Other Side of the Mirror: A Once Upon a Time fan podcast

This is a Very Special Happy Thanksgiving Edition of the Other Side of the Mirror. As a big thank you to our longtime and new listeners, we recorded a live commentary to the episode Dreamcatcher, which Bri watched for the first time during the podcast. We had all kinds of thoughts, analysis and OMG reactions. We do appreciate your listenership over the years, which has helped make this community such a great one!

We have launched a Patreon, so that we can make our podcasts and website better AND begin paying our contributors! Please visit us to learn more, at https://www.patreon.com/whatthefangirl?ty=h

We'd like to thank Samantha and Karyn, as well as Lynn and Randi, who all supported our Patreon the day that it launched. Thanks everyone!

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE. This podcast is part of the What the Fangirl podcast network - visit at http://whatthefangirl.com

This is our instant reaction to episodes 8 and 9 of season 5 of Once Upon A Time, Birth, and the Bear King. We begin with our disconnect with the character of Emma Swan and wonder why they reset her emotionally after every single season.

*Emma is freaking out because Hook was buying her a dream house? Emma has had to let her guard down for her parents, Henry, Ruby, August, Neal, Regina, Elsa, Lily – and Hook for like 4 seasons now. But she's still afraid of love? We call bs.

*We discuss Outlaw Queen and the lack of screen time, and touch on why Regina's character progression has been better than Emma Swan's.

With respect to whatever episode 9 was, we share an article from the show runners about what they thought they were actually doing and have a great laugh at their expense. We have many thoughts about watching the series for five years as members of the LGBT community, and none of them are very good. We rage.

*They promoted a thing (an LGBT relationship) that literally did not exist in this episode at all and then expect us to throw them a parade. No.

*We discuss the Netflix show Masters of None and how it's so good because it is written by people inside the cultures it is discussing; whereas Once is tone deaf and not created by anyone inside the LGBT community.

We ask for your support so that we can begin paying our contributors. Please visit us at https://www.patreon.com/whatthefangirl?ty=h

We'd like to thank Lynn and Randi, longtime supporters of our website and podcasts, for supporting our Patreon the day that it launched. Thanks ladies!

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE. This podcast is part of the What the Fangirl podcast network - visit at http://whatthefangirl.com

This is our full recap of the first two episodes of Once Upon a Time season 5: The Dark Swan and The Price. Among our topics for discussion are the different philosophies of life held by Rumple and the Charmings (including Emma), Emma's faith in Regina and why that faith did not work as she hoped it would, the various interpretations of True Love's Kiss, the implications of the JJ Abrams "mystery box" theory and how it impacts OUAT, and your feedback.

Topics include:

• This week in Theology 101, Emma and Rumple represent two sides of a religious debate over fate and free will.

• This week in Personal Philosophy 203, we discover that Regina doesn't actually like many people and discuss her biggest flaw.

• This week on Days of Our Knives, Hook, Regina, Robin and Emma find themselves in a complicated quadrangle.

• This week in the Study of Magical Objects, we renew our interest in magic-killing fitbits and the lore of will o' the wisps.

• This week in Publisher's Weekly, we present a self-help books written by Rumple called "You Only Get One Chance" and a self-help book by the Charmings entitled, "Where there's a Will, There's a Way.

• This week in Magical Theory, we realize that Belle is the only one who knows how to read.

• This week in Swan Queen, we discuss the difference between Regina protecting Emma in season 3's Neverland compared to how she is protecting Emma now; as well as whether Regina understands her own limits.

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE. This podcast is part of the What the Fangirl podcast network - visit at http://whatthefangirl.com

This is our instant reaction to episode 3 of season 5 of Once Upon A Time, Siege Perilous, where every character tortured each other and the viewers. Even Bri and her magic shush-hands couldn't find the answer to the following questions:

1. How Evil Will King Arthur Be? Evil, Evil-Evil, Very Evil, or Once Upon a Time Level Evil?

2. Who's Going to be the Savior/Needed-Hero? Time to Play Spot The Red Herring!

3. Why are David and Arthur like Bjorn Borg and How Come Bri Couldn't Stop Alex from Talking About Tennis?

4. How much do we care about Camelot? A Little? A Modicum? A Lot?

5. Will Lancelot Come Between Charming and Snow? Answer is Hazy, Ask Again Later

6. How Many Second Chances Did Regina Get? 2? 22? or 222?

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE. This podcast is part of the What the Fangirl podcast network - visit at http://whatthefangirl.com

This is our instant recap of Once Upon a Time's second episode of season 5: The Price. (Attention Oncers: for five seconds we SHIPPED ALL OF THE THINGS!) This week we abandon our likes and dislikes to tease out some of the philosophical issues we hope to discuss in greater detail during our full recap of the first two episodes:

• Is the best Regina can hope for “a good death?”

