In the Name of the Brother

"See you in another life, Brotha." - Desmond Hume, LOST
 

** All photos posted here are chosen for a reason **

It's the source, the heart of the island

I loved this wonderful episode.  Who wouldn't want to bring back a loved one from the dead?  I for one would love to have my brother back.  As broken as my own heart is over his passing, and it is broken, and the wounds still feel fresh, I understand that we walked the path together for as long as we were supposed to. The hard part is letting him go, but he'll never leave my heart.
Now back to the matter at hand. This episode is about more than just what we read in Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, and it's more than the idea that Victor wants to literally bring his brother back, it's about bringing life back to the "dead."  Yes, metaphorically, we're talking about... rebirth.


Black, White and Red

Trying to find balance in an unbalanced world is hard- but not impossible. Hopefully the residents will learn this along their journey.  In addition to the black and white motif of balance, we're also shown that the drab depressed colorless world Victor lives in needs some color injected back into it. Alphonse is the benefactor in Victor's work but neglects him emotionally. This makes victor feel abandoned.  All Victor wants is for someone, his father, to believe in him, but he also needs to believe in himself.  He's living in his own hell. His cross to bear is that he's attached himself emotionally to "that place."  There is truth to Rumple's statement of there being "Problems with how much the heart can withstand."  Hearts are fragile and must be handled with care.

We're seeing lots of evidence of the residents of Storybrooke being broken. They are tied up, chained down, boxed in and being held prisoner to past people, situations, choices, and emotions that have deeply hurt them. They are giving power to these things. They're all attached to emotional places and need to be free of the prison they created for themselves. Yes, I understand they are cursed- but they're cursed! That's the point. Yet in some strange way they have been given a chance to start over, and they can, once each wakes up to the fact it's okay to remember the past, but to let it go and move forward... together.  Things must come full circle for them because these people want their warm beautiful light back, they want to feel their heart beat again- they want to feel alive again. And yes, they want to go home.

Now, don't get me wrong, Rumpelstiltskin is in pain too, but he has all of these pawns, uh, people, in play. All of them are part of a plan he initiated a long time ago to get back to his son.  A long con, if you will. He created a long chain of events that are a means to an end.

It doesn't matter who we were, it matter who we are.  In life shit happens, you can't go back and change it or even erase that it happened. Shit will happen, but no experience is ever wasted and we must learn from all experiences. But be warned that holding on to the pain and anger of an unpleasant experience is exactly what is perpetuating your pain. Experience makes you who you are. It can trap you. It can break you. It can change you. It can open your eyes. It can empower you. It can enlighten you.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.

Sad Regina shut herself away in a hidden secret room she created in the depths of the family vault; under her father Henry's coffin. You can lock up parts of your hurt self-up all you want, thinking you're protecting yourself (your heart), but at some point you must be willing to let the pain go so you can open up the doors and break down the walls and let your beautiful light back in and let love flow. But I am concerned about a few of our characters like Rumple, Cora and Regina. Their egos are so damn gigantic and it may take them a long while to get with the program.

Can you really bring someone back from the dark side? Um, yeah, Anakin.
Is Cora genuine in her opening up to Regina?  Did Cora take 28 years stuck in a bloody snow globe to see the evil of her ways and realize she pushed her daughter to the dark side?  Does Cora really want to make amends or is she just trying to win Regina back so the two women can team up and become a more aggressive fighting force? 
Note:  Cora sniffs Regina's clothes and tracks her to the family vault. Is she a wolf too? And I find it interesting that Cora sees herself as a little bird.

Building a Mystery

Who is this stranger, this outsider, this interloper, Greg?  Who is this person "Honey" he talks to on his cell phone? What exactly did he see?  Does Cora know where Bae is, did she hide him somewhere?  How many different worlds, stories and characters are in the fairy tale book and/or Storybrooke?  How is Frankenstein not in Henry's book yet resides in Storybrooke?  While where at it- where the hell is August W. Booth?

Things to Note...Questions to Ask...

๑ It just so happens that Hook Colin O'Donoghue's band in real life is called The Enemies. Love that!
๑ Belle loses her memory. (See LOST notes below)
๑  "Sheriff Swan, actually" (See LOST notes below)
๑ The Rabbit Hole
๑ The Doctor
๑ "I hurt his heart- Belle is just where he keeps it."
๑ Medical Doctor. Scientist
๑ Magician
๑ Life- Death- Rebirth
๑ Watch. Time
๑ Fire and Water
๑ Emma uses her star key chain- "Hard Disk Recovery Utility" to get into Greg's phone. used in the Pilot episode
๑ Color line on the hospital floor- line at Storybrooke border
๑ I don't have the theme for Star Wars as a ring-tone on my phone but I have The Imperial March for the ring-tone on my phone for the guys in my family. All my other ring-tones are LOST related.
๑ Igor = Eyegor
๑ Fix
๑ Electricity. Power
๑ Communication
๑ Memory. Remember. Forget
๑ The German word for "here" is her
๑ See translation of the commission gifted to Victor. If you have any corrections or information please let me know so I can correct this...

NOTE the following translation from my friend Steve Kups. Thank you for your help with this, I really appreciate it.

TO DOCTOR VIKTOR FRANKENSTEIN
("Ich diene" under the logo/crest/emblem/coat of arms to the right means "I serve")

Dear Doctor Frankenstein,

By virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Federal Chancellor and by the Emperor's commission I appoint you to ARMY DOCTOR.

(Clever play on words there. "Army". Like in "arm". Also "FELDARZT" would normally be just one word. Also, looking at the wording as well as the diploma, this might be another little nod to our dear Wizard of Oz: http://www.filmsite.org/wiza5.html)

You are hereby instructed to fulfill (or discharge) the duty of an ARMY DOCTOR painstakingly and diligently and to serve as an example to lower ranking officers and soldiers.

("Offiziersränge" is usually one word, but written as two here.) 

We ask you to heed these commands, to uphold order and discipline, and to follow further instructions. (Sounds like something Dr. Chang would say. This sentence could also be translated as "We urge you to carry out said orders to preserve order and discipline, and to execute future orders.")

(The word "fordern" (from "auffordern", meaning "to request", "to ask", "to challenge", "to prompt", "to invite") seems to have been misspelled as "fodern" to the modern eye, but this is actually reflecting the correct usage and spelling of this term back in the olden days. Whoever wrote this diploma does not only speak/write fluent German, but also is quite well versed in not-quite-so-modern variations of the language. An error was made, however, by writing "besagte Befehle zu folgen", since it should say "besagten Befehlen zu folgen" or "besagte Befehle zu befolgen" to make it grammatically correct.) 

Written by me in Armen, Metz, and sealed on the third of March.
By the virtue of power invested in me by the Emperor's order.

T. Herman
Captain T. Herman - 34. Division
Klagenfurt, Kärnten (Carinthia)
Klagenfurt - Land, District in the name of the Prime Minister of the Empire of Austria

(An Emperor, a Federal Chancellor and a Prime Minister are usually three offices you would not see during one and the same time period/regime or in the same region. Also, there is no "Armen, Metz", as a real place, but there is Metz, which is located between the "arms" of two rivers: http://tourisme.metz.fr/en/mes_attentes/fluvial.php)

Vocabulary and Research...

๑  The German origins of the name Henry mean "The ruler of the house."
๑ Gregor Johann Mendel: the father of modern genetics. Studied traits in pea plants.
๑ The Memorial Cross (French: Croix du Souvenir), often known as the Silver Cross, is a Canadian medal awarded to the next of kin of any member of the Canadian Forces who loses his/her life in active service, including peacekeeping, and other such international operations
๑ Purchased Commissions: Sale of commissions was common practice among European Armies where wealthy and noble officers purchased their rank.
๑ In the Name of the Brothers: a multi-player Online video game. The setting is WWII
๑ Gerhardt: as a boy's name is a variant of Garrard (Old English) and Gerard (Old English), and the meaning of Gerhardt is "spear-hard; spear-brave; spear brave"
๑ Gerhard Richter (born 9 February 1932) is a German visual artist. He also served as source of inspiration for writers and musicians. Sonic Youth used a painting of his for the cover art for their album Daydream Nation in 1988
๑ Dieter (Felix) Gerhardt: a Cold War spy; aka codename Felix
๑ Paul Gerhardt (12 March 1607 – 27 May 1676) was a German hymn writer
๑ C. Gerhardt Analytical Systems: Lab supplies
๑  215,  267, 412, 484, 570, 610, 717, 724, 814, 878 Pennsylvania area codes
๑ Master: Rank or status
- Male head of a household
- Owner of slaves or animals; a person with the ability to use control
- One skilled at something: Chess master
- Teacher
๑ Sealed with a Kiss:
-  is a song by Peter Udell and Gary Geld. First recorded by The Four Voices in 1960. Also recorded by Bobby Vinton and Jason Donovan.
- 2001 Title of the album by The Eyeliners

 ✔ Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale

✈ Doctor Arzt
✈ Claire was taken by Ethan and the Other's and loses her memory for a while.
✈ Charles Widmore is a Philanthropist and Industrialist who sponsors the International Open Ocean Racing Association's solo sailing Competition/race around the world that Desmond wants to enter- this leads him to the Island. Live Together, Die Alone.  "With enough money and determination you can find anyone" - Penny and Desmond also in Catch 22 
✈  ...In Translation: Locke gives Shannon a pep-talk about everyone being given the chance to start over on the island and that she should take it.  And then Shannon tells Sayid "Everyone gets a new life on this island. I'd like to start now."
✈ "It's Dr. Linus, actually." - Ben in Dr. Linus
✈ German (people and language, etc.) is brought up a few times, including the episode, The Other 48 Days and The Economist
✈ Eye
✈ Lab
✈ Patch
✈ Candidate
✈ Code. Computer. Accounts. Travel.
✈ Cheat
✈ Truce
✈ Heart. Light (Candle)
✈ Time. Clock. Watch
✈ Memory. Remember. Forget
✈ Communication
✈ Electricity. Power
✈ Fix
✈ Jack was the camp physician that was struggling with an alcohol/drug problem
✈ Juliet (the researcher) tries to help women birth babies on the island, but the women always die.
✈ Through the Looking Glass Jack tries to kill himself by jumping off a bridge but is pulled away from that by the car crash happens behind him.
✈ The Lie Sawyer says to Daniel Faraday "Welcome back Doctor Wizard" and then Miles corrects him "I think it's Mister Wizard."
✈  Life- Death- Rebirth
✈ Hearts and Minds
✈ Fire + Water
✈ Stranger in a Strange Land
✈ Man of Science, Man of Faith
✈ The Watch: Mobisode #1 Jack is given a family heirloom watch by his father on his wedding day.
✈ Abandoned   "I need you to believe in me"- Shannon
✈ Personal Effects:
Whatever the Case May Be- Kate
The Incident P2- Hugo
Happily Ever After- Charlie

 Enough of my rambling... Here's your episode recap! Enjoy!

Belle is frantic asking "Who are you?! What's going on?"  Her left shoulder is causing her pain, so Mr. Gold/Rumple magically heals her. This freaks her out. "Go away. What are you?" Mr. Gold/Rumple assures her its nothing to be afraid of.  Hook is on the side of the road injured.
Emma and David arrive in the sheriff's car; Emma calls for backup "I'm at the Town Line- Two people are down, maybe three. There's a car, pretty banged up with Pennsylvania plates..."
David and Mary Margaret come to Belle's aide as Rumple informs them "She crossed over the line. She doesn't remember."

Emma looks over injured Hook and determines he broke a couple of ribs.  Hook asks her "Did you see his face?! His one true love gone in an instant! Just like Milah, Crocodile... when you took her from me!"   Gold/Rumple,  "But you took her first!"  He starts choking the already broken Hook with his cane.  Emma tries to get Gold/Rumple off of Hook, "Are you insane?!
Gold/Rumple- "Yes, I am."
David and Emma try to reason with Gold/Rumple.
Emma- "You can't let her see you do this."
Gold/Rumple feels he's a stranger to her/Belle; Emma advises that murder is a bad first impression.
David- "What would Belle want you to do?"
Just then the ambulance arrives and Emma directs the EMT's to the person in the crashed car; Hook can wait.
Emma- "There's someone in there!"
Emma, Mary Margaret and David don't know this guy. The unconscious man drove into town from the outside.
Emma- "Looks like the world just came to Storybrooke."

Dr. Whale is paged to report to the E.R., but he's sitting alone in a treatment room/office drinking. {PA: O.R. Staff stand by. E.T.A. 1 minute} We hear the voices of people outside the room calling out for the Doctor; asking if anyone's seen the Doctor.   Dr. Whale hears the calls but doesn't respond.

A toast to the Frankenstein's! The three men are celebrating the New Year.

 

The young men's father, Alphonse, is a decorated Military man.

Alphonse's attention is centered round his obvious pride for son Gerhardt and his Silver Cross.  The attention it gets embarrasses Gerhardt; to which Victor supposes it's his cross to bear. Father presents each son with a small package, a gift for the holiday.

Gerhardt is proudly presented the family heirloom watch; originally a gift from Alphonse's wife (her father's watch) on their wedding day.  Victor says he remembers.

Victor then opens his, a formal commission purchased by his father to join the mobile 34th as their camp physician, "It's an honor."  Victor thinks his father is joking his work is far too important to leave now.  Gerhardt stands up for his brother and the important scientific work he's doing.  Alphonse understands "But how will he do his work without my financial support?!"  He already allows Victor the use of the family summer home for his foolish purposes. "Isn't that enough?!"  It's true Victor relies on his father's money and he's made great progress and feels "The name Frankenstein is going to stand for life. Life everlasting here on Earth."

There's chaos in the Storybrooke Hospital, people don't know what's going on, injured Hook is wheeled in on a stretcher, as is the crash victim. Dr. Whale is still being paged to report to the E.R., Emma tells a nurse to "find a room and hide him!"

Gold enters asking "Belle. What's going on?"  But David demands he get out of there and a bit of shoving begins.  Dr. Whale strolls in telling everybody to calm down, and assures Mr. Gold that everything will be fine, "She's in good hands here. I promise."

Gerhardt runs after Victor in the rainstorm to give him the watch. After all Victor is the eldest and "she wanted it for you."  Victor turns down his brother's offer, "I'll find another way."
We see in this black and white world, colored red is Rumpelstiltskin, watching the brothers from the sidelines.

Mr. Gold watches over sleeping Belle in her hospital bed. {Hooked up to monitor} He kisses her and she does indeed wake up, except upon waking and seeing him she screams in panic. Two orderlies come to her aide while upset Gold leaves apologizing.

Emma sits on Hook's hospital bed watching over him as he starts to wake up. Hook, wears a white robe, is cuffed to the bed and wired to a beeping monitor.

Emma doesn't hesitate is asking where Cora is. Hook, although in pain, flits with Emma. Emma won't stand for that and threatens "You have all sorts of sore places I can make you hurt."  Hook doesn't have any idea where Cora is, as she has her own agenda. He asks Emma for his hook back. "Or is there another attachment you prefer."  Emma feels he's chipper for a guy who just failed to kill his enemy and got hit by a car.  Hook's ribs may be broken, but everything else is intact. He knows he did some quality damage to his foe. He hurt Belle- "I hurt his heart. Belle's just where he keeps it. He killed my love. I know the feeling."
Emma- "Keep smiling, Buddy. You're chained down, he's on his feet, immortal, has magic, and you hurt his girl. If I were to pick dead guy of the year... I'd pick you."

Mary Margaret is trying to hack into the Outsider's cell phone. She feels you can't guess at a pass code because there must be a million possible combinations; Ruby thinks 10,000. David asks Leroy if he can hack it. Leroy informs David there's a difference between computer hacking and pickax hacking are different.  Emma tells them "I have a thing..." She can get into the phone; plus there was stuff in Greg Mendell's car- Rental agreement, maps and receipts.  She scrolls through the hacked phone for clues.

Emma sees Phone calls: Area codes for Pennsylvania, (tourist) photos of him alone, a LinkedIn account and he tweets pictures of his food. Emma will keep looking but feels they have a well-documented real-life ordinary Joe- or Greg.

Whatever's kept random people from stumbling into Storybrooke for the last 28 years is gone. David's instincts are telling him that anyone being able to drive in is a bad thing.  Leroy fears outsiders discovering something magical and studying it to death, as they've done in the past; giving examples of movies: E.T. and Splash.  Greg's friends and family are going to come looking for him soon. Emma doesn't want them to overreact, yet notes the questionable motives of newly arrived Cora and the potential visits from outsiders coming in isn't going to be good for anyone.  They need to find Regina and tell her she was framed. Ruby's been trying to track Regina but no luck; she's gone underground.  Mary Margaret is very concerned if Cora finds Regina first, and the damage those two can do together, "This could not have come at a worse time."
Emma - "It's okay. The guy's being patched up right now, he'll probably be on his way by morning."

Dr. Whale interjects that "He's bleeding into his chest cavity. It's not a full flood, you know. But pretty soon he'll be drowning in his own blood."
Emma- "So, make it stop. Aren't you a doctor?"
Dr. Whale doesn't answer her question, he walks away to talk to Mr. Gold. "You fixed me, now fix him. It will take you seconds and cost you nothing."   Gold won't do it and doesn't owe Whale or anyone else anything. "And some of you owe me. So, yeah...just, no. Oh, and point of interest... the driver, saw me throwing some magic, so instead of trying to get him out of here, you better be hoping he dies- because if he doesn't, he's gonna be driving tour buses up and down Main Street. So glad I don't give a damn." {Note: color line/lines in hospital}

Whale tells the group that letting him die is easy and he can do that, if that's what they decide. Emma whispers, suggesting they take this somewhere private.

Whale leads them into a supply room {R2D2} to further discuss the fate of the outsider. They have to choose between their lives or his. David suggests they worry about Storybrooke after they save a life. He tells Dr. Whale to prep for surgery. Without a word, Whale just does as he's told. Everyone did notice the doctor is drunk off his ass.
Just then Greg's cell phone rings the Theme from Star Wars. {Emma holds the phone.}
Emma determines "Someone's looking for Greg. How long before they come here?"


Victor and his assistant are packing up his colorless lab when he is visited by "Rumpel Von shtiltskin"
Victor- "How did you get in here? Who are you?"  Victor determines Rumple is a foreigner.
Rumple- "What tipped you off, my rosy complexion? Yes, I've seen nothing of your drab little land yet, but, I am interested in your work."
Victor informs him he's a little late as he's been shut down. "And I can't bring back dead loved ones, anyway, if that's what you're after."  Amused Rumple feels his deceased are best kept where they are. His interest is how Victor does what he does. "You see, where I come from we do things differently. Your land has witchcraft, but it's feeble neglected stuff. Where I live it's strong and hearty, but it cannot restore life. If you can do this... Well, I'll wanna know more and I'm willing to pay." He pours what seems like an endless stream of gold coins from a small pouch.

Victor is stunned by this feat and wonders how he did that. Rumple feels he's missing the point. Victor asks if he's a Philanthropist. Rumple's been called worse, but stays on point telling Victor the money's his but there's a cost- Victor's knowledge. "You teach me to wield... whatever it is you wield. That is the deal."  Victor happily agrees to the deal. As Victor's about to reveal the tremendous news to Igor he sees Rumple has disappeared. Igor is amazed to see the gold coins in front of his Master and wonder what's happened. Re-energized Victor instructs his assistant to bring back the equipment, "We're staying. And we're going to need a body."

Mr. Gold takes out the chipped teacup he keeps in the glass display case in his shop, and takes a look at it.  Interrupted by the door bells jingle, he puts the cup back. He puzzled by a new carrying case that appears in the store and then Cora magically appears as well. Cora has brought him a gift, a sort of peace offering. Rumple thought she was dead and notes that disappointment is part of life.
Cora- "Aw, the crocodile snaps at the little bird."
Rumple asks her if she brought the antidote to her little gift, but what Cora wants is her daughter.
Cora- "You were so clever to get her to lay the curse so you could come here-  you don't need her anymore. Let me try and get her back and let us live."
And for his troubles Cora says he gets his son.

 

Rumple opens her gift and reveals a special globe that will find him, "If this one truly is it."  Cora assures him she has no reason to cheat him (anymore).  She wants him to find the one person in this universe who might still love him. "After all I'm doing the same thing."
Rumple- "Do you have any spells to return memories?
Cora- "I only know what you taught me, Master. So, will you accept my offer of a truce?"
Rumple seems torn but is cautious. He agrees to the truce and they shake hands on it- Actually, at Cora's request, they seal it with a kiss.

Over at Storybrooke Hospital we hear over the PA- "Treatment Care Coordinator Dial the I.C.U. Nurses Station" while Dr. Whale stares at a wrist watch.

David asks him what that is and Whale shares it's the guy's personal effects and jokes "I get the best watches this way. Too bad it's cracked."

It seems that Dr. Whale is stalling to go into surgery. David asks if his arm is okay. Whale tells David he's not drunk; David just wants to save this guy. "I don't care what he saw. We don't let go of people."  Whale replies a bit sarcastically, "Right. Of course not." {He looks down at the watch again.}

At the (Military) Cememtary:
Victor is busy digging (up) a grave on a stormy night when Gerhardt arrives. Igor told him he'd find his brother there. He shares his disbelief "I thought you worked with cells and in petrie dishes..."
Victor informs him that his work has progressed and he thought his brother supported him.
Gerhardt- "No like this."
A voice yells in the distance for them to "Halt!" Victor yells back for him not to shoot "We have orders! He's in uniform!"  Shots are fired anyway. The brother's take off to the safety of the coach.
Victor takes a drink from his flask, "You shouldn't have come looking for me. I thought you supported..."  Unfortunately Gerhardt is shot.

The translation for the German word "her" is "here.

Emma and the gang are nervous as the see the same person is again {HER} trying to find Greg the outsider.  They can't answer it even if it's just to let her know he's okay- but he's not okay.
Ruby- "He's alive. Let her know he's alive."
The police can trace it here instantly and or activate the find your phone thing without them picking it up at all.
They learn via an Orderly that the doctor never went in to surgery and Emma demands he be paged. David says he wasn't looking so good earlier.  When the Orderly places the page they all hear the pager beeps go off.  They think "He's here"
Emma digs through dirty linens and finds Whale's discarded white coat and pager.  "No. But his pager is. He's gone."

Ruby gets a boozy scent off of Dr. Whale's white coat so she can track him. They'll watch Hook and if they can't find Whale maybe another option for the surgery is that Doc can do it, which makes Leroy laugh.  Mary Margaret suggests maybe Whale didn't run, maybe Cora grabbed him for some reason, but David disagrees. "He's been in a rough place since he brought Regina's fiancée back to life." And that he had his arm ripped off and put back on. Leroy thinks that's cool.
Mary Margaret- "Wait, Daniel came back?"
Emma- "Like some kind of Frankenstein?"
David- "That's Whale. The Doctor. And Daniel was his..."
Mary Margaret asks what went on there while they were gone, David just groans. Emma just tells Ruby to get going and bring back Dr. Frankenstein. "We're gonna send this guy back with bolts in his neck." They're sure he'll be found but wonder what kind of state he'll be in.

We see that Dr. Whale is indeed running through the streets of Storybrooke.

"I will bring you back, my brother, I promise you."  Victor turns on the machine and sends electricity through his brother's body- but it doesn't revive him. So Victor reopens the already poorly stitched up wound and removes the burned heart from his chest. Igor sees it's burned like coal.
Victor has Igor "Cover him" as the sheet will serve as his shroud.  Alphonse enters wanting Victor to explain himself because he was seen carrying a body into the house. Alphonse sees his dear son, Gerhardt, lying on the table. Victor shares there was an accident, but Alphonse sees Victor as the cause. Alphonse yells "The things you do... You cut into your brother!  You put your foul magician's work into your brother!"  Upset Victor yells that it can work! He did this for his father because he wanted him to have two sons again.
Alphonse- "And now I have none."  This leaves Victor sad.

Henry's room has many clocks.

Cora snoops around Regina's house, getting a feel for Regina's life in Storybrooke and for some possible tracking. She also looks around Henry's room; checking out a photo of Regina and Henry and a handmade craft of a hand print- FOR MOMMY.

Regina's secret room has many mirrors.

Henry heads through the graveyard over to look for Regina at the MILLS family vault.  He pushes the heavy coffin with white lilies on top aside and heads down below to the corridors. Henry calls out "Mom?" And we see Regina looking in a mirror can hear him. Regina can magically see via a one of the mirrors that Henry is looking for her.
Henry- "Mom?  You in there? Can I come in?"

Regina's heart misses him, so she opens the secret wall and lets him in. They hug.
Regina- "Henry, I'm so glad you're here. I missed you so much when... I have to let you know I had nothing to do with Archie."
Henry always knew- she was framed.  He knew because... Henry magically transforms into Cora and admits "Because I did it."  Regina is shocked to see her mother standing in front of her.

Victor diligently works in his lab trying to find a way to bring his brother back when he is visited by the magically appearing Rumpelstiltskin. {Note: magnifying glass and microscope.}
Rumpelstiltskin- "Did it work? Nope?"
Victor- "There was a little problem with what the heart could withstand."
Rumpelstiltskin- "Ah! Problems of the heart, isn't that always the way?"
Victor- "Could you get out of my light?! Please."
Rumpelstiltskin- "You know... where I come from there are hearts that withstand anything because of magic."
Victor- "You have hearts?"
Rumpelstiltskin- "I'll tell you what... I'm gonna bring you a friend- a master of the hat. He shall take you to a young woman who has exactly what you need. You put on a little show for her, and you'll walk away with all your prayers answered- A heart- for your brother."
Victor- "And who is this woman?"
Rumpelstiltskin- "Her name is Regina."

Cora tells her shocked daughter that she wasn't stopped and "got through" by determination. "I had to see you. I needed to tell you that I know why you sent me through the looking glass. And I know why you tried to have me killed. And it's... it's alright."  Both women are teary eyed. Regina doesn't think it's alright.
Cora- "I love you. I just ... I've always shown it in all the wrong ways. And I never should have made you marry the King. I'm so sorry. When you cried over my coffin... it all changed."
Regina- "You framed me... for the cricket."
Cora- "Temporarily. So you could see what these people really think of you."
Regina- "You made an airtight case, anyone would believe it."
Cora- "I didn't want you to reject me- Not again."
Regina- "You wanted me broken."
Cora- "Receptive."
Regina (laughs)- "You are the most manipulative... No. I won't even argue. Come with me. We're going to town."
Cora- "It's the middle of the night."
Regina- "I don't care. We'll wake them up.- Emma and Henry and the two idiots and you can tell them how you lied. You owe me that."
Cora- "And then you'll let us start over."
Regina- "I don't see that happening, mother. But I am... I was trying so hard to be worthy of Henry. And I deserve the same thing from you."

Cora- "You're right. For you, Sweetheart- anything."

Ruby sees that Dr. Whale is staring at the watch and standing on the edge looking as if he's about to jump into the water. He warns Ruby "Don't come near me!" He tosses the watch into the water and takes a leap forward but is stopped by Ruby.

Thunder and lightning blankets the Frankenstein castle while Victor works. As a stitched up hand reaches out from underneath the white sheet he claims Rumple was right "The new heart worked. Welcome back, brother."  Igor feels "It's magic, Dr. Frankenstein." But the good "Doctor" feels it's not magic- it's science.

Victor tells grieving Alphonse that it's true "I brought him back."  Victor walks in the obviously different and changed Gerhardt, letting his father know he's still recovering. "It's a slow process, so don't expect him to..."  Alphonse cuts him off, happy, "You did it."  He asks Gerhardt "It's really you?"  When Alphonse uses a candle for light see his son better, Gerhardt grunts away in fear. The mute son knocks the candle from his father and cowers on the floor.  Victor assures father "It's an adjustment."  But Alphonse turns on Victor, he's unhappy because for a moment he believed Victor did it, but sees Gerhardt as a monster. He claims both young men are not his son.  He degrades Victor, pushing him and calling him a ghoul, a grave digger, a fool and a witch doctor-  a disgrace to the family. Gerhardt literally fights for his brother's honor, killing their father.


Dr. Whale tells Ruby "I wanted my name to stand for life... but everyone just thinks its the name of a monster. I guess they're right about that. Rumpelstiltskin says that magic has a price, but from where I'm sitting it seems that science does too. Every time I try to save a life, someone else dies."  Ruby notes he's Frankenstein and she's the werewolf; she ate her boyfriend. "Regina thought she was punishing us for erasing who we were, but I think she underestimated how much crap we wanted to forget. But... we can't let it stop us. She gave us a chance to start over and I wanna take it. I think you should too."  Whale feels he wasn't such a bad guy "I wanted to bring life back. But he never got over our mother. If I could've just brought her back..."  Ruby insists that someone keeps calling for that guy in the hospital (a woman), "Maybe there's still some stuff you can fix."

Regina drives into town while Cora rides shotgun.  Cora's not nervous about owning up to what she's done.  Cora claims something's irritating her. She pulls out the handcrafted FOR MOMMY gift, "Oh, that used to be you."  Cora lies about being in Regina's house, yet obviously has because that was in her house.  That happens to be Regina's most treasured possessions.  Cora remarks that while taking Cora to the town to be pilloried might gain Regina some points but as long as Emma and her parents are here, "he's not really yours. Not like he was when he made things for his one and only mommy. You've been too bad for too long, and now they see you as a... snake. You don't want their love at all. What do you want?"  With tears in her eyes Regina replies "My son back."  Cora wants her daughter back. She says she meant everything she said earlier "I am so sorry. I can do better. I won't push you away again. Let me into your heart. Together, we can get him back again."  Emotional and desperate Regina folds and the women hug.  Cora has a few thoughts on how they can accomplish this task.

Re-energized and motivated Dr. Whale arrives back at the hospital (after stretching his legs) to go do this thing; perform the surgery.

Back at the stormy castle Victor visits his imprisoned monster brother. "I was trying to bring you back. Are you here? Gerhardt? Gerhardt?"  Victor tenderly touches his brother but Gerhardt growls and attacks Victor, choking him- But Gerhardt realizes, seeing, this is Victor.
Victor- "Yes. Yes, it's me."
Gerhardt scurries away, staring at his hands in disbelief.  Victor knows he must kill him and points a gun at the back of crouched down Gerhardt's head. Gerhardt sees that Victor can't do it, so he pulls the gun to where his third eye would be on his forehead, urging Victor to pull the trigger. Victor won't do it, "I will still save you. Father is wrong. I will find a way.

Dr. Whale informs Ruby that the stranger, the outsider, will live.  Whale thanks her, "Monster to monster."   He informs the group that the guy has some recuperating ahead of him, a few weeks maybe, but yes, he's going to live.  Leroy feels this will come in "no good."  The Outsider is waking up now; Whale waited a couple of hours in case he keeled over. Emma would like to talk to him. She goes in alone as she's the sheriff and doesn't need her parents going in there with her; that wouldn't look normal, as they're trying to make this place look normal.

Mr. Gold/Rumple is visiting patient Belle and trying to get her to hold the special chipped cup that he's enchanted to help her remember.  Since Belle doesn't remember anything she thinks this pushy and strange of this man. Rumple warns her to be careful with it. Belle holds the important cup which she sees as nothing more than a damaged cup.  Rumple wants her to look at it, focus, it's her talisman. He shares she dropped it in his castle and was afraid she's angered him; he's charmed it. Belle thinks the man crazy, tries to put the cup back into his hand and tells him to go. Rumple assures her if she focuses it will work. "It's magic."  This gets Belle upset. She wants him to go away, take the cup and stop talking about magic. Frustrated by Rumple's persistence Belle throws the cup, shattering it into many pieces. Heartsick Rumple apologizes and leaves.

Sheriff Swan chats with the Outsider, Greg..  He's hooked up to monitors, IV and blood drip.
Greg- "Nurse."
Emma- "Sheriff Swan, actually."  Emma gives the thirsty patient water and puts his personal effects on the table next to him.  The concerned man asked if he hit someone in the accident and Emma assures him not to worry about him as the damage was pretty minor.
Emma- "But I do need you to state what happened in your own words, what you did, what you saw."  {Although Emma is kind of already indicating that she thinks he saw something.}

Greg says he didn't see anything because he was texting while driving; which he knows isn't legal in the State of Maine. Emma's glad that he is honest with her and so she won't press charges and she let him go with a "warning" this time.  Greg thanks her and asks when can he head home.
Emma- "As soon as the Doctor clears you. We don't wanna keep you." She smiles and heads downstairs to tell the gang the news. He didn't see anything "Free and clear."
David feels that maybe things can calm down for 10 minutes so they can catch their breath.

Mr. Gold/Rumple brings the special globe into the back room of his shop. He purposely pricks his finger on the needle on top of the axis and drips his blood onto the globe. This brings the globe to life and it zeros in on a State on the Eastern seaboard of the United States. He is pleased, "Bae."

