Welcome back. The mini-hiatus was delay enough, so let's get right to it. "Tiny" is one of those episodes in which nothing big happens, yet every little thing seems hugely important. Before traveling to the Storybrooke realm, Cora shrunk Anton "Tiny" the Giant (Jorge Garcia) and stowed him on Hook's ship. When last we saw Anton, he was living alone in his post-apocalyptic CGIsland. In flashbacks to his realm, we learn that, once upon a time, Prince James had an affair with Jacqueline "Jack" the Giant Killer (Cassidy Freeman). As those of us who have been paying attention know, Prince James is neither charming nor Charming. He is the twin who was raised by the evil King George Charles Widmore.
In the enchanted past, Anton, the runt in a litter of more gigantic giants, is tired of being picked on by his brothers and dubious of their anti-human bigotry, so he descends the beanstalk. When money-grubbing King George learns of this, he dispatches James and Jack to befriend Anton. The plan is for James and Jack to manipulate Anton into taking them to CGIsland, so they can raid the treasure room and steal some magic beans, which go for a pretty penny on the L'enchantement black magic market. Jack gives Anton a magic mushroom (which she probably got in Wonderland). It shrinks Anton to a more workable size and mercifully cuts down on use of green screen. Anyhow, George's evil plan plays out fairly well for Team Evil. Jack manages to kill all of the giants (save Anton, who is dispatched to destroy the bean crop) before she is dealt a mortal blow. James leaves her to die on CGIsland, and absconds with a bag full of treasure.
Storybrooke Present: Before leaving L'enchantement for Storybrooke, Cora again shrunk Anton and then caged him on the ship. Hook brings Snow and Charming to the ship and shows them Anton. When Snow releases the not so giant Giant, he mistakes Charming for James and attacks him. Fortunately, Snow is armed with her trusty bow and arrows, so she saves her prince, for the nonce. Anton runs off.
Regina, it seems, has taken the first exit off the road to redemption and is doing her mother's bidding. She finds Anton, tells him she is no fan of the prince either, and gives him a magic mushroom which temporarily restores him to his original size. During his vengeance quest, Anton terrorizes Storybrooke until Charming (whose real, given name is David -- more on that in the recap) offers to surrender, provided Anton will let the rest of Storybrooke live in peace. Anton accepts the deal and charges toward David, which is a bad idea. Because of his size, the ground beneath his feet gives way and he falls right through.
Since Storybrooke straddles the divide between L'enchantment and our world, its residents are subject to both fairy tale magic and Murphy's Law, so while Anton is stuck in a hole of his own making (been there, buddy), he reverts to human size. David and the gang save and befriend Anton. While they're at Granny's Diner, talk turns to their inability to return to L'enchantement. It is then that Anton reveals he saved a clipping from a magic beanstalk. Cora brought him to Storybrooke so that he could plant it, in hopes of growing more magic beans. Although the white hats are disinclined to further Cora's plan, they still think it's a good idea to grow some magic beans. Grumpy and the other dwarfs (except amnesiac Sneezy) welcome Anton into their fold. They help him till the earth and plant his seedling, and will help him guard his precious crop. (No, I don't know why it takes seven guys with pickaxes to dig one hole for one tiny plant. Just go with it.) Grumpy hands the not so giant Giant a pickaxe, and the name Tiny appears on its handle. When Anton confesses that was his brothers' nickname for him, Grumpy smiles and says the axe never lies. Can we just make Jorge a regular now please, Show? Just seeing his face makes me almost as happy as Happy.
Meanwhile, Rumpy, Emma and Henry set out for New York. Still a coward at heart, Rumpy is terrified of the outside world. His fear only grows when he realizes that outside of Storybrooke, he is unable to wield magic. His reaction to having to remove his shoes in the airport is a highlight of the episode, as is hearing the flight attendant welcome the passengers to Ajira Air Other high points include having David's original name confirmed and Grumpy's reaction to this news. Our favorite crank even takes one for the audience as he tries to suss it all out.
In other news, Red tries to reach out to Belle, who is still freaked out about being magically healed by a strange man who wields fireballs. Gregor Mendel overhears her, and later visits her hospital room and tells her he knows she's not crazy because he saw the same thing. Dun dun dun!
I'll be back with the full recap later this week. In the meantime, please grade the episode at the top of the page and then come on over to the forum, where no one touches our crop.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!
Welcome back, Princes and Princesses. Let's get right to it. We open in Storybrooke. Gold (I don't feel like calling him "Rumpy" this week) uses his cane to tap on Snow's door. Emma answers. She's bundled up in a scarf made of way more fabric than was used to make her jeans, and ready to search for Gold's son, Baelfire, who just has to be Neal, right? Gold is less than receptive to Henry tagging along on the trip, but since Cora is in town, Emma refuses to leave the boy behind. When Charming talks to Gold about Emma and Henry, Gold laughs off what he expects is a coming lame threat. He's startled and touched when Charming clarifies; he's not making a threat, but rather a loving father's heartfelt request. Gold promises no harm will come to Charming's family. "After all, we have a deal." Since Rumpy's claim to fame is being picky about the wording of a deal, I'm a little surprised he's invoking their "non-interference" agreement, but that's just me.
We cut to Gold, Emma and Henry. They're on the road out of Storybrooke and off to Boston's Logan International Airport. I should try to meet them for tea or something. I'll let you know how that works out. I don't expect it'll be all fun and games because someone has to give these two chuckleheads the business about child safety. Notice they have their seat belts on, but little Henry is just leaning over the seat as he talks their ears off, like it's 1975 or something. Sheeesh. Safety first, you lunatics. Emma wonders if the shawl will keep Gold from losing his memory when the cross the town line. Gold says, "Well, if it doesn't, and I revert to my cursed-self, we're all going to have some problems." Really? Of what kind? Once upon a time, he was the Dark One -- the most powerful being in all the realms. Today, he's a limping, miserly landlord. Run away run away! Anyhow, the shawl works, which we know because of the magic that washes over Gold and which Emma and Henry know because he says, "My name is Rumple[sic]skin. And we're going to find my son." Title card.
When Snow and Charming are on their way out to join the dwarfs on Cora watch, they find Regina just about to knock on their door. Regina starts to explain that she didn't kill Archie, but the two idiots interrupt her and tell her Archie isn't dead, and she was framed. Regina feigns shock upon hearing the news that Cora is in town. When Snow apologizes for falling for the frame-job, Regina accepts it and then says if Cora is in town, she needs to protect Henry. Upon learning Emma has taken Henry out of town with Gold, she's a little put off that no one told her. Snow: "We didn't know where you were, and to be honest, Regina, I don't think Emma has to run anything by you." Regina sneers. "No, I suppose she doesn't." Once she's gone, Snow grabs her bow and quiver and she and Charming head out.
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