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."

Lady of the Lake

"The heart may be weak, and sometimes it may even give in. But I've learned that deep down, there's a light that never goes out!"  -Sora. Kingdom Hearts

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

Every week I say that I can't get enough of this story- and I mean it! It is so amazing and deeply beautiful on so many levels.

The other day, my darling husband wanted to tell me about a website to visit if I want to see which ten characters are coming to ONCE Upon A Time. Firstly, I told him he knows me better than that, as he knows how much I hate spoilers and keep to my own path with this story just as I did with LOST. Then I explained that for me Once Upon A Time is very much like I'm reading an actual fairy tale book, except here it's all visual in beautiful live action and not written on paper for me to touch and my imagination to see what that world would look like.  And I just like the excitement I felt with each turn of the page when reading my own fairy tale books as a little girl I want to turn each page of this new fairy tale just as each page is meant to be read in a book.

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable."

Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. This is something we're witnessing with these characters. They have endured great pain but have not been able to heal and move past that pain. They tend to let their pain fester and wash over them trapping them, until they become angry vengeful monsters or, for others, they become so overprotective of their heart that they lock their heart in a vault, like a safety deposit box, or hide themselves away in a dark corner of a room, a realm... or an island.  Unfortunately rebuilding while and after suffering is a challenge with obstacles and distractions along the way- but nothing is impossible and these ills can be cured.

King George blames Charming for making his suffering worse when it is the King who is the one truly responsible for his own suffering.  Just as Regina (and even Rumpel) is their own cause too. They all hold on to and give power to the things that make them sad, angry and in pain, and they blame others for situations. They need to let that shit go and move on.

In this episode we see that the well has dried up... well, technically the lake has dried up. Charming feels this is because he killed the Siren that lived there. It seems as if with that dried up lake that all hope is lost because there is no more magical water left to draw from- yet if one looks hard enough a tiny glimmer of hope remains- for the lake is not completely bone dry. And with the help of an experienced person Charming is led to water. 

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see

Do you see these potions, spells and superstition as Magic or Curses?  Well, that all depends on what your perception is; what your own individual mind believes constitutes what you think and see Magic and Curses to be. As I've mentioned with other episodes, Regina originally sees magic as a negative controlling abusive force, but now it gives her power to get her way, while others, like the Fairies see magic as a gift.  Be careful what you water the seeds of your thoughts with, because what you believe is what you create and mold in your own mind and is cultivated by your experiences, however you handle them. It all comes down to what you believe. But you can change your mind, beliefs and outlook on life for positive- or negative.

Other examples of how a few perceive magic:
* Mulan asks Emma regarding her gun "Is it magic?"  Emma says it depends on who's pulling the trigger. 
* Water is the curse rendered to Snow that she (and King George) believes makes her barren - and then later water is the magic that enables her to conceive. 

Why are you here?

Connection: is the act or state of connecting. Anything that connects; connecting part; link; bond association; relationship.
Reference: an act or instance of referring. a mention; allusion. a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.
Therefore if the LOST shoe fits... There are connections to the journey we took on that "Island" on LOST.
Where are we?  Well, we're lost!
Why are you here? Well, no one can tell you why you're here you have to learn that for yourself.  But simply the answer to that is... to learn and to be enlightened. And just like LOST and the Castaway's time on the "Island" the goal is HOME.

"Right now we're at the bottom of a hole" Emma is heard saying. That is true. Nonetheless this hole is part of the whole path- the labyrinth. The characters are on a journey, a crusade to their center- their light, their love, their family... Home.  They may need a lesson, a clue or the key to find their way and back and there will be people to guide and teach them along the way so they can survive the journey.


 "Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.”

Family is everything. That is something I believe in deeply.

A mother's love, a parent's love, is unconditional.  As parents we only ever put our children first, sacrificing a great many of our own things/happiness for the greater good of our children- for their happiness and best chance at life. We love and protect them, teach and guide them, we have hopes and dreams for them. But life will bring whatever good and bad it will bring, yet that doesn't stop a parent's unconditional love and protection for their children no matter what age the child is.

