OUAT: Through the Looking Glass

Last time on “Once:” The Evil Queen threatened to destroy Storybrooke with water from the River of Lost Souls if Snow and David didn’t give her their shared heart so she could finally crush it. Blue discovered a magical sapling that could stop the Queen, so Regina and the Charmings went to locate it.

Meanwhile, Regina sent Zelena to discover the Queenie and Gold making out. She then told Belle about it and the golden shearers, so Belle rightly laid into her estranged husband. It put Zelena on Gold’s bad side.

In the Enchanted Forest, David had the cutest dog ever. He was a sheep dog who was an excellent tracker and name Wilby. Nothing happened to him except for the fact he was never seen again. Boo.
David was going to sell his farm when he met up with a guy called the Woodcutter. Woodcutter knocked David out to use Wilby to sniff out Snow, who was trying to flee. David tried to save her from the Woodcutter’s rolling shed and the two managed to take down the Woodcutter. She then gave David her money to save his farm and decided to become a bandit. When they touched, they created the magical sapling.

In Storybrooke, they found the sapling but Queenie destroyed it. Realizing the sapling was theirs, they surrendered to her with the belief that they always find their way back to each other. Queenie took their hearts but decided not to crush them. Instead, she returned them and Snow immediately fell under a sleeping curse. Queenie sent her away but David found her easily. He kissed her but once she awoke, he fell under the curse. Regina revealed that Queenie cursed their hearts, so that when one was awake, the other would be asleep.

Poor Snowing.

(Kind of a sweet gig right now for Josh Dallas)

David sleeps back in the loft as Snow sits by their bed. She regrets making the wish to want to go back to normal as she wonders if this is their new normal. Meanwhile, the others try not to listen in as Regina feels guilty. She decides to go after Queenie but Emma stops her. Regina reminds her that they know anything done to Regina will also hurt her evil half and Emma reminds her that she’s supposed to die. But Regina is confident that Emma will find away to live. Emma isn’t so sure and would feel better if Regina were around to take care of Henry. So they’ll have to find another way to defeat Queenie.

Snow gives Henry a letter for David and then says she’s going to wake him up. Everyone watches as she gets comfortable on the bed and prepares to kiss her sleeping husband. She hesitates though as the camera lingers on the mirror right next to her bed. Hook asks if she’s okay and she says she’s not. She picks up something and throws it at the mirror, yelling that “she’s” watching them. The mirror shatters and a small handheld mirror in Queenie’s hand returns to normal. She just laughs in response, looking delighted.

(Seven years of bad luck, Snow)

We then see a montage of Snow and David living their separate lives—hers by day, his by night. They do sweet things for each other, trying to stay connected despite being separated by the sleeping curse. However, I am concerned for Baby Neal—is he getting any sleep?

(Looks like it got old fast)

At Regina’s vault, she stares at her mirror before pulling a curtain over it. Emma comes down and asks if she has any plans because she can’t reach the Dragon. She hoped he would be able to help her parents but she doesn’t have a real name for him. Regina says that she has a plan to trap Queen and holds up a mirror, saying there is a land behind the mirror. Emma wonders how they’ll get Queenie to come to them and Regina says they’ll just have to dangle bait before her. Emma asks them what they’ll use for bait.

Henry enters and says he’s going to be bait. Emma looks like Regina has done lost her mind and refuses. Henry says Queenie won’t hurt him and he needs the distraction from school. Emma tells him he needs to focus on school and he clarifies that he’s nervous about a dance Snow is throwing. He says that Violet’s been distant lately and he worries that she’s lost interest in him. Emma tells him that he needs to be himself and Regina comforts him as well. They then decide to go get Queenie.

(You know, it does seem weird that Regina would be okay with Henry being the bait)

Henry stands on a beach and Queenie comes to him, asking if he’s upset about his grandparents. He’s like “Uh, yeah.” She says that he’ll see that life is about difficult choices and I’m sure Henry is like “How is cursing my grandparents a DIFFICULT CHOICE?” She then asks if he remembers how she brought him to the beach and he replies that they used to feed the seagulls. She says he was scared of them and she couldn’t understand how she raised such a scared little boy. Meanwhile, I’m sure Regina was really nurturing and used to have him feed the seagulls to help him realize there was nothing to be scared of. Henry reminds her that she isn’t his mother and then disappears.

