In the latest episode of Once Upon a Time, we said goodbye to Belle and closed her tale as old as time — for good. Here are our thoughts on Emilie de Ravin’s final episode.
Warning: The following article contains major spoilers from Friday’s episode of Once Upon a Time. Read at your own risk!
If you thought saying goodbye to Emma (Jennifer Morrison) was physically painful, you may want to skip this week’s episode of Once Upon a Time if you haven’t already, because saying goodbye to Belle was my hardest yet.
Emilie de Ravin, who played the character of Beauty and the Beast fame for six seasons before exiting the series, took her final curtain call on Friday, and Oncers were left with their hearts in their throats as they bid adieu to their favorite bookworm.
As they readied to celebrate Gideon’s first and (assumed) last birthday in Storybrooke, Rumple (Robert Carlyle) gifted Belle an empty scrapbook in which they were to preserve memories from their (then) future family travels. Then, as they traveled, Rumple revealed his sought-after wish to cede the Dark One’s Dagger once and for all so that he could return to mortality to live a full life with Belle.
But … it was easier done than said. (Yes, I said that right.)
Over time, Belle chanced upon a prophecy that would break a Dark One’s curse. And with knowledge of said prophecy, they travel to the Edge of Realms, where “time stood still” and where the path to his freedom was to eventually present itself once “the sun’s brightest set.”
In the meantime, they built a home there and continued living their lives together. However, Belle was aging, and we (alongside Rumple) discover that the “sunset” that would mark the start of his journey was actually of Belle’s own passing.
Excuse me, but I thought I was watching Once Upon a Time, not Up? How dare they remind me of the worst introduction to a film I have ever seen! I can’t even count how many facial tissues I went through!
And, if you thought that was heartbreaking, her death was preceded by a tear-jerking montage of the “Rumbelle” romance in which they found their way back to each other time and time again, each time more in love than the last — and then, with her dying breath, she assured him that they will find their way back to each other again, for one final time.
Cue my heart shattering into a million pieces.
As happy and long a life as Belle had, her death was still painful to watch. And I finally felt bad for Rumple — for once — for he now has to go on with his life without her, now that he has finally chosen love over power. I’m happy that he’s finally wanting to get away from darkness (completely of his own free will, I might add), that he finally wants to rid his curse so that he can be with Belle again. And if this is what it takes for him to take a hard look in the mirror, so be it.
Moreover, I admit that Rumbelle was never really my favorite ‘ship — I felt no connection to them nor did I really care for their story (I prefer Prince Adam for Belle). But even I was brought to tears by their happy bittersweet ever after. I always thought she deserved the best of everything. I used to think that wasn’t Rumple, but after Friday’s episode, I think I’ve finally come to accept their love, for it is true and pure and infinite. He is the Beast to her Beauty, after all.
Besides, if she’s happy, then I’m happy. Her happiness is what is important.
Meanwhile, in Hyperion Heights, Weaver seemed to have regained his memories — all in thanks to one of my newest favorite characters, Tilly/Alice (Rose Reynolds)! No disrespect to Sophie Lowe (who portrayed Alice in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland), but Reynolds’ performance was so effortlessly compelling and fun. And I love her arc — it fits surprisingly well within the context of the new story.
I’m just excited that I can return to calling Rumple Rumple again, and I can’t wait to see him beat Vicky (Gabrielle Anwar).
And speaking of new characters, Ivy/Drizella (Adelaide Kane) is also my new favorite, despite the fact that she’s, well, evil. I had thought there was a love triangle brewing with Henry (Andrew J. West) at first, but she was obviously just scheming (and with Vicky, no doubt). Oh, Drizzy. I was rooting for you. Girl, you better redeem yourself.
Or stay evil, whichever.
Since I’m already being honest, I might as well admit that I’ll love her either way. She may be a character to hate, but she’s at least good at being bad — her ability to do so is truly a testament to Kane’s amazing acting.
If I had to nitpick the episode, is that Belle aged but Emma didn’t, which makes the timelines unnecessarily confusing — unless someone can shed some light on this riddle! Did I forget/miss something? Otherwise, the episode felt like a return to form, a return to the Once Upon a Time of old. It was classic and timeless, just like a fairy tale should be.
I couldn’t be happier with how Belle was played by de Ravin. She did more than justice to my most favorite Disney Princess.
Related Story: Once Upon a Time season 7, episode 3 review: The Garden of Forking Paths
Au revoir, Belle. You will be sorely missed — by me, foremost of all.
Once Upon a Time airs Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.