The Price of Gold

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep."- Disney's Cinderella

If you want your life changed- "Then change it!" -Rumpelstiltskin

Is that statement easier said than done?  We all have thoughts of experiencing a "Cinderella moment" in our lives.  The moment that transforms us from a life of unfortunate circumstances and/or poverty, anonymity or even loneliness- and then with the wave of a wand, or a winning lotto ticket, or opportunity knocking on your door, or even a magic phone call, one's life is positively and forever changed. 

I am a believer in people having the power to change most anything, yet somewhere deep down inside I also hold on to the hope that a little dose of magic exists.  But in reality sometimes personal "will" isn't enough and a little magic may be needed to change one's circumstances.  Sort of like the bullshit many of us are experiencing right now with those of us who are scared about our uncertain futures, without jobs, without money, losing our homes, wondering how we're going to take care of our families, failing at achieving a dream, letting ourselves/family down, or fearing that life is going to throw us back into a life of wretchedness- all desperately needing some sort of magic to help us out of a huge mess and give us hope that will lead us back to our happy place.

For some, the idea of magic once lived, now it has been tossed away as a foolish childish notion because reality proves no magic exists.  As much as I hate to face it the bottom line is...there is no such thing as magic, and I know that I, a grown woman, shouldn't believe in magic- and that makes me sad.
It's all an illusion and believing in the power of magic is what gives it its power to begin with.

Rumpelstiltskin actually says some positive things and warnings to Cinderella about what she desires,  but she is so smitten with the magic of magic and desperation to change her life that she ignores his advice and is more willing to make a deal than believe in her own positive and magical power.  Ultimately Rumpelstiltskin does the only thing he can do with such an easy mark- he uses her; But why?  Was it a test?

Maybe it was destiny and not a magic spell that played a role in Cinderella's good fortune.  After all she claims she wasn't really interested in "riches".   Life isn't about the things we have.  It's about being part of a family, the giving and receiving unconditional love, having a place to call home, having a positive purpose and becoming an inspiration to others...even if and when you have to go back to an undesirable set of circumstances.

Is it possible that in this beautiful fairy tale some genuine magic really does exist?  How much would you be willing to sacrifice for such magic?

Trickery:
Rumpelstiltskin is usually the trickster. Is he easily tricked by the altered contract? Or does he really know there's no such thing as magic, only the people who believe they believe in magic?

Fear:
The characters are boxed in by fear. They have to start deciding which people, things and situations, if any, are worth fearing.  Fear is another thing that is brought to life or given power to, only when you believe it to be true.  Rumpelstiltskin and Regina have won power over the characters in this adventure.  

Mirror-Mirror:
Take a good look at yourself.  Change and transformation are always possible!  But one must be warned that putting painful emotions away in a metaphoric box or hiding them away in a deep dark corner cell of your mind or heart will only delay your growth. 

In ONCE the identity and/or lack of identity issue is paramount.  Again the characters' don't know who they are and this journey may prove their way to discovering their truth.  Emma doesn't know who she is or where she really belongs.  She will be learning more about herself and how the choices she's made and makes contributes to her own personal growth.  Growth on all levels needs to be nurtured.
In this episode I felt as if the characters and Emma are talking directly to Emma; as if the story and its characters are telling Emma her own story so she can actually see it from another/outsider perspective and face it head on. But what the hell do I know?!

Watch the clock: 
Stop wasting precious time. Time is a very important theme in this fairy tale.  The time on the clock tower basically shows us the same hours.  And note that Henry's room {and a few other rooms} contain more than one/many clocks.

Circles:
The circle motif was all over the episode.  All of the people in the ONCE universe are connected.  We also see them in a redundant cycle; they even make many of the same mistakes.
Emma makes a deal with Mr. Gold to give Ashley her baby- Is this a sacrifice on Emma's part so she can help the little family, or is it just a vicious cycle of deal making and mistake making with no end in sight?
The characters may have to go around in circles a few times before they can find their way back home. 

Things to note...Questions to ask...

• Why is Emma the only one who can leave Storybrooke?  Plus she can do what she wants...Umm...Is she a Candidate?!   Maybe it's just about free will and choice. Or something very different
• Henry constantly defies Regina and breaks rules; he doesn't even listen to instruction when it comes from Emma.  So I guess nobody is going to tell him what he can't do!
• An important note- Henry is the one who loses his shoe on the steps and not Cinderella.
• Emma's boxes of personal stuff- where did it come from?  Was it shipped there?  Did she go and pick it up?  Did she just wish for it to be there and "POOF" there it is?! 
• Why can't Henry figure out who Mr. Gold is?
• Henry is the one who informs Emma that if anyone leaves Storybrooke bad things would happen. Hmm...that brings me back to a special time in LOST when Jack is told and believes that bad things happened on the "Island" when he left. 

✔  Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale
     All you have to do is read through my recaps and look at the photos to see that the golden thread is right there.
Side Note: word is that Damon Lindelof served as a consultant on the pilot.   Eddy Kitsis described Damon Lindelof as his and Horowitz's godfather. Adam Horowitz said that Lindelof's name "isn't on the show, but his DNA is in it," and that he will continue to advise the two.
With that said, here is a few of the many connections to note...
★  Damon Lindelof makes an appearance via his Comic Book
★  I feel that in ONCE we have "Realms" and in LOST we have "Planes"
★  What is real and what is not
★  "Don't tell me what I can't do"
★  In The End Hurley has similar dialogue with Sayid about "You can't let other people tell you what you are, Dude. You have to decide that for yourself"
★  Ashley was offered a lot of money to give up the child to a good family, just as Claire was in Raised by Another
★  No one thinks Ashley knows what she's doing or will do 
★  Cinderella/Ella/Ashley's man's name is Thomas; as was Aaron's father/Claire's lover; Raised by Another
★  Tallahassee
★  Geronimo Jackson sticker
★  Cobra- Expose
★  The (unborn) child's name is Alexandra
★  Glass - Looking Glass- (Slippers, wolf, unicorns)
★  Code 
★  Deals and Cons
★  Black and white
★  Roots
★  Boon-Boone
★ Bloody Snow Globe
★ 4, 8

★  Seven: Sevens, like Threes, deal with magical forces.  Seven deals with esoteric, scholarly aspects of magic.  Representative of scholarly activities, mystery, and the focused search for esoteric meanings. Seven deals with the activation of imagination and manifesting results in our lives through the use of conscious thought and awareness.  Ruled by Saturn, Seven can represent impractical dreaming, but with a deeper understanding of the aspects of Seven, you can quite deftly utilize its magical vibration to your own benefit.
★  7 Chakras are in the basic model used in various eastern traditions and philosophies.

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

The Enchanted Forest
Cinderella's stepmother and two stepsisters leave for a big event in a horse drawn carriage. Sad servant Cinderella sweeps the path as she watches the beautiful fireworks display over a grand castle in the distance. Her fairy godmother appears and tells her not to despair as she will attend that ball.
Cinderella- "Who are you?"
Fairy godmother- "I'm your fairy godmother.  I'm here to change your life."
Cinderella reveals that she was forbidden to attend by her stepmother. The Fairy godmother shows Cinderella a powerful magic wand; one that will take her to her ball and to her "Prince and to..." In one moment she is turned into black smoke and Rumpelstiltskin appears in her place.
Cinderella- "What did you do?!"
He tells her there's no need to be frightened; as he picks up the wand he says "I got what I wanted". Cinderella tells him fairy godmother was there to help her, but he questions "Was she?"   In a sing-song manor he asks her "Do you know what this is?"
Cinderella looks at it in awe and claims it to be "Pure magic".
Rumpelstiltskin corrects her "It's pure evil. Trust me...I've done you a favor.  All magic comes with a price. Go on 'bout your life.  And thank your lucky stars you still get something to go back to."
Cinderella only sees the negative in her current life situation, so Rumpelstiltskin gives her simple advice "Then change it. You can't handle this {the wand}".

Cinderella stops him from walking away, claiming she can handle it and pleads that she will do "anything to get out of this".   She asks him if he knows how to handle that thing.  Insulted Rumpelstiltskin introduces himself, bows before her and replies "Of course I do".  Cinderella wants his help.  Rumpelstiltskin can help her.   He asks if she can shoulder the consequences; then she'll owe him a favor.  He wants something precious; with this wish will come riches more than she'll know.  Cinderella doesn't care anything about riches, she just wants out of here.  Rumpelstiltskin again tells her to fear not, and assures her that his needs are small and all she has to do is sign on the dotted line.  Overzealous Cinderella doesn't even read the document, but signs it anyway.  They have a deal.  Rumpelstiltskin waves the magic wand and turns Cinderella into a clean, pretty gown wearing woman.  The glass slippers are there waiting to be worn. 

Rumpelstiltskin- "Every story needs a memorable detail. Let's see how they fit, shall we? Now, you have a good time... but be sure to watch the clock!"

In Storybrooke
The bell tolls 8:00 on the clock tower.
Emma and Henry walk past the library. {The windows are all covered on the inside with newspaper.}  Henry wonders if it's OK for them to be out in the open like that.  Emma, walking Henry to a bus stop, is totally cool with it all; including how Regina may feel about it.  Henry calls her brave; especially for their mission- Operation Cobra.  He wonders if they should have code names to call each other. Emma wants to just be called "Emma".  {So, is that her 'code name'?}  Henry boards the small Storybrooke Elementary school bus.

The siren on the black and white sheriff's car driven by Graham is sounded.  He needed to get her attention (as it seems a hard thing to do) to offer her a job; even though Emma notes there doesn't seem to be a lot of Sherff-ing going on around there.  He is giving her a chance to see it all up close; even informs her there's dental.  He gives her his card and tells her to think about it, "Stay a while".

