![Picture](/uploads/2/7/3/8/27383753/2672080_orig.png)
"Family Business"
Episode Review
In Sundays' episode, we see that Anna is a pathetic climber, books can be deadly, ice cream trucks are not always fun and games, and the Snow Queen is kind of a jerk. Did it live up to our expectations?
Answer: Yes. "Family Business" was the best episode of this season so far in my opinion. I was glad to see a flashback to Belle, giving us some insight into a main character who is relatively unexplored, especially before her Rumple days. The Snow Queen's plans were laid out, and there were some very nice character moments. Even Oaken made me laugh, being a dead ringer for cartoon character. His "Ya!!" from across the room when Anna talked about him meaning well was pretty hilarious.
We are introduced to Colette, Belle's mother, in this episode. (Another nice Beauty and the Beast shout-out, complete with brown dress! Now all we need is Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth.) Frances O'Conner played the perfect part, being graceful, wise, and smart. It is from her mother that Belle learned to love books, and how she had the courage to become a hero, just as Colette had been. The references back to the Ogres' War was also clever, tying the story in with "Skin Deep." But was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see any more of Colette. It seems strange that such a well-known actress would only be in the episode for the first five minutes, so I've got my fingers crossed that she'll return soon.
I also found Anna less clumsy in this episode, instead making her clever and wary of her suspicious aunt. Her interactions with Kristoff were cute, and she seemed to have good chemistry with Belle. I liked the storyline of Belle trying to regain her memories, and having to choose between something so important to her and a friend in trouble. Good intentions can be marred by a mistake, even among the most noble characters. This also moved Belle into the forefront with an advantage; she is the only other one who remembers Anna and Arendelle, making her a valuable player and hopefully giving her a bigger story arc based on it. The Snow Queen was particularly chilling in this episode, with a very distorted view of love. Like the Evil Queen, Ingrid seems to believe that love can be forced, not earned. Hence the reason it's probably always eluded her. Her stalker collection of Emma's things and her mission to wipe everybody out and keep only her "perfect" family was beyond creepy. I like it. It's a very focused mission, a welcome switch from Zelena's fuzzy motivations. It's twisted and different, but also having the potential for a fascinating backstory to explain the Snow Queen's messed-up character.
I was so excited to see a community search project! I love those parts where all the main characters are together in the same scene. I like individual arcs, but I like it best when all the main characters are working together, using their different gifts and snappy one-liners to accomplish a goal. I was glad to have Emma and Regina working together again, and we all had to feel bad for poor Snow when she missed the Snow Queen in the video because she was sadly concentrating on what Emma looked like when she was 13. Aww. We also got a very nice character moment with Regina, urging Robin Hood to fall in love with his wife again in order to save her. It was a big step in her development, and a very well-written and well-played scene.
I particularly liked the part where Belle sees the Snow Queen's mirror, a touchstone to the original fairytale. It was very intriguing, making Belle believe all sorts of mostly untrue things, all bad things about the things she cares most about. This tactic reminds me more of Peter Pan; cleverly using one's own doubts to defeat a person. We also got very nice Rumbelle moments, making us realize just how good and sweet Belle really is. Her remorse over abusing the dagger, hurting Rumple, and not being honest was very touching. She believes in Rumple so completely, making his lies seem much worse. I suppose he wants the sorcerer's hat so as not to be controlled as he was by Zelena; I get that. I still don't get why it's necessary to lie. Insight, please?
The best things about the episode, other than no Will Scarlett (seriously, the episode was SO much better without him), was the tie-in with Rumplestiltskin. Having heard about a powerful sorcerer from Anna, Belle tells her father about Rumple, vowing to help her family no matter the cost of magic. I absolutely love it when something is explained from another far away episode, making the backstory important and sensible.
All in all, I give the episode an 8.5 out of 10. What did you think?