“A Curious Thing”

**Spoiler Alert**

Memories can be a blessing and a curse. No one knows this better than Emma. For the first time in the OUAT series Henry is just like every other kid, and what’s more, he seems genuinely happy. Or at least he was while they were in New York. Like most boys his age he’s more interested in his GameBoy than fairytales. For  once Henry has a blissfully uncomplicated life, but that’s all about to change.

For a tween Henry is remarkably well behaved. Sure he was going to steal his mom’s car and flee back to New York, but can you blame him? For the first time (in his memories at least), Emma is shutting him out and lying to him. She even snapped at him and pulled the mother card: don’t question me, I’m the mother and I know best. She snapped because she’s conflicted and doesn’t know best at all. Emma wants what is best for Henry and part of her thinks his amnesia is best.

Seeing Henry but only being Ms. Mayor must be eating Regina up inside, and yet she’s handling it with an astounding maturity. Her softer side continues to emerge as she falls head over heels for Robin Hood. Apparently she can love without her heart. Though it wasn’t so long ago that OUAT taught us you can’t, or at least Cora couldn’t. It’s exciting to root for the Evil Queen. Maybe she can have her own happily ever after, after all.

Through flashbacks we discover what our characters have forgotten and why. And it has everything to do with Zelena. Only Emma, born of true love, has the power to vanquish Zelena. So our group of heroes had to return to Storybrooke and you’ll never guess who cast the curse – it’s a real surprise this time!

A door in the forest that only true hearts can pass through leads to a winter wonderland where  Glinda the benevolent witch can be found. Odd, but not out of line for OUAT. I was a little disappointed in Glinda’s role. I expected her to be proactive, not just a beautiful fountain of knowledge. I was hoping to see an epic battle between Glinda, Zelena and Regina. There are three witches with a stake in this fight, why not see them battle it out? The last witch fight between Zelena and Regina was lame to say the least. I’m still waiting for OUAT to make that up.

Zelena has turned numerous Storybrooke residents, including a preggo Aurora and prince Phillip into flying monkeys. Note when Emma and family are attacked by flying monkeys, they kill them. See where I’m going with this? So does that mean Emma and the gang are killing off Storybrooke residents? Yikes! Zelena truly is the Wickedest Witch.

Hook has been doing everything right and yet Emma finds reasons not to trust him (again). Maybe it’s his fault for keeping it from her. Hook could have told Emma from the beginning that Zelena cursed his lips. Simple solution with no backlash. But now it seems like he was working with the wicked witch. Oh Hook, things are always complicated for you. Omissions are lies too, and maybe that’s how Emma sees it. If so Hook has a whole lot of explaining to do.

By the end of this episode, Henry is back to his old sappy self. Seeing that huge dopey grin reminded me of how well cast he is. And the moment he recognized Regina as “mom” was heartwarming. It felt so genuine – kudos to the actors for making that moment real. Henry fits right in as the Charmings’ grandson. He’s a boy without an edge, just a happy go lucky kid who sees the best in everything.

Overall this was a fun episode full of little surprises (I didn’t want to ruin for you). Well worth watching for the OUAT fans. Can’t wait to meet Snow White’s baby next week. The little one is on her way and coming fast!

Aurora Snow Says

Episode Rating:

[Rating:4/5]