This is proving a rather difficult review to write. There are a lot of things in this episode that I really like. However, there are also parts that concern me, particularly in how it relates to the direction of the show as a whole. It’s only the first tingling of concern; my trust in the writers is still reasonably strong. That said, this episode – and the last few, for that matter – have been quite dense adventures that really demand a second viewing.
We were previously left with a family tree for Emma and Henry that looks more like a Bradford Pear after the tornado. We had the unholy trio of Regina, Cora and Hook seemingly plotting death and destruction to half of Storybrooke. And who knows what’s been going on with Red, the dwarves or the rest of the “royal council.” Though we’ve been got answers, it seemed like every answer led to two new questions.