Queen of Hearts

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” ― Leo Tolstoy

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


It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Regina is trying to change- trying to be a better mother and to break her cycle of anger and the want to control people and things. Everyone deserves a chance to make change. It seems as if Regina is going to have to face a very tough hurdle in her evolution, but she'll have to literally come face to face with it and confront it; just as she did when letting go of Daniel. With the inevitable arrival of Cora, will Regina stay strong with turning over a new leaf, or will she become weak and cave and give in to her old dirty angry magical habit?

Emma is changing as well. She is discovering she is more powerful than she realizes and that "magic" lives in her.  Sure, she is learning about "magic" and about her place and destiny in the universe. But more so, she's learning to heal from past choices and to learn what it is to be part of a dedicated and loving family.

Quit playin' games with my heart

This is all like a chess game.  A few key players are somewhat aware of that.

Could it be Rumple's way of bringing the family back together? Rumple is where he wants to be, and has been for a long while- all the players and pieces are in place. It seems his motive is to "play things" so he can find his long lost son, Bae. Rumple's quest has been going on for many years. He utilized the impending birth of Emma way before Regina's sleeping curse, to use as a sort of fail-safe for himself and his quest to find Bae (and whatever else he had up his sleeve). This of course, would also connect (only should Bae really be Henry's father) the members of Rumple's own extended family.

There's something that I can't ignore, and I don't even know if it's a bit of information worth holding on to, but, in the episode Desperate Souls Mr. Gold encounter with the original "Dark One" mentions the possibility that Bae isn't even Rumpelstiltskin son; calling him a "Bastard." Was that just the Dark One taunting Rumple or an allusion to something else, like maybe that Bae really isn't Rumple's blood son? If this is the case that would change some things in the game.

How was Cora's dark side born? It's a terrible cycle of anger, hate and control to go through and to pass down to other family members. How can this ugly and harmful cycle be broken?

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

๑  "I'm Luke Skywalker. I'm here to rescue you"- Star Wars
๑  I know, I'm a dork. Mr. Gold's magic wand's transformation looks more like a Lightsaber. (Lightsaber crystals produce the blade)
๑  Cora knows everything; who is planning and doing things, how things work, she shape shifts/transforms how to travel, etc.  What if she's already been back and forth between lands, including Storybrooke?
๑  Emma felt that her role and part in this adventure is to Gold/Rumple's benefit.
๑  Rumple told Snow and Charming that Emma was the savior, but so did the Blue Fairy. And Cora is already privy to a savior's arrival in 28 years.
๑  I'm constantly wondering why Henry calls Emma Emma, and he calls Mary Margaret Mary Margaret, not Snow White or even Grandma. The other folks also haven't resorted to calling themselves and each other by their fairy tale monikers even though they supposedly remember who they are.
๑  Game/race. Chess. Pawn. Defeat. Win. Rules.
๑  Time
๑  Identity
๑   Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass- Queen of Hearts
๑   Peter Pan- Neverland
๑   Kneel- Neal/Neil
๑   The Queen of Hearts is aware of how the portal hat works.
๑   The Queen of Heart doesn't keep her heart where everyone else does. Hidden away.
๑   Ruby wears a shirt with an image of a leopard on it.
๑  Regina leaves a single red rose with "dead" Cora. She's also given a single red rose to the nurse that works in her secret underground mental ward.
๑   Change
๑   Death: Assassination, dispose, destroy, kill
๑   Dead, but not dead
๑   Sleep
๑   Wake up
๑   Lake Nostos is an old faithful friend, producing water when necessary
๑   Snow White/Mary Margaret can perform magic she learned by watching/sneaking into Cora's chambers and the from the Spell Book.
๑ Watch and learn.
๑ Gold/Rumple was wrong on a few counts in this episode.
๑ Cora creates a transparent dome over the island, making it a "snow globe" of sorts.
๑ Regina is capable of physically absorbing huge amounts of electrically charged particles; Electromagnetism.

Vocabulary and Research...

