Once Upon a Time 6x18 "Where Bluebirds Fly" Review

SPOILERS

Okay, so it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Captain Swan domestics made me melt in a puddle. And I really get why Snowing is getting all…Snowing about the upcoming wedding, but I really was not enjoying those scenes. I was actually a little invested in the other story. I know they needed a light-hearted storyline and a way to stick Snowing in there somewhere, but it got a little tedious after the second cutaway. Perhaps it’s because I’m rewatching the series as well and early season Snowing is just so good. “Wanna elope?” “I’ll bring the rum.”

The whole focus of the episode was Zelena. We got to see a young Zelena rescue a baby bird with a completely new character, Stanum, and then we get to see an older, bitter, Wicked Witch Zelena almost brush him off, but then decides to go with him, not admitting to herself that she is lonely. It turns out he is slowly turning to tin due to a curse and he needs to find a magical heart to break the curse. On their way, they fend off a ferocious lion who ends up being a coward (the animation was so good there; his poor face was so sad. Also, “king of the forest” was a nice little reference). I have blocked out a lot of the middle seasons so I can’t remember if they have ever had the Scarecrow, but this is the first time I remember them doing this part of the Oz story.

Regina tells Zelena to go back to Oz.

Zelena was very “Zelena” about everything and against everyone’s wishes made her way down to the mines to meet the Black Fairy. It is obvious she is more powerful than Regina. The Black Fairy uses Zelena’s magic to turn the crystals dark, and Zelena ends up giving up her magic in order to set the Black Fairy back and turn the crystals light again. I really thought she was going to jump to Oz and live happily ever after with Stanum or something, but this was close enough.

I think Killian summed up my feelings about her best: “How is it when she’s not the villain we’re fighting she’s the villain we’re fighting?”

Next episode we are getting some more Rumple and Black Fairy backstory, and possibly the waking up of Blue. Storylines are wrapping up so quickly; I’m really excited. Also, I didn’t realize they were actually doing a musical episode this season! This is going to be awesome; I can’t tell yet if it’ll be a one-off or a “Once More, with Feeling” situation. I’m game for either. It’s like “The Prom” with Buffy or the party with the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi: a little bit of fun before the most likely heart-wrenching season (series?) finale.

8/10