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.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

"Looking-glass, looking-glass, on the wall, who in this land is the fairest of all?"

Did You See That?!
OK, I'm just going to start off talking about the elephant in the room so I can get it out of the way and move on to this great episode's recap. Shit, I have too! LOST fans know what I'm talking about here. The only things missing in this episode was a Flash Whoosh/Flash Sideways Rumble sound effect, a few DHARMA symbols and a deep emotional Michael Giacchino score. {No disrespect meant at all to ONCE's composer. Loving your work!}
What is this all about?! It is clear that the writer's of ONCE are doing something special with giving us all the connections to LOST; a story they know we are all very passionate and protective of. But really, what the fuck do I know?

You have to ask why they would weave such obvious Golden LOST Threads into the tapestry of this new fairy tale. Do you think of these LOST easter eggs simply as fun easter eggs and that it's just the writer's way of sending us some LOST love? It may very well be all there is to it. Over the past weeks I can see that most LOST fans are very, very happy to have these loving nods tossed our way. But I've also seen that the connecting nods seem to upset or even piss off a few LOST fans; because they seem to feel ONCE is trying to ride on the coat-tails of our beloved LOST. Whether you embrace or reject the LOST connections, one thing's for sure- it seems to have caused some confusion with some LOST fans. I feel the connections are there as loving LOST reminders and to make you pay close attention to this story. I totally love ONCE Upon A Time and I do love that there are undeniable connections to LOST. I am very excited to see where the path leads us.

Since the very first episode, the LOST easter eggs weren't hidden easter eggs for you to hunt and find- they were placed front and center, right out in the open. Nobody had to hunt for anything.

This is another trip down into the rabbit hole, my friends. The people in both stories are "lost". There was a quest to fulfill in this episode. Luckily there are guides helping the Lost in their quest.

Something I found very curious is when Graham has flashes before his eyes when he kisses/touches Emma and the wolf, he says- "Did you see that?!" as if Emma should have been able to see it too. This line was heard in LOST, especially in season six when the castaways have their light bulb moments of truly feeling something (love) and remembering. Locke says it to Jack in The End.

 

There's a Line 
Or is there? Where is the line between Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest/Fairy Tale Land?  Maybe, just maybe, there isn't one. The realms are blurred together. 
Regina knows what is going on in all of the lands but so does Henry. Who else knows the truth about what is going on here?

Time
* Why does Henry's bedroom have so many clocks? Is he obsessed with time? Hell- maybe he's the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.
* When you notice that the residents of Storybrooke are stuck in a bloody snow globe, you also must notice that the items of the neighborhood, although old-fashioned and quaint, are a hodge podge of items from different decades.
Example: Rotary phones, old fashioned computers, old fashioned first aid kit, gas that cost 15 cents, old fashioned fire truck and yet more modern vehicles.

Heart of the Matter
"Raised by wolves" would indicate one who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age; example being in cases of abuse or abandonment by their own parents.  So far we see Prince Charming/David and Graham, Emma and even Henry having been connected with the idea of being abandoned and even adoption.
The residents of Storybrooke suffer from some of these emotions: Fear, Guilt, Rejection, Rage, Grief/Abandoned, Deepest sorrow and Hate.

The Queen can see things in her looking glass but never really sees total truth. Why would the Queen pick the Huntsman for the murderous job when she observed him totally not having murder in his heart? He has a good and noble heart. But then again the Huntsman claims for a moment to be someone he is not; this is so he can provide (the wolves) protection.

What is Regina's true motive for all of this heart vaulting?  She is constantly seeking comfort in the wrong things and trying to fill a void. Remember when Maleficent and Henry (The Queen's father) warned of a void in her soul that she could never fill.

In this episode Snow White (and The Queen) are mourning the death of Snow's father. Is Snow White as pure as we think she is? What did she do with the secret told to her by the Queen?  Let's note that Snow White is pretty ballzy; later we see that she fights back and even steals.