๑ The Queen of Hearts: is a character from the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. A foul-tempered monarch, who is quick to decree death sentences at the slightest offense.  Her most famous line is "Off with their heads!" The Queen is referred to as a card from a pack of playing cards by Alice. She is the ruler of the lands, alongside the King of Hearts. She is often confused with the Red Queen from the sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, although the two are very different.

•   one of the four Queens in several playing card games 
•   1981 song by Juice Newton 
•   a song by Fucked Up from their 2011 album David Comes to Life 

๑  The Knave of Hearts

• Jack of Hearts in a deck of cards
• In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is on trial for his theft of the tarts

๑   Chess
 A chess variant: is a game related to, derived from or inspired by chess. Most of the pieces in chess variants (and chess problems) are borrowed from chess. The game goal and rules are also very similar. However, these variants include one or more fairy pieces which move differently than chess pieces.

• Alice Chess: played with two boards: a piece moved on one board passes "through the looking glass" onto the other board.
• Looking-Glass Chess: two separate games on two boards. A move on one board must be reflected 'through the looking-glass' on the second board. So a king is compelled to move multiple squares to reflect a queen's move.
• Reincarnation Chess: a captured piece can turn into a zombie, then reincarnate back into the game as a normal piece if captured again. 

๑ Old Faithful is a cone geyser located in Wyoming, in Yellowstone National Park

 ✔ Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale

✈  Counter marks of 5 to keep track of days/time past
✈  Game/race. Chess. Pawn. Defeat. Win. Rules
✈  Task. Goal.
✈  Time
✈  Spiral
✈  Identity
✈  Pearl
✈  Make deals
✈  Ash
✈ The Project: The DHARMA Initiative Recruiting Project at Octagon Global Recruiting (ORG) Dharmawantsyou.com. Recruits are tested Online to see if you qualify to be part of the reconstituted Dharma Initiative.
✈  Boone accuses Shannon of being useless
✈ Charlie feels people think he's useless in The Moth
✈ Bring prisoners food:
In  He's Our You:  Sayid- "A 12 year old Ben Linus brought me a chicken salad sandwich. How do you think I'm doing?"
Other examples:
- Castaways bring prisoner Henry Gale food to his armory holding cell
- Juliet- brought prisoner Kate food to the rec room.
- Locke brings prisoner Ben food to his basement.
✈  The Other Woman: "Ben's exactly where he wants to be"
✈  The Moth:
     -Charlie to Jack- "I'm here to rescue you"
     - Charlie's hooded.
     - Locke skins the boar
✈  Change:
Everybody Hates Hugo: In Hurley's dream Jin tells him "Everything is going to change..."
Locke tells Hurley that "Change is good"
✈  Happily Ever After
✈  ...in Translation
✈  Live Together, Die Alone: Desmond claims the island is in a bloody snow globe.
✈ Desmond is believed to be the only person capable of physically absorbing huge amounts of electrically charged particles; Electromagnetism.


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

The Evil Queen's (Steel) Palace:
A cloaked figure with a small pail makes way up a spiral staircase and is stopped by one of the Queen's guards. The cloaked figure claims food for the prisoner.  The guard tells him it's not mealtime, "Who are you? Identify yourself, slave!"  The cloaked figure fights off two guards and is revealed to be Captain Hook. He steals the keys from the unconscious guard.

Hook enters the Fairy Tale Land cell that houses Belle. {Note count marks on wall and large center decoration.} Belle assumes he's there to kill her.
Hook- "I'm not here to kill you, Love. I'm here to rescue you."
Belle- "Rescue? Who are you?"
Hook- "A friend."
As he frees her from her cuffs, he tells her that they haven't much time; and that her father is in danger.  "He's being attacked by the very same monster who stole you away from your family in the first place." {The Dark One.} Hook also shares the rumors of a magical weapon that has the power to kill him.
Belle is confused. Surely he can't be talking about the same man, Rumpelstiltskin,that she knows. She would like the chance to talk to Rumple. But persistent Hook tells that Belle's father's life hangs in the balance and he needs to know where that weapon is and where to find it. Belle doesn't know what he's talking about and she has no idea how to kill Rumplestiltskin.
Hook changes gears; apparently Belle isn't the person he needs to help further his quest. "You don't?"
Hook- "Then I'm afraid I'm not here to rescue you."  He smacks the pretty, yet useless Belle; knocking her out. As he's about to finish her off, his hook is magically pulled off him by Queen Regina.
Regina- "No. Not useless. She's a valuable chess piece."
Hook- "Do I look like I'm playing a game of chess?

