‘Once Upon a Time’ season 5, episode 17 review: Belle hopes to save Gaston’s soul

The second half of “Once Upon a Time” season 5 has been a tale of lost souls, and few have been as angry in the Underworld as Gaston. For as good-looking and charming as he may be, the guy was certainly a tool once you got to know him. This was true in the Enchanted Forest, and he was certainly the same way in the present.

For the majority of this episode, Belle felt like she could get through to the hunter, and assure him in some way that the best way for them to move forward would be for her and Rumpelstiltskin to work together. Instead, this was an interesting twist on what was already a compelling story arc. After a fight between Gaston and Rumple, Belle realized that the former was still every bit a monster in the Underworld, and there was no way to help him resolve his unfinished business.

The trick here was that Hades offered a deal: Doom Gaston to eternal pain and suffering, and in turn Belle would be freed of her contract and be allowed to keep her child. The twist here is that Rumple had to be the one to throw him in the water, and Belle actually did it to save her husband’s life. Darkness won out, which is a rarity on the show, and the contract still stands. (Granted, Belle didn’t act maliciously, so this is like darkness won almost be default because there was little other choice.)

The entire plight of Belle in this episode was certainly compelling, especially when framed against the backdrop of how things fell apart for her and Gaston in the first place. It helps to make up for a nothing plotline with many of other characters, where Emma had visions that eventually led to her discovery of Red’s body. That is a story that the show will explore further moving into next week’s episode. Grade: B.

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