As One Door Closes

Hey everybody! Sorry about last week! It’s been a whirlwind adjusting to a new job, but I’m back. Production of the current season is due to wrap in the coming days. I know, we only JUST got started on 5B. TIME FLIES! But that won’t stop th theories coming and if I’m honest, once production wraps it’s easier to lay out all the evidence and theorize away. Today I’m breaking down a curious prop that appearered on set roughly around filming for the season finale: a door.

Yes friends, a door. In the scope of fairytales and the show, we’ve seen doors as portals, the beginnings of new chapters and adventures. The last time the audience saw a door being used was in 4×08 in a flashback where the Apprentice uses Merlin’s magic to open a portal for Ingrid to enter our realm circa 1982. Here’s what we know: Henry is going to have a chat with the deceased Apprentice in this week’s episode 5×15 “The Brothers Jones.” The Storybrooke heroes need to find a way out of the Underworld. Henry is the current author looking for the pen.

Here we go! The Apprentice knows the most about the extent of Henry’s author abilities. In Henry’s quest for finding the pen, what if the Apprentice sheds some light on Henry’s powers, the full extent of them? Maybe the way out of the Underworld isn’t by boat but by Henry writing a portal door in the plot of their story.

But it doesn’t stop there! We know that there is a door in our realm due to filming spoilers. The season is hopefully going to wrap up the unfinished business of 5A as well, so perhaps Henry writes up a portal door to allow the Camelot people to return to their world, as well as any Storybrooke characters who wish to return to their lands of origin. Then the question becomes “who will we be saying goodbye to at the end of S5 not limited to the form of death. And not JUST who will leave for their land, but who will come through the door… leading into the conflict of the new season.

As I just opened a new door of possibility, ponder and enjoy the current arc we’re on and prepare yourself for the adventure ahead!

Take it to the Grave

WE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS! 5B is officially underway, laying out the groundwork for what this arc will hold beautifully done by the way! It may be a bit premature especially since we JUST started 5B, but I want to take a look towards the end. If you are NOT a fan of spoilers, I would suggest holding off on reading this. READ WITH CAUTION!

Ok let’s get down to business: the cast of OUAT had a busy weekend at the con and were back filming 4×22 “Only You” bright and early Monday morning. Please note this is Part 1 of the season finale. Fans there saw tombstones. First it was just for Robin Hood (but Sean was filming in studio & potentially on set), but then it was later leaked that EVERY character had a tombstone. Regina Mills, Snow White, Emma Swan, Killian Jones, etc.  Plus, it didn’t help that TVLine released their major character death blind item the same day! Obviously, the fandom started to panic. 

Keep in mind, they are setting the stage for S6 with a new realm & characters I’ll theorize that LATER! We also got news that Robert Carlyle was shooting NYC scenes. Amy Manson is back to reprise Merida. AND Sean was filming scenes in the forest with Lana, Bex, & Raphael. So what are they up to?

Here’s what I’m thinking. The writers & cast know that we know spoilers, if we want them. They also get a kick out of twists that the audience doesn’t see coming. So I think that all the tombstones are meant to throw the fans off on their REAL plans. I don’t think any of the characters that have tombstones are dying. Rather, it’s more about who DOES NOT have one that we should be cautious of. We are looking at our core but forgetting the obvious. Every arc, a villain is either defeated and/or killed. With Merida coming back with her own unfinished business in Storybrooke (and Liam Garrigan back in Vancouver), did you stop to think that we might actually see Merida defeat Arthur once and for all? Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe ALL of those characters with tombstones die after returning Storybrooke, and one of them will stay dead. 

This is just early theorizing & speculation. The answers are in front of us. ALL the pieces are coming to the table. Now it’s a matter of putting it together.

The Big Event

It’s here. It’s finally here! 1) OUAT returns this Sunday. 2) The 100th episode kicks off the new arc. 3) I’m heading up to Vancouver TOMORROW for the OUAT con. And 4) I’m finally going to share with you my big theory I’ve been alluding to. Lots of excitement! 