Regina notes his lack of manners toward her Royal-ness. "I know who you are... Captain. I know why you came here from Neverland... and I know all about the crocodile you wish to skin." Regina also notes his dedication and resourcefulness to his cause. "No one has ever been able to fight their way past my defenses before. She can't help you kill Rumpelstiltskin, Hook. But I can- If you do something for me. {She hooks him with his own hook, pulling him closer.} Care to join me for a drink?"

In Queen Regina's chambers, she pours a drink for hook. "Things are about to change in this world... radically. {Note vanity and many mirrors.} She has plans to enact a curse that will take everyone to a far-off land. This new realm can help Hook out because "It's a land without magic, where the Dark One will be stripped of his powers. There, you won't need any magical weapons to kill him. (Holding his hook under his chin) You can do it... with a mere flick of your wrist." Hook's interested.  Regina needs Hook to see to it that her mother doesn't follow her to this new land.
Hook doesn't seem to have an issue with this assassination task.

In Mr. Gold's shop: {Note obvious ticking clocks sounds.}
David continues to sleep while Regina watches over him.

Regina informs Mr. Gold/Rumple that there's no improvement in David yet. He needs True Love's Kiss and won't wake up until Mary Margaret comes back. Gold notes her optimism. "Until?"  He reminds her they're up against her mother. The only chance Emma and Snow have of defeating her is with the Squid Ink.; which is why he sent the message through David. Given the Prince's condition they don't know if that message was delivered.  Thus, they must take precautions and consider the possibility that when that portal opens "It won't be his family that comes through... It'll be Cora."
Regina is afraid, "And neither one of us wants that."
Gold feels they have to find where they're coming through and destroy that portal.
Regina- "But whoever came through would die."
Gold is aware and he's confident that between the two of them they can summon up enough magic to complete the task.  {Note the telescope, arrow globe, etc.}
Regina- "What if we're wrong? What if that portal opens up and it's not my mother? What if Mary Margaret and Emma do defeat Cora and go through it?"
Gold believes that in this world they call that a "win- win".  He explains, "If we stop Cora, you are protected by your mother's wrath. If, on the other hand, we stop Snow and Emma... well, you become the only mother in your son's life, now don't you? Look, magic is unpredictable in this world. If something unfortunate were to happen while you were attempting to help... (scoff) Henry could hardly blame you for that, could he?"  Gold looks hopeful that Regina would see his reasoning.
But Regina won't lie to Henry, as she's trying to be a better mother. Gold assures her she won't be able to be a better anything if Cora comes through; she will be a threat to everyone- "including your son." If Regina wants to truly be a good mother to Henry, she must protect him. "If you want to be better... prove it."

The lady adventurers arrive at Rumpelstiltskin's cell to search for the Squid Ink.  Snow states that she hasn't been there since before Regina's curse. "This is where he told us you were going to be the savior." It was prophesized.  Aurora claims the Squid Ink isn't there.  No one else could've taken it because he was kept in there alone.  Visitors were forbidden; He was too dangerous to allow any human contact.  Emma wonders how he kept from going crazy.  Aurora says he didn't. She discovers a scroll stuffed/hidden in a crack in the wall- a message for Emma. {Emma seems a bit- hypnotized}

Henry reads from the fairy tale book to sleeping David, just as Mary Margaret/Snow White did to coma patient, David.

"With one kiss, true love's power made everything right again. But this was not the end of their story... It was just the beginning."

Regina enters, "I think this time it will happen the other way around."  This is why she needs Henry to stay there and watch David for a little while as she and Mr. Gold prepare for Emma and Mary Margaret's return. "Coming through the portal won't be easy. We need to make sure everything's in place." Henry is surprised she's going to help them. Regina reminds Henry of her promise to do better- to be better. She's going to do everything in her power to see to it that they come home safely.
Henry- "Wow. You really have changed." This makes him smile.  Regina will be back as soon as she can.

Mr. Gold and Regina make their way through the Mines/tunnels to the glittery diamonds embedded in its ceilings. {Again, to me it reminds me of sparkling stars in the night sky.} Gold is glad Regina came to her senses. The (magic) in the diamonds should suit their purposes; feeling they need all of it. They're going to do this with a little help from a fairy. "Dead one. Believe me... no one mourns her."  He waves his now glowing purple-ish pink magic wand up toward the embedded diamonds; receiving power into the wand. {Changing color from pink to purple.}

Queen Regina enchants Hook's hook and clicks it into place on his left arm. This enchantment will enable Hook to rip out her (Cora's) heart. He's seen this done before.

The Queen warns that the enchantment will allow him to rip out only one heart; so he better make sure he does it right.  Hook curiously asks what "she" could've done to warrant such brutality.  But that's Regina's business. He's only to kill her and bring her body back to Regina. Hook feels that's easy enough. "When will I set forth on this murderous journey?"
Regina- "Immediately. But you won't be going alone."  She uncovers the body of Claude.
Hook doesn't immediately remember killing him in the cell block; he didn't recognize Claude without Hook's hook in his neck. "Forgive me, but isn't he a bit of dead weight?"
Regina- "I banished my mother to some far-off land some time ago. You're gonna need a portal to get to her. {She reveals the hat box/magic portal hat} The rules are simple... One goes in- One comes back, or in this case two in, two back. You'll arrive with Claude and return... with my mother."
Hook asks what far-off land he'll have the pleasure of visiting today.
Regina has the hat in hand and reveals "Wonderland."

Hook won't have to worry about finding Cora, as Cora will find him.

Prisoner Hook is commanded to "Kneel, before the Queen of Hearts." The Queen of Hearts uses the elephant trunk accoutrement to communicate with the Knave of Hearts. She asks, "Why has he come to Wonderland?"
Hook shares that he is in search of someone; in her native land she goes by "Cora."
The Queen comes out from hiding behind her mask and announces "In this land, she goes by Your Majesty. Leave us."

The Pirate gives his name; Hook. The Queen feels it's a clever nickname. Hook comes bearing gifts; a string of pearls, but the Queen is only interested in the hat/portal that brought him there. If she understands correctly, the same number that travels through returns. She sees Hook arrives with his dead traveling partner and wonders who he's to return with.
Hook- "You."  He plunges his hook into her chest to retrieve her heart, but nothing comes out. He's stunned.
The Queen- "I'm the Queen of Hearts. Do you really think I'd be so careless as to keep my heart where everyone else does? (She plunges her hand into Hook's chest) This is how it's done. Tell me who did this. Who sent you here to kill me? Who?"  In pain Hook discloses it was her daughter.
The Queen- "Regina? She... wants me dead? {She seems startled and gets angry} You're now going to tell me everything and do exactly what I want. Because when you hold a heart... you control it."

Cora's voice whispers- "You have the power."

Aurora looks over to Emma who is fervently looking over the scroll; and the compass sitting next to Emma.  The ladies are still looking for the ink that Gold told David would be in there.
Emma to Snow- "You were in a netherworld. Maybe something got lost in translation.

Mulan finds an empty vessel that once contained the ink in the cell. Aurora throws a rock at the mechanism that lowers the gate for the cell, trapping them inside. Cora and Hook are outside the cell and reveal Aurora's helping her.  Cora magically pulls the compass out of Emma's hand. Emma tries to get out, but Cora doesn't want her to waste her energy; Rumpelstiltskin couldn't escape from the cell either.  Cora also shares that Aurora was only doing what she was told; because Cora literally holds her heart. Hook admits being the one who took the heart and gave it to Cora as a gift.  Cora gives the heart a little squeeze and heads out, as Storybrooke awaits. Emma begs Hook not to do this, she fears for her son back in Storybrooke; Henry needs her.  Hook feels she should have considered that before he abandoned him on the beanstalk.
Emma- "You would have done the same."
Hook- "Actually, no."

