Just when it seemed that The Librarians could not get any better, in terms of humor or the occasional lump in the throat factor, “And the Happily Ever After” manages to trump all preceding episodes. Last week when that episode ended, Jenkins had totally forgotten about the new Librarians and this episode continues that theme. Flynn, who is being chased through the woods by a legion of ninjas, starts off this week’s tale as the only character who remembers the new Librarians and their Guardian Eve.
The storyline this week has all the new Librarians in Cicely Washington and living their own “happily ever after” lives. Prospero has rewritten their lives and given them a story which is irresistible to the three Librarians and their Guardian. Moriarty has also been moved to Cicely as something to keep Eve vested in her new tale.
Baird is the city Sheriff, Cassandra has been on the moon and helped on a rescue mission, Jones is a Special Agent for the FBI (a maverick who ruffles feathers but gets results) and Stone is a professor for the town university who teaches 11 different courses. When Flynn arrives, after getting a clipping that tells of Cicely’s missing totem, he attempts to set things right.
While Baird questions Carson, another visitor arrives in town, Ariel (played by Scottish actress Hayley McLaughlin with a splendidly underplayed Irish brogue and an admirable elfin nuance, or two). The fairy is the only other one who realizes what is going on. Prospero has stepped in and changed everything, including ensnaring Ariel into this new story.
It turns out that the spell is fueled by the new Librarians’, and Eve’s, secret desires. Ariel (reluctantly) agrees to help and the only way that they can stop the spell is for those affected to reject their own “happily ever after” story.
This episode focuses more on the Baird and Carson dynamic. Rebecca Romijn and Noah Wyle make a great couple with just enough quirky chemistry to make their relationship work brilliantly. It is amusing to see Flynn get bent completely out of shape each time Eve kisses Moriarty (David S. Lee).
The stories created by Prospero (Richard Cox) are all reinforced by talismans worn by each of the affected. Eve’s sheriff’s badge, Jones’ FBI ID, Cillian’s moon crystal and Stone’s bracelet, all must be placed at the foot of the totem and each must then recite their “real” story.
Moriarty is the only one who destroys his talisman away from the totem, but the result is the same, he reverts to his true self an evil doer and a “fictional.” After the group, sans Moriarty, leap through a door provided by Jenkins, it is revealed that Flynn has also been given a talisman and he too must relinquish it and tell his true story.
This was a whimsical episode that not only amused, but left a lump in the throat more than a few times. The ending, of the penultimate episode of season two, speaks of the “end of the world” and it looks as though Prospero may carry over into the new season.
If any complaint could be levied against the network, although TNT are to be congratulated for having the foresight to bring the show back for a third season, it would be that 10 episodes are not enough.
For such a fun show, which can be enjoyed by the entire family, surely more episodes are in order, even an additional three or four would not hurt. The Librarians airs Sundays on TNT, although the finale is next week, December 27, and this light-hearted, funny and magical show will be missed till it returns next year.
I don’t hear any Irish in Hayley’s accent as Ariel. This is a Scottish accent through and through. Hayley was born in Glasgow (west coast of Scotland), she was brought up in Linlithgow (between Glasgow and Edinburgh on east coast). This is the local accent there. I have the same accent and was brought up a few miles from there.