Broken (Once Upon a Time)

Last updated
"Broken"
Once Upon a Time episode
OUATS02E01.jpg
The mysterious man (Michael Raymond-James) receives a postcard titled "Broken"
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 1
Directed by Ralph Hemecker
Written by Edward Kitsis
Adam Horowitz
Original air dateSeptember 30, 2012 (2012-09-30)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"A Land Without Magic"		Next →
"We Are Both"
Once Upon a Time season 2
List of episodes

"Broken" is the first episode of the second season of the American ABC fantasy/drama television series Once Upon a Time , and the show's 23rd episode overall. It premiered September 30, 2012. [1]

Contents

In this episode, Mr. Gold decides to get revenge on Regina; and later in the Enchanted Forest, Phillip, Aurora, and Mulan face a wraith.

It was co-written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, while being directed by Ralph Hemecker.

Plot

Opening Sequence

A wraith is shown hovering in the forest.

Outside Storybrooke

The first scene of the episode takes place in New York City, where a dove lands on the windowsill of an apartment owned by an unidentified man (Michael Raymond-James). Stuck to its foot is a postcard from Storybrooke, with the word "Broken" written on it.

In Storybrooke

In Storybrooke, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) prevents a mob of townspeople, led by Dr. Whale (David Anders), from attacking Regina Mills (Lana Parrilla), who is still powerless despite the fact that magic is now present in Storybrooke, and instead takes her to jail. There, Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle) uses the wraith's talisman to mark her. He then uses the talisman and his dagger to summon the wraith. Gold had promised Belle (Emilie de Ravin) that he would not kill Regina, which technically he has not since a wraith consumes souls, and she walked out on him after learning what he had done. Emma had also promised Henry (Jared S. Gilmore) that she would prevent Regina from being killed, so she, Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin), and David (Josh Dallas) join forces with Regina and use Jefferson's hat to banish the wraith to the fairytale world. Regina informs the others that the fairytale world was destroyed by the curse, so this will have the effect of banishing the wraith to "an oblivion." They succeed, but the wraith pulls Emma into the portal as well and Mary Margaret follows, unwilling to abandon her child again. David takes charge of Henry, who tells Regina that he will never speak to her again if she does not bring Mary Margaret and Emma back to Storybrooke. Belle returns to Gold who tries to send her away and explains that he is still a monster, but she responds that she must stay with him for that very reason.

In the Enchanted Forest

In the Enchanted Forest, Prince Phillip (Julian Morris) awakens Princess Aurora (Sarah Bolger) from a magical, year-long sleep with true love's kiss. But they and Phillip's traveling companion, the female warrior Mulan (Jamie Chung), are soon attacked by a wraith, a soul-sucking monster. Unbeknownst to the women, Phillip is "marked" by the wraith's talisman as they drive it off, so the wraith will now follow him relentlessly. After they make camp, Phillip leaves the two women so they will not be harmed when he is attacked. When Aurora notices his absence, Mulan realizes what has happened and goes to pursue him while Aurora insists on following. Aurora then accuses Mulan of being in love with Phillip, but Mulan denies this. They find Phillip and Mulan offers to take on the mark so that Phillip and Aurora can be together, but Phillip refuses. Phillip succumbs to the wraith's attack; his last words are "I love you," and it is left unclear to whom he was speaking. [2] Aurora and Mulan lay Phillip in the palace where Aurora was sleeping.

The final scene of the episode reveals a twist: the storyline of Aurora, Phillip, and Mulan is not a flashback, but rather takes place in a part of the fairytale world whose inhabitants were—for an unknown reason—not removed by the Evil Queen's curse, and is contemporaneous with the Storybrooke plotline. Mulan explains to Aurora that they were frozen in time for 28 years until time resumed, allowing Phillip and Mulan to complete their quest. But the land has been ravaged by the effects of the curse and the survivors had gathered in a safe haven. Before Mulan and Aurora can begin to travel there, they discover Mary Margaret and Emma, unconscious under some debris, and Mulan blames them for the wraith's arrival.

Production

Jamie Chung 2012 Shankbone.JPG
Sarah Bolger TIFF 2011.jpg
"Broken" featured the first appearances of Jamie Chung (left) as Mulan and Sarah Bolger (right) as Princess Aurora.

"Broken" was co-written by co-creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, while being directed by V veteran Ralph Hemecker. [3] With the curse broken in the first season finale, the writers felt that they could now go farther with each of the characters. In an attempt to instill a "whole different vibe" into the series, they envisioned a larger ambition than the previous season. Horowitz explained, "We have been allowed to do more at the start of the [season]. Without addressing the budget, everybody at the studio is on board with this as a big-canvas show… A lot of it actually is the learning-curve aspect of season 1, where we figured out what we can do and how to do it well. We learned how to maximize our bang for our buck. The biggest key is time. If we can figure out our stories far enough in advance, the more time our effects team and department heads will have." [4]

First season recurring actresses Emilie de Ravin (Belle) and Meghan Ory (Red Riding Hood/Ruby) became members of this season's main cast. [5] [6] Two additional actresses who joined the recurring cast were Sarah Bolger as Aurora and Jamie Chung as Mulan, who both made their debuts during this episode. [7] [8]

Reception

Ratings

On its first broadcast, "Broken" was watched by an estimated 11.36 million viewers, placing second in its timeslot behind NBC's Football Night in America . The episode earned a ratings share of 3.9/10, meaning that it was seen by 3.9 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds, and 10 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds watching television at the time of broadcast. [9] The ratings it garnered were considered to be a success for the series, as it was down only five percent from the previous season premiere. [10]

Reviews

The premiere of season two, "Broken" was received generally positive reviews.

IGN 's Amy Ratcliffe graded "Broken" with 8.5 out of 10, an indication of a "great" episode. She found Snow and Emma's descent into the hat to be a "surprising turn of events and a fun way to force them together and make them work out their new mother/daughter roles." Ratcliffe also enjoyed the pairing for Mulan and Aurora, but criticized the wraith for its similarities to the Dementors from Harry Potter. She concluded, "I was worried about the direction of the show once magic was back on the table in such a direct way, but the writers have set the stage for plenty of solid character development. The various relationships and their sorted issues – including Mr. Gold & Belle and Snow & Emma (who is none too pleased with being left without parents for 28 years) -- have such potential. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next." [11]

Oliver Sava from The A.V. Club gave a B+ rate to the episode saying "Mr. Gold bringing magic back to Storybrooke in a wave of fuchsia fog, and this season 2 opener confirms that this show is going to be a completely different beast going forward." [12]

Laura Prudom from Huffpost TV stated that the writers of the show have pointed the show in a compelling direction with plenty of new mysteries to unravel. "Overall, "Broken" was a gripping and competently plotted hour -- none of the scenes felt extraneous and although there was undoubtedly a lot of plot and set-up to get through in 42 minutes, the narrative certainly felt more liberated without the curse hanging over everyone's heads. I think Horowitz and Kitsis have pointed the show in a compelling direction with plenty of new mysteries to unravel, and I'm eager to see how magic affects our world." [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Once Upon a Time</i> (TV series) American fantasy adventure television series

Once Upon a Time is an American fantasy adventure drama television series that aired for seven seasons on ABC from October 23, 2011, to May 18, 2018. The action alternates between two main settings: a fantastical world where fairy tales happen, and a fictional seaside town in Maine called Storybrooke. The "real-world" part of the story unfolds with the characters of Emma Swan and her 10-year-old son, Henry Mills. Henry discovers the other people of the town are fairy-tale characters. The audience is shown the backstory of the town's people as fairy-tale characters, in conjunction with their unfolding stories in the "real-world". In the seventh and final season, the "real-world" portion of the story takes place in Seattle, Washington, in the fictitious neighborhood of "Hyperion Heights", with a new main narrative led by adult Henry, and his wife and daughter.

Pilot (<i>Once Upon a Time</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of Once Upon a Time

"Pilot" is the series premiere of the American fairy tale/drama television series Once Upon a Time. It introduces each of the main characters in the fictional seaside town of Storybrooke, Maine, as well as establishes the basic premise of the series, which details the beginnings of a curse placed upon the Enchanted Forest and the start of a destiny for its only savior, a present-day woman who can break the curse.

"The Thing You Love Most" is the second episode of the first season of the American fairy tale/drama television series Once Upon a Time. The series takes place in the fictional seaside town of Storybrooke, Maine, in which the residents are actually characters from various fairy tales that were transported to the "real world" town by a powerful curse. This episode centers on Regina's efforts to run Emma Swan out of Storybrooke and reveals how the Evil Queen (Parrilla) unleashed her curse upon the Enchanted Forest.

"Skin Deep" is the twelfth episode of the American fairy tale/drama television series Once Upon a Time. The series takes place in the fictional seaside town of Storybrooke, Maine, in which the residents are actually characters from various fairy tales that were transported to the "real world" town by a powerful curse. In this episode, Emma Swan suspects Mr. Gold of planning to seek vigilante justice when a cat burglar, Moe French, robs his house. Meanwhile, Mary Margaret plans a special girls' night out on Valentine's Day with Ruby and Ashley. In the Enchanted Forest flashbacks, a fateful deal is made between Rumpelstiltskin (Carlyle) and Belle, in which she gives up her freedom to save her village from the horrors of the Ogre Wars.

"Dreamy" is the 14th episode of the American fairy tale/drama television series Once Upon a Time, which aired in the United States on ABC on March 4, 2012.

