Zelenas at home staring at the dead flower Hades gave her when Cora knocks on the door. An Underworld windmill is featured in the red-tinted forest. David still gets the better of him as he launches James into the river. I thought it would be the best for youfor me, and I was wrong, admits Cora.
Hades sets out a romantic dinner for two at the diner and Zelena watches him from outside. Many years ago in the land of Oz, Cora spies on a young Zelena as shes collecting wood for a fire. ABCs Once Upon a Time season five episode 18 introduced a touching love story, but episode 19 titled Sisters centered the action around two sets of warring siblings. I mean, Cora has done some awful things, so it would have been completely fair if shed gone to aworse place rather than a better one. Deep in Hades prison, Coras being punished with hard labor when she finds Hooks hook among the wheat shes supposed to be milling. Dancing with it, she points it at her doll and declares, You can be my sister. Shes knocked out after casting the spell (which doesnt work) and Cora and Henry rush in, with Cora apologizing for not taking the key with her. Such is the case for sisters Regina and Zelena and twin brothers David and James, each of whom grew up in highly unequal circumstances and have been at odds with one another ever since," then later adds "While the sisters are ready to start over on newly feel-good footing, not every sibling reunion is a happy one tonight. Regina doesnt care about that she just wants a sister to love.
Why? Cora thought love was weakness and admits she was a fool. No, not that kind of proposal but its just as major. The two sisters have an immediate bond, despite not knowing (at first) that they are actually related, which is both sweet and heartbreaking to see. The flashback sequence is really fantastic. She tells them she loves them and heads across the bridge, not knowing what awaits her. You never cared about what happened to me. Now Regina cant wake up until someone in her family who hasnt harmed her uses magic to wake her up. Cora, nothing if not consistent, decides that the best course of action is to betray Zelena once again by force-feeding her a memory potion, causing her to forget Hades entirely and eliminating any chance of a True Loves Kiss between the two. The good news is that this damage, at least, can be undone. Cora says no matter what, knowing she brought the two of them together is all the peace she needs. Zelena thinks shes done nothing wrong why should he blame her for his own wife wanting to avoid him and besides, hes made a deal that prevents him from doing her any harm, so whats he gonna do about it anyway? Zelena reminds him her sister and her do-gooder friends wouldnt want to share Storybrooke with Lord Death and the Wicked Witch, but Hades wants to leave them in the Underworld while the two of them live a merry life in the real Storybrooke. Before they can blame each other or worse, start trading magic jabs in Zelenas ridiculously drab dining room Cora steps in to place the blame where it really belongs right now. Consequently, Cora visits Oz to bring back Zelena, who just used her magic to restock the logs she dropped. Theyre either repetitive, showing us a scene that, while technically new, just reasserts a moral or lesson that the character has already learned or just straight-up boring. Like, I am legitimately embarrassed while watching this scene. Well, Im much worse, says Pan, throwing a bag over her head. Regina has always been one of the strongest characters ofthe series, so anyOnce installment that allows for more focus on her is a winner in my book. Hades has been down here far too long to be changed by something as simple as love.. The actors playing the next generation of pilots in the action sequel felt the need for lots of cocktails. Escaping, she bumps into Hook who retrieves his hook and brings her to Regina. She sends James-as-David in to retrieve Zelenas baby from Robin, planning to give the infant to Hades in exchange for her freedom from the Underworld. [5], Gwen Inhat of The AV Club gave the episode a B+. Im glad that the next episode appears to be Captain Swan-heavy. The present-day performances are absolutely heart-wrenchingeasily some of the strongest of the season. The guards come and haul Zelena away, with both girls screaming. As Zelena is able to wake Regina, the two are unaware of their being sisters at first, but over time become close, and quickly realize that they're related, when Zelena accidentally opens Cora's wand box, leading to Cora admitting that Regina and Zelena are sisters. Cora is working in the Underworld Mill, situated above the Lethe, the yellow-colored River of Forgetfulness, and supervised by two guards. Well, lets take a walk down memory lane, shall we? When Regina wakes up, Zelena introduces herself.
Regina really wants a sister but Coras disappointed she would want a sibling. Thats when Regina figures out Zelena is really, truly her sister.
