Wake Up Call
- Episode aired Nov 10, 2017
- TV-PG
- 43m
Regina is surprised to find Drizella in need of her help; Roni seeks Weaver's help in finding answers; Tilly offers Rogers advice concerning Eloise Gardener.Regina is surprised to find Drizella in need of her help; Roni seeks Weaver's help in finding answers; Tilly offers Rogers advice concerning Eloise Gardener.Regina is surprised to find Drizella in need of her help; Roni seeks Weaver's help in finding answers; Tilly offers Rogers advice concerning Eloise Gardener.
- Daniel Colter
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Henry Mills
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaHenry tells Ronni that, despite all the stray dogs hanging around, Bella Notte has good pizza. This gets jumbled. In the 1955 Disney movie "The Lady and the Tramp", the owner/chef of Tony's Restaurant gives the two dogs a romantic spaghetti dinner while we hear the song "Bella Notte". In Disneyland Paris the Pizzeria Bella Notte is "Lady and the Tramp" themed.
- GoofsWhile working on the motorcycle, Henry holds up a tool and says it's a torque wrench, when in fact it is what's commonly called a breaker bar.
- Quotes
Ivy Belfrey: See, I needed you to go on your little adventure today, with Lucy. I needed you to start asking yourself, "What if the photo is real? What if all of Henry's fairy tales were true?" Because once you start asking yourself those questions, your little brain is all warmed up, and I can push it right over the edge.
[Roni's vision and hearing start blurring]
Roni: Did you put something in my drink?
[she suddenly starts seeing flashbacks of her previous life]
Ivy Belfrey: Welcome back... Regina.
- Crazy creditsThe opening sequence shows a tower, replacing the Space Needle in Seattle's skyline.
- ConnectionsReferences Tron (1982)
There were though episodes in the season that were exceptions to this. Of the previous Season 7 episodes, "Beauty" was the one exception. "Wake Up Call" is another exception to the general underwhelming quality of the season. It may not be a 'Once Upon a Time' high point, and not everything works. A lot though is done right and it is one of not many episodes of Season 7 to remind me of 'Once Upon a Time' the way it used to be.
"Wake Up Call's" weakest element is Jacinda. Still find her very annoying and without any charm or any kind of appeal, although it is not quite as badly done as in "Greenbacks" which is likely to intensify any initial dislike towards her (it did with me) Jacinda just irritates me and really did not like her coldness. Dania Ramirez's acting is near-uniformally panned for good reason.
Didn't really see the need for her and Henry's subplot which is pretty derivative and added very little to the episode, especially considering that there is no real chemistry (or at least natural chemistry) between the two.
However, the production values continue to impress, have never really had an issue with them though, the odd dodgy special effect aside. They are beautifully designed and atmospheric, nicely photographed. The music doesn't ever sound cheap or out-of-kilter, fitting well with the mood and never found myself questioning its placement. The main theme is still memorable. Most of the dialogue does not fall in the camp and cheesy camp, everything with Regina and Drizella is a fond reminder of the clever and layered writing of the earlier seasons. Especially with Regina, where one sees a complex tortured character that is never too perfect or too stock. Drizella up to this point of the season is a strong contender for the most interesting "newer" character, one with sinister actions that one doesn't agree with but can't help feeling sorry for her and understanding how she came to be that way.
Regina and Drizella's chemistry has intensity and pathos, and it's the fairytale realm story that is somewhat the heart of "Wake Up Call" and where the episode is at its most interesting and investable. Liked Roni's subplot a good deal too, mainly because Roni is equally compelling as a character. The symbol subplot is mainly setting up for what is to come and it does it well, without giving too much away or being vague too early, despite my disappointment with the season up to this point there was enough to that subplot to keep me intrigued in watching. Excepting Ramirez, the acting is fine. Lana Parrilla is an absolute knockout, and Adelaide Kane is intense and heartfelt.
In a nutshell, very well done and one of the season's better episodes easily. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 18, 2019