"Once Upon a Time" Gems

Magic in this Universe, a theory by andrch02 Thu Oct 11 2012 00:31:22 UPDATED Tue Oct 16 2012 01:59:39

Since we apparently seem to be interacting with different kinds of magic on this show, I pulled together thoughts on what we know about magic in this universe thus far, and what we might know might suggest for future development of this show.

Thus far:

We know that the Blue Fairy, is referred to as "The Original Power" meaning, she's probably as old as the Enchanted Forest and probably was the first one to have magic.

Fairy Magic (sources: Dreamy, Price of Gold, Broken, We are Both, The Return) = Social Security

Oddly enough, the fairies don't seem to have magic innately, but require the use of fairy dust to perform such deeds. The fairy dust is mined by the dwarves who crush up crystals to make the fabled dust. A yearly supply of dust is henceforth commissioned to the fairies, who then use it to make people's wishes come true, bring about happy endings, and apparently keep their world running efficiently and satisfactorily. It's a limited supply and precious commodity born from hard work and selfless labor. This suggests a magic that is earned through hard work and perseverance, with magic essentially a reward for good behavior. Essentially a price that's been paid in advance through good deeds, and the magic of the fairies is a return for good behavior. Fairy dust seems to be a magic that is of assistance to the people of the Enchanted Forest, but is not the end all and be all happy ending itself. But rather a tool to help bring about that happy ending with the hard work on the part of the people of the Enchanted Forest. In a real world comparison, it would be equivalent to the US's Social Security. You pay in with hard work and determination, and will receive in time assistance when you need it later. What you do with the assistance is up to you, but essentially you've already done the hard work if you're being visited by a fairy in this universe. However in order for fairy magic to work, it requires a system to be in place and for that system to not be disturbed by disinters or non-native magic. It might not be the best system out there, but it works for this world, so long as there's no one trying to "buck the system" like Dreamy and Nova tried to. It requires that some people (Dwarves and Fairies) take a personal sacrifice and not pursue their own happiness, so that many more may have their happiness. And with Dreamy he was a special case unknown to the Blue Fairy, due to a small amount of fairy dust being sprinkled on him by accident. The dwarves, as far as we know, are the perfect laborer class as with the exception of Dreamy, they do as they're told and find personal satisfaction in working in the mines and making other people's dreams come true. The same could be said for the fairies, who in order to make other people's dreams come true give up the idea of personal happiness that doesn't conflict with being of service to others (Nova is allowed to have a personal dream of being a Fairy Godmother because it perpetuates the system, but is denied the personal dream of exploring the world with Dreamy, because it deprives the system of its workers). Actually making the Dwarves have the service level jobs (store clerk, security, janitor, etc.) parallels this quite well as in the real world they are the people who do the dirty jobs so that others might be able to live in a well run and efficient world. Furthermore, making the fairies nuns (who are well known to bring comfort and relief to those in need) also bespeaks of the personal sacrifice one must make in order to bring happiness to others as a fairy. Nuns in theory find happiness in helping others at the expense of experiencing personal happiness for themselves. So fairy magic has a cost that the dwarves and the fairies each make on our own behalf, and we ourselves also pay for such magic by choosing ourselves to be good and do good things despite the situations we may find ourselves in.

Dark Fairy Dust (Source: Snow Falls) = Barter System

This magic most likely is the native "dark magic" to the Enchanted Forest. All we are told is that it is acquired from an evil fairy. And this seems to be the perfect kind of counter dark magic to the existing "good magic" of this universe. This magic being natural probably exists to counter balance the fairies' good magic and keep them in check, and the Enchanted Forest in balance. How it is acquired and what it does is gives the person what they want for a trade. There's an upfront cost (probably a very steep one the way Snow was treasuring it) most likely and no repercussions seem to come from using it (unlike Rumpel's magic, which we'll get to in a second). This kind of Dark Magic doesn't seem to corrupt people who use it, but rather does the negative actions which the user desires and it is up to the user to use it in the desire they see fit. More needs to be developed on this topic, and we might find out more about it, if the show explores whom that evil fairy was that gave Snow the dark fairy dust.

