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

This is our instant reaction to The Tower, which introduced Rapunzel to the world of Once Upon a Time. We had quite a few likes and a couple of dislikes:

Likes

1. The show continues to bring the creepy.

2. We were overdue for a David episode and there was David and Emma stuff, which again was long overdue.

3. The characters continued to have real conversations about things!

4. The show incorporated lots of Oz elements into the story.

5. This representation of facing one's fears was stronger than the Bridge or Regrets or Tree of Secrets or whatever the heck happened back in Neverland.

6. Rapunzel got a happy ending!

7. The Regina and Henry scene!

8. New exotic Storybrooke locales!

Dislikes

1. This is not a knock on Robin Hood but why do he and other "guest stars" continue to get more screen time than Belle? This ep gave us more of Belle as a pawn in someone elese's game.

2. Alex GOES IN on Hook's attitude!

FEEDBACK!

We share your feedback. Including voicemails, emails, and blog questions about whether Regina has been redeemed, your theories about Zelena's bio parents, your theories about the Charming baby, your theories about the curse, your feels about Swan Queen, thoughts about Outlaw Queen, questions and much 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!

This week is another double recap as we walk through the major events of New York City Serenade and Witch Hunt, including:

New York City Serenade

In our full recap of New York City Serenade we talk about the many parallels with the Pilot but also with Snow and Regina's relationship in the Evil Queen, (our Evil Queen recap is podcast episode 48), we address Walsh going ape and we wish for a map of Fairytale Land.

This Week in Emma's Suitors: Hook looks like a Leather Daddy, Walsh wants to put a ring on it, Regina and Neal are MIA.

This Week in Unanswered Questions: What happened if you died in Storybrooke, are you alive now? Is it like Storybrooke never happened? Is August a boy or a man? Is that why Rumple is alive? Cora? Graham?

This Week in Charmings: Snow and Charming have very different responses to Neal and Hook while counseling everyone

This Week in Tasting Her Own Medicine: Regina experiences what Snow went through when giving up her child.

This Week in Precocious Rom-Com Kids: Henry is a prime candidate for setting a parent trap.

Witch Hunt

In our recap of Witch Hunt, we address the Swan Queen moments including Jennifer Morrisson's new acting choices toward Regina, as well as the consistency in Robin Hood's character in Quite a Common Fairy and Witch Hunt. There are a suprising number of Sleeping Beauty references. And Also Alex has a theory about Regina that won't make anyone happy.

This Week in Regina: Regina saves another child the same way she did Snow White.

This Week in Tasting Her Own Medicine: Zelena wouldn't kill Regina just like Regina wouldn't kill snow.

This Week in Bail Bonds: The citizens of Storybrooke begin to reveal themselves to Henry as being guilty of crimes like Banditry and Piracy.

This Week in New Businesses: The Merry Men visit Jack Sprat's Sporting Goods.

This Week in Parallels: Witch Hunt is contrasted with Broken and Emma/Regina are contrasted with Cricket Game.

This Week in Rewrites: Robin Hood gets Jefferson's storyline.

This Week in Star Trek: Dr. Whale gets his Jim McCoy moment.

Show Notes:

Thank you Laura for the Gifset!

The bit with Rumple at the end refers to the scene with Regina and Rumple in Quite a Common Fairy where Rumple tells Regina "the darkness feasts on you."

ABC owns the rights to Wicked.

This is the instant reaction to Episode 13 of Season 3, Witch Hunt. This was a history making episode for us because Belle Mayhem joined the fandom and we did not have any dislikes.

Loves:

This felt like season 1 in its tone, pacing, character moments, slice of life.

Sister Act!

The Wicked Witch is a hoot (Bex Mader is playing WW with a little Patsy from Ab Fab).

Bri loved seeing all the old characters back and we know she wasn't alone.

Regina wearing her mourning outfit was a great choice.

Emma and Regina got to talk about their son!

Jennifer Morrison really brought some new looks to her scenes with Regina.

Rumple?!?

Theories and Thoughts

Is Rumple Zelena's father or is it someone else?

How did Robin accidentally get Maid Marion killed?

Did Walsh really date Emma before he was a monkey?

Who summoned Hook? Who made the potion?

Alex will gladly trade the drawves for the Merry Men, Bri disagrees.

Show Notes

Our cat Ivy flopped her ears loudly at minute 7:32 because she's sick of Belle appearing on the podcast. So we acknowledge that Princess Ivy is a thing.

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!

In this Very Special 75th Episode of Other Side of the Mirror, we recap Think Lovely Thoughts and Going Home. Although there was one episode between these two, they fit together because of the character arcs of Rumple and Regina.

Think Lovely Thoughts

This Week In the House of Rumpelstiltskin: We give a quick refresher on the Three Spinners, witness three generations of Rumpelstiltskins trying their hand at fatherhood; imagine Belle and Rumple at a marriage counselor; imagine Malcolm on the show 16 and Pregnant; and praise the heck out of Neal for standing up to his dad.