At Granny's, pig-tale, short-short wearing Ruby delivers a mug of hot cocoa to Emma, who is reading the newspaper. {Headline is- COMA PATIENT WAKES UP}   Regina enters and asks Emma how her walk with Henry went.  Confident Regina knows everything and she's not worried by Miss Swan any longer.  She did a little digging into who she is and what she found out was quite soothing. "It all comes down to the number 7."    Apparently that's the number of addresses Emma's had in the last decade; her longest stint anywhere was 2 years.  "Really, what did you enjoy so much about Tallahassee?"
Emma informs Regina she found a place; but Regina already knows about her lease-less stay with Miss Blanchard.  "In order for something to grow, Miss Swan, it needs roots. And you...don't have any. People don't change, they only fool themselves into believing they can."   Regina insists she knows Emma; all she asks is that as Emma carries on her transient life that she thinks of Henry. "Perhaps consider a clean break. It's gonna happen anyway. Enjoy your cocoa."  Regina walks right out.  When Emma stands up she spills the cocoa on herself.  Ruby has a laundry room Emma can use. {Hmm...cleaning up your own mess or washing away of things.}

In the laundry room annoyed Emma throws her stuff in the washer and takes a blue button down shirt off the drying rack to wear.
Ashley/Cinderella is upset that the sheets are pink.  Emma asks if she's tried bleach to which Ashley reveals she's pregnant.   Ashley shares that last night she felt contractions; the doctor said the baby could come any day now.  She tears up explaining that when the baby comes "No one thinks that I can do this. No one thinks I can do anything. Maybe they're right."
This strikes a chord with Emma and she advises Ashley to "Screw them!"   She tells 19 year old Ashley that she was 18 when she too had a kid.  "I know what it's like. Everyone loves to tell you what you can and can't do, especially with a kid. But ultimately whatever you're considering doing or giving up- the choice is yours."
Ashley- "Its not exactly what you might think it is."
Emma- "It never is.  People are going to tell you who you are your whole life.  You just gotta punch back and say 'No, this is who I am'.  You want people to look at you differently- make them! You wanna change things you're gonna have to go out there and change them yourself because there are no fairy godmothers in this world."

Mr. Gold is the neighborhood Pawnbroker.  He locks up for the night and looks as if he hears something as he walks away. {Sign shows OPEN - return 10:00}
Ashley breaks the glass door with a white brick and opens the locks by reaching inside the door.

We're shown hanging glass unicorns and two ugly petrified looking dolls {or marionettes}, and keys hang on the wall near the paintings.  As she's about to break into the combination wall safe that is hidden behind a painting, Mr. Gold says her name and asks her what she's doing.
Ashley- "Changing my life."    She sprays him with spray; as he backs away grabbing for his eyes, he falls over knocking over gold chess pieces and he falls to the floor he hits his head.  He's left bleeding from the left side of his forehead. As he lays unconscious on the floor Ashley steals his keys. {That's curious- she steals the keys yet looks like a combination lock.}

While primping herself in her mirror Regina gives Henry the rules for his sequestered stay at home.    
She claims to not enjoy these unavoidable Saturday City Council meetings; she thinks Henry thinks otherwise.  Henry listens while he reads his {Damon Lindelof’s} Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk comic book and agrees to her rules/terms.  "Yes on homework, no on TV and stay inside." 
She again reminds the good boy "Under no circumstance do you leave this house."
Henry- "You mean don't see my mom."
Frustrated Regina replies  "She's not your mother! She's just a woman passing through. Now do as I say or there will be consequences. I'll be back at five sharp."
Henry listens to her exit and watches her leave via the window, grabs his backpack and leaves.

At Mary Margaret's place Mary hands Emma a plate of breakfast.  Emma is on the floor unpacking her handful of possessions from cardboard boxes. {See, John Locke was right- everybody needs boxes. lol}  Mary wonders if the rest of her stuff is in storage, but this is the entirety of Emma's things. She's not sentimental.  Apparently it makes things easier when she has to move.  A knock at the door announces Mr. Gold's arrival. He's there because he needs help from Miss Swan.  "I'm looking for someone."
Mary excuses herself to take a bath and give the two time to chat privately.  Mr. Gold shows her a photo. "Her name is Ashley Boyd. And she's taken something quite valuable of mine."  He didn't go to the police because "she's a confused young woman. She's pregnant. Alone and scared.  I don't want to ruin this young girl's life.  But I just want my property returned."   One of the advantages of Emma not being the police is discretion.
Mr. Gold- "Let's just say it's a precious object and leave it at that."

Mr. Gold shares the last time he saw her was last night; that's where he got that head injury.  "It's so unlike her.  She was quite wound-up rambling on and on about changing her life. I've no idea what got into her.  Miss Swan, please help me find her."   He doesn't want to go to the police as nobody wants to see the child born in jail.
Emma realizes she is the reason for Ashley's motivation and offers to help "her".
Henry barges in and makes eye contact with Mr. Gold; Henry looks at bit uncomfortable. Mr. Gold wishes Miss Swan "good luck" and leaves.
Henry is nervous- "Do you know who that is?"
Emma- "Yeah, 'course I do."
Henry- "Who? 'Cause I'm still trying to figure that out."
Emma- "Ah! I meant in reality."
Henry questions her belongings "Is that all you brought?"  Henry wants to hang out with her, and although Emma wishes she could, she's got stuff to do.

As they hurry to Emma's car Henry begs to help with Emma's new search for the dangerous pregnant lady.  Emma notes "She assaulted Mr. Gold."   Since Emma won't let Henry go with her Henry will look for her himself.  Emma's trying to be responsible; if Henry tags along she will have to bring him back, hence, she wouldn't be looking for the maid.  Henry goal is he's trying to spend time with Emma.
Henry-"The maid...what's her story?"


The Magical Wedding
Cinderella happily watches the fireworks she once admired from afar. She knew what they meant something special was happening at the palace, "Now they're for me. For our wedding."  Prince Thomas and Cinderella kiss. 

The happy couple descend the stairs into the ballroom. Cinderella wears her glass slippers.  In attendance is The King and Prince James Charming and Snow White.  The King dances with Ella, as he is thrilled she joined their family and he hopes their family will soon grow.  Cinderella dances in her fragile glass slippers.  James congratulated Ella as he knows they will be very happy.  Snow cuts in on Ella's dance as Snow informs her "Do you know what an inspiration you are to everyone?"  Ella claims all she did was get married.
Snow- "All you did...was show that anyone can change her life. I'm proud of you."
They two twirl around in circles as they drift farther away from each other.  Ella twirls right into the path of Rumpelstiltskin.  He's proud of her too.  He leads in their dance.  He's there to be sure she's still OK with her end of the bargain. "You know- true love, riches, happy endings. Did you get everything you desired?"
Ella did get everything she desired and wonders what price Rumpelstiltskin is requiring for this boon.  Rumpelstiltskin wants something she doesn't yet possess; it's something he knows is coming. "Your first born."  Rumpelstiltskin twirls her away from him.

Thunder and lightning disturb the sky. Ella is packing her belongings as she knows she must run away.  The weather wasn't agreeing with her hunting hubby so he returned early.   She tells him she's pregnant. This makes her prince happy as it is what they wanted.

Upset Ella tells him that it wasn't her fairy godmother who sent her into the magic of that life, it was Rumpelstiltskin.  She stupidly and not understanding the price of magic, made a deal with him for that life.   She promised the tricky imp something...their baby.   Ella realized she's going to lose it all.  The Prince doesn't care what the imp said "Magic may have brought us together but it didn't create this love."
Ella can't break the deal she made with the powerful Rumpelstiltskin, so the Prince suggests they simply make another deal.

Emma and Henry question Ruby about Ashley's out of  the picture boyfriend.  Billy is towing Ruby's car.  As her car drops to the ground she warns Billy to be careful of shattering her good luck glass wolf-thing that hangs from the rear view mirror.
It is revealed that maid Ashley has a stepmother and two step sisters that she doesn't talk to. Henry pegs her for Cinderella.  Ruby thinks whatever Emma's heard is wrong.  Everyone knows that Ashley isn't ready for this kid, but she's been bettering herself and trying to get her life together by taking night classes.  "Can you understand that?"   Emma does.
Ruby advises Emma to stay out of it {Ashley/Sean's business}, but Emma, having been through it, insists she can help Ashley.  Ruby points Emma in the direction of Ashley's ex{X}, who lives with his dad.

Emma pays a visit to Sean Herman to reveal she's looking for Ashley Boyd; who is in trouble.  She thought Ashley may have come to see him.  Mr. Herman approaches informing Emma that his son doesn't have anything to do with that girl anymore.  He's sorry for any trouble she's in, but there isn't anything they can do to help Emma.  Mr. Herman condones Sean breaking up with Ashley; as he's not going to let his son throw away his entire life over a mistake. "Well what are they going to do, raise a child in the backseat of a car?"
Emma- "Some people only have the backseat of a car."   Mr. Herman isn't going to let that happen to his son.   Henry may be overhearing the conversation from the car.
Sean suggests they help her look.  Emma whispers to Sean "If you want to come-come", and he should stop letting someone else make decisions him. If Ashley runs away with this baby she's going to be in some serious trouble.  Mr. Herman demands Sean "Inside. Now."  Sean walks away.  Mr. Herman confides that if he knew where she was he'd help; but he went to a lot of trouble to get her that deal. Ashley is being paid very well to give up the child. He found someone who's going to find that child a good and proper home; someone who is going to see to it that everyone is happy.  Emma wonders who Mr. Herman is to judge whether Ashley is capable of providing that.
Mr. Herman- "Look at her. She's a teenager! She's never shown any evidence of being responsible. How could she possibly know how to be a mother?"
Emma feels that maybe she's changing her life, but Mr. Herman feels everybody says that.
Emma realizes the mystery person is Mr. Gold.
Mr. Herman- "Well isn't that why you were hired...to bring him the baby?"

Continuing their drive, Henry advises Emma not to make Ashley double cross Gold; no one has ever broken a deal with him. Emma is happy to be the first.  She feels that anyone who wants to be a mother should be allowed to be one.

Back at Granny's Emma asks Ruby why she failed to mention that Ashley sold the baby.  Ruby didn't feel it was important; Ashley's her friend and she doesn't like the idea of people judging her.   Emma picks up Ruby's glass wolf-thingy off the counter realizing Ashley has Ruby's car and she got a head start.  Emma informs Ruby that Ashley's in more trouble than she knows.  "Where is she? Don't make her deal with Gold without me."
Ruby can't talk in front of the Mayor's kid, although Henry claims to be on her side.
Emma- "Henry. I need to find this woman. And in order to do that I need you to go home. So please listen to me. Seriously. She's not going to tell me anything if you're around."
Henry agrees and leaves.
Ruby- "She left town. Said she was gonna try Boston. Thought she could disappear there."  She left about a half hour ago.