Despite Regina's pleas to have Zelena in her life, Cora, believing that Zelena's presence will interfere with Regina's future of becoming the next queen, wipes both of their memories and sends Zelena back to Oz. Well, Im much worse. And just like that, Zelenas been kidnapped, which means whatever animosity Hades has for the band of heroes laying in wait in his lair is probably going to reach a fever pitch because who else will he blame for her disappearance?
Look whos finally paying her visit after all these years?! Coras moving-on scene is also a winner and long overdue. Apparently, this is all a part of Cruellas plot to escape the Underworld, a plot that shes roped her boytoy James into. As they look at the burning night sky over the Underworld Storybrooke, Hades and Zelena are on a date, as he explained why he created the world for her, then tells Zelena that he wants to follow her back to the real Storybrooke, if he is able to restore his heart and become human again. James then slaps a magic-binding bracelet on Emma and pulls a gun on Robin. It was from an anniversarynice try, James. Im not sure why Cruella is so confident that this plan will work and that Hades wouldnt just take the baby and toss her and evil Jamesinto the River of Souls. Cora hugs Regina and then embraces Zelena, and everyone is crying. You two are cut from the same, dark cloth.
And I think these sorts of stories will make the final stretch of episodes towards the end of the season all the more resonant. It also works to establishthat, apparently, Zelena was far more naturally gifted with magic than Regina was, which is an interesting development. What did you think of this episode of Once Upon a Time? Cora was once a really strong villain, but she has definitely overstayed her welcome at some point. She also tells Cora Hades has written their names on tombstones and that hes planning on escaping to Storybrooke. He shows her the cityscape of this Underworld he has built for her a kiddie version of what your sister had, he shamefully admits and says that what he really wants is to go with her upstairs to Storybrooke and start anew and become a real family, whilst all the heroes (yes, all of them hes carved each of their names in tombstones this time so no ones immune to his deathly charms) are sent to live down here without them for the rest of eternity. Cora did it and Zelena is amazed, asking her if shes a good witch or a bad witch.
In between the events, Gold is looking over Belle's sleeping body, and despite his promise to her that he would use light magic to save her and their child, Gold decided that has no other choice but to do things "his way," using Dark Magic.
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Cora and Prince Henry realizes that the only way to save her is by bringing a magical family member to wake her up. A lot of the strength ofSisters has to do with itsfocus on Regina and her family. Everything that was mine. This leads to a fight between Regina and Zelena but before this escalates, Cora restores their childhood memories of each other and she regretted the way she raised them, and apologizes to her daughters. Hook says hell do what it takes, but Regina warns any action will get messy. Hook grabs the gun dropped by James and removed the cuffs from Emma, and Cruella runs back to safety. Once Upon a Time: "Sisters" Photo Gallery: With the Cora angle played out and worn thin, the success of this episode rested on the bond between Zelena and Regina. Regina prepares to fight back when Cora says, Enough, extinguishing the flames in Regina and Zelenas hands. A single drop from the River for Forgetfulness can help her forget Hades ever existed. Meanwhile, our second pair of tormented genome sharers come head-to-head in the middle of the street. But the flames die down, the bridge forms, and the gate opens, allowing Cora to move on to Mount Olympus to join her husband, Prince Henry Mills. Regina is also smartly wary about the chances of Zelena helping Hades recover and becoming a good guy. Zelena can do it and Coras surprised Zelena is even in the Underworld. She tries to say shes not interested in this long overdue heart-to-heart, but Cora calls her on her bluff and waltzes on in. Cora asks for her help and Zelena agrees to go with her. Zelenas wanted to use her magic to save someone and the spell just came to her. Zelena tells her to knock it off; she knows Regina doesnt care about her and that she never wanted a sister. Robot, You're the Worst, iZombie, and The Vampire Diaries. Solution?
The use of flashbacks inLost was probably consistently the best Ive seen in a television series, so it makes sense thatOnce, createdby the same writers, would do well with flashbacks. Sisters isby far one of my favorites of the season and easily my favorite of the Underworld arc thus far. He incorrectly pegs it as a birthday shot, but Emma disregards the error as a consequence of all the curses and time-jumps theyve been grappling with lately. Zelena claims to be over all that but Cora doesnt believe her.