This Week In Casa Charming: We imagine Snow and Charming on House Hunters International; witness two generations of Charmings ever ready to make deals with Rumple; and Alex says “Snow I''mma let you finish BUT....”

This Week in the Mills Family: Emma and Regina are fighting evil by moonlight and ripping hearts out by daylight; Henry is starring in an After School Special about Peer Pressure; and Regina has enough character growth to appear on Oprah's Sunday Soul Day

And This Week in Analysis: Rumple's journey makes us think of Wordsworth's “the child is father of the man.” We also sense a dark/light parallel in Neal/Emma and Regina/ Rumple, with notes on both Swan Fire and Swan Queen.

Going Home

This Week in Plot: The Shadow gets charbroiled; Tink stumps for Captain Swan; Blue Fairy Lives!; there are scrolls and body swaps and magic bracelets and daggers.

This Week in Life Lessons: Biology does not make a parent!

This Week in Parallels: Regina and Rumple pay the ultimate price for their sons.

This Week in Rumbelle: Whyyyyyy...

This Week in Regina and Emma: We chart the holy cow amazing growth between Regina and Emma. Regina learns empathy for how she wrecked Emma's life! Regina pushed Emma to become a leader! Emma deferred to Regina during the entire third season including leaving with Henry!

This Week in Rants: Regina realizes that Emma did not have a good life because of the curse, so she decides to give her one. We discuss the implications of that and wonder why this show is promoted as if it's Once Upon a Time: Passions Edition. This show is about the balance between light and dark.... how can this not be a theme in promotion?

Time Stamps

00:00 - 04:00 Revisiting The Three Spinners and The Miller's Daughter.

04:00 - 42:00 Recap of Think Lovely Thoughts

42:30 - 1:01:00 Recap of Going Home

1:01:00 - 1:17:00 Emma, Regina and the themes of OUAT

01:17:30 - 1:24:50 Rumbelle, Neal and the future

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're counting down our likes and dislikes from the return of Season 3, Episode 12, New York City Serenade. They include:

Bonus Likes and Dislikes! Before we launch into the show we announce our hatred for ABC's Resurrection promos and our enjoyment of the OUAT highlights show. Onward!

Likes

*Snow and Regina's relationship has evolved and it is awesome!

*Emma's new surroundings and all of the things and memories and emotions Regina created for her (FEELS)

*The tone of the show has shifted into new territory, the main characters continue to work together, the reset seems promising.

*We were unspoiled so it did not feel predictable. There's a new mystery plus the flying monkey surprised us!

*Neal wanting to find a way back to Henry and Emma (but warning, Alex's support for Neal will probably doom the character)

Dislikes

*Alex is bored by Aurora and Philip and questions Aurora's life choices

*Bri misses some characters like Rumple and Mulan, plus Henry did not have his memories yet

*The timing of Robin Hood and Regina (but we're keeping an open mind)

*Mini-rant about Adam and Eddie treating Jamie Dornan like the girlfriend they dumped but now want back ! (it's toooooo late....knock it off!)

Thank You!

A big thank you to those who donated to our microphone fund, especially Amanda, Priscilla and Cheryl!! Send us your address and we'll send you some swag! We love all our listeners, regardless of whether you donated, you make doing the show worthwhile.

Show Notes

Check out Christina Bianco's interpretation of Celine Dion, Idina Menzel, Adele Bernadette Peters, Brittany Spears and all the divas! http://www.youtube.com/user/omegalyle76

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!

Because we like to zig when you think we're going to zag... this episode is about what Once Upon a Time does right!

Watching an episode of Intelligence got us thinking about all the reasons we enjoy Once.

Are we grading on a curve? Only until the hiatus ends!

These are our six gold stars:

1. Inventive Premise is Inventive!

2. Character Growth. The show doesn't get the cache it should for showing dramatic character arcs and making us change our minds about the characters.

3. Villainy! We like that OUAT doesn't apologize for creating nuanced villains with both good and evil traits.

4. They represent fairy tales fairly accurately. Fairy tales are crazy.

5. Adam Horowitz's engagement on Twitter.

6. Relationship between Regina/Emma/Henry should be celebrated. We also like the numerous roles for women.

All that and our review of Frozen.

Notes:

Bri wrote a book with Jessica Burkhart, Keep it Chic and Cheap, 35 Ways to Update Your Space. It's designed for tweens but anyone can use these tips to spruce up their space without ripping the walls down.

Her columns on movies are at NetflixClub.com.

In our full recap of Save Henry, we analyze the evolution of Emma and Regina's relationship including the total trust the two women demonstrated during this episode. We also discuss the difference between regret and remorse and ask why this discussion can't also apply to Rumple.

