OUAT 2x03

[redbrunja]

• I wanted to fucking slap the ever loving fuck out of Henry for asking Regina to lunch and then standing her up. Like, it literally bothers me how much I want to physically hurt a ten-year-old boy. But did you hear Regina's voice? God. And then she took another level in being a decent person and sent Charming to get Henry.
• Not being able to bare a child in not A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH. Man, if my mom (aka MY ONLY FAMILY) died so I could have babies with my True Love instead of getting to have both Mom and True Love and maybe an adopted kid if I really wanted one or possibly several years to explore the magical options for barreness-curse-breaking I WOULD BE SO FUCKING PISSED.
• Best scene of the episode was Snow being all protective and Cora being fake-sweet and Emma being like, 'yeah, I'm in an awkward co-parenting situation with the Evil Queen. You know how that that is.'
• As much as I appreciate how female-dominated the cast of Once is, I really do wish that the writers would let eye candy besides Charming live. Lancelot was hot and black and had hints at an epic, interesting backstory. Once, I wanted to see your take on the Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot triangle!
• I am sure Mulan's 'nobody gets to be bitchy or criticize Aurora except me' attitude was appreciated by the shippers.

Comments

[intrikate88.livejournal.com]

I was really disappointed in Henry too, I thought that he could wait even thirty minutes with the keys in his backpack just to have lunch with her; she IS trying, so hard, when she could just walk over the borderline and start over as some bitter no one somewhere else.

I KNOW, god, priorities with the magic water, AN ARROW IN THE CHEST TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER A POSSIBLE BARRENNESS CURSE. And like, this show is all True Love Wins Out, I'm pretty fucking sure that there would be some magic sparkly conception sex that could overcome it, or whatever.

'yeah, I'm in an awkward co-parenting situation with the Evil Queen. You know how that that is.'

ROTFL best. Emma/Regina just seems damn near to being an actual canon ship, I know I've got my femslash goggles on pretty tight for this show but seriously, they've had a co-life situation since last season's finale. Can't save Henry without being together, can't get magic working without touching, can't keep an eye on Henry without being in the same town, can't give a thought to a love interest because they're too focused on each other.

[lady-with-cats.livejournal.com]

"can't get magic working without touching" made me actually start laughing as I watched the season opener. someone needs to write the sexier version of that eventually...

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

"can't get magic working without touching" made me actually start laughing as I watched the season opener. someone needs to write the sexier version of that eventually...

God, yes. That would be so beyond fabulous.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I thought that he could wait even thirty minutes with the keys in his backpack just to have lunch with her; she IS trying, so hard, when she could just walk over the borderline and start over as some bitter no one somewhere else.

What's really tragic? Sometimes I think that would get her a better shot at happiness than she has now. Since season one, I've been saying that in the larger, real world (especially a big city) the things she does well would get her a lot of praise and she'd have the chance to meet people would aren't prejudged against her.

I KNOW, god, priorities with the magic water, AN ARROW IN THE CHEST TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER A POSSIBLE BARRENNESS CURSE.

TRIAGE, PEOPLE, TRIAGE.

they've had a co-life situation since last season's finale. Can't save Henry without being together, can't get magic working without touching, can't keep an eye on Henry without being in the same town, can't give a thought to a love interest because they're too focused on each other.

Pretty much. And what's really sad? I have not been able to find good fic for those two.

[intrikate88.livejournal.com]

Regina could absolutely take her resume and get a job in so many different places, she'd be able to live her own life and be appreciated for her skills. And I'm kind of... surprised? curious? why she hasn't thought of that herself, yet.

Oh god I was at work yesterday, on my work computer, and I clicked on an intriguing-looking Emma/Regina fic where Regina had stepped over the border and lost all her memories, and everyone was keeping her in the dark and saying that Henry had been sent to boarding school since her "accident" and Emma was slowly befriending her, and it was actually kind of decent, with the dynamics...

...and then BAM UNEXPECTED GRAPHIC SEX. Which, I have no objection to, I just like to maybe not read it on my giant work computer monitor in the middle of my open-plan office? And I DO have an objection to Regina asking Emma what she likes when masturbating and Emma has like three vibrators but has no idea where her own clitoris is because it was always too hard to find. I MEAN JESUS CHRIST. I am pretty sure that Emma, not a participant in a women-oppressing cult, probably knows her way around her own nethers. Idek.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Regina could absolutely take her resume and get a job in so many different places, she'd be able to live her own life and be appreciated for her skills. And I'm kind of... surprised? curious? why she hasn't thought of that herself, yet.