Its also the first episode in several seasons to make me legitimately emotional. The present-day Zelena/Regina/Cora storyline in the Underworld is equally strong, if not stronger, than the flashbacks.
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Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Back in the Enchanted Forest, Cora returns to Regina with Zelena in tow. Emma and especially Killian have totally gotten shafted this half-season! I love that impressed look that Cora shoots her way.
If shes my sister, shouldnt we be a family? asks Regina. Hades kneels at Zelenas feet and asks if shell make chaos with him. She opens the drawer and the box inside and removes a wand. This episode was dedicated In Loving Memory to the one of the series' producer Scott Nimerfro, who died on April 17, 2016,[1] six days prior to the episode's airing. Zelena screams at them about never caring about what happened to her. (Protip: If youre going to lock someone up, dont do it in their own jail because OF COURSE they know how to make a timely exit.) I love the recurrence of I will find you, this time spoken byyoung Regina to young Zelena.
Ah, siblinghood. I was a fool. Why, yes, yes, you were. WEST, JENNIFER MORISSON, COLIN O'DONOGHUE, COLIN O'DONOGHUE, GINNIFER GOODWIN, JOSH DALLAS. You see. [4], Christine Orlando of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 3.9 out of 5. Coras confused because Hades cant leave, but Regina reminds her he can if he restarts his heart with true loves kiss. I know things between you and your sister are complicated, but its her or us, so what do you say Zelena?
On top of all of the other tomfoolery in this subplot, the David/James fight scene is terribly choreographed.
Cora says they should hate her, taking their hands and allowing them to learn the part of their history that Cora had wiped away with magic.
You were sisters once. Regina Mills: [Shows magic mirror] Next time, tell your boyfriend to pick you up in something with a little less chrome. Henry (Jared Gilmore) is 10 years old now and in desperate need of Emma's help. So, now what? Thats definitely comparing apples to oranges, but Zelena doesnt care. Regina apologizes to Cora for not rescuing her sooner. I am rarely a fan of flashback sequences.
Emmas reminiscing about a picture of her mom and dad, and when James strolls in and acts like hes been shopping for baby wipes and whatnot, she asks if he remembers the image. Hook gets the gun while Cruella runs and hides, leaving brother to face brother. She hesitates when he tells her his plan to escape the Underworld with him and abandon everyone else in the Underworld for eternity, taking her daughter with them. Cora immediately freezes the woodcutter as he is about to hit her (her adoptive mother wasn't around to protect Zelena this time), then gives Zelena the opportunity to prove that her magic can be used for good, which she accepts.
Some shows overuse them to the point of uselessness (heres looking at you,Arrow), while others allow them to overshadow and detract from the main, present timeline. He demands to be called Prince James and David really wants to talk, but James is pissed because David stole his glory. I hear youre wicked. Once Upon a Time airs Sundayat 8/7con ABC.
Zelenas mad at Regina so Reginas not sure how shell get her to drink water, but Cora thinks shell let them in if it means Zelena will finally get to meet her mother. While Davids out running dad errands, a sheriffs unit rushes him in the street, and though hes just jaywalking right now, sure, the aggressiveness of the vehicle indicates hes got much more than a simple citation coming his way right now.
Regina tells Zelena she has another love to find, and she sends Zelena off to find Hades. James reveals himself when they reach the rendezvous point, after slapping an anti-magic cuff on Emma, and is joined by Cruella, who is still looking for a way to escape the Underworld, by stealing Zelena's baby for leverage with Hades. When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. As shes watching, Zelena performs magic, making the wood stack itself. Theyre in makeup with tiaras and Coras dresses, having a good time and just being kids when Zelena spots the box that used to hold Coras wand. Its a huge weak spot in an otherwise very strong episode. Like everyone else, Rumple too has a mini-family reunion tonight, and in his case, its his father, Peter Pan, who looks young enough to be his grandson, but thats the name of the Neverland game. They circle each other and David tells James he can help him move on and find some peace.
Regardless, Im glad Cora wound up walking into the light and not getting pulled down into a pit of flames. Flashback to the Enchanted Forest and Regina playing with a doll while Cora (Barbara Hershey) apologizes for not having time for her. Back in the Enchanted Forest, Regina and Zelena find Cora and ask about the box and why Zelena could open it. Even though he almost tipped her off back at the house, Emmas still pretty shocked when James reveals himself to be an imposter dad who wants to steal the baby for leverage with Hades and then book it with Cruella de Vil (who keenly wonders, Why is everything in the woods with you people?) to the other side.
