Once Upon a Time Review: Mother (Season 4 Episode 20)

Last night was definitely a night for mothers and daughters on Once Upon a Time, “Mother.”

Lily showed quite a lot of promise when she was first introduced, but now I’m not so sure she’ll end up as anything more than a very convenient plot device.

Her almost bizarre urge to kill Snow and Charming feels too insincere, if only because she’s finally found her MOTHER, and she basically tells her to screw off. It could be all that darkness inside her, influencing her emotions, but it’s still a little hard to get on board her revenge mission.

Maleficent: Why don’t you stay for a week, and I can teach you about being a scary-dragon-bitch.

That last scene between Lily and Maleficent killed it, though. Seeing Lily so vulnerable about all the relationships she’s trashed because of Emma’s darkness makes her way more sympathetic than her pissed off attitude did. I’m still not quite sure what the hell her purpose is in Storybrooke, but I suppose that’s a topic we can tackle next season — if she lasts that long.

Regina’s story comes in two parts: the current pregnancy debacle and the past one.

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Regina sterilizing herself back in the Enchanted Forest. It certainly makes her aggressive attachment to Henry in earlier seasons make more sense, but you have to wonder how (and if) it will play into current plot lines. Will she tell Robin? Will it matter to him?

Overall, though, the flashbacks do very little for the plot besides to inform Regina’s decision in the present to let Zelena live rather than have her written out of the story entirely. And it’s a pretty weak tether, to be honest.

Isaac: The pen is mightier than the… well, everything.

It is so nice to finally — FINALLY — see Regina make the right choice. To realize that she is the cause of all of her own unhappiness rather than blaming it on outside forces makes it feel like we’re coming to a real turning point in her redemption arc.

One that finally feels well-deserved.

Except for that whole ‘stealing Belle’s heart’ thing. That was kind of a dick move.

Speaking of things that FINALLY happen, Emma finally forgives her parents for their evil deeds of long ago. I know I’ve ranted about this subplot being one of my least favorites, but this week it is definitely one of the better elements. Reunions between parent and child are always feel-good moments, and no one does hugs like Snow and Emma.

We’re gearing up for the two-hour season finale next week, which is colorfully titled “Operation Mongoose.”

Where do you think the story will head now? Will Emma ever turn dark as promised? Or will the author leave that up to the rest of our characters during next week’s freaky Friday? Sound off in comments below, and be sure to give “Mother” your own rating.

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

Once Upon a Time airs Sundays at 8/7c on ABC.