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"The Apprentice"
Episode Review
A Rumplestiltskin backstory at last!!! "The Apprentice" introduced us to Anna's story with Rumple, a real date between Emma and Hook, and some long-awaited info about the sorcerer's hat. Did it make for a good episode?
In my opinion, "The Apprentice" is by far the best episode that has aired in season 4. As I had hoped, the Frozen storyline was trimmed WAY down, making way for a main character, who so far had been few and far between. Elsa and the Snow Queen were only showed for a few seconds each, and the backstory wasn't silly or overpoweringly Disney-ified like they sometimes have been. Instead, she gave a frank and sensitive performance, tying into another storyline that hadn't been picked up since the premiere. It was also great to have impish Rumplestiltskin back, and although I don't understand Mr. Gold at the moment (more on that below) it was nice to have the smooth and clever dealer return. I love it when Rumple is on top and brilliantly weaving deals, something that has not been as common in Storybrooke since he's been through quite the emotional ringer in both season 2 and 3, not to mention having traveled to several worlds at the same time.
The beginning scene was possibly my favorite, with the unexpected return to Zoso, the previous Dark One before Rumplestiltskin. He sneaks inside to steal the box, carefully guarded by the Sorcerer's Apprentice. I like the storyline that it only can reopen when it is "recharged" with enough magic. Could that be how it absorbs enough power - by powerful beings like the Dark One trying to open it? From what the apprentice said, many other Dark Ones before Zoso have tried. Does it somehow draw them in?
Although it was nice to see Rumplestiltskin back to outwitting people based on his wisdom in people's characters, Anna seemed to overpower him rather easily, something that he always had avoided in other stories, except maybe when he changed the deal with Cora. But I guess we can cross her off the list of being in Rumple's cellar, since he's not allowed to touch her. So where is she? The Snow Queen is at the top of my suspect list.
I also liked that we moved the story up with Elsa's parents aboard the ship, and how Anna came to know the truth. Anna played a cheerful and sweet part, mostly good but struggling with darkness, even if it's for the people that she loves. On another note, I'm SO GLAD Hook didn't keep two hands for long! Kind of seems like an identity loss to go from Captain Hook back to Killian Jones. I liked the angle that trying to forget a part of yourself can bring terrible consequences, a subtle theme used on this show. We saw it when Hook tried to return to the man he used to be before the second curse, when Rumple warned Zelena that no one can escape who they really are, and of course, the "We Are Both" speech at season 2. But although reattaching a forgotten piece of yourself bringing out the old side is an interesting idea, why did it happen so fast? Almost immediately Hook turned into a scoundrel.
Speaking of scoundrels, I find it interesting that Gold hasn't been using his cane, just as he left it behind in Neverland when he was embracing his darkness, as he seems to be doing again. My only beef with this episode is Rumple himself. So far I'm just wondering what the heck is going on with my favorite character. For one thing, he admits that the Dark One lies - since when? Rumple has always been completely truthful, just known for twisting words into different meanings. An outright lie has never been his style. And again I must ask, what in the world is the motivation behind the dagger switching? He never would have needed to if all he wanted to do was avenge his son. Right now the hat is his motivation, and he appears to be driven by a thirst for power. The thing is, Rumple has never been driven by power, but always by a much deeper reasoning, which up until now has either been Belle or Bae. But for now, although he has never been a nice guy, he seems devoid of any goodness. And although his battle between good and evil is what makes him one of the most interesting characters, he's seeming to be more mean than cunning. Why is he letting Hook blackmail him when he could just erase his memories or better yet, try to be the man Belle wants him to be? Why is he letting go of all the progress he's made over the past three seasons? The heartfelt promise to be the man Bae died for just 3 episodes ago seems to be forgotten in a desperate search for the hat.
The backstory may have made sense when Rumple wanted to get enough power to get to this world to find Bae, but why is he still trying to get it? His son is gone, and he tells his son in that same graveside scene that his mistake was not realizing how important love and family is. So why is he throwing away the only love in his life for power, something that he always was crippled by in his relationships? What is he seeking by gaining more power - simply to give Belle the real dagger but retain his magic, since he'd be all-powerful? That motivation seems entirely too selfish for the man we know. And speaking of Belle, we've hardly seen her since her honeymoon. I'm not sure why such a intelligent woman wouldn't have major flags going off in her head right about now.
We also received some yawn-worthy moments with the Knave, whom I still have an icy heart about. But the Alice in Wonderland book worried me a bit. PLEASE don't bring anyone else from the spinoff disaster! If that duck-lipped Red Queen enters the picture I'm going to wind her scenes. But we've been assured by the writers that no other characters will be making an appearance from that show, so I'm hoping they don't change their minds!
I'm hoping that eventually that Snow can have more of a storyline. She's been sadly lacking this season, and we miss her. So much of the storyline revolves around hers that having no Snow flashbacks is a little empty. I like the arc with her learning not to hold too tightly even though she wants to see everything she missed, and I hope we see more of that, with a larger arc along with it. She's too good to leave behind, and once she loses the mommy figure maybe we can get some more flashbacks. But at least she provided some comic relief, and it was nice to see Elsa fitting in with a family for once.
The ending was also quite good, with the storybook author trail being continued, and some bonding time with Henry and Mr. Gold. It was cute that he seemed genuinely pleased to open himself up to Henry, something that almost never happens. Maybe Henry will kind of take the place of Neal and become a new motivation for the Dark One, something he seems to be floundering with. I imagine Gold does know something about the book, and I hope Henry can find it. But he may have to make a choice between good and evil, as he has the blood of the Dark One and of the savior, and right now Rumple is probably not a great influence. But Henry has always had an uncanny ability to bring out the good in the worst people, so hopefully he can bring Rumple back to the straight and narrow. Who else could make the Evil Queen into a softie?
All in all, I enjoyed the episode more than any other. I love a good Rumple flashback, particularly with a deal in both parts. I just need some clarification on Gold's motivation, and hopefully with something that won't destroy his character progress. A little backslide is okay, as long as it can be justified. Hopefully more on that next week!