There is no doubt this episode illustrates how broken hearted these people really are.

Things to Note...Questions to Ask...
* There is another story unrelated to the Grimm fairy tale called Snow White and Rose Red: about two sisters
* Who is Henry- really?! The kid knows it all. He knows about the lands and who people really are and how everything connects. Mary Margaret gave Henry the fairy tale story book, but where did she get it and who is its true author?
* Even though Emma proves Graham has a beating heart, he refuses to believe it and still blames the curse 
* Eyes
* Dreams- dreams feeling real.  Sleep. Head/Haberdashery. Memory
* What is real and what is not
* Wake up.
* Life/birth. Death
* Who does the "cage" castle really belong to- The Evil Queen's or Snow White and her father?
* Does Mr. Gold have some sort of advisory/guiding role in Storybrooke?
* Honor. Noble. Compassion
* Mirror
* Wolves. Sheep.
* Guiding.
* Chasing yourself, your past, your pain
* Protection. Armor. Cradle- Putting up walls, fences to keep out pain- caged in, lock things up in a vault. Armor although used for protection can also be constricting.  
* Mills. Windmill
* Just like on the "Island" I think we'll see Graham/Huntsman again. 
* Metaphor

✔ Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale
★   Boone was the first major exit off the beach camp.
★   Desmond- Flashes. Claire, Charlie- dream/memory recall.  Season 6- Locke, Kate, etc..memory recall. 
★   Eyes- Eye color. In Raised By Another- Claire's dream, Locke appears with one white eye, one black.
★   Locke looks into a broken piece of glass in Abandoned and Shannon sees missing Walt
★   108
★   Hunter. Warrior. Noble. Compassion
★   Black. White. Red
★   Flashes- memory
★   Another life. From another "land"
★  Arrow
★   Sydney
★   Henry and Walt- 10 years old
★  With Graham seeing the wolf I am reminded of Kate in What Kate Did, seeing her horse on the "Island".  And let's not forget about Jack seeing Christian, etc.. Plus the arrival on the "Island" of people like Anthony Cooper/Sawyer and Walt.

★  In the episode Lighthouse, Kate tells Jack "I hope you find what you're looking for".
★  Metaphor

**All photos posted here are chosen for a reason.**
Enough of my rambling...Here is your episode recap! Enjoy!

Opening- is what appears to be a very real deer in a forest and then it's revealed on the pullback Graham is at the diner tossing back a few shots and shooting red darts at a dart board that has a forest photo image of a deer.   He's a great shot.  Sydney is sitting solo in a booth drinking and bets the chief 20 bucks he can't make that shot again. Graham downs a shot he takes off of Ruby's tray and throws a dart that hits the deer right in the face. He tells Ruby "Next round's on him." {Dartboard has a rope motif decoration around it.}
Emma enters and Ruby asks if there's anything she can get her, but Emma just says "Nothing".   As Emma is opening the door to exit, Graham, who seems to have a bit of anger toward Emma, throws a dart that lands eye level and inches away from her- stuck in the door frame.  Emma was never in any danger from the dart, as Graham never misses.  Graham feels that she's been avoiding him since she saw him leaving the Mayor's mansion last night.  Emma's not avoiding him; she just has no interest in having that conversation. "It's your life. I really don't care."  Emma leaves.

