Once Upon a Time
Season 4 Episodes 22 & 23: “Operation Mongoose Parts 1 & 2”
Directed by Romeo Tirone (Part 1), Ralph Hemecker (Part 2)
Written by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
Created by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Emilie de Ravin, Colin O’Donoghue, Jared Gilmore, Robert Carlyle
ABC
Air Date: Sunday, May 10th, 2015, 8:00pm

Last week on Once Upon A Time, Emma (Jennifer Morrison) managed to get a vengeful Lily (Agnes Bruckner) back to Storybrooke to meet her mother, Maleficent (Kristin Bauer van Straten), who lost her taste in revenge and now wants to just be happy with her daughter. After Lily “dragons” out, she finally agreeas to give Maleficent a week. The episode title was “Mother” so Emma forgave hers (and her dad) for what they did to Lily to ensure her own goodness. And we were treated to a backstory with Cora (Barbara Hershey), who seemed like she wanted to make up for what she did to Regina (Lana Parilla). That didn’t really work out.

Once Upon A Time 2.22 & 2.23 “Operation Mongoose Parts 1 & 2” review: It’s time for a snippet of the Author’s backstory! In 1966, Star Publishing, sent this unsuccessful TV salesman a letter. It was from the Apprentice and showed the time he was given this job.

The Author rewrote the story… and whooosh! Storybrooke was empty and Henry (Jared Gilmore) was left behind in a ghost town. Searching for his family, he sees “Heroes and Villains,” a bestselling novel by Isaac Heller (Patrick Fischler), the Author. Henry finds him, takes the key and throws them both in the original book.

This is where Once Upon A Time gets fun – when it goes topsy-turvy and back again. The possibilities are endless, just in the delightful references. Hook (Colin O’Donahue) brings a fake prisoner in and says he is from Kashyyyk (Chewbacca’s planet). Emma gives Hook a sword and says he looks like “a regular Jack Sparrow.” Of course Disney owns ABC, and Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean, and everything else in the entire world, so they can do that.

In this world, Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) is the Evil Queen and Charming (Josh Dallas) her heart slave, as her true love (his twin brother) died because of Regina. Robin Hood (Sean Maguire) is engaged to Zelena (Rebecca Mader). Hook is a coward shiphand. Regina is an archer outlaw, and Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) is a knight, happily married to Belle (Emilie De Ravin).

Henry starts running around looking for Regina, who doesn’t believe him. Will Emma when he finds her? Can all this be undone?

I could tell you, but then I have to lock you in a tower with dragon Lily guarding you.

I will say that it was a lovely, fantastical season finale, satisfying in wrapping up this storyline, and of course, giving a hint of the season to come. And it’s a doozy!

By the way… “Heroes and Villains?” I want to read that book.

See you in season 5, Once Upon A Time!

Once Upon A Time – Season Finale Sunday at 8|7c

What happens when villains win the day? Watch the 2-hour season finale of Once Upon A Time this Sunday at 8|7c on ABC.

Rumple Saves Henry – Once Upon A Time

Rumple (Robert Carlyle) saves Henry (Jared Gilmore) from danger that the Author (Patrick Fischler) put him in. Watch a scene from Once Upon A Time – Season 4, Episode 421 & 422: “Operation Mongoose (Part 1 & 2).

Evil Snow White – Once Upon A Time

Regina (Lana Parrilla) attempts to rob evil Snow White’s (Ginnifer Goodwin) carriage in the Enchanted Forest. Watch a scene from Once Upon A Time – Season 4, Episode 421 & 422: “Operation Mongoose (Part 1 & 2).

Rumple Writes His Story – Once Upon A Time

The Author (Patrick Fischler) is willing to help Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle) write his story. Watch a scene from Once Upon A Time – Season 4, Episode 421 & 422: “Operation Mongoose (Part 1 & 2).

Heroes And Villains – Trailer

Snow White closes in on her prey, but will the hero Rumple save the day? Watch this Heroes And Villains trailer.