Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 17, “Welcome to Storybrooke”


Or better title, "Same Plot, Different Title"


A father and son are camping in the woods. They sit around the fire making key chains.

Arts and crafts? Aren't they supposed to be farting and roasting hot dogs?

A lot of time is spent conveying the special meaning behind the key chains. I'm sure it's nothing. I doubt we'll see those key chains again.

Suddenly, the wind picks up and a purple cloud engulfs the pair as they run for cover. When they come out of the tent the next morning, their truck is damaged and all the tress around them are uprooted by the force of the storm.

They walk into the nearest town, only with their backpacks, but confused since they drove through that same area yesterday and nothing was there.

They are soon greeted by the town's Sheriff.

tvline.com
SCHMEXY!!!!!

Dear ABC,

Nice to see my weekly letter campaign paid off.

Regina wakes up and dances around her new home. She walks around town and smiles as all the amnesiac fairy tale characters greet her as the Mayor. I'm guessing this is the first official day of Storybrooke.

Regina enters Granny's pub/diner/laundromat and is ushered over to her usual stool of importance at the counter.

*Crosses fingers and prayers to the TV Gods* Please let there be more scenes with the Sheriff.

HOORAY!!

Schmexy walks in and gives the Mayor a knowing smile. She tells him, “That uniform looks good on you. It's so well fitted.”

He leans in close and asks her, “Do you want me to come over tonight?”

Yes, please! So far, this is my favorite episode of the year.
 
But the little boy and his dad are at the diner as well. Regina is put off by their presence and she asks Schmexy to fix the problem.
 
screenrant.com

We flash forward to present day.

Regina cries over Cora's coffin. She's soon joined by Mr. Gold. They talk about hearts, and love, and desperate measures. Regina vows to kill Mary Margaret. Mr. Gold councils her to give up on revenge—she can't have everything. If she wants Mary Margaret dead, losing Henry is the price she will pay.

But she's not buying it. She vows, “I will have EVERYTHING.”

We've heard this before. *yawn* More Schmexy, please.

Mary Margaret is lying in bed, depressed over her new 'killer' status. Emma tries to explain to Henry about Cora's death when she's interrupted by Mr. Gold. He shows up at the apartment warning them of Regina's plan. David tells Mr. Gold that he should help protect Mary Margaret since she saved his life.



Back in the past where Schmexy still exists, Regina is trying to hustle the camper and his kid out of Storybrooke faster than you can say, 'hocus pocus'. The kid, Owen, gives her the red and green key chain he made with his dad.

Why?

Because he's a kid and Granny's pancakes put him in a good mood.

Regina revels in her new town where everyone is clueless to their true identity, and are stuck performing the same activities over and over again.

*Cough* Groundhog Day *cough*
 
Soon though, the monotony starts to get boring. She pays Mr. Gold a visit and complains that the town isn't what she wanted when she cast the spell.

He gives her little assistance since he has his own agenda. Regina is desperate for interaction from people who are real. She finds the key chain in her pocket and calls the hotel where Owen and his dad are staying until their truck is fixed. She invites them over for dinner.

In the tomb, Regina frantically rips apart Cora's things and finds a small scroll. I'm guessing it's a spell to kill Mary Margaret without losing Henry...or a recipe for chicken parmesan. Not sure.

Mr. Gold and David break into the tomb and find the room in shambles. Mr. Gold does an inventory and realizes Regina has all the ingredients to make a love potion...sort of. The run back to Mary Margaret's apartment where Emma and Henry are waiting. He explains that Regina still needs the heart of the person she hates the most.

David folds his arms across his chest, and does his best scowl. Mr. Gold impatiently explains this is a blood feud, and the only way to end a blood feud is by spilling more blood.

Or by going on Family Feud.

Henry pipes up, “You guys used to be heroes. What happened to you?”

Seriously. Someone call the Sheriff...from the past.

Regina has Owen and his dad over for lasagna. The son is a bit cheeky and his dad apologizes for his behavior, explaining his wife died recently and they were camping to try and deal with their grief.

Regina gets misty eyed and says, “What good is a new life if you have no one to share it with.”

What does that matter when Schmexy is your bedroom slave?

Regina and Owen make apple turnovers in the kitchen. He tells her she'd be a good mom, and he complains about New Jersey. Regina has a great idea and invites them to move to Storybrooke since she enjoys talking to someone who doesn't believe in fairies or unicorns.

The dad gives her a funny look and slowly backs out of the house with Owen. Regina is crushed.

Emma takes Henry to Granny's pub/laundromat/diner where Neil is waiting for him. He proposes that Henry return to New York with him because all the dark magic swirling around is bound to get him killed.

Henry says, “Why don't they just get rid of the magic? Then no one would be able to hurt anyone.”

Henry, it's not that simple. There was no magic in Storybrooke. Then there was. Then there wasn't. Then there was, but only for special cases. Now it's back for good, but no one is trying to use it...oh, never mind.

While I'm getting a headache, Greg, (the guy who ran off the road after hitting Hook with his car) comes in for take-out and wants to go on a hike—since Storybrooke is growing on him and everything.

