We have the power to change our fate.
Warning: Full spoilers for the episode below.
First of all, apologies for the delay in getting this review up! I was on a Disney cruise and unfortunately had to miss the episode since cruise staterooms don’t have DVRs. But now that I’m home, let’s catch up. “The Bear and the Bow” was Merida-tastic. Coincidentally, I rewatched Brave while on the cruise, so all the homages to the animated film jumped out at me. There were too many of them. The shot of Merida loosing the arrow to save the lives of her brothers was just like when she shot for her own hand. And since they did reference the events of the movie — Merida said she’d experienced the magic of the potion — Merida should know she doesn’t need the potion to change her fate. Wasn’t the lesson one of the biggest takeaways from the movie?
On the other side of the coin, it was fun to see live-action versions of Merida’s brothers and her three suitors. Once Upon a Time’s casting department does excellent work. I mean, look at Merida. They couldn’t have chosen a better on-screen version of her than Amy Manson. It’s like she walked out of the Pixar movie.
Merida was a key part of the story in the flashbacks and present day and so was the tried and true theme of finding the hero within yourself. Belle helped in both time periods, and Emilie de Ravin’s performance in this episode was some of her best work on the series to date. It was some of the best character material, too. Belle doesn’t need the spotlight, but by offering her support and help to others, she is in the spotlight. She’s so much more than a supporting, Giles-esque character. She is a hero in her own right, whether she realizes it or not.
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photo Gallery:
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Advertisement
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Advertisement
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Advertisement
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Once Upon a Time: “The Bear and the Bow” Photos
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Though the subplot of visiting Merida’s homeland and helping her brothers wasn’t altogether necessary (and boy, how convenient for her to see the clans declaring they’d kill her brother later in the day!), it was great to see her and Belle work alongside each other. The Adventures of Merida and Belle is a show I’d watch. We also learned a little about why Merida’s confidence was shaken, and it was flimsy. It’s sort of terrible that the clans stopped believing in her because she couldn’t save her father. It didn’t add up.
Belle also helped Rumplestiltskin become a hero. The way she constantly believes in him is occasionally frustrating, but it’s true to her character. She has stood up to him in the past, and she did so here too by leaving his side when he wanted to run away from the problem. The Belle of a few years ago wouldn’t have pushed back. She’s come a long way, and since Rumple is no longer the Dark One, maybe their relationship can develop too. There were certainly moments in the episode that showed their potential.
Rumple becoming more heroic because of Belle completely worked. She’s the only person who could bring out the brave side in him. Robert Carlyle has been a delight to watch as a villain, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he’ll do as a hero. But does one act truly make someone a hero? Was his selfless move enough to change his core? It was surprising that he was able to pull Excalibur from the stone. It should be more difficult to wield such a powerful magic object. I understand there’s an issue of time and wanting to move the story along, but it was too easy.
A couple of other points didn’t make sense. Regina’s not dumb. Why would she agree to leave Arthur alone with the Crimson Crown? She would override Charming. It was for the sake of story. Similarly, Arthur was really stupid enough to not stay and ensure the toadstool burned? Come on, people. And then there was another little thing: Zelena told Emma she doesn’t mind being alone. But isn’t she so excited about the baby because it means there will be someone to love her? She doesn’t want to be alone.
Interactions and relationships between characters made this week’s Once Upon a Time solid. And by characters, I mean Belle and Merida and Belle and Rumple. Some would argue Belle was pushed to the side, but she was the real hero because she helped both Merida and Rumple transform. But Rumple being able to pull the sword from the stone after one heroic act? No way. Excalibur should be stronger. The episode had a few points like that where things happened for the sake of moving the plot along rather than for the sake of making sense.
