An Untold Story

In the second half of this finale, after Belle is taken from Hyde through the portal, Rumple tries to use the Crystal to summon another portal to get her back. However, after discovering the others are trapped in another realm (AGAIN), Regina distracts him by pretending she's back to evil so they both can create the portal & find out where they are while Emma can get the crystal. After he discovers the obvious ruse & reveals he needed a lock of Regina's hair (AKA something close to Zelena) to discover their location, Henry uses the grail to destroy magic at the worst possible time. After meeting with the Dragon (who had survived from being 'killed' by Tamara), they discover that while Henry destroyed the magic Rumple had brought to Storybrooke, there's still magic all around them if they just believe. With that, Henry gets people in New York to help them save his family by creating a portal through wishing in a fountain (I'm not joking), which ends up working despite the public thinking it was all an act. And after Jekyll & Hyde are separated with a serum, Rumple jumps through the portal while nobody's looking & ends up making a deal with Hyde for the ownership of Storybrooke in exchange for information of how & where Belle can be woken up from her curse, leaving the town in danger as Hyde brings everyone else from The Land of Untold Stories along with him. Meanwhile, Regina ends up using the serum from Jekyll to separate her and her Evil Queen self for good, but it turns out in a massive cliffhanger that she has actually survived, is now in control of the Dragon and plans on starting a war against Regina.
I definitely think between this and the first part of the finale, this is the more superior one. I think in terms of action, emotions and story, it is much more interesting to watch, especially with the character development from Regina. While I didn't really like the cheap way of her literally separating from her Evil Queen self to let go of the bad karma, I still thought it was well executed thanks to Lana's acting on both ends of the spectrum with subtlety and hamming it up. But regardless, the scene between her & Rumple over them not being wholly good or evil was a good one for both of them as it shows that she'd still have to.
But despite that, there are quite a few problems I had. Mostly to do with Henry's inconsistencies from one minute believing magic is the source of all their problems & being so determined to get rid of it, to trying to get it back the next once he learns of the consequences of his actions. And the resolution by getting the people of New York to wish in a fountain was honestly the cheesiest & most childish idea the writers could've thought up of. It felt like something out of them after school specials where the message of 'believe in magic' is so hand fisted that it made me bang my head against a wall at how cloying it was. I  get the good intentions behind it & they really tried, but because of the execution & idea of it just left me sniggering in embarrassment. But anyway, one thing I still liked involving Henry was his little romance with Violet looking like it's going to be continuing into season 6 as it's revealed her father was actually the main character from Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court & will actually be staying in Storybrooke.
And this leads to the other big problem I had with this finale: messing up continuity with the whole 'Land Without Magic' actually containing magic. While I definitely understand what they were going with by magic having to be believed in in order for it to work here, it just makes it feel strange given that Regina specifically chose to curse everyone to here because there's no magic & most importantly, so did Baelfire. It just feels like it's lost its actual purpose even if by the end of The Corny Henry Mills Show that everyone believed it was just a simple parlor trick.
With the ending, I'm actually intrigued over what stories from The Land of Untold Stories will be coming into play next season now that Hyde has taken over the town thanks to Rumple (doing it all for the safety of his wife!). While it does feel a bit confusing over what exactly qualifies as an 'untold story' (my wild guess is a more obscure story or one that's not really as told as much as popular ones while being in the public domain), this is an interesting turn for the show despite the formula of a villain taking over & I do hope that there are actually a few...heroic additions to Storybrooke. Who knows? Maybe we'll FINALLY see Aladdin & Jasmine in season 6!
As for the final minute with that cliffhanger...OH. MY GOD. I am SO happy that the show's next main villain is without a doubt the most popular one & it really feels like they're planning on going back to their old roots. While it may not be as...life altering as Emma becoming the Dark One in season 4 & Mr Hyde is also going to be a villain, I actually feel this cliffhanger was better because 1) nobody saw it coming and 2) Given that The Evil Queen entity part of the real Regina, it may actually be a bit more difficult to defeat her in comparison to other villains. But still, I absolutely cannot wait for season 6.
While this may admittedly be the weakest finale in terms of stakes, execution or the epicness of the others, I can't say it's bad! While it may have easily the cheesiest resolution to sorting out the main conflict ever & Henry feeling really inconsistent, with amazing acting, intriguing concepts a very compelling cliffhanger, given that season 5 is admittedly one of the weaker seasons for me overall, i think this was the best way to finish it off.

