This is my lawn

It still does not intimidate.

After that last episode I'm not too sure. :')

*is still behind*

 

But yeah I have no clue what she's doing in this arc. She has yet to be anything close to intimidating, and I still have no idea what she wants aside from a "happy ending" which is about as specific as saying she wants "something."

 

But judging from this post I'm guessing that this has been rectified in the two or three episodes I haven't watched yet.

After that last episode I'm not too sure. :')

You understand I have no clue what you're talking about, right? =)

I love this show. I mean, it aggravates me to no end at times, but I love it.

 

Edit: @Zox: I figured, but didn't want to assume.

So I cought up (minus tonight's episode) and I have to say that between "Heart of Gold" and "Sympathy for the Devil" any good will I ever had toward this show is officially down the drain. Even for this show the writing has reached a new class of low.

 

But I'll keep watching it because sometimes the cheese factor is too delicious to pass up.

 

I hope that we get another fairy tale inspired show some day (maybe a Fables adaption?) because it is a ripe genre for storytelling.

Oh, yes, it's horrible, but I just love how the least intimidating villain was the one with the most hardcore evil philosophy. XD

 

Omg, when Snow and Charming were racing to find Emma after they got Cruella's M.O., I was shouting "YOU HAVE CELLPHONES, YOU SILLIES!" at the screen.

 

Also the Author is seriously the worst character ever for all of that hype.

The best part about the (current) author is that he's a completely new character we've never met. Considering the nature of the show's writing, that's the biggest plot twist of all. But I actually do kind of like him a bit. He's such a dork who doesn't really know what he's doing, but he's trying.

 

I'm just really angry that, for the second time, the show treats killing in self defense as something that will blacken your soul and darken your heart. I mean, I don't condone murder or violence against people (obviously) but when it comes down between the life of your family and the life of villainous psychopath... like, what were Emma and Snow supposed to do? Belle's inaction, where she allowed Anna to fall off a cliff, was far more morally grey as far as I'm concerned. And she's not turning demonic.

 

(And while I'm on Anna I'm pretty sure she survived a bigger fall than Cruella but I guess protagonists have plot armor.)

 

Also Emma has been so out of character the last few episodes it's ridiculous.

 

I will give 'Sympathy' one thing: that jazz rendition of "Curella de Ville" was pretty rad. I want an MP3 of the whole thing.

Um... he actually kinda bugs me. The biggest question I have about him though is "why pick that loser to have god-tier power?" Dangit, Sorcerer! I mean, I guess he seems enamored by stories which I totally get and all, but... I guess I'm just not connecting as a person who likes stories?

 

Also, I don't entirely disagree with the show's sentiment. The protagonists are people who view themselves as good, and they view killing as evil. A good person going against their moral code in my opinion causes stress at the very least. And killing is the ultimate no-no to them, so I actually do sympathize with them on that. Just because the circumstances are justifiable, that doesn't mean a person can kill someone without any moral damage, especially one that views themself as good (or in Emma's case, a savior for everyone). To us viewers it all looks silly. To Emma, it literally goes against everything she stands for. Though the show doesn't really have good representation for characters and their desires (though I am liking the villain motivations, which is something refreshing for Disney).

 

Basically, everyone needed loads of therapy since season one and the shrink was nixed because people aren't interested in proper psychology because our society views it as evil witchcraft or something, I dunno.

 

All of this could be avoided if the cricket had any say in things, and Emma wouldn't have to do a total 180. I digress.

 

As for Emma being out of character, I really don't think she's out of character at all. Her parents represented themselves as heroes and blatantly lied to her. These are also the same people that abandoned her, the same people she hoped she would find her entire life. Now that she has a family dynamic, she probably had expectations that they put the worst of it behind them. She felt totally safe with them, and it took a heck of a lot of her lifetime to become comfortable with them after loads of effort. And then they betray her by trying to cover their own hide. At least Snow had the sense to stop and own up to it. They not only came close to killing the author, but also destroying Regina's happiness in the process, and that goes against what Emma has been trying to do from the start. Not only that, they totally destroyed another person's life-a child and an old friend who grew up in this world and had her life totally go askew like Emma herself-for entirely selfish reasons. She has more than enough reason to be cheesed off in my opinion.

And killing is the ultimate no-no to them, so I actually do sympathize with them on that. Just because the circumstances are justifiable, that doesn't mean a person can kill someone without any moral damage, especially one that views themself as good.

 

I don't disagree with this, but the issue isn't that Emma will have moral damage, but that they're saying this act will literally turn her evil (at least, I'm assuming that's what 'turn the savior dark' means). Why should she go dark side just because she saved her son from a psychopath?