When I started back theorizing in January, I wanted to connect these hiatus theories together much in the way that MCU movies tell an overarching story of the Avengers. I started with “Something Old, Something New” with an idea in the back of mind. This idea carried over into “A Rite of Passage,” “Somethng Borrowed, Something Blue,” “Tying the Knot,” “The Long Haul,” and last week’s “Finding Mr. Right.” The topics varied week-to-week, but the theme stayed the same. The titles were the clues. These theories are pointing back to a theory I made back in early September; remember “Wedding Bells”? To recap, I had an early theory that this season we would get another wedding, either between Robin & Regina or Emma & Killian. Based on the season we’ve had so far and what’s to come in this next arc, I still believe this arc will contain an engagement and/or a marriage between Emma & Killian.

Wait, why not Robin and Regina? Well honestly, their relationship hasn’t been fully fleshed out in the way Emma & Killian’s relationship has. Don’t get me wrong: I want to see  Robin & Regina get hitched! However, I want to see them more on our screens in a relationship before a ring pops up. And let’s be honest: we ALL want more Robin & Regina.

So why Emma and Killian? Well, this season has basically been traditional wedding vows. Seriously, Emma and Killian have loved each other through their better and worse moments (especially when they were both Dark Ones). For richer and poorer (in the form of power and magic). In sickness aka the Darkness’ control on each of them. In health, the moments they overcome that control and bring out the best in each other like 5×01 Killian talks Emma out of crushing Merida’s heart and 5×04 Middlemist meadow scene. To love and to cherish. And now, til death do us part. They will literally jump realms throughout all time & space, to the ends of the earth for each other. Killian’s sacrifice was unknowingly manipulated by Rumple, so now Emma is going to the Underworld and won’t rest until Killian is brought back to Storybrooke with her. 5A has proven that these two are in it for the long haul and can handle marriage. 

Adam & Eddy have also said that there is another true love’s kiss coming. It’s been long overdue and now with these high stakes, the timing is right. I believe this season’s finale will contain a TLK between Emma and Killian, which will further stamp the strength and validity of this relationship. After returning to Storybrooke and defeating Hades, that experience will put some things into perspective & the two will make that leap in their commitment to each other. The emotional payoff of the obstacles Emma and Killian have faced will be through this beautiful rite of passage. Will Emma be the one to propose? Most likely. Will the wedding happen in the finale? Potentially. Would I be upset if it didn’t? Nope. 

BREAKING NEWS: JoAnna Garcia-Swisher is back to reprise Ariel in the season finale!  Anytime Ariel shows up, something BIG happens for Emma and Killian. 3×06: Killian reveals his feelings to Emma, and it’s not just a dalliance. 3×07 Killian tells Emma he is going to pursue her honorably. 3×10 Emma gets a little jealous when she sees him with tinkerbell, and Killian tells Neal that he is in it for the long haul for Emma. 3×17 Killian tells “Ariel” he’s in love with Emma. 4×15 Killian tells Emma that SHE is his happy ending. DO YOU SEE WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS?! Perhaps Ariel comes back to Storybrooke as a guest for a wedding…

THE WAIT IS OVER! OUAT IS BACK IN ACTION THIS SUNDAY! Let the fight for Killian’s soul begin! 

Operation Mongoose Theories Vol. 1

It’s that time of year. The thing we love & dread the most: season finale. Take a deep breath & accept the fact that this is happening in less than two weeks. Ok good? GREAT! In season finales past, it was usually easy to figure out what would happen in the season & predict where they would go from there. This year has been different. I’ve read & seen so many things for this finale that for the first time in forever I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR HOW ALL OF THIS WILL END! Some basic plot points, sure, but as far as how it will be resolved (if it is at all). So instead of giving one grand theory for this finale (honestly I can’t come up with just one) I’m going to post some of the various theories I’ve seen circulate recently. Next week’s post will be a continuation of this, with additional theories or revisions of some of these due to new info we get! SO LET’S GET THEORIZING!

Theory 1: Emma becomes the new Dark One
The top theory that fans are convinced is happening is that the Savior, Emma Swan, will be un-Saviored. This entire arc has alluded to this; in recent episodes, we’ve seen Emma struggle with this & take steps down that dark road. I have entire theory on this (go back and read Saving Swan for reference). How will this happen?
A) Well, after coming back from Enchanted Forest AU, there will still be a barrier for characters (like Regina) from getting their happy endings. Emma’s role as the Savior is to bring back the happy endings. She will do whatever it takes to give that to her friends & family, even if that means sacrificing herself. JMo was seen holding up the dagger while filming the finale. What if the only way to do that is to become the Dark One and send herself far away to protect the people she loves most?
B) Rumple pushes her to the breaking point and she lashes out by stabbing him with the dagger. Now her name is written on the dagger.

