‘Once Upon A Time’ Recap: A Devious Plan
The Snow Queen was gone, so it was time to break down the ice wall blocking Storybrooke from the outside world. However, Ingrid’s (Elizabeth Mitchell) magic still lingered close on the town line. If anyone crossed over the line, then they couldn’t come back.
This information was crucial to Rumple, who was learning all of it from his gopher, Hook (Colin O’Donoghue). He wanted Hook to keep Anna (Elizabeth Lail) away from the shop so she wouldn’t connect the dots between him and Belle.
Rumple also made sure to remind Hook that he was the one in control. He told Hook that he would crush his heart after his plan was complete.
(Hold your horses there, Rumple.)
Then, we flashbacked to Belle’s time at the castle with Rumple. She discovered the magic gauntlet he stole from Camelot. This would come back in a big way later in the show. Back in the real world, Rumple was ready to go on an official “honeymoon” with Belle. I really hope Belle isn’t stupid enough to fall for this.
Over in Regina’s fortress, she put Marian’s heart back inside of her. This broke her own heart because of, you know, Robin. But Marian wasn’t stupid. “I see the way you two look at one another,” she told Regina. She knew Robin’s heart had moved on and that he was madly in love with Regina. She didn’t want him to be with her out of obligation and admitted that she would step aside if that’s what they wanted.
Rumple’s next plan of attack was to find the portal that would send Anna and Elsa back to Arendelle. He didn’t have to look far. His own house, which was owned by a powerful sorcerer, was where he found it. As Henry rummaged through Rumple’s house, Belle came across the magic gauntlet once again. (Hmmmmm.)
Back to the flashback, Rumple was a total tool and made Belle wash his clothes. While she was outside, she found a Dalmatian puppy! When she ran after him, she was kidnapped.
‘Once Upon A Time’ Recap: Love Means Sacrifice
Hook showed up to the diner to tell Emma that he found the portal. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a true Captain Swan moment. Rumple was controlling him the whole time. Poor Huck. Since Hook and Emma are each other’s OTP, Emma knew something was wrong. But he said nothing. He kissed her, but it wasn’t REAL.
Emma realized something was officially up by the way he grabbed her arm. Stealth move, Hook.
When Rumple went to fetch Belle outside the castle. A magic seashell was blown his way, which revealed a frantic Belle inside. Her captors wanted the magic gauntlet back, or else.
Robin and Regina got the chance to talk about their current romantic predicament. Despite being a man of honor, Robin told Regina, “I choose you.” (SWOON.) He didn’t care how complicated things got with Marian, he wanted to be with Regina.
But hold up, guys. Snow Queen’s spell on Marian returned. There was only one way to fix it — cross over the town line. What Robin didn’t know was once he crossed over, he couldn’t come back. Needless to say, this devastated Regina.
She mulled over her heartbreak with Rumple, who didn’t want her to mellow over it any longer. “There’s no author of my fate. No storybook of my destiny,” Rumple told her. (Quite the poet, huh?) If Regina wanted her happy ending, then she need to take it.
As much as we would have liked her to, Regina didn’t follow Rumple’s lead. Marian and Roland crossed over the town line, and she waited for Robin to do the same. She couldn’t be the one to keep him away from his son, no matter how much he loved her. They shared one epic kiss before they parted. Regina took the page from the storybook and ripped it up.
Poor, poor Regina. This woman just can’t catch a break.
‘Once Upon A Time’ Recap: Triple The Villains, Triple The Fun
Rumple finally found Belle, but Maleficent was waiting for him in all her glamorous glory. Rumple had her by the throat, but she was not alone. Hello, Ursula and Cruella! Before Ursula could kill Belle, he threw the gauntlet to Cruella.
Henry, Snow, Emma, Charming, Elsa, Anna and Kristoff found the portal. They said their goodbyes to their Frozen friends. I will miss you! Before she left, Anna wanted to know who Mr. Gold was. When she found out he was Rumple, everyone realized they had been played.
The stars were starting to align with the stars in the hat. Rumple’s quest was nearly complete. Would the gang be too late to make it all right?
NOPE. Snow and Emma found Rumple and Hook, but he froze them. He started squeezing Hook’s heart, but he couldn’t finish him off for good. That’s because Belle had commanded him not to! They headed to the town line to have a serious heart-to-heart. Belle had finally realized the truth about Rumple. “Your true love is your power,” Belle said. Rumple tried to make it seem like he was only doing bad things so that they could have it all, but Belle wasn’t buying it. All she ever wanted was him. “Once, I saw the man behind the beast. Now there’s only the beast,” she cried.
Then, she commanded Rumple to cross the town line.
And he did. (Wow.)
‘Once Upon A Time’ Recap: Never Give Up
But let’s get to the super cute stuff. Anna was finally getting married to Kristoff. Elsa had changed out of her blue dress. It was a miracle! (I’m going to miss these girls.)
Emma hastily put Hook’s heart back in his chest. The second it was over, they had a super hot makeout session. PRAISE!
Regina was mourning over the loss of Robin, and Emma stopped by for shots. Henry came running into the diner during their bonding session to reveal some insane new information. He found a library inside the house with the portal. Inside the library were entirely empty books. This house truly belonged to the author of the storybook!
Six weeks after all of this, Rumple was walking down the streets of New York City. He found himself in an aquarium meeting with none other than Ursula. He wasn’t giving up on his quest to regain power. He was going to need the help of Ursula, Maleficent, Cruella and The Author to make it all happen.
Oh boy. Spring should be fun. But seriously, who is The Author?!
HollywoodLifers, what did you think of the winter finale of Once Upon A Time? What does Rumple have up his sleeve now? Will Regina ever get her happy ending? Do you want the Frozen characters to return? Let us know!
— Avery Thompson Follow @avery__thompson