Emma takes off in her car  to chase after Ashley.   Henry pops up as he was hiding in the backseat of the car. Nosy Henry wants to know what Ruby told Emma.  Emma's going to Boston and he can't go with her.

Henry is upset!  "She can't go to Boston! She can't leave! Bad things happen to anyone who does."
Emma doesn't have time to argue with him over the curse; she's got to get him home.
Henry feels they have to stop her before she gets hurt.  Stop wasting time!  If Emma drops him off she'll never catch up to her and Mr. Gold will call the police and have her sent to jail.  Emma tells Henry to buckle up.  "Ashley...what did you get yourself in to?"

The Enchanted Forest
Grumpy leads Cinderella, Prince Thomas and Prince James Charming down into a cold dark mine they converted to hold their special prisoner.   Rumpelstiltskin is the most dangerous man in all the realms.   Ella wonders how they'll get him there.
Grumpy- "His strength is also his weakness.  His deals- he can't resist making them and we already know who he wants to deal with next. You."
Prince James shares they sent word with one of Snow's birds; he's accepted a meeting with Ella "You're going to tell him Doc heard something with his stethoscope; two heartbeats."
She's to tell him it's twins.  And if he wants both (which he will) she's to propose a new deal.

Grumpy opens the wood box to reveal a red quill that the Blue Fairy cast a spell on.  Whoever signs with the quill will be frozen and their magic made impotent.  All she has to do is get him to sign the contract.  Ella questions the use of magic yet again. "Isn't that what is causing these problems to begin with? What if this magic also has a price?"   If that is the case Prince Thomas will pay it as he will do whatever is necessary to save them and their child.
They lead Ella to the cell that will house Rumpelstiltskin; once he's in there he'll never get out. Ella agrees to the new deal.

Storybrooke
As they speed toward the exit {border limits} of Storybrooke Henry points out Ashley's/Ruby's crashed car on the side of the road.  Ashley sits in the woods and announces that her baby is coming. 

In pain/labor Ashley wants to keep on to Boston, but Emma knows they don't have four hours.  Emma drives to the hospital and assures her she won't let Gold take the baby.   Emma asks Ashley if she's really ready for this baby; because she sure wasn't ready.  "If you wanna give this kid its best chance it's going to be with someone who's ready so know what that means! Your whole life is gonna change- once you decide that it's yours- cause running away can't happen.  You have to grow up- You can't ever leave! Understand?!"   Ashley understands "I want my baby"

The Enchanted Forest
Cinderella waits in the dark for Rumpelstiltskin.
"Well, well, well...You're starting to show" says imbibing Rumpelstiltskin.  A little bird told him she wanted to speak.  Cinderella informs him she'd like to alter the bargain although that's not what Rumpelstiltskin does.  Ella thinks he'll want to, as she's having twins.  Rumpelstiltskin touches her pregnant belly for a better look.  Ella claims she is willing to give up both as their Kingdom is poor, they're losing money, the crops are dying, they can't support themselves or their people.
Suspicious Rumpelstiltskin wonders "And you would trade your other child for...comfort?"   Ella feels she can always have more children but she can't make crops grow where the soil is dead.  In exchange for their other child Rumpelstiltskin will see to it that their land is once again fertile.  He immediately agrees to the new deal and feels it's more than fair "If what you're saying is true."
She says it is and all he has to do is sign on the dotted line.

Rumpelstiltskin peruses the newly written contract.  Ella presents him with the red quill. Rumpelstiltskin is curious about her lovely red quill and asks where she got it.  Ella says it came from her Castle.
Rumpelstiltskin- "You know the only way to stop me...is through magic."
Nervous Ella says she's not trying to stop him.
Rumpelstiltskin- "Of course you're not. Because as we all know...All magic comes with a price! And if you were to use it to say...imprison me...then your debt to me would only grow....and we wouldn't want that now would we?"
Impatient Ella just wants him to sign the contract.
Rumpelstiltskin- "Are you sure you're happy with this new arrangement?"
Ella simply hands him the contract and he signs it.  Once signed, a magical force field freezes Rumpelstiltskin; but he's sure to threaten "No one breaks deals with me, Deary. No one. No matter where you are, no matter what land you find yourself in...I assure you...I will have your baby "

At Storybrooke Hospital
Emma nervously paces the floor.  Henry tells Emma she's different; she's the only one who can do it.  
Emma- "Break the curse? Yes, I know, you keep telling me that."
Henry- "No. Leave. You're the only who can leave Storybrooke."
Emma acknowledges that Henry left to find her in Boston
Henry- "But I came back.  I'm 10- I had no choice.  But if anyone else tried to go...bad things would happen. {Anyone expect Emma} You're the savior. You can do whatever you want. You can go."  Emma looks longingly at Henry.
The Doctor tells Emma the baby is a healthy 6lb girl and the mother is fine.  Mr Gold is there to hear the lovely news.  "Excellent work, Miss Swan. Thank you for bringing me my merchandise."

In The Enchanted Forest
Grumpy and Prince James toss Rumpelstiltskin into the Kingdom's paddy wagon.  Ella asks Thomas "Did we really win?"   He feels they did.  Ella was so afraid that they failed and that she'd have to go back to that terrible life. "But nothing would have changed."

Noble Thomas tells her as long as he's alive she'll never go back to that life.  They kiss.  Thomas touches her belly and asks "How is our little Alexandra?"  He picked out a name that Ella feels is more like a prison sentence.
Ella gets a pain, claiming it's the baby. Concerned Thomas feels it's too soon; maybe it's due to stress and excitement.  Ella is dizzy.  Thomas leaves to get her water from the well.

At the well, Thomas hears a rustling noise in the woods.
Ella's pain passes and she calls out for him. A rustling noise is heard in the woods.  She goes to the well but only finds his cloak.

A lock is being secured on the paddy wagon gate.  Upset Highness Ella asks Rumpelstiltskin what he did to her Thomas.  Rumpelstiltskin sits calmly and says he hasn't done anything as he's been otherwise engaged.  But he did warn her "All magic comes at a price. Looks like someone has just paid."
Prince James doesn't want Ella to listen to Rumpelstiltskin. 
Rumpelstiltskin- "No you won't. Until that debt is paid. Until that baby is mine! You're never gonna see him again. In this world or the next, Cinderella! I will have that baby!"

At Storybrooke Hospital
Mr. Gold has to bang on the coffee vending machine to retrieve his beverage. It must be his lucky day; he offers Miss Swan a cup.  Mr. Gold didn't reveal to her that his "merchandise" was a baby, because at the time she didn't need to know.  He thought it would be more effective if she found out herself. "After seeing Ashley's hard life, I thought it'd make sense...to you. I mean, if anyone could understand the reasons behind giving up a baby I assumed it would be you."
Henry looks nervous.
Emma adamantly tells Gold- "You're not gettin' that kid."
Mr. Gold has an agreement and  his agreements are always honored; if not he'll have to involve the police and that baby is gonna end up in the system. "And that would be a pity. You didn't enjoy your time in the system, did you, Emma?"
Mr. Gold likes Emma's confidence. "Charming. But all I have to do is press charges. She did after all break into my shop."
Emma guesses to steal a contract.
Mr. Gold- "Who knows what she was after."
Emma feels no jury would put a woman in jail whose only reason for breaking and entering was to keep her child.  She's willing to roll the dice that contract doesn't stand up.  She wonders what would come out about Mr. Gold in the process. "Somehow I suspect there is more to you than a simple pawnbroker. You really wanna start that fight?"
Mr. Gold smiles, "I like you Miss Swan. You're not afraid of me and that's either cocky or presumptuous, either way I'd rather have you on my side."
He isn't willing to give up the baby because he only deals in "deals/agreements".   He doesn't just tear up agreements. "You see contracts...deals...well they're the very foundation of all civilized existence. So I put it to you now...If you want Ashley to have that baby...are you willing to make a deal with me?"  He doesn't know what he wants just yet, but Emma will owe him a favor. 
Emma- "Deal."

Henry and Emma visit Ashley and Alexandra in her hospital room.
Ashley thanks Emma "for getting me here."  Emma tells her Mr. Gold was outside and she took care of it; the baby is hers because she made a deal with him.
Emma notices the time; it's almost five and she has to get Henry home.

Regina zips up her dress as she readies to leave from her rendezvous.  Her secret lover is showering.  She will see him again at the next Council Meeting and reminds him not to forget the socks he left under the bed.

On her drive to bring Henry home Emma blurts out "Pumpkin" as her code name; in honor of Cinderella.  Henry has another name in mind but isn't sure she's ready yet.
Emma drops him off and tells him even though they know she is able to leave that she will see him tomorrow. 
Henry runs into the house and in true Cinderella fashion while running up the stairs to his room he loses one (left) of his shoes.
Regina calls out for Henry, as she's told him not to leave his shoes lying around on the stairs; someone could get hurt.

Sean visits Ashley and Alexandra at the hospital.  He apologizes for leaving her, but now he's back. Sean brought a present for his girl; a pair of fancy shoes. "I don't know if they're gonna fit."

Emma phones Graham to ask if the Deputy job is still open. "Maybe some roots wouldn't be so bad."
He doesn't even care if Regina is OK with it; it's his department.  Emma watches Henry pace through his upstairs window

Evidently Graham socks reveal he's been having a roll in the hay with the Mayor.

Snow Falls

"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale." - Unknown author

This week our beautiful tale focuses on matters of the heart.  The Queen wants Snow White's heart.  While in one version of the literary fairy tale we may perceive this as a violent and vicious act of vanity and jealousy, metaphorically the jealous Queen wants Snow's heart.  The Queen may have many possessions but she lacks something of true value.
Please note that there are a few versions of Snow White. The Grimm Brother's Snow White should not be confused with the story of "Snow White and Rose Red", another fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm.
An important thing to keep in mind with the literary story of Snow White is that she goes through a few rounds of "dying", waking up, deep (unconscious) sleep, waking up and so on. 

Pain, sadness and loneliness weighs heavy on Snow-Mary Margaret's heart.  We witness Snow admit to wanting to "leave this place, escape to another realm, somewhere isolated. Where I can never be hurt".   This is a protective survival mechanism, a self imposed isolation from the pain that life can and will bring.  The fear of getting hurt is so great; one would rather isolate themselves by choice and feel they are shielded from suffering instead of letting go of that old pain and move forward and grow from it.

In life bad things happen, sometimes a lot of bad things happen. People have physical scars and emotional scars.  Our scars play a role in shaping us and contribute to our life story.  One acquires a scar from a deep and painful cut.  In time these cuts should heal, but some leave such a deep scar that one is reminded of the pain every time they confront the scar.  But again, it's all a matter of time healing wounds, letting go of the pain and having hope and faith that you've learned something from that pain to get you were you need to go along your path.  Something that happens when someone is this lost, when they are shut off from the good things life will bring- they lose perspective and precious time...time you can't get back.

Snow White is attached to her pain and James is sentimentally attached to the ring that belonged to his mother.  Although the ring belonged to James' mother, it represents the item that bonds his merger together.  But to Snow the ring is a symbol of love everlasting.

Ahh, the magic of true love and destiny and that two specific people are meant to be together forever- soul mates.  It is such a romantic idea, could it rein true?  Snow/Mary and Charming/James/David seem to share a very close connection, just as some of us LOST fans saw with Desmond and Penny or Sun and Jin.  They always found their way back to each other.
Coincidence or Fate? Snow's dangerous fairy dust inadvertently ends up being good fairy dust; as it did take care of the Trolls, it also acted as a tool to help her connect with her special someone, James.  Even though Regina magically brings Kathryn into the picture, the connection was made between Charming/James/David and Snow White/Mary Margaret.

Is life just as series of chance or can things be listed under the category of fate and destiny.  Are the people of Storybrooke so void of hope and believing in positive magical happenings that they can't see that they hold the power to believe that they can have another chance at life, love and happiness?

The residents of Storybrooke lives are in flux.  Yes, they are stuck, but they can become unstuck with a little work and perhaps a little push.  Henry has taken on quite a role in all of this.  We've seen him move some of the pieces {People} around to move things along in hopes of helping return all to their happy place.

In life we can forget or simply don't discover who we really are.  As beautiful as life is, with all of it's good and bad, it gets in the way and tends to cloud over the person we really are inside.  I am a real and levelheaded person who is continually learning how the universe works and growing as I try to find my place in it.  But as I look around my house at all the fairy tale mementos and art cleverly incorporated into our décor and in my car and even on my key chain, it is clear to me that I’ve always needed to be reminded that maybe, just maybe a little magic is possible. 

So- believe in a little magic and some hard work, but more importantly it's important to keep hope alive.  After all, it's a terrible thing to lose.

Things to note...Questions to ask...

• There seems to be a blurring of realms going on here. 
• QUESTION- "What's outside that door?"  ANSWER- "The woods."   It appears that these two "realms" really aren't that far away from each other
• Perhaps the items that are showing up in both realms are or represent emotional "baggage" an/or "attachments" carried over to the other realm.
• How does Mary Margaret wear the peridot ring in Storybrooke, the very one we saw James have in The Enchanted Forest. Peridot gem- {August (8th month) birthstone-symbolic of the sun and protects one from nightmares. In more recent beliefs, peridot is thought to strengthen life, bring about prosperity, growth, and increase openness. It is also believed to help one to understand relationships, and to alleviate depression, anger, fear, jealousy and anxiety. Used by Egyptians, Aztecs, and Incas to gently cleanse and heal the physical heart.}  
• Regina keeps the fancy wood box that usually contains hearts in it, the one we saw in The Enchanted Forest,  yet it is on her desk in Storybrooke 
• Mary Margaret brings John Doe "back to life", just as Prince Charming does to Snow White.
• The Troll Bridge- The TrOLL Bridge 
• What is real and what is not
• Imagination
• Brain. Head
• Coma. Unconscious. Sleeping. Wake up
• Does Regina know the truth or some form of it?
• Claimed
• Monitors
• Doctor. Hospital. I.V.
• Transformation. Change
• Solitary/ Alone
• Ring. Circle. Loop. Band
• Life- Death; come bring back to life
• Being watched- from behind glass

✔ Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale
More than a few times this episode brought me back to moments, themes and lessons learned in LOST.  I don't know...maybe I shouldn't 'go there' with ONCE and maybe it's wrong of me to think such thoughts.  I don't want to mistake easter eggs and nods to LOST as more that  what it is; as opposed to direct connections to LOST.   But I seem to have a loving connection to both shows and their stories, so I guess I should just chalk my whole personal Flash Whooshing thing that happens while watching ONCE, as happening in my own head.  But make no mistake about it- I am thoroughly and wholeheartedly enjoying ONCE for all that it is giving me.  It is truly a wonderful and beautiful fairy tale that stands on its own!  I look forward to every magical episode.

Again, please note that I am fully aware we are lovingly getting LOST easter eggs from the writers, but easter eggs are usually hidden images, messages and nods, but these are right there out in the open.
Here are just a few examples- as there were many, many others:

• James has no identity and must find who he really is
• Items are showing up in both realms; there is a blurring of the realms
• Real- Not Real
• Brain. Head
• The number 4 and 15
• Sleeping. Unconscious. Waking up 
• Imagination
• Monitors
• Cons and lies 
• Doctor. Hospital
• Read the book
• Transformation. Change
• Ring. Circle. Loop. Band
• Life- Death; come bring back to life 
• Being watched- from behind glass/Looking Glass
• Solitary
• Claimed- In Season 6 we hear a lot about being claimed
• Drunks- Jack, Christian, Roger Linus, Kate's father, Wayne
• Regina's office is Black, White and one dose of Red. Of course this is the color theme of the Snow White Story
• Snow gets caught in a {Danielle Rousseau type} net in the woods- and of course, Kate and Jack get caught in a net, as does Henry Gale/Ben Linus
• The children's artwork at the hospital brought me back to Santa Rosa Mental Institute- I can only wonder what that really says about me
• Jack finds Kate's mugshot flier; as she's a wanted fugitive
• We hear similar lines- "He's with me", "I'm with you", "Are you with me?", "I've always been with you"
• Henry went into a room he shouldn't have been in- reminds me of John Locke going into a room/hatch. Mr. Friendly references "Opening the door to rooms you have no business opening" in The Hunting Party
• Claire's mother was a librarian and in a coma- Par Avion
• Jack admits to Claire that he spoke in his sleep in Raised by Another

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

Here's your episode recap!

The Enchanted Forest
On a clear beautiful day Prince Charming rides inside of a white horse drawn carriage accompanied by his guards on horseback.  He also is accompanied by a blond woman with an attitude.  Charming asks her opinion on the view; but the disinterested woman feels she's seen better and it's taking far too long.   She would have rather taken the Troll Road as it would have been quicker and less bumpy.
A fallen tree with cut markings blocks their path and when the men, including the Prince, move the obstacle, they are attacked- it's an ambush!  A hand reaches in the carriage and takes the dark pouch Charming left on his seat.  A cloaked figure rides off for a quick getaway.  The brave Prince takes off after the thief.  Upon catching up to the thief the Prince tackles the thief demanding the coward show their face.  The reveal is a girl-woman-Snow White.
This Snow White is tough. She hits Charming in the face with a rock to make another getaway.
"You can't hide from me! Wherever you are I will find you!"  Yells The Prince.  Snow looks back amused.


Storybrooke
Mary Margaret is on a date at Granny's diner.  Their conversation is distracted by her disinterested date, Dr. Whale, who is eye-ballin' waitress Ruby in her red short shorts.
Dr.- "Where were we...something about you wanting 15 kids?"
That's not what she said- she was talking about the kids in her class (where she teaches); they're involved in the volunteer outreach program at the hospital. Dr. Whale says that's a great program.

Excited Mary Margaret shares that she wants it all; kids, marriage and true love.  Mary Margaret realizes this date is going nowhere so she asks Ruby for the check.

On her lonely walk home Mary Margaret comes upon Emma reading the paper in her parked car.  The streets are nearly deserted; the time on the library clock is 9:40.
Emma sits in her yellow beetle reading the classified ads by flashlight looking for a place to stay. In the world of tight spots she's been in, crashing her car doesn't even rank in the top 10.
"You're sleeping here?" asks Mary Margaret. Interestingly Storybrooke doesn't have any vacancies- obviously it must be the curse.  Mary Margaret's happy Emma decided to stay- for Henry.  She also shares that she is out late because she had a date.

Mary Margaret shares that the date went as well as they usually do- Dr. Whale didn't even pay.  "I guess if true love was easy- we'd all have it."
Mary Margaret offers her a room to stay in, for if things get cramped, but Emma turns her down as she's not the roommate type; she does better on her own.  Mary Margaret bids her goodnight and good luck with Henry.

Volunteer Mary Margaret makes her rounds at the hospital and sees Henry in coma patient John Doe's glass room.  The patient's in the ward are awake; one even keeps two prescription pill bottles out in the open on his bed tray while the children are around.

Henry appears to be reaching for John Doe's oxygen tube.  Mary Margaret enters telling Henry she could use his help with the decorations, but Henry's more interested to find out if Mr. Doe is going to be OK.  Mary Margaret explains that the man's name really isn't John Doe; it's just what they call people when they don't know who they are.
Henry slyly asks "Do you know who he is?"
Mary Margaret does not know and adds that he's been like that ever since she's been volunteering.  No one (family/friends) has claimed him in all that time.  Sadly he's all alone.
Again Henry slyly asks "You sure you don't know him?"   But of course Mary Margaret's sure she doesn't know him and escorts Henry out of the room he shouldn't be in.  Henry leaves with Mary Margaret; and takes a look back at Mr. Doe.

At Henry's playground castle, Henry shows Emma a picture of her father, Prince Charming, in the book. He shares that he found him in the hospital; he also has the same scar, in the same place, shown in the book. Unimpressed Emma feels lots of people have scars. Henry feels the curse is keeping them apart with the coma; now they're stuck without each other. "We have to tell Miss Blanchard we found her Prince Charming."
Emma feels that telling someone their soul mate is in a coma probably isn't helpful and not having a happy ending is painful enough, plus giving someone unrealistic hope is far worse. Since Henry and Emma know who they are all they have to do is remind John Doe who he is. So he suggests they get Mary Margaret to read their story to him in hopes that it helps John Doe remember who he is. Emma agrees, but they have to do it her way.

Over cups of hot cocoa and cinnamon, Emma shares her idea of reading the book to coma patient John Doe, in an effort to "remember who he was".  She reveals Henry's very active imagination thinks John Doe was Prince Charming; hence making the duo a couple destined to be together.  But that's Emma's point "I can't talk him out of his beliefs- so we need to show him. Play along, do what he says, and then maybe...just maybe..."
This way, just maybe, Henry will see that fairy tales are just that; that there's no such thing as love at first sight or a first kiss; he'll see reality.  Emma feels "Something like that."
Mary feels that sadly the plan is rather genius and they can get him to the truth without hurting him. Emma gives Mary Margaret the book and concludes with scheduling a breakfast meeting at Granny's with Henry where Mary will give a full report.   Mary Margaret will get ready for her date. "I guess I will have to do all the talking."

At the Hospital
Mary Margaret sits on unconscious John Doe's bed to read him the story.  Her disclaimer to him is that she's doing this for a friend "So please just bear with me."  {We hear the beeping of his heart monitor for a moment}
 She reads-
"As the Prince chased the thief on horseback through the treacherous forest Miss (P) crossed her arms and pouted- wondering how many dreadful boring minutes it took to resume their journey again.  The thief...
....They didn't need words to express what they felt in their hearts. For it was here in the shadow of the Troll Bridge that their love was born.  Where they knew no matter how they were separated they would always..."  Sleeping John Doe grabs Mary's hand.

Happy Mary is sure Doe is waking up.  She asks Dr. Whale if there's any change, but he looks at the monitor and tells her every thing's steady "Same as it's always been".   He asks her what she was doing in there, and that perhaps she dosed off while reading to Doe and imagined it.  Mary assures him she didn't imagine anything.
Dr Whale- "Miss Blanchard, I can only tell you what I see which is... nothing."   Sometimes there are minor fluctuations in readings- perhaps she heard the machine register something and misunderstood.  He suggests she goes home and gets some rest and he'll call her if anything changes.  Troubled Mary takes the book and leaves.
Dr, Whale gets on the phone to call Regina and cue her in on the change in John Doe. He explains there seems to be a slight fluctuation in brain activity.  Regina is troubled when she finds out John Doe grabbed the hand of volunteer Mary.

Mary sits in her bed reading the book.  Again we're shown the page with The Wizard of Oz first and then she turns the page to continue reading her story.

The Enchanted Forest
By lantern light Snow gathers up all her valuables and a special pendant filled with a gold dust that she puts around her neck.  All caped up she exits her underground dwelling, steps out into the woods and steps into a trap. She is caught in a net- one set by Charming. 

"I told you I'd find you. No matter what you do I will always find you" proclaims Happy Charming.  Snow asks if this is the only was he can catch a woman "By entrapping her?"   He feels this is the only way to trap thieving scum.  This is where Snow dubs him a real "Prince Charming"; although he has a name, which he doesn't reveal.  Snow demands to be cut down, but Charming will release her when she returns the leather pouch of jewels she stole from him.  Snow informs him she sold his jewels. This upsets Charming as, although he may have a palace full of jewels, the jewels in question were special to him; especially a ring belonging to his mother. The ring he was about to give to his fiancé; Yeah, the nag with the bad attitude.   Snow wishes him luck with that.
She accuses him of getting something impressive for him to agree to that union, after all she knows how this works- true love doesn't exist.  It's all arranged marriages and business transactions; there's no such thing as true love or a first kiss.
Charming admits to the merger but says it's not a takeover or an avoidance of war.  He blackmails Snow into giving him back his leather bag with his ring and he won't tell anyone who she is.  Snow White is wanted for crimes against the Queen. If Snow complies Charming won't turn her over to the Queen's forces.
Reluctantly Snow says "Well. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of you getting true love."   Charming cuts her down.

Storybrooke
At Granny's diner- Emma is wearing Regina's shirt-provided by Henry who 'took it' from his mother.  Mother Mayor thinks (lying) Henry's out playing Whack-a-Mole {an arcade redemption game}.  Emma wonders "And she bought that?"
Henry- "She wants to believe it so she does."
Emma- "Oh, imagine that."
Mary Margaret arrives for the morning report on John Doe.  Emma doesn't want Henry to get his hopes up; as their just getting started.   Mary Margaret informs them "He woke up. I mean he didn't wake up, wake up, but...He grabbed my hand."
Henry's excited that Doe is remembering.   She also shares that the Doctor thinks she imagined it. Mary Margaret insists she's not crazy; she knows it happened.
Henry- "We have to go back! You have to read to him again."
Mary doesn't need much prompting, so they head out.  Mary Margaret's excited that she got to him, made a connection, "Somehow, some way...I touched him".

As they enter the hospital ward excited Henry proclaims "You're right! He's waking up!"   The sheriff gives them the news that John Doe is missing.  They all see that Regina is front and center in John Doe's glass hospital room.
Regina comes out to ask "What the hell are you doing here. Then she grabs Henry by the arm "And you! I thought you were at the arcade! Now you're lying to me?"
No one knows what happened to John Doe or if someone took him; his IV's were ripped out and there's no sign for sure of a struggle.
Upset Henry asks Regina in an accusatory manor "What did you do?!"
Regina happens to be his emergency contact.  She doesn't claim to know him; she only claims to have found him on the side of the road years ago, with no ID.  "I brought him here."
Dr. Whale says that Regina saved his life.  He doesn't know if missing Doe will be OK as he's been on a feeding tube for years.
Emma decides they should quit yappin' and start looking.  Regina is already on it.  Regina also feels that since she clearly can't keep Emma away from her son, she will keep her son away from Emma.
Angry Regina walks right up to Emma and says "Enjoy my shirt, because that's all you're getting."
Regina orders the sheriff to find John Doe "You heard Dr. Whale-Time is precious".  She leaves with backpack wearing Henry.

Emma, Mary and the sheriff are with the hospital security guard (Sleepy) and {drunkard} janitor Leroy (Grumpy).  They're trying to see what occurred during a four hour window.  They watch a surveillance tape, but it's not the right tape.  Emma notes that tape doesn't show the decorations/banners the kids hung up in the ward.  Leroy notes the guard fell asleep again.   Without having to actually look for it, the real/correct tape is shown. 
They see Doe walked out alone.
Emma- "Four hours ago. Where does this door lead?"   Conveniently the door out of that hospital ward leads to the woods.

The Enchanted Forest
In the woods Snow and Charming make their trek to Troll Road to retrieve his jewels/ring.  At one point Charming lends her a hand.  Nervous Snow is twisting her gold dust filled pendant in her hands.  Charming wonders, that since Snow isn't the jewelry type what's that thing around her neck. {Maybe it's an albatross} She nonchalantly tells him "Don't worry about it", so he rips it from her neck.   Concerned Snow warns him its fairy dust- but it's a weapon.  He assumes fairy dust is a good thing.  Snow explains that's true when it comes from a good fairy, but this stuff is deadly.  "It transforms the most fearsome of adversaries into a form that's easily squashed."  

She didn't use it on him because he's not worth it.  Charming is amused.  Snow shares that it's very hard to come by so she's saving it for a special someone. Charming- "Ah, the Queen. You got a lot of anger there, don't ya, Snow?"
Snow- "The charges on her posters are lies.  Didn't stop her from sending her huntsmen to rip out my heart."  She also shares that not everyone is a soulless royal; he took pity on her and let her go.  Snow's been hiding in the forest ever since; trying to amass enough fortune so she can leave this place, escape to another realm, somewhere isolated "Where I can never be hurt".
Charming - "Sounds lonely."
Snow- "No lonelier than an arranged marriage."
Snow admits to only stealing from the Queen.  It seems her meeting Charming on the path while she robbed him may not have been chance, but destiny.
Snow- " All I'm doing, Charming,  is what it takes to survive. She wants me dead!"   Snow admits the Queen blames her for ruining her life.
Charming grants thirsty Snow permission to drink from the stream.  Snow takes this opportunity to shove Charming into the water {He's struggling} and take a pouch out of the bag and runs off.  At the road Snow seems to question which direction to run and turns right into three of the Queen's men. "Huh, look who we found."
Snow grabs for her deadly fairy dust necklace but of course it's not there.
The guard tells her there's nowhere to run "The Queen wants your heart", he takes out his dagger approaching Snow, "And we're not going to disappoint her."

The Woods Outside The Hospital Door
The sheriff, Emma and Mary Margaret search and track the woods outside of the hospital door. The sheriff claims "This is my world", as to give him a moment trying to track.   Mary Margaret wonders what Graham meant by 'This is his world', and asks Emma, "Isn't finding people what you do too?" It is what Emma does, but people she finds usually hit places like Vegas and not the woods.  Mary Margaret inquires how Emma fell into the job of finding people.  This just happens to be what Emma's done ever since she can remember. Mary Margaret reveals that Henry told her Emma is from a similar situation as Emma and asks if she ever found her parents. Emma replies "Depends on who you ask".
Excited {rule breaking} Henry shows up with his flashlight "Did you find him yet?"  Nope, not yet. Although helpful Henry knows he shouldn't be there he knows where John Doe is going. He tells Mary "He's looking for you".


In The Forest
The Queen's men trap Snow and are about to plunge the dagger into her chest the guard is brought down by a dagger thrown to his back.  As Charming is fighting one guard Snow tries to grab for another dagger she spots on the saddle of the rider-less horse.  But she is grabbed by the horse riding guard and carried away.  Charming rescues Snow by shooting an arrow into the escaping Snow kidnapping guard. Mind you, he shoots this arrow with precision through the trees.   With her hand over her heart, out of breath Snow says "You saved me"  Charming feels it was the honorable thing to do.  He keeps them on course to get to his jewels; as he has a wedding to get to.  He seems to not fear the Trolls as he thinks they're just little people.  Snow corrects him that Trolls are not Dwarfs.  Evidently Trolls are very violent.  They get to it as they both have places they need to be- Snow has her little corner of solitude and Charming has his ring-less finance to appease.

