I really, really liked it. And I'm surprised that I liked it so much given how critical I was of the last season and a half (2b-3b arcs). Adding the Frozen characters didn't help much since it just screamed 'gimmick' to me. But despite how gimmicky they may have been, Elsa and Anna were a joy to watch. I especially loved the writing for Elsa and how Haig palyed her. She was written like a matured version of the character from the film (as she should have been), and also managed to assist in developing Emma to a place where she's been needing to go. (Hasn't she been struggling with magic since, like, the end of season 2?) And I liked how they added elements (er, an element) from the original Snow Queen story. I was hoping the demon mirror would be an element of the animated film from the beginning, so I loved how it was used here as a plot device. It's like all my wishes came true! Like you I did roll my eyes a bit when they tried to shove film moments down my throat, but not that chocolate moment. That was my favorite moment from the film so I kind of just fanboid there.

Also, Ingrid. Great villain. I was worried about Mitchell being added to the cast because I hated her in Lost, but here I thought she was great. Her calm demeaner was much needed after the scenery chewing we got with the WWW, and her backstory had enough tragedy to make me care about her character which made her final scenes and episodes so much better. I'm glad the writers redeemed her. I didn't think they would, and really she probably didn't deserve a redemption, but I'm glad she got it. Certainly beats the alternative with her getting killed by the protagonists. That would have been a complete writing catastrophe.

I'm also so, so glad that the writers developed their own characters. It's about time Regina started on this trail, and I'm glad that the writers finally figured out what they wanted for Mr. Gold. It's the most rational place they could have taken him, and I too loved the scene between him and Belle. It was kind of sad, but that's really where the story and character had to go.

Like you said, it seems that the writers are starting to find what they want out of their characters. Now that everyone seems to be on a clear path, I expect good things for the next half of the season. Though as far as villains go I think 4b seems a little bit underwhelming. Cruella? What can she do? Threaten to skin your puppy? And didn't Maleficent die? The Sea Witch is the one to look forward to here.

There were low points, mainly in the plot devices. A wishing star spell? Really? And their library should be renamed "Plot Device Library." And as you pointed out (and I did, somewhere else), this version is Anna seemed to be a caricature of the film version. Part of that may have been Lail, but most of it was the material she was given to work with. I lean toward the latter. I thought she rocked in The Apprentice which I think was where her character was best written.

So while I look forward to new characters and developments, I will miss Elsa and Anna. I hope that they can return in some capacity because I think they, particuarly Haig, had good chemistry with the rest of the cast. In the meantime, though, the actresses who play the Sinister Six Three have some boots to fill.

I know! I'm so glad they pulled this season off! It's good again! 8D

Onto the villains... Maleficent did die. As a dragon. And then she came back... as a shade... Then she died again maybe? My question is, isn't she still in Storybrooke? I mean, it's the same actress as season one's Maleficent. I guess because of the recent movie they decided to do more with her and are using the vague "Magic" loophole to bring her back. And, honestly? I'm fine with it. I loved the movie (though it was a bit too "everyone gets a happy ending except for the villain" for my taste because it dealt with a political theme of uniting kingdoms that probably didn't need to be united by a teenager, but instead could have easily began communications and trade instead. Hey, I'm no expert at politics, but it didn't make much sense and seemed really impulsive to force a magical realm to unite with humans who just five minutes ago wanted to kill your protector. Weird.

But anyway!

Not sure what Cruella can do, and I'm guessing her backstory is a bit different as she appeared to use a dalmation to lure Belle into a trap. Maybe in this version she's Cruella; queen of the puppies.

As for Ursula, I am loving her character design. Caribbean sea demigoddes? Yes please. I've wanted to see more of her since the Little Mermaid Arc, though I didn't peg her for a villain by nature. Like, seriously, she was the best part of the Little Mermaid arc, and isn't that just a little sad considering she only had a few lines?

I'm looking forward to 4b and really hope it gets a proper story.

Maybe in this version she's Cruella; queen of the puppies.

 
If you were trying to come up with the least threatening villain name of all time, you succeeded. Spectacularly.
 
As for Ursula, I am curious as to what the writers' intent was with her character from the beginning. From what I recall she wasn't described as a villain, per se, but more along the lines of Andersen's sea witch. And maybe a Goddess. All the villainous acts we associate with the character were done by Regina, and not her. I just don't see how that jives with the short glimpse of her we saw in the episode. Obviously they weren't just going to drop her and not bring her back, but this seems like a strange way to do so.
 
But, then, this is Once we're talking about. I'm sure the writers will come up with something even if it does bend continuity to the breaking point.