‘Once Upon a Time’ season 5, episode 15 review: A powerful Hook, Liam story in ‘The Brothers Jones’

We’re not entirely sure just what it is, but there is something about this Underworld arc on “Once Upon a Time” that really plays on our heartstrings.

Maybe a part of it is the overall aesthetic, and the remarkably simple setup of the arc. Each week, we see a familiar character with unfinished business move forward, and pass on to a better place. This week, that person was Liam Jones, Killian’s brother who revealed a great secret over the course of the episode. He was not the hero that Hook once thought he was; instead, he sacrificed everyone on his shop so that he and Hook could survive, and that he could get a valuable jewel to ensure their future. This unfinished business was a huge hill to climb, especially since Liam didn’t want to come clean about it.

By the time he did, it was too late. Liam sacrificed himself in order to save Hook, and as a result of that passed on. It was a nice ending to the character’s story still, if for no other reason than that he gave Hook his blessing to be with Emma, and leave this world for Storybrooke at the end of his quest.

The unfortunate thing about Liam’s arc is that he destroyed the pages of the Underworld storybook that would have exposed Hades’ weakness; therefore, Henry was not able to use some of his own skills to help with the book. Henry wants to be a hero! He wants to rewrite some of Hades’ story so that can ensure that he is stopped. He just has to learn it first.

In the end, the Liam – Hook story is what made this so strong; moody Henry was a little bit of a bummer, though we did get a laugh out of seeing Cruelle and Henry kiss. Grade: A-.

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