Rather courteous of his split personality to explain why he left him in a straitjacket...

Wow! Very...intriguing world!

Pretty sweet of Violet to stick by him while he's acting needlessly stubborn.

Too bad you weren't subtle about where you were hiding, Rumple!

Hmm, gotta love a bit of Rick Springfield in the soundtrack!

Yeah, I'd be thinking 'What the fuck?' if I saw that in a hotel room!

Yeah, that doesn't look like spaghetti bolognese to me!

''I'm so sorry. I can have that fixed right away, sir!' 'No need. The meal is irrelevant. Is this sterling silver?' 1) Why didn't he just ask for a tray instead of pointlessly ordering room service? 2) Why did he need it in the first place? 3) What a waste of food!

Very generous tip, Rumple...better than killing him to keep quiet despite the obvious storm cloud hovering above your room!

'Things might get messy.' OK, that is without a doubt the funniest innuendo in the show so far! And funny Rumple chose to stay in a hotel which means 'gold' in French...

Funny that their reaction to their family being trapped in a realm isn't 'Oh my God', but rather 'Not again!

Hmm, smart plan to convince him you're back to the dark side...

Why do I get the feeling this serum 'to separate the good from the evil' will come into play more than just separating Jekyll & Hyde?

Ugh, not again!

'What's he saying? Who's Mr Hyde?!' 'You know what they say: Shoot first, questions later!' With you on that one, Zelena!

Did you really think Rumple would fall for your ruse, Emma?

Oh, the irony of Henry destroying magic at a time they need it most!

EEK!

Kinda ironic separating the two has made things worse!

BOOM! Go Snow!

So Storybrooke isn't in any real danger without its magic & apparently the Land Without Magic does & doesn't have it...? I'm so confused!

Lucky she found him in the one place he'd go to when he was upset in their life in New York! And about time he realized how stupid his plan was as it cost him not seeing half of his family again!

'Look. Let me give you a piece of advice. Partitioning the darkness inside won't help you become the woman you want to be.' 'It worked so far.' 'Has it? You know, I once thought I could contain the darkness in one tiny corner of my soul. First for Baelfire, then for Belle. And I always failed. You want to know why? Because I like the darkness. It's as much who I am as is the light. Why can't you grasp it's not either/or?' 'Because I'm not like you. I don't like the darkness.' 'You can tell yourself as much as you like. But deep down, the Evil Queen is who you are. And the more you keep her locked inside, you more you're gonna suffer.' He's definitely got a point that nobody is fully good or evil & it shapes who you are! I'm glad he's being more aware about himself in that way! It's time Regina realizes it too.

Nice to see you again Dragon! Wait, how did he survive Tamara's tazer & make it from Hong Kong to New York...?

About time they discovered where their family is! 

'Just because the boy destroyed Storybrooke's magic, it doesn't mean there isn't any in this world.' 'Oh really? Because I think there's a reason this place is called The Land Without Magic!.' 'Yes, because that's how it appears. There's magic everywhere if you're willing to believe it.' So that's what we're going with? OK then!

So wishing in a fountain is gonna solve their dilemma? Seriously?! Pretty sweet though even Rumple took part given that he had doubts!

HAHA! 'Is there a reason your evil alter ego doesn't look like you?' 'And is ten times as strong?' 'Everyone sees their worst self differently. Some as a mirror image some as a literal monster. However, the mind conjures it.' Well, perhaps next time try an aggressive bunny rabbit!' A reference to a certain rabbit from a certain movie voiced by a certain OUAT alum, perhaps?

'People of New York City! My name is Henry Mills, and I need your help! My family's in danger, but we can save them with magic! I know how crazy it sounds, but magic is real. It's all around us. You just have to be willing to see it. You have to be willing to believe. And I know how hard that is. I once let my own belief waver. But I was wrong. We need magic. It can make the world a better place. I know it seems...impossible. But think about it... at some point in your life, every one of you was once a believer, and at some point you left that part of you behind. But you can go back to it. So what do you say? Will you make a wish for us? Will you help us return magic to this world?' He may have the heart of the truest believer & I don't mean to sound cruel, but I can't help but snigger at this.

