s on someone we already know.
My other favorite part of the episode was seeing Jessy Schram return as Cinderella. I appreciate Schram’s portrayal of the famous princess because it’s not traditional at all. Much like the way Ginnifer Goodwin plays Snow White as a tough huntress, Schram brings several of the same qualities to Cinderella. She’s tough, smart, and loyal. Of course, she manages to still handle the character with all the qualities that Cinderella has always exhibited, like humility and kindness. Scrham’s Cinderella is one of my favorite recurring characters on the show, and I hope to see her continue to appear.
Also, a quick thought or four:
- Emma’s visions. She’s worried that it’s Regina who kills her. Could it be the Evil Queen? Could Dark Swan be separated from her? Just genuinely curious
- Anyone catch the preview for next week? Wonder if they’re going to explain Gold’s haircut.
- Really glad to hear that they got Dopey out of the tree.
- Though I spotlighted Schram, it was also wonderful to see Chuck’s Mekenna Melvin on my screen again. Both wonderfully talented ladies.
This was my favorite story of the season so far, and hopefully they will continue with the Season 1 format, even as they dive deeper into the serialized plot for the season. I’m really glad to see them return to form.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know in the comments!
Once Upon A Time airs Sundays at 8/7c on ABC
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Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars