Not my favorite, but I really liked it. I’m not going to break it up into separate storylines since everyone seemed to share the same one. So instead I’ll go scene by scene.

The episode starts off with giving us the history of the Book of Hearts, which was created after the monarchs of 2 warring kingdoms fell in love. So anyone who finds true love can sign their names in the book. So basically it’s Valentine’s Day and Cassandra is being a sourpuss because she hates everything—that’s what Eugene thinks and I totally agree with him.

Rapunzel tries to cheer Cass up by throwing her picnics and giving her gifts and such. We also get to see the return of Fleetfoot, the handmaiden that Rapunzel had mistaken for Cass and the one who looks pretty…absurd. So Cass tells Rapunzel that she’s going through some personal stuff but when she’s ready to tell her she will.

But during the night Rapunzel sees Cass sneaking around and since Rapunzel is a nosy interloper she follows her. What’s Cass’s secret? Apparently she’s seeing a handsome guy—though not more handsome than Eugene—named Andrew. Of course Rapunzel blows her cover. No surprise there.

Next thing you know, Rapunzel is spying on the 2 new lovers with a spyglass. Rapunzel is the most invasive person I’ve ever seen. I mean remember when she disguised herself as someone else to find out why some random dude doesn’t like her. Like for fuck’s sake Rapunzel. Go paint a wall. Also Eugene brings up a good point about how unbelievable it is for someone to love Cass. But love does bring out new sides in people. I mean love made Eugene less selfish, honest, and no longer a thief. I mean Cass is incredibly skilled and pretty. So all the people who thought Varian’s crush is forced are still probably right, but it makes sense.

So now that Cass has a new hubby, Rapunzel wants to take them on a double date. Oh boy. During this scene you do see Cass hide a dagger in her boot. At first I thought this was just a normal thing she does—which it probably is—but we see it come to play later.

During the double date we learn that Andrew is an anthropologist and other big words that only highbrowed scholars would understand. And wrote letters to the guards to see it, but couldn’t. So Cass invited him to see the book. And then Cass and Andrew became pen pal lovers. And apparently Andrew owns a hot air balloon. They all hitch a ride on the balloon where Rapunzel and Andrew constantly mention Cass’s strength and fighting skills. At first we think it’s because Cass wants Andrew to see a different side of her, but later we learn that’s not it at all.

Rapunzel notices Andrew’s necklace, which he tells her is a love symbol. But Eugene acts stupid for the sake of the plot which cause the necklace to be dropped in a thicket of thorns. Rapunzel and Eugene leave Cass and Andrew alone to search for the necklace. It is here where Eugene tries to tell her that not everyone is open with their feelings and need some space.

The show then teases us with a visually compelling hot air balloon kiss scene. But of course they get interrupted before they actually kiss. Cass then offers to give Andrew an up-close look of the book so they can sign their names in it.

Eugene and Rapunzel visit the town blacksmith who fixes Andrew’s necklace and reveals that Andrew is part of a cult made up of members of the warring kingdom. That’s right guys he is a member of a cult who wish to bring destruction upon Corona. This is great because this episode presents the opportunity for us the see the full extent of this cult in future episodes. Or this could just be a one-time thing, but I choose to remain hopeful.

While Cass is distracted, Andrew, who’s real name is Hubert apparently—what’s with everyone having fake names—tries to stab Cass. But Cass overpowers him and reveals that she knew about his ploy since day 1 because he misspelled one of the long words. Wow, dude. Next time do some research for your disguise or don’t choose a cover so unnecessarily complicated. But Rapunzel comes rushing in, which distracts Cass and causes them both to be chained to a podium and allows Andrew to steal the book.

Cass rebukes Rapunzel for messing things up. And Rapunzel has the gall to rebuke Cass for not spilling all her business. Then Cass tells Rapunzel that she can’t trust Rapunzel with keeping things to herself because she always tells secrets and would like to keep some personal things to herself. It’s really one big blame game. But they make a deal that Rapunzel will allow Cass to keep some things private if Cass understands that Rapunzel will always be eager to help out. Now this needs to be said. But I’m completely on Cass’s side this episode. I know I usually hate Cass, but she was completely in the right. Rapunzel has been doing nothing but sticking her nose into her business. Like I get that Rapunzel likes to help, but give her some space geez.

Anyway Eugene arrives and unlocks their chains and what ensues is an awesome action-packed hot air balloon battle. It was well choreographed and well animated. Cookie for the staff. The book is retrieved, Cass gets recognition for her efforts, and we see a rose in Cass’s cabinet. So she does really have a secret hubby after all. Huh. Honestly didn’t see that coming.

Conclusion

I liked this episode even though I was kind of spoiled by the preview. There are a few flaws like Eugene forgetting clockwise and counter-clockwise for the sake of the plot; as well as Rapunzel being flat-out invasive and literally having no respect for people’s privacy. But other than that I really liked this episode. I’m curious as to whether or not Cass’s new beau will be revealed or if he will be a recurring character. Poor Varian though.