It's actually working?! OK, at this point, I'll buy anything as long as they get this cheesiness over with!

OK...probably the cheesiest way of solving a problem in the show's history!

Well, they're back! Wait a sec...where's Rumple? Seriously, he was with them a minute ago!

'They think it was all an act. That it wasn't real.' 'It's OK. It's the only way they can understand. But for a moment, you did the impossible. You made the world believe.' If by world you mean the large group of people in minding their own business front of the New York Public Library.

Woah, calm down Hyde!

AH, that makes sense! And good for you Rumple not taking his shit! And wait, there is a way to wake Belle up...WHERE?! Sucks this is his last scene so guess we're gonna have to wait until season 6!

OK, that's pretty funny!

'We forgive you, you know.' 'The problem is as long as she's inside me, it doesn't matter. Her baggage, her karma, call it what you will. It will always be there.' Sweet to see Snow look out for her stepmother & about time Regina was aware of her karma!

Not gonna lie, this does feel like a cheap way of Regina getting rid of her problems instead of living with them like any normal human being. Still, feels so weird seeing the two of them onscreen together!

Ah, so Violet's father is Hank Morgan from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court! Good enough reason to have her stay!

AWW! Young love...

So the only development we got out of CaptainSwan this entire season was just saying 'I love you' casually...? Really? 

So Rumple gave up the ownership of his town to Hyde so he could find a way to wake Belle...on one half that's romantic, but on the other THE TOWN IS NOW DOOMED (AGAIN)! Then again, curious to know exactly who these forgotten characters are!

Uh...what is that?

'The Queen...is back.' YES!!! This has just made me more excited for season 6 to come!

Only You

In the first part of this 2 hour finale, after discovering |Rumple has the Olympian Crystal to tether Storybrooke's magic for himself to wake Belle, Hook being alive & Regina losing Robin, Henry worries over Regina reverting back to the Evil Queen & losing the rest of his family, deciding that the only answer is to destroy magic. With Violet & the Olympian Crystal in tow, he heads to New York to find answers as his dad was also on a quest to destroy magic. However, it turns out there's now magic in the outside world because of the crystal and Regina, Emma & Rumple all head off to New York to find him as Storybrooke's magic outside could destroy the town. Ultimately at the New York library, Henry & Violet discover that there's another Holy Grail which could destroy magic as the other one which was carved into Excalibur was the source of all magic along with multiple volumes of his book showing different stories from different genres. However, Rumple manages to find the Crystal & shortly after, heads to a hotel revealing he wants to show Belle the world after he wakes her. Meanwhile, after sending Merida, the Camelot characters & the Merry Men back home through a portal, thanks to the Olympian Crystal being gone, it sends Snow, David, Hook & Zelena to a new land, where they're trapped in a mental hospital by Mr Hyde (Sam Witwer), who holds a grudge against Rumple. However, Dr Jekyll (Hank Harris) agrees to help the group escape & fix the Apprentice's broken wand in exchange for going to Storybrooke with them. But when Dr Poole uses a potion to transform Jekyll into Hyde, he ends up using the wand to summon Pandora's Box AKA Belle, holding her ransom to get Rumple to help the entire land go to Storybrooke.

After a pretty whirlwind season with Camelot & the Underworld, there wasn't really one definitive set-up or plot that lasted the whole season like season 4, leaving it a bit vague to the imagination. However, given that Robin has just died & Rumple has a plan with the Olympian Crystal, it seemed the most logical to follow those up in this first half. However, one thing I will say is that this doesn't really centre on Emma, it's really Henry & for a part of it, Regina. Seeing Henry take on a more active role yet again was an interesting one since it helps grow his character & while his plan to destroy magic wasn't really well thought through, the reasons behind why were understandable. Seeing his romance with Violet coming back to play after being put on hold since the first half was a good choice on the writer's behalf along with the mention of Neal wanting to destroy magic while coming out of nowhere, doesn't go against his character's integrity at all. And with Regina, her scene of finally breaking down to Emma revealing the troubles of not giving in to her Evil Queen impulses was very strongly executed in acting, writing and emotions. Rightfully calling Emma out on the unfairness of Hook surviving while being forced to lose her second chance of love, it felt rather refreshing for her to admit that she's still at a crossroads with herself despite changing her ways for good despite that slither of her former self clinging onto her. Along with a very sweet letter from Robin, despite all the action with Henry trying to destroy magic & the other characters stuck in the new land, this scene would actually be the highlight of this first half of the finale.