 

And anyway, Emma's already killed once before (Maleficent) so this is hardly new territory for her.

 

As for her parents, sure she has reason to be upset that they lied to cover their butt. And what they did was terrible. But it was 20+ years ago and they've grown as people, just like Regina and Hook. So now her son's life is on the line, someone who the Charmings obviously have a deep affection for, and she's going to pull that bunk about not trusting them? Even after all the cards are on the table? Just earlier this season Regina was legitimately contemplating killing Marion. And yet Emma trusts her completely. What makes the Charmings so much worse than her?

 

And, let's be real, isn't this all technically the author's fault anyway? He's the one who writes stuff and makes it happen (which in a meta way might explain the quality of writing on this show).

Eh, I think it's more like one of those "this will darken her enough to lead to total darkness" I'm guessing Rumple is going to use Emma as a vessel like Snow and Charming used Lily. Basically, all that evil will go into Emma, and probably kill her or something. Thing is, her heart is totally 100% awesome, apparently, and they need her to experience pain on an existential crisis level in order for it to work. Sucks to be her.

 

Also... does Maleficent really count? She was in dragon form, so to Emma she was a beast. Also, she came back from the dead as that Ring Wraith Ork thing until Hook finished the job (or however that went). So, I thought she didn't technically kill Maleficent? I dunno, this show is weird.

 

But the thing is, they didn't grow as people, really. They were going to burn the page with the author. They were going to lie completely in order to hide the truth. That was all them. And that was them in the present. Snow came to her senses eventually, not at first like they should have done.

 

Also, Emma is feeling super betrayed right now and really cheesed off. Her son is in danger. She needs to carry herself with tact and a level head. Right now her parents are stirring up a lot of negative emotions. Those tend to lead to poor decisions. If they went along with her on a mission that important, her emotions unresolved could have lead to a poor decision on her part. Also, Regina has proven she loves Henry. Emma knows for a fact their interests are aligned, so when it comes to him there is no doubt which side she is on. The same can be said for the Charmings, but they're also making Emma murderous (which is ironic). Honestly, I don't disagree with her decision, and while she's arguably acting like a child, I don't blame her one bit for feeling that upset.

 

Also the difference between them and Regina is that Regina knew very well what she was doing was evil. The Charmings, however, rationalized an evil act and called it good. And that's kinda terrifying. Plenty of people were after the Queen's head. A lot of people were supporting the Charmings. It makes them no different than King George (the guy who bought James). And even after their apology, Snow still said it was worth it. They haven't changed. They are still rationalizing.

 

As for the Author... I dunno if he just took advantage of what they were like Rumple or if he actually did just totally control them. Depending on how his powers work with free will, that seems like it could be kinda ambiguous.

Sure Maleficent counts. She may have been in dragon form but she's still a human. Dragon-Maleficent has all the thoughts and sentience that Human-Maleficent has. I doubt Emma lost sleep for killing a giant fire breathing reptile, but Maleficent was still human on the inside.
 
I suppose I can see where you're coming from with the rest of it. Still, her line about not being able to trust her parents (really the crux of what's bothering me) just seemed so childish given the situation. Henry is the most important people to her and she needs people who would be willing to give up everything for his safety. I don't care what the Charmings did in their past, I'd bet on them long before I bet on Hook.

 

I mean, she'll get over it eventually I guess. If she can befriend a mass murderer and date an ex-pirate then this hurdle should be a small one.

Ah, sorry, I meant Emma didn't know Maleficent was human... sorta. She counts as a human, but when Emma first encountered her, all she saw was a dragon, I'm pretty sure. Also, like I said, Maleficent came back as that... cloaky... spirity... wibbly wobbly evil... thing.

 

But yes, I agree. I doubt the Charmings would have any ill intent on Henry's safety. I think Emma just wanted them away and said something insensitive. She'll come around, but I don't think I'd call it a small hurdle. The closer people are to you, the harder it can be to forgive them after they break your trust, in my opinion. Also the circumstances are far from normal. But when has that ever been an issue for this show? XD

 

Still, Lily is going to make an appearance. That will be fun. I hope. -waits for bad writing-

Ah, sorry, I meant Emma didn't know Maleficent was human

 

I admit that I don't remember if she knew or not. But I doubt she would have gone down to face her without a complete briefing.

 

I liked Lily from the small glimpse of her that we got. I hope they cast a good actress to play her... because that's often an issue on this show.

I'm pretty sure it was just "pick up the sword" and then they tossed her into the Library. XD

 

Also I'm normally pretty fine with actresses. I don't always like the way the characters are portrayed, but that could be the direction and writing.