Outside Graham asks Emma "If you don't care then why are you so upset?" He feels if that were true then she'd be at the bar with him having a drink with him and not running away. {The diner is equally a bar-that's interesting.} Emma just feels none of it is her business.
Graham is keeping after Emma wanting to talk about it because he needs her to understand, "I don't know...maybe so I...I can understand."
Emma- "If you need analysis go talk to Archie!"
But Graham doesn't want to talk to Archie, he wants to talk to her.
Emma- "Well, your bad judgment is your problem- not mine."   He's actually chasing after her.
Graham- "You don't know what it's like with her! I don't feel anything! Can't you understand that?!"
Emma understands bad relationships; she just doesn't want to talk about his.
Graham- "I know you and Regina have your own issues and I should have told you about that before you took the job."
Emma- "Yeah! Why the secrecy? We're all adults. You can do whatever you want."
Upset Graham says it's because he didn't want her to look at him the way she is looking at him now.  Emma wonders why he would care how he looks at her.
Graham looks deep into her eyes- "Because..."  He holds her face and kisses her.
During the kiss he gets Flashes of a jumbled and blurry forest trees and a light/gray fur wolf with two different color eyes. Freaked out, he pulls away from her he asks "Did you see that?!"
Emma asks how much he had been drinking, "That was way over the line!"
Upset Graham tells her "I need to feel something."
Emma is pissed- "You were drunk and full of regret, I get it. But whatever it was that you were needing to feel you're not getting it with me.  She walks away from empty feeling Graham.

Buzzed and confused Graham shows up at Regina's house in a bit of a frenzy.  He asks if Henry's asleep; Henry is indeed asleep.  Graham and Regina make out like two crazed teenagers.  As they kiss...

...the camera brings us deep into Regina's left eye right through to another realm where we brought into an odd looking palace; it is made of steel, metal and stone and looks more like a space ship or a giant bullet.
The Queen/Regina looks sad.
Snow White, dressed in all black, is grieving and in mourning, places a white rose on top of white coffin that already has red rose petals on it.
Snow White is crying; she is deeply in pain.  "Goodbye, father."  The Queen tells Snow how sorry she is, but all Snow could do was cry "I loved him so much".  The two women cry in each other's arms; as they both loved him.
The Queen, with tears in her eyes, tells Snow- "The loss I feel for my husband must be nothing compared to the loss you feel for your father. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I may only be your mother through marriage, but I'm here for you, dear...truly and forever.
Grateful Snow hugs her stepmother.

The Queen is escorted to her room by her guards. Mirror congratulates her revenge is almost complete.  
The Queen- "1 down- 1 to go."
Snow has no idea that The Queen is responsible for his passing.  The Queen is sickened by Snow seeking comfort with her "I could have ended her miserable existence right there. Believe me, it was tempting."
Mirror- "It would have saved your soul." {WTF does that mean?!}
The Queen knows the Kingdom is still loyal to Snow; but they would turn on the Queen.
"They don't know the wretchedness inside her as I do. They don't know what she did to  me. We must be delicate in this next phase.  Her demise must be handled with care."
Mirror suggests one of the Queen's knights. But she feels she needs someone adept at murder.
Mirror- "Someone with no heart."  In that case, Mirror suggests she needs a Huntsmen.

The Huntsmen/Graham kills a deer with his black and white feathered arrow/bow.  He kneels over his kill and cries. "You have died so that I may live. Forgive me. Your sacrifice is honorable. I thank you."
A gray wolf with two different color eyes approached the caring Huntsmen; he assures the wolf that he too won't go hungry tonight. As the Huntsmen pulls the arrow out of the deer...

...Graham's eyes open!  Confused Graham tells Regina he just had the most intense dream. "I was in the woods- hunting and I killed a deer... there was a wolf...."
Regina looks like she realizes he's remembering something.  "A wolf?"
Graham- "Its eyes...one was blood red and the other was black as night. Funny thing is.. I think I've seen the wolf before."
Regina comforts him, telling him to go back to sleep "It was only a dream"
Graham- "It didn't feel like a dream...It felt like a memory."  He dresses to leave; he needs some air and needs to think; clear his head.  He left his car at Granny's.
Regina looks troubled. She wants him to come back to bed; it's late, he's tired and probably still drunk. Graham- "Since when do you want me to stay anyway?"
Regina- "You're not well."   Graham feels he's fine and leaves.

It appears that Regina's mansion is awfully close to Granny's diner.  Graham drops his keys by his car. {Black and white sheriff car is #02}  The gray wolf walks right up to him. Graham is startled.

The gray wolf heads down an alley {Note the wheel}

In Storybrooke
Emma comes down the steps in Mary Margaret's house to see the flowers on the table and throws them in the trash.  Mary Margaret sees this wondering what she's doing.  Emma assumes the flowers are from David, but they're from Dr. Whale; whom she had a one night stand with.  Emma feels this is good as she may be getting over David.  Mary regrets calling Dr. Whale. Emma feels "That is definitely not a one night stand."
Mary- "Oh, OK, I'm still learning. I've never had one before. I felt guilty."
Emma feels there's nothing wrong with one night stands "...is as far as I ever go."
Mary- ".....because you're..."  She goes on to explain to Emma "You're just protecting yourself...with that wall you put up".   The floral abuse indicates Emma can get emotional over men.  Mary tells her it's obvious to everyone but Emma that Emma has feelings for Graham, which Emma doesn't admit to. Mary says it's because of Emma's wall. Although her wall may keep out pain, it also may keep out love.

Graham is running through the forest chasing what he thinks is the wolf and he comes upon Mr. Gold, who emerges from the rustling brush; bearing a shovel and his cane. {The shoveling can be heard.}
Gold- "Good morning Sheriff. Sorry if I startled you."
Graham- "Right- sorry, I, I  thought you were a wolf."
Gold- "Did I forget to shave?"  He claims to be out there early for a spot of gardening and wonders what Graham is doing. Graham reveals he's looking for a wolf.
Mr. Gold, who is beginning to catch on, tells Graham, "To the best of my knowledge, sheriff, there are no wolves in Storybrooke- not the literal kind, anyway. Why are you looking?"
Graham, who thinks Mr. Gold may think him crazy, admits he saw one in his dreams..."and then I saw one for real. Just a few hours ago. Did you see anything unusual out there?"
As Mr. Gold is looking over his shovel he replies "Afraid not."  He smiles a slight smile and wishes he could be more helpful.
Mr. Gold- "You know, Sheriff...they say that dreams are memories. Memories of another life.
Graham- "What do you believe?"
Mr.Gold never rules out anything.  He wishes the sheriff good luck, "I do hope you find what you're looking for."
Graham continues his search.  {Some sheriff Graham is- he doesn't find it more strange that Mr. Gold is out there with a shovel doing some "gardening" in the early day in the middle of the forest.}

The gray wolf and the Huntsmen end up in a tavern, where he is made fun of by the patrons. They feel "this isn't a slaughter house".  They make mock him; rumor is he was raised by wolves and he's teased for his being known to cry over his kills. Bartholomew asks the Huntsmen-"...What kind of a man cries over an animal?"
The Huntsmen- "An honorable one."
Bartholomew- "What do you know about honor?"
Huntsmen- "I have it. They have it. You don't."   Animals have it as they are pure of heart; not selfish or self serving like people.  The wolf gets protective of the Huntsman and threatens Bartholomew.
Bartholomew prepares to defend himself against the "pet" who threatened him, "...hang him on my wall".  The Huntsman stabs Bartholomew, claiming the wolf is not a pet.  A fight ensues. The Huntsman throws a man into a wall mirror, shattering it.  He uses a piece of the mirror as a weapon against another man but decides to put the broken looking glass down...

...To which we're brought seamlessly into the Queen's magic mirror, as she watches him, claiming "He's perfect. Bring him to me"...
...To which we're seamlessly brought to Sheriff Graham frantically running through the forest; appearing to be following the howls of the wolf.  He meets up with the special wolf and he asks "What do you want?!"   The wolf starts to walk away but is called back by Graham.  The wolf walks over to him, and when Graham touches the wolf's head Graham gets Flashes.

When Graham opens his eyes, the wolf is gone and he is left confused and still searching.

Confused Graham shows up at Mary Margaret's classroom. {4:00. Note Volcanoes/science projects.} He's there to tell her that they know each other, but not from Storybrooke, "Another life".  This confuses Mary Margaret.

In the Cage Castle
The Huntsmen is brought in to the seductress Queen.
The Queen- "Do you have a name, or should I just call you, The Huntsmen?"
He doesn't answer.  The Queens notes he's a tortured one. "Is this because your parents abandoned you to the wolves?"
The Huntsman- "Those weren't my parents. All they did was give birth to me. The wolves are my family."
The Queen's always felt that there were two kinds of people "Wolves and sheep. Those who kill and those who get killed".  She feels the Huntsman is most certainly a wolf.
The Huntsman- "Why am I here?"
The Queen wants him to kill for her, but the Huntsman admits he only kills for himself.  The Queen offers him a place in her court with the title of her official Huntsman; wanting for nothing.  The Huntsman isn't interested in being a pet, "This place is a cage".  Besides, she already has an army.   The insulted Queen feels her prey is beloved by all the Kingdom and she needs someone who won't be blinded by that. "Someone without compassion. Someone...who'll have no qualms...carving a heart out...and bringing it back for my collection."
The Huntsmen- "That's me."
She wonders what he wants as payment. The Huntsman wants the hunted wolves protected. The cunning Queen feels that's simple enough.
The Huntsman- "So, who do you want me to kill?"

Confused Mary Margaret and Graham continue their puzzling conversation. They try to recall how long they know each other and when they met each other or anyone else. But neither can pull that information from their memories. Mary Margaret tosses the strange amnesia off as "...just life. Things get hazy."
Graham- "Have I ever hurt you?"
Mary Margaret says no, of course not.
Graham- "Do you believe in other lives?"
Mary- "You mean like heaven?"
Graham- "I mean like- past lives."
Amused Mary Margaret assumes he's been talking to Henry, to which he hasn't.
Mary Margaret shares that Henry has this book of stories and how he's been going on about how they're all characters from another land.  "We've forgotten who we really are. Which of course makes no sense."
Graham agrees it makes no sense, yet it seems to have struck a chord. Mary notices that Graham is ill and running a fever. She tells him to go home and get some rest and he'll feel much better after he's had some sleep. He agrees.

In The Enchanted Forest
Snow White tells the Queen's official Huntsman that when she was a little girl the summer palace was her favorite place; that the mountains surrounding it felt like a cradle, making her feel safe. She looks forward to returning to it. She asks the newly armored uncomfortable Huntsman if it's stuffy in there; referring to his new skin. She offers him one to two red apples; he says "No."
Snow realizes he's not a knight. "Without fail every one of my father's men has offered me condolences. Except you."
He offers his condolences.  She notes that the men also know how to wear armor. Snow also realizes he is there to kill her on the Queen's behalf.
The Huntsman- "You have good instincts."
Snow- "And you have too much armor."  As the uncomfortable Huntsman reaches for his dagger Snow hits him with a stick and runs away. 

Emma is in the sheriff's office. She throws a red dart at the dartboard but misses.  Regina enters.  Emma tells her she assumes Graham took a sick day- with Regina. Regina is not bothered by Emma being aware of her and Graham.  She's also aware of Emma's relationship with Graham.  Emma says there's nothing going on; while Regina reminds her she has eyes everywhere.  Emma tells her nothing that "meant anything" happened.
Regina- "Well, of course not. Because you're incapable of feeling anything for anyone. There's a reason you're alone, isn't there?"
Emma- "All due respect...the way I live my life is my business."
Regina- "It is until it infringes on my life.  Stay away from Graham. You may think you're doing nothing- But you're putting thoughts in his head- thoughts that are not in his best interest.  You are leading him on a path to self destruction. Stay away."

Graham shows up at the Mayor's house to talk to Henry about his story book. Graham asks "Am I in it?"

In The Enchanted Forest
The Huntsman comes upon Snow White who has stopped to compose a letter. Snow reveals she doesn't know these woods and as a skilled hunter he would be able to find her. "No matter what I do I know how this ends."   She asks him to deliver her letter to the Queen after he kills her.
The Huntsman- "Your tricks won't work on me."
Teary Snow says it's not a trick,  "Tell her I mean every word."   He takes the note and is moved to tears as he reads it.  He decides not to kill her; instead he gives her a whistle to aid/lead to her safety. He tells her to run.