You know, it actually makes a lot of sense to me that that option hasn't occurred to Regina. That's a very blow-up-the-box approach to it... plus, I think if she were capable of starting fresh in that way (because she's got to make the choice to wipe her mind clean).... she would have done that before enacting the curse, you know?

I clicked on an intriguing-looking Emma/Regina fic where Regina had stepped over the border and lost all her memories, and everyone was keeping her in the dark and saying that Henry had been sent to boarding school since her "accident" and Emma was slowly befriending her, and it was actually kind of decent, with the dynamics...

...and then BAM UNEXPECTED GRAPHIC SEX. Which, I have no objection to, I just like to maybe not read it on my giant work computer monitor in the middle of my open-plan office? And I DO have an objection to Regina asking Emma what she likes when masturbating and Emma has like three vibrators but has no idea where her own clitoris is because it was always too hard to find. I MEAN JESUS CHRIST. I am pretty sure that Emma, not a participant in a women-oppressing cult, probably knows her way around her own nethers. Idek.

Please tell me you have a links, suspect graphic sex notwithstanding.

has no idea where her own clitoris is because it was always too hard to find. I MEAN JESUS CHRIST. I am pretty sure that Emma, not a participant in a women-oppressing cult, probably knows her way around her own nethers. Idek.

Oh, fuck yes. Come on, Emma is totally a 'responsible for her own orgasm girl'. She is going to HAVE to know what she likes, to give direction to some of the fuck-ups she's screwed in her past. (I mean, some of them were probably good in bed but I bet a lot needed specific directions.)

[intrikate88.livejournal.com]

Not Forgotten (http://archiveofourown.org/works/545905), here you go. The concept and execution is actually rather well done, even if I wish I had paid enough attention to know not to read it at work. I think there's a new chapter up since I read it but I NEED my porn to be in character for me to want to read it? But I might give it another go anyway in the hopes that Emma and Regina do quickly locate and make good use of Emma's clitoris.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thank you! I really enjoyed reading that.

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

I'll admit, I'm not caught up yet since my mom and I just finished the first season, but DID THEY SERIOUSLY JUST INTRODUCE ANOTHER POC JUST TO KILL HIM OFF!?

AGAIN?

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

They did.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

I wanted to fucking slap the ever loving fuck out of Henry for asking Regina to lunch and then standing her up.

IDK, it's been *one* episode since she magicked a tree to physically restrain him, and the show deliberately paralleled it to what Cora did to Regina (and it's also how he saw Regina strangulating and threatening Charming in the previous ep.) And he's seen her physically threaten the townfolk with her magic to blackmail him into coming with her, too. She did apologize and let him go with Charming later, but Henry's a kid: it would scare the hell out of me, too, and it would definitely take more than a day of generosity and Regina trying to turn over a new leaf to get her to trust me again. I can see both sides. And I actually like that it's not going to be that easy for Regina--I think it's good for her character growth, and I think it's realistic that it's not going to be that easy...becoming a better person and earning trust and respect isn't going to happen overnight just by waving a magic want (so to speak. Heh.)

As much as I appreciate how female-dominated the cast of Once is, I really do wish that the writers would let eye candy besides Charming live.

It's weird how they seem to kill off all the hot guys and...let all the less-than-hot guys live? Whut? xD

[columbuscrab.livejournal.com]

This show has so many mixed messages about adoption it's left me scratching my head on multiple occasions, but no lie, I was about ready to just give up entirely with Charming's mother's unnecessary sacrifice. Because apparently adoption was not a viable option, and the WORST POSSIBLE CURSE for a woman is to be barren. *gag*

I would love to see a character not feel like biology is best and not feel bereft having been separated from a biological parent (see: Emma, Henry, Grace, Hansul & Gretel). The only character that came close to accepting that family is not necessarily dictated by blood was the Huntsman, and that was only in one throwaway line right at the beginning of his backstory.

I feel like maybe this show's writers would benefit from talking to an actual adopted kid/family with adopted kids.

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

If you think about it, the Huntsman was abandoned by his biological parents and it left him unable to function in human society, he had no concept of how his actions impacted others and he was a COMPLETE misanthrope. The "raised by wolves" adoption metaphor is still pretty insulting in the context of how Graham didn't turn into a functional person.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

This show has so many mixed messages about adoption

See, I don't think the show has been mixed about adoption at all - adoption IS BAD. Despite the fact that any rational viewer knows that adoption is an option AND that Emma in particular was COMPLETELY unfit to raise a kid when she got knocked up.

