Once Upon A Time 3 06 Review Ariel

You know, I was walking through the grocery store the other day, trying to remember if I needed oat milk or almond milk (the eternal struggle, am I right?), and I saw this little girl clutching a plastic mermaid toy. And it hit me – Ariel. My brain instantly flashed back to being a kid, obsessed with that fiery red hair and that dreamy underwater kingdom. It got me thinking about how certain characters just stick with you, how they become these little pieces of our childhood that we carry around. And then I remembered, oh yeah, Once Upon a Time did Ariel. And they did her in Season 3, Episode 6, which, if you're keeping score at home, is called "Ariel." Talk about on the nose, right?

So, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the enchanted waters of Storybrooke and the Neverland that was, and exploring what the heck they did with our favorite little mermaid. Was it a splash hit, or did it sink faster than a poorly made pirate ship? Let's find out!

Ariel's Grand Entrance (Finally!)

I remember the anticipation for Ariel's arrival. She’s such a beloved Disney icon, and for a show that built its entire premise on weaving together fairy tale characters, it felt like a no-brainer that she’d show up eventually. And when she did show up, well, it was… a bit of a mixed bag, wasn’t it? The episode literally opens with her, singing her heart out on a rock, looking all forlorn and yearning for a life beyond the sea. Classic Ariel. You almost expect Prince Eric to just magically appear and sweep her off her fins. But this is Once Upon a Time, where magic is often complicated and usually involves a lot of angsty brooding.

What I really appreciated, though, was the immediate dive into her motivations. She's not just some damsel in distress; she's a fiercely independent young woman who's utterly captivated by the human world. Her curiosity is palpable, and that's something they really nailed. You get why she'd be willing to make such a massive sacrifice. It’s that yearning for something more, that feeling of being misunderstood in your own element, that resonated so deeply with audiences. I mean, who hasn’t felt that way at some point, right? Like you’re meant for something different than what’s right in front of you.

The episode does a decent job of establishing her backstory and her relationship with her father, King Triton. And yes, they brought King Triton in! That was a nice touch. The tension between them, the whole “you’re too young, you don’t understand” dad talk, it felt pretty authentic, even for a mythical sea king. You could see the love, but also the frustration. It's a universal parent-child dynamic, just with more scales and trident-related arguments.

Ursula: The Ultimate Deal-Maker (and Heartbreaker)

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room – or rather, the octopus in the Mariana Trench: Ursula. They didn't just hint at Ursula; they went full-blown, cackling, scheming villain mode. And honestly, I was here for it. Playing Ursula was Merrin Dungey, and she brought this fantastic blend of theatricality and menace to the role. You knew she was bad news from the moment she appeared, but you also couldn't look away.

The "deal" Ariel makes with Ursula is, of course, the central conflict of the episode. It mirrors the Disney animated film pretty closely, which I think was a wise choice. Trying to reinvent that iconic bargain would have been a dangerous game. Ariel wants legs, Ursula wants Ariel's voice, and the clock is ticking. The stakes are incredibly high, and that's what makes it so compelling.

What I found particularly interesting was how they framed Ursula's motivations. While she's undeniably evil, there's a hint of bitterness, of a past injustice that fuels her. It’s that classic villain trope of "they were wronged, so now they're wronging everyone else." It doesn't excuse her actions, not by a long shot, but it does add a layer of complexity that makes her more than just a caricature. Plus, her underwater lair? Gorgeous. They really went all out with the set design for Ursula's domain. It felt both magical and deeply unsettling, the perfect home for a sea witch.

Emma and Hook's "Ariel Rescue Mission"

Okay, so this is where things get a little more… Once Upon a Time-y. The Storybrooke characters, specifically Emma and Hook (because, of course, it’s Emma and Hook), decide they need to rescue Ariel. Because apparently, in Storybrooke, saving fairy tale characters is just another Tuesday. I mean, good intentions, sure, but the logistics of it all are always a bit fuzzy, aren’t they? Like, how do you even plan a rescue mission for someone who lives underwater? Do they have a waterproof map?

