Long hiatuses can’t be good for a show’s viewership. I mean, in theory they would build anticipation and cause big ratings when the show finally does return. But, before I watched this episode I was certainly not hyped for the show’s return. However, Once Upon A Time certainly has a way of sucking people back in, and “Tougher Than the Rest” used old characters and new to get me hyped up for what’s to come. Perhaps this should have been the last episode before the break, but I digress.
This week on Once Upon A Time: As Emma and Regina prepared to leave the alternate reality and return home, an appearance by Robin Hood derails them. Emma seeks August/Pinocchio’s help to get them home for good. Regina and Robin are captured several times, before deciding that all-new, all-different Robin should come with them back to Storybrooke. Stateside, Belle and Rumplestiltskin confront Gideon about his plans to kill the Savior.
I really do believe that this should have been the midseason finale instead of the midseason premiere. It did a fantastic job getting viewers primed for what’s to come. Of course, there is something to be said for kicking off 2017 right, and in that respect, “Tougher Than the Rest” performed admirably.
Among my favorite moments of this episode were the relatively unheralded but always welcome return of multiple characters: Pinocchio/August and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Eion Bailey and Wil Traval are both welcome additions to the alternate reality, and it was good to see them both again. I’m hopeful that the change in feel that has been present throughout Season 6 will bring more fan-favorite characters to our TV screen. We live in a magical world where we can even bring back slightly different versions of characters like Robin Hood, and Once has always done better when leaning into that side of things.
Emma’s story was well told. The show took six seasons to tell us why her last name was “Swan” (you know, instead of “White” or “Charming”) and it even involved young August. It seemed a little cheesy at first, but the story about changing your fate, and changing the vision of Emma being killed worked for the show on multiple levels. One the one hand, it wrapped up the story of the vision and created an air of mystery surrounding the second half of the season. It also introduced new obstacles for Emma, Gideon, and Gideon’s parents moving forward.
Here are a few other thoughts:
- My favorite of the alternate reality versions was definitely the older, portly version of Captain hook who “rescued” Emma from Pinocchio.
- I’m excited for the new, different Robin to return to the show. It rights a lot of wrongs committed by the show in the previous year, and still opens up the possibility for new, interesting stories.
- Gideon comes across as a compelling villain. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him.
Though I still think this should’ve been the mid-season finale, or at least some of these stories should definitely have wrapped before the second half started. Hopefully, though, the audience will return because Season 6.5 kicks off very strong. I was pleased with the Spring premiere and I am looking forward to the remainder of the season.
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