Love- true and pure Love is the most powerful gift. It knows value and never second guesses that another's well-being is more important than one's own. Love knows no bounds or darkness, it transcends time and space, is sacrifice and selflessness, protects and heals ... it is warm and bright and, well... it just is.

Emma had to learn what parental sacrifice is all about and realizes this with the lesson she learned on this part of the journey.
Meanwhile, Cora is still an abusive and controlling liar. She manipulates everyone and everything.  Since this is who she is couldn't she know who Henry is?  Sure, she's playing all innocent and can shape-shift and come and go as she pleases, but she's still has an agenda. Is Lancelot really dead or is Cora just manipulating another situation? Has Cora been to Storybrooke?

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

๑ What Happened to Frederick
๑ The Shepherd
๑ In Hat Trick Jefferson tells Regina he's not there to relive the past; "I'm here for my daughter". Yet here we see him carry guilt from the past that is preventing him from reaching out to Grace.
๑ Just noting this: Henry- "Jefferson? The Mad Hatter, right?"  But Jefferson never acknowledges his identity to Henry.  Jefferson says "I'm the wrong person (to talk to)"  And magic's not his thing.
๑ Henry encourages (pushes) Jefferson to reach out to Grace.
๑ Snow and Charming get married by Lancelot
๑ Island
๑ Life and death.
๑ Growth. Evolve. School. Learn.
๑ Water
๑ Arrow (Bow and arrows)
๑ Riding a bike = Balance
๑ Cora asks "Who's Henry?"  In Broken Regina asked Emma "Who's Jefferson?"
๑ Ruth's medallion looks like the image could/may be a cherub/baby on a bird/duck- it's hard to see it all.
๑ Operation Scorpion
๑ Phillip trusted Lancelot
๑ Different animals put together make up one creature; a mashup.
๑ Suffering
๑ Agrabah Viper in episode Fruit of the Poisonous Tree
๑  The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
๑ Crown (Head piece)
๑ Recharge: Breathe new life into, restore, renew, come back to life
๑ How did the people in that part of the realm escape the curse?
๑ Charming tells Henry "You're the grandson of a Prince" But Charming isn't really a Prince, right?
๑ Come on! Charming couldn't pick up Lightsabers instead of wood swords?!


Vocabulary and Research...

๑ The Lady of the Lake, Lady of Avalon, is the title name of the ruler of Avalon in the Arthurian legend. The Lancelot-Grail Cycle provides a back story for the Lady of the Lake. Related characters in the role which include giving King Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin and raising Lancelot after the death of his father.
-Necklace of a Lady of the Lake was a jeweled necklace given to Sir Pelleas after assisting an old woman across a river. It was enchanted so that its wearer would be unfathomably loved. Its true name isn't known.
- The Lady of the Lake is technically a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott
๑ Leviathan: - a genus and species of whale. Giant sea creature
- Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil written by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and published in 1651. Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory. Leviathan ranks as a classic western work on statecraft comparable to Machiavelli's The Prince.
- type of cross-stitch
- a punk/metal band from New York City
- Marvel Comics, A Soviet counterpart to HYDRA
๑ The Chimera: according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing female creature of Lycia in Asia Minor composed of the parts of three animals: a lion, a serpent and a goat.
   - Chimaera is the type genus of the cartilaginous fish family Chimaeridae
๑ "Poison Arrow" is a New Wave single released by the group ABC in 1982 from their debut album, The Lexicon of Love.
๑  In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin meaning "desire") is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is often portrayed as the son of the goddess Venus, with a father rarely mentioned. His Greek counterpart is Eros.
- The Cupid's bow or tubercle is a facial feature where the double curve of a human upper lip is said to resemble the bow of Cupid, the Roman god of erotic love.
๑ Kāmadeva is the Hindu god of human love or desire. He is represented as a young, handsome winged man with green skin who wields a bow and arrows. His bow is made of sugarcane with a string of honeybees, and his arrows are decorated with five kinds of fragrant flowers.
๑ Hearts and Arrows Diamonds are precision cut variations of the traditional 57 faceted round brilliant cut.
๑ The scorpion - predatory arthropod animals that commands fear, hate, awe and respect. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by the pair of grasping claws and the narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back, ending with a venomous stinger. Scorpions are also known to glow when exposed to certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light.
  - Scorpion (solitaire), a card game
๑ Operation Scorpion was a joint U.S-Iraqi air assault offensive targeting insurgents near Kirkuk, Iraq. It was led by Iraqi command and targeted 8 villages in the area.
๑ Ruth: 1). Compassion or pity for another.  2). Remorse- sorrow or misery about one's own misdeeds or flaws.

