Finding Mr. Right

The end of hiatus is near as well as my theory arc leading to my grand theory of 5B. Don’t worry that will be revealed soon! I was going to talk the 100th episode but casting news of last night has my theory wheels turning. Spoiler TV has released info for casting call for 5×21 “Last Rites.” OUAT is casting for the role of Prince Marcus: a ruler in his 30s-40s who looks & acts like a king; wise, handsome, and authoritative; and deals harsh justice yet knows the power of kindness and forgiveness. Now why would OUAT cast this role in the episode BEFORE the season finale? There are more important things at stake like saving Killian and getting back to Storybrooke. This is no coincidence. Who is Prince Marcus?

Here’s my theory: Prince Marcus is a red herring. Remember last summer when TV Line released the casting call for Rumple’s mother? ICYMI, OUAT released this to throw off fans for their casting of Merida. Well friends, the same thing is happening. The character of “Prince Marcus” is not found in fairytale lore. Sure it could be a random prince, but these writers are always one step ahead & love surprising fans especially since “Prince Marcus” comes in right around the finale, which usually teases where next season is heading. So with that, here are my top 3 theories of who this character REALLY is.

Zeus: This arc has opened the door wide open to Greek mythology. It would be a shame if they limited this world to just Hades and Medusa. If Hades is the main antagonist this arc, there is only one immortal who has authority over him, the king of the Olympians himself. The description of the character lines up with many of Zeus’ characteristics as the ruler of the Greek gods & goddesses. The heroes in the Underworld could reach out to him, or things really get out of control and Zeus comes down to intervene. 

Prince John: Go with me on this. We know that Liam & Killian used to serve a corrupt king who wanted dreamshade as a weapon against his enemies. What if we find out they served Prince John, after he took over for King Richard the Lion Heart? But the description says the character knows the power of forgiveness and kindness. Just because he knows it doesn’t mean he will act on it. PLUS, this could connect Killian and Robin Hood because we all know that it was during Prince John’s reign that Robin Hood started stealing from the rich to give to the poor. This could open the door for a more Robin-centric story going into the next season. And who wouldn’t love more Robin Hood? 

A Narnian Ruler. Stay with me, this gets crazy! One of the worlds that hasn’t been explored yet is Narnia, which Disney has some of the rights to. Brigitte Hales posted a trippy image of a portal door during finale writing. Rulers of Narnia fit the description of a balance of justice and mercy. What if Narnia is the next realm we explore? AND here’s a fun tid bit: Christopher Markus wrote the screenplay for all three Narnia movies. Just ponder on a bit on that. 

So what do YOU think? It could be any of these; it could be something completely else! These are early theories after all, but regardless, I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for us with this characters. 

The Long Haul

The 5B premiere & season will be here & finished before we know it which is saying a lot considering we are still in hiatus. But what won’t be quick is our heroes’ time in the Underworld. Filming for 5×20 began yesterday, but the filming on Tuesday for 5×19 was in Underworld Storybrooke. Granted each arc has followed a similar format of being in a realm for most the arc, travel back in the last couple of episodes, defeat the villain, & plant the seeds for the next arc/season. This formula works for me. What is throwing me off are the characters in play for the back half of 5B. Tuesday’s filming in the Underworld included Robbie Kay aka Peter Pan; a week ago Victoria Smurfit (Cruella) was filming with Jennifer & Colin. ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME? Please don’t mistake me, I’m excited to see them back but it’s thrown me off a bit. Why would they each stick around for so long? We know that Peter Pan will have a wiser perspective on how he spent his time alive. Cruella was a sociopath. But maybe MY perspective is off. Maybe it has nothing to do with them not moving and everything to do with our heroes’ ability to forgive.

A few theories ago A Rite of Passage (click link here: http://wp.me/p5ij93-47) I theorized that Emma, along with the other heroes, are going to reconcile souls and help them pass over to a peaceful afterlife, paralleling Emma bringing back the happy endings in Storybrooke. I still believe this will happen. What I think will take time is the heroes’ ability to FORGIVE the people they’ve wronged as well. Let’s not forget Emma killed Cruella after she threatened Henry’s life. Peter Pan abandoned his son for eternal youth. Cruella and Peter Pan have had time to reflect on the error of their ways, but Emma and Rumple have been scarred by each. Seeing these departed souls will bring back the wounds & make them fresh again. Peter Pan might be seeking forgiveness but Rumple might not give it in return. Cruella’s presence is a painful reminder that there is still darkness in Emma. And they aren’t the only ones! Regina and Snow have unfinished business with Cora. Charming has to face his twin brother, James. Reconciliation takes time. It can’t be rushed.

