Join us as we crack open another Once Upon A Time Observations to explore the clues and overarching connections from episode 2.11 — “The Outsider”.
THE EXPERIMENT
Rumples conducts a memory experiment at the line using Smee as his unwilling test subject. He enchants Smee’s apparently ‘lucky’ red hat. The experiment is a success.
Rumples later explains that enchanting the object one holds most dear makes it talismanic, protecting the bearer, and in this case their memories. The concept echoes the enchanted pendant Rumples gave Henry and Charming to conqueror the Netherworld.
FORESHADOWING TITLE CARD
The title card features the Yaoguai/Prince Phillip in the enchanted forest of enchantment.
WHAT BELLE DID
The backstory picks back up not long after Belle’s encounter with Dreamy in.. “Dreamy“, with Belle still looking for adventure and Dreamy having told Nova how he feels. We know how that story ends, though Belle’s is just beginning (although we also know how that story ends).
Dreamy encourages Belle to go on the dangerous mission to hunt to Yaoguai. Despite the thoughtless advice, he does give her fairy dust which ultimately comes in handy.
Belle makes an interesting comment (for Belle) “I’ve seen what magic does to people,” which ties into her past but also present scenario with Rumples. The current latitude she’s giving him may stem from the fact that she too used magic when it suited her.
It’s also interesting that there’s a distinction between “dark” and “good” magic. While the nature of magic depends on the proponents use of it (“magic doesn’t kill people..”) — at least in some regard — it does play into the whole good/bad theme of the show.
After all, we’ve seen Rumples destroy folk using Cinderella’s fairy godmother’s wand. Is the wand bad or just Rumples’ use of it..
While too much stock probably shouldn’t placed in anything ‘Dreamy’ says, the writers are using the character as their voice, so it’s interesting to see what they’re actually saying about the ‘rules’ of magic, or rather the perception of it.
Does using magic make Belle a hypocrite? I’d say somewhat. After all, she used magic to save the “monster”, which directly informs her undying commitment to Rumple.
Belle’s planning to open the library soon, which should bring some life to this sleepy town.
Yeah, what was up with Hook knowing so much about guns? “She’ll live”? Like… he only bruised her a bit? I mean, I’m glad he said it; I would have been stressing all week over the idea that they might kill off Emilie de Ravin if he hadn’t said that. But still, the writing on this show is so weird at times.
So… Is Hook dead? Cause that’s one hell of a quadruple twist ending if that’s the case!
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Someone should have warned Hook about the survival rate of hot guys on this show. Another one bites the dust!
Wonder where Cora was–& you just know that she was up to something.
One does doubt that Hook could be an expert on modern weapons & ammunition.
No one seems to have missed the guy who was turned into a fish after he greeted Cora & Hook upon their arrival in town. And who was the person killed in Archie’s stead? Is the place so large that two people can go missing & nobody seems to notice?
So some of the inhabitants, including the dwarves (Roco–you’re so right, thinking + dwarves = bad) & Charming, would like to return to FairyTaleLand. Guess Charming really misses his castle with the turrets after camping out in Snow’s run-down digs in town. Or maybe he just wants to fight the ogres again.
Thanks for continuing to observe OUAT, Roco.
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“Henry wants to gear up against Regina, convinced that she murdered Archie. Literally seconds later he’s claiming that he “knew” she was innocent. Taxi for Henry!”
Totally agree!!!
Thanks for all the Observations!
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