The Dark One's Magic (sources: Desperate Souls, The Return) = Credit Card

This magic is quite different from the Fairy Magic and much more threatening. In fact the symbolism behind having to kill the Dark One in order to take on his dark powers, is already intrinsic in that it is an abomination. We also know from The Blue Fairy that it is "not native to this world", meaning that it originated elsewhere and somehow came to the Enchanted Forest (a detail most people seemed to have missed, I noticed), and essentially told us that therefore the original "Dark One" (whether that was Zoso or not is yet to be determined) came to the Enchanted Forest and has since upset the balance in the Enchanted Forest. This kind of magic consumes the soul of the person who wields it, corrupting it until there is little left than a hollow shell of the person who once was, and this magic apparently likes to feed on the desperate and downtrodden--those who'd be reluctant to simply "give it away". It also inherently comes with a heavy price, prior hard work means nothing to this type of magic, you get something for what appears to be "for free", but you end up trading something perhaps more valuable for trying to keep what you've been given and not paying the price later on. If the original Dark One originally came from another world, his magic might have horrible side-effects in The Enchanted Forest (similar to how Superman being on earth caused him to fly because that's how he as an alien reacted to his environment). The Dagger doesn't belong in The Enchanted Forest, and it therefore isn't natural and probably has horrible side-effects to using it (probably came from a horrible world to begin with). As for that book, we know Rumpel has it and it was originally his. Did he find it in another world (as Regina's commentary of "I don't care if it turns me Green" might suggest) and therefore be another example of non-native magic having terrible consequences on an Enchanted Forest person? Probably. A good comparison to something in real life would be a credit card. A credit card gives you the perceived ability to get something for "free" but you have to pay the cost later (and usually at a higher price if you can't scrounge up what you need to pay off the bill immediately).

Cora's Spell Book & other Magical Items associated with Rumpel (Sources: nearly every episode) = Credit Card/Drugs

These objects all come from Rumpel and thus work similarly to the credit card analogy. Now where did Rumpel acquire these objects is interesting. Did he get them from other worlds? Or are they native to the Enchanted Forest. Since they work as magic similar to Rumpel's, if they're native to the Enchanted Forest, then they've become corrupted by Rumpel somewhere along the line, and thus contain non-native magic. However if they come from other worlds, then Rumpel has been collecting non-native magical items and bringing them to this world--probably in an attempt to gather as much magic as he can in order to create the Dark Curse in the first place. Either way, these items seem to work best in an analogy to a drug or narcotic, which gives people that particular high that they want, but at a tremendous cost to themselves, and they usually end up addicted to it, which warps their personality and mind, making them not think straight.

The Genie's Magic (source: The Genie's episode) = The Lottery

Here is another magic brought into the loop, and we blatantly are told by the Genie, that his brand of magic doesn't end well for the wishers. We do know that the Genie is native to this world as he mentions that he lives in another "kingdom" not another world. So his magic is native to this world, and I'd describe it as neutral. This kind of magic is equivalent to someone randomly winning the lottery or such thing. No amount of hard work is required to get it, only luck and chance. It is a magic that gives you what you wish for, but the problem isn't with the magic itself, but the wishes which people wish for. Even King Leopold who tries to give the Genie happiness by freedom has his wish come back to haunt him as his wish essentially led to his own death. Same with the Genie then being entrapped in the mirror. The magic gave him what he wanted, but he didn't know what he wanted entailed. And like the lottery, it has a hidden cost that must be paid later-- with regards to the lottery it's a tax.

The Siren's Magic Waters = Parole

Here we see another example of a "native magic" which can be achieved through overcoming a beast and not falling prey to the weaknesses of humanity. If you come to the Siren's magic waters it's presumed that something somewhere has been messed up, and these magic waters therefore act as a kind of natural "undo button" for mistakes that are made that come from magic. It requires a fortitude and a person of strong character to gather it and survive. It is achievable--but it is not freely given. It is only given to those who have the ability to overcome their weaknesses and stay strong in the face of temptation. The cost and hard work here is paid through good character and strong willpower.

Addendum to the Siren's Magic, from the episode: Lady of the Lake

The magic of Lake Nostos apparently is supplied and only exists with the Siren left alive (suggesting that the magic comes from the Siren herself). So essentially another way Charming could've "won" is if he'd gotten the water and left without calling out for the Siren in the first place (one of his more idiotic moments).

True Love's Kiss = An Ideal Situation That Not Everyone is Able to Achieve

True Love's Kiss is a type of magic that we're led to believe is the end-all & be-all of cures to curses--but in some cases (Abigail in What Happened to Frederick; Regina in The Stable Boy) doesn't seem to work at all. And in other episodes some characters don't think to use it to solve their problems--Snow, or seems unable to solve those problems despite trying--George (Lady of the Lake). The mechanics of this seems to suggest that True Love is a rare and glimmering magic (as Rumpel has stated), and that the people of this land convince themselves that EVERYONE is capable of finding a "True Love" but apparently some people are convincing themselves that they've found True Love, when they actually haven't, apparently. Which I've suggested earlier that "True Love" is the high standard to which most characters attempt to live to, but fail to find/achieve. In real life a good analogue to this would be any kind of ideal that people have and hold, but which truly is only achieved by a very small number of people.

Magical Items

There seems to be a developing trend that certain magical items/potions/etc. don't have a cost that comes with them beyond the price to create them. These items seem to be this world's equivalent of science, technology & industry.

Barren Potion "Curse" (King George's back story)

The word curse is thrown around loosely here as this is a potion that's been concocted and not so much a magic spell cast upon a character. This potion is supposed to make the one who drinks it, barren and unable to have children, it seems to only have the cost of its ingredients. Potions is another area of magic I hope is explored more in up coming episodes.

Gypsy Magic (Ruth's Necklace)

Ruth's charmed necklace, that has no cost to using it. We're told that it's been enchanted by a Gypsy, and the only cost to using its magic would've been the price to purchase such a gift. Gypsy magic hasn't been introduced before now, and I hope in the future it's established what Gypsy magic is like and what it all entails.

What seems to be clear here, is that with the exception of magic begotten by fairy dust (i.e. Magic that originates in this world is produced from hard labor and the existing social system of this world) as well as the Genie's and the Siren's--all (except the Genie) of whom require good moral character and hard work prior to the reward that is granted from magic. The other forms of magic in this world seem corrupting, and I would theorize come from other worlds and have adverse side effects to their usage. Hence them corrupting the people of the Enchanted Forest and turning essentially into addicts, hooked on a power that is foreign to them and hence doesn't mix well when stirred.

Just some muses.

= = =

by andrch02 7 hours ago (Mon Oct 15 2012 21:40:02)

Haha! My theory of the differences between magic grows.

Addendum to the Siren's Magic, from the new episode: Lady of the Lake

The magic of Lake Nostos apparently is supplied and only exists with the Siren left alive (suggesting that the magic comes from the Siren herself). So essentially another way Charming could've "won" is if he'd gotten the water and left without calling out for the Siren in the first place (one of his more idiotic moments).

Fairy Dust comes without a price (an apparent price as I mentioned before, but this is referenced in an interview with Barbara Hershey (Cora), that Rumpel's magic is different.

Interview with Barbara

= = =

by andrch02 3 hours ago (Tue Oct 16 2012 01:48:00)

How could I forget to list this?

True Love's Kiss = An Ideal Situation That Not Everyone is Able to Achieve

True Love's Kiss is a type of magic that we're led to believe is the end-all & be-all of cures to curses--but in some cases (Abigail in What Happened to Frederick; Regina in The Stable Boy) doesn't seem to work at all. And in other episodes some characters don't think to use it to solve their problems--Snow, or seems unable to solve those problems despite trying--George (Lady of the Lake). The mechanics of this seems to suggest that True Love is a rare and glimmering magic (as Rumpel has stated), and that the people of this land convince themselves that EVERYONE is capable of finding a "True Love" but apparently some people are convincing themselves that they've found True Love, when they actually haven't, apparently. Which I've suggested earlier that "True Love" is the high standard to which most characters attempt to live to, but fail to find/achieve. In real life a good analogue to this would be any kind of ideal that people have and hold, but which truly is only achieved by a very small number of people.

[link=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1843230/board/nest/204090128 ]Dragon Con Panel - Lee, Tony, Raphael, and Jane[/link] by marysocontrary

Day One: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Day Two: [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeLJvnHJT4w ]Part 1[/link] Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

Ginnifer at the Young Hollywood Awards by marysocontrary (Thu Jun 14 2012 22:43:10)

Accepting her award for Style Icon.

[link]http://tinyurl.com/cug3enc[/link]

[link]http://tinyurl.com/6m7s5es[/link]

[link]http://tinyurl.com/83j3bhh[/link]

Backstage with Whitney Cummings who presented the award.