In The Woods Outside The Hospital Door
By flashlight the team continues looking for John Doe.  Henry explains to Mary Margaret "You're the one who woke him up! You're the last one he saw! He wants to find you."
Mary feels it's not about her; John Doe's lost and confused, as he's been in a coma for a long time.  Henry insists John Doe loves her "You need to stop chasing him and let him find you!"
Emma wants the kid to go home so they don't bear the wrath of his mother.  {Note that Emma's remarks indicate Regina would kill her, then Henry, then her again. Hmmm.}  The sheriff finds a clue; John Doe's (bloody) ID tag.

In The Forest

Snow and Charming arrive at the entrance to meet with the Trolls. {Note the design!}  Since Trolls don't like horses, Mary sends the horse away.  "We walk from here. Follow me and keep quiet."   As they get onto the decrepit Troll Bridge, Charming wonders where they are.  Snow places coins on the ledge as a means to entice the Trolls to come out.  Snow tells the weapon wielding grotesque Trolls that she wants to make another trade.  The head troll doesn't want to talk in front of Charming, but Snow assures him "He's with me" and insisting "He's no one".  All the Troll wants to know is "Who is he?!"
Snow only wants to buy back the jewels by giving them back all of their money and stuff, she only wants the ring.  The Trolls agree but feels Charming is too eager to make the trade and feels they are being set up, "He's a Royal!"  A fight ensues and Snow is again captured. She pleads with the Troll that they can trust her but the Troll tells her the time for dealing is done.

A Troll searches Charming and takes Snow's dust pendant from him and discarded. The Trolls discovers Snow's wanted poster with its reward and try to capture her again. Charming fights them off as Snow grabs for her dust filled pendant (and the pouch).  Charming manages to throw a Troll from the bridge but the others keep coming.  Snow assumes Charming is free, as she excitedly runs off she says "Follow me. They don't know the forest like I do!"   She looks back to see Charming fighting the Trolls alone, as she seems torn on what to do (continue to run or not).

"Royal blood is the sweetest of all", says the head Troll as he's about to execute Charming, but all of a sudden he turns to black smoke and into a black bug.  Snow is uses her dangerous fairy dust to turn the rest of the Trolls into bugs.
Charming- "You. You saved me."  Snow feels it was the honorable thing to do.  He realizes she used the fairy dust she was saving for her special someone; but Snow says she'll think of something else
"Anyway...how could I let Prince Charming die?"
Charming has a name, it's James.  Snow smiles "It's nice to meet you, James."   She suggests they hurry off as there may be more of them coming.  James gives the gold Snow left on the bridge for the Trolls back to her. He squashes one of the bugs as they leave.

In The Woods Outside The Hospital Door

The sheriff proclaims that the trail dies at the water line.   Mary searches with her flashlight and sees Doe lying unconscious across {half in} the stream.  The sheriff radios for an ambulance to be sent to the old Toll Bridge.  They gang moves not breathing Doe as Emma shields upset Henry's eyes, not wanting him to see.
Mary- "No! No, no, no- I found you! Come back to us! {whispers} Come back to me."  She performs CPR {she turns her CPR mouth breathing into a kiss} and revives John Doe.  Doe takes a deep breath, looks into her eyes and says "You saved me".   Henry is excited that she did it "She woke him up".   Emma is stunned.
John Doe thanks Mary Margaret and she asks "Who are you?"
John Doe- "I don't know."

Storybrooke Hospital
The clock on the wall shows 8:00.
Conscious John Doe is rushed back to his glass room at the hospital and again is connected to an IV, oxygen and monitors.  An upset blond woman hurries in "David! Is that you?!"   Dr. Whale tells her she can't be here now.  As Mary, Emma, Henry and the sheriff watch through the glass doors, they wonder who that is.  From behind them Regina answers "His wife".   They are stunned.

In the Forest

James returns the pouch with the gold to Snow and she returns the pouch with the ring and jewels. James takes the ring out to look at it "I know...not your style".   Snow grabs it and puts it on her right hand "There's only one way to find out".   As she longingly gazes at the (peridot) ring upon her finger and it appears as if something magical turned on in James.
She gives the ring back claiming it isn't her (style) at all.  He offers her the rest of the loot as the ring is all he requires.  She declines seeming happy that they both got what they wanted.  James tells her to be careful "If you need anything..."
"You'll find me" interjects Snow.
James- "Always."
Snow- "I almost believe that."  They bid each other goodbye. Even thought she knows his name is James, she likes Charming better. They both walk in separate directions.  James walks the path to his castle and Snow is on the path to...


Storybrooke Hospital
8:05
Regina reveals his name is David Nolan and that's his wife, Kathryn.  Regina is pleased with Kathryn's joy that she herself is in a forgiving mood.  But she will reprimand Henry for his insubordination; he's grounded.
Kathryn thanks Mary for finding her David; who left her after issues stemming from her.  She assumed he left town and now she knows why she never heard from him.  She is thankful she gets to apologize to him and gets a second chance with him; as she's wanted to do this forever.  She only wears a diamond engagement ring.
Dr. Whale feels David's a miracle, but he has no memory of anything.  Something just clicked in him to bring him back and go for a stroll; he woke up was delirious and his first instinct was to go find something.  Henry interjects "Someone."
Regina's ready to leave with Henry. While Henry retrieves his backpack he whispers to Mary "Don't believe them. You're the one he was looking for."   He insists it's like the end of the story.  But Mary feels it was him just recalling the last thing she read to him.  Henry insists it is because they belong together.
Of course Emma is suspicious of Regina and the appearance of Kathryn and the fact that after all the years no one made an effort to look for him.  Something's not right here!
Sarcastic Regina wonders what would make sense to Emma- "Why would Miss Nolan lie? Do you think I cast a spell on her?"
Emma finds it strange that Regina's been his emergency contact all these years and only found Kathryn now.
Regina informs her "This town is bigger than you know. It's entirely possible to get lost here. It's entirely possible for bad things to happen."
The suspicious mystery solving of Kathryn came to light after Regina thought Emma's genius idea of looking at the tapes for clues revealed that David spoke in his sleep- calling out for a Kathryn; after that it wasn't hard to put the pieces together.  Regina notes that Emma and Mary Margaret should have been pleased that true love won out.  She says that if it wasn't for them two, they would have lived their lives completely alone.  Regina also presses upon Emma that she is grateful she has Henry. "Because not having someone...well...that's the worst curse imaginable."

Although Kathryn hugs David, he makes eye contact with Mary, confirming a connection.
Mary is shown wearing the Period ring that James sought in The Enchanted Forest.

Sitting on her apartment steps and lost in thought, Mary fiddles with the ring in her right hand.
Emma arrives to ask Mary if her spare room is still available.

The Thing You Love Most

This week's tale for all ages gives us a bit more insight into Regina-the Evil Queen. The story actually tells us to pay attention to signs and read between the lines.  There are deep and important lessons in this fairy tale.  I am really enjoying the depth and realism of these characters.  I also love seeing the Enchanted Forest environment represented in Storybrooke with things like wallpaper motifs of trees and flowers, connecting both realms.

First off, it's important to note that Storybrooke seems to find ways to keep Emma there until she accomplishes something.  This neat little game is heating up with Regina, the con-woman, refusing to lose.

Regina has the apple tree that she claims she's tended to since she was a little girl. Hmm...A little girl in Storybrooke or The Enchanted Forest?  Regardless of which realm this tree is really in {or at all}, the stone cold person herself is need of some thawing out.  Although The Evil Queen and Regina seem in control and all powerful, they also seem tortured by negative emotions they continue to feed.

The Evil Queen is EVIL! Hell- it's literally in her damn name!  She is heartless.  Her angry selfish power for revenge and jealousy and her fears was stronger and more consuming than the "love" for her father and the unconditional love he felt for her.  But don't be fooled!  We can't ignore the fact that the only thing The Queen-Regina truly loves is herself and the power she believes she possess.  Should it have been her own heart that she cut out?
Even Maleficent seems to have some understanding of love and what deep emotional pain is; and what price one pays crossing the line and feeding into the emptiness of the darkness.  She actually warns the Queen to halt with her new quest to destroy everyone with the dark curse.

We see that Rumpelstiltskin and Mr. Gold have a sense of knowing.   Crafty Rumpelstiltskin was sure he worked in a loophole for himself when he gave Regina further instructions to enact the curse. Is Mr. Gold-Rumpelstiltskin the bridge between the two realms? 
Mr. Gold is the person who "brought" Henry to Regina, so, Mr. Gold must be aware of Emma and that she plays a role in their rescue.  Keep in mind Henry "brought" Emma there.

On to Henry- Is Henry a pawn in this crazy game, being brought in to aid Mr. Gold alone or is it for the greater good?  Henry is a lost little boy too. You can see he gets excited when talking about the fairy tale world and his quest to break the curse and lead his friends back to their happy place.  There is something I can't ignore, his words to Emma..."I knew you were here to help me." 

All of the characters are indeed lost.  They are stuck in redundancy as well as being kept under the thumb of Regina. They all have been walking around in haze, not aging, with screwed up memories and stuck in a cursed town that has kept them oblivious for decades.  That is not the existence they want and they are confused.  Even Archie seemed to not let his conscious be his guide when it came to Regina's plan to set up Emma.   They don't realize they all have the power to start over.

Regina/Evil Queen is incapable of letting go of her darkness; with her many deep emotional scars and her insensible need to have power over people.  She needs to learn how to love and feel love again.  But at this point she may have a long road to travel to get there, although it seems that things may be in play to help her.

People are making deals and conning to gain advantage with things. I think it's awesome that Henry's own code phrase for his plan is Operation Cobra.

Although we are watching residents of the Enchanted Forest living life in 'our world', there are moments that bring me back to The Wizard of Oz, where it's Dorothy's friends and family of her real life that are presented as new versions/characters of themselves in her dream world.  Of course in Dorothy's story her dream manifestations are there to help guide her back home.

Things to Note...Questions to Ask...
* Magic Mirror is a Looking Glass
* Dark/Black Smoke
* Sleep. Wake up
* Games
* Deals
* Staff
* Sidney/Sydney
* Code Name- Code
* Not aging
* Therapy. Shrink
* Transform. Transformation. Change

✔  Golden LOST Thread
Do I still see a golden LOST thread woven into the tapestry of this tale?...oh yes, indeed I do.