 ✔ Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale

✈ Island
✈ The Vault is found in the Orchid Station. There's No Place Like Home P2
✈ Life, death- rebirth
✈ Mulan is giving me that Ana Lucia vibe- Ana Lucia threw the guys in the pit and in the episode Everybody Hates Hugo, Ana gives the guys/Sawyer similar rules on following her lead.
✈ "... Where are we?" Spoken by Charlie Pace in the Pilot episode
✈ Cabin
✈ Daniel Faraday asks Jack "How'd you get back... to the island?"
✈ Leader
✈ Dagger
✈ Water
✈ FATE. Faith
✈ Arrow
✈ Ash
✈ Issues with conceiving a child
✈ Henry Gale is shot with an arrow
✈  Episodes: The Hunting Party and Left Behind 
✈ Locke claims to know where to find water- "I know where to look", and Jack finds water in White Rabbit.  "Because a leader can't lead until he knows where he's going."
✈ I'm reminded of Sayid doubting the identity of Henry Gale- not being who he says he is.

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

Red runs through the dark forest and arrives at the war room tent where Charming, Snow and a few are discussing over a map King George's army posted near the ridge. Red warns them they need to move the camp, "They're coming for us".  Brave Charming will not run and will stick to the plan to take the Kingdom back. Red reveals matters have worsened as the King has a new General called The Leviathan.  "They say he attacks like a monster, striking from the depths of the sea. You never see him coming. You'll never survive."  Confidant Charming feels "We'll see about that." The army is so close that one of their arrows is shot into the tent right into the center of the map. The camp is invaded by the army.  {Wolf howls in the distance.}  Snow suggests they all split up and divide the army.  But Charming isn't going with Snow. "He's after me. You'll have a better chance of escaping on your own. Don't worry, meet me in two days' time at the cabin."  Snow is surprised and concerned. "The cabin? Where she is? Are you sure?"  Charming smiles, as they're engaged and he thinks it's about time Snow met his mother.  He gives her a kiss.

An armored and masked {with chain-metal type mesh} person watches on horseback.  Snow takes off running into the woods armed with her bow and arrows and is literally knocked down by a large armored masked solider.  Snow asks "What kind of General hides behind a mask? Who are you really, Leviathan?"
The soldier is amused. "Leviathan? That's what they're calling me? {Removes helmet} Name's Lancelot."
Snow seems puzzled. "Lancelot? Of the Round Table?
Lancelot- "Not anymore."

PRESENT DAY  {A card indicating a moment in time.}

Snow is totally knocked out- unconscious. Emma asks the "friend" if she's sure she's going to be OK. The new friend/Cora assures her not to worry as she'll be fine.
Emma wonders "What is this place? Where are we?"  The friend explains it's a little island their captors like to think of as their haven- from the dangerous world; what's left of it anyway.
Emma feels they can't keep them down there because they didn't do anything wrong. Well, neither did this stranger, Cora. She tells Emma she's there because of something her daughter did. "The curse... that ravaged this land... she cast it."
Emma- "Regina. You're Regina's mother?" The woman admits she is and assured Emma she has nothing to fear from her. "The apple fell very far from the tree. You're from over there, aren't you? How'd you get back?"  Just then Snow wakes up and calls Emma's attention and is stunned to see Cora in front of her. The woman is relived Snow's awake. Snow tells Emma outright "As bad as you think Regina is... this woman is worse."   Cora plays innocent to sweet Snow. "Believe me, whatever she told you isn't true. I just wanna help you."  Emma whispers to Snow "Let's hear her out." But Snow knows better. Emma tries to reason with her, whispering "OK. Right now, we're at the bottom of a hole with no other options and Henry is back in Storybrooke with Regina."  Despite Emma's whispering Cora heard everything and asks "Who's Henry?"  Emma blurts out "My son- I kind of share him with Regina. It's complicated."  Snow is frustrated that Emma opens her mouth. "Don't talk to her."  From above them at the pit/hole opening someone yells "Enough! Our leader requests an audience!" and throw a rope down to them.

Henry asks Charming what's on the agenda for Operation Scorpion. That's the code name for their mission to find Emma and Snow.  Henry asks "Do you prefer Viper? That was my second choice." Charming's fine with Scorpion but needs to talk to Henry.  Henry realizes "I'm not coming with you. I, I thought we were gonna find Jefferson."  Charming admits he already did.  Henry asks if Jefferson's going to help them and Charming tells him he's not.  Henry's upset that Charming didn't tell him he talked to Jefferson, but Charming felt he didn't want to disappoint Henry.  "I know you want to find your mom, but Jefferson can't help us. I need to find a way to restore the hat."
Henry- "So, why can't I help you look?"
Charming informs that would require magic, and "magic always...." Henry jumps in "...comes with a price. I read the book, you know."  Charming apologizes, as he can't let Henry anywhere near the stuff. "If you really want to help me you'll go to school where I know you'll be safe, OK?"  Henry agrees. The guy's head in opposite directions; Henry purposely doesn't get on the small elementary school bus.

As they walk through the village to their meeting with the leader Snow asks Emma "Why can't you just listen to me?"  Emma wondered why Snow didn't trust her; as she was trying to find a way to get them home, and she could've handled her/Cora.  Snow tells her daughter not to be so sure. "I've lived here, Emma. I know this world and its dangers."  Emma wonders if that's why her mother came through the portal. "You thought I was helpless here."  Snow came through to be with her.
Snow recognizes the large black soldier/man as Lancelot. He sees that it's Snow and tells her if he'd known they were the prisoners Mulan brought back he never would have locked them away. "Please forgive me."  Of course Snow will. Snow shares that Lancelot is an old friend and they can trust him. Snow introduces Emma.

Aurora is bothered that Lancelot is embracing the two women when they were responsible for Phillip's death. Mulan reminds her "You're new here, Aurora. Phillip trusted Lancelot. So must we."  Aurora wants justice.  Mulan advises her to tread carefully "It's dangerous to confuse vengeance with justice. Do you understand me?"   She sees that Aurora is fired up about it all, but Aurora says she understands.  Mulan walks away, while Aurora watches Lancelot's happy reunion with Snow. We see she carries a dagger.

Lancelot serves the women diner of Chimera; it's all the hunting party could bring back. "One part lion, one part serpent, one part goat."  Emma is busy filling her plate with grub.  Snow is confused, as she was told this land didn't even exist anymore and wonders how they all escaped the curse.  Lancelot goes on to explain "It is a mystery. The curse struck and when the smoke cleared most of us had been torn from this land, but some of us here in this particular region were left behind- We don't know how and we don't know why. Finding the safe haven wasn't easy, it took some spilled blood. But worry not- you're safe here."   Snow says they can't stay because her husband's back there, as his Emma's son, her grandson. "We have to get back to them. Can you help us find a portal?"  Lancelot advises that leaving is unwise. The Enchanted Forest is not as she remembered it. "The Ogre's have returned." 
Emma- "Ogre's? Like Fee- Fi- Fo- Fum?"
Snow corrects her "Those would be Giants."   Lancelot states matter of fact that Ogre's are worse. "That's why we live here on this island- where it's safe. Please, Snow, stay here, there are no more portals left."  But Snow may know of one. Lancelot asks where.  But Snow is concerned "Cora's near. {Watch him}I don't feel comfortable voicing my plans. She's powerful."  Apparently that's not the case anymore as the curse stripped her of her power. Given her reputation they've kept her locked up as a precaution. Nevertheless Snow isn't taking any chances but asks for his trust- she may have a way. "Let us go."  He'll allow it on one condition- that she takes his bravest warrior, Mulan, with them; she can defend them.  Emma feels they can defend themselves, but Snow happily makes the deal. Snow thanks him for always looking out for her.