Pitfalls: If she sacrifices herself to become the Dark One & save Storybrooke, she would have to give final goodbyes. In the filming spoilers, JMo is NOT seen saying goodbye to her parents or Henry. As much as Emma loves Hook, she would also make sure she sees her son (and hopefully parents if they’ve reconciled) before leaving them. On the subject of Hook, Emma is HIS happy ending. If she is to give everyone in Storybrooke their happy ending, then sacrificing herself would be depriving him of his. Also, we love how Emma has this inner strength to be the better person. She may struggle with darkness but she has so much to live for that will be enough to rise above that. Another major pitfall: Robert Carlyle said he would be back for Season 5. Sure, he might’ve said that if he were trying to throw people off, but the cast & crew would know if it really was his last day & never coming back. This does however tie into the next theory for the finale.

Theory 2: Rumple “Death”
Yes, the story of Rumple & Belle is our OUAT version of Beauty & the Beast. Many parallels have been made so far but recently another part of the story could manifest itself in the finale. The Beast was slowly dying. The only way he could break the curse is mutual true love. In OUAT, something has to give. Rumple’s heart is about to darken once & for all (death of his humanity). What would happen here is that Rumple does indeed die, due to the darkness that has consumed him. While he lies there dying, he realizes his mistakes, Belle forgives him & tells him that she loves him/uses TLK. With this, Rumple would be revived but would come back a mortal man (pre-Dark One). Then the dagger would have no power (or potential seek out power in the form of Emma’s magic). Belle’s happy ending (if we are playing that card) is not with Will. It’s with Rumple. How will Belle get her happy ending if her true love is dead?

Pitfalls: The argument could be made that Rumple gets off too easy here. He’s died before and it would be crazy if he got away with it again. This scenario would play out well if we see that Rumple has indeed changed. Otherwise, this will be seen as a rushed resolution and the writers are better than that.

Theory 3: Sorcerer Reveal
Since the season premiere, we have been teased with the Sorcerer from Fantasia. It has been suggested that the Sorcerer is more powerful than the Dark One and maybe not as reliable (considering Blue’s cryptic description of him). His apprentice has played a major role in the events of Season 4, from transporting Ingrid to our world to telling Lily the truth about her birth mother & how she got to our world. His mansion resides outside the main area of town. Who is it? Will this be the cliffhanger of the finale?
A) Merlin: go with me on this a second. Merlin is the most famous sorcerer & wizard of all time. Arthurian mythology created it; Harry Potter acknowledges this; Disney has the rights because of The Sorcerer in the Stone (underrated animated film in the 60s). He fits the bill for the Sorcerer in OUAT. Also, if Emma sends herself away in the finale, how great would it be if she ends up meeting Merlin in Camelot?!?
B) The Dark Fairy: this character has been slid into various conversations (mainly from Rumple in regards to a certain wand). If Blue seems hesitant about the Sorcerer, it could be that the Dark Fairy rose to power and became the Sorcerer. That would be a great tie in for a mystery that’s been around since Season 1.

Pitfalls: Based on teases from A&E & Josh, it sounds like the finale is like the Season 1 finale which changed the dynamics of everything. So no realm crossing THIS time. Also, the Dark Fairy needs more info about him/her before it will make a big impact in a reveal. That would serve better in the 100th episode!

Theory 4: Snowing Death
Whoa WHAT?! Yes I said it & I’ve seen it out there. No season finale would go out with quite a bang or cliffhanger like a death. And what death would rock us to our core like Snowing dying?! Josh teased that there is some rough stuff coming up for Snowing. They’ve messed up in the past & despite trying to make up for it now, it might not be enough. Their death would push Emma over the edge, especially if she didn’t reconcile with them in time.

Pitfall: Josh also revealed that he & Ginny would return to Vancouver in July for filming. Also, they are in the middle of Storybrooke when Emma is seen with the dagger. Death might not knock on their door but despair & darkness will be around.

Theory 5: Wicked Infant
There was an audible outcry during the final minutes of 4×19 when it was revealed Zelena is pregnant. Many claim she’s faking it (which could be the case) but for the sake of this, let’s say she really is. Regina is seen talking with the Author in 4×20 to finally get her happy ending. So what will be rewritten? Regina could write out Zelena’s unborn child from ever existing so she & Robin can be with each other without that obstacle. Taking a life (even unborn) can create major consequences, not to mention a vengeful mother.
A) The unborn child could be sent to another realm where it grows up to be the most vicious villain of all (or sent back in time & later grows up to be the Sorcerer). MIND BLOWN!
B) When the baby is removed, it takes away a piece of Zelena’s soul & remove her from our world altogether.

Pitfalls: Time-traveling has already been done & I don’t think it will be revisited. As cool as it would be if the baby was connected to the Sorcerer, that seems really out there. It’s definitely more plausible to travel to a different realm or an in-between like where you go during the Sleeping Curse. Also, I think Zelena will be gone at some point but I don’t think it will happen this way. And the most obvious pitfall, ZELENA MIGHT NOT REALLY BE PREGNANT!

So there you go. These are just 5 of the many theories circling around out there in anticipation for the epic 2-hr finale. Next week, I’ll post more theories and/or revise some theories from this post!

Numbered Days

Oh how the mighty have fallen! Rumpelstiltskin’s complex story continues to spiral out of control. Ever since his resurrection in 3B, Rumple’s character development has been reset (which I discussed some in “Redemption for Rumbelle”). He killed Zelena, manipulated Hook, lied to Belle on numerous occasions, and was willing to sell out Storybrooke for the sake of gaining more power than ever before. Now he’s trying to get everything he wants by finding the Author and turning Emma dark. He’s already manipulated Belle various times this arc and it’s getting harder for me to believe that his redemption was possible; that is, however, until two weeks ago.

All Magic Comes at a Price
Rumple explicitly told Regina in 2×05 that you can’t bring back the dead. His exact words: “Magic can do much but not that: dead is DEAD.” This goes against the laws of magic, which were explored in OUAT: Wonderland. Jafar used the magic of the genies to not be bound by the laws of magic anymore; he brought Anastasia back to life. Jafar was later defeated and balance was restored. Peter Pan being in Neverland was unnatural to the balance; it required so much magic to supply his eternal youth. He was dying and that’s why he needed Henry’s heart to keep him youthful forever. August is experiencing this now. In 4×16 he got violently ill because he has been exposed to so much body magic; he’s changed from a puppet to a boy to a man back to puppet so many times that it’s finally caught up with him. Rumple’s resurrection broke the laws of magic; there should be side effects.

The Price to be Paid
Two weeks ago in 4×16, Rumple visited Belle while she was under the sleeping spell. He confesses that his has racked up quite amount of debt from his magic, and it’s a debt that he can never be clear from. Something is also happening to him and if he is to change the rules, he has to do it fast. In the 4×17 promo, there is a quick shot of him in a hospital bed. So what does all of this mean? It means Rumple is finally feeling the full effects of break the laws of magic. HE IS DYING. If he doesn’t get the Author to change his story soon, Rumple will have to face his swan song. But why the delayed response? Cheat answer: plot convenience. My answer: it’s his personal cancer. Cancer operates at a slow pace at first; cancerous cell division grows until it starts affecting other areas of the body/symptoms start to be come external. Quick personal story: My grandpa, who later died of lung cancer, knew something was wrong before external symptoms, and by that point there was too much damage to save him. Once they become external, there is so much damage that has been done, it requires surgery to remove the tumor. There is no exact cure for cancer.
Rumple’s body was not meant to be brought back to life. When this happened, his body’s response to it started internally, slowly growing and building up within him. He knows something isn’t right, and I’m willing to bet he’s known since the beginning of 4A. This kind of disease/cancer is starting to make real progress and if he doesn’t find a cure soon, it will be too late. Balance must be restored and his life will be payment for that.

Making It Count
Rumple is a trickster who always can find a loophole. He is fighting for survival and doing whatever it takes for the chance to have his life back with Belle. While his actions are deplorable, his motive to change his fate is understandable. Whatever you may feel about him, we can all agree that we do desperate things when we are running out of time. I don’t think its a matter of if he finds a cure because he will find it; it will be a matter of it he is going to pay it. It might cost all chances he has to reunite with Belle. I do think he will survive because he is a complex, fan-favorite character since S1. However, I have been wrong before. We shall see if he’s willing to bet everything and pay the price for his cure OR he accept his fate and redeem his character one more time.