Good Form (Once Upon a Time)

Plot

A young Killian Jones, a lieutenant, prepares to join his brother Captain Liam Jones aboard a ship. Liam gifts Killian a sextant meant to guide them to a new land. The ship sets sail, and when enemy ships are spotted, Liam deploys the "Pegasus," a giant sail made from real Pegasus feathers that allows the vessel to fly. Liam tells Killian to set course for the second star to the right and straight on until morning.

They land on an island revealed to be Neverland. Peter Pan appears and warns them that the plant the king wants, dreamshade, is deadly, not healing. Liam does not believe Pan, but Killian begins to doubt the king's intentions. When they reach the plant, Liam cuts his arm with it to prove it harmless, but collapses from poison.

Pan offers to save Liam by showing Killian a healing spring, cautioning that all magic comes with a price. Killian brings the water to Liam, who is healed. As the vessel flies back, Liam apologizes and says they were tricked by the king. Once out of Neverland's league, Liam suddenly collapses and dies, as the magical water only works within Neverland.

After burying Liam at sea, Killian, now captain, rallies the crew to burn the Pegasus feathers and take over the vessel, becoming pirates and vowing never to return to that land.

Cultural references

Liam's directions to Neverland, "the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning," quote the 1953 Disney film, a variation of J.M. Barrie's original novel. Regina tempts a Lost Boy with an Apollo candy bar, referencing Lost. After Hook kisses Emma, she asks for five minutes alone, and he replies "As you wish," a line from the 1987 film The Princess Bride.

Critical reception

"Good Form" received positive reviews from critics. Hillary Busis of Entertainment Weekly noted the kiss between Emma and Hook generated significant attention, calling it "hot enough to make a fire-breathing Maleficent blush," but criticized the episode for a plot centered on one character withholding information from another for no reason. Amy Ratcliffe of IGN rated the episode "Great," saying the relationship between Charming and Hook developed refreshingly, and praised Colin O'Donoghue's performance as conflicted. Amy Scales of Entertainment Outlook gave it 4.5 stars, calling the story of how Killian Jones became a pirate a great treat and highlighting Robbie Kay's performance as Peter Pan. Gwen Ihnat of The A.V. Club gave the episode a B rating, commending O'Donoghue's portrayal of Killian's transformation from naval man to pirate, but found the slow-motion sequences cheesy.