In Henry's bedroom of many clocks, Henry asks Graham when his Flashes began and what did he see.  Graham reveals "After I kissed Emma." This kind of bugs Henry out.  Graham shares he saw a wolf and he had a knife in his hand and he was with Mary Margaret.
Henry- "Were you about to hurt her?"
Graham- "Yes! How do you know that?"
As Henry turns the pages in his book he reveals that Mary Margaret is Snow White- which makes Graham, the Huntsman.  Graham questions "So, you really think that I could be another person?"
Henry feels this makes total sense.  After all Graham was raised by wolves, that's why he keeps seeing one; it's his friend, his guide trying to help him.  Confused Graham wonders how kissing his mother, Emma, caused him to remember things.  Henry feels it's because they have a special connection and owes him her life; because Snow White's her mother and if the Huntsman hadn't spared her, Emma wouldn't have been born.  He also reveals that after Snow White was spared the Queen took his heart. "She ripped it out. It's kinda her thing. She never wants you to be able to feel again."
Graham turns the page and comes upon and image he recalled in his Flash; the wolf was howling at it.  Henry knows it's her vault. "That's where she put your heart."  Graham realizes the wolf wants him to find it. He thanks Henry.

Emma waited for Graham outside of the house. She heard he was having a rough day and suggests he go home and get some rest. He's obviously not fine as he just went to see a 10 year old for help.  Fevered Graham feels Henry's the only one making any sense. Concerned Emma wants to know what's really going on.
Graham- "It's my heart, Emma. I need to find it."  He's going to do that by following the wolf from his dreams.
Compassionate Emma- "I'm sorry...I thought we were talking in a metaphor here. You really think you don't have a heart."
Graham feels it's the only thing that makes sense and why he doesn't feel anything. Emma can prove to him that he has a heart.  She puts her hand on his heart, "See...its beating. It's real."  Then she puts his hand on his chest to feel the beating of his heart.
Graham- "No! It's the curse."
Just then Emma sees the gray wolf over Graham's shoulder.  They take off after it into an old cemetery.  Graham's guiding friend, the wolf,  runs past a mausoleum and disappears, leading/leaving the duo in front of the mausoleum.  They look at it and Emma asks "What is it?"
Graham- "It's my heart. It's in there."   He turns on his flashlight, heading in to look inside for the heart he believes in inside there.  Emma is the one that kicks the door open.

The Huntsmen is brought to the Evil Queen's dark room.  She is dressed in black; he takes it as she's still in mourning.  The time for mourning is over for her; black just happens to suit her.  She asks if Snow is dead.  The bag he carries appears to contain the heart the Queen requested.  But first he reads aloud the letter written by Snow addressed to the smug Queen.
"Dearest Step Mother,
By the time you read this I will be dead. I understand that you will never have love in your life because of me, so it's only fitting that I'll be denied that same joy as well. For the sake of the Kingdom I hope my death satisfies your need for revenge, allowing you to rule my father's subjects as they deserve- with compassion and a gentle hand.  I know what you think you're doing is vengeance. I prefer to think of it as sacrifice for the good of all. With that in mind I welcome the end. I want you to take my last message to heart. I'm sorry and I forgive you."

The enraged Queen takes the note and throws it into the fire and yells, "Don't tell me you're becoming a sheep."  The Huntsman says that Snow put others before herself and yet she hates her. "What did she do to you?"
The Evil Queen- "I shared a secret with her...and she couldn't keep it. And that betrayal cost me dearly."  {Ooh, aahhh}
Demanding for him to show her Snow's heart, he hands her the bag.  She breaks through her double doors and puts the heart into a small box, and then walks over to her special wall, waiting for the heart to open a box size chamber, but no door opens.  She realizes this is not Snow's heart or even a human heart.  "What did you do?"