Cora knows Zelena wants to know if she regrets her decision to give her away, and Cora says of course shes sorry. Zelena is smartly wary about Hades and, interestingly, is not interested in being a villain with him. Without her mother watching her, Regina finds a magic wand and attempts to transform her doll into a real sister with whom to play, only to have the spell backfire, knocking her unconscious.
She finds a hook hidden under the stalks on grain, cuts off the black anti-magic handcuff, and uses her magic to knock out the guards. I thought that love any kind of love was weakness. Shes in more danger than you realize, Cora firmly warns Regina. Back in the Underworld, Zelena asks if Cora is there because Regina wanted her help. Thanks to her mini-Magic Mirror, Regina knows exactly what Hades wants her sister to do, and shes a) ticked that she didnt say heck no; b) pretty sure theres no reformation in sight for the god of death, no matter how much Zelena might fancy him; and c) gonna call Mom because, as Robin Hood, Emma, and David remind her, thats pretty much the only person who can put in a pin in her budding relationship with Hades.
Their forgiveness and tolerance of Cora was far too kind though. But when the son she gave up years ago finds her, everything will change. Since she was responsible for giving Belle the spindle that placed her under the Sleeping Curse, Gold brought Peter Pan along as "a loophole." Meanwhile, even without Snow White in the Underworld, another boring Charming subplot flourishes as evil twin James pulls a Parent Trapwith an unwitting David. The Oz events take place years after the first flashback scene of "It's Not Easy Being Green" and years before the rest of "It's Not Easy Being Green" flashbacks.
They nicely set up Pans reemergence at the beginning of the arc, when Rumple findshimin his shop. Despite everything, he was my brother, says David, regretfully. The musical score in this episode is lovely. Of course, young Regina doesntcare about any of thisshe only wantsto keep her sister so, naturally, Cora ends uperasing Zelena and Regina from each others minds. When Zelena touches it in admiration of its detailing, it slips right open, which can only mean one thing: Theyre related. Hades (Greg Germann) takes Zelena (Rebecca Mader) for a romantic date in a graveyard, complete with a picnic basket and a shovel.
), and tells her her powers are a gift.
Robin has his baby and Emma and James give him the grocery bag full of supplies, including diapers. The opening sequence shows the Underground Mill.
A fire burns in an open grave while the two sip wine. to Play Belle, First Photos: All Quiet on the Western Front 2022 Film, Alone Season 9 Episode 8 Recap: Gut Feeling, Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 6 Recap: Kiss From a Rose, San Diego Comic-Con 2022 TV Show Panels: The Who, What, and When. Now that shes had her big send-off, the character is finally put to rest. It's a complicated thing under the best of circumstances, but when motherly abandonment is at hand, well, the emotional impact is everlasting. With her sisters blessing, Zelena heads to the diner to make her dinner date with Hades. This gives Regina and Zelena a quick moment to decide that, yes, Regina does trust her to carry on a relationship with Hades and somehow avoid sentencing everyone she loves to eternal damnation. Hook (Colin ODonoghue) says they have to stop her and Regina asks if he means to kill her. Cora claims to have had some experience with it, but shes scant on details for what seems to be a pretty obvious reason, given all these flashbacks to cozy playtimes between Zelena and Regina after she nimbly brings her back from her magicoma. A few of her current favorites are Mr. Many years ago, in the Enchanted Forest, a young Regina wishes that her mother Cora had more time to play. According to his book of fairytales, they sent her away to protect her from the Evil Queen's (Lana Parilla) curse, which trapped the fairytale world forever, frozen in time. With the dreary vintage tune thats blaring right now, it might seem like something wicked is afoot (again, considering the company), but it turns out the two are simply out and about for a relatively innocent picnic by a fire pit kinda romantic, really where Hades has a little proposal for his lady love.
We drank 3 rounds with the hotshot cast of Top Gun: Maverick. Cora tells them theyre sisters and Regina wants to know why she didnt tell them. We barely knew ye. Keep up with all the latest from last nights television by subscribing to our newsletter.