[link]http://tinyurl.com/7uy4j5c[/link]

Red carpet - a couple are with Josh.

[link]http://tinyurl.com/7wkzxan[/link]

And one her sister posted on Twitter from the audience, though it's kind of dark.

[link]https://twitter.com/AlohaMinty/status/213473695589613569/photo/1[/link]

Lana at Monte Carlo TV Fest by marysocontrary (Fri Jun 15 2012 10:27:48)

Lana promoting Once Upon a Time in Monte Carlo.

Interview with Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz by marysocontrary (Fri Jun 15 2012 13:48:20)

Video interview with Golden Derby.

TV Line - Ginnifer Goodwin Most Excited About Charming Family Reunion by marysocontrary (Sun Jun 17 2012 09:12:06)

TVLine is also taking votes on what viewers will watch live on Sunday nights.

The Queen of Hearts' face revealed... by robertadler on Sat Jun 16 2012 09:59:16

[link]http://www.imdb.com/media/rm243644160/nm3230725[/link]

Behind The Scenes Picture.

mary margarets sweater by bolvig (Sun Jun 17 2012 12:11:12)

does anyone know where i can find this sweater picture is 4th from bottom

= = =

You might want to check this web page.

Clothing worn and inspired by Ginnifer Goodwin in 'Once Upon a Time'

'Lost' references?

by Iheartremote (Mon Jun 11 2012 23:31:30) Spoilers.....The two main producers of OUAT are the same producers of Lost. As well, FYI

by whiteowl82 (Tue Jun 12 2012 03:17:44) Here's a list of Lost references in OUAT.

Ginnifer Previews 2nd Season Relationship for Snow and Emma by marysocontrary (Fri Jun 15 2012 13:31:36)

'Once Upon A Time' Season 2: Ginnifer Goodwin Reveals Emma & Snow White's New Relationship

Charmings sword? by marysocontrary (Sat Jun 16 2012 22:43:30)

You can buy one from By The Sword, but it's $295.

There is a similar one for $136.80.

Jennifer Morrison on Season 2 by marysocontrary (Mon Jun 18 2012 09:43:39)

Once Upon a Time Fans posted this to Facebook. Haven't been able to find it on either Entertainment Weekly's or TVLine's websites.

Following 22 episodes that featured a major focus on Emma and Henry, Jennifer Morrison tells E.W that Season 2 will "explore the idea of allowing romantic love" to blossom in the character's life. With whom? Well...

“The Huntsman was in the season finale so they’ve established in fairytale land you can still flashback to him existing there, even though he’s not alive in reality,” Morrison says. “I don’t know what this means now that we’re bringing magic...

"We don’t know what that means for Pinocchio. Is he still going to be wood or is he going to come back to life? We don’t know if that means the Huntsman can be brought back to life. We don’t know what the rules are going to be now because everything has changed.”

From TV Line

Josh Dallas on Season 2 by marysocontrary (Thu Jun 21 2012 11:42:44)

The Charming reunion in particular.

Once Upon a Time | Already TVLine has brought you Ginnifer Goodwin’s take on Season 2 and her own anticipation of the Charmings’ reunion, now that Mary Margaret and David know their true identities and connection to Storybrooke sheriff Emma. Now, we’ve got Josh Dallas’ own prediction for the family get-together. “Bliss,” he states. “That’s what I hope it feels like.” But, as Goodwin also expressed, Dallas would not be surprised if Emma has some abandonment issues to work through, even given the far-out fairytale circumstances. “For 28 years, she’s been carrying around a lot of stuff. She’s felt lost the whole time. Her identity hasn’t been clear to her,” he notes. “So this is all going to come rushing back at her. She’s going to have a lot to deal with.”

Link1 Link2

What Comes Next After That Shocking Finale? The Evil Queen Speaks! by marysocontrary (Thu Jun 21 2012 22:19:01)

E! talked with Lana at the Monte Carlo TV Festival last week about the finale and some things she would like to see happen next season.

Link1 Link2

Deconstructing Once Upon a Time by marysocontrary (Tue Jun 26 2012 15:32:59)

Certainly a runaway hit for ABC, Once Upon A Time ended its debut season with a mind-bending cliff-hanger, true to the form of the Lost series producers, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. The popularity of Once makes me curious about two things: the design of the plot over the past season; and from the finale, where season two will take viewers.

Spoilers in this for the first season.