(Now you've angered Queen)

Queenie yells that it was a low blow to use her son against her and Regina shoots back that Henry isn’t her son. Queenie reminds her that she used to say that all the time to Emma. Regina holds up the mirror and says she’s not going to bother anyone again. Except nothing happens. Queenie conjures her own mirror and tells Regina that anything she could think of, Queenie’s already thought of it. She then traps Emma and Regina in the mirror before breaking it, taunting them to try to escape that.

(Man, everyone in this town is going to have such bad luck)

Emma wakes up and spots a mirror. She touches it and finds herself staring at Storybrooke. When she stands, she discovers she’s in a desolate landscape covered in mirrors. She touches another one and spots Granny. Despite screaming and banging on it, she fails to capture Granny’s attention. Regina tells her to give up and that all Granny will see is a mirror as this is a land of one way mirrors. Emma says that they will get out but Regina says their magic doesn’t work here, so there is no way out. It was the perfect prison for Queenie and is now the perfect prison for them. Emma says that they have something Queenie doesn’t—family that can bust their way in to get them out. Regina realizes that they need Henry.

(Creepy)

We see the shadow of the Evil Queen on the wall by Snow’s loft before it transforms into Regina. She climbs the stairs and enters the loft. Henry asks if she did it and she says that it worked. She says she finally feels free. Hook asks where Emma is and Queenie lies that she went to NYC to look for the dragon. He seems suspicious so she magics a voicemail for him where Emma says just that and asks him to help her dad at the Sheriff’s office. Snow comes over and tells “Regina” that she’s so glad she got rid of that monster. Queenie tries to soften that but Snow goes on about how Queenie was the worst part of Regina and it’s so great that “Regina” got rid of her. Queenie gathers herself and says there is someone else to worry about. Snow’s like “What now?”

Regina then says “Henry.” She says they need to get him ready for the school dance and she picks up a black tie for him. As she puts it on, she promises she’ll make sure everything is perfect for him.

("Mother" and son)

Belle goes to Gold’s shop and we see her looking in through the front door. We are inside the shop but it’s clear it is closed and there is no sign of Gold.

So Belle goes to Zelena, saying she knows her husband is up to something. She asks Zelena for help and Zelena is like “Everybody only gets one.” Belle says that they are similar, they both know what it’s like to love someone who keeps letting them down—Zelena’s sister, her husband. She pleads with her to help save her baby and to get them out of town with a portal. Zelena says she needs the Apprentice’s wand but that’s in Gold’s shop. She doubts he’s going to hand it to her. Belle has an idea.

(This is still a strange friendship)

She and Zelena ask Aladdin to steal the wand from Gold’s shop. Jasmine is against it and Belle says she’s asking Aladdin, the best thief in town. He corrects her, saying he’s the best thief in all the lands and that’s just because this thief got killed off:

Anyway, Jasmine says they need to focus on saving Agrabah but Zelena hushes her. She tells Aladdin that it’s all his fault—he brought the shearers to Storybrooke, gave them to Emma, Emma then tossed them away and now Gold has him. He turns back to Belle and asks if she blames him. Belle says he was once the Savior and she’s appealing to the hero in him to free her from her beast.

(Does Jasmine own another outfit?)

Gold works on something in his shop as Queenie enters. He looks her over and comments that he never thought he would see the Evil Queen in a pantsuit. She realizes he saw right through her and offers to role play with him. He turns her down, saying he needs to work. She pouts but backs off, saying she needs something from him—the Hammer of Hephaestus. He says that’s something used by someone without magic. Queenie assures him her magic is fine but that she’s hoping to gift it to Henry. Gold asks if she’s trying to get herself a family and reminds her that villains don’t get a happy ending. She points out that she’s aiming for a happy beginning.

(Safe or medicine cabinet? You decide!)

He goes over to his safe and takes out the hammer, wishing her luck. I’m sure he’s just curious to see how this all blows up in her face. Gold asks her what he gets in return and she says the assurance that they are on the same team. He then warns her about her mother’s advice—that love is weakness. She thinks it can also be used as a weapon and that’s a lesson she’s going to teach her son.

Mother of the year, there.

Hook walks along the beach as he leaves another voicemail for Emma, begging her to answer him. He then spots a piece of glass before a noise draws his attention. Hook finds Emma’s phone and knows she’s not in New York. “Regina” shows up and he demands to know where Emma and Regina are. She says somewhere he can’t get them and then knocks him unconscious.

(That's a lot of missed calls)

In the mirror world, Emma and Regina keep tapping mirrors. Emma asks why they are doing this. Regina says that Henry will figure it out and so they need to be at the right mirror at the right time for when their family rescues them. Emma says they need to then find a mirror at Granny’s because that’s where Henry is meeting Violet before the dance.

We see Henry anxiously watching the door, waiting for Violet. He gets up and looks himself over in the mirror. Emma says he looks so grown up but Regina thinks he looks terrified. They start banging on the mirror and it seems Henry hears them. He leans closer and they think they can get through to him…but then Queenie shows up. Regina can’t believe it and Emma moans that no one knows they’re gone.

("Is Archie singing in the shower?")

“Regina” asks Henry what’s wrong and he says he’s worried he isn’t good enough for Violet. “Regina” tells him that she’s a commoner and anyone would be fortunate enough to date a prince like him. Henry’s like “I’m not a prince” but she protests. She says that one day they may return to her palace and he might be king. Henry just wants to make it through high school. She tells him that doesn’t mean he can’t carry himself like a prince and that people notice these things, especially girls. She gives him a white rose and he thanks her. As he turns around, she reminds him that posture is self-respect. He realizes that she’s not his mother and he walks away as she sends a victorious look at Regina and Emma.

(He knows)

Violet is waiting at the booth and she looks up when Henry approaches. He gives her the flower and she loves it. She asks if the dance is like a ball. Henry says yes but that they have a bigger problem, explaining that the woman watching them wasn’t his mother but the Evil Queen. He says he needs Violet to come up with a reason for them to leave so they can find his moms. Violet nods and then says that she doesn’t really like her dress. She asks to show him the one she really wanted and they leave. Henry compliments her on her lying skills while Queenie watches, pleased.

(Violet is so proud of herself and Henry's in love)

Emma and Regina bemoan the fact that Queenie has her grips in Henry. Emma then hears something but Regina says they’re alone. The Dragon appears to say that’s not true. He says the Queen came back and trapped him when he refused to help her. The Dragon then tells Regina that the battle in her soul was supposed to stay in her soul. She’s like “Can we blame me later? We have a son to save.” The Dragon agrees to help since he lost his daughter years ago. Emma asks if he found a way out and I’m like “Wouldn’t he have taken it if he did?” But he says he found a backdoor and agrees to show it to them.

(Also—daughter? Lily maybe?)

(Welcome back, Dragon)

Aladdin breaks into Gold’s shop. He creeps around and finds a basket of threaded gold. It seems Gold is busy in the backroom. He is startled when a toy monkey that looks like Abu starts to cling its cymbals together. Gold looks around as he silences it but then goes back into the backroom. Aladdin quickly locates the wand and leaves.

(Abu? Or the monkey music box from the Phantom of the Opera?)

That was way too easy.

The Dragon brings Emma and Regina to a little pavilion. Emma says it looks nicer than some of the places she squatted in and Regina realizes that Sidney must’ve done it. Emma’s like “Sidney, your magic mirror?” Emma, you KNOW SIDNEY. GEEZ. The Dragon says that it looks like he found a backdoor and was trying to put it together when the Snow Queen got him out easier. He says if Emma and Regina work together, they can put the mirror back together and escape.

(Puzzle time!)

Emma tells the Dragon that she was hoping to find him because of what happened to her parents. He says he knows what happened to them but apologizes, saying he can’t defeat the curse. Emma thanks him.

Henry goes to the vault and opens the curtains covering the mirrors. He tells his mothers that he knows they’re trapped behind the mirror and asks them to give him a sign so he knows if they’re all right. Queenie shows up and tells him that mirrors aren’t voicemail. He says he knows she did something to his mothers since she’s not behind the mirror. She says it’s for the best and then admonishes him for leaving his date. He says Violet is somewhere safe since his mother is not really his mother.

