Once Upon A Time Season 4 Epis 22-23 Reviews: Was Operation Mongoose A Success? (Season Finale)

"Operation Mongoose Part 1 and Part 2" brings up to the end of another season of OUAT. Was the two hour finale a success? My vote is a resounding "yes". Having all the characters flip from good to bad was fun and it gave everyone a chance to show their acting chops. Snow as the Evil Queen was especially enjoyable to watch. Regina and Emma looked smashing into their outfits. There was lots of love spread around... except of course for Swan Queen. But what else is new? I still refuse to give up my ship... but I digress. Here's the main happenings:

Circa 1950 Issac is selling color TVs. Or I should say "trying" to sell color TVs? No one wants to buy one because he sucks at sales (and apparently at telling stories too). He finally gets a break when he goes to see the Apprentice. Issac selects the correct pen and is declared the next author. Apparently Walt Disney was the author before him.

Henry later finds Issac at a book signing. He is now rich and famous-- think George R. R. Martin. The only problem is his latest book "Heroes & Villains" is about Henry's family and friends. Henry must figure out how to save everyone from this bizzaro world before they're stuck there forever.

More Evil Snow Please!

Snow White has become the Evil Queen. She's bitter over the death of the "other" Charming brother James. Meanwhile David plays the part of the Huntsman. I must say I enjoy him in guyliner. Regina is now Snow White. Robin appears to still be Robin Hood (go figure). His finance is Zelena. Haaa, that was funny. She seemed nice enough (at least to start with). Hook is still Hook but now he's a deck hand on Blackbeard's ship. Because Emma is the Savior and knows who everyone really is, she's locked inside a tower guarded by Lily the Dragon. Meanwhile Rumple and Belle are living a happy life. He's a good knight known as the "Light One". And the seven dwarfs are still dwarfs but now they dress only in black.

Henry tries to tell Regina who she really is. Of course the idea sounds crazy. But let's be honest, everything on this show sounds crazy so she should just roll with it. Henry convinces Hook to sail to the tower where Emma is held captive. They rescue her and manage to avoid Dragon Lily.

Give It Up Rumple. You're Not Going To Win.

Regina is about to crash Robin and Zelena's wedding when Rumple tries to off Henry. Emma tries to defend him as well. Regina throws herself in front of Henry and is stabbed by Rumple. Regina will die to protect her son. But we know Regina wont REALLY die (because if she does, half of the country will riot). Henry instead uses some of her blood to write everyone back to their normal lives in Storybrooke.

That Passing Of The Quills

"Normal" is very relative on this show. The "dark one" has left Rumple since he's dying. They try to cram it into the Sorcerer's hat but that turns out to be a really bad idea. It spits dark matter into the air. It whirls around town. And where does it land but on Regina... of course!! Seriously how much does that poor woman have to go through? Emma voluntarily absorbs the darkness in order to save Regina. Emma Swan is written on Rumple's dagger and a new Dark One is born. This should be interesting.

Emma Sacrificed Herself To Save Regina. Nuff Said.

Other Random Thoughts:

Many of us successfully predicted that Henry would be the new author. He broke his writing quill though because it's too much power for one person. He should have written "Henry had two moms and they lived happily ever after" BEFORE breaking his pen... but no one asked me.
Emma finally told Hook she loved him... but I dont care cause I'm a Swan Queen shipper all the way. Regina and Robin also reestablish their commitment to each other and raising his/Zelena's green baby.
Evil Snow was great fun to watch. Can we see more of her in season 5?
Regina looked beautiful as always. That woman can do no wrong in my eyes.
I thought Rumple might bite the big one in this episode but he's still kicking. Apparently it's REALLY hard to kill that dude.
Next year we're off to Camelot because Merlin is the Sorcerer.
There has been lots of speculation as to Lily's father. I assume he is Merlin. My vote would be Puff the Magic Dragon instead. And here's to hoping Maleficent and Lily become season regulars.

Grade: 4 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). A very enjoyable finale. I'd like to see more of this alternate universe. In the end, Regina shows she is indeed a hero by sacrificing herself for Henry. Despite Emma tells Hook she loves him, she forfeits herself to save Regina. Yes, I dont care what you say, I refuse to give up on Swan Queen. And I'm really looking forward to Dark Emma wrecking havoc!