Was it too little too late for August on "Selfless, Brave, and True?"

Below, our Once Upon a Time Round Table team of Nick McHatton and Christine Orlando are joined by Gareth from Once Upon a Fan to discuss whether August's return was a fitting conclusion or dull disappointment, while also pondering Tamara's twisted plans for Storybrooke.

Pull up an online chair and chime in, OUAT Fanatics!

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What was your favorite scene from the episode?

Nick: The scene between Mary Margaret and David as she told him about her blackening heart. It's nice to see them committed and always believing in each other. They believe that no matter what the odds they can conquer them together even if her heart has some darkness to it.

Gareth: I enjoyed all the scenes between Tamara/August and the Healer. I found this section of the storyline a lot more engaging than what was going on in Storybrooke. It held my interest a lot more. Tamara just became the most interesting new character on the show for me.

Christine: Most of this episode fell flat for me so I was happiest with Regina. Her quip to Mary Margaret about the blackened fish made me chuckle and I liked that she reminded Owen that people can just disappear.

Carla: There were a few great ones, but I loved that Mary Margaret got out of bed and went to shoot arrows in the forest. It showed that despite everything that happened she still had her spunk. And, it was even better because she was NOT wearing an annoying lavender coat. Those need to be burned to never return again.

August was turned back into the boy Pinnocchio. Fitting conclusion or a let down?

Nick: A complete let down. It completely resets August/Pinocchio as a character, but, in the end, it doesn't really matter since the August/Pinocchio we know died (by a taser that is ridiculously powerful on wood....). Nevertheless, I still hate it.

Gareth: Serious let down. August deserved a much better send off in my opinion. Can we just forget this part of the episode ever happened?

Christine: He was never a favorite of mine so to be honest, whether he's a dead hunk of wood or a little boy just doesn't matter.

Carla: I'm devastated that August is gone. When he was back this episode and in the flashback with Neal together as pals in New York (another favorite moment), I was hoping we'd see them as friends in the present. Since Tamara ruined that happy future, the reanimation of the dead August into a young boy again was perfect.

Nick: Not at all, there's so much going on in this episode that Mr. Gold didn't need to pop up to make an appearance. I would rather see a character only when they are necessary to an episode's plot rather than just have them there being unnecessary.

Gareth: I always miss Mr Gold. The episode was very busy, though, and Tamara kept me entertained.

Christine: I didn't realize how much I missed him until the end. I hope he sees through Tamara but I wonder how he'll handle that given she's his son's fiancee.

Carla: Nope. Not at all.

What do you think Tamara's twisted plan is for Storybrooke?

Nick: I think she's in it for money after seeing what the Dragon's magic could do, but since science literally could not identify what the magic was she's going to the source to get as much as she can: Storybrooke. I doubt Owen cares about anything else other than getting his father back, so he might be using Tamara as a distraction or as a weapon.

Gareth: I'm still trying to make up my mind about whether she is tied to the Enchanted Forest or not? I think she wants the magic in Storybrooke for some dark purpose. I also feel her storyline will play into the science versus magic theme that has been playing out this season.

Christine: If this is all for the money then it's definitely a long term con. What I really want to know is how she stumbled across Owen and how these two are connected.

Carla: Good question. She wants magic, but beyond that I have no idea. It really depends if she is using Owen, just like she's using Neal or not. If she's not, that they want to find his father, but also exact revenge on Regina. And, steal magic.

 Will David's plan to return to the Enchanted Forest fix things for Snow?

Nick: If Regina has taught us one thing it's that magic can't, well, magically fix everything, and, whether they live in Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest, David and Mary Margaret will need to work through their darker tendencies like everyone else.

Gareth: I think David's plan may push them further apart. Snow has shown no real inclination to go home. They seem pretty united at the moment though and I loved the scene at the end when Snow told Charming the truth about what happened with Regina. I agree with Nick that Snow will have to work it out for herself no matter what land she finds herself in.

Christine: I'm with Gareth on this one. I think it might just drive them farther apart. He thinks the Enchanted Forest will fix everything where Mary Margaret's main goal is to stay with her family. I'm guessing those opposing view points will come to a head by season's end.

Carla: No. Mary Margaret's issues will still be her's to deal with even if she resumes her life as Snow. David desperately wants to return to Fairy Tale Land though, so it makes sense that he believes it will be ... well, a fairy tale if they return.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this episode?

Nick: 5. It was average.

Gareth: 5. Pretty medicore episode. Some parts I really loved but some elements of the plot were ridiculous if I am being honest. A powerful magical being defeated with a taser is just one part that made my eyes roll.

Christine: Agree with the 5. There was too much time jumping and that taser's ability to kill magical beings and those made of wood really bugged me.

Carla: 8. I really enjoyed the new questions and secrets that were revealed in this episode. The telling of August's story was timed well with Neal's arrival to Storybrooke. And, Tamara's connection to August, Neal, and Owen has me intrigued. Could she be connected to Fairy Tale Land as well? 

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.