The Evil Queen
- Episode aired Apr 28, 2013
- TV-PG
- 44m
Emma grows suspicious of Tamara and Hook helps Regina retrieve the fail-safe key that will destroy Storybrooke, as flashbacks show the Evil Queen go undercover in order to kill Snow White.Emma grows suspicious of Tamara and Hook helps Regina retrieve the fail-safe key that will destroy Storybrooke, as flashbacks show the Evil Queen go undercover in order to kill Snow White.Emma grows suspicious of Tamara and Hook helps Regina retrieve the fail-safe key that will destroy Storybrooke, as flashbacks show the Evil Queen go undercover in order to kill Snow White.
- Henry Mills
- (as Jared S. Gilmore)
- Ruby Lucas
- (credit only)
- Peasant Woman
- (as Jennifer Juniper Angeli)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBerkeley and Rivers, the names of Regina's guards, have royal connections. Berkeley was the name of a noble family, and in the 1300s Thomas Berkeley was arrested for his role in the death of King Edward II. Rivers was the name given to the father of Elizabeth Woodville who married King Edward IV.
- Quotes
Hook: You ever wonder if this constant pursuit for revenge is the reason we have no one who cares for us? I mean, when all this is over and I know the Crocodile is dead for good and all... I'll have nothing to look forward to. My life will be empty. Revenge may sate your being, but don't misunderstand me, my dear. It's an end, not a beginning.
- Crazy creditsThe opening sequence shows the Dark Palace.
- ConnectionsReferences Lost (2004)
Although not a Season 2, or 'Once Upon a Time' overall, high point, "The Evil Queen" does improve on the interesting if uneven previous episode "Lacey". It does a better job at progressing characters, if not quite as successful on the plot developments as that while not back-tracking. Very little, if anything, feels needless here, nothing is wasted and quality feels more even. Not a perfect episode by all means, but when it comes to what side of the mixed critical reception my opinion is it's positive.
"The Evil Queen" has a couple of story developments that are a little far-fetched and convenient, with Rumplestiltskin's motivations (like with Regina) not being as clear and consistent as ought.
Regina's want for redemption and revenge and her issue with Snow White were also starting to get repetitive at this point.
However, there are some very neat and fascinating connections concerning fairy-tale and reality and past and present, either not being picked up on before or being just as much a reminder for the viewer as it is for the character (i.e. the one in the Neal and Henry guarding the door scene).
Character development is also done really well, with Neal and Henry being the most interesting they've been in goodness knows how long. The revelation though is with Regina, once again a very layered character with new things about her introduced and existing motivations and traits built upon. Other episodes are more successful in painting her in a sympathetic light but she is not flat out one-dimensional evil either. While all the acting is very good, it's Lana Parrilla who gets all the meat and she delivers it masterfully.
Furthermore, "The Evil Queen" 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.
In conclusion, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 15, 2018
Details
- Runtime44 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD