Однажды в сказке Save Henry (2011–2018) Online

Admittedly, I am awfully hard on this series, and episodes like this are the reason why. For a long time, it seemed only Robert Carlyle could put on a good performance, but Lana Parrilla, who plays Regina, decided to prove me wrong this episode. You see, as we close the Neverland chapter and return home, we are reminded why Regina is such a complicated villain.

To begin, let's talk about the early years of Storybrooke. In the episode we jump back 11 years and Regina has basically won. Snow doesn't have Charming and so it seems Regina has it all. However, with her father gone, she basically has no one, not even The Huntsman who I thought was her lover at one time. So, with memories of Owen still in her head, she goes off to Rumplestiltskin to find herself a child. Naturally though, without it being considered a favor strangely, he sets things up for Regina and there is Henry.

Now, the reason why I loved this whole back-story of how Regina met Henry, was because they have already made Regina a laughable villain, and have since strung her along with other people's stories. In "Save Henry" though, we are reminded not just that without Henry, Regina has nothing, but also she is the one parent amongst all the main cast who has really stuck with their child. Take into consideration: Henry's lineage is filled with abandoned children who suffered without their parents. His mother was abandoned from birth to save her; his father was abandoned by both of his parents, one for Hook and the other for power; and then his grandfather was abandoned for youth. So, taking note of that, in a way Henry broke a curse. For generations each member was abandoned and lived horrid lives because of it, but though Henry was abandoned like the rest of his forefathers, he found himself a nice home. Albeit, with a woman who killed her own father for revenge, but when you get to the heart of the matter, Regina has never gotten over the man she lost, due to Snow and her mother, and Henry has been the closest thing to replacing him.

As for everyone else, other sweet moments come. The Lost Boys betray Pan at the thought of returning to their families, and as we watch Wendy and Regina be kind to Tinkerbell, it is hard not to get teary eyed. Then of course you have Rumple and his son having a moment which continues the water works, and there is a nice moment between Emma and her family as well. Naturally though, the show doesn't end with a happy ending, in fact I would say what the writers did almost potentially ruined the episode.

You see, unfortunately Peter Pan loses in such a way where it really does decimate him. They injured the great character badly in the last episode by making him Rumplestiltskin father, and then kill him off so quickly that only nostalgia keeps him a credible villain as of now. But, that isn't even the worst part. For whatever reason, the writers have decided to keep Pan around in a new form, and unfortunately the person's form he took on was the one character who has been a liability since the first season: Henry.

Making so, overall, while the majority of the episode was good, outside how they sort-of wrote off Pan, unfortunately it seems like a lack of ideas for the next villain will lead "Save Henry" to being a peak before the show descends back into being mediocre. But, with this episode existing, it shows there remains an ability to have it where not just one actor has a good performance and everyone else struggles with a horrible story. And with that, there remains hope for this viewer, but I don't know how long that hope may last.

When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.

"Save Henry" is for me one of Season 3's best episodes (coming from someone who liked to loved all the previous Season 3 episodes as well), the best since the season opener, and one of the best early season and 'Once Upon a Time' overall episodes. It is one of the finest examples of a 'Once Upon a Time' episode that has everything that makes 'Once Upon a Time' the addictive show that it is and what it's all about.

Like as was said with "Think Lovely Thoughts", "Save Henry" sees plot points advanced, new ideas introduced with huge potential and deeper characterisation. Was very emotionally involved with Regina's story here, mothers will relate to her situation and even those that don't have children will find it resonating with them.

Regina's development is a revelation. Here she is so much more than a villain with a want for vengeance, but a sympathetic figure with a maternal side that is portrayed very poignantly. Her flashback scenes and how Henry came to be adopted are some of the most illuminating for any character of Season 3 and of 'Once Upon a Time' up to this point.

Other than Regina, her development and also Rumplestiltskin's role and chemistry (Rumple fans will be squealing with delight, he once again demonstrates why he has consistently been one of the show's most interesting, entertaining and best characters), the highlight of "Save Henry" is one of the show's most shocking cliff-hangers which had me completely floored.

Don't have any performances to fault, cannot get enough of Robert Carlyle or Robbie Kay while Jared Gilmore is much better here than he was in the previous episode thanks to better material. The best performance thought comes from a truly masterly Lana Parrilla, like Carlyle she is always consistently great and more but this displays some of her best acting in the role.

It's a well-paced episode, with a lot happening without being over-crowded and with enough breathing space without being draggy or padded.

Furthermore, "Save Henry" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme. Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue.

In summation, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox