Recap / Once Upon A Time In Wonderland S 1 E 9 Nothing To Fear

The genie bottle, now carrying the Knave of Hearts, washes up on the banks of the river, where it is found by Lizard, who happened to be bathing nearby. When she inspects the bottle, Lizard summons the genie, and is surprised to see Will, who was a stone statue the last time she saw him. Will is flustered and says he needs to go find Alice, he starts to walk off when Lizard tells him to wait. Will is suddenly forced by magic to stop, much to Lizard’s surprise. Will finds three wish tokens in his pocket and gives them to Lizard.

Will/Knave: “Mistress mine, my will is thine. Tell me your wishes three.” Bollocks! I’m pretty sure I’m a genie, Lizard.

Lizard: (Looks at Will with shock, then smiles)…And I’m your master!

Alice wakes up to see she is in bed inside Cyrus’ tent, and he is there with her. The two are overjoyed to be reunited at last, but the mood is ruined when Alice realizes Anastasia is there too. Alice’s memory is fuzzy after the near-death experience she went through, and Cyrus explains to her that they need to find the Knave, who has become the new genie of the bottle. Alice is not happy about the idea of working with Anastasia, but Cyrus tells her that like Alice, Anastasia wants to be reunited with the person she loves, and they could use her help at finding the genie bottle before Jafar does.

Meanwhile, Jafar moves into the palace and proclaims the Red Queen’s reign to be officially over. Declaring himself the new ruler of Wonderland, Jafar has his father’s cage wheeled into the throne room.

Jafar: Enjoying the view, father? Now you can watch me sit on the throne you didn’t believe I deserved.

Jafar’s Father: A throne is made when the man who sits upon it is worthy. Where you sit, Jafar, is nothing more than a large chair.

Upset, Jafar orders his father to be removed. He has the Caterpillar report to him about finding the genie bottle, but the Caterpillar says his men haven’t had any luck so far.

Jafar: I need that bottle before someone else finds it.

Caterpillar: I’ve tried, but word’s gotten out. Working for you tends to…shorten one’s life expectancy.

Jafar: So does failing me.

Before Jafar can kill him, the Caterpillar tells him about a terrible creature that has been imprisoned for a hundred years, said to be more powerful than any army. Intrigued, Jafar asks for more information, and the Caterpillar tells him the creature is known as the Jabberwocky.

While they continue searching for the genie bottle, Alice and Cyrus realize they have a lot of catching up to do, though it’s difficult to do so in such close proximity to the Red Queen. Suddenly they realize that Anastasia has disappeared.

Lizard shows Will around town and points out that since he succeeded at reuniting Alice and Cyrus, maybe they don’t need his help right now, in which case he could take a break and have some “Knave time.” Will thinks that’s not such a bad idea. Lizard suggests that Will can grant her first wish, and then he can go do whatever he wants. Before Lizard can make her wish, Will senses there are rules to being a genie and starts to tell Lizard that there are some things he can’t accomplish, such as making anyone fall in love. Lizard looks disappointed, but she suggests that Will could tell her what he wants, and then she can wish it for him. Touched, Will considers this. Since making big wishes can have consequences, he thinks they should start with something small, like a beer. He wishes for beers for everyone in the village.

Elsewhere in Wonderland, a group of villagers capture Anastasia and tie her up. They blame her for all their suffering and tell her soon she will be the one to suffer now that she’s not a queen anymore.

In the palace, Jafar talks to the head of Tweedledee about the Jabberwocky, offering to give him a new body if he will show Jafar where the Jabberwocky can be found. Tweedledee agrees, but he begs Jafar not to free the Jabberwocky, as it is so dangerous and difficult to imprison.

Jafar: Yet it’s precisely your fear, your willingness to do anything to avoid facing it, that I find so intriguing about this creature. You see, there’s something in Wonderland that I want. A genie. And quite honestly, I’ve grown tired of hunting for him. But perhaps with this creature at my side, with the threat of releasing it, I won’t have to hunt any longer. Because all of Wonderland will be falling over itself to bring him to me. And then Alice and her genie friend won’t just be up against me. They’ll be up against everyone.

Back in town, everyone parties with their free beer and cheers for the Knave. For the first time in quite a while, Will feels happy.

Lizard: Exactly what we wished for, huh?

Will/Knave: I can’t remember the last time people were pleased to see me. “Don’t steal the tarts, Knave!” “Off with your head, Knave!” These people love me! Couldn’t have done it without you, Lizard.

Will starts to think that being a genie is actually pretty awesome, and he wants to come up with something Lizard can wish for. With a somewhat sad look, she says she is still thinking about it.

