Emma insists that she can win by playing fair—as good must. But in forging an alliance with Mr. Gold, Emma has innocently trod on a darker path. In the end she wins, but not without a little help from the side that doesn’t always play fair. Both she and Rumple play with fire, and that’s always dangerous. We know the consequences (at least some of them) of Rumple’s path; we do not know what Emma’s coerced alliance with Mr. Gold will bring. Lots to chew on!
This review cannot be complete without saying something about Robert Carlyle’s performance in this episode. Carlyle is an actor of astonishing range, as his body of work demonstrates. And as Rumple/Mr. Gold, Carlyle always plays two very distinct sides of the same character. His Rumple is impish and crazy, bizarre and gleefully demonic. Gold is reserved and enigmatic; as menacing as he is courtly.
In “Desperate Souls” the brilliant Mr. Carlyle adds yet a third side to this character—the terrified, powerless victim, who can do nothing but watch helplessly allowing his oppressors humiliate and trample him. It is a great performance.
And a couple of random thoughts: I love Mr. Gold’s ties. They seem to change in every scene. The dazzling colors are always striking against his dark wardrobe. Do they signify some light within the darkness of his soul, or do the costumers just like giving the dapper Mr. Gold beautiful accessories to wear?
The next episode of Once Upon a Time airs next Sunday, January 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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Article comments
1 - AlexisAwake
"How does it all tie in, then to Rumple’s decision to help Snow White hide the infant Emmaâ€"and Mr. Gold’s connection to Henry? And what are Mr. Gold’s motivations in helping Emma?"
I think Rumple/Gold DOES want all of this to end, and I agree with your speculation that his ultimate endgame may be reuniting with his son. It seems clear that he is engineering all of this towards something, and I wondered why at first - after all, he has a good life in Storybrooke. He owns the town. Even the mayor must do his bidding. What could be missing for him other than his son? I think Emma is ultimately going to do much more than just break the Queen's curse. There is more to Rumple's power than just the dagger, and that dagger had to come from somewhere - perhaps this is all leading towards the real source of dark magic.
"Will her ascension to sheriff (with its accompnaying increase of power) weaken the curse further?"
I believe Emma's election as sheriff proves that the curse is continuing to weaken further. The mayor is losing her grip, and I'm so curious as to how she is going to retaliate for this.
Thanks for another superb review, Barbara! You always give so much to think about!
2 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks Alexis. I really like this show. It's complexity sort of grows in subtle moves. It started from a simple place and continues to evolve with more and more layers, more questions, few answers.
3 - JuliaJager
I think he helps Snow White, because they made a deal. And that deal was that he would know the name of the child.
I can't help but think that he knew that he would also forget everything in the next world, and that upon hearing the name "Emma" he would awaken.
Or, because he knew the name "Emma" he could find her son in this other life, and bring her son, Henry, to Regina.
So he definitely wants Emma to be in town and I also think he wants her to win, but what will the bigger price be?
Emma owes him now, and I don't think it will do her any good. Because making deals with Mr. Gold/Rumple didn't do anybody any good.
I'm so looking forward to more episodes!
4 - BrBa
How did Giancarlo Esposito's name not get dropped in this review...
5 - Barbara Barnett
BrBa--complete oversight. It's been corrected and Mr. Esposito name is cited refelctivly as Sidney Glass