Why are we seeing Greg for ten seconds? Why is he still in the script? *cough* Owen *cough*

Doesn't this dude have a job to get back to?

And when can we return to the past to see Schmexy again?

Regina goes to the auto shop to convince the mechanic to work more slowly on the truck, thereby keeping Owen and his dad in Storybrooke even longer. But the dad has already paid the bill and picked up the truck.



She rushes back to her office and opens a little chest. She talks into a Schmexy's glowing heart like it's a CB radio, ordering Schmexy to pull over the dad for drunk driving, and to bring Owen back to her.

She turns around and the dad is looking at her weirdly...again.

 


Schmexy arrives and tries to arrest him for drunk driving while standing up sober. But the dad escapes and takes off in the truck, telling Owen to buckle up.

Emma and Neil search for Henry. David suggests they check out the mines. Some of the dynamite that the dwarfs never use (they always have pick axes) is missing.

For reasons that will never be explained, everyone rightly assumes Henry is going to blow something up.

Neil throws a worried look at Emma, “It's obvious,” he says, “Henry wants to get rid of the magic.”

Henry runs through the forest and ends up tackling Greg.

Hmm. There he is again. *cough* Owen *cough*

Greg calls Regina because its perfectly logical that he would have the Mayor's number on speed dial. He tells her Henry is all alone in the forest.

Owen and his dad try to escape Storybrooke, but Regina and Schmexy chase them down in the police cruiser.

Personally, I'd be in the backseat with him.

Schmexy cuts them off at the town limits. The dad pushes Owen out of the truck, screaming for him to run away. He gives him a leather key chain and tells him that as long as he has this, he'll always be with him, or something like that. Then he screams, “Run. Run. Run.”

The dad is thrown into the back of the cruiser. Regina catches up with Owen and tries to play nice, “I'm sorry. I just wanted us to be happy.”

Run, Owen, run!
 

 
 
Henry has a bundle of dynamite and is ready to through it down the well that also happens to be a porthole...sometimes. Regina finds him and they have a talk about fake love and revenge. “You'll see,” she promises, “we can be happy. We can have everything.”

But Henry shakes his head, “Not like this.”

Emma, Neil, and David show up and Regina gets ready with her fists of fire. Henry steps in the middle or their battle and says, “Magic makes good people do terrible things.”

That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard this season! Hasn't anyone heard of Harry Potter?

Henry pleads with Regina...again. She gives in...again, and burns Cora's spell. Satisfied he's saved the day...again, Henry thanks her, then runs to Emma's arms and walks away with the others, leaving Regina standing all by herself...again

This is just how episode 9, The Queen of Hearts ended.

When Owen takes the State Trooper back to to town limits, there is no Storybrooke sign. The Trooper tells him no town exists there. Owen holds the leather key chain aloft and vows to never stop looking for his dad. 

Mary Margaret decides to pay a visit to Regina and asks her to end it all, meaning for Regina to kill her. Regina performs the magical heart-ectomy and sees the dark spot inside Mary Margaret's heart. Instead of crushing it, she decides to let the hate grow in Mary Margaret's heart until is consumes her. She thrusts it back into her chest and prepares to wait for the royal family to crumble from inside.

From the picket fence, Greg videos it all on his phone. He runs to his car and fingers his old key chain. “I'll keep looking for you dad,” he says.

Hey, it's Owen! Shocking. Took him long enough to come back.


Stuff I Liked About This Episode

  1. Schmexy
  2. Schmexy
  3. Schmexy

Stuff I Didn't Like About This Episode
  1. Mary Margaret only had one outfit to show off.
  2. Why pick axe wielding dwarfs who are in love with magical fairies have to use dynamite.
  3. Owen's dad's hair.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

The Carnelian Legacy

It is my pleasure to host a giveaway for Cheryl Koevoet and her debut Fantasy Romance, THE CARNELIAN LEGACY.
 
I met Cheryl through QueryTracker and I'm so happy to help her launch this amazing book. And YOU'RE going to get the chance to win a soft copy!
 
 
 



Marisa MacCallum always believed the man of her dreams was out there somewhere. The problem is—he’s in a parallel universe.

After the death of her father, eighteen-year-old Marisa’s life is on the verge of imploding. She seeks comfort on her daily ride in the woods of Gold Hill but when a mysterious lightning storm suddenly strikes, Marisa is hurled into the ancient alternate dimension of Carnelia.

There she meets the arrogant but attractive nobleman, Darian Fiore. With no hope of returning home on her own, Marisa must join Darian on a risky mission to negotiate peace with his cousin and archenemy, Savino da Roca.
As she struggles to survive a world teeming with monsters, maniacs and medieval knights, Marisa sees a softer side of Darian and begins to fall in love. But when she discovers he is locked into an arranged marriage, her heart shatters.

After Savino falls for her charms and demands her hand in marriage in exchange for peace, Marisa is faced with an impossible choice: marry the enemy of the man she loves or betray them both and become the catalyst for a bloody war.
 



