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a land without magic
once upon a time 1.21 | a land without magic
30 DAYS OF ONCE UPON A TIME - Day 02 - Favorite Season 1 Episode: 1.21 Apple Red as Blood
30 DAYS OF ONCE UPON A TIME - Day 01 - An Episode You Would Use to Get People Hooked: 1.03 Snow Falls
Perfect episode. Perfect way to introduce well known characters in an interesting way. Perfect way to make you fall in love with them.
For a moment, can we talk about this scene and the things that it brings into perspective?
First, let’s consider Mary’s words…They’re definitely true, but imagine yourself as Regina; not only are your enemy’s words cutting your very heart, but the sting is worsened because you know them to be true, and you can see this bit of recognition on her face.
But also consider that Regina must be thinking, “You’re Snow. Fucking. White. Who are you to speak to me about being lonely? You’ve always had people fawning over you and wanting you to win. Who are you to judge what will make me happy when you’re part of why I’m continuously depressed? And how can you talk to me about holes in hearts when you’ve been bred for such a pure path so that you won’t succumb to such evil?” It must be an intense mix of feelings for her in those seconds…She’s hurt, incensed, and possibly in a state of reluctant agreement. (There are few things that piss you off in the same way as your enemy being right.)
But there’s another reason that this scene kills me; it helps establish just how alone and sensitive Regina is. You can see her eyes begin to redden as Mary is talking and she is so struck that she stands motionless until Henry pops up and asks why she’s there. The threat that tears may spill over is much more obvious now and she has to blink them back. Not only that, but she also has to clear her throat before she can even speak to her son…Let’s then notice the slight twitch and flare of her nose, as she’s probably resisting the urge to sniff.
But the most heart-wrenching physical manifestations of her emotional state? When she finally speaks, her voice has betrayed her and is gravelly with the strain of the urge to cry (you can even see her gulping when she hands Henry his lunch box). Then she did something that got to me because I also frequently do it when I’ve cried; she attempts to smile, but her mouth twitches and she has to curve her lips a second time to hold it.
Apart from the kick-ass acting, this scene makes me tear up because I see that Regina has no one to be vulnerable with. She doesn’t have anyone that she can just safely cry in front of, let alone gain comfort from. She can’t even bear that Henry might see her cry; he already thinks she’s weak and Regina may be afraid of giving him greater confirmation.
I keep waiting for that moment when someone finally encourages her (with no malicious intent) to cry in front of them. I think part of her would be so unaccustomed to the notion and convinced of trickery that she would become angry and force them away…But can you imagine how cathartic it would be for Regina if someone found her crying and just hugged her? I have this vision of tears that never seem to cease in their flow as YEARS of pent up sorrow, rage, and frustration are finally allowed a release.
I just want Regina to have someone that she trusts enough to lower her walls…maybe that’d be enough for to finally see that there are other ways for her to be happy.
And to Lana, for her beautiful subtleties:
*thunderous applause*
I want to address the bold right quick because it’s something that really, REALLY gets under my skin about the way the show seems to ignore or dismiss this point.
When I think about Regina and consider a way out and forward for her, I see her as that person who can offer real guidance and help to people who are close to the dark place where she’s been. After all, she’s been there, so she can speak from her experience and give more than platitudes from atop a moral high horse.
Gorgeous analysis. No wonder she set out to punish Snow by attempting to sleep with David.
Oh Regina, you are so complicated, no matter what Jane Espenson says. And Lana, you are brilliant with your face.
FAVOURITE ONCE UPON A TIME MOMENTS (in no particular order):
“Don’t care. Charming suits you.” 1.03 snow falls
The moment that launched the ship. This remains one of my favourite episodes and one of my favourite moments because it gave me so much hope they were going to do something so interesting with Snow and Charming. Their chemistry is palpable and Snow White as a disillusioned thief was a brilliant turn.
I was disappointed by the next time they saw each other that they were in irrevocable true love that was maudlin in its easily fixable angst. I wish they had drawn out this aspect just a little longer, with them having a few more adventures because the dynamic with the snarky attraction combined with the dramatic irony of the way we know the story ends for them was just too good to waste.
But still, this moment remains a shining pinnacle of the entire show for me. It was just perfect in every way imaginable.
charming suits you
Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town. Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.