With Rumple, his plan behind the Olympian Crystal to wake Belle & save their child actually feels pretty human when getting down to it. But the problem I actually have is the other characters' points of view of the situation as they all think he's just being downright evil even when they're fully aware of his reasons. Given his determination to show his wife the world even after she told him she didn't need to see it to know what she was looking for, I stand by his actions because while the Olympian Crystal tethering all of Storybrooke's magic may have dire consequences (along with Henry stupidly taking it & making things much worse for everyone), in his eyes it's a last resort after the last episode. And the ending with Mr Hyde holding Box!Belle ransom...UGH!!!

The addition of the new land is pretty...interesting. Seeing more obscure stories come into play was admittedly a good choice as recently, it has felt like the writers have been capitalising on stories & movies which have been popular.  And even if Jekyll & Hyde would seem to feel more at home in somewhere like Dr Frankenstein's land because of the similar time periods & the darker tone, I still enjoyed it thanks to the performances from both actors & I can kind of understand Hyde's (and for that matter, the rest of the land's) wish to be given more recognition.

So for the first half of this finale, I'd say it was good. As an introduction to the new land, seeing more development from Henry & Regina (being far superior from the latter as the former still made some nonsensical decisions), pretty good acting, I'm pretty excited to review the second half (even if it's admittedly one of the weaker finales from the show so far).

 

Very...depressing way to start the finale! At least Regina knows she doesn't have to go through this alone!

AWW, sweet seeing Violet look out for Henry! Glad their little romance is being touched upon again after going nowhere in the first half.

Ugh, you don't exactly have the right to say your thoughts when you just got your boyfriend back while Regina can never see her's again!

'Belle since your father refused to wake you, I'm gonna have to find another way and I will. It's not just you I have to worry about now It's our family. Our unborn child. There's only one way I can free you both. I need more power. I need all of it.' Sweet yet threatening speech and all, Rumple, but I just can't take it seriously when you're talking to a freaking box! And if you just believed in yourself, maybe True Love's Kiss would actually work!

About time people were pissed off at Hook!

'But Gold has the power of all the Dark Ones. Why would he need more?' 'To wake Belle. True Love's Kiss didn't work because she doesn't wanna be with him.' And how exactly do you know that, Emma?! You barely know their situation & yet you think you have the right to jump to such a conclusion!' AND WHY ARE THEY PORTRAYING HIS ACTIONS AS EVIL WHEN HE'S DOING EVERYTHING FOR HIS WIFE & CHILD?!

'Where should we start?' 'Actually...I was thinking you should sit this one out.' 'You're worried the Evil Queen is about to come out of play.' 'No, I just thinking about what's best for you.' 'No you don't! When you're upset we follow you to Hell. But when I'M upset I get a time out! She's definitely got a point there! And must say, given that she's the one grieving Robin, she's the only one who's making any sense!

Can't decide whether his plan to destroy magic is smart, crazy, stupid or the mixture of the three...and pretty sporadic going on a road trip with Violet!

Well, wouldn't hurt to abuse his power just this once as it's for the greater good in his eyes!

Yeah, clearly Henry didn't really think of the consequences of taking the town's magic outside!

Hmm, time for SwanQueen road trip number two!

So the 'Land Without Magic' now has magic...? 

Of course they're in New York City!

About time Merida & the Camelot characters got their closure & returned home...despite having no king, Merlin being dead & Guinevere being widowed!

AWWW! 'For Regina! From one of my papa's arrows.' GOD, I'm gonna miss the most adorable character in the show! Just sad he never got to say goodbye to Regina.