• Wheel
• 8:15
• 4
• Stuck people
• "Cobra"- Episode Expose
• Loophole
• Therapy. Shrink
• Sleep. Wake up
• Games
• Deals
• Staff- Medical Station
• Sydney
• John Locke spent time in Foster Homes
• Jack notes that Kate doesn't like to sit still
• Not aging- Richard Alpert
• Transform. Transformation. Change
• Hurley and Sayid have a brief conversation about Post Traumatic Stress
• In Because You Left Hurley says "I need a cool code-name"
• Michael throws the comic book into the fire in Special
• Shannon is one of the Castaway said the line "You have  no idea what I'm capable of"
• Start over-Tabula Rasa
• The Forbidden Fortress reminds me of Castaways' going to The Dark Territory where the Black Rock sits in Exodus Part 1
• "There's a line"- is also mentioned by Mr. Friendly and Christian Shephard in The Hunting Party

**Click the Pics! All photos posted here are chosen for a reason.**
Storybrooke

8:15

We begin with Henry looking out his window in the evening toward the library clock tower.  He smiles as the big hand on the stuck time moves forward and then moves around the dial and stops on 7:53.

While looking out her window, Mary, eating, notices the change on the clock.
Sleeping Emma wakes up looking a bit confused for a moment; she gets up to look out her window.
7:55- Sheriff Graham drives by Archie walking his Dalmatian past the Marine Garage. Archie passes by suave Mr. Gold  crossing the street.
Ruby/Red readies the diner by placing the sign out on the sidewalk, as Granny arrives carrying a sac of bread; the Sheriff enters the restaurant.
Henry seems pleased and hopeful.

The song Don't Be Shy is heard while the citizens of Storybrooke start the day.

Regina is engrossed reading the fairy tale book.  She stops for a moment on the page illustrating the Evil Queen; she turns the page to discover the last few pages have been torn out.   She asks Henry where they are.  Henry has an attitude toward her even though she claims his labeling her an Evil Queen hurts her.  "I'm your mother."
Henry-"No you're not."
Regina wonders who is- "That woman you brought here?"  She doesn't like what the book is doing to Henry.
The clock tower tolls; Regina seems stunned as Henry bolts out of the room.

Out on the street Regina sees the time at about 8:23/8:24.  Archie stops and notices the clock and says to her  "Hey, how 'bout that...I guess those rusty ol' innards are finally working themselves out."
Then Regina notices that Emma's car parked across the street.

Room #4
Regina shows up at Emma's room bearing a basket full of Honeycrisp Tree (the most vigorous and hearty of all apple trees) apples.  The tree can withstand temperatures as low as 40 below and keep growing; they can weather any storm.  Regina has one that she's tended to since she was a little girl.  She thinks Emma would enjoy them on her ride back home, but Emma admits she's staying for a while. This troubles Regina as she feels that Henry has enough issues and doesn't need Emma confusing him.
Emma informs her that the fact the Mayor has threatened her twice in the past twelve hours, makes her want to stay even more.  Emma prides herself in being able to read between the lines.  Emma just wants to make sure that Henry is OK.  Regina feels Henry is getting taken care of; she has him in therapy.
Emma agrees to Regina's remark about only one of them knowing what's best for Henry. Regina tells stubborn Emma to go.  Emma has no idea what Regina is capable of.  This warning comes directly from the horse's mouth.

The Enchanted Forest
We're brought back to The Evil Queen grandstanding at Snow and the Prince's wedding; threatening to destroy their happiness, "If it is the last thing I do".  The Prince throws the sword at her and she disappears into black smoke.  The thrown sword cuts its way through the black smoke and exits the black smoke into the wall of the Evil Queen's dark room.  It seems to be able to pierce through a magic veil from one place to another.
An old man enters her room and offers the Queen a drink; he was only trying to help and thought she may need it.  Regina takes the glass and thanks him.

"Now that was an awfully big threat" says the magic mirror on the wall.  The mirror wonders how she plans on accomplishing destroying everyone's happiness.  As the Queen takes a sip from the glass she reveals "The dark curse".   This troubles the old man and the mirror.
The old man- "Are you sure, your majesty?"
The Mirror- "But you said you'd never use it."
The old man- "You made a deal when you gave away that curse."
The Mirror- "You traded it away."
The old man- "She won't be happy to see you."
The Evil Queen- "Since when do I care about anyone else's happiness but mine."
She instructs the old man to prepare the carriage; she's going to the forbidden fortress.

The Evil Queen meets with Maleficent (from Sleeping Beauty) in her grand castle, to discuss the dark curse. Both women share similarities in their stories and evilness; an evilness that was heightened when they both lost when another beautiful woman got the best of them.
Evil Queen- "Enough games. I want my curse back."
Maleficent feels a deals a deals.  After all she traded her sleeping curse for it; which the evil Queen feels failed and was undone by a simple kiss. Maleficent explains that even the unholy power of the dark curse can't bring the Queen's loved one back from the dead.  Maleficent instead suggests the comfort of getting a pet.
The Evil Queen feels the only comfort for her is Snow White's suffering.
Maleficent inquires as to who is the one who created such an evil curse, but The Queen isn't telling. The Two women fight over Maleficent's staff that contains the curse in its orb. The Queen traps Maleficent but won't kill her, as she feels she's her only friend.
The Evil Queen, feeling that love is weakness, wins the curse back, but not without some moral words of wisdom from Maleficent-
"Don't do this. This curse...there are lines that even we shouldn't cross. All power comes with a price. Enacting it will take a terrible tole. It will leave an emptiness inside you. A void you will never be able to fill."
But alas The Evil Queen is fine with that.

In the forest The Evil Queen gathers around her other evil friends (old blind witch, Gnome, Ogre, etc.) to put an end to their misery and constant state of losing.  "Today we claim victory and move to a new better realm. A place where we can finally win."   The old blind woman asks "And we'll be happy?"  The Queen guarantees it.  Her fellow band of evil-doers don't necessarily seem all that interested in taking part in the spell-casting and are trapped by the cage the Queen creates using the vines and limbs of the trees, forcing them to take part in it.  She retrieves locks of their hair (the ones with the darkest souls) and the prized heart of her childhood steed.  The heart is presented to her in a fancy wooden box. The Queen feels his passing will fuel their victory.

The Queen proclaims- "Let my wrath be unleashed" as she throws the heart into the fire.  But after some whipped up smoke and wind, nothing happens.  The Gnome laughs and mocks this, so The Queen turns him into stone.

Storybrooke

A stone Gnome resides in Regina's Storybrooke backyard.  Regina picks apples from her prized tree.

"The mirror strikes again!"  Proud newspaper man Sidney feels it's his best hatchet job yet. But that's not what Regina asked for.
Sidney shares what he learned about Emma- "Truth be told, there wasn't much."  She spent a lot of time in foster homes, got into some trouble as a kid but the details are locked up pretty tight. But since then, she's clean. Bounced around all over. The only thing he really learned is that she doesn't really like to sit still.  Regina notes that  fact appears to have changed.   Sidney also shares that Emma had Henry when she was in Phoenix and wonders how he ended up here in Maine.  Since Regina feels Sidney found nothing of value therefore he holds no value. She warns that things that hold no value to her get thrown away. Intimidated Sidney will keep looking.

Emma sits in the diner reading over the headline about her. As she is just about to bite into a red apple  Ruby the waitress delivers a cup of cocoa with cinnamon, topped with whipped cream. Apparently Emma has an admirer. Emma mistakes that the sheriff is her admirer, when in fact the cup came from fellow cocoa with cinnamon fan, Henry.  Emma asks him "Don't you have school?"

On their walk to school, 10 year old backpacking Henry fills Emma in on his plan to break the curse.  When Emma asks him about the deal with him and his mother her, Henry reveals "It's not about us. It's about her curse."
"Step 1. Identification. I call it operation Cobra."
He picked that name because it has nothing to do with fairy tales and it's a code name to throw the Queen off the trail.  He explains that the residents of Storybrooke are cursed fairy tale characters and are frozen in time-until Emma got there; they don't know their fairy tale characters or their past. As they walk by the clock shop Emma is about to bite into the red apple she got from Regina when Henry stops her.
So, for decades people have been walking around in haze, not aging, with screwed up memories and stuck in a cursed town that kept them oblivious. Henry's happy that Emma "gets it".
Emma is the only one who can stop her curse because she is Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter.

Henry is happy his mother {Regina} doesn't know these things and is happy this gives them the advantage.  He presents the pages he took out of Emma from the end of the book.  He knows the hero never believes at first; if they did then it wouldn't be a very good story.  For proof he encourages her to take the pages and read them, but whatever she does don't let "her" see these pages. "They're dangerous. If she finds out who you are...then it would be bad."
As they approach the school, happy Henry knew that Emma would believe him- otherwise why else would she be there.  He'll find her later and they can get started.

Mary tells Emma she's happy to see Henry's smile back and feels it's because Emma stayed. Emma also learns more about the Mayor's deal.  She's not a great people person and she's been mayor for as long as Mary can remember.  No one is brave enough to run against her as she inspires quite a bit of fear.  Mary also fears she may have made that worse by giving Henry that book, "Now he thinks she's  the evil queen."   Mary reveals that Henry thinks she is Snow White and asks Emma "Who does he think you are?"
Stunned Emma- "I'm not in the book. Can I ask you a favor? Regina mentioned the kid's in therapy. Do you know where I can find the doctor?"

Emma visits Archie the therapist at his office. {Statues of heads}  He shares that he was just reading about her and guesses she's there for a little help with her Post Traumatic Stress; by the way his diagnosis was free.  Emma inquires about Henry's fairy tale obsession and what's causing it.  Archie advises not to talk about things like being "crazy" to Henry. "The word crazy is quite damaging."  These stories are his language.  He has no idea how to express complex emotions so he's translating as best he can this is how he communicates.  He's using this book to help deal with his problems."  But it is revealed that Henry has been seeing Archie longer than the month he's had the book.  Emma feels the issue must be Regina.  Archie feels Regina is a complicated woman whose attempts to bring Henry closer to her only backfire.  He gives Regina the file "See what I mean".   He's doing that because Henry talks about Emma a lot and is very important to him. "See that I get it back. OK?"
He also advises Emma to be careful how she handles Henry's belief system. "Destroying his imagination would be devastating."
Archie calls Regina the moment Emma leaves with the file, confirming she was there. Regina knew Emma would go to Archie because it is Regina who gave her the idea. {Hmm. She's a con!}

Sheriff Graham shows up at "alone" Emma's room and interrupts her reading of Henry's file.  He shares that Archie said Emma stole the files; evidently Archie's telling a different tale.  Accommodating Emma gives Graham the files.  He arrests Miss Swan again; although she knows she's being set up.