Q: Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?
A: This story has actually been simmering in my head in a sort of crock-pot stew for more than twenty years now. In my home state of Oregon, there is a visitor's attraction called The Oregon Vortex that stakes its claims on the fact that the laws of physics no longer apply there and strange phenomenon occur. When I was a kid, we often passed it on our way to California and I imagined that it was really a mysterious portal to another world.

Q: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
A: Yes. Everyone born on this earth has a purpose. We all have an important role to play and each person is precious in the eyes of God. No matter how gray the skies become, remember that the sun will shine again.
Q: What was the hardest scene to write (no spoilers!)?
A: Definitely the opening chapter. While it might seem to be the weakest chapter of the entire book, it sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Q: Which character do you relate to the most? Why?
A: I can relate to all three of the main characters, Marisa, Darian and Arrie. Each of them has a part of me in them, but if I could only pick one, it would have to be Darian. He's so concerned with never letting anyone down that sometimes he forgets to live a little.
Q: Outside of family, what was the greatest support while you wrote this novel?
A: It would have to be my good friend Christy. She fell in love with the story and the characters, and encouraged me in spite of the rejections from literary agents. I call her my sister because we are not bound by blood but by love.
Q: Do you have any advice for other writers?
A: I know it sounds cliché, but if you really love your writing, never give up. Re-write, edit, push it to the limit to make it better. Don't be easily dissuaded by rejection or become discouraged when it seems like others are always getting the breaks you should be getting. If you love what you write and are passionate about it, find a way to make it happen.
 
Q: You've signed with WestBow Press. How did this came about and have you liked working with them?
A: I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. After searching for almost a year for a literary agent (without success) I began to question the entire process of going the "traditional" route. Just because I couldn't find someone to fall in love with my story didn't mean that it wasn't worth publishing. When I decided to go with WestBow, I was a little apprehensive at first, but the folks there have been kind and gracious the entire way. I have enjoyed learning the process of steps that turn a manuscript into a physical book and looking back now, I wouldn't have done it any other way.
 
 
FAST FIVE
Q: What did you have for supper last night?A: Our family followed a modern Dutch custom of grilling meat in a special pan at the table. One of my favorites!

Q: Is there an actor who you think looks like your MC?
A:
No. I have tried to figure out who could play Darian Fiore in a movie, but I just can't. I can see him in my head, but I can't visualize the right actor.
Q: Vanilla or chocolate?
A: Uh, chocolate. This is Europe!
Q: As a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: First choice: Teacher; Second choice: Actrice; Third choice: Stewardess
Q: Last book you read?
A: Re-read Timeline by Michael Crichton
 
If that's not enough to tempt you check out the gothic awesomeness of the trailer.
 
 
 
You must check out THE CARNELIAN LEGACY website complete with very cool character cards.
 
You can find Cheryl online, too!
 
 
 
 
 
Now it's FINALLY your chance to win a soft cover of THE CARNELIAN LEGACY. Cheryl will mail you your very own copy straight to your front door! I'll be announcing the winner on Thursday March 21st. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

The Bachelor, Season 17, "The Finale...Finally!"



Who will Sean choose?!
 
 
blogzap2it.com

 
The Host comes on and tells me that this is a historic three hour finale.

Three hours?!

 Kill. Me. Now.

Sean's family flies to Thailand so they can meet the two final contestants, ladies.

Sean's mom tells him not to worry because this may end in a proposal so he must know in his heart which girl he truly wants.

Sean grins and says, “To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. They're both great.”

Catherine is up first and she is a cute little ball of nerves. Sean's family are really tough on her. His dad says, “We love you, girl.”

During lunch, Sean's sister, Shea makes a toast to both of them as if it's the rehearsal dinner.

Sean's mom takes her aside and I bet this is when we'll see some harsh reality. Catherine talks on and on, while mom, nods and says, “Right.”

Catherine then says, “All I can think about is my future with him. He makes me feel good and true about myself.”

“A-huh.” Then Sean's mom tells her that she'd be proud to have her part of the family.

Sean's dad is too busy smiling to listen to her answers.

Catherine confides, “I'm giving myself completely to him and he's giving himself to me.”

This makes Sean's dad cries happy tears. “If Sean marries you," he says. "I will be your biggest fan.”

If Sean doesn't choose Catherine, I think his dad could step in.

Up next is Ms. Giggles. Lindsay decides to wear her dark lace mini dress. Although she brought presents, so that's something.

She giggles and leans into Sean and says, 'cool' a lot.

Sean's dad takes Lindsay aside for the really tough interview. He asks her, “How do you know you're truly in love with someone before you get married?”

Lindsay flicks her hair, and says, “I just like want to hang out with him forever. He totally gets me.” Then she adds, “Marriage is all about compromise and prayer.”

Sean's dad starts to cry happy tears again, and he tells Lindsay he couldn't be happier if Sean chose her. This in turn makes Lindsay cry happy tears.

I'm crying too, but it's for all the time I've lost on this show.