This Week in Answered Questions: Magic 8 Ball revealed the answer to what Regina intended to do with Baby Emma (kill her!), revisited the issue of Mr. Gold's memory (reply hazy, try again later), but the story of Henry's adoption was decidedly incomplete (better not tell you now).

This Week in Minor Characters: Hey, let's discuss Archie!

This Week in Old TV: Henry is like Timmy from Lassie.

This Week in Product Placement: Sandals Resorts scored the coveted Once Upon a Time product placement! Tab, Walkman and Tang reacted with jealousy.

This Week in Podcast Hosts: Bri declares that everyone needs therapy in Storybrooke and Alex vanquishes a certain website's Regina-haters.

This Week in Grades: Snow is given a "has trouble staying on task" and Alex calls the episode "somewhat satisfying," which Bri explains translates to a solid "B."

Notes

Is Regina's reference to the game Space Paranoids a secret reference to the Kitsis/Horowitz graphic that plays at the end of each episode?

We're planning a Best/Worst of 2013 episode. What were the things you loved most in 2013?

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 is the instant reaction for episode 11 of Season 3, Going Home! We discuss the fact that the OnceVerse clearly has no well defned rules, which leads to magical coconuts, shady math and plot holes. But the lack of rules also allows for a series reset that we are excited to see. There was also an extended discussion of the promo for the next episode and we have our first theory of what it means.

Our likes and dislikes include:

Likes

1. Emma/Regina - the stakes are so high, the scenes are so poignant, the acting superb. REGINA GIVING EMMA A HAPPY ENDING ZOMG! Why isn't the show boasting about this unique relationship?!?

2. Robbie Kaye and Robert Carlyle and their characters. Worst dad ever!

3. The last scene in NYC... We loved the reprise of Charlie's Girl. Loved Original Recipe Emma! 1 YEAR LATER. Yes we love the time jump.

4. Acting is great. The show's actors are so good the show doesn't need dumb plot machinations.

5. There be Swan Queen afoot....

Dislikes

1. Alex is mystified that ABC is mystified about how to promote Once and think that Sexy Hook is the only promotable thing.

2. There aren't any rules in the OnceVerse. Plot holes and dumb shortcuts are making a mess. Take heart Rumbelle, nobody stays dead!

3. Unresolved threads. What about Felix? Felix and Pan? Darlings? Lost Boys? Owen?

4. Hook is just eh.

5. We will be waiting until March 14.....

In this week’s podcast we discuss season 3’s Dark Hollow, which provided us with lots of laughs, a few minor rants and a startling defense of Neal’s determination to be in Henry’s life. Other than that this episode was totally inane.

This week on Once Upon an Under the Dome: the same CGI protective shield that sliced up the cow in CBS’ Chesters Mill migrates to ABC’s Storybrooke to slice the bumper off the hipster's car.

This week in dubious plot points: we continue the trend of randomly imbuing objects with magical properties. Last week’s ikea coconut is this week’s hologram sand dollar!

This week in #SaveHenry: Team Charming for the Fail! And Team Evil for the Win!

This week in Triangle Talk: Emma would rather go to Rainbow Cove. Paging Regina…

This week in Hook-has-ants-in-his-pants: Stupid. Inane. I can't.

This week in Regina: we’re still more interested in Regina than non-Regina. So deal.

Notes:

Bri recommends three fan videos, all set to the same Kate Bush song. For Regina/Daniel (by IdtProductions2), for Swan Queen (by tmk) for Jefferson (by Valentina Zemlyanaya).

NOTE: We’re planning a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode for the hiatus. Help us choose an episode for us to offer commentary on!

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 is our instant reaction to The New Neverland, Episode 10 of Season 3 of Once Upon a Time. We're counting down our likes and dislikes including:

LIKES:

*Bri votes for Rumbelle and French girl berets.

*Alex votes for the Regina and Snow moments.

*We both enjoyed Regina and Henry moments.

*We give props to Jared Gilmore for his growth as an actor.

*Charming and Emma had a scene! (See caveat below in Crossfire!)

*A bit of depth added to the Charming family chatter.

*So Much Shallow! Regina, Emma, and even Charming looked slamming hot.

*Emma, Regina, Henry = Divorced Parent Swan Queen Fanfic.

DISLIKES:

*The Blue Fairy kicked the bucket before any of the fandom theories were validated or rejected!

*"No Greek Myths." OH RLY SHOW?

*The reunions for the Darling siblings and Ariel/Eric fell flat.

CROSSFIRE:

On this podcast's version of Crossfire, Bri and Alex debated the following:

*Bri enjoyed the progress Rumple made in curing Charming; Alex thought the plot resolution was dumb.

*Alex thinks Charming's attitude toward Neal is out of character, Bri plays Devil's advocate on the issue, and Alex rants.

NOTE: We're planning a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode for the hiatus. Help us choose an episode for us to offer commentary on!