“Quite a Common Fairy”

**SPOILER ALERT**

Despite the title “Quite a Common Fairy” this episode is anything but common. Romance is in the air in this third installment of the third season of Once Upon A Time (OUAT). Neal’s message to Mulan and perhaps the running theme was: Don’t wait too long to tell someone you love them or it might be too late.

It might not be too late for Neal to have his family back, despite what he thinks. Though Emma and Hook seem to have a certain affection brewing for one another I somehow think she’d welcome Neal back with open, if not hesitant, arms. In a clever attempt to get to Neverland, Neal high jacks a ride with the evil shadow after using Robin Hood’s toddler as shadow bait. This set-up was the perfect opportunity for Mulan to display her skill to Robin Hood, garnering an invite to join his band of Merry Men. Robin Hood is wifeless and Mulan is in love with someone who is already spoken for, so this could be the seed of a  very interesting romance (if Mulan swings that way, which I am no longer certain of).

Mulan took Neal’s advice and rushed back home anxious to confess her love to Philip, or so we assume. However it’s Mulan’s body language and quiet subtext in the exchange between her and Aurora that leads me to wonder if it was Aurora she loved instead. First of all, Mulan asks if Phillip is around and when Aurora offers to fetch him she declines, leading me to believe Mulan’s news is for Aurora’s ears only. What a brilliant twist if this is so. It was so well constructed that the scene could go either way which leaves a lot of room for the writers to tinker with Mulan’s sexuality in the future.

Through some very captivating flashbacks we see the rise and fall of Tinkerbell. She was a kind generous fairy still earning her way through fairy school under the guidance of the Blue Fairy when she met Regina. Tink’s stolen pixie dust led her new friend, Regina, to her true love, the man with the lion tattoo. If only Regina could’ve mustered the courage to be happy Tink would still have her wings. But true to form Regina proved to be her own worst enemy, comfortable with her own misery and terrified of happiness. (Interesting to note that Regina’s true love is still out there).

In a surprising move that proves Regina isn’t all evil, she places her heart in the hands of Tinkerbell along with sage advice on how not to become her. Regina lives with many regrets and with nothing else to lose she appeals to Tink in a compassionate way that resonates with the fairy. Tink agrees to lead our band of heroes to Peter Pan’s camp, but nothing more.

Meanwhile in Pan’s camp, ever on the move, Henry is put to many a test. According to Pan it isn’t Emma who is the savior but Henry; it’s Henry’s responsibility to bring the magic back. I’m not sure how on board I am with this, since Pan is essentially one of the bad guys it makes me wonder if he can be trusted or if this is some sort of ploy to win Henry over.

Overall a top notch episode with numerous story threads all ripe with potential. This is one fairytale you don’t want to miss.

Aurora Snow Says:

Episode Rating:

[Rating:5/5]

Available on iTunes