Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13 Review: Ill-Boding Patterns

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Emma said yes!

The savior gave her answer to Killian's proposal before the captain had a chance to pop the question on Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13.

And sure, there's still the matter of him killing her grandfather back in the day.

Emma says yes! - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

But we're not going to dwell on that right now. 

It's amazing how far Emma's come since the beginning of the series. She went from sky-high walls to opening herself up to love. It's been a long journey. A hard-fought journey.

She deserved a beautiful moment with the man she loves. One where they can bask in their happiness and love for one another.

Killian: Emma Swan, will you marry me?
Emma: Yes, Killian. Yes.

Of course I wanted him to tell her the truth first. Killian wanted to tell her the truth first. 

But it's hard to blame him for keeping silent. Not because he's afraid of her reaction. We know Emma's going to accept it. She's not under any delusions about his past.

She loves him for the man he is now. The man who loves her and who's been there for her every step of the way.

A little early for rum, isn't it?

Archie

Killian got swept up in the moment. Because the woman he loves was swept up in the moment and he follows her cues.

He wasn't going to snatch away her excitement to tell a quick story of a past murder. Besides, we know the story will come out at the worst possible time. 

And it's likely to cause more tension with David than with Emma. 

So for now, let's follow Captain Swan's lead, and focus on celebrating their engagement rather than dwelling on the elephant in the room.

Robin returns to the forest - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

In other news, it turns out Wish Realm Robin is the worst.

I'm going to take back any hopes I had that he and Regina would find another chance at true love. He doesn't want redemption or happiness. He wants to steal more and live on the shady side of the street.

Regina deserves better than that. Original Robin's memory deserves better than that. And if he could refrain from ever shaming Regina again, I'd be grateful.

Robin feels inadequate - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

I hate to say it, but it was a smart ploy on his behalf. Telling her what she wanted to hear, and then making her feel guilty for trying to recreate the man she lost.

But I think Regina's got the message now. Robin attempting to run away with Zelena definitely put the final nail in the coffin of Outlaw Queen Part II.

Not that I'm not happy to see Zelena. Rebecca Mader continues to be woefully underused each week. 

Careful. I don't think your sister would be too pleased if you caused the demise of a second Robin.

Robin

Did anyone else roll their eyes when the Evil Queen returned? We knew it had to happen sooner or later, but I would have preferred later.

Like this Robin mess, it's time to end the two halves of Regina story. Either put them back together or banish the Evil Queen more permanently.

Maybe she and Robin can go be evil together in the Wish Realm.

Beowulf! - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

Speaking of terrible, everything about Beowulf fell into this category.

I know Once Upon a Time likes to put its own spin on things, but Beowulf went from hero to villain to victim in a short amount of time. By far, his worst crime was being boring.

And as boring as he was in his quest to take down Rumple, another element made the story even worse.

Adventure? - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

In flashbacks, and when he was alive in present day, Baelfire/Neal constantly shamed his father for being evil. He hated his darkness. He hated that he chose power over family.

Now, we've learned that Bae once chose power and darkness, too. He wielded the dagger and commanded the Dark One to kill.

Before I could wrap my head around that character assassination, Rumple had wiped his memory with magic tea. Bae went right back to criticizing Rumple, and all was right with the world.

Ultimate trust - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

As long as we ignore how offensive everything about this is to those of us who have watched the show from the beginning.

Rumple betraying Bae was literally the reason he manipulated everyone's lives. Neal might have been morally questionable, but Bae always did the right thing.

Now we're supposed to believe he had a moment of darkness, and Rumple, in the midst of his Dark One transformation, put his son's needs before his own.

Rumple and his dagger - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

And then what? He conveniently forgot that lesson until decades later when he had another son on the verge of darkness?

Sorry. It doesn't work that way.

I'm not against Rumple being redeemed. I know he's done awful things, but this is a show centered on hope. We want the characters to find the best versions of themselves.

Once you give in to darkness, it's almost impossible to resist its calling.

Rumple

But not if it takes rewriting the past to do it.

Let Rumple help Gideon. Let him keep standing in his way or let him do the dark things for him so he doesn't have to risk his soul.

That's believable. That's a way to heal some of the cracks in his relationship with Belle. It can be a way for him to help the townspeople, too.

Walking through the woods - Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 13

In early seasons, the flashbacks filled in the blanks, and shaped the characters. They were surprising and emotional and important to the story.

Lately, they feel manipulative.

After watching Bae be a killer and Killian happening to arrive in time to slay David's father, I'm afraid to see what upcoming flashbacks will reveal.

What did you think of "Ill-Boding Patterns?" Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Need to catch up? You can watch Once Upon a Time online anytime!

Ill-Boding Patterns Review

Editor Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.1 / 5.0 (66 Votes)

Mandy Treccia was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in September 2017. Follow her on Twitter.

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