This episode's twist I definitely did not see coming & will never look at Peter Pan the same way again
3 Reviews
Think a wonderful thought, any happy little thought
TheLittleSongbird19 March 2018
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.
"Think Lovely Thoughts" is another one of the best episodes of the first half of Season 3 and of Season 3 overall. Very like as was said for the previous episode "Dark Hollow" (another bright spot), "Think Lovely Thoughts" very nearly right in every way and has nearly everything that makes 'Once Upon a Time' the addictive show that it is and what it's all about.
Really loved the story here. It was tense and emotional, with some unexpected turns, the big one being one of the biggest leaving-one-completely-floored twists on the whole of 'Once Upon a Time', and the fairy tale flashbacks being one of the show's most interesting and unsettling, as well as illuminating.
Plot points are advanced and characterisation is getting increasingly interesting and deeper (any villain "humanisation" is not an issue at all and makes them more than the standard archetypes they could easily be), have always loved Rumplestiltskin and was surprised at the different side to Peter in that he is not what he seemed initially in this episode.
As a character-driven episode, "Think Lovely Thoughts" also works wonders and is one of the better episodes of the season in this regard. It is very well paced, action-packed without being overcrowded and not draggy or filler-filled, it was just right and everything was involving.
Much of the acting is terrific, especially from Robert Carlyle, Robbie Kay and Wyatt Oleff. Marilyn Manson is remarkably creepy here as well.
Jared Gilmore is the exception here, found him somewhat annoying and not exactly at ease, and it is actually more to do with the shallow and one-dimensional way Henry is written, where it makes it hard to root for him much.
Furthermore, "Think Lovely Thoughts" 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.
Overall, great episode and one of the best of the season. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Think Lovely Thoughts" is another one of the best episodes of the first half of Season 3 and of Season 3 overall. Very like as was said for the previous episode "Dark Hollow" (another bright spot), "Think Lovely Thoughts" very nearly right in every way and has nearly everything that makes 'Once Upon a Time' the addictive show that it is and what it's all about.
Really loved the story here. It was tense and emotional, with some unexpected turns, the big one being one of the biggest leaving-one-completely-floored twists on the whole of 'Once Upon a Time', and the fairy tale flashbacks being one of the show's most interesting and unsettling, as well as illuminating.
Plot points are advanced and characterisation is getting increasingly interesting and deeper (any villain "humanisation" is not an issue at all and makes them more than the standard archetypes they could easily be), have always loved Rumplestiltskin and was surprised at the different side to Peter in that he is not what he seemed initially in this episode.
As a character-driven episode, "Think Lovely Thoughts" also works wonders and is one of the better episodes of the season in this regard. It is very well paced, action-packed without being overcrowded and not draggy or filler-filled, it was just right and everything was involving.
Much of the acting is terrific, especially from Robert Carlyle, Robbie Kay and Wyatt Oleff. Marilyn Manson is remarkably creepy here as well.
Jared Gilmore is the exception here, found him somewhat annoying and not exactly at ease, and it is actually more to do with the shallow and one-dimensional way Henry is written, where it makes it hard to root for him much.
Furthermore, "Think Lovely Thoughts" 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.
Overall, great episode and one of the best of the season. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Distrust between a father and son leave us on a cliffhanger.
Amari-Sali18 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The whole episode deals with the invaders of Neverland finally getting to Henry, while there is a reveal of who Peter Pan is. Which, may I add, is something slightly unexpected, but which makes sense. So, to begin, let's go into the rescue mission.
Operation: Rescue Henry
In something which I thought would have waited to the mid-season finale, all the things needed to face Pan have come together. However, due to a distrust in Rumple, things hit a slight snag. You see, Neil reveals that Rumple is supposed to die by Henry's hand, and with this comes mass distrust from everyone. So, Rumple is forced into multiple agreements, none of which are equal or in his favor, in order to win back the trust of his allies. The first deal is handing over Pandora's Box, the second being to not use his magic, and the last benefits Snow, Charming and Emma. Rumple, a long time ago, was poisoned with Dream shade and has since studied it to the point of making an elixir, and as part of him regaining trust, though this isn't as he wishes, he makes a deal to do it in order to win back everyone. It should be noted though, at least Snow thanks him after Rumple gives up so much.
However, the interesting part begins to arise as the crew finds Wendy who we discover ended up in Neverland to recuse Neil. Leading to an odd moment when a grown man is touched by the affections of a girl more than half his age. From there, things continue with them learning from Wendy Pan's whereabouts and us learning that Pan is to die soon and needs Henry's heart to live longer. Leading to the question whether Pan could have possibly taken any Lost Boy's heart to do the same, or if Henry had to be part of the specific sacrifice, as did Baelfire at one time. Thus leading to Peter Pan's back-story and something which has given me mixed feelings.
A Father & Son
One thing which needs to be mentioned off the bat is that Peter Pan and his shadow are two separate entities all together. The shadow is the one who truly runs Neverland, the former island of dreams. Meanwhile, Pan is an inhabit who has overstayed his welcome and now the rent is due. But, this doesn't explain who Pan is. To explain who Pan is, we have to look at Rumple. The doll in blue we have seen in Rumple's possession has a name, and it is Peter Pan.