I would love to see a character not feel like biology is best and not feel bereft having been separated from a biological parent (see: Emma, Henry, Grace, Hansul & Gretel).

Agreed. Grace is actually the one character where her desire to find her father makes total sense to me - because she had TEN YEARS to build what was a loving, happy relationship.

I feel like maybe this show's writers would benefit from talking to an actual adopted kid/family with adopted kids.

Oh, god, that would have helped them SO MUCH.

[fairest1.livejournal.com]

Y'know, the entire situation with Regina sending Charming to get Henry made me realize that if he'd simply gone to lunch with her and asked for her to help out, pointing out that doing so would be a good path to redemption, she'd simply go along with it. And be able to tell Henry which boxes would be useful and which would possibly kill him.

[mistaria.livejournal.com]

I don't know why I thought this but I totally thought that was what he was going to do. I guess I was giving him way too much credit.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I thought about that, but this episode made me wonder if they're setting Henry up to follow in Regina's path. Taking the easy way out, wanting to use magic to solve everything, putting his desires above the feelings and considerations of others. He's been a lonely, angry child for a long time, so it's not a far reach. Of course that's balanced by the presence of Emma, Snow, and Charming, as well as the fact that Henry's mission has kept him occupied for the side of light. It'd be interesting to see the show take him to a darker place of temptation, even with that support.

But I don't really trust the series to be that nuanced, so....

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I thought about that, but this episode made me wonder if they're setting Henry up to follow in Regina's path. Taking the easy way out, wanting to use magic to solve everything, putting his desires above the feelings and considerations of others.

I would LOVE it if they did something like that. I think it's been foreshadowed by how it's clear that Henry had this whole imagining of what it would be like when the curse was broken (back in the FTL, being a prince) that isn't playing out like he wanted. I'd love to see him go down a darker road.

But I don't really trust the series to be that nuanced, so....

Plus I don't want that kid to have a minute more of screen time than absolutely unavoidable, so...

[mistaria.livejournal.com]

I felt really bad for Regina for what Henry did (Lana P's voice was so perfect in that scene and it made it even more sad). What with that and now Cora trying to get to her I have a feeling she is going to have an extremely rough time of it this season.

I really wish they wouldn't have killed off Lancelot. Especially because asshats on the Once FB page are all like "I'm not racist but I'm pissed Lancelot is black in this!" Ugh. I'm not sure why Once is so dedicated to killing off its male characters but at this point I can't help but find it a little funny. :p

I actually didn't really think about how the being barren thing was another jab at adoption but hm. Although I have to say I know people who do feel like being barren would be one of the worst things ever. Of course there are a lot of options to work with if you are barren but... I think it's impossible not to feel devastated by something like that when you're someone who actually wants children. AND Snow at least wouldn't have chosen to end her barren-ness over Charming's mother's life.

And the king loved his adopted son like he was his own so I don't really take it as a jab at adoption as an option. I think it's realistic. Especially for a king to consider it a curse when having an heir means everything. ::shrugs::

Oh but I completely agree that not being able to bare children isn't a fate worse than death and I would be really pissed at my mom if she gave up her life just so I could have a kid.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I felt really bad for Regina for what Henry did (Lana P's voice was so perfect in that scene and it made it even more sad).

Her voice was so heartbreaking.

[hewontgo.livejournal.com]

Beautiful post ; no lies detected

Henry is the worst

[lady-with-cats.livejournal.com]

The casual way Charming mentioned Regina's reaction to being stood up makes me sadface all over the place. That said, that little twerp definitely gets something from Regina, that was a nifty piece of manipulation.

I'm sticking to my theory that Cora is a lying liar who lies, and pretty much fibbed completely about pretending to be Lancelot and/or killing him (preferably both but the last one will do).

As to the last point: it really was.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I have decided that even if the show isn't perfect, I really have to give them props for a) beautiful if cheesy costumes, and b) ALL LADIES ALL THE TIMEZ.

It's so nice to have a show where female characters are fighting female characters and befriending female characters and all the female characters are different and some are seflish and some are selfless and some are arrogant and some are petty and some are heartbroken and some are better spies and some are brilliant.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I have decided that even if the show isn't perfect, I really have to give them props for a) beautiful if cheesy costumes, and b) ALL LADIES ALL THE TIMEZ.


These are two wonderful things!

It's so nice to have a show where female characters are fighting female characters and befriending female characters and all the female characters are different and some are seflish and some are selfless and some are arrogant and some are petty and some are heartbroken and some are better spies and some are brilliant.

So much agreed. Once is definitely all about the ladies.