Listen, there will be many reasons why it takes a while to save Killian and return to Storybooke, dealings in the past with Hades, current obstacles with Hades, creating a new portal back, etc etc ETC! But I also believe this will be a major part of the arc as well. This arc will actually give us closure for our departed characters, physically & relationally. 

THREE TO GO. THE END IS NEAR! 

The Swan Song Vol. 2

This is actually it. We are now at the end of 5A and about to start a new hiatus. The swan song is being sung this Sunday and I couldn’t be more excited to see the final act of Dark Swan. With this last theory before I also take a theory hiatus, allow me the chance to refine last week’s theory as well as attempt to wrap up the loose ends from this arc. 

Camelot and Brave story lines: With so much hype on wrapping up Dark Swan and now with all the previous Dark Ones roaming Storybrooke, it’s easy to overlook these two stories introduced at the beginning of the season as well. King Arthur is still a villain that must be dealt with; Guinevere needs her free will restored; adpnd Merida has her memories back. I think the most concise way to tie a bow on this story is that with her memories, Charming allows Merida to determine Arthur’s fate which fate is a central theme to the Brave story. She will shows him mercy by letting him live but he will either be imprisoned in DunBroch or Camelot, under the watchful eye of Guinevere and Lancelot. I think Emma will free Guinevere from the power of the Sands of Avalon and use one of the random plot magic beans lying around to send her and the others back to Camelot. There, she will be reunited with Lancelot and together they will really restore the broken kingdom of Camelot. Pretty sure I wrote this exact same thing in my Quick Fix Vol. 2 post!

Dark Swan: So last week I posted my theory on the end of Dark Swan and the fate of Killian Jones. If you haven’t read it, go read “The Swan Song” now so you know what I’m talking about. I still stand by most of that theory, Killian sacrifices himself and dies a hero. However what has changed is his current state of mind and the “how” of sacrificing himself. It’s not a spell to end the darkness but rather a death of a dark one, specifically the first one. If you kill the original, you kill the darkness of the descendants from it. The key to ending the darkness is Nimue and her death will end the Dark One darkness. But wait, what about Rumple and Emma?! Well, give me a chance to explain! I think Rumple is safe because he is now in the hero track, darkness free. As far as Emma is concerned, that’s where I think sacrifice will still happen. Emma is still technically Dark Swan. There is a price to be paid and she is supposed to die, but I think because of the ring she has from Killian, death passes her over. She will try to give it to Killian but he tells her no and sacrifices himself for her and finally paying his debt of cheating death as long as he has. We know we are heading to the Underworld and Hades will be there so I’m willing to bet big money that Hades will have a special punishment in mind for Killian. 

Plan or Flip: A recent debate I’ve seen on Twitter is whether or not Killian is actually planning to end the darkness all along and the Dark Hook act is part of his plan OR Dark Hook will have a change of heart and save the day in the end. Honestly, I can get behind either option, but just like Dark Swan has been about defeating the darkness on her own to save Killian from knowing he’s a dark one, I can see Dark Hook being an act for Killian. He’s hated the darkness and spent centuries trying to defeat it. Now he holds the power to finally end it once and for all and he would finally die in peace knowing it can never harm his loved ones again. Again, either way I will be satisfied because we get our Killlian Jones back. 

THAT’S IT! I’M OUT! No more theories for 5A! All will be revealed this Sunday! This has been a fantastic arc and I can’t wait to see its grand finale! 

Bling Ring

This is my 40th blog post & my first year anniversary with this blog. First & foremost, THANK YOU for reading, sharing, & enjoying my posts. It’s been a pleasure sharing my OUAT theories & getting to process everything with you. It means the world to me so THANK YOU! 

Ok, gratitude aside, we have something MAJOR to discuss. Minutes ago, we were blessed with another sneak peek for 5×07 “Nimue.” In it, Emma and Hook are about to part ways on quests to get Excalibur back together. Before they separate, Hook gives Emma a ring that he wears around his neck. Unfortunately, it’s not to propose YET. But he does say something interesting about it:  “You know I’m a survivor; this ring is why. I’ve had it for many years. It’s the reason I’m alive… Or could be. Who knows?” Except he does know. He knows EXACTLY the power of that ring and he price he paid to get it. 

