Shattered Sight
- Episode aired Dec 7, 2014
- TV-PG
- 44m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
As the Spell of Shattered Sight hits Storybrooke, Emma and Elsa race against the clock to free themselves of the ribbons and take down the Snow Queen.As the Spell of Shattered Sight hits Storybrooke, Emma and Elsa race against the clock to free themselves of the ribbons and take down the Snow Queen.As the Spell of Shattered Sight hits Storybrooke, Emma and Elsa race against the clock to free themselves of the ribbons and take down the Snow Queen.
Jared Gilmore
- Henry Mills
- (as Jared S. Gilmore)
Faustino Di Bauda
- Sleepy
- (as Faustino di Bauda)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaPossible foreshadowing: When Mr. Gold leaves his store at the end of the episode, the 'C' and the 'D' on the 'CLOSED' sign are not visible because of the frames of the panes of glass on the door. The sign therefore says 'LOSE'.
- GoofsIn a flashback scene from 2011 - i.e. shortly after Emma's first arrival in Storybrooke - Ingrid extracts some of Emma's memories with her magic. At the time, the town in present-day Maine was known as "the Land without Magic", as no magic of any kind was present in Storybrooke. So Ingrid would not have been able to use magic on Emma, even if it was her own. However, it is possible she brought some magic with her from Arendelle.
- Quotes
Mary Margaret Blanchard: At least I know how to swaddle our child correctly.
David Nolan: I swaddle him perfectly!
Mary Margaret Blanchard: He's a baby, not a breakfast burrito.
- Crazy creditsThe opening sequence shows a blizzard.
- ConnectionsReferences Home Alone (1990)
Featured review
Not just the sight that's shattered
When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.
Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.
"Shattered Sight" for me is among the best episodes of the first half of Season 4 and among the best of the season overall as well. It goes at a tighter pace than the previous episode "Fall", there is nothing here that feels only there for filler purposes (didn't care much for the inclusion of Blackbeard) and there isn't the attempt to do something interesting with less interesting characters (didn't think that trying to make Hans seem dangerous came off too well because he's still bland).
It is a tense episode at times, but is also one of the season's most fun and one of its most emotional. It knew exactly which tone to take and the different emotions and elements don't feel muddled, there is comedy and drama and they are both balanced well. On top of being well executed individually, the humour is witty and endearingly camp without being over the top yet even with the poignancy of the Snow Queen's arc things are not taken too seriously. It also has an earnestness that is very appealing.
Most notable about "Shattered Sight" is the Snow Queen's story and how it concludes. It is wholly satisfying and both entertaining and tense in equal measures but it's the emotion that shines most, it is poignant stuff and will not show shame in admitting to tearing up. Not just because it was handled beautifully but the Snow Queen herself is one of the season's most fascinating characters. Her final scene is touching.
Regina continues to be awesome, as does Hook (in dashing and amusing form), and Snow White and Charming, and their chemistry, are as charming as Charming's name. Emma has come on so much as a character, as has Elsa, the two work very well as a duo. Gold's leaving Storybrooke subplot is not quite as interesting as the other subplots and slightly lost amidst the rest of the story content, though credit is due for Belle's writing not going backwards like it did in a few previous Season 4 episodes. His role elsewhere in the episode is a crucial one to the episode's storyline and its development and a perfect example of why the character is such a great one.
Credit is due for the character and plot progression, not feeling over-stuffed despite such a lot going on, providing tension, fun and emotion.
All the acting is strong. Particularly from Elizabeth Mitchell, giving a nuanced turn full of icy demeanour and subtle sincerity to a fascinating character that proved to be much more than a standard villain. Lana Parrilla and Robert Carlyle are similarly splendid.
Furthermore, "Shattered Sight" 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, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.
Overall, quite terrific. It's not just the sight that's shattered, so are the emotions. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.
"Shattered Sight" for me is among the best episodes of the first half of Season 4 and among the best of the season overall as well. It goes at a tighter pace than the previous episode "Fall", there is nothing here that feels only there for filler purposes (didn't care much for the inclusion of Blackbeard) and there isn't the attempt to do something interesting with less interesting characters (didn't think that trying to make Hans seem dangerous came off too well because he's still bland).
It is a tense episode at times, but is also one of the season's most fun and one of its most emotional. It knew exactly which tone to take and the different emotions and elements don't feel muddled, there is comedy and drama and they are both balanced well. On top of being well executed individually, the humour is witty and endearingly camp without being over the top yet even with the poignancy of the Snow Queen's arc things are not taken too seriously. It also has an earnestness that is very appealing.
Most notable about "Shattered Sight" is the Snow Queen's story and how it concludes. It is wholly satisfying and both entertaining and tense in equal measures but it's the emotion that shines most, it is poignant stuff and will not show shame in admitting to tearing up. Not just because it was handled beautifully but the Snow Queen herself is one of the season's most fascinating characters. Her final scene is touching.
Regina continues to be awesome, as does Hook (in dashing and amusing form), and Snow White and Charming, and their chemistry, are as charming as Charming's name. Emma has come on so much as a character, as has Elsa, the two work very well as a duo. Gold's leaving Storybrooke subplot is not quite as interesting as the other subplots and slightly lost amidst the rest of the story content, though credit is due for Belle's writing not going backwards like it did in a few previous Season 4 episodes. His role elsewhere in the episode is a crucial one to the episode's storyline and its development and a perfect example of why the character is such a great one.
Credit is due for the character and plot progression, not feeling over-stuffed despite such a lot going on, providing tension, fun and emotion.
All the acting is strong. Particularly from Elizabeth Mitchell, giving a nuanced turn full of icy demeanour and subtle sincerity to a fascinating character that proved to be much more than a standard villain. Lana Parrilla and Robert Carlyle are similarly splendid.
Furthermore, "Shattered Sight" 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, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.
Overall, quite terrific. It's not just the sight that's shattered, so are the emotions. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•32
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 28, 2018
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