‘Once Upon A Time:’ Mother Knows Best

Last week the residents of Storybrooke, with their identities restored, were up in arms with Queen Regina and wanted her to pay for what she had done. She was jailed but Rumpelstiltskin marked her for the wraith. Attempting to save her upon Henry’s request, Mary Margaret and Emma were seemingly sent into oblivion but wound up in Fairytale Land…a part that somehow survived the curse but remained in near ruins.

This week in flashback Fairytale Land we dig a little deeper into what makes Queen Regina tick. And really what makes her tick is her lovely mother, Cora. Her mother is controlling every aspect of her life…to the point that she can’t even escape because magic intervenes. Cora intends for Regina to go through with the marriage to King Leopold and refuses any alternative. Regina goes to her father Henry for some insight and guidance. He tells her that Cora became this way because she received a book of spells from some man in her past.

Later Regina steals the book from Cora’s room and summons Rumpelstiltskin. Rumpel is pleased to see her, saying he knew her from the past and knew they’d meet in the future. He nudges her in the direction to using magic, even giving her a magic mirror to push Cora through to another world. On her wedding day at first she is unable to push Cora in, but does so on her second attempt; the mirror immediately shatters. Regina flees the castle but is confronted by Rumpel who questions whether she enjoyed using magic. She says yes and he offers to help her if she agrees to return the favor.

In Storybrooke the seven dwarves discover that if they cross the town’s boundaries they lose their identities all over again, with Sneezy being the guinea pig of the operation. Meanwhile Regina is up in arms because she has no real control over her magic. She searches Rumpelstiltskin’s shop for her book but cannot find it. After speaking with him, he magically makes it appear and gives it to her. David shows up next and wants help finding Jefferson, the owner of the portal hat…but he refuses to say who or why. Rumpel gives him a potion on the condition that they stay out of each other’s business.

Regina uses the magic of the book to terrorize the townspeople at town hall, but Henry surrenders himself to stop it. She takes him home where he attempts to flee but is stopped by magic, just as her mother had done to her. David restores order to the fleeing townspeople with a heroic speech, telling them they have dealt with the Queen before and they shall continue to thrive. David then goes to Regina’s to retrieve Henry, and she surprisingly gives him up willingly. She claims she wants to change, however it is revealed that she just can’t part with the book.

In current Fairytale Land, Mulan and Aurora take Mary Margaret and Emma back to their refugee-style camp in the post-curse, desolate land. After trying to flee, they are locked away. In the final moments, we see they are locked away with none other than…Cora!

What did you think?! I’m still on the bandwagon of loving the new vibe of this season. Fairytale Land and Storybrooke are finally groovin’ together, and I love it! How did Cora get there? Did she fall through the mirror into post-curse Fairytale Land or is there more backstory to it? I’m thinking the latter.

Anyway, your thoughts on the episode? Love it or leave it? Do you feel some sympathy for Regina and what she’s been through or completely despise her? How will the people of Storybrooke find the Enchanted Forest? Leave your comments!