My only hope is that Mom will be tougher. Lindsay says, “It was crazy! Our first date felt like our fifth date.”

A line forms between Mom's eyebrows as she asks, “Can you get him to open up to you about serious subjects?”

Or do anything that doesn't involve giggling and rubbing each other?

Lindsay lets her know they've tackled the tough stuff.

That's funny. I remember a lot of drinking and making out, I guess the serious talks didn't make the editorial cut.

Sean tells us, “My family got to see how much she loves me.”

Like a puppy.

He confesses to the camera, “I bet I could have a long happy marriage with both Lindsay and Catherine."

Dude, I think you mean, 'either' instead of 'both'.

 

Sean asks his family to help him decide. Mom steps up to bat and tells him that it has to be the most exciting thing for him. If his heart isn't totally sure, then he shouldn't be proposing.

He kind of shrugs and asks for her support. His complacency brings her to tears. She tells him. “If you can't decide which girl, then you can't propose.”

Sean's mom seems so sensible. How did he end up on this kind of show...twice?

He's so clueless. Also, he doesn't know which girl to marry.

We get to see Sean and Lindsay on their last date on the river. She says, “I love you. I really do...so much.”

He says, “I know you do.” And then they make out.

He's so charming. NOT.

ZOMG! The date continues and the silly talk and puppy dog eyes are enough to put me in a coma. Lindsay tells him, “We have all the stuff that's important in a marriage.”

Lindsay is a teacher, remember? I bet she teaches 'stuff'.

She tells him that she's super nervous and doesn't know what she'd do if she lost him. She asks him what he's thinking.

Sean gives her the reassuring comment, “You look pretty tonight.”

She confides to the camera, “When he kisses me, it's so reassuring. That's why we're always kissing because that's how he tells me how he feels.”

Or...

Sean walks through the lush green landscape in his purple t-shirt and greets Catherine. He let's us in on the secret that he's looking for a sign.


They ride an elephant down a hillside.

I'm not sure if he's noticed, but Catherine is also wearing a purple shirt. That could be a sign.

They have drinks and he brings up what it will be like for them to be old and remembering this trip. Catherine lets us know that she isn't the kind of girl who can say, 'I love you' easily.

There's another thing you have in common with Sean.

The date carries on to Catherine's hotel room where, surprise, they start drinking.

Also, she's wearing a black lace shirt and he's wearing a black t-shirt. There's another sign.

Sean gushes about how awesome the elephant date was. Catherine monologues about being comfortable and how she's usually more guarded. Then there is talk about family, and how she knows being with him will make her life better.

Aw.

Sean gives her his usual ambiguous answer, but it seemed more genuine than when he was with Lindsay.

Finally at the end of the evening, Catherine tells Sean she loves him. He takes a deep breath, presses his forehead to hers and he says, “Thank you for today.”

She tells us, “This is painful.”

Amen, sister. I'm the one blogging, at least you get a trip.

Catherine is exasperated. “I can't get anything out of him! I'm putting everything on the line and he's giving me nothing.”

Said every contestant on this show...ever.

There are several shots of Sean wandering around with only a towel on. He tells us he's made up his mind. “There's one woman I know I can't live without.”

Cue the ring guy.
 
Sean gets on his tux and waits for his bride.

Lindsay is crying from joy because the day she's wanted forever has finally arrived.

Catherine is nervous and knows she loves Sean, but she doesn't feel the same from him.

ABC drags this one out for two more commercial breaks folks.
 


Sean waits by the water with ONE rose. Only one, you got that people?

The black car pulls up and the Host lets out Lindsay. She has a voice over, “Today is the best day of my life. Today is the day I get engaged.”

Sean starts by telling her that she's been such a surprise and he's amazed at her strength, her courage, her generosity...then he swallows and says, “This is the toughest thing I've ever had to do.”

Her face finally figures it out. She lets go of his hand. He keeps talking and she starts to blink back the tears while her eyes dart around, looking for a weapon. Then he puts salt in the wound by telling her that he does love her.

She makes him stop, then asks the worst question ever, “Is it me?”

Nothing gets resolved. She is amazingly composed for someone so giggly. “I'm happy you found love,” she says. “I don't know how to go on without you in my life, but I'll have to figure that out for myself.”

Sniffing away his tears, Sean makes his way back to the wharf. Meanwhile, Lindsay breaks down in the car. “I just want to grow old with somebody and have a family.”

The Host joins Sean and gives him an envelope from Catherine. ABC has led us to believe that this is a good-bye letter, but it's all lovely and happy. Not at all like the chick she was last night. It was signed 'you have my heart.'

I guess we know whose the romantic one in the family.

Catherine arrives gorgeous and glowing in a gold dress. Sean takes her hand and begins 'the speech'. He finally comes up with a great line, “I miss you every time we say good-bye. I don't want to say good-bye anymore.” Then he gets down on one knee and the orchestra starts to play.


He asks and she says yes. And they ride off into the sunset on an elephant.
What the heck is the rest of the show about? There's still ANOTHER HOUR!