Lancelot removes the black sac/bag from prisoner Snow's head. Feisty Snow will never tell King George where he is! King George knows, but that's not why she's there.  He has Lancelot bring his guest some water; it is brought to her in a grail/goblet.
King George- "Times have been good for you, haven't they? I can see a light in your eyes. Cherish that. Because that light can die and be replaced by something else. Pain."
Snow feels the only thing he knows of pain is how to inflict it.  But the King tells her that's where she's so very, very wrong. He shares that he's had his share of pain. "I had a son that I loved die before his time. I tried to replace him with your Charming- offered him the world. But he rejected me, humiliated me in front of my Kingdom. All for the sake of true love."
Snow takes a sip of the water and says, "Something about which you know nothing."  The King knows more than she thinks. He was in love and she loved him. They were happy- Blissful. But then she became cursed. She drank a vile potion that made it impossible for them to conceive a child. "Family is everything, my dear. Losing all hope of having one... there is no greater misery. Charming could have been that hope for me, but instead he made my suffering worse. For that death is too good for him. First he must know pain- My pain."

Snow has been poisoned! He cursed her! She will never bear a child!  Snow sees her reflection in the water/liquid.

Mulan advises the ladies to choose wisely from the toolbox of weapons. "We must be vigilant if we hope to survive the journey."  Snow takes a sword and a bow and arrow set, and Emma takes a dagger, but wants her gun back. Mulan looks at the gun and asks "Is it magic?" Emma, holding out her hand for it says it depends on who's pulling the trigger.  Mulan returns it and instructs them to follow her lead, Step where I step. Do exactly as I say and we might survive."   Confident Emma appreciates Mulan's pep talk, but she just killed a dragon last week. Mulan asks if Emma's ever seen an Ogre. Legend has it that when they kill you the last thing you see is yourself dying in the reflection in their eyes. (Snow rolls her eyes at that) "Let's Walk. It'll be dark soon."   Snow assures Emma she won't let anything happen to them; stick to the plan. Snow finally reveals a bit of her plan- The wardrobe that sent little baby Emma to Maine.  They must see if it survived the curse before Snow can see if they can make it work and get them back to Storybrooke.  Emma asks "Where is it?"
Snow answers "My place. Wanna see where you're from, Emma? That's right... we're going home."

Jefferson sits starring at a child drawn flier on paper torn out of a spiral art book, looking for her Papa. Henry approaches "Jefferson? The Mad Hatter, right? I need your help."  But Jefferson never acknowledges his identity to Henry. He only shares that he told Henry's grandfather "I can't do anything."  Henry feels there must be something they can do, but Jefferson feels he's the wrong person to talk to. "Magic's not my thing. Try your mother. Maybe she's got something in that vault of hers she can help you with."  Henry is shocked her vault is in Storybrooke. Jefferson insists it's none of his business.  Henry notices the paper and realizes Jefferson's daughter is looking for him.
Jefferson- "What do you know about it?"
Henry's read your story and knows how the two of them were separated. "Why are you here? She's at school."
Jefferson - "I gotta go home, kid."
Henry blocks him, "She probably wants to see you! Why aren't you going out there to find her?" Jefferson wants Henry out of his way.  He admits "Because I left her! And she'll hate me."
Henry- "How do you know that?"
Jefferson- "I was on my way, but fate reminded me I shouldn't."
Henry is very compassionate and encourages Jefferson "You should. I've been left too. Anything's better than nothing. She'll spend her whole life wondering why you left her. Not knowing is the worst."

Regina is packing up her Mayoral office when the phone rings. It's Henry. Regina tells Henry "I've been asked to leave."  Henry sets a lunch date with her. "Granny's, 10 minutes."  This makes Regina happy and hopeful.   She walks out and Henry sneaks in via a camouflaged door and takes the skeleton keys from her file cabinet.

In the Forest Mulan suggests they make camp for the night; they need to find water and collect firewood.  Emma thinks if  they're hiding from Ogre's maybe it's best not to start a fire. Snow informs her Ogre's are blind; they hunt by sound alone.  Snow knows Emma's out of her element she should stay there and guard the campsite while she and Mulan get water and firewood. Apparently the big empty clearing is the safest place.  Snow and Mulan head off in opposite directions, leaving Emma by herself.


Snow is tossed from King George's paddy-wagon to the smoldering defeated site she left earlier.  Snow knocks Lancelot from his horse, but he claims he's come to help. He clarifies the King's the one responsible for cursing her, not him. "I still do have a small shred of honor left."  He already knows about the cabin where the Prince is hiding his mother; George knows where it is and "sent men there to kill your man's mother."  Snow knows Charming's there too.

Mother Ruth is sprucing up things outside the cabin so the place looks perfect for her meeting of the girl her son's going to marry. Charming tells her "The place looks beautiful, will you come inside?"  All of a sudden Charming hears something and gets concerned. He tells mother to go in and bolt the door "Whatever happens stay inside. Go."  She does.  Charming is surrounded {Circled} by George's men. He takes them all on and defeats them. {Note the well.}
"Son."  Ruth has been shot with an arrow.

He's upset, as he told her to stay inside. But loving mother couldn't because she was concerned for his safety when she heard him and thought he may be hurt. "I'm sorry."   Charming assures her she'll be okay. "Everything's gonna be OK."   Snow and Lancelot arrive. Snow meets Charming's mother.

Snow is gathering the firewood and his held at dagger point by Aurora. "Don't move. Phillip's gone because of you."   Snow overtakes her and tells the Princess to listen to her. She knows what it's like to be separated from the people she loves and what happened to Phillip was not their fault- and she suggests she find another way to channel her anger. Mulan pulls Snow off of her and will deal with the attempting murderess Aurora. Just then a loud gunshot rings out.  Emma is there to protect Snow.  But Emma's gunshot has gotten the Ogre's attention.  Snow yells "Run!!"  The four ladies run through the dark forest and split up.  Emma falls and is trapped by a huge ugly Ogre.
Snow commands it to back away from her daughter and she shoots an arrow into its eye; that's where you have to get them. The last time Snow shot an arrow was 28 years ago; she guesses it's like riding a bike.  She wants Emma to listen to her next time, as that kind of thing (gun) isn't going to work there.

Lancelot sniffs the arrow that was shot into Charming's mother and determines its poisoned.  Confident Charming's going to find an antidote.
Snow- "Or the Fairies! They can help us."  But Lancelot's afraid its going to take something stronger than Fairy Dust. Charming suggests Lake Nostos and explains he's been there before; its waters have powerful magical properties. He's seen them turn a man from solid gold back into flesh. It will be a day's journey at most.

On the path Charming notes how it must be a curious tale; how a Knight of the Round Table ended up a sword for hire.
Lancelot- "You mean how did I fall from grace? The same way you ended up running from King George... A woman."
The men are going to scout ahead.  Charming's mother's breath is labored as she is in pain. Snow gently tends to the ailing woman. Charming's mother thanks Snow for giving her son something to believe in. "All he's ever dreamt of was having a wife... and a son. (Snow looks troubled.) Fret not.  It could be a daughter. Trust me, all that matters is that its healthy.  Let me show you something. (She removed the large medallion necklace from her neck.) My mother gave this to me when I was pregnant- said it was spelled by a Gypsy to predict the sex of your first born even before you're with child."
Uncomfortable Snow asks "And it works?"
Ruth continues. "It did with my boys. If it swings North to South it's a boy. East to West, it's a girl. Shall we? Just between us."  Snow doesn't think that's a good idea, but mother would like her to indulge an old woman. "I'll help take my mind of the... Well, you know."

Snow allows Ruth to hold the spelled medallion over her open right hand and they await its swing. But it doesn't swing. Ruth notices this and tells Snow not to worry. "It's just a silly superstition." Snow's obviously upset and Ruth asks her "What's wrong, child? (she holds her left hand) You can tell me anything, Snow."  Snow shares about when the King captured her, he cursed her so that she can never have children.
Ruth- "Worry not. If the water from Lake Nostos can heal me, it should be able to do the same for you."  Snow is hopeful. Ruth tells Snow she will be a wonderful mother.

Snow declares "We're getting close."  Mulan warns Aurora to keep up, but Aurora isn't exactly dressed for the woods and she's cold out there.  Generous Emma gives her her jacket, even though Aurora tried to kill her friend. Emma corrects her. "Actually she's my mom, and I have a feeling she can take care of herself. And I get it... you're not the only one who's been screwing up lately."  Finally they can see the ruins of their home.

