OUAT 2.16 "The Miller's Daughter"

(Why do I always get migraines on OUAT night? Ah well, it's faded enough to write some sort of synopsis...)

Actually I've been writing lots of thoughts on tumblr, but I'm going to try to pull them all into one post here.

Spoilers beware.

I've always loved the story of Rumplestiltskin. I think it had to do with all the spinning - I've been obsessed with spinning wheels since a young age, and got my own for my 10th birthday. There also was a picture book that altered the tale by making the king greedy and awful and Rumple convinced the miller's daughter that he would be a great father, and she was like "who needs a king? I'll marry this great dad material!" and then they had a daughter who could also spin gold who later defeated the greedy king. (You can buy the book here - it's awesome!)

Anyhow, I wonder if the OUAT writers read this book, because there certainly are some similar elements, in terms of the Cora/Rumple relationship. Until Cora chooses power over love, and rips out her own heart so it won't get in the way, that is.

Of course we're left with her marrying fifth-in-line to the throne, Prince Henry, who may or may not be brother/related to future Snow's father, Leopold. If so, that means Regina ends up marrying her own uncle...? More likely Leopold is from another country. He and Snow, after all, seem to have been traveling a ways when they reach Regina's manor for the pivotal rescue.

How does Cora go from naming her child "Regina" (queen), to living in relative isolation in a country manor? I mean they can afford nice clothes and horses and stuff, but they're not living as fifth-in-line to the throne people should. Well actually, if the other heirs had children that would have pushed Henry down to 10th, 15th, 20th, who knows what place. I mean look at England. Queen Elizabeth's fourth child would have, at one time, been third in line for the throne, and now he's so far away from it, he needs a telescope to see it.

Still, it's more dramatic to imagine that Eva got Cora banished before she did some growing up of her own and became the wise and kind woman we saw in last week's episode.

What is confirmed is that Rumple is NOT Regina's father. Which is rather a relief, as that would have been really crazy.

In Storybrooke things are rather more messy... highlights of the ep were Henry and Neal sailing the ship, Rumple and Belle's phone conversation, Rumple and Neal's semi-reconciliation, and Emma's use of magic. (several people have pointed out that Rumple teaches Emma to use magic relying on positive feelings - the exact opposite of what he taught Cora.)

And then there's Snow and the candle. Which, really, who didn't see that coming? After everything Cora did to Snow, it makes so much sense. I mean, she basically taught Snow how to kill her. Really, Cora, you didn't see that one coming? But of course it leaves Regina with a pretty severe vendetta. Although lets be fair and realize that if Regina hadn't been manipulated into returning Cora's heart, she likely would not have been there to see that look of pure love on her mother's face.

There's lots of interesting stuff coming. The game has changed... OUAT has proven that they're not afraid to raise the stakes.

But what I want to know is why no one bothered to research how to use a spinning wheel. Cora is pulling thread out of the wheel... in reality you feed the materials into a wheel. Unless this is some strange wheel that doesn't work at all how it looks...