The rest of the show is about showing off Catherine and Sean in front of a live studio audience. And ZOMG! It looks like she's wearing the same dress Lindsay wore when she met Sean's family.

The Host asks them to talk about stuff, and frankly I'm not sure how the past contestants ladies, can stand it. Sorry, folks this is good night, my work is done.






 

Monday, 11 March 2013

Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 16, "The Miller's Daughter"


Or Better Title, "It's Miller Time."

The village miller is a layabout who relies heavily on his teenage daughter to run the family business. She's supposed to look poor, but there's about three hundred dollars worth of filler in those lips.

examiner.com
Anyway, the poor but glamorous miller's daughter delivers flour to the castle where she is tripped by a snotty royal. They all laugh as the King makes her bow and apologize. She tells the King her name is Cora.

Faster than magic, Emma, Baefire, Henry and Mr. Gold have stolen Hook's ship and are sailing from New York back to Storybrooke.

The ridiculousness of this makes me want to drink. "Hey, it's Miller time!" 

Because they've used a phone tap, the Mayor and Cora listen in as David relays the above mentioned gang to Mary Margaret.
 

rickey.org
As Rumpelstiltskin's name slowly fades from the dagger, Cora realizes that he's dying and if he dies all the power of the Dark One vanishes. She comes up with a plan to stab Mr. Gold so she can be the next Dark One.

The Mayor gets the shivers and brings up the fact Henry may not want to have the Dark One as a grandmother. Finally she asks Cora, “What was is all the point of this?”

I ask myself that every episode. *takes a sip of beer*

Cora vows to never bow down to anyone again.

There is a masked ball at the castle, and young Cora sneaks in. She quickly finds the Prince and charms him with her puffy lips. Before he can fall in love, the King takes her aside and calls her out as the Miller's daughter. He picks a piece of straw from her gown to prove his point.

Everyone knows that straw makes flour. *takes another sip*

She quickly tells him she can spin straw to gold....and well, you know the rest. If she can produce gold after one night while locked in the high tower, the King promises her the Prince's hand in marriage.

David and Mary Margaret meet Mr. Gold and the gang on the docks. She takes the opportunity to let everyone know she plans on killing Cora. David reminds her that she can't commit murder since she has the purest heart.
 
tumblr.com

Cora stands in a room full of straw trying to come up with a plan. A giggle from the corner announces Rumpelstiltskin. She argues with the little flecked dude until he spins her some gold. He tempts her with a contract to hand over her first born child. But Cora senses an opportunity and she asks him to teach her his dark magic instead.

Mr. Gold is back at his shop instructing everyone on how to keep the shop magically protected. Mary Margaret finds the 'death candle' that can save someones life if another dies. He tells her it's for a rainy day. He proposes that she use the candle to save him and kill Cora.

But it's not that easy, she has to say it over Cora's heart (which isn't in her chest but hidden somewhere) and then the heart has to be thrust back into her cavity, so she can slowly die.

Okay. Got that? Me neither. *takes a sip*

Mary Margaret rebuts back that she could take Cora's heart and thereby control her to do good things while she lets Mr. Gold die. He chuckles and says she'd never let Henry's grandfather die.

Why not? David is his other grandfather. *takes a sip*

Gold convinces Emma she has the ability to cast a spell and protect the shop. And yup, just like that she does it.

Back in the tower, Rumpelstiltskin shows young Cora how to spill straw into gold by harnessing all her hatred for the royal family and how they made her bow down. The next morning, the King is amazed by Cora's ability. The Prince proposes and she accepts while Rumpelstiltskin watches from the crowd.
 



Inside Mr. Gold's shop things start to get rocky when Cora and the Mayor stand outside doing their best flame throwing. They burst through the front door, like the evil tag team champs they are. Mary Margaret takes this opportunity to sneak out the back.

A battle of tossing people through the air and purple smoke ensue for a few minutes. David is tossed out of the shop. Emma and Baefire manage to battle them off and put up a barrier. Cora starts to feel weak. She tells the Mayor to get to her vault of hearts speedy quick.

Young Cora is dressed in her wedding finery. Rumpelstiltskin arrives and they kiss (ew) and make a deal. She wants to learn all the dark magic and promises to run away with him and give him his own son.

Mary Margaret finds Cora's heart among dozens of other chests. How does she know it's hers?

Not important. *takes a sip*

She lights the death candle over the heart and...and...whispers, "Cora".

Princess Cora meets with the King who is busy counting all his new gold.

The King was in the parlor counting all his money.

She tells him she doesn't love his son. He says, “Love is weakness. You have a choice. Run off with the dark imp, or stay with my son and wear a crown on your head with the kingdom at your feet.”

Things that make you go, 'hmm?'

Emma and Baefire can see that Mr. Gold is dying. He begs Emma for her cell phone and calls Belle (still in the mental ward) to let her know he's dying. He gushes for awhile about how awesome she is and how she made him a changed man.

The love is all around the room as Mr. Gold apologizes to Baefire and Emma holds back the tears. Finally the dudes hug.

