Once Upon a Time REACTION - S02E14 - Manhattan

If I've told you once, I've told you twice... Once Upon a Time's twists are phenomenal and there are so many you just don't see coming. I really liked this episode a lot, because there were so many big reveals and it leaves you sitting there staring at the screen with your mouth wide open, wondering what on earth just happened? Now... I believe I've mentioned this before, but I'm not a really a fan of Neal's character for a few reasons, some being more biased than others, but I won't get into all that. However, that being said... I really did love how Neal turned out to be not only Henry's father, like we knew about from this season's episode Tallahassee, but also Gold's son as well. I should have realized he would be right away upon seeing that Mr. Gold brought Emma and Henry to New York City to find his son, as we knew from Tallahassee that Neal also lived there. Another hell of a coincidence. However, I didn't see this reveal coming. I know you said you thought the reveal was obvious, but you say it's because we see Neal in the beginning of season two when he receives a post card, we learn later on to be from August. But in Tallahassee, we find out that this guy from the very beginning is Emma's boyfriend, and not Gold's son. It's clear Neal knew about magic when August reveals what's inside the box, but that still could have meant he could have been anyone from the Enchanted Forest. So this reveal that Neal is also Gold's son for me wasn't so obvious. However, speaking of coincidences... I really liked Neal's explanation to Emma about them, and fate, and how they both wonder if Emma meeting and falling in love with Neal those eleven years ago was somehow fate that wanted to see them together, in order to set in motion Emma becoming the Savior and her and Henry becoming the tools Gold would use to help him find his son after so many years. I liked their talk. I also completely understood Emma's anger towards Neal, as well as her fear for wanting Henry to know the truth about Neal too. Next... Rumple and Baelfire are finally reunited after centuries, which means there are more big revelations to come. And what a reunion! I can also understand Neal's anger towards his father too. Rumple did promise his son he would never abandon him, and yet when his own fear of becoming powerless once again overpowered him, he did abandon him after all. And then... one of the first things Gold tells to Neal after being reunited with him again, is that together they can have power. Once again, Gold shows that he still has his lust for power that Neal knows his father loves more than even him. I can't blame Neal for refusing to want to be a part of his life. Also... I really loved the backstory with Rumple before he was the Dark One, and the Seer. I thought she was a brilliant character and very creepy, especially with her eyes being within the palms of her hands. And I love how her first big prophecy, that Rumple's actions on the battlefield would leave his son fatherless, came to pass because he attempted to save himself from being killed in battle, then became a coward, causing Milah to leave him and him to abandon his son by fearing becoming powerless after he became the Dark One. And then, years later after Rumple does become the Dark One, he finds the Seer again and as Rumple kills her, the path of Rumple finding Regina to cast his curse that would eventually lead him to finding Henry, therefore Emma, and finally Neal was set in motion, and the final revelation being that Henry would one day be Rumplestiltskin's undoing. After which Rumple proclaims that he will kill this boy to save himself. Will Rumple really go so far as to kill his own grandson? Just wait and see. :) Oh... and I also really loved the brief scenes between Emma and Mary Margaret, then Mary Margaret with David too. Yes... what a complicated family tree they have, but really cool nonetheless. What a Thanksgiving dinner they would have. :) And lastly... Hook was betrayed by Cora once again, after he deciphered the map that led to his dagger for them. I agree with you that Cora's a real witch who deserves to die. She makes me so mad. And foolishly, Regina is still caught up in her mother's web. I liked these scenes between Hook, Regina, and Cora too. Overall... this episode isn't one of my favorites from this season, but it is really good, and it certainly does have a good twist. I am so happy to have gotten another great reaction for Once Upon a Time from you. Thank you so very much! I can't wait for your reaction for the next episode!! So, until next time...

Heidi Elizabeth Marcum