Interview with Dylan Schmid (Baelfire) by marysocontrary (Sat Jun 30 2012 10:28:39)

Once Upon a Time Fans has a brief interview with Dylan Schmid (Baelfire).

[link]http://tinyurl.com/6slusfu[/link]

Ruby's Wolf Ring by marysocontrary (Wed Jul 4 2012 18:22:10)

I had missed this before when watching Red Handed, but Ruby wears a wolf's head ring on her right hand. You can see it when Emma calls her at the sheriff's office.

[link]http://tinyurl.com/7aa3jmn[/link]

Hollywood Report Visit Nerdiest Production Offices - Kitsis and Horowitz by marysocontrary (Thu Jul 12 2012 09:01:46)

Once Upon a Fan posted the part where they visited Eddy and Adam's offices, with a link to the rest.

[link]http://tinyurl.com/7oczqcu[/link]

Fairy Tale Scenes in Chronological Order Videos COMPLETE by Thoraxe-the-Impaler (Mon Jul 9 2012 22:51:54)

YouTube Video Link

There were six hours of footage and after the first one I wasn't allowed to upload for more than 15 minutes. So there are 26 parts.

Most of them are pretty accurate I think but I had to guess on a few such as "Hat Trick" and "Price of Gold." and sticking "Thing you love Most" among some of the other scenes were a bit trickier than I thought it would be. Although I admit that intertwining "True NOrth" and "7:15 am" was fun since I think they happened on the same night.

Anyway, this is my guess on how they all line up. If there's a problem then let me know and I"ll try to fix it. I think the beginning of "Dreamy" freezes up for a second but other than that I don't think there's anything wrong with them.

But I digress, if you guys think they're ordered differently then you guys can download them and rearrange them. You can watch them on HD.

Please leave feedback.

Once Upon A Time Abridged

Once Upon a Time - Evil Queen's Carriage Pedicabs by marysocontrary (Thu Jul 12 2012 15:28:32)

If you're going to Comic Con, look for the Once Upon a Time pedicabs that look like the Evil Queen's carriage.

Charming Family at Comic Con by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 09:36:08)

And on TV Guide's yacht - [link]http://tinyurl.com/6subpbz[/link]

Once Cast Pic by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 09:43:07)

Must suck to be Josh today - NOT!

[link]http://tinyurl.com/7l52euz[/link]

Evil Queen at Comic Con

Lana takes a ride in one of the Once pedicabs.

[link]http://instagram.com/p/NEXUT2FWa5/[/link]

Once Cast Fairy Tale Faves Growing Up by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 11:39:56)

Jennifer - Alice in Wonderland Josh - Pinocchio Ginnifer - Snow White Meghan - Little Mermaid and Peter Pan - wanted to be underwater or fly. Lana - Hansel and Gretel, since she didn't get to eat candy.

Edit - Emilie - Pippi Longstockings.

Eddy or Adam said they'd only be interested in Pippi if she could shoot lasers from her eyes.

Odds and Ends Tweets from Panel by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 11:31:52)

Dr Whale's identity will be revealed.

May be a musical episode.

Jennifer and Lana did their own stunts in the fight between Emma and Regina.

Meghan votes for Red to snack on Dr Whale if she goes back to being a wolf.

Emilie loved her costume and enjoys working with Robert.

Edit:

Lana says that kids and even some adults run from her.

On Emma and Henry by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 11:18:48)

We may see Emma's foster family and 1m Once Upon A Time Once Upon A Time@OnceABC

"We can definitively say in Season 2 that we will be finding out the identity of Henry's father." - Eddy Kitsis #OnceUponATime #SDCC Expand

Ginny and Jen by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 12:01:42)

Ginny posted the pic and said "Me and my little girl on the way to autograph signing."

[link]http://t.co/YgvtNMGB[/link]

Another shot of Lana in Once pedicab by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 11:58:02)

Being the Evil Queen.

Once Cast Backstage by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 12:29:27)

As the the Second Season Preview video is shown.

[link]http://tinyurl.com/75y5zef[/link]

Lots of Comic Con Photos by msdakotafanning2 (Sat Jul 14 2012 12:36:14)

Here you can find lots of comic con photos in the fotos tab. The post will be updated many times so keep refreshing.

Jennifer and Lana by marysocontrary (Sat Jul 14 2012 12:11:32)

Well this will probably inspire some more Swan Queen fan fic.