• What is “the savior?”

• Can Regina ever fully outmaneuver her past? Should she?

• What the hell is a True Love's Kiss and who on this show are “Tru Wuvs?”

• Are the fatal flaws of Emma, Hook, and Regina at times their greatest strengths?

Also WomanHood (TM Hope Mullinax), True Love's Magic 8 Ball, Xena, Care Bears, and Big Brother.

Housekeeping note – we're doing a full recap of the first two episodes together and we need your feedback and input on the season so far.

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE. This podcast is part of the What the Fangirl podcast network - visit at http://whatthefangirl.com

This is our instant reaction to The Dark Swan. Yes, we ARE season ticket holders to Once Upon a Time, so we felt compelled to return to the podcast. Today we covered our likes and dislikes, discussed our new kitten (Flynn Rider), announced the launch of our What The Fangirl (Whatthefangirl.com), talked about FairyTalez.com, and announced the launch of our store (http://shop.spreadshirt.com/whatthefangirl).

We missed you and greatly appreciate your participation.

Likes

1. The ensemble cast gets to stay together rather than being separated in different realms.

2. A fresh start is always welcome.

3. Snow, Regina, Baby Blanket. Feels.

4. Swan Queen.

5. Robin acknowledging that Zelena assaulted him. Also, Outlaw Queen.

Dislikes

1. A fresh start always sweeps away unfinished storylines and characters

2. Rumple/Belle is a thing that still exists.

3. Hook manipulating Henry

4. They're recycling their worst plot – Amnesia.

Show Notes

Merrin Dungey (Ursula) recorded a welcome for our most recent podcast episode for WhatTheFangirl, which you can download on iTunes.

FairyTalez.com collects fairy tales from all over the world and it's totally free.

Swag inspired by Once Upon a Time and other televisions shows is available in our Shop. We have mugs, baby onsies and rompers, t-shirts, tote bags and hoodies, including plus sizes. Your support helps us run three podcasts and a website.

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE.

We return for a reaction podcast only. We find the Storybrooke moments soared, the fairybacks bombed, and the stortytelling plot is still a mess. But we did enjoy the actresses who play Ursula and Cruella, Rumple's couch-surfing, and Regina + Emma.

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE.

And so we find ourselves in the same position as the characters of Once Upon a Time at the End of Going Home. We bid you farewell, but in the words of Neal, we're certain we will see you again. This is our final episode exclusively about OUAT for the time being. Of course since it's the two of us, we discuss a lot of other shows on this one, including the surprising similarities between Once Upon a Time and Scandal. We discuss in brief four episodes culminating with the two-parter Smash the Mirror, which smashed our interest in the show.

On a personal note, Bri and I both greatly appreciate everyone who downloads this podcast, whether you give us feedback, think we are crazy, argue with us, or just lurk and listen. We love you all! Look for us next after Peter Pan Live, which airs on NBC in the States on December 4, 2014.

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE.

(MP3 - RSS- iTunes)

This is our full recap of Breaking Glass. It's also our 100th episode! Therefore it is fitting that we talk about Emma and Regina issues, since the show finally acknowledged that they have a relationship that transcends Henry.

This Week in Truthiness: We fact check Regina's dubious claim that Emma never had her back.

This Week in It's Complicated: Emma learns to articulate her feelings about Regina.

This Week in Emma Studies: We grapple with the ramifications of Young Regina/Lily including the parallels with Neal.

This Week in Wardrobe: Elsa is still in her ball gown and so are a few million little girls.

This Week in Frozen: We try but fail to understand what the Snow Queen's machinations were meant to achieve in this ep.

This Week in Disney: Bri and Alex survive a trip to Walt Disney World, aka Arendelle South.

Show Notes:

There was no instant reaction nor will there be one!

We will be devoting a show to character analysis of Captain Hook so get your feedback and observations ready!

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE.

(MP3 - RSS-ITunes)

We were drinking wine, and so were the writers of Once Upon a Time, as we sat through a lot of plot that made not a lot of sense in the episode The Apprentice. We touch on what struck us in Rocky Road and shared your feedback.

Topics include:

Rumplestiltskin: Special Dark Edition

Robin and Regina: Things they could've actually talked about.

Newbies: We like Will Scarlet and Alex is over Frozen.

Protip: Don't bring a gun to a magic fight.

Wishful casting: Joe Morton as Father of All Evil.

Feedback on Emma and Hook; theories on Maleficent, the Snow Queen, Robin and Regina and more.

Other Side of the Mirror is a Once Upon a Time podcast with an emphasis on Regina Mills/Evil Queen. We focus on the show, theories, fandom and more. Suggest a topic for an upcoming fan episode and more. Call our voicemail line at (970) 510-6623, email feedback to [email protected] and follow us on Twitter @othersideONCE.