Inside the mausoleum Graham literally searches for his heart. He feels there has to be a hidden door or lever. He tries to open an urn but it doesn't budge. Emma doesn't think there's anything in there and tells him it's going to be OK.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" It's Regina standing outside.  She turns her head away from the light of Graham's flash light. Regina is there to bring white flowers to her father's grave; just like she does every Wednesday.  Graham doesn't want Regina to blame Emma as it is he who wanted to look in there.  Regina wants to know what he was looking for.  Graham just says "it was nothing".  Regina tells her Dear that he doesn't look well. She grabs and pulls him to take him home.  Graham doesn't want to go home; not with her.
Regina- "But you'll go with her."
Emma insists this is between Regina and Graham.  Graham agrees "And things have to change."  And contrary to what Regina might believe this isn't about Emma, it's because he doesn't feel anything when he's with her and he knows it's (because of) her.  Regina hears/believes what she wants to hear "So you're leaving me for her."
Graham- "I'm leaving you for me."
Regina thinks Graham isn't thinking straight.  But for the first time Graham is thinking straight. He'd rather have nothing than settle for less. "Nothing is better than what we have. I need to feel something, Regina. And the only way to do that is to give myself a chance."  Emma seems proud of him.  Graham tells Regina that it's over.  Hurt/upset Regina wonders what she ever did to Miss Swan to deserve this, "To have you keep coming after everything I hold dear!"  Feeling none of this happened until Emma got there.  Emma tells Regina the problem isn't with her, but with Regina, "Henry came and found me. Graham...kissed me. Both were miserable. Maybe Madam Mayor... you need to take a good hard look  in the mirror and ask yourself why that is. Why is everyone running away from you?"  Regina hits Emma and the girls have a full on fist fight.  Graham breaks them up and Emma walks away feeling it's not worth it.  Graham walks away too.

In the Sheriff's office Graham puts an icepack on Emma's cut over her left eye. He apologizes. He doesn't know what came over him; he lost his mind.  Emma feels he was tired and feverish and heartbroken.  Evidently he let himself get caught up with her (Regina) because it was easy and safe.
Emma- "Not feeling anything's an attractive option when what you feel sex."  Graham treats her cut as Emma winces (in pain) she felt from the peroxide.

Pissed off Regina heads into the mausoleum {MILLS- Henry Mills Beloved Father.} and puts the white flowers on top of the coffin.  Strong Regina pushes the coffin to reveal a hidden staircase underneath it. She heads down below...
... The Evil Queen asks The Huntsman if he thought she could be fooled with the heart of a stag.  She traps him in the room.  The Huntsman feels "She doesn't deserve to die."  But that's not up to him. The Queen wanted a heart and a heart she shall have!  She plunges her hand into his chest and rips out his heart.  At her special wall, his heart opens one of the chambers and to store his heart away; this is his new cage.   Now he is her pet.  She warns him that he will do whatever she says and if he ever tries to run away...all she has to do is squeeze (his heart).  She demonstrates and he falls to the ground in agony.  His life is now in her hands- forever. She orders her guards to take him to her bed chamber. 

In her underground crypt is Regina's special wall from Fairy Tale Land. She opens the appropriate chamber and removes the box with the Huntsman's beating heart.

In the Sheriff's office Graham tells Emma- "All better."   Emma is obviously moved; feeling something.  She kisses Graham.  Graham has Flashes of - Killing a deer, arrow, the wolf, the man in the tavern, the Evil Queen in red, his dagger, Snow White, apples, and her note, whistle, the Queen's heart chamber...

... Regina holds The Huntsman's heart in her hand...

... Graham remembers!...He's happy, cries and thanks Emma.  As he goes in for another kiss he falls/keels over...as angry Regina is shown squeezing her hand so hard- dirt pours out.
Emma shakes and rubs the chest of unresponsive Graham; she is crying.