Ill Boding Patterns–part 3 (part 1-2 here and here)
Bullet points are encapsulated scene analysis from the top of each act to the bottom. (each act is bookended by a commercial break)
I hope you’ll indulge in me in just one thing before we get started. After yesterday’s bullet points I was barraged (not unexpectedly ) by people upset because they feel I hate Rumple. I assure you that absolutely nothing could be further from the truth. I love Rumple as a character and Robert Carlyle as an actor. My affection for both is what drives my dissatisfaction with the current storyline.
Listen–I say all the time that reasonable minds can disagree. If you love the current storyline then I say great. Enjoy it. I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is being labeled a hater when I’m the furthest thing from it when it comes to Rumple. So if you’ll indulge me for a second to clarify my position a little…
I think that for the first five seasons of this show Rumple was as layered and nuanced a character as exists on primetime tv. It was refreshing to see someone caught in the eternal struggle between darkness and light who so unapologetically embraced the darkness. A man who knew himself well enough to say nothing is more important to me than the power. Not even love. I like being feared. I am in no way burdened by my conscience. Happily selfish and unrepentant every step of the way.
And Robert Carlyle’s performance was brilliant at every turn. Whether playing the out there Rumple or the understated Gold the characterization remained flawless and unflinching. It wasn’t always easy to watch but it was always spectacular.
In truth, I have no problem with the whole Gideon storyline changing Rumple. How could it not? Especially considering it was all set in motion by his own actions in agreeing to give up his second born child. And using Robert’s storyline to help illuminate Rumple’s was genius. Two men who made irrevocable decisions about the fate of their children and the effects that had not only on their children but on themselves. Beautiful. So to see Rumple make a complete 180 for the sake of his child, just as Robert did (BOING!) I’m here for it.
Well in truth I may not have wanted a full 180 because I like Rumple a little evil so maybe a 270. But still–I have no problem with the change.
What I do have a big problem with is the total retcon in terms of how and why Rumple embraced the darkness. For 2 reasons.
A. It weakens the canon fabric of the show which to me is more unforgivable than anything else. The basic tenets of the story you’re telling need to be sacrosanct because if they aren’t how can the viewer invest emotionally? Twists and turns are fine but they need to stay within the story you’ve been telling all along. No storyline means anything if the past can be discarded on a moment’s notice to fit the future. And to make such a seminal change only to turn around and use a device as cheap as memory tea to try to mitigate it? Sigh.
B. It cheapens the stellar performance Robert Carlyle has given since day one by removing the complicated side of Rumple/Gold and turning him into a man who had no free will in the decision to fully embrace the darkness and reducing 90% of his motivation to sheer cliche. And he deserves better.
So feel free to disagree with me on the storyline but please do both of us a favor and don’t write it off to me simply not liking the character.
And now back to the bullet points.
1. “You think tea with dear old dad is gonna make everything better?”
Very nice foreshadowing here. This being the second time they focused on the tea/thermos they were certainly telegraphing it was going to play an important role.
2. “How can I trust you with the truth when you don’t trust me?”
This line sets up a really interesting exploration into how trust factors into Rumple’s relationship with each of his sons. The level of trust he places in them. The degree to which that trust ends up being misplaced.
There’s a direct compare/contrast set up between Rumple/Gideon and Rumple/Bae here. Not only are these plotlines informing each other this is a case where the latter is actually influencing the former in significant ways.
Tag: Bullet points 6×13
Bullet Points: What Are You Up To?
Ill Boding Patterns–part 2 (part 1 here)
Bullet points are encapsulated scene analysis from the top of each act to the bottom. (each act is bookended by a commercial break)
1. It’s a really bittersweet contrast that OR Robin used to come to the forest to think and Robin 2.0 uses is a place to hide his thieving ways and plot out his next shady move.
Setting this scene in the forest was brilliant. It highlights the fact that the two Robins share more similarities than just looks (seeking refuge at the same spot in the forest for example) while also making it clear that at their core, where it matters, they’re very different.
It’s what’s inside that counts.
BOING!!!!!
2. “Believe it or not this is where the other Robin used to come to think.”
For all Regina’s talk about knowing Robin 2.0 is not the man she used to know she still comes looking for him at the place OR Robin used to come. In terms of Regina the fact that he’s actually there is less important than the fact that that’s where she goes looking.
She knows this man isn’t “her Robin”. They made that very clear in her talk with Snow. Yet she’s still seeking him out, in a very literal sense as well as metaphorical one, hoping he can help her fill the void left by OR Robin.
Sometimes a person sees who they want to see in another person. Not who they really are.
BOING!!!!!
3. It’s very interesting how long Robin keeps his bow in a defensive position even after he realizes the person approaching is Regina. It’s a strong indicator that the box o’ potions is something he’s willing to go to any lengths to keep hold of.
It’s also the first instance we see in this ep of him dropping the pretenses. But not the last.
4. “I might have put pressure on you to be someone you’re not.”
I’m sorry …. might have?
5. The blocking in this scene is very illuminating.
Regina is still making an effort to get closer, though nowhere near as close as in previous eps. The path to him is not clear and smooth, but she’s still putting in the effort, far more halting and hesitant than in previous eps as it might be.
Robin 2.0 rebuffs her first with his bow then with a “No” and the universal hand signal for stop. He’s all about protecting the potion box at this point.
But as soon as Regina calls him out on his hyper-vigilance he shifts gears. Takes several steps towards her. Offers to meet her later. Just generally gives her what he thinks she wants to throw her off the scent.
Not cool, Robin 2.0
6. And just in case they weren’t clear enough about his motivation, we get one final shot focused on the potion box.
Seriously. We got it.
That wasn’t really necessary.
Bullet Points: Secrets and Shiny Things
Ill Boding Patterns–part 1
Bullet points are encapsulated scene analysis from the top of each act to the bottom. (each act is bookended by a commercial break)
1. The scene progression in the Teaser is VERY enlightening. As we know, it gives us the lens through which to view the rest of the episode. It sets up the relevant themes and as always, each scene is informed by and informs, those that come before and after. I’m gonna point that out a little more here than usual because, as I said, in this case it’s fascinating.
And since this was one of the least subtle eps of primetime tv I’ve see in a long time it’s not hard to spot the throughlines.
A hard hat may not be good enough to protect you from the anvils in this one. Fair warning.
BOING!!!!!!
2. Personally I loved Beowulf when I read it both in high school and in college. Yeppers, I was that kid. You’re shocked, aren’t you?
3. I was surprised (in a good way) when I saw they were casting someone to play Beowulf. I mean I figured they weren’t gonna get too deep into the weeds of the actual story, which frankly I don’t blame them for, it’s a little dense for primetime.
But Hrunting the enchanted sword and the overarching them of epic battle were perfect choices to use as illuminators of the current storyline(s)
Nice story choice!
4. The staging of the first part of the scene is spectacular. Lots of moving pieces. People. Noise. Flaming catapult rounds. Wooden spikes. Potential danger is everywhere and a battle is definitely afoot.
They do a very nice job of giving that time to unfold.
And though there are dozens of people going about their business, including a blacksmith, we only “meet” two of them. Beowulf and a poor, hapless foot solider looking for courage in a flask. (From here on out to be referred to a PHF)
cshappybeginning 