Wonder why? Well, the same person the doll is named after is the one who gave to Rumple when he was a child. So, in case you haven't figured it out: Peter Pan is Rumple's dad in a younger form. You see, the cowardly father got rid of his son and had the shadow drag him off so he could forget his age and become young. However, to stay young it seems he had to sacrifice his descendants and by the time he needed his first helping his son was too old, and his grandson was just the right age. But, seemingly, something wasn't right, so Pan had to wait until his great grandson came about and then he became the one.
And when you think about it, consider the similarities between Pan and Rumple. Both only offer deals in which they benefit, and claim that they will hold true to; Both sought out a type of power which would make them unrivaled and would allow them to leave their old lives behind; and lastly, despite what they did to their sons, a part of them seemed to regret it. After all, that is why Peter Pan has his name. The doll he gave Rumple, Rumple named Peter Pan, and his regrets became that name.
However, I must say this twist does leave a slightly bad taste in my mouth for some reason. Though definitely not something easily foreseeable, when you watch the reveal and everything post us finding Pan is Rumple's dad, it changes Peter Pan as a character. What ruined many villains over the course of the show was them being humanized, and with Pan being a coward afraid to deal with the responsibilities of adulthood, while he fit Pan's profile, the show at the same time ruined their villain.
Overall though, I had hope Pan would be ended in an epic battle which allowed him to maintain his coolness, but it seems like they couldn't let a good thing go out gracefully. So, with Henry's heart taken and seemingly Pan at full-power, and immortal mind you, while his back-story is unfortunate, maybe that epic battle can happen. Question is though, with the shadow trapped and Pan eventually being defeated, what will happen to Neverland, the Lost Boys and, probably the biggest question of all, who will be the villain to follow Peter Pan who pretty much eclipsed every last villain on this show combined and multiplied?
Operation: Rescue Henry
In something which I thought would have waited to the mid-season finale, all the things needed to face Pan have come together. However, due to a distrust in Rumple, things hit a slight snag. You see, Neil reveals that Rumple is supposed to die by Henry's hand, and with this comes mass distrust from everyone. So, Rumple is forced into multiple agreements, none of which are equal or in his favor, in order to win back the trust of his allies. The first deal is handing over Pandora's Box, the second being to not use his magic, and the last benefits Snow, Charming and Emma. Rumple, a long time ago, was poisoned with Dream shade and has since studied it to the point of making an elixir, and as part of him regaining trust, though this isn't as he wishes, he makes a deal to do it in order to win back everyone. It should be noted though, at least Snow thanks him after Rumple gives up so much.
However, the interesting part begins to arise as the crew finds Wendy who we discover ended up in Neverland to recuse Neil. Leading to an odd moment when a grown man is touched by the affections of a girl more than half his age. From there, things continue with them learning from Wendy Pan's whereabouts and us learning that Pan is to die soon and needs Henry's heart to live longer. Leading to the question whether Pan could have possibly taken any Lost Boy's heart to do the same, or if Henry had to be part of the specific sacrifice, as did Baelfire at one time. Thus leading to Peter Pan's back-story and something which has given me mixed feelings.
A Father & Son
One thing which needs to be mentioned off the bat is that Peter Pan and his shadow are two separate entities all together. The shadow is the one who truly runs Neverland, the former island of dreams. Meanwhile, Pan is an inhabit who has overstayed his welcome and now the rent is due. But, this doesn't explain who Pan is. To explain who Pan is, we have to look at Rumple. The doll in blue we have seen in Rumple's possession has a name, and it is Peter Pan.
Wonder why? Well, the same person the doll is named after is the one who gave to Rumple when he was a child. So, in case you haven't figured it out: Peter Pan is Rumple's dad in a younger form. You see, the cowardly father got rid of his son and had the shadow drag him off so he could forget his age and become young. However, to stay young it seems he had to sacrifice his descendants and by the time he needed his first helping his son was too old, and his grandson was just the right age. But, seemingly, something wasn't right, so Pan had to wait until his great grandson came about and then he became the one.
And when you think about it, consider the similarities between Pan and Rumple. Both only offer deals in which they benefit, and claim that they will hold true to; Both sought out a type of power which would make them unrivaled and would allow them to leave their old lives behind; and lastly, despite what they did to their sons, a part of them seemed to regret it. After all, that is why Peter Pan has his name. The doll he gave Rumple, Rumple named Peter Pan, and his regrets became that name.
However, I must say this twist does leave a slightly bad taste in my mouth for some reason. Though definitely not something easily foreseeable, when you watch the reveal and everything post us finding Pan is Rumple's dad, it changes Peter Pan as a character. What ruined many villains over the course of the show was them being humanized, and with Pan being a coward afraid to deal with the responsibilities of adulthood, while he fit Pan's profile, the show at the same time ruined their villain.
Overall though, I had hope Pan would be ended in an epic battle which allowed him to maintain his coolness, but it seems like they couldn't let a good thing go out gracefully. So, with Henry's heart taken and seemingly Pan at full-power, and immortal mind you, while his back-story is unfortunate, maybe that epic battle can happen. Question is though, with the shadow trapped and Pan eventually being defeated, what will happen to Neverland, the Lost Boys and, probably the biggest question of all, who will be the villain to follow Peter Pan who pretty much eclipsed every last villain on this show combined and multiplied?
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