"A Land Without Magic" is the 22nd episode and first season finale of the American fairy tale/drama television series Once Upon a Time, which aired in the United States on ABC on May 13, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emma Swan</span> Fictional character

Emma Swan is a fictional character and the protagonist of ABC's television series Once Upon a Time. She is portrayed by Jennifer Morrison as an adult, by Abby Ross as a teenager, and by Mckenna Grace as a child. Emma appears in the series' pilot as a bail bond agent in Boston, Massachusetts, until she meets her biological son Henry, whom she gave up for adoption 10 years before. She learns she is the long lost daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming who gave her up shortly after her birth 28 years ago so she wouldn't die at the hands of Regina Mills, also known as the Evil Queen. Sadly, she doesn’t learn this vital information until the beginning of season two. Henry tells Emma of her true identity; she is the prophesied “Savior” and is destined to break the Evil Queen’s curse, saving the fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine, and restoring the residents’ happy endings.

<i>Once Upon a Time</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American ABC fantasy-drama series Once Upon a Time was announced on May 10, 2012. It premiered on September 30, 2012, and concluded on May 12, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Are Both</span> 2nd episode of the 2nd season of Once Upon a Time

"We Are Both" is the second episode of the second season of the American ABC fantasy/drama television series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 24th episode overall, which aired on October 7, 2012.

"The Doctor" is the fifth episode of the second season of the American ABC fantasy/drama television series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 27th episode overall, which aired on October 28, 2012.

"Into the Deep" is the eighth episode of the second season of the American ABC fantasy/drama television series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 30th episode overall, which aired on November 25, 2012.

"Queen of Hearts" is the ninth episode of the second season of the American ABC fantasy/drama television series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 31st episode overall, which aired on December 2, 2012. The episode served as the series' winter finale. An enhanced version with additional scenes and trivia aired March 31, 2013.

"And Straight On 'til Morning" is the 22nd episode of the second season of the American ABC fantasy/drama television series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 44th episode overall. It aired on May 12, 2013 and serves as the second-season finale of the series.

"The Heart of the Truest Believer" is the third season premiere of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time. It was first broadcast on September 29, 2013.

"Quite a Common Fairy" is the third episode of the third season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 47th episode overall.

"Going Home" is the eleventh episode of the third season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 55th episode overall. The episode served as the season's winter finale, and marked the first time in the series that six different story lines were used: four involving the character's past, one in the present, and a combined alternate past/fast forward outcome, the latter setting up the second half of the season.

"A Curious Thing" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 63rd episode overall, which aired on April 27, 2014. The episode, written by series creators Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz and directed by Ralph Hemecker, was met with excellent reviews for its fast paced storyline in this outing.

<i>Once Upon a Time</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the American ABC fantasy-drama series Once Upon a Time was ordered on May 7, 2015. Like the previous two seasons, it was also split into two volumes, with the first airing from September 27 to December 6, 2015, and the second from March 6 to May 15, 2016. The season also saw the series reach its 100th episode, which aired on March 6, 2016 as the mid-season premiere.

Ruby Slippers (<i>Once Upon a Time</i>) 18th episode of the 5th season of Once Upon a Time

"Ruby Slippers" is the eighteenth episode of the fifth season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, which aired on April 17, 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 26, 2012). "ABC Announces Premiere Dates for Modern Family, Revenge, DWTS:All Stars, Greys Anatomy, Once Upon a Time & More". TV By the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  2. ↑ McLennan, Cindy (2012-10-05). "Might As Well Jump". Television Without Pity. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  3. ↑ Adam Horowitz [@AdamHorowitzLA] (11 July 2012). "For anyone interested... here's a tiny season 2 #OnceUponATime premiere tidbit..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ Hibberd, James (September 30, 2012). "'Once Upon a Time' producers pledge intense season 2". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  5. ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (June 14, 2012). "Once Upon a Time Season 2 - Meghan Ory Promoted to Series Regular". TVLine . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  6. ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (June 19, 2012). "Once Upon a Time Season 2 - Emilie de Ravin Promoted to Series Regular". TVLine . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  7. ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (July 5, 2012). "Once Upon a Time Season 2 - Sarah Bolger Cast as Princess Aurora". TVLine . Archived from the original on November 15, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  8. ↑ Hibberd, James (July 6, 2012). "'Once Upon a Time' scoop: 'Hangover 2' actress cast as legendary warrior -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  9. ↑ Bibel, Sara (October 2, 2012). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon A Time', 'The Simpsons', 'Bob's Burgers' Adjusted Up; '666 Park Avenue', '60 Minutes' Adjusted Down & Final Football Numbers". TV By the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  10. ↑ Hibberd, James (October 1, 2012). "'Once Upon a Time' return delivers ratings magic". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  11. ↑ Ratcliffe, Amy (October 1, 2012). "Once Upon a Time: "Broken" Review". IGN . Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  12. ↑ Sava, Oliver (September 30, 2012). ""Broken" S2 / E1". The A.V. Club . Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  13. ↑ Prudom, Laura (September 30, 2012). "'Once Upon A Time' Season Premiere Recap: Magic Returns And Brings New Danger In 'Broken'". The Huffington Post . Retrieved October 17, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.