Ugh, not again!

'I don't think we're in Storybrooke anymore.' Yeah...what Zelena said!

Well, at least there'd one advantage of magic outside town! And funny that it was Regina's idea to stop at Hardee's before continuing their search!

Hmm, pretty sweet he's put Box!Belle in the passenger seat...

Rather childish response to hearing that he has to pay $15 to get into New York!

Can't help but find it funny they've stopped their huge quest to destroy magic for pizza! Like mother like son it seems...

Hmm, trying to figure out who this neurotic groundsman could be...

What the hell is going on?!

Never seen a dungeon like that before!

Hmm, who is this dashingly handsome yet incredibly creepy man...?

'We don't work for Rumplestiltskin. He's our enemy. He's the whole reason that we're here. He tried to steal magic to wake the woman he loves. She's...pregnant.' Did you really just sell him out, Snow just to save the pirate?! And of course, blame Rumple for everything when Henry was the one who took the Olympian Crystal out of town!

Aww, sweet Robin kept that (very inaccurate) Robin Hood book she gave to him!

AWW! 'My dear Regina, I know I shouldn't be writing this, but I had to let you know how proud I am of you. You have opened your heart to love and let it change you. And no matter what separates us, I know you'll always be the heroine woman I fell in love with. Robin.'

'You want to know why I got so angry? Because you're right. The Evil Queen is...inside me...always trying to get out. I can't expect you to get it.' 'Well, I fought the darkness. You know I do understand.' 'With all due respect, but you don't. You went up to the precipice. But you got pulled back before it consumed you. I was consumed. And I have to live with it everyday. 'I can't imagine how it feels.' 'It's exhausting. I'm constantly at war with my instincts. Like with Hook. My first impulse...was to rip his throat out because it's not fair that he survives and Robin doesn't! But I didn't, because I know now that it's wrong. Much as I want to give into evil, I don't. So I do good...and hate every moment of it.' 'You hate doing good?' 'Yes. It's complicated. I know it's right but it always leads to loss for me. Yet I keep doing it now and I keep suffering. But I know the Evil Queen can't return so...that's how it has to be. I'll never be a peace with myself.' 'That's not true. You fell in love with Robin and you were happy.' ' Yeah, and look at what happened! I am what I am. I did what I did. Many years ago I had a choice. Snow told a secret. And I could have chosen to forgive her. Instead...I did horrible things. Unspeakable things. I've tried to be a hero. 'And you have been.' 'What if it doesn't matter?' 'There's no redemption for me. There's only suffering. Because I now have a curse: the curse of knowing the difference between good and evil. And I'm caught between them. If I revert...I lose everyone I love. Henry...my friends...everyone. And if I go forward trying to be good, I have to live with my past darkness and its well-deserved consequences. 'I don't believe that. I believe in you.' 'That's because, you are good. But for me, it's a simple choice, really. I'd rather suffer than see the pain on the people I care about. This is my fate. I'm trapped.' Wow...that's deep, Regina!

What the-?!

Hmm, fair deal to let them out in exchange for going with them to Storybrooke...and curious over which fictional doctor he could be!

What a coincidence there's a twin Holy Grail that can destroy magic which happens to be in New York!

Well, that was pretty easy!

ARGH! Wait a second...OF COURSE! Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde! Why didn't I figure that out earlier?!

I'm calling this new world Steampunk Land!

Can't really blame Henry for being worried about losing the rest of his family to magic after everything that's happened.

'Now when I wake you, I think you'll finally understand that everything I've done, I've done for you and our child. And then, I'm gonna give you what you always wanted, Belle. I'm gonna show you the world.' AWW! Seriously, that's not evil, that's just as romantic as it gets! Even after everything, he still wants to fulfill her wish with her!

Oh crap...

Yeah, on top of the parallel with 1x19, that's pretty much me every time I lose my keys or phone! And for those saying he had a 'choice' & was 'selfish', given who it was that sent the portal, surely your first instinct would tell you they'd be after the sacred magical object!

Yeah, maybe you shouldn't have told Mr Hyde about Rumple's pregnant wife, Snow!