Charming, Lancelot and the ladies arrive at Lake Nostos, only to find it is gone- dried up.

Henry looks at his fairy tale book {with its black page marker} as he stands in front of Regina's vault in the cemetery. {Regina brings those flowers to her father's grave every Wednesday.}  He notes the name on the coffin and the score marks on the ground; seeing that the coffin moves/slides/swings. He pushes it to reveal the underground section.

He discovers the wall vault and is distracted by a knocking sound. He follows it to the wall containing three special alcoves and unlocks one of the boxes to almost be attacked by the two headed Agrabahn Viper, but is saved by Charming, who says "Maybe we should have gone with Operation Viper."

Charming knew he was down there because "Your mom said you asked her to lunch and when you stood her up she checked her office saw her keys were missing- figured out the rest. She would have come herself but she didn't think you'd go with her. Henry, what were you thinking?"
Henry- "I just want them back. It wasn't supposed to be this way. I should be over there with them riding horses, learning how to sword fight."  Charming knows and assures him they'll do this together. Henry's got to get to school and Charming has to "make sure no one else finds this place."

Charming finds the crystal crown worn by the Siren that lived there; he killed her and feels that it's his fault the lake is dry. {The dry bed contains human remains/bones.} Lancelot tells him he doesn't need to worry, "My mother raised me by a lake. There may yet be water- you just need to... know where to look. God in his mercy, lend her grace."  He finds a very small shell containing one sip of water; enough to heal Charming's mother.
Lancelot- "We shall find out."  They pour the water into Charming's flask. Ruth wants Snow to have the water as it can lift Snow's curse and allow them to have a child.
Snow- "But you'll die. I won't let you give your life for this."
Ruth- "That's what parents do. They put their children first. Someday you'll understand."
Snow- No. Maybe it's for the best. I was raised without a mother... I wouldn't even know how to be one. This water was meant for you."
Charming is happy that they're prayers are answered. "There is magic in this lake yet, here, drink."
Ruth sips from the flask and tells Snow to have faith "We'll find another way."

Emma, Snow, Mulan and Aurora enter the dark and broken castle nursery.  Emma recognizes this from Henry's book- she goes right over to the wardrobe. Mulan and Aurora will stand and watch the gate.  Emma looks out the window over the dark Kingdom while Snow sadly remissness's about this room, the one she never thought she'd ever see again.
Emma- "I lived here?"
Snow is very sad as she holds on to a teddy bear- "You never even got to spend a night. This is the life I wanted you to have. I was going to teach you how to walk in here... how to talk, how to dress for your first ball. You never got to do any of it. We never got to be a family."
Emma seems a bit annoyed "We have a family... in Storybrooke. Right now they need us to get back there. So, how do we get this to work?"

Charming- "Why isn't it working?"
Lancelot- "Wounds take time to heal."
Charming is concerned- "No. No. I've used this magic before, it worked instantly. There wasn't enough water- we need more." He takes off to look.
Ruth- "Son. Stop. There's no more magic here and I don't want to spend my last moments this way."
Charming is devastated, claiming this is all his fault. "I'm so sorry."
Ruth- "For what? For being happy? For finding your true love. For your happiness I would gladly give my life.  My only regret is that I won't live to see you marry Snow."
Snow tells her she will. Lancelot, a disgraced member of the Round Table still has the power to  perform a wedding; it will be his honor.
Lancelot pours liquid/water from his canteen. "In my Kingdom there is legend of a cup... That has the power to grant eternal life. And so may the love between you always be strong, true and eternal."

Snow and Charming each drink from the cup and kiss to seal the deal- they are happy. Ruth is gone. Charming cries as he says goodbye to his mother.