Alice thinks Anastasia ran off to find the bottle on her own, but Cyrus sees broken branches and torn cloth, implying that she was kidnapped. Though he is no longer a genie, Cyrus knows a little bit of magic that his mother taught him and uses a piece of torn cloth to track down Anastasia.Jafar arrives at a desolate tower where the Jabberwocky is imprisoned. At the entrance, an axe-wielding guard tries to stop him, but Jafar easily forces his way past.

Guard: You’re a fool. The only thing waiting in that prison is death.

Jafar: Death and I have already met. Send him my regards. (Snaps Guard’s neck with a spell)

The angry villagers tie Anastasia to a stake, planning on feeding her to the monsters that raid their village each night. She suggests that they should hold her for ransom instead, but when the villagers ask her who would pay to save her life, she is forced to admit that she can’t think of anyone who cares whether she lives or not. Cyrus steps forward.

Cyrus: We’ll pay. True, the Red Queen has done terrible things. She ruled you by fear, now the tables have turned and you want the same.

Villagers: YEAH!

Cyrus: You are good, honest people. But if you kill her tonight in cold blood, well, then you’re no better than she is.

Villager: How much are you gonna pay for her?

Cyrus: (Whispering to Alice) Do you have any…

Alice: No.

Cyrus: (To the villagers, awkwardly) It was really more of a metaphor…

Unimpressed, the villagers wave them away. When Alice tries to save Anastasia, the villagers seize her and Cyrus and tie them to stakes alongside Anastasia.

Anastasia/Red Queen: Well, nice try, darlings. I suppose I should take this opportunity to say thank you.

Alice: For what?

Anastasia/Red Queen: It appears you two are the only two people in Wonderland that care whether I live or die.

As night falls, the monsters come out. The victims are approached by mome raths, wolflike creatures with glowing purple eyes. The mome raths are attracted to light, and Alice manages to pull one of her hands free and throw Cyrus’ glowing necklace away, distracting the mome raths long enough for the group to escape.

In town, Lizard sits inside looking out a window with a gloomy expression. Will comes back inside, saying this might be the best night of his life. When he asks why Lizard is inside all alone, he guesses that she must have feelings for someone. Lizard refuses to say who it is. Will points out that he’s good at helping women in love, since he helped Alice get back together with Cyrus. Though he can’t make anyone fall in love, there are plenty of other ways he can help Lizard be noticed. Lizard asks Will what he finds attractive.

Will/Knave: Confidence. Confidence is a terribly sexy quality in a woman. All right, what else? Passion. Spontaneity. Willing to take chances, explore new places, and style. She should really know how to wear a dress. And a naughty streak don’t hurt. But it all comes down to this: when I see her, it feels like fireworks are going off.

Lizard wishes for the things Will just described. The genie magic gives Liz a makeover into a beautiful white dress and fireworks start going off over the town. Will looks approvingly at his handiwork, but Liz doesn’t see the reaction in his eyes that she was hoping for.

Lizard: I’m afraid that the man I like doesn’t feel about me the same way I feel about him.

Will/Knave: Have you seen yourself? He’d be a complete and utter idiot, and blind to boot.

Lizard finally admits that Will himself is the person she is in love with.

As the fireworks continue to go off over the village, they are seen by Anastasia, who realizes that the genie must be there, since the village is too poor to afford fireworks.Jafar investigates the Jabberwocky’s tower. The floor of the tower is covered with corpses and skeletons of all those who gave their lives to seal the Jabberwocky away. A female voice speaks out to Jafar, asking why he is here. Jafar tells her that he came seeking her power. The voice laughs at him, telling him she can “open the door” to all the secret fears inside his head. Jafar tries to keep his composure, but the voice continues to laugh at him.

Cyrus suggests that the group split up to search the village and find the bottle. Alice is worried that Anastasia will simply run off with the bottle if she finds it first, but Cyrus tells Alice they will just have to trust her. When he and Alice are alone, he takes the opportunity to kiss her and propose to her once again.

Cyrus: For now, and for all the years to come, whether we’re battling mome raths or fighting evil sorcerers, or just watching the clouds make their way across the sky, I will love you. And every moment will be a thrilling adventure for me because I’ll be spending it with you. Alice, will you marry me?

Alice: Yes! And yes again, and again, forever.

Will apologizes to Lizard for not being able to return her love. He tries to tell her that he has trouble feeling love for anyone. Sadly, before she can think about what she is saying, Lizard says she wishes he could feel anything for her. Too late, Will realizes she accidentally made her third wish. Will is dragged back inside the genie bottle, and as he looks out through the bars on the lid, he sees Lizard fall to the floor and die. The wish is fulfilled in the cruelest way possible as he feels grief and sorrow for her death.Anastasia arrives at the house to find Lizard dead and the genie bottle lying on the floor next to her. She takes the bottle and meets up with Alice and Cyrus. When they demand she hand over the bottle, Anastasia rubs it, summoning the genie. A distraught Knave flies out of the bottle, and is relieved to see Alice, but is disgusted to learn that Anastasia is his new master. Alice and Cyrus are also furious with Anastasia, but she tells them what’s important is that they get out of Wonderland before Jafar gets them.

Will/Knave: I’d prefer to take my chances with the homicidal maniac with the snake stick.

Anastasia explains that if Jafar gets Will, he will have all three genies and be unstoppable. Cyrus is surprised to learn that Jafar has two genie bottles already. When Anastasia describes what the other bottles look like, Cyrus reveals that his two brothers were also cursed to be genies. The other bottles must be holding them. This changes their plans considerably.

Alice: Happily ever after can’t just be for us, it has to be for everyone, for all of Wonderland.

Will/Knave: I guess this is where we part company then.

Alice: Why is that?

Will/Knave: ‘Cause I don’t think this one’s sticking around for any of that. And with her being my master and all…

Anastasia/Red Queen: Will, since when have I been one to give up a fight?

Will/Knave: Since as long as I’ve known you. You’ve always looked for the easy way out, Anna, the shortest way to get what you wanted, no matter who else it hurt. And now you’ve got them three wishes in your pocket. You’ve got the mother of all shortcuts. Seems to suit you perfectly, don’t it?

Anastasia/Red Queen: We’re staying.

Will/Knave: We are?

Anastasia/Red Queen: Yes, we are. I have been a terrible Queen. These people, they deserve better than what I gave them. So we are staying, and we are fighting. (With new hope) Besides, there’s four of us. Jafar’s on his own. He doesn’t stand a chance.

At the Jabberwocky’s tower, the voice tells Jafar that she has decided to join him in exchange for her freedom. Looking up, Jafar sees a strange woman pinned to the ceiling of the tower with a sword. Jafar uses magic to remove the sword, and the woman falls to the floor, landing in a lizard-like pose. As the strange witch gets to her feet, she introduces herself as the Jabberwocky. She asks to dispose of the sword that pinned her to the ceiling, but Jafar decides to keep it, since it must be pretty powerful if it was able to stop her. With a disgruntled expression, the Jabberwocky circles Jafar, studying him.

Jabberwocky: What are you afraid of, Jafar?

Jafar: I’m not afraid of anything.

Jabberwocky: Not even…the feeling of water filling your lungs? Your father’s hands…holding you down? The feeling that there’s nothing you can do to save yourself. That you…are…powerless…

(Jafar gasps and coughs as though he is drowning)

Jabberwocky: …And you don’t know what burns more, your father’s betrayal, or the lack of oxygen in your lungs. (She releases Jafar from her spell) Maybe you’re right Jafar. Maybe you should hold onto that blade. Never know when you might need it.

The Jabberwocky strolls out of the tower while Jafar pulls himself together, wondering what he has gotten himself into by releasing this monster.

Tropes

• Be Careful What You Wish For: In a moment of carelessness, Lizard wishes that Will could feel something for her. Unfortunately, he ends up feeling grief for her, as she dies.
• Bound and Gagged: Anastasia gets captured by angry villagers and tied to a stake. When Cyrus and Alice try to save her, the same thing happens to them.
• Dies Wide Open: Lizard. Anastasia gently closes her eyes when she finds her.
• The Dreaded: All of Wonderland fears the Jabberwocky.
• Gilligan Cut: After Cyrus and Alice declare they'll fight the villagers to free the Red Queen, it quickly cuts to the two of them tied up next to each other.
• If You Kill Her You Will Be Just Like Her: Cyrus makes this argument to the angry villagers to try to persuade them to spare Anastasia’s life. It doesn’t work.
• Jackass Genie: An unusual example. Lizard’s final wish is interpreted in the worst possible way and ends up killing her. What is strange is that Will, the genie, didn’t want such a negative outcome, but he seems to have no real control over how the magic works.
• Leitmotif: The Jabberwocky has a very ominous musical theme consisting of 5 discordant chords.
• Let's Split Up, Gang!: Cyrus suggests this when the group needs to search the village to find the genie bottle. Alice isn’t keen on the idea, since she doesn’t trust Anastasia, but Cyrus reveals he really wanted to get Alice alone for a moment so they could kiss and he could propose to her again.
• Literal Genie: When Will says that his ideal romance needs (among other things) fireworks, Lizard wishes for that. Will was referring to metaphorical fireworks, but the magic of the wish causes actual fireworks to go off in the sky. This alerts Anastasia to the genie’s presence since she knows the town is too poor to afford fireworks.
• Moment Killer: Alice wakes up in her and Cyrus’ tent to be reunited with him, only to suddenly see the Red Queen watching them with a disgusted expression.
• Sealed Evil in a Can: It took hundreds of people to seal the Jabberwocky away in a tower and pin her to the ceiling with the vorpal sword.