The Mayor catches Mary Margaret with Cora's heart. Mary Margaret offers it to the Mayor saying Cora will love her properly if she has her heart back. “The choice is yours," she tells the Mayor. "You'll have a mother that can love you with her whole heart, or you can have Cora become the Dark One.”

Rumpelstiltskin meets Princess Cora in the moonlight. He senses things have changed. She tells him she didn't rip out the Kings heart and has decided to marry the Prince instead of running away with him.

Instead, she took out her own heart and now carries it around in a box, 'cause that's the way she rolls now.

Rumpelstiltskin is aghast (I love that word).

David finds Mary Margaret outside the tomb with her head in her hands mumbling about how horrible she has become.

Cora finally breaks through the barrier and rushes to the back of Mr. Gold's shop. She whisks Emma and Baefire to the woods and sits with him for a chat about love and ripping out hearts. She looks at him longingly and says, “You're the only man I've only ever truly loved.”

She raises the dagger to stab him, but then crumples to the floor. There is a gasp, then she starts to smile. Laughing, she looks at the Mayor who is blushing in the corner from the surprise heart transplant attack.

Princess Cora presents her baby daughter, Regina to the court and watches with satisfaction as the court bows down. Kind of reminds of The Lion King...
 


Cora collapses into the Mayor's arms and dies. Mary Margaret rushes in with a warning but it's too late. Mr. Gold stands up fully healed, the dagger now emblazoned with his name again. The Mayor does the math and realizes Mary Margaret tricked her.

Cue the revenge music.

Oh, the humanity. *finishes beer*

 

Monday, 4 March 2013

The Bachelor Season 17, Episode 9, "The Women Tell All"

Or Better Title, "The Women All Cry."

 
Each of the past contestants sit in front of a live studio audience to finish the fights they started on the show. One by one the girls sit with the Host to 'vent' their feelings.
 
insidetv.ew.com

It's Tierra time! She tell us she's now engaged and has an obnoxiously huge diamond.

*cough* fake *cough*

Something seems to be missing though...oh right, she forgot her sparkle at home. Here's her best crazy quote of the night to one of the many girls who still hate her, “I'm not calling you a liar, I'm saying that you lied.”

Dear Tierra,

This is a prime time family show, keep that eyebrow under control!

Love ABC

 

The Host brings Sarah up to the stage where she has to watch her last farewell on the huge monitor. That was such an awkward dumping scene. She barely gets three seconds into her montage before the tears started. So she's crying on tape, and she's crying on stage.

She explains being let go by Sean was like him saying, “You're great, but you're not good enough for me.”

Dear Sarah,

We prefer the term, 'rose ceremony'.

Love ABC

Desiree is up next. And we're treated to even MORE past video shots of them making out. How do the other girls feel about having to watch this? Can you say, 'salt in the wound?'

Desiree cries on stage as she watches herself cry in the limo. But she pulls it together and tells the Host, “I didn't expect to fall for Sean, so that was a huge surprise. Next time I won't let my thoughts get the best of me.”

Dear Desiree,

I can understand how your thoughts would confuse you, they confuse me, too. Also, you signed up for a show where the guy might propose at the end.

Love ABC


AshLee arrives with her new blond extensions. Again the other girls are treated to shots of AshLee making out with Sean. Then finally the crushing good bye scene. She confidently says, “Okay this guy doesn't want me, I have to move on.”


Dear AshLee,

Moving on means not showing up for 'The Women Tell All' show.

Love ABC

Sean is brought out to the stage and the audience of women scream like he's Sheriff Graham. Sensing they need some conflict to make things interesting, The Host invites AshLee to join them. Sean gives her a warm hug and compliments her on her hair, which secretly means, “You're hotter than I remember.”


Awesome hair is the best revenge.

Sean tells her she was always the front runner for him, except he needed someone who could create a family with lots of laughing. And sadly, AshLee doesn't make him laugh enough.

AshLee confronts him about all the future talk they did the night before the rose ceremony. He replies, “The only way you'll understand if you're in the same situation.”

Then she drops a bombshell that he told her he had 'nothing going on' with the other two girls. There's lots of oohs from the audience. Sean turns fire engine red and denies EVER saying that to her. 

Dear Sean,

Man up, dude.

Love ABC

We're treated to some off camera dialogue between AshLee and Sean. He still denies what he said, but there is definitely some chemistry still there.

We are forced to watch the stupid blooper reel. My favorite was when Sean couldn't open the bottle of wine and AshLee had to take it from him and do it herself.

You'd think with the amount of wine consumed during the show, he'd be able to do it with his teeth.

At this point I stopped watching, sorry. The Host was promising more footage of Sean kissing the last two while he teases us with details that he's maybe engaged and definitely thinking about falling in love. Definitely.





 

Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 15, “The Queen Is Dead” or better title, “Or Something Like That."


A young Snow White approaches her mother, the Queen, super excited about her upcoming royal birthday. The Queen promises to give her a gift that was once her grandmother's and will now be passed down to her.

