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Once Upon a Time S05E17: Her Handsome Hero (Full Reaction) (Patreon)

Published:
2026-06-30 13:00:15
Imported:
2026-08
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Content

Belle and Rumpelstiltskin disagree over how to protect their child from Hades; Hades encourages Gaston to act against Rumpelstiltskin; Emma has a nightmare that seems to be coming true.

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Heidi Elizabeth Marcum

Her Handsome Hero- Thank you so much for another fun reaction to a fun episode, Reds. I enjoy this episode quite a bit! Although, it's definitely another one that is among my least favorites within this season. Mostly because Rumple just absolutely annoys me so much throughout this episode. He may be right in some ways regarding perspective and in saying that Belle is wrong for asking him to use his magic when it is most convenient for her. However, he doesn't have to be so smug about it. And as much as I love Belle, I have to admit that she annoys me a little bit within this episode too. In the ending, which I will come back to momentarily... First... I really appreciate that this episode's actor for Gaston actually changed from who played him back in season one's episode, titled... Skin Deep, to Wes Brown, who makes for a much, much better Gaston that his character's original actor did. And the creators actually had Wes Brown reshoot the previous episode's recap in the beginning of this episode, given that Wes Brown didn't join Once Upon a Time until this episode. Which is smart. I just feel bad for the original actor, because he lost all credit for playing Gaston originally. I am grateful for the changes, because I love Wes Brown. Don't get me wrong... Sage Brocklebank who plays Gaston in season one's episode, titled... Skin Deep, is a fine actor. I've seen him in other shows and movies, and I've liked him in other roles. I just feel like he made for a very poor Gaston. Wes Brown here in this episode, is so much better! I love him in a number of other roles, including in a number of Hallmark movies! And he really is the perfect actor to play Gaston within a television show such as Once Upon a Time! Now... I really love that Gaston is brought back for a second episode, after we see him briefly in Skin Deep. I love that we learn how Belle and Gaston come to be betrothed to one another in their arranged marriage, which we learn about in Skin Deep. But most of all... I love seeing a very different version of him to the straight up villain we see him as within Disney's, Beauty and the Beast and in Disney's, live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. In the Disney movies, Gaston is narcissistic and completely selfish. A brute. And he is evil. Although, he doesn't really show his true evil self until the end of the movie, when Gaston plots with Lafou to put Belle's father into the insane asylum unless Belle agrees to marry him, then seeks to kill the Beast in spite of knowing that the Beast isn't an evil monster. He wanted to kill the Beast solely so he could claim Belle for himself. And this is what makes Gaston a villain within the Disney movies. However, here in Once Upon a Time, I really love this version of Gaston very much! Because we actually a much deeper side of him. A kind man who longs to be something more than the stories and rumors told about him. And he really does seek to find True Love. What's sad, is that Gaston does have a little evil in his heart, because he refuses to see the potential of goodness within a person or creature that most people see as a monster. In either Rumple or in the ogre child. And yet... This episode shows us there is also a lot of good in Gaston as well. Yet that he is unwilling to change his own ideals. And this sadly and inevitably is his downfall into becoming a bit of the villain we know him to be. And even still... I do actually feel very badly for Gaston by the end when Belle accidentally pushes him into the River of Lost Souls, because we do see the good in him. And because I don't believe he deserves such a horrible and tragic fate such as becoming an eternally tormented soul. Even despite his refusal to stop trying to kill Rumplestiltskin in the end to gain his revenge, after having been tormented in the Underworld ever since his death years earlier. I absolutely understand his anger and hatred towards Rumple, just like I've always understood Hook's hatred and lust for revenge against Rumple too. It doesn't make them right, but I understand. I feel very sympathetic towards Gaston here in Once Upon a Time, because he is more good than straight up evil. I feel no sympathy at all in Disney's, Beauty and the Beast. Now... I quite enjoy the whole backstory between Belle and Gaston, and getting to see how and why Belle had come to be Gaston's fiancée. We also come to see how the ogres come to invade Belle's family's land as was shown in Skin Deep, as well as in season four's episode, titled... Family Business. And the storyline overall is very enjoyable. I especially love seeing Belle's favorite book... Her Handsome Hero, brought back, and I love the whole idea of the mirror in this episode that allows for Belle, or a person to see if someone has evil in their hearts. It's brilliant! As for the present day storyline... I also enjoy it overall. I like that Hades comes to Belle to make a deal with her, giving her a chance to protect her baby. I love that Belle stands her ground. Both against Hades, as well as Rumple too. Which brings me to the part of this episode that I really do not care much for. While I love seeing Belle stand her ground against Rumple, and I really love the moment Belle accidentally pushes Gaston into the green river in spite of how sad it truly is, I really hate Rumple's pompous attitude towards her all throughout this episode. It makes sense, especially now that he's no longer trying to be better for Belle, and when he is even more selfish and cruel than he's ever been. A part of it of course is because of the Darkness and power of every Dark One who has ever lived inside of him, but it's all still very much Rumple himself. Also... I am not happy that Belle would so easily give Rumple his dagger back after she had used it to get Rumple to refrain from killing Gaston. I love how she kisses him to distract him so she can take it from him, and yet she just gives it back to him without thinking about it, after he's already proven to her that he will no longer do as she wants him to do, even after he promises her something. It's just a little annoying. Gaston's second death is also tragic. While he is a villain at this point more than he is the good man he had been before his death, Gaston is still a sympathetic villain. I do feel badly for him because his hatred of Rumple, who has absolutely wronged Gaston in so many ways, has consumed Gaston and has made him into even more of a villain than he was before he and Rumple ever met. Gaston always has had evil in his heart because of his prejudice and hatred for the ogres, and because he is unwilling to see even through the fear seen in the ogre child's eyes when he is held captive and wounded by Gaston. However, to see Gaston become consumed by the waters from the River of Lost Souls, is really sad. Especially when nothing comes from it, given that Hades uses a loophole once again to get out of having to release the contract over Belle's and Rumple's unborn child. Since it was Belle who pushed Gaston into the river, and not Rumple. So twisted and bad. But brilliant! Hades is a great villain! As for the whole storyline with Emma having a premonition that supposedly involves her mother's death upon her being attacked by an unknown creature... This is my favorite storyline throughout the episode. I enjoy seeing her premonition, which like with her power to teleport now as well... I suspect these powers could be what few powers have remained within her from her time as the Dark One. And I love seeing her, Killian, Snow, and Regina work together to try to figure out how to handle Emma's dream or premonition. And in the end... It's revealed that this mysterious creature Emma sees is none other than Red, who has joined our heroes down in the Underworld. The question is... Why? Is she dead, or alive? Yikes! And lastly... I love how Killian and Snow both remind Emma that she is not to blame for them all being down in the Underworld world with her to save Killian. That they are there because they all want to be there with her to help Emma to save Killian. Because Emma loves Killian, and so do they. Because of love. Killian is their friend. This is just really beautiful, and this is one of my favorite moments within this episode too!! :) Overall... I enjoy this episode for the most part. I really enjoy getting a whole episode centered around Gaston of all people, when I never really thought much about his character from the Disney movies. This episode most certainly isn't one of my favorites within this season, but I certainly enjoy it and appreciate it a lot!! So, thank you once again for your amazing reaction, Reds! Sincerely, Heidi