During a recent EW Hot Seat interview, Adam & Eddy revealed we will find out about Hook’s ring. When I first saw that, I was just why would that even matter? Who decided to bring that up?! But now this sneak peek comes along & BTS pics of Emma wearing that ring around her neck, the ring has peaked my interest. A ring is a traditional symbol for infinity/eternity, hence in weddings rings are placed on a finger to symbolize love meant to last for an eternity. In different stories, rings hold power. In the LOTR series, there was One Ring of power to rule them all. In Harry Potter, Voldemort used Marvolo Gaunt’s Slytherin ring to create a horcrux that contained a piece of his soul in there; with it, he could live on. The list goes on and on but the point is rings are important. So why NOW to make an emphasis on one of the many rings Hook wears? 

Here’s what I think: Hook got this ring from his father, yes Papa Hook. When his father abandoned Liam & Killian, he either A) left the ring behind for him or B) sent it to him years later. Think of Bootstrap Bill sending young Will Turner a piece of the cursed gold, except this piece of treasure saves Hook and doesn’t curse a ship full of pirates. This precious gift, like all magical items, came at a great price. With that ring, Hook defied the laws of nature. I think because of the magic, Papa Hook had to pay the price for that magic by servitude to Hades in the Underworld, helping do his bidding or delivering souls to the Underworld Davy Jones-like anyone? Now Hook without that ring is vulnerable to also having to pay the price of that power, hence why we are all leaning towards the idea of him sacrificing himself for Emma and has to go to the Underworld to pay it. Also, this would mean he doesn’t really die because he has a debt to pay, probably also in years of service to Hades. 

WHOA that’s a lot to take in. We are at the halfway point of 5A & every little thing is laying down the groundwork for 5B. Sometimes the smallest items hold the greatest clues to what’s ahead and in this case it’s in the form of a small ring. 

Battle Armor

FIRST: congratulations are in order for Adam & Eddy. Today begins filming for the 100TH EPISODE OF OUAT! They have created a story we have all fallen in love with, one that goes beyond 100 episodes of television. Seriously, if you haven’t, go immediately & send some love to Adam on Twitter NOW! Don’t worry: I fully intend to theorize the episode I’ve been waiting two years for; it will happen at a later date! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get down to business. TV Line has just released the November sweeps info about OUAT a few days ago. In it, it contained some info about the 2-hr episodes 5×08 “Birth” & 5×09 “The Bear King.” In the 5×09 Mulan & Red help Merida find out the truth about her father’s death, who is known as the Bear King. Part of that truth goes back to who imprisoned Merida in Camelot: Arthur.

The following involves filming spoilers that I know. If you don’t wish to be spoiled, PLEASE stop reading now! Waiting a little bit longer, OK! So I have a few sources who watched some filming for these episodes. Some of the stuff they watched was filming for 5×09. It turns out, part of finding the truth about Merida’s father will involve finding a magical helmet, a helmet that Arthur also happens to be looking for. What powers it holds is still unknown at the moment. What could be so special about this helmet that Arthur will turn his attentions towards that, even though the Storybrooke heroes have begun unraveling his broken kingdom?

I feel like slowly OUAT is building up a full armor set for a worthy knight. Think about it: the gauntlet that tells the wearer what another person loves most; Excalibur, the most powerful sword in all the realms from which the dagger comes from also with the ability to snuff out all the light magic in the Dark One; and now a mysterious helmet that Arthur wants to have possession of. I think the larger question at hand is what will happen when all these pieces come together. Who is worthy enough to put on all this armor and for what battle will these be used for? Here’s what I’m thinking: this armor will be used in 5B. Since we are all about 98% sure that the show is heading to the Underworld in 5B, the people travelling there will need tools to guide them there. The gauntlet, the helmet, and Excalibur are all capable of getting a person who’s in possesion of these where they seek to go.

However, I also think it’s true power lies with the person using said objects. This is not a journey for the weak in heart. I think the worthy knight taking the journey will be Emma Swan, after having been saved from the Darkness that has taken hold in her for 5A. Who is more worthy for this quest than the savior herself? The battle against the Darkness may be coming to an end, but the war is far from over. With the appropriate armor and army behind her, Emma Swan will be unstoppable in 5B, and that is what I’m looking forward to seeing.