The midseason finale of ABC’s fairytale drama Once Upon A Time conjured up some expected revelations along with some timely context. Here are 5 things we learned from “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter.”
1. Sheriff Graham’s Backstory. As speculated, the town’s heart-trob is indeed the Huntsman, sent by the Evil Queen of Evil to kill the pesky Snow White.
2. Snow Spilled Beans. It’s still pretty vague at this stage, but apparently the root of the beef between EQ and Snow has something to do with Snow not being able to keep the EQ’s secret secret. Whatever could that secret be? (I think a baby-related secret would make some kind of sense, given Regina’s ‘real world’ Henry adoption).
3. She’s A Killer, Man. The EQ has killed more than one old man close to her heart, dispatching Snow’s father in retribution for spilling the beans on that secret we just mentioned. Was this as ‘difficult’ for her as it was when she later killed her own father, Henry, as part of the curse summoning?
4. Still Connected. Storybrooke’s fairytale characters are still intrinsically connected to their fairytale pasts. As further confirmed by the EQ squashing the heart of the Once Huntsman to kill Graham. Is this Storybrooke’s first death? If so it raises interesting questions about the thin fabric between Storybrooke and fairytaledom. While the Huntsman’s heart residing in a kind of stasis inside the EQ’s box is symbolic of Storybrooke’s residents. A convenient metaphor but an effective one.
Moreover, this episode gave us further insight into exactly where Storybrooke exists in relation to fairytaledom. If Snow’s glass coffin implied that the land far far away was buried deep underneath Storybrooke (or perhaps on the other side of SB), then Regina’s vault of hearts and broken parts might reshape that notion a touch. Instead, adding weight to the idea that the contents of fairytaledom are simply scattered in and around Storybrooke — though the two ideas aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Interesting, though, that Snow’s coffin was buried. You don’t think Regina’s projecting do you? If she is, then Storybrooke becomes are far more interesting concept to me as it makes it even more of a subconscious/metaphysical exploration. Of course, SB might not be of the EQ’s making alone, there’s a certain Rumpels in time who seems to be pulling the majority of strings.
5. Emma Is The Key To Memory Lane. So, we already knew that, but I prefer to tune out whenever Annoying Henry is talking. This episode offered more evidence that Emma can help the FTies wake up from the story book slumber. Whether everyone from Mary, Ruby and Granny has to pucker up and kiss Emma to remember who they are, or whether it’s just more of an emotional/spiritual thing, remains to be seen, but it’s probably the latter.
Want more Once? Check out our Once Upon A Time LOST Easter Egg Guide
PERSON OF INTEREST Renewed For Season 2
TERRA NOVA: Season 2 Decision Delayed Until 2012
ONCE UPON A TIME: The Comprehensive Character Guide
SHERLOCK: Reichenbach Fall -- Explained
FRINGE OBSERVATIONS: 4.22 Brave New World: Part 2
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ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.22 A Land Without Magic
ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.21 An Apple Red As Blood
FRINGE OBSERVATIONS: 4.21 Brave New World: Part 1
ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.20 The Stranger
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
We learned that the Evil Queen of Hearts isn’t getting any tonight. Perhaps I should shower and head on over to Storybrooke. EQ may be evil, but not in an unattractive sort of way.
I took note that Saturday’s episode of “Merlin” was called “The Hunter’s Heart”. Coincidence?? Hmmmmmm. I think we have a mole.
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I have been thinking that Snow’s glass coffin was placed for safekeeping by the Seven Dwarves in their mine after she was revived by Charming. Maybe Storybrooke was superimposed on Fairy Tale Land by the Curse, sort of like a shroud. They exist in separate dimensions; but bits of FTL are slowly bleeding through (mine, forest so far) since Emma arrived and Time re-started. Anyway, that’s my theory so far.
I am really sorry they killed off the Sheriff/Huntsman. It was an excellent episode with a great story line, but sad. I guess they couldn’t have someone around with a restored memory, yet. Loved the Wolf.
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“I have been thinking that Snow’s glass coffin was placed for safekeeping by the Seven Dwarves in their mine after she was revived by Charming. Maybe Storybrooke was superimposed on Fairy Tale Land by the Curse, sort of like a shroud. They exist in separate dimensions; but bits of FTL are slowly bleeding through (mine, forest so far) since Emma arrived and Time re-started. Anyway, that’s my theory so far.”
Nice thinking. We certainly could dealing with actual alternate universes where both are as real as the other.
That said, I’m curious as to what the rest of the ‘real world’ thinks of Storybrooke, given that it houses fairytale characters who presumably all arrived at some fixed point in time. Can Emma only interact with it because she’s connected? I guess there are several different directions they could take when it comes to contextualising the curse.
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Ragarding 5. : I would love to see more kisses in Storybrook
But seriously, a (lovers) kiss is one of the most powerfull tools or “antidotes” in a fairytale. [Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Frog Prince (actually in the original the Princess throws the Frog against a wall, and that changes him back to human form. Hmm, punching people and throwing them against a wall, hmm...)...].
So I think Emma´s kisses have some real power to make the fairytale-characters remember. Maybe not literal kisses but the metaphor behind it: A deep and true connection (which isn’t strictly amorous), where both sides open up to each other, get their walls down, bare their innermost secrets and know that their hopes and dreams (and lifes) could be crushed by the other like a “green-screen-heart” in a second…(god, that sounds so sappy).
Anyways, so my guess is that the curse can only be lifted if Emma and Regina make up and form a connection beyond Henry and animosity (or as my Remma-shipping-heart says: make out).
And before I forget it: I think the flute the Huntsman made for Snow is of significance. I’m not sure if it will make a appearence in Storybrooke (and hence calling the Sheriff back from the dead, or only it´s familiar – the Wolf) or if it´s confined to the fairytale-world, but I´m certain it´ll pop up again.
(ps: sorry about the rant)
(pps: sorry for any mistakes. English is not my native tongue)
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Interesting thoughts llandorian. Can’t say I disagree with the kiss holding metaphorical power. I also like the idea of the flute coming back into play, although I’m not keen on the idea of Graham returning. I want his death to hold true, especially since it’s the first major death on the show. There’s still the fairytale world if they want to do more with the Huntsman backstory.
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I agree with wanting Grahams death to hold true. But since the wolf was a guide for Graham, showing him where his heart was hidden and thus nearly saving him, I kinda like the idea of the animal coming back (by means of the flute) to be of assistance in some way.
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Don’t forget that we also learned that The Evil Queen is aware of the Fairy Tale Land. She remembers her past. Now I wonder if Rumplestilskin (Mr Gold) remembers too. He seems to.
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MeMe: Agreed, although I felt that we got confirmation of this earlier, particulatly when she dropped the glass down the mineshaft.
I’d say Rumpels remembers. It’s been played interestingly so far in that neither EQ or Rumpels has spoken openly about the curse to one another, almost as if this in itself would break the curse. Although it’s probably more for audience suspense.
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I Thought we already knew that. At least I did.
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I liked it better when it was all vague, the storybook land parallels, but with real people in the present. I liked wondering, is this kid really just crazy? Is this mayor really an evil queen? or just a cold b1+ch? is it just the kids fantasy?
i loved how crazy and fantastical the “storybook” cuts are, but liked the realism of the “real world” better without stolen, removable, life taking hearts and hidden coffins.
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