In the apartment, Henry runs down the stairs asking where they've been, as they've been out all night and Granny wouldn't tell him anything. "Did I miss it all?" As they prep some cereal Mary Margaret mentions Captain Hook and Rumple had a fight and someone got hurt- and Emma adds that Dr. Frankenstein fixed him. Henry realizes that's Dr. Whale.
Emma- "Yeah, but without the neck bolts."
Henry- "The monster had the bolts not the Doctor."  He grabs the fairy tale book to prove Frankenstein isn't in there "It's not even a fairy tale. That means it comes from another land with different stories. (Emma urges him to eat 'cause she really wants to go to bed.) If the curse went to places with other stories, then who knows who else is in this town."
A knock at the door reveals Mr. Gold (letting himself in) wanting to cash in the favor Emma owes him. "You do honor your agreements, don't you? I need to find someone, so we're leaving today. Pack a bag."   He adds to find his son, "It has to be today because every minute that I'm here, is a minute closer to me killing Hook. So it's really best for all concerned if I leave, and you're gonna come with me. Oh, and, um, (pointing to all of them) we have a long history, so know this, and know it to be true... If any harm comes to Belle while I'm gone... I'm killing all of you. {Looking at Henry} I'll see you {Emma} at noon."

Greg hurries to take his cell phone out of the plastic bag to make a call to "Honey."  He tells her to listen, that he was in an accident but he's okay and "Honey... you're not gonna believe what I saw."

The Doctor

"These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them." - Rumi

** All photos posted here are chosen for a reason **

A Whale of a Tale

The writers picked an interesting classic literary character to introduce and add to the mystery of this fairy tale mash-up.

It's a good thing no one reads my notes because even when I re-read them I think I'm going crazy with seeing connections to the "Island".  I owe the writers of ONCE a heartfelt apology for my insanity with thinking that their story has some sort of a connection to LOST; especially when their intention is simply to give us their own beautiful and unique fairy tale- which they are and I truly love very much! Plus I respect and I'm always inspired by the wonderful creative works they constantly give us. I really do feel stupid making these connections, and I really hope the writers wouldn't be insulted by my delving into the LOSTness facet of their story. I don't know... maybe I am going crazy and I need some professional help with this. Perhaps a trip to Storybrooke or a trip back the "Island" is the prescription I need.  Nonetheless, ONCE is so amazing on so many levels. I truly love every second of it and long for more.

As these people play their roles in these fantastical environments, they find that this wonderful adventurous journey serves a purpose- to transform them. They are the cause of their own suffering and solely responsible for their own happiness, but they don't realize they have the capacity and the power within them to achieve wondrous things. This journey is a bit like therapy, enabling them to utilize the lessons learned from challenges and take steps in retraining their minds, building confidence and healing their hearts.  The reward is that the path will lead them home.

The Wizarding Doctor: As I watched the episode unfold I noted many obvious Wizard of Oz overtones and couldn't help but wonder how the world of Frankenstein fits into our fairy tale- but it does. Reanimation- breathing new life into someone is the key to that.  But as far as fantasy lands go, Dr. Whale told us he wasn't from their world. Okay, I get that; and I get that everything is connected. We know there are many worlds, lands and realms.  But if you've read the book Frankenstein (aka, The Modern Prometheus), a novel written by Mary Shelley, we know her story was conceived in a dream. She had a friendly competition with her fiancée and a couple of friends to see who could write the best horror story.  Mary's story is about a creature created by an eccentric medical-scientific experiment of piecing together body parts of miscellaneous deceased people and reanimating the dead.  Although this fiction as well as the actual "science" of the tale is born from fantasy, this story itself doesn't take place in a fairy tale or fantasy environment, it takes place in Geneva.  In addition, the characters are regular people and scientists; except for frenzied Dr. Frankenstein, whom is a bit obsessed with his vision and god-like complex.

Of course Frankenstein is a term that relates to the monstrous creature that was created. But I must note that in the story, when speaking to Victor Frankenstein, the monster refers to himself as "the Adam of your labors."

Welcome Back to the Land of the Living

We find Dr. Whale/Victor take the LOST sentiment "See you in another life, brotha" to a whole other level.  He goes to great lengths to breathe new life into the dead.  His motives were to help Regina with her "Daniel" issue as a means to help him get home to his brother.
Note: We see him in a lab declare "It's alive" and not "He's alive", when seeing his shocking experiment through.

There are many things in ONCE that are under the same umbrella as LOST.  Charlotte declared "This place is death" and she's right. The "Island" is the place you go to die so you can experience a rebirth.
Immobilized, frozen, stuck and paralyzed. John Locke was metaphorically paralyzed, as were his fellow Castaways. Frozen and unable to move forward- just like the "Island" itself.  They learned that until you can un-stick it/yourself, you're not going anywhere. You must find the power within you, as painful as it may be to accomplish this.  But there are guides to help you along the way and offer a little push when you need. In the end you'll be the better for it.

Rumple already has knowledge of some "power" and is willing to share it.  He's very clear to his apprentice, Regina that how she wields this "power" will be determined only by her own hearts will and desire. The choice is hers.  Of course, Rumple has his own motives as well.  Everyone has a motive.  Rumple had made his monster and Whale created/reanimated his. But guess what? We all have monsters, dragons and ogres to defeat.

Whatever Happened Happened

Magic is like a drug for Regina, an addiction. We're seeing that these people have vices, bad habits and they need to change that behavior.

Regina hasn't been able to let certain things in her past go and this fueled her anger and control issues. The result is Regina became her mother.

Metaphorically Regina has been emotionally preserving Daniel in such a state of importance and "holding on" that it only feeds her pain. Regina had to literally come face to face with Daniel to "let him go so" she can be free to love again. Although Dr. Whale reanimates the tool (Daniel), it is really Regina's pain  we see manifested in this challenging exchange with Daniel. She finally says goodbye to him, letting him go... but can she really let her anger go as well?

Connect Four

While all of this digging down deeper to find and uncover the real "person", they also seem to be learning to connect.

Locke connected with the "Island" and here in Storybrooke we're seeing that Henry must learn to connect with the horse. It's a matter of learning to be being "in tune."

Higher collective consciousness- Enlightenment: I kind of feel like everyone's asleep and dreaming- transcending realms and crossing over into each other's consciousness. Can this be accomplished via some transcendence, transport or "travel" mechanism?  Maybe the possibility exists that there's some science connected to all of that magic. Now, that doesn't mean they're all on the same plane, but maybe they're getting there.  Go ahead mock the shit out of me. I can take it, as I've done many, many times before.  I do feel like ONCE Upon A Time connects to LOST.  I'm just gonna ask it already... Could we be privy to some input via Mittelos Bioscience, the Hanso Foundation and the DHARMA Initiative?  It could be. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?!

Things to Note...Questions to Ask...

๑ "An island full of corpses."   Death
๑ Island- tropical plants
๑ Coma. Unconscious. Sleep. Dream- Wake up.
๑ Black. White. Red
๑ Rumple teaches the "ripping out of hearts" bit
๑ I guess Rumple was looking for the ruby red/silver "slippers" to get to that land- Kansas
๑ An interesting version of Jefferson.
๑ Who is Whale's brother? What if Dr. Whale's brother is a twin? Why bring back Daniel, is that just for Regina's sake?
๑ Time issue: Hook arrived at Mulan's camp a few months ago, he admits he's Cora's plant, yet the ladies just came upon him.
๑ Did Dr. Whale sleep with Kathryn too?
๑ Hook is missing a hand (via Rumple). Dr. Whale loses an arm. Daniel.
๑ Compass
๑ Smoke and Mirrors. Con. Lies. Tricks {palm}. Charlatan. Wizard
๑ I love the color and black and white visuals
๑ Dead is Dead
๑ School. Learning. Experiments. Coach. Teach. Training.
๑ Vault
๑ Regina's father Henry's "grave" is in Storybrooke and on the "Island" Jack's father's coffin is there.
๑ Free reign- Royal passport
๑ Science. Lab. Experiments.
๑ Karma


Vocabulary and Research...

๑ 1931's Frankenstein and 1935's The Bride of Frankenstein films were both directed by James Whale.
๑ "The Whale" is an instrumental by the Electric Light Orchestra. The song is track 15 from their 1977 double LP Out of the Blue. The song was the B-side of their United States single "It's Over" in 1978 and on a remastered version on their box set compilation Flashback.
๑ Pink Protea Plant/flower: was named in 1735 by Carl Linnaeus after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his form at will; because proteas have such a wide variety of forms. Versions of this plant are found in southern Africa, and in Australia and South America and the other smaller segments of Gondwana that are now part of eastern Asia.
๑ A Wizard is someone who is an accomplished magician.
๑ Knight: A game piece in Chess.  Knight's Tour is a mathematical problem involving a Knight on a chess board.
- Crainte et tremblement- The book in the Temple is "Fear and Trembling" (original title: Frygt og Bæven), a philosophical work by Danish philosopher, theologian, and psychologist Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, published in 1843 under the pseudonym Johannes de silentio (John the Silent). In the book Kierkegaard introduces the “Knight of Faith” and contrasts him with the "knight of infinite resignation". The latter gives up everything in return for the infinite, that which he may receive after this life, and continuously dwells with the pain of his loss. The former, however, not only relinquishes everything, but also trusts that he will receive it all back, his trust based on the "strength of the absurd".
๑ Crystals: The history of talismans and amulets, made by alchemists, priests, magicians, magi, shamans, and witches, goes back as far as there are records. Can be used in meditation for contacting higher self, relaxation, creative visualization, allowing out flow, healing, opening energy centers,grounding and connecting with guides.  
White (Hope)  
Silver (Introspection)  
Black (Protection)  
Brown (Grounding)
Clear
Purple
Green
- Black Crystal- Black crystals are very protective and offer you a retreat, the safety of being hidden from your enemies. Use the as protective amulets. Carry them when you are concerned with your personal safety. Keep one near your front door. They also have water energy. 
- Black is not a color, but rather the lack of color. In nature, black is the color of night when the moon is not in the sky to illuminate the landscape. Dark night is a time of unease in which the familiar world is obscured. Black often associated with death
๑ Unicorn:  First mentioned by the ancient Greeks, it became the most important imaginary animal of the Middle Ages and Renaissance when it was commonly described as an extremely wild woodland creature, a symbol of purity and grace, which could only be captured by a virgin.
- Narwhal, an Arctic species of Whale which, with a tusk attached to their head
- Unicorn (spider), a genus of Oonopidae
- Unicorn. Album by T-Rex:
1. "Chariots of Silk"
2. "Pon a Hill"
3. "The Seal of Seasons"
4. "The Throat of Winter"
5. "Cat Black (The Wizard's Hat)"
6. "Stones for Avalon"
7. "She Was Born to Be My Unicorn"
8. "Like a White Star, Tangled and Far, Tulip That's What You Are"
Side Two
1. "Warlord of the Royal Crocodiles"
2. "Evenings of Damask"
3. "The Sea Beasts"
4. "Iscariot"
5. "Nijinsky Hind"
6. "The Pilgrim's Tale"
7. "The Misty Coast of Albany"
8. "Romany Soup"

 ✔ Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale

✈ Experiment. The DHARMA Initiative
✈ Karma
✈ Life, death, rebirth.
✈ Immobilized. Frozen. Paralyzed.
✈ 8
✈ Flash- Flashback
✈ Dead is Dead
✈ Let go
✈ Guard. Sentry. Watch.
✈ School.  Learning. Experiments. Coach. Teach. Training.
✈ Time
✈ Protect
✈ Hidden
✈ Vault- The Orchid Station
✈ Con. Tricks. Smoke and mirrors
✈ (Radio) tower. Communication.
✈ Limbs. Organs
✈ Whispers
✈ Psychology
✈ Science. Lab. Experiments.
✈ Carte Blanche
✈ Tied to a tree: Sawyer, Sayid and Ben
✈ Ash
✈ Risk
✈ Has work to do
✈ Puzzle. Game
✈ Montand lost his arm, so did Ray Mullen
✈ Cabin Fever 
✈ Across the Sea
✈ Pilot P2- Recorded on a loop that ran for over 16 years, Danielle is heard (translated) saying in French, "...It killed them. It killed them all." And in Solitary the hearing of said translated loop "...He killed them. He killed them all."

Enough of my rambling... Here's your episode recap! Enjoy!

The ladies come upon the usually guarded by sentries tower and find their people have been slain. Just before this discovery, Snow is encouraging Aurora to "leave the particulars" of the honorable Lancelot death and Cora escaping events to them. Aurora sees this as lying.

Mulan feels this can't be because their land there was protected- hidden. "How did the Ogre's find us?"  Snow realizes by evidence of the slain hearts being ripped out, that Cora did this.  "This is her magic. Twisted and evil. We have to stop her."
Mulan- "Too late. She killed them. She killed them all."
Emma notices movement under some debris. {Well} There's someone under there! A man- Hook.  He begs for their help. Snow assures him he's safe now.

Acting sheriff, Charming/David, is met by Dr. Whale, who needs to talk to him. David punches the doctor for sleeping with his wife. Dr. Whale questions "Kathryn?" David confirms "Snow."  Of course the Dr. didn't know because he was cursed. Whale goes on to ask David if its true what people are saying; "That you're trying to find a way to build a portal back to your land because that's where you think Emma and Mary Margaret are? That they're alive."  David says (Well) the whispers can stop, as he has no secrets from this town- that's exactly what he's doing. Whale informs him that the land is gone; destroyed by the curse.  David tells him it's not, but isn't having any luck accomplishing this yet. Whale wonders if this means all the lands still exist.  David looks at him with curiosity and a bit of suspicion. "Possibly."  Whale knows the Queen lied to them again and asks if David's sure.
David- "Remember who we're talking about."

Regina shows up at Archie's to see him for a chat. She admits she's been trying to keep her promise to Henry, but it's been difficult.  It's been two days since she used magic. Archie commends her on an excellent start.
Regina admits that magic is the way she's always gotten everything.
Archie- "Sounds like its also the way you've lost everything. Regina, this is your chance to start over. To earn Henry."  Just then Dr. Whale walks right in to confront Regina, demanding she send him back- to his land and to his brother.  Regina looks confused and tells him to check the "Missing" board like everyone else.  Whale states that her curse only brought the "living."
Regina- "Well, then, I'm sorry for your loss."  She can't send anyone anywhere. Archie orders Dr. Whale to "Go!"  Regina seems surprised that Archie was so assertive.  Archie asks if what she said wasn't entirely true; about the curse only taking the living. "The grave of your father's here, right?"
Regina makes it clear she doesn't care about Whale or his brother, as she brought who she wanted.
Archie- "Anyone else?"  He wants Regina to trust him- so she can open up and be honest. "Stopping magic is a lot harder than starting."

Rumpelstiltskin is working with his apprentice, Regina, on enchanting a black Unicorn.  He instructs her to immobilize it.  Once the Unicorn is frozen on its hind legs, Rumple gives her one last tiny detail- to take its heart.
Regina- "Like what my mother did to ..."
Rumple-"Ah, you're true love, indeed. Then you already know how it's done."
Rumple coaches her as she approaches the Unicorn. "Gentle. If you do it right, no harm will befall it. Unless of course- you will it." Looking into the Unicorn's eyes Regina backs off, unable to do it to this innocent creature.
Rumple- "Nothing is innocent." He plunges his hand into the Unicorn and removes its heart. The Unicorn is unfrozen, but belonging to Rumple. "You see, you take a heart it becomes enchanted. Stronger than a normal heart. You're not hurting the beast- you're controlling it. Now, show me you know what you can do with that power. (tosses her the heart) Kill it."  He wants her to prove she can take the next step in her training. "Crush it."   Regina begins to squeeze the heart but stops when she sees it's taking down the Unicorn. She can't do it; she didn't sign up to kill Unicorns.  Rumple had high hopes for her. "Magic is power! Until you can take power- you're not learning anything. Do you want me to teach you or not?"
Regina- "Yes!"
Rumple- "Then there's one simple question for you to ponder."
Regina- "I'll tell you anything."
Rumple giggles "I don't need the answer- you do. ... What's holding you back?"

 

Regina pays a visit to Daniel; laying "dead" in is see through/glass coffin (hands in Mudra mediation/balance position) and places an enchantment spell over him.

Regina shares with Archie "His name was Daniel. I preserved his body with an enchantment spell. He's dead, but frozen. And I've kept him in my family mausoleum."  Because she can't let go of him. Archie encourages if she can't let go of the past, its doomed to haunt her.  Regina gets teary, she's had enough. She also doubts Archie can help her.

Regina's driving in the rain and sees Daniel standing near the library- and then he disappears.

David and Henry arrive at the stable. Henry yawns and David jokes that this isn't school and it should be fun.  Henry admits he couldn't sleep. David bends down eye level to the boy and tells him "I miss 'em too."   He tells the boy Emma and Snow will be when they come home to find Henry's become a proper Knight.   David tells the boy to say hello to your steed. But Henry approaches the wrong horse and is introduced to the correct horse; stall number 8.  He also tells him that he's not riding today, as there's much the boy must learn before he hops in the saddle. The boy will learn everything from the basics onward- twice a day. Henry doesn't feel that's riding, he feels that's babysitting. David corrects him "Horse-sitting. It builds an essential bond. The trust between Knight and steed."  Henry's only interested in "When will I ride him?"
David- "When the horse tells you."  He's going to check on the Dwarfs to  see how the mining is going. He'll pick the kid up later.

Henry asks the horse "So, anything you wanna tell me?"  The horse literally shakes his head "no."

Regina visits her tomb (ring of skeleton keys and wearing a crystal). She makes her way down below to find Daniel's see through/glass coffin is empty.

Rumple sits quiet spinning at his wheel.  Student Regina asks him if he's ready to being- to which he's been ready. He asks her "Are you?"  Regina's ready.

The teacher asks "Tell me why you're really here."
Regina- "For power, for..."
Rumple- "Stop wasting my time! What is it you want? Come on. You've done all your soul searching. Now tell me."
Regina- "Can you teach me how to use magic to bring back the dead?"
Rumple- "That's what this is about? The stable boy?"  Regina claims to want true happiness.
Rumple- "Then find it elsewhere, Dearie! Magic can do much, but not that. Dead is dead."
Regina is dejected and claims "Then I am lost."
Rumple- "And I've had my time wasted.  I'm sorry but, uh, transcending death is beyond even my reach."

Appearing out of the blue is Jefferson. "I thought nothing was beyond your reach."  Rumple ignores Regina, advising Jefferson to do the same.  Jefferson brought Rumple the item he wanted, a crystal ball- sans the slippers.
Jefferson- "Uh, couldn't find 'em. Heard talk they've already been moved to another land."
Rumple- "That's what I needed to get to that other land."  (Regina knocks something over) Jefferson tells Rumple to "Well, come with me in my hat, I'm sure we can work something out."
Rumple says no, as his hat only transports between magical realms. "I need to get to a land without magic."  Jefferson finds this strange. "Why would anyone want that?"  But this is Rumple's business. Rumple will still take the ball and pays Jefferson with gold he's spun; trusting him to help himself to take only what he deems appropriate.   Rumple tells Regina to let herself out; their work  is done. He won't teach while she's harboring foolish notions of bringing back the dead. "So long as you live in the past, you'll never find your future. Teaching you is a waste of time." Rumple walks away.
Silly eavesdropping Jefferson thinks Regina needs to look elsewhere for assistance. He hears things. "Jefferson's the name, and I'm a man who travels and sees much. And I know the man who can do what you want- bring back the dead. He's, um, you might say- a Wizard. I can bring him to you."  His price is a Royal Passport. He's made many enemies and would like free reign to traverse her Kingdom. He figures this naive woman is the Queen, "Aren't you?"  Regina is. She asks if this Wizard really can bring someone back from the dead.
Jefferson- "Well, if he can't... then no one can."

Mulan tells Emma that this man arrived at their camp a few months ago; he's is a blacksmith who lost his hand in an Ogre attack. Emma wonders why Cora would leave a survivor. She's cautious over this little mess and knows Cora's tricked them before and doesn't want that to happen again.
Emma asks the blacksmith, "An island full of corpses. You're the only one to escape. How exactly did that happen?"  The blacksmith informs the ladies that "She attacked at night. Slaughtered everyone in one fell swoop. When she started ripping out people's hearts I hid under the bodies of those who had already been killed. Pretended to be dead myself. Mercifully the ruse worked."  It was all he could do to survive. Emma gets down to his eye level to let him in on her superpower secret; she's pretty good at knowing when someone is lying to her. The man says he's telling her the truth. Mulan suggests they leave there in case Cora decides to go back. Snow says they should start searching for a new portal back to Storybrooke; she only got about 5 minutes with her husband- not to mention her grandson.  With that, the blacksmith offers to guide them, as he knows this land well. Emma pulls a knife on him (throat) "You're not gonna guide us anywhere until you tell us who you really are."

Regina enters the secret dark deserted lower level mental ward where she looks around for Dr. Whale. "...Where are you?"

"Where is he, this Wizard?" Regina asks Jefferson, as they walk the long hall of the castle. Jefferson warns her to be cautious. He's not dangerous to them- "But bear in mind he's never been to a world like this before. He's unfamiliar with our ways... with our magic." Regina only cares about what she wants from this Wizard.
In dramatic fashion Jefferson introduces the mysterious man. "Now, may I present to you... your salvation."

The man sits sketching/drawing the tropical flower that is in front of him.
Regina asks "You're the Wizard?"  The man prefers "Doctor. But you're welcome to call me whatever makes you comfortable."   Regina calls him doctor. The Doctor understands why he was brought there and asks to see the patient.

The Doctor finds Daniel's state remarkable; as if his last breathe was drawn moments ago. That's due to Regina's preservation spell. Do determine if this Doctor can bring him back, he cuts into Daniel's hand, drawing blood, and indeed does determine "His condition is ideal- apart from being dead, that is."  Cautious Regina asks him how many times he's done this before. The Doctor reveals the procedure is experimental; success is yet to occur. But, if certain conditions are met, he's optimistic. Regina wonders what kind of charlatan he is.  The Doctor claims to be no such thing. "I was told the last piece of the crucial puzzle exists in this land."  He also needs a strong heart; a fragile organ. "I've searched the far reaches of my realm for one with the fortitude to withstand the shock of my procedure- none have survived. But they say in your land there are hearts transformed by magic. Hearts made so powerful they glow."  He needs this for his work. The Doctor asks Regina how she changes these hearts. "How do you enchant them?"
Jefferson answers. "Those who practice the dark arts do it by ripping the organ out of the living while it still beats."  Regina claims she can't do that act. The Doctor was assured this Queen was some powerful sorceress.
Regina- "I will not use magic for evil."
Apparently if she wants her fiancée back then she's going to have to find someone who will.  The Doctor asks if he's wasted his time there. Nope, Regina knows exactly who can help them. "I know where to get a heart."

Regina enters a medical procedure room with flickering electricity and the room is in shambles.  She uncovers a table with body/severed limbs/hand and in a fright knocks into a glowing florescent light. She discovers Dr. Whale laying on the ground. "I know you took Daniel's body and  you took one of my hearts. Why? Why?! Did you bring him back?"
The Doctor claims "I did it."
Regina- "He's alive?"
Whale- "Yes. I brought him back but... he's not Daniel. He's... He's a monster."

Regina stands in front of a roaring fire in the castle fireplace. This was her mother's . The men aren't impressed. Regina tells them to "Just listen."  The sound of a beating heart is heard. It's coming from her/Cora's vault. Regina magically transforms the fireplace and opens a doorway and they make their way down the steps to the vault of red glowing beating hearts claimed by heart collector, Cora. Regina doesn't know whose hearts these are, as Cora took so many and caused so much pain- it was impossible to keep track. "She was a monster."  The Doctor opens a box with a glowing red beating heart. "Finally. After all this time. It's perfect."

Regina observes Dr. Whale from behind the glass wall of his hospital room. We hear the heart monitor beeping.  David arrives asking what happened; he heard Whale was attacked. Regina tells David to ask Whale's Doctors. Regina shares (the truth) that she came there to talk to Whale and discovered he was hurt. She was to talk to him about someone from her past. "I believe he's come back. Daniel. Daniel's his name."  David knows this as the man she was to marry; Snow told him how it was her fault the man died.
Regina- "Yes. He did."
David wonders "Then how can he be back?"
Regina- "Whale. He believed he could bring him back from the grave, and I don't know how, but he has."  She tells David he practices something more powerful than magic- or so she was told. All he needed was a heart and he took one of hers. David is stunned! "You have hearts here?" Regina admits "In my vault- from our land."  David asks whose heart Whale took, but Regina has no idea. "I took so many it was impossible to keep track."  Regina must leave to go find Daniel, but David won't let her go, giving her two choices "Tell me where he is or jail." Regina feels Daniel won't hurt anyone else and also feels "I think it's like when you awoke from your coma. He's following his final thoughts to where he last met me. The Stables."  David freaks out because Henry's at the stables.