When Snow White and the Queen enter her room they catch one of the servants trying on a tiara.

blogzap2it.com
It's Mrs. Padmore from Downton! Hi Mrs. Padmore!

But the Queen insists on calling her Johanna.

Snow White chastises Johanna, but the Queen Mother steps in and demands that Snow apologize. Then there's a long speech about how she has to rule the kingdom with kindness and goodness in her heart...or something like that.

Suddenly the Queen Mother collapses and Johanna runs to fetch Carson.

Mary Margaret and David argue over the fact that she doesn't want to celebrate her birthday, mumbling something about a curse.

OMG! That again! I'm so sick of everyone blaming the curse.

There's a present left anonymously for Mary Margaret, and it's the tiara. The card is signed from Johanna.

When David arrives at the Sheriff's station he finds Schmexy waiting for him!!

Just kidding.

Hook is there instead. He easily knocks David out—he's so manly he only needs one hand, and steals his set of keys. Hook searches the office like a madman, unlocking every cabinet.

Actually he opens one drawer and finds exactly what he wants—his hook.

hypable.com
 

Mary Margaret finds Johanna gardening in front of her home. Johanna explains how she saw the tiara in Mr. Gold's shop and just had to get it for her birthday. They talk about flowers and how Snow White was named after a flower that bloomed even in the harshest weather, because she was born during a snow storm...or something like that.

The both hear something and Mary Margaret takes off into the woods. She spies Cora and the Mayor digging in random spots, in search of Rumpelstiltskin's dagger. The Mayor is frustrated because Hook's map is magical and only he can read it properly.

Cora eases the frustration and explains that her magic will fix the map. It will only take some more time, but it will be worth it when they can use the dagger to make The Dark One kill anyone they want.

Dear ABC,

Isn't it convenient they went over their diabolical plan AGAIN, right at the exact moment Mary Margaret stumbled upon them?

Mary Margaret runs speedy quick to the Sheriff's office just as David starts to wake up. She explains the two most evil and powerful woman in the village are looking for the most powerful and evil weapon.

This is their plan; Mary Margaret is going to convince the Mayor NOT to trust her mother.

Huh?

Back in New York, Henry starts bonding with his dad, Neil while Emma and Mr. Gold lurk close behind feeling like a couple of lost causes.

Mr. Gold gives us his quote of the show, “The people who are the closest to us, are the ones capable of hurting us the most.”

So true. Especially if the one who is closest to you keeps giving you nuggies.

Mr. Gold keeps nettling Emma to convince Neil to return back to Storybrooke. She gives him a line about trying to protect Henry. Mr. Gold calls her out and says she's still in love with Baelfire...um Neil.

Mary Margaret tricks the Mayor into visiting her at Granny's pub/laundromat/diner under the guise of the latest news about Henry. Mary Margaret confronts her about her forest activities with dear ole' mom, and tries to convince her that Cora doesn't care about helping her get custody of Henry.

The Mayor isn't buying it. She throws out a snide remark about mother's who die.

 
 

Little Snow White stays at her mother's bedside and suggests her birthday ball should be cancelled until her mother is feeling better. The palace doctor exchanges glances with Johanna and Snow White picks up that things aren't looking that good.

She takes Johanna aside and begs her for help. Johanna whispers that since the doctor is clueless that maybe this would be a good time to consult the Queen's very secret, very mysterious magical consultant.

Apparently there's a fairy that only grants wishes to those who are true of heart...or something like that.

Cleavage warning.

Emma casually brings up Storybrooke to Neil. He refuses to return, but then confesses he has something to tell her.

Henry bursts between them, spoiling the moment. He and Neil go up to his apartment to get his camera for there latest New York tourist activity, while Emma and Mr. Gold wait downstairs.

Suddenly, without any warning, like totally by surprise, Hook jumps out from nowhere and attacks Mr. Gold, piercing his heart with his hook, his enchanted hook.

Dear ABC,

If Hook gets Mr. Gold's enchanted heart, then he controls him...right? Why didn't Cora do this instead of digging up the whole forest?

But before he can rip out his heart, Emma knocks Hook out with a trashcan.

Neil races into the scene! He looks at the unconscious pirate with disgust, remembering when his Mother ran away with Hook. The sight of Mr. Gold dying warms Neil's own heart and he takes his Papa back up to his apartment for some first aid.
 



After Emma locks up Hook in the utility closet, she finds Neil hovering over Mr. Gold, pressing a bandage to his chest and talking craziness about hospitals and emergency departments.

But Mr. Gold puts the kibosh on that plan, since Hook's hook (it sounds funny but it's true) was covered in poison and the antidote is only available in Fairy Tale Land.

How will they get back?

Emma mentions Hook's map and figures he sailed to Storybrooke. Neil coughs up to volunteer as captain and sail his Papa back for the cure.

Wow, that was easy.

David and Mary Margaret rush to the Head Nun's house (aka Blue Fairy) and beg for her to use her magic to find the dagger before Cora gets her hands on it. Mary Margaret says, “Please Mother Superior, you're our only hope.”

Dear ABC,

Why does that line sound familiar?


