Elas kord... It's Not Easy Being Green (2011–2018) Online

Strangely, despite what I've said in the past few episodes, I find myself suddenly liking Zelena. As for why, well that is below. What matters most though in this episode is the fact that the writers have strangely found a way to humanize Zelena, and yet keep her villainous just enough to become compelling.

Topic 1: What Happened in The Present – Zelena & Regina

With Zelena's identity revealed, she is tired of being in the shadows and is ready to face her little sister. But, with stipulations. For one, she wants no interference. Something which the townspeople aren't that willing to give her, despite an initial questioning of whether Regina perhaps deserves this fight. So, as usual, Emma and Charming are off, this time with Belle, and they go to try to disconnect Gold from Zelena. Naturally, this is foolish and all this leads to is Zelena showing how much power she has over Rumple, and her giving one final warning that she will not have interference in her fight or she will have Rumple kill them all.

Leading me to speak on what Regina does with this challenge. You see, at first Regina doesn't believe Zelena is her sister, but then she realizes that a note from Rumple made long ago, likely to Cora, wasn't really about her, but actually about Zelena. And sadly, this note might have been one of the last things which gave Regina a silver lining. Or at least that is what she tells Robin Hood who, officially, and literally, she gives her heart to.

The reason for this though isn't just to be romantic, but because it was one thing Cora taught Regina that Zelena never learned. And considering how badly Zelena whoops Regina's behind, she should be quite grateful she gave her heart to Robin Hood for Zelena wants Regina's hear for something. As for why she wants the heart? Look below.

Topic 2: What Happened in The Past – Zelena & Rumple

In this episode we see all of what caused Zelena to become green with envy, and that comes from not just a horrible foster dad, but the abandonment of her birth mother. However, upon leaving her foster dad and speaking to the Wizard of Oz, she is given silver slippers to go to the Enchanted Forest and meet Rumplestiltskin, the man the Wizard claims to be the greatest spell caster in all the realms; the one who can help her with what she seeks; and the man who I would argue is likely Zelena's father.

As for why I say this? Well the reason is because of the images they show us, and what the Wizard implies. To me, it seems that likely Cora gave up Zelena because she wanted to be royal, and having Rumple's baby in tow wouldn't allow this. And perhaps Zelena may think Rumple is her dad too, for it would explain why she shaved him like she did her surrogate father. Perhaps this was her version of having daddy-daughter time with the man who is actually her father.

But, back to Zelena's reasons and intentions for doing all she does in the present. The simple answer is jealousy, though mostly envy. In a way, what Zelena does in order to impress Rumple, upon getting to the Enchanted Forest, almost makes it seem even more so that their sibling rivalry isn't just about Cora choosing Regina over Zelena, but also Rumple too. For, you see, Rumple had the decision of whether to use Zelena to cast his curse, but with the thing she loved the most being him, another hint that he might be her dad, he couldn't' use her. And though her slippers could have technically done the trick, and helped Rumple come to our world to find Neal, by then he had picked Regina and Zelena was too scorned to let him use her while she would get nothing.

Thus leading to everything we know now. Zelena's wish is to change the past, make it so Cora never abandoned her, and Regina was never born. Issue is, going into the past is something the then Wizard of Oz, who we find out is Walsh, believes can't be done. However, with courage, a heart, and likely a brain as well, perhaps this can be done? For Zelena's wish is just to be chosen first, a wish which is strangely both sinister and something which inspires sympathy. Though it makes her no less wicked.

When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.

"It's Not Easy Being Green" is one of the best episodes of a solid Season 3 where the lesser episodes up to this point have not been less than decent and the best episodes have been wonderful ("Going Home" especially was something of a special episode). It's occasionally a bit over-the-top, but that is pretty much the only thing that was noticeably not quite so strong about "It's Not Easy Being Green".

Am continuing to love the character of Zelena/The Wicked Witch, who made a very big impression when she was first introduced, she is a very interesting and well written character. Peter Pan left very big shoes to fill as the villain of the first half of the season, Zelena/The Wicked Witch fills them pretty brilliantly. With "It's Not Easy Being Green" being centred mainly around her, she is the most interesting she's been so far and the episode achieves a fine balance between her villainy and how she came to be that way, she is very believable as a villain but it's not hard to see how she came to be the way she is and sympathy even is felt for her. The fairy-tale flashbacks are among the most illuminating and character advancing of any flashback of the show up to this point.

Love the character relationships, especially between Zelena and Regina, one that is not as one-dimensional as one would think, and Zelena and the Wizard of Oz (another character the episode does a particularly good job on, quite a surprising twist on his character). Regina is fantastically written here, not just with Zelena (but especially) but also with Robin Hood. Rumplestiltskin has a mini-monologue that resonates emotionally.

Have no qualms with the acting, with the obvious standout being a spell-binding Rebecca Mader. Lana Parrilla is a very close second, while Christopher Gorham, Robert Carlyle and Sean Maguire make strong impressions.

Furthermore, "It's Not Easy Being Green" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.

Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue. Zelena, Wizard of Oz and Regina especially.

All in all, wonderful. 9/10 Bethany Cox