Ep 13. Tiny

The show Once Upon a Time continues its second season with episode 13 titled, “Tiny.” In this episode, the focus shifts to one of the show's most unique characters, the diminutive character of Anton, also known as Tiny. We see how his troubled past and present begin to intersect as he tries to find his way in the world of fairytale creatures.

As the episode begins, we find Anton, a giant from the beanstalk, who has been living with the dwarves for some time, finding a new friend in David and Mary Margaret's son, Neal. It's heart-warming to see Anton relish time spent with the young boy, who is fascinated by the giant's size and magical nature.

Meanwhile, Mary Margaret is trying to work things out with Regina, whom she believes can help break the curse. It's a testament to the continually complicated relationship between the two women, as they both have their own agendas and motivations, which don't always align.

Through a series of flashbacks, the episode explores Anton's backstory, introducing us to his family, who are all giants. We see him and his family struggling to scrape out a living in their homeland, which is barren and inhospitable. Anton's brother, Arlo, is killed in a trap set by humans, which sets off a chain of events that carries Anton to Storybrooke.

In Storybrooke, Anton has been taking care of a small farm as part of a larger community of fairytale creatures. Things have been going relatively well, but the sudden appearance of a group of humans threatens this tenuous peace. Anton responds to their aggression the way many of the other fairytale creatures do - fearfully.

This leads to a confrontation with Mr. Gold, who is trying to protect his own interests and the interests of his clients. Anton is disappointed in Mr. Gold's dismissiveness towards him and the other fairytale creatures, who he sees as nothing more than "ants" in the larger scheme of things.

Later on, Anton is approached by another giant from his homeland – he is shocked to see another member of his kind in the small town and is eager to reconnect with his people. However, things take a dark turn as the newcomer turns out to be Cora in disguise, set on using Anton to her own ends.

Cora reveals to Anton that she was responsible for the death of Arlo, and at the same time, Anton experiences a flashback of the traumatic event. Distraught and enraged, he awakens at the head of a veritable army, leading the charge on Storybrooke.

The escalation of tensions between the humans and fairytale creatures finally come to a head in this episode, with Anton at the forefront of the action. It's thrilling to see how the previously minor character of Anton becomes the focus of the episode, and how his journey intersects with the larger events of the town.

Overall, "Tiny" is a standout episode of Once Upon a Time, shining a spotlight on one of the show's most unique characters, while also moving the plot forward in significant ways. It's a testament to the strength of the writers and performers that they were able to create such a captivating piece of television.