OUAT: One Short Day

Last time on “OUAT:” We learned more about what Snow and Charming did to Maleficent’s child. Afraid about Emma’s potential for darkness, they agree to let the Apprentice transfer all of it into another vessel. They steal Maleficent’s egg, convinced it’s just a dragon. But during the ritual, they realize it’s a human baby. It’s too late and the egg—as well as Cruella and Ursula who tried to rescue it—end up in another world. Snow and Charming are racked with guilt.

Meanwhile, Regina tries to stall the villains from learning more about the Author but Gold figures it out based off a picture. Maleficent places everybody under a sleeping spell—except Mary Margaret, David and Henry are immune. Regina gets Henry to give her a fake page, allowing him to find the key to free the Author. After debating burning the page, Mary Margaret and David come clean to Emma. She frees the Author—despite August telling her that he was shady and that’s why he was trapped. Gold realizes Regina is playing them and knocks her out, saying he has something that’ll convince her to play by their rules.

Excuse me while I catch my breath.


We open with a chase in the woods. Emma is pursuing the Author with her parents, son and Hook. Mary Margaret tells Emma that she and David know the Author, that he’s the one who tricked them into sending Maleficent’s kid away. Emma though doesn’t see that as an excuse—they still did what they did. But there’s no time to argue it. They need to find the Author before Gold does.

It’s too late. Gold stumbles across the Author as the man tries to make a magic pencil. He tells the Author that none of the trees in Storybrooke are magical. But he can help. The Author is reluctant. He knows all about Gold and how he is not to be trusted. But the Author would rather write Gold all the happy endings in the world than face Emma and the Charmings for some reason. So he goes with Gold.

(And he knows Gold is not to be trusted!)

In the vault, Regina comes to and discovers she’s been handcuffed. Gold tells her that she won’t be doing any magic and she’ll be working for the bad guys now. Regina says she won’t. Gold then pulls out her phone and a piece of paper. Seems Emma tracked down Robin’s cell phone number. He urges her to call it and Regina panics.

(What? Does Robin have a disturbing ringback tone?) 

We get a timecard that says “Nine weeks ago.” Then we get to relive Robin leaving with Marian and Roland, as if it wasn’t painful the first time.

Anyway, this means that three weeks have passed since the start of this arc. Update your timelines accordingly.

A bus just leaves Robin, Marian and Roland in the middle of New York City. That type of bus would go to a depot first. But whatever. Robin pulls out the map Regina gave him as Roland deems New York too loud. He says Regina also gave him the keys to Neal’s apartment and they can live there. Marian gets excited, talking about how Baefire came from the Enchanted Forest and managed to live in the Land Without Magic for a long time. She thinks it means they can do it as well.

Question 1: How does Maid Marian know who Neal is?
Question 2: How was Neal’s apartment not rented out? Who’s been paying?

Roland complains that he’s tired so Marian says she’ll carry him. She makes the mistake of putting her bag down and a thief on a bike grabs it. Robin goes after him, quickly nicking a white horse. He rides after the thief, who surprisingly sticks to the sidewalk and doesn’t try to go into an alley to quickly get the good stuff from the purse. Robin takes the thief down, retrieving Marian’s purse. He looks ready to slug the man but notices the crowd. So he tells the thief that one who steals from those in need has no honor. The thief is confused—he’s a thief and he didn’t know that the Hoods were in need. They just looked like lost, stupid tourists no doubt.

(No, seriously)

We then go to Sherwood Forest many years ago. People fill a tavern—the tavern where Regina and Robin were supposed to meet? It’s owned by Robin and Maid Marian serves as his waitress. Little John tries to convince Robin to raid and rob King Midas. But Robin is out of the thieving business. He’s going straight for Marian.

But then the Sheriff of Nottingham enters the tavern. He takes a pint on the house and says he’s surprised to see Robin had gone straight. And then he also says that Robin owes taxes on the tavern. Robin asks for more time to pay it but the Sheriff isn’t going to give him a lot of time. Because then he’ll get to toss Robin into debtor’s prison. Then what’ll Marian do but fall into the Sheriff’s arms. Robin insists she’ll never be with him and Marian says she can speak for herself. She tells the Sheriff she’ll never be with him. The Sheriff nails a notice on the door and leaves.

(Sure, Sheriff. Just help yourself)

Back in New York, the Hood family settles into Neal’s apartment. It’s small but it’s better than nothing. Until they hear someone trying to get in. Robin is prepared to take whoever it is down…until he sees it’s Gold. Looks like after getting kicked out of Storybrooke, he too thought to take up residence in Neal’s old apartment. He’s not thrilled to see the Hood family there and tries to kick them out. Robin refuses to budge…and then Gold collapses with what looks like a heart attack.

(Would anyone get it if I made a Sanford and Sons reference?)

Question 3: What happened to Emma and Henry’s apartment? 

We flash back to Robin, the tavern owner. He is cleaning the floor when someone comes in. It seems the Sheriff has scared off most of Robin’s patrons, so he’s glad to have a customer. Except this one is the Dark One. He has a mission for Robin, the thief. Robin insists those days are behind him but Rumple points out that he needs money. Resigned, Robin asks what the mission is. Rumple says he is going to send Robin to Oz so he can steal a potion called the Elixir of the Wounded Heart from the ruler. Robin thinks it’s a ridiculously obvious name and Rumple confirms it can heal a wounded heart. He then sends Robin on his way.

(Too bad Robin doesn't know this man is not to be trusted)

Robin rushes Gold to the hospital and he even sits in the waiting room while the doctors work on Gold. He stares at his phone, a picture of Regina on the screen. Robin’s finger itches to touch the call button, but we know from the midseason premiere that he never makes the call.

(Do it)

A nurse comes out to tell him that his friend is stable and that Robin can visit him. Gold tells Robin that the doctors think it was a heart attack so they gave him advice about diet and exercise. But Gold knows what it really is: it’s his dark deeds. They have taken a toll on his heart. Usually his magic could protect him but he’s now in the Land Without Magic. If he doesn’t do something quick, he’ll die. So he asks Robin to steal the Elixir of the Wounded Heart, saying Zelena most likely sent it with Christopher Gorham. Robin asks Gold why he’ll do it and Gold responds that it’ll be for the same reason Robin left Regina: his honor code.

Robin ends up in Oz and discovers someone lying on the Yellow Brick Road in front of him. It’s Will! Everyone drink! He thanks Robin, who has Wicked Witch of the East-ed one of Zelena’s guards with his portal. Will explains he was caught stealing but he was trying to get a potion to help heal his broken heart. Yes, Will’s after the Elixir of the Wounded Heart as well. Robin offers to get him some if Will helps him strip the deceased guard.

(Look! They're actually using Michael Socha!)

Fiyero Robin sneaks into Zelena’s palace and begins searching through her furniture for the potion. He finds it and starts to fill two vials with Kool-Aid elixir. However, someone interrupts him and he breaks a vial. Zelena enters and Robin salutes her. But she realizes he’s not one of her guards and demands to know who he is. Robin sees the golden-tipped arrows, grabbing them and preparing to fire one at Zelena. She multiples herself, taunting him to hit the right one before attacking him. Robin fires off an arrow before landing on his ass. It looks like this might be the only time Robin will miss but he then hits something that emits a gas. Zelena is unable to see Robin and he gets away.

(Pick wisely, Fiyero Robin)

In New York, Robin stands outside the Wizard of Oak—real subtle there, Gorham. He manages to break in but he sets off the alarm. Robin rummages around the furniture before recognizing a seal from Oz on a desk. As police sirens wail, Robin finds the elixir—in a heart shaped bottle. Real subtle there, Zelena. The police swarm the building as Robin chooses to dive through a window as his exit plan. He sprints down the alleyway.

Robin returns to his apartment and Marian is not thrilled to learn he did a job for Gold. He says he has to help the man, he can’t just let Gold die. Marian suggests it would make everyone’s lives better if they did. Robin is appalled and says that’s not something the Marian he remembers would say. Roland interrupts to ask for juice but Robin says he should have milk instead. Marian agrees, giving her son the drink. She argues back that everything has changed. Robin insists that he hasn’t.

(Recognize the red flag, Robin!)

Robin returns to his portal back to the Enchanted Forest and runs into Will. (Drink!) He lies to Will, saying he wasn’t able to get any potion. Will thanks him for trying and for being an honorable guy. He then explains that he wanted the potion to forget about his sister Penelope, who died when she fell through a frozen pond. He and Robin hug and Robin leaves. When Will reaches into a pocket, he realizes that Robin had slipped him his only vial of the potion.

(Look at that smile!)

At the hospital, Robin gives Gold the potion and tells him to stay out of their lives. Gold agrees, downing the potion. Except it does nothing. He believes he’s been duped and Marian comes into confirm it. She says he just drank cough syrup but that Robin doesn’t know that. Gold is confused.

That’s when Marian morphs into Zelena. She’s back!

(Now you see Marian)

(Now you see Zelena)

Gold is not thrilled to see her and asks how she came back to life. Zelena says that he didn’t properly kill her (lot of that going around in Storybrooke, huh?) and her life force continued on. It merged with her magic and took her back in time with Emma and Hook. Zelena watched and when she saw that Emma was going to rescue Marian, she seized her chance. While Emma and Hook were off watching Snow and Charming fall in love, Marian was out cold and unattended. Zelena killed her and took her form. She then pretended to be unconscious until they took her back to Storybrooke. Then she went about destroying her sister’s love life.

Question 4: Did Zelena know who Maid Marian was? And how?

Zelena taunts Gold, withholding the potion from him until she gets him to promise to help her. What does she want? Well, what does anyone want this half of the season? That’s right—Zelena wants to find the Author so he can write her her happy ending. I’m guessing that involves making Regina disappear since she’s still fixated on her half-sister. Gold goes into cardiac arrest but he agrees. Medical professionals race in to help him and Zelena pleads with them to save her friend. And the Oscar goes to…

Outside the hospital later, Robin meets up with Gold. He holds a box full of things of Neal’s he thought Gold would want. Gold thanks him but says he doesn’t want any of it. It was the life his son built without him. Robin looks lost and confused so Gold gives him some advice. He tells Robin that if he’s found love, he should grab it and hold on to it. Gold pretty much all but tells Robin to find a way to go back to Regina. He walks away, leaving Robin to ponder this.

(Believe it or not, can give good love advice)

Back at his tavern, the Sheriff comes to collect his taxes. Robin admits he doesn’t have the money. Then the Merry Men—no doubt including Marian, I believe she’s the one who kept her hood up—surround him with their weapons drawn. Robin says he’s a thief, but he’s learned that it’s better to steal from those who have too much and give to those who don’t. So he relieves the Sheriff of some of his gold and is on his way.

(A legend is born)

Gold coins shower into waiting hands at some village. Robin and Marian watch as the Merry Men distribute the coins to the needy. He tells Marian that he wasn’t a barkeep but a thief. Marian’s like “I know.” She then points out that he’s an outlaw and that using the name Robin of Locksley will be dangerous. So he says that he’ll use a new name and says this “hoodlum” will forever be known as Robin Hood. Marian’s like “Yeah, that’ll fool them.” She tells him that she’ll go wherever he does. Robin tells her he loves her and she repeats the sentiment.

(This is pretty sweet)

Marian also asks about Rumplestiltskin. He's not going to be happy if he ever sees Robin again. Robin holds up the necklace "Marian" has been wearing, one that'll disguise his appearance. He says he'll use that if he ever has to cross paths with the Dark One again. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Robin Hood looked like Tom Ellis when we first met him. 

Time for some fanservice! Because we get Robin in the shower. Yes, it’s a tight shot mostly of his face but still…he’s in the shower. This is getting gif’ed, not just a screen cap. Anyway, he looks deep in thought as “Marian” knocks on the door. Robin glances at it and it looks like he’s made a decision.

(Hot damn)

He emerges in a bathrobe. “Marian” holds up his phone, showing Regina’s face. She wants to know why he still has her as a contact in his phone. This should’ve been a red flag…or may it was. Why delete someone who could still be a resource for them? Look at everything Regina had already done for them. But anyway, “Marian” pretty much gives Robin an ultimatum: Regina or “Marian” and Roland.

Robin takes the phone and tells “Marian” that he chooses her, that he loves her. He says he was thinking about what she told him when they became outlaws. He asks her if she remembers it. “Marian” lies and says she does, but she then says she wants Robin to say it. Another red flag but Robin repeats the line before deleting Regina’s contact. He and “Marian” share a kiss. As the camera pans past Roland on the bed, we see them in the mirror—except Robin’s reflection is kissing Zelena’s.

Excuse me:

For what it's worth, I don't think that last shot was supposed to be taken literally. I think it was just there for dramatic purposes to drive home the point that Robin was really kissing Zelena. Or else that mirror would've been covered--why blow it?

Back in Storybrooke, Regina makes her call and someone picks up. She’s eager to hear Robin’s voice but is shocked when it’s Zelena on the other end. Zelena taunts Regina, saying that Robin believes she’s Marian and that he’s happy with her. But she reminds Regina that she is dangerous before ending the call to take a meatloaf out of the oven before Robin and Roland returned home.

Regina looks up at Gold and accuses him of knowing. Gold tells her that he did. He says that she has a choice to make: She can help him and the remaining Queens of Darkness corrupt Emma to get their happy endings or Zelena could crush Robin’s heart. Lana Parrilla reveals that it’s a damn shame she’s never gotten an Emmy nomination for this role because she conveys Regina’s dilemma in looks alone. At the end, we see her steel herself for making the hardest decision of her life: Emma over Robin.

(Look at the determination in her eyes)

Okay, I have a lot to say about that scene between Robin and “Marian.” So much so, I don’t want to make this recap a zillion months long. So you can read it here on my tumblr.

Otherwise, I enjoyed this episode. It’s about time we got an origins story about Robin. But there’s still more to explore—what else had he done before meeting Marian? He did tell Regina he had a dark past as well. And we still don’t know why he has that tattoo. I’m hoping this means that Sean Maguire will be picked up as a regular in Season 5 (which seems to be confirmed as a go) and we’ll learn more about Robin then.

Next time: Cruella’s backstory! And she makes the dangerous choice to put Henry in harm’s way. Nice knowing you, Cruella.

Screen caps from here.