Henry brushes and chats with his horse about being anxious to ride, but all the horses start reacting to something. Henry gets knocked down and his horse runs out and Daniel appears.

Mulan ties the blacksmith to the tree because Emma doesn't believe him. She threatens him that the Ogres can get to the truth by ripping him limb from limb. The Ogres can be heard in the distance.  The ladies walk away from the scared man. Aurora wonders if he's telling the truth, but Emma knows he's not.  The man calls out from the tree "Good for you! You bested me. I can count on one hand the amount of people who've done that on one hand."
Emma asks him "Who are you?"   This is Killian Jones. "But most people have taken to call me by my more colorful moniker- Hook."  The ladies verify this by checking his satchel.  Emma's heard of Captain Hook. Emma hurries the man to talking as the Ogres are getting closer.  He reveals Cora wanted him to gain their trust so he could learn everything about Storybrooke; she didn't want any surprises when she finally got over there.  He also admits that even though the ladies destroyed the wardrobe the enchantment remains. Cora gathered the ashes and will use them to open up a portal. He wants to be cut loose, as he's not responsible for the lives taken there; that was Cora. The ladies walk away but Hook yells that they need him alive. "Because we both want the same thing. To get back to your land."  Emma knows he would say anything to save himself so why should they believe him now. Hook arranged for transport with Cora, but since Emma is also resourceful he offers her the same deal. "I'll help you if... you promise to take me along."
Snow asks "How are you going to help us get home?"  Hook reveals that the ashes will open a portal, but to find your land she needs more. There's an enchanted compass, Cora seeks it. I'll help you obtain it before she does.
Emma- "So Cora won't make it to Storybrooke and we'll get one step closer to getting home." Emma looks over at Snow for her take, but Snow feels it sounds too good to be true.  With the Ogres approaching Emma (whispers) to Hook demanding he tell her this one thing (and whatever he says she better believe it) "Why does Captain Hook wanna go to Storybrooke?"
Hook- "To exact revenge on the man who took my hand. Rumpelstiltskin."

Henry is trying to communicate with the man (Daniel- bloody left hand) standing in front of him. The horses are scared. Henry asks "Are you hurt? Can I help you?"  Henry holds up his hand to offer him help, but this causes Daniel to have a Flash of when Cora ripped out his heart. Now enraged, Daniel chokes Henry and is stopped by Regina. David makes Henry run off.
Regina sees it's true, Daniel's really here.  Daniel looks confused. As her runs to attack her, David slams the door on him but the lock won't hold for long! David asks her if she can cast a spell to subdue him, but she won't use magic on him. {WTF?! You already have.}  David readies his gun. "He's a monster, Regina! If you won't put him down then I will!"  Emotional Regina pleads to talk to her fiancée Daniel.

Regina gives the Wizard Doctor the box containing a heart so he can perform the procedure- alone. {Thunder and lightning.} Regina asks Jefferson "What's he doing back there, magic?"
Jefferson- "He says he wields power greater than magic."  They watch the Doctor's performance behind the curtain (tent).  Curious Regina wonders "Why won't he let us see?"
Jefferson- "In his land there's much we don't understand- or can't. If he can't achieve what you seek, Rumpelstiltskin was right, it can't be done."   We (somewhat) see the Wizard Doctor "plunge the heart downward, into the patient, Daniel with a wonderfully timed lightning strike.
Regina is hopeful when the Wizard Doctor comes out with news. But the Wizard Doctor has failed. "The heart wasn't strong enough. It couldn't withstand the procedure."  Regina visits with lifeless Daniel. She lays her head on his chest/heart.


Regina unlocks the stable door to visit with reanimated Daniel. She is happy to see him, but he only chokes her. She begs him to stop and he does only when she whispers "It's me. I love you."  This snaps him out of his "rage" and they hug.  {PLAY THE SCENE I POSTED AT THE TOP OF THIS POST} Daniel is reacting physically to the pain and wants it to stop. "Just stop the pain."
Regina- "How?"
Daniel- "Just let me go.
Regina- "No. No, I won't lose you again. Without you I'm lost."  Daniel's pain continues.  Regina begs him to come back to her, but he can't.
Regina- "But I love you."
Daniel looks in her eyes and tenderly says "Then love again." He pulls away from her and again becomes enraged. As her goes after her their hands meet and a magical forcefield radiates in Daniel. Regina cries and with the wave of her hand Daniel magically disappears. "Goodbye, Daniel."

On their walk through the forest, Hook informs them up head; they'll find the compass just over the ridge. Snow tells Emma she feels as if he's leading them into a trap for Cora. Emma feels its definitely a trap, but as long as we know they're trying to play them they can stay one step ahead.
They come upon the sky-scraping stalk that looks eerily similar to one Wizard of Oz cyclone. The compass is up there. Prisoner Hook tells her it's not the climb she needs to worry about- it's the giant at the top.

We see upset Regina drive her little Mercedes into Storybrooke town and pull over.

In the forest Regina, dressed in black, approaches Rumple who is in the middle of a training session with Regina's more dedicated replacement. Insulted and motivated Regina plunges her hand into the young woman and rips out her heart and crushes it. Rumple is pleased. They'll pick up where they left off. {He has the spell book.}

Upset and remorseful/guilty Regina goes back to Archie and confesses she used magic.

Jefferson leads the Wizard Doctor through the forest. The Wizard feels this is enough; he needs to be taken home. "I have work to do and I believe our deal here is done."  But the deal isn't done until he, Rumple, says its done. Rumple tells him to have patience, as their transaction is nearly complete. The three were in a con spearheaded by Rumple to trick Regina. The ruse proved her heartbroken. Rumple has seen the aftermath of this. The Wizard Doctor gets his property back; a box containing a beating heart. He feels it was a pleasure doing business with them. Rumple thanks him, for its the Wizard's efforts Rumple was able to make his monster. "Now, I do hope you'll be able to make yours."
The Wizard claims he is not making a monster.
Rumple- "Sure, you're not. Good luck."
The Wizard- "If these hearts are as strong as you say I won't need luck."  What he's going to accomplish goes far beyond magic.
Rumple- "And yet you need a magical heart to do it."
The Wizard- "So small minded. I need my powers to transcend the power of limitations of your magic.
Rumple- "This must be quite a land you hail from- if you think your abilities are more... powerful."
The Wizard- "They are."
Rumple- "Care to wager? I suspect someday... you'll see it my way."
The confident Wizard doubts it.  Jefferson readies his hat portal to get the Wizard back to his land.
Rumple warns the Wizard to be careful "Whatever it is you traffic in... it comes with a price."
The Wizard- "We'll see."  He jumps into the portal with Jefferson.

One armed Dr. Whale carries a cooler containing an/his arm, and pays a visit to Mr. Gold's/Rumpelstiltskin shop.

 Mr. Gold/Rumple will reattach his arm, but first he wants Whale to tell him why.  Whale says "Because I want to use it again."  Rumple meant "Why bring that stable boy back from the dead? Why now?"  Whale thought that if he helped her, she would return him back to his world. "I want to see my brother. To try to bring him back again." He explains "The first time ended badly. I need to return and try it once more."
Rumple feels that's beyond her abilities. "My condolences."  About Whale's arm- there's a difference between can and will.  Rumple's price is to hear Whale "say it."
Whale- "I need magic."
Rumple- "That's all I needed to hear." With the wave of his hand he magically reattached the Doctor's arm. "Always a pleasure doing business with you, uh, Victor."  They shake hands.

In shades of dark and light: the only color is presented with the glowing red heart.
In an old castle laboratory on a dark stormy night, the Doctor {with his heart in a box} returns to meet with his lab assistant. His assistant asks "Did you find what you were looking for?"
The doctor has, and presents the remarkable heart. He believes it's the final piece to the puzzle.

The Doctor uses the already churning electricity to help power the components of his lab and send shock waves into the sheet covered body on the table. "It's alive."  A {left" hand reaches out from under the sheet. Victor believes he's done it. "Welcome back, brother."  The impressed assistant feels it's magic.
Victor Frankenstein- "No. Not magic. Science."