 
 

Little Snow White goes into the woods in search of the Blue Fairy. She finds her without too much effort but is upset when the Blue Fairy, in all her over the top Las Vegas cleavage, tells her that fairy magic is the most pure of magic and using it to extend a life would darken it...or something like that.

 


But the Blue Fairy lets it slip that there is a way to help using a magic that is dire for fairies to use and she makes the little princess promise NOT to tell anyone.

Remember the last time someone trusted little Snow White with a secret?

The Blue Fairy gives Snow White a candle infused with magic. But all magic comes with a price; in order for the Queen to live, someone else must give up theirs, and it's up to Snow White to decide.

Yikes! She's like twelve.

Snow White realizes the Queen wouldn't be too keen on this, and she refuses the candle.

Okay, that was a waste.
 
Emma gets a text from David. She tells Mr. Gold he has to tell her where he's hidden the dagger so they can get it first before Cora. He refuses, but then she plays the, 'you better start trusting your family,' card.

Mother Superior can't get into Mr. Gold's shop, her magic is too pure and weak...or something like that.

Mary Margaret asks her to use dark magic and give her a 'wink-wink-nudge-nudge.' But the Blue Fairy has no clue what she's talking about. Before this conversation can continue, David's phone rings. It's Emma! And she knows where the dagger is.

Little Snow White rushes to her mother's bedside and confesses about her foray into forest and her unwillingness to kill someone else in order to save her mother's life.

The Queen says she's proud of Snow White and that as long as she holds the spirit of goodness in her heart, she will always be with her. Then she takes her last breath as the violins play and the tears flow.


David and Mary Margaret find the dagger hidden behind the town clock. Cora and the Mayor appear in a plume of purple smoke. Before Mary Margaret can say, “Ha! Good always beats evil,” Cora snaps her fingers and a very confused Johanna is summoned. The Mayor does the chest punch trick and turns to Mary Margaret with Johanna's enchanted heart in her fist.

Quick! Ring for Carson!!!

Once again, there is a choice of one life over another.

Johanna puts the tiara on little Snow White, all dressed in black. She tells her to buck up and be the leader the Queen always wanted her to grow into.

Where the heck is the King during all this?

Little Snow White gives her mother a final good-bye. After the funeral, the Blue Fairy flies into the empty room. In a swirl of purple smoke, she turns into Cora.

Cora saunters up to the tomb and explains to the Queen's corpse (and us) that she poisoned her on purpose and tried to trick Snow White into using black magic. However, she will not give up and promises to turn Snow White's good soul into a dark one.

Mary Margaret begs for Johanna's life. Cora says one sentence about the Queen wanting her to be good. Mary Margaret uses her inner Scooby-Doo and figures out it was Cora who pretended to be the Blue Fairy, and it was Cora who poisoned her mother.

Cora smiles with a shrug and says it was all done so that Regina could be Queen. This is news to the Mayor, but she keeps her cool and demands the dagger.

David whispers, “No, Mary Margaret we can still win.”

Why doesn't she just throw the dagger at Cora's eyeball?

Mary Margaret drops the dagger. The Mayor gives Johanna a heart transplant and she runs to Mary Margaret's arms. Cora scoops up the dagger, then with a whip of her wand, sends Johanna through the clock window to her death on the pavement below.

Way to go Mary Margaret.

Cora and the Mayor return to her house where it's the Mayor's turn to impersonate Scooby-Doo. She monologues about how her mother orchestrated the meeting of Snow White on the runaway horse knowing that the King would be lonely and looking for a new wife.


 
Then she asks what they'll do about Henry once Mary Margaret blabs about the nasty business with Johanna. But Cora is cooler than the Grinch as she caresses the dagger, “Don't worry my dear,” she says. “My interests are in line with yours. The others will soon be an unfortunate memory and Henry will be yours.”
 

Neil and Emma hustle down the sidewalk. He's about to hot wire a car for their road trip back to Storybrooke when a beautiful woman rushes up and hugs him, acting all concerned since he told her he had to leave town quickly.

That's his big secret? He has a girlfriend!

Emma looks awkward and crumbles when Neil introduces her to his fiance.

That's his big secret? He has a fiance!

Mary Margaret and David stand over Johanna's grave (wow that was fast!) and do some deep soul searching. Good versus evil...blah, blah, blah.

Mary Margaret has had enough, “No more lives wasted. No more hearts broken!”

Um...okay. Got a plan?

David interrupts her pep talk with news about the nasty dagger and making sure they get it back before Mr. Gold returns to Storybrooke. Then Mary Margaret vows to kill Cora...or something like that.

Game on.


Stuff I Liked

1. Mary Margaret's various tam and big scarf combos. Also the plaid pea coat in the last scene was super sweet.

2. A lot of stuff happened.

3. Mrs. Padmore!


Stuff I Didn't Like

1. Everyone figured everything out faster than a mind reader.

2. Mrs. Padmore died.

3. The Sheriff didn't return.





Who is going to die next? And where the heck is Rapunzel?

 
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