So long, James. Who knows how differently things would have turned out had Cora allowed Zelena to remain with them, as a family, at that point? James tells David hes going to pay, knocking out his brother so he can take over his life. This isthe best episode ofOnce Upon a Timein quite a while. David and Hook arrive to rescue Emma and Robin, before it's too late.
Theyre fairly evenly matched until James whips out a concealed knife. Barbara Hershey, Rebecca Mader, and Lana Parrilla all look stunningly gorgeous in this episode. Concerned for Henry, she decides to stay for a while, but she soon suspects that Storybrooke is more than it seems. You were half the man I was, and yet you got everything. This angers her abusive adoptive father, who doesn't want Zelena to use her wicked magic. Moments later, Gold surprises Zelena while she was en route to meet Hades. Back in the Enchanted Forest, Regina and Zelena are playing dress up. But his unfinished business is killing David or so he thinks so thats what he tries to doand of course he finds himself thrown in instead.
Caralynn is a freelance writer and editor, but most importantly, she is a diehard TV addict. Their interactions weren't anything earthshaking, but it was sweet to watch them find some common ground and gain new understandings of each other thanks to restored memories. This season, Ive generally not been a big fan of the flashbacks. Not many women would be enthusiastic about a brown, wilted flower but since it was a gift from Hades, Zelenas getting gobs of feels over it until she gets a fateful knock at the door. During two separate confrontations between David and James in the Underworld, the characters swap outfits. All of it is great. As they see their mother walk toward the bridge, the flames from the River of Fire erupt and wrap around her. In the Underworld, Zelena prepares to take down Regina, telling her theyll never be on the same side. Zelena reminds him they have a deal, and Rumple tells her hes got another deal that he wasnt going to take until she gave that potion to Belle. Now youre going to pay.) James stuns him and promises to enjoy playing the Shepherd for a little while. The entire sequence when Cora reveals that Zelena and Regina had met in the past and that Regina desperately wanted to keep her sister with her is fantastic. "[3], Amy Ratcliffe of IGN said of the episode, "With the Cora angle played out and worn thin, the success of this episode rested on the bond between Zelena and Regina. And here we thought Zelena might have really had a shot at her happy ending. We open with Hades and Zelena going for a casual midnight cruise with a shovel in the back of the car (which isnt too terribly odd, considering the company). See production, box office & company info, John H. McDonald House, New Westminster, Canada. Shell get him to do that by using Zelena and Robins baby as leverage. Head here for more details. (You stole my glory. Its actually shocking to see just how little Cora cares for anyone but herself (including both daughters) until you recall that Cora had ripped out her own heart and was operating heartless for basically all of Reginas life. In the Underworld, Cora and Regina collect water from a spring fed by the river of forgetfulness. They grab the box and run to ask Cora if theyre sisters, but Cora overheard the whole discussion. Huge lapse in judgment on Cruellas part. WANT MORE? GABRIELLE ANWAR, ROBERT CARLYLE, YAEL YURMAN, ANDREW J. They look out over the Underworld version of Storybrooke and Hades promises hell take her to the real thing once his heart beats again. David (Josh Dallas) suggests they just keep Hades and Zelena apart, but Regina says the only person who can put a stop to their love is their mother. She opens it and Reginas immediately suspicious its sealed with blood magic and only a relative should have been able to open it. Unfortunately for Zelena, Regina saw this through a magic mirror, and then confronts Zelena afterwards, as the latter thinks that Hades, like Robin Hood (or Regina), might not be a villain forever. He doesnt care about anything but a future with her.
Awww, how romantic. I really hope that its Regina who rescues her sister and not Hades. Emma also gives him the update on Regina and Zelena, and Robin wants to help but Emma tells him to stay and take care of his daughter.
Their interactions weren't anything earthshaking, but it was sweet to watch them find some common ground and gain new understandings of each other thanks to restored memories. Sigh. Both Regina and Zelena are crying after being able to relive their shared memories. She crosses the bridge into a surprisingly positive landscape for her long-awaited eternity (her unfinished business was making it right with both girls, after all). From Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Weeknd, here are all the artists who can't wait to get on the road again.
Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and James, whos acting weird and clearly doesnt know everything going on in his brothers life, meet up with Robin in the woods.