Emma asks where the ON switch is for the wardrobe. Snow says its more complicated than that. "We'll have to get it back to the island. Hopefully someone there has access to enough magic to make it work again."
Emma- "How are we gonna carry this thing?"
Lancelot shows up! "With the help of an old friend."  They heard about the Ogre attack and wanted to make sure they were alright. He sent Mulan and Aurora to find food. He notes the wardrobe- the portal they were after.
Snow- "The same one Emma went through. It's how she escaped the curse. Geppetto carved it from an enchanted tree but there's no magic left."
Lancelot- "A portal this powerful... there must be another way to recharge it."  He claims to be interested in the portal because he wants them to get home to her husband- and son...Henry. "They must miss you."  With that, Snow draws the sword from Emma's waist, warning Emma to stay away from him "He is not who he says he is."  There is only one person Emma told Henry's name to- Cora.  Purple smoke surrounds the impostor and Cora is revealed. Snow asks her where Lancelot is and Cora claims he's dead; killed him a long time ago. She claims to be posing as him ever since because they/the people would never listen to her. And besides, every Kingdom needs a hero.  Snow tries to go after her but Cora magically restrains her and Emma. Cora thanks Snow, as she's been looking for a way over for so long. She never thought the person to help her find it would be Snow. She's doing this because she wants to see her daughter- it's been so long and she would love to meet her grandson, Henry.
"NO YOU'RE NOT!" Restrained Emma removes gunpowder from a bullet and ignites a fire near the wardrobe. Cora magically takes the ball of fire and throws it but it's deflected by Mulan. Although Cora isn't done with her "fight" she magically disappears.
Emma saved Snow. Unfortunately their ride is gone too; the wardrobe burns.

Charming lights a candle for his mother (grave). Snow is sorry because his mother was all the family he had left. Charming says no. "I still have you. I love you Snow. And together we can start a new family. Here. This belonged to her (the medallion) she would have wanted you to have it. He tells her about the superstition.  Snow's upset, and as she's about to tell him what's wrong the medallion Charming holds swings over Snow's open right palm/hand. Snow is happy. "We're going to have a child."
Charming is shocked- "Is there something I need to know?" Snow means someday.  He wonders what it says. "It's gonna be a boy, right? I can never remember which direction means what."
Snow- "It's a surprise."
Charming will send a signal for the army to regroup. They are going to take back the Kingdom and they are going to do it as a family.  He runs off and Snow's left wondering how the spell was broken. She turns to Lancelot asking "This is because of you, isn't it? Ruth only pretended to drink the water, she had you put it in the wedding chalice so I would drink it. That's how King George's curse was broken, wasn't it?"  He slyly smiles claiming he has no idea what she's talking about. "So, what's your child gonna be?"  Snow smiles and reveals "A girl."

Back in the nursery Snow shares that Lancelot was one of the most noble Knights she ever knew.  Mulan is mad at herself for being blind to this being Cora. "What are we going to tell the people on the island?"
Snow- "The truth! That Lancelot was cut down by an terrible villain. He died an honorable death."
Mulan decides Snow will lead them to find Cora and defend what's left of the Kingdom. Snow's honored, but she and Emma still have to find a way back to Storybrooke. Mulan and Aurora will help them. Aurora thinks it will help channel her anger. Emma apologizes to Snow that she torched their ride home but she couldn't let Cora get to Henry. She had to put Henry first.
Emma- "I was angry at you for so long... wondering how could you choose to let me grow up without you. But then just seeing all this... You gave up everything for me... and you're still doing that. I'm sorry, I'm not good at this, I, I ... I guess I just- I'm not used to someone putting me first." She cries and they hug. Snow tells her to get used to it. Snow takes her bow and arrows and takes another look around the dark and dilapidated nursery, and in her minds eye sees the vibrant room, and cries over lost hopes and dreams of the past. She closes the door behind her.

Cora materializes and gathers ash for her potion bottle.

Timid Jefferson lurks, hiding and watching as his daughter gets off the school bus. He says her names out loud and the little girl stops in her tracks. Grace runs up to her papa giving him a tight hug. "You found me- I knew you would!" {He drops to one knee and then carries her away.

Henry witnessed this reunion from the passenger seat of Emma's yellow bug. Charming knocks on the window to present Henry with wood swords he picked up on his way home. "You're the grandson of a Prince. I think it's about time you learned how to use a sword. Henry, I can't get em back without you. So? What do ya say, you with me?"
Henry smiles- "Can you teach me how to fight a dragon?"
Charming- "We'll work our way up to it."  He drops to one knee and presents his Liege with his sword.

The guys play sword fight while Albert Spencer/King George watches from his car.