He shows her a dried up magic bean that hangs on a (necklace) chain belonging to the Giant.  This is a souvenir of his conquest and a symbol of something that was once magical, full of hope, possibility, is now died up, dead- useless; much like Emma.
Hook claims the time for making deals is done; just as he's done... with her.

There's an emergency down in the mine. Ruby comes upon Leroy who has discovered all of the diamonds are gone.

Henry continues to read to sleeping Charming. "And yes, she was beyond hope, beyond saving. This was her end."
Ruby hurries in with the Dwarfs asking "Where are they?" They're looking for Regina and Gold.  They tell Henry that all the magic's been drained from the mines; they snuck in after their shift and stole it.  Leroy declares "Nobody steals from a Dwarf."  Except for the Queen and Rumpelstiltskin. Henry realizes if Regina and Gold aren't helping Emma and Mary Margaret, then his mom lied to him.  They need to find her and stop them and help Emma and Mary Margaret!

Emma tries in vein to break down the cell gate with her sword. Snow tells her not to bother because it was enchanted to hold Rumpelstiltskin; they don't have a chance.
Aurora claims this is her fault. Mulan claims it's her fault because she failed to protect Aurora. Emma believes it's her fault. As the savior she isn't doing much saving.   Snow {wearing her key necklace} tells Emma "We're going to win this fight, you know. Good always defeats evil."  Emma accuses her of sounding like Henry.  Snow guesses optimism runs in the family and Emma thinks it skipped a generation.
Snow- "You should know better than anybody. You broke the curse."
Emma- "What have I done since then? I got us stranded over here, burned down the wardrobe, Let Cora get the ash and now the compass. The only reason I ever broke the curse was because it was exactly what Gold wanted me to do. I had nothing to do with it."
Snow- "What are you talking about?"
Emma- "He told you I was the savior- It was his plan. Once I fulfilled that role, maybe that's all I was ever meant to do. Everything I've ever done,... he had it all mapped out before I was even born. I'm not powerful- I'm, I'm not... a savior. I'm a name on a piece of paper." Emma shows Snow the scroll with her name all over it. I'm a pawn. That's exactly why we are in here... and Cora's on her way to Storybrooke."

Hook asks Cora "Where are we going?"  They're approaching dried up Lake Nostos.
Cora- "Lake Nostos. The legend says its waters hold the power to restore what was once lost. It'll return the magic to what remains of this wardrobe. And then... We'll be able to cross worlds." Cora magically produces a geyser. She asks Hook that after all they've been through, why does he still doubt her.

In Wonderland
The Queen of Hearts is face to face with Hook.  He's told her all he knows. "Now have some honor and kill me!"  Honor, for a pirate who snuck into her palace to assassinate her? She feels her daughter should have come and killed Cora herself.  Hook misunderstands Cora's not killing him {although he's in pain} out of character and for mercy, but Cora's agenda is that she demands his help. Apparently Regina knows Cora's methods better than anyone and would know if Cora was controlling Hook; so this has to be Hook's choice. Cora tells him she's the only one who can give him what he wants... "This curse, my daughter plans to enact... this new land she's taking everyone to... you won't remember who you are. So tell me Captain... How do you expect to kill someone when you can't even remember him? Well, if you do what I say, I'll make sure you not only kill him... but that you remember every single moment."  Cora wants Hook to get her close to her daughter- and then she'll rip her heart out.

28 YEARS AGO

Cora lays in the coffin as Regina mourns over her. Regina asks her hired assassin, Hook, if Cora put up a fight; Nothing Hook couldn't handle.  Regina would like a moment to say goodbye, alone.
Regina- "I'm sorry mother. Without you I never would have become the person I am now. But I had no choice. I had to do this. After you killed Daniel you told me something I've never forgotten- Love. Is. Weakness. Well, mother, you are my weakness because I love you. That's why I couldn't risk taking you to the new land with me. Your grip on my heart is just too strong. And for what I need to do... I can't have any weakness. {Regina cries and places a single red rose on Cora's chest.}Goodbye, mother."

