Subtext Recap: Once Upon a Time 3.18 – Bleeding Through

Wow, what an interesting title for something fairy tale-themed. Why does it sound so familiar?

Well, since that’s a mystery I shall never solve, I guess on with it.

So, as always, I Hulu-ed this episode to go back through scene by scene, so I could analyze for hidden subtext and watch Lana Parrilla’s hair sway. As I was doing thus, I realized I only had a few important takeaways.

One, if giving someone one’s heart to keep safe is a metaphor, so is someone giving up one’s heart when threatened, no matter what that threat may be.

Two, now that Regina is apologizing to people other than Emma, accepting that there is some justice in Snow killing her mother, and protecting Snow with a vengeance (and a totes soccer-mom belly-protection move), there is simply no reasonable way for Regina to go bad again. Since they have passed the syndication line, and should now make more money by moving forward with the show, regardless of budget or ratings, for another two seasons, I do hope the creators are aware of this.

Three, THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I repeat, THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Emma and Regina are holding hands.

Emma and Regina are holding hands.

And Regina gets so worked up by that tiny touch, she has to go work off her romantic frustrations elsewhere. It’s all right. It’s good she get in a little practice before the real thing.