Regina interrupts Mary's outdoor classroom lessons. {Water synthesized} She wants to speak to her son.  Regina breaks the bad news to Henry.
"The woman that you brought here...she's been arrested. She broke into Dr. Hopper's office and stole his files. She's a con-woman. She's trying to learn about us in order to take advantage of us. That's why she's sticking around. I'm sorry."
Henry knows she's not sorry, yet Regina claims to be protecting him and that all this will be good for them.  Henry just heads back to class when the bell rings.

The Sheriff is taking Emma's mug shots.  He directs her to face left and then right.
Emma- "You know the shrink is lying, right?"   She feels the Mayor put him up to this. She thinks the Mayor must have something on him as he must be afraid of her, like everyone else in this town.  Graham feels although Regina maybe a touch intimidating that she wouldn't go as far as a frame job.  But she is the Mayor, so she has her hands in everything.
Emma wonders "Including the police force?"
Just then happy Henry enters with Mary.  Henry sees the current event as a genius move by Emma. "You were gathering Intel...for Operation Cobra."
Confused Graham says "I'm sorry. I'm a bit lost."
Henry informs the sheriff that all he needs to know is that Miss Blanchard is going to bail her/Emma out.  Mary will bail her out because "I uh, trust you."
Emma- "Well. If you could un-cuff me, I have something to do."

Emma cuts down a huge tree limb from Regina's prized apple tree with a chainsaw.  Regina thinks Emma's out of her mind.   Emma warns her that if she comes after her one more time she's coming back for the rest of that tree, "Because sister, you have no idea what I'm capable of...Your move."

In the Dark Forest
The old man tells the Queen "Maybe it's for the best. The forces you're summoning are darker than can conceive."
The Queen- "Oh now you're trying to protect me?"
The old man- "It's what I do."
The Queen knows this and feels he's the only one who does. The loyal old man feels helping her is his life.  He advises the angry and desperate Queen to go back to the one who gave her the spell in the first place, to find out why it didn't work.  He also warns her that "Revenge is a dark and lonely road, once you go down it...there's no heading back."
"What is there for me to head back to?" asks the Queen.

A gray mouse is eating a red apple while other mice scurry around the dark cell that houses Rumpelstiltskin.  Rumpelstiltskin assures her they're alone and she can show herself.  The gray mouse transforms from the mouse into black smoke and then the Queen.  The Queen tells him about the curse he gave her not working.

Rumpelstiltskin shares with the worried Queen, that worried and anxious Snow and the Prince already paid him a visit about the Queen's impending new curse.  He told them the truth "That nothing can stop the darkness! Except of course their unborn child. You see...no matter how powerful- all curses can be broken! Their child is the key.  Of course the curse must be enacted first"
Of course he will help her with the curse- for a price.  The Queen will grant him comfort and a good life in the new land.
He adds, "In this new land...should I come to you for any reason- you must heed my every request. You must do whatever I say. So long as I say...'Please'.  Ha."
The Queen reminds him that if she succeeds with the spell he won't remember any of this.
Rumpelstiltskin feels "Oh well then...what's the harm?"    The Queen happily agrees to the deal and gets further instructions from him to enact the curse to end all curses.  She needs to sacrifice a heart. She informs him she already sacrificed her prized steed.  He grabs her by the throat to indicate the importance of getting his point across.
"Great power requires great sacrifice. The heart you need...must come from something...far more... precious!"  She needs to sacrifice the heart of thing she loves most.
The Queen- "What I love most died because of Snow White."
Rumpelstiltskin- "Is there no one else you truly love? This curse isn't gonna be easy. Vengeance never is, Dearie. You have to ask yourself a simple question...How far are you willing to go."
The Queen will go as far as it takes.  Rumpelstiltskin tells her to stop wasting time; she knows what she loves, so go kill it. 

Back at room 4
Granny informs Miss Swan that she wants her to leave, as they have a no felon's rule; it's a city ordinance. Emma surmised the Mayor's office called Granny to remind her of this rule. Granny takes Emma's room key back.

The sheriff approaches Regina as she picks up the fallen apples. She demands he arrest Emma again, for destroying city property. The sheriff doesn't think that's the right plan.  He's not talking about the tree and admits they both know Emma didn't steal the files.  He also feels she was set up which would mean Dr. Hopper was also lying.  Regina thinks his schoolboy crush is clouding his judgment.  After all, she made him sheriff and she can take it away just as easily.  Regina believes this is what's best for her son. The sheriff can make the arrest again, but knows this will be a constant back and forth between the two women. He fears that if this escalates the only person who will get hurt is Henry.

Emma sees that her car has been booted, leaving her unable to leave Storybrooke. Regina invites Emma to drive or walk over to her office to make peace.

In Regina's light and dark tree lined wallpapered office, Regina apologizes to Miss Swan. She thinks Emma's there to take Henry away from her. Emma makes it clear she's not there to take him away from anyone. She's not the mother type.  But she's there because he got in her head and she wants to make sure he's OK.  She confesses she's worried about him being troubled and about his connecting people in the town to fairy tale characters. "The poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality. It's only getting worse. It's crazy."
Henry overhears her. "You think I'm crazy?"  The hurt boy runs off.   Regina knew Henry would be there (at 5 pm) and be able to overhear their conversation.
Regina- "Your move."
Emma accuses her of having no soul and asks how she got like that.


The Evil Queen's Castle
The Evil Queen marches down the hall with the mirror following her moves to ask her what happened. "Did you get your answer?"
She storms into the room where the old man is lighting candles.   She shares that Rumpelstiltskin told her what she needed to know and now she's conflicted.
"I have to cut out the heart of the thing I love most."
The old man answers "Me."
The conflicted Queen says "Daddy, I don't know what to do."
Her father tells her she doesn't have to do this and to move past this. "I know this may sound self serving- you don't need to enact the curse."
The Queen feels she can't keep living like this. "What Snow did to me, what she took from me...It's eating me alive, Daddy. Her very existence mocks me. She must be punished."
Daddy- "If the price is a hole that can never be filled, why do it? Stop worrying about Snow White and start over. We can have a new life."
All the Queen finds important is that all the power she's built up will be gone; and they already think she's nothing.  Daddy feels power is seductive, but so is love. "You can have that again."
The Queen cries in her father's embrace and claims "I just want to be happy".  Daddy is sure she can be.  He believes that given the chance they can find happiness together, but the choice is hers.   The Queen thinks she can be happy- just not here. She plunges the dagger into her father, "I'm sorry."

In Storybrooke
Emma arrives at Mary Margaret's humble apartment to thank her and payback the bail money.  Mary Margaret notices troubled Emma may need to talk.  They chat over hot cocoa with cinnamon.  Mary Margaret feels that she's met Emma before.  Emma tells her she's leaving; feeling that is the best for Henry. But Mary Margaret wonders "What happens if you go? I think the very fact that you want to leave is why you have to stay. You care about him. Who will protect Henry if you won't?"

Henry sits in session with Archie, but apparently doesn't want to talk about it.  Archie tells Henry the umbrella is his good luck charm.  He asks Henry "Is that why you think I'm Jiminy Crickett?"
Sad Henry says "I don't think you're anyone."
Emma enters and Archie tries to explain Regina's earlier plan. Emma doesn't care, she just wants Henry to understand she's there to get to know him.  She thinks the curse is crazy, (not Henry), but that doesn't mean it isn't true. "It is a lot to ask anyone to believe in. But there are a lot of crazy things in this world..."   She told Regina what she needed to hear. What Emma does know- if the curse is real the only way to break it is to trick the Evil Queen into believing that they are nonbelievers. That way she's not on to them. "Isn't that what Operation Cobra was all about? Throwing her off the trail?"  This perks Henry up and again feels she's brilliant. Emma's read the dangerous pages and throws them into the fire.  Now they have the advantage.  Relieved Henry hugs Emma, "I knew you were here to help me."

The Dark Forest
The Evil Queen stands at the raging bon-fire as she readies to complete the curse to end all curses.  Not present at this ceremony is her circle of fellow evil-doers and their locks of hair. She's flying solo at this one.  She throws the heart into the fire and unleashes a giant column of black smoke, thunder and lightning.  It looks very much like a violent twister.
The Queen places a {black} rose on the grave and says "I love you, Daddy."

Storybrooke
Mr. Gold pays a visit to Regina and notes the mess around.  Regina is in high spirits because she's just rid the town of an unwanted nuisance.  Mr. Gold breaks her bubble revealing that he just saw Henry and Emma on Main Street looking thick as thieves.  He feels Regina should have gone to him "Miss Swan is a problem you can't fix. I'm only too happy to help-for a price, of course."   Regina isn't in the business of making deals with him anymore.
Mr. Gold- "To which deal are you referring?"
Regina- "You know what deal."
Evidently Mr. Gold procured the boy for Regina.  He thinks the name Henry is a lovely name and asks her however did she pick it?
Suspicious Regina asks him if he wanted Emma to come to town. "You wanted all this to happen, didn't you. You finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?"
She wants to know "Where did you get him?"  Regina thinks he's involved in the current events but Mr. Gold fluffs it off.
Regina- "Who is this woman, his mother, this Emma Swan?"
Mr. Gold- "I would say you think you know exactly who she is."
He's not at all intimidated by Regina and gets her to excuse him by saying "Please".   As he walks away he takes a bite of her apple and tosses it to the ground.



Cat Stevens song-
Don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
Just lift your head, and let your feelings out instead
And don't be shy, just let your feeling roll on by
On by

You know love is better than a song
Love is where all of us belong
So don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
You're there

Don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
Just lift your head, and let your feelings out instead
And don't be shy, just let your feeling roll on by
On by, on by, etc.