Once Regina leaves the crypt/vault, we see Cora isn't dead and she didn't take the opportunity to kill her daughter. Cora tells Hook there's a change in plans.  They must protect themselves from Regina's approaching curse

Thunder rolls in.
Cora bangs her staff to the ground, sending a vibration which magically creates a transparent dome over fairy tale land-island, thus protecting her, Hook and whomever else...

Regina's approaching dark smoke curse rolls over the protective dome.

Hook asks Cora if it would've been easier to reconcile with Regina before her curse destroys the land. But Cora feels her daughter doesn't need her, not now, not when she thinks she's about to win. "But I still have a place in her heart and the curse won't last forever. It will end. In 28 years they'll be a savior... and she'll break it."  Cora assures Hook he won't even notice the 28 year wait, as he'll be frozen; like all those in that corner of the land. But when the curse ends, they'll resume their quest. And when it does Regina truly will have lost everything and then she'll need Cora. "That's when we'll go to this new land. You'll get your revenge. And me, I'll... help her pick up the pieces."

28 YEARS LATER

Regina and Mr. Gold make their way through the forest to the portal. The portal is the well; where things once lost are returned to us. Gold feels this is where Cora's going to come through. He doubts it will be Mary Margaret who comes through.

Snow tells Emma they are going to get out of there. Emma wonders how, by staring at that scroll? It's not like it's going to magically open a door for them.  That gives Snow and idea.  Apparently as a little girl, Snow would sneak into Cora's chambers and watch her practice magic; using her spell book. Snow tells Emma to "watch."

Snow gently blows onto the paper and the ink/words float off of it and over to the cell gate, it creates an opening for them.
Snow- "Told ya. Good always wins."
Aurora wants to be tied up because she can't be trusted while Cora has her heart.  Mulan will get it back for her.  Aurora is tied up and the trio of ladies leaves.

Cora gives Hook the honor of pouring the ashes into the watering hole she created. The water swirls around and becomes the familiar swirling portal. {Like the portal hat.}
Cora- "Here we go. We'll be in Storybrooke soon enough. I really look forward to seeing my daughter."

At the well, Gold declares "It's time." Regina wonders what they're waiting for. Gold holds his magic wand to the sky and heavy dark clouds roll in, thunder and lightning approach. A lightning bolt hits the well, where now inside it swirls green with electricity/energy. Gold feels it doesn't matter who comes through now. "No one can survive that."

Cora will deliver Hook to Rumplestiltskin. She instructs Hook not to let go of the compass unless he wants to end up in someplace that isn't Storybrooke. As they're about to take the plunge an arrow is shot right into the compass, tossing it from their hands. It's the trio of ladies; they will take the portal home.  Cora tells Hook to find the compass while she takes care of the girls.  Cora throws fireballs at Mulan, while Emma sword fights with Hook and Snow tries to shoot Hook with arrows.  Cora magically disappears. The little pouch with Aurora's heart is just about to fall into the portal when Hook uses his hook to catch it.  This pirate bristles over a woman losing her heart, unless it's over him. {What a guy!} Mulan gives Snow her sword; as it deflects Cora's magic. Mulan will get Aurora her heart.   The softy, Hook, continues his sword fight with Emma; although he flirts. Cora whistles to get Snow's attention. Emma reveals to Hook she has the compass in hand as she knocks him out.
Emma- "Now, let's go home!"

Gold and Regina are still waiting at the well when Henry arrives with Ruby. Henry asks his mother "You're not helping Emma and Mary Margaret, are you?"
Regina- "I'm helping you, Henry."
Henry wonders what she's talking about. Ruby feels their going to kill them/Emma and Mary Margaret; Gold magically tosses her back.  Regina tells Henry that they can't let Cora come through the portal because he has no idea what she would do to them.  Henry passionately feels Emma and Mary Margaret are going to defeat Cora and they're the ones that will come through.  Gold feels Regina's right, "It's gonna be Cora."
Henry- "No. It won't. Good always defeats evil. (Looks at Regina) You should know that more than anyone."
Regina- "What I know is that my mother will destroy everything I love. And that means you. And I can't let that happen."

Back at the Lake Nostos portal, Snow faces off with Cora. Emma tries to help, but Cora uses magic to fight. Snow gets a moment to ask Cora why she wants to go to Storybrooke.
Cora- "Because my daughter needs me. And now I'm going to give her the one thing she's always wanted... your heart. Goodbye, Snow."  As she swings to plunge her hand into Snow's chest, Emma pushes Snow out of the way and ends up in her place. Cora hand penetrates Emma's chest. "Oh you foolish girl. Don't you know love is weakness?"

 Cora is unable to pull out Emma's heart. Emma has a revelation! "No. It's strength." This magically blasts Cora far away from her.  Stunned Emma wonders what that was. It will be a great discussion when they get home. Snow and Emma hold on to the compass and jump into the swirling portal.

At the well the energy/electricity is still bouncing around while awaiting the arrival of the portal travelers.  Henry is freaking out, feeling his mother is going to kill them. "We have to turn it off!" He's adamant they're going to make it through; he knows it. "You said you wanted to change... to be better. This is how. You want me to have faith in you- have faith in me."

Emotionally touched and teary eyed, Regina tries to physically intervene with the energy in the well. They don't think she helped... When in dramatic fashion, a hand reaches up from the well! Emma and Mary Margaret have returned!  There is much hugging for the reunited family.  Mr. Golds just quietly walks away.  Henry tells his family that she/Regina saved them. Emma thanks Regina.  Ruby hugs Snow and whisks her off to Charming so she can wake him.
Emma tells Regina that her mother is a piece of work; to which Regina is quite aware.
Regina- "Welcome back."
Emma, still hugging Henry, thanks her.

Back at Mr. Gold's shop, Mary Margaret arrives to find the 7 Dwarfs watching over sleeping Charming. Snow kisses her Prince, producing a wave of electricity and wakes him from his slumber.  Yay!
Charming- "You did it."
Snow- "Did you ever doubt I would?"
Charming- "No."  They passionately kiss. Regina lurks in the background.
Charming- "Though the burning red room did give me pause."  {More kissing!}

As Gold is putting away his magic wand in a wood box of other magic wands, Emma joins him to talk. Gold feels apologies are in order, but Emma they aren't and understands why he wanted to keep Cora out of there.
Gold- "Just remind me never to bet against you in the future, Miss Swan."
Emma- "It's not really a bet when the game is rigged, is it?"
He wonders what she is referring. Emma shares that she saw the scroll in his cell. "You wrote my name again, and again and again."
Gold just wanted to make sure it would stick. 
Emma- "The ink was there all the time. You could've gotten out."
Gold- "I was exactly where I wanted to be. You needed to find that, so all this could occur."
Emma- "You created the curse, Gold. You made me the savior. So everything I've ever done... it's exactly what you wanted me to do."
Gold- "I created the curse, Dearie. But I didn't make you. I merely took advantage of what you are... The product of true love. That's why you're powerful. And everything you've done, you've done yourself."
Emma- "So you don't know."
Gold- "Know what?"
Emma- "Cora... tried to rip my heart out- but she couldn't. She was blasted back by something inside me. By... By..."
Gold- "By magic. Whatever that was, I didn't do that- You did."

Mulan has never plunged a heart into someone's chest before, but she will do her best to replace Aurora's heart. Mission accomplished! Aurora shares something that Cora told her. "When a Wraith consumes a soul it's not trapped there forever. It can be reunited with its body."  The duo will try to save Philip.

Cora stares disappointed with their failure.
Hook- "Really, Cora. After all this time why do you still doubt me?"  He shows her the dried up bean on a chain.  Cora finds that bean to be petrified, useless. But Hook's now aware of the water's regenerative properties. "Perhaps it's time to do some gardening."  He

Back at Gold's shop Henry tells Regina he was right, "You really have changed. Thank you." They share a genuine hug.
Ruby suggests diner to them, her treat, over at Granny's. Emma's in as long as it isn't Chimera. They all leave- leaving Regina all alone. Gold enters and congratulates her on reuniting mother and son. "Maybe one day they'll even invite you for dinner."

The gang walks together to Granny's. Time on the Storybrooke Free Public Library- 5:10.

In the cloudy horizon a ship can be seen. Cora and Hook make way toward Storybrooke. {Cora has her now dried up single red rose in hand.}