Swan Song
- Episode aired Dec 6, 2015
- TV-PG
- 43m
The dark siege of Storybrooke is underway as all of the resurrected Dark Ones target a living soul for sacrifice so that they can return to the realm of the living.The dark siege of Storybrooke is underway as all of the resurrected Dark Ones target a living soul for sacrifice so that they can return to the realm of the living.The dark siege of Storybrooke is underway as all of the resurrected Dark Ones target a living soul for sacrifice so that they can return to the realm of the living.
- Henry Mills
- (as Jared S. Gilmore)
- Sleepy
- (as Faustino di Bauda)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe swan song is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song in the moment just before death, having been silent (or alternatively, not so musical) during most of their lifetime. This belief, whose basis in actuality is long-debated, had become proverbial in Ancient Greece by the 3rd century BC, and was reiterated many times in later Western poetry and art.
- GoofsHook and his father both mention that it's been about a century between when Hook was a child and their meeting that Regina arranged. However, the show has previously established that Rumplestiltskin, who Hook knew when they were both mortals, has been the Dark One for about 300 years.
- Quotes
Zelena: Gina! Robbie! Come on in.
Regina Mills: What do you think you're doing?
Zelena: At the moment, I'm deciding what color wold look best on your walls. I mean my walls.
[Looking at paint samples]
Zelena: Kelly? Hunter? Pistachio? Oh, my God, I just realized that all three of those work as baby names!
- Crazy creditsThe opening sequence shows a group of Dark Ones.
Season 5 had a lot to live up to after Season 4 being as impressive as it was. As far as Season 4's episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" (though "Heart of Gold" was uneven) and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter, "Best Laid Plans", "Mother" and the first part of "Operation Mongoose". So was expecting a good deal from Season 5 and "The Dark Swan" didn't disappoint at all. All the episodes between that and this ranged to me from decent to brilliant.
"Swan Song" is good still but a bit of a let down, especially with some of the previous episodes being so strong. Am afraid to say that my opinion is in agreement of the conflicted opinions here rather than the generally positive consensus from the critics. There are a lot of great things but there were a few things that could have been significantly better.
Its main problem is that there is too much going on and there is a jumpy nature to it, meaning it can get too over-complicated. Plot points are not as clear as they should and some don't feel resolved or finished through. Some of the writing is a bit cornball and could have been tighter.
Also do agree about Rumplestiltskin. Absolutely adore the character, but how he's written is both inconsistent and senseless, actually feeling like his character writing had gone backwards when he is actually one of the show's most complex characters.
However, there is lots of evidence of forward momentum and character development advancing and the set up for what's to come showing potential. The story has enough moments where it is absorbing and balanced with assurance and coherence on the whole. What really makes "Swan Song" is the character interaction, particularly with Hook and Emma, and the emotional impact, the final moments do wrench the heart and Hook's development is interesting and doesn't go round in circles.
All the acting is strong, with deeply felt performances from Jennifer Morrison and Colin O'Donoghue. Can never fault Lana Parrilla, Rebecca Mader and especially Robert Carlyle either.
Furthermore, "Swan Song" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable theme tune.
Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue mostly, though as said it is not perfect. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance, or at least at this point before it took a nosedive in the last season.
Altogether, decent episode but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 6, 2018
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