Once Upon A Time Season 6 Finale Review: The Final Battle Should Have Been The Last Battle

Many thought season 6 of "Once Upon A Time" might be it's last. A large portion of the fan base vanished as the show continued it's pattern of Curse, Resolution, Repeat. We've seen the same story lines over and over and over again.

Last week featured a fun musical episode in which Emma and Hook wed. This week everyone wakes up to YET ANOTHER CURSE as the Black Fairy sends the citizens of Storybrooke to FairyTaleLand, locks Emma in a psych ward and takes Regina's place as both mayor and Henry's adoptive mother. That was fun to watch. Jaime Murray is delightful (especially when she's evil).

The Black Fairy plans to erase everyone from existence by convincing Emma that fairy tales aren't real. Henry still believes but is thwarted at every turn. BF even pushes him down the stairs. That's not a very nice thing to do to your great-grandson. FAMILY TREE TIME #1: Henry's parents are Emma and Neal (deceased). Neal's father is Rumple. Rumple's mother is the Black Fairy/Fiona.

There's lots of drama. Hook and Charming head up a beanstalk to retrieve a magic bean before FTL closes in on itself. This is a nice homage to the beginnings of the series. Remember Hook and Emma's relationship began when they crashed the Giant's lair. We also see a throwback to Snow kissing David to awaken him. Previously it was the other way around. Unfortunately, the bean plan fizzles and the group huddles together as the end approaches.

Back in the "real world" Emma returns to Boston. Henry grabs his grandfather's sword. FAMILY TREE TIME #2: Prince Charming is Emma's father and thus Henry's other grandfather (besides Rumple). Emma returns to Storybrooke in the nick of time to help Henry. She must battle Gideon (because Fiona controls his heart). FAMILY TREE TIME #3: Gideon is Rumple and Belle's son and Emma's husband's half brother? Man, this show makes my head hurt.

Anywho, there's a fight but Emma puts down her sword. Gideon stabs her. Henry awakes her with a kiss (another callback to season one). Rumple FINALLY makes the right decision and offs his Mean Mother. Good triumphs over evil and the last page in Henry's book is written. "When good and evil both did the right thing, faith was restored".

In the end almost everyone gets their happy ending. In FTL, Robin proposes to the Not-So-Evil-Queen (via an arrow with an engagement ring attached). In Maine everyone settles down for a dinner at Granny's. Sitting at a long table, facing the camera it's all very Last Supper-ish. I'm also reminded of the number of babies on this show. FAMILY TREE TIME #4: Baby Neal is Snow and Charming's son (and brother to Emma). Baby Robin (a girl) is Zelena and Robin Hood's baby (the deceased Robin, not the FTL Robin). And Gideon has reverted back to a baby post-curse. No, I dont know how so don't ask me...

Flash forward a few years, the Charming's live on a farm with a dog. Emma and Hook fight crime together. Rumple and Belle share a dance. A much older Henry (played by a different actor) lives in Seattle. He opens the door to a young girl named Lucy. She says she's his daughter and "your family needs you". Oh boy, here we go again. This is how the series began but it was a young Henry visiting Emma then.

Grade: 3 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). "The Final Battle" didnt have a dramatic fight scene but at least most of the characters got their happy endings. "OUAT" has already been about belief and family. This episode again reminds Emma she might have felt alone all those years ago but now her family always has her back.

This episode should have been the series finale given six members of the cast are departing- Jennifer Morrison (Emma Swan), Jared Gilmore (Henry), Emilie de Ravin (Belle), Josh Dallas (David Charming), Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White), and Rebecca Mader (Zelena). Plus I dont think anything else can be done with this story line.

I'll still tune in next year though since Regina, Rumple and Hook will be back (apparently with new identities). I only watched "OUAT" for Lana Parilla and SwanQueen anyone. Let's hope the new plot of worthy of Lana's talent.