This is where the episode’s pacing gets a bit… choppy. We’re zipping back and forth between Ariel's plight in the Enchanted Forest and Emma and Hook’s somewhat chaotic attempts to find her. It felt like they were trying to cram a lot into one episode, and sometimes, when shows do that, certain plot threads can feel a little underdeveloped. You know when you’re watching a show and you just think, “Wait, how did we get here so fast?” Yeah, that’s kind of how I felt at times.

However, the dynamic between Emma and Hook is always a highlight. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and they make a pretty formidable team, even when they’re slightly out of their depth (pun intended). Their little mission to convince Regina to help them with the magic needed to travel to Ariel's location felt very organic to the show's established character relationships. Regina, being the resident expert in all things dark and magical, is always the go-to. And her reluctant participation? Chef's kiss.

The Price of a Wish

The core of Ariel's story, the real gut-punch, is the sacrifice. She gives up her voice for legs. And it's not just about being able to walk; it's about being able to connect with Prince Eric, to experience his world. The episode does a good job of showing the immediate consequences of this. Ariel, now mute, is struggling to navigate the human world, trying to communicate with Eric through gestures and expressions. It’s both heartbreaking and incredibly romantic, in a tragic sort of way.

And then there’s the cruel twist: Ursula doesn’t just take her voice; she uses it for her own nefarious purposes. She impersonates Ariel to charm Eric, to break his heart, and to ultimately get her hands on him. This is where the villainy of Ursula really shines. It’s not just about power; it’s about inflicting pain, about twisting desires into something ugly. It’s a really effective way to raise the stakes and put Ariel in even more peril.

The episode really hammers home the idea that wishes and desires, when pursued recklessly, can have devastating consequences. Ariel's longing is understandable, but her haste and her naivety in dealing with Ursula lead to a cascade of problems. It’s a cautionary tale, wrapped up in a sparkly mermaid tail. And I think that’s what makes fairy tales endure, right? They often hold these timeless lessons about choices and consequences, even when they're dressed up in fantastical outfits.

Ariel's "Happily Ever After" (Sort Of)

So, does Ariel get her happy ending in this episode? Well, it’s a bit of a cliffhanger, isn’t it? The climax involves Emma and Hook trying to stop Ursula from… well, doing whatever Ursula is planning to do with a charmed Prince Eric. There’s a lot of splashing, a lot of shouting (from those who still have their voices, at least), and a desperate race against time.

Ultimately, Ariel gets her voice back, she gets her legs (eventually, with a little help from Emma and the fairy godmother’s wand), and she finally gets her happy ending with Eric. But the journey there is fraught with peril and heartbreak. It’s not a clean, simple resolution. This is Once Upon a Time, remember? They love their drama.

What I enjoyed most about the resolution was seeing Ariel finally stand up for herself. After being manipulated and silenced, she finds her strength. She defies Ursula, she saves Eric, and she proves that her love and her spirit are stronger than any magical bargain. It’s a really satisfying arc for her character within the confines of this single episode. You see her grow from a naive dreamer to a brave young woman.

Final Thoughts: A Splashy, But Not Perfect, Addition

Overall, "Ariel" is a pretty decent episode. It brings a beloved character to life, it gives us a classic villain in Ursula, and it explores some interesting themes about desire and sacrifice. The visuals are stunning, especially the underwater scenes. You can tell they put a lot of effort into making that world feel magical and real.

My main criticisms, and I know I’m not alone in this, are that sometimes the Storybrooke-centric plot felt a bit like it was overshadowing Ariel's actual story. I wanted more Ariel, you know? More of her personal journey, less of Emma and Hook’s side quest. Also, the pacing could have been a little tighter in places. It felt a bit like they were juggling too many balls, and a few of them were in danger of dropping.

But despite those minor quibbles, it’s an episode that’s memorable. It’s got heart, it’s got a touch of darkness, and it’s got a healthy dose of classic fairy tale magic. It’s the kind of episode that makes you want to rewatch the original animated movie afterwards. And for a show like Once Upon a Time, that's a pretty good endorsement, wouldn't you say? It might not be the most groundbreaking episode of the series, but it certainly makes a splash. And sometimes, that's all you really need.