(Mother and son showdown)

Queenie reminds Henry about how he was scared of almost everything when he was younger and tells him she was the one who got him to overcome his fears, to toughen him up. Not her weaker half (AKA Regina). Queenie tells Henry that he can be great—a king even—if he stays with her since he won’t be off trying to solve Emma’s and Regina’s problems constantly. He tells her she can’t Darth Vader him. She says they watched the movies together enough to know that Darth Vader wasn’t all bad. She says the same is true for her. Queenie says she’s a leader and a leader knows how to use her weapons. She pulls out a heart and Henry gets nervous.

In the mirror world, the Dragon asks Emma and Regina if they are enjoying their little puzzle. He says that Henry is safe with “him” and better off without them. Emma realizes the Queen is talking through the Dragon and Queenie confirms that the body is in the mirror but his heart is with her. For a moment, Queenie lets Henry see his mothers and lets them see him. They talk for a moment before Queenie clouds up the mirror. She then uses the heart to force the Dragon to turn into, well, a dragon.

(Mushu, he is not)

Henry tells Queenie to stop but she says that she’s going to give him the choice to save his mothers. She says that while he doesn’t have magic, the hammer does. Queenie tells him he can save his mothers by crushing the heart of the Dragon. Henry protests, saying that the Dragon is an innocent and that darkening his heart won’t make him hers. She says it’ll help him understand her better. He then points out that if Regina dies, she dies because they are connected. Queenie tells him that’s how much she believes he’ll do the right thing.

Inside the mirror, Regina and Emma plot. Regina says they can use the Dragon’s magic and try to get him to hit the mirror with his fire. Emma picks up on it and says that it might help them bust out. She suggests that someone stay behind and Regina agrees, just in case someone gets fried. Emma volunteers to go but Regina insists she goes. Emma says she’s marked for death and doesn’t understand why Regina keeps trying to martyr herself. Regina says she’s scared to raise Henry alone and that seeing Queenie scares her. Emma insists she’s a good mother and they agree to go out there together. They do so, trying to attract the Dragon’s attention.

Okay, I get that Queenie might have shaken up Regina, but I can’t get that she would be scared to raise Henry without Emma. She did so for ten years with Queenie living inside her and did fine. I know there are always some debates about whether or not Regina was abusive; however, several people have debunked the Regina is abusive theory based on what we’ve seen of Henry in the first two seasons. Yes, Regina made mistakes but she learned from them and tried to be better. What the writers aren’t really exploring is the fact that over six seasons, Regina has shown that she will try to martyr herself. They haven’t really explored her low self-esteem.

(You can do it, Team Moms!)

Emma and Regina try to get the Dragon to hit the mirror before they end up pounding on it, begging Henry to help him. Queenie taunts him, telling him to crush the Dragon’s heart. Instead, he throws the hammer at the mirror and cracks it. Regina and Emma get the Dragon to hit their mirror with his fire and it shatters the mirror, freeing them.

(Henry smash!)

Queenie tells Regina that she made Henry weak and then tells Henry that he’s hiding behind his mothers. He steps forward, saying he’s not hiding behind them. He says that they taught him that family makes you strong and that’s something she’ll never know. Henry tells her that she’s doomed to be alone forever.

Ouch, Henry. Ouch.

Queenie approaches them but Hook intercepts her, telling her not to take another step or he’ll use his hook. She tells Henry that she’s his mother and she just wants what’s best for him. Then she poofs herself out.

Aladdin and Jasmine stroll down the street. She tells him he did a good thing and that he’s a hero. She says she hasn’t been a great hero since she’s been so focused on Agrabah. He tells her that she’s a concerned leader who wants to help her people. Aladdin says that’s no crime but stealing the lamp from Gold was. He reveals the genie’s lamp and Jasmine asks if their genie is inside. Aladdin says no, that his old friend is long gone and free. I thought he was referring to Sidney but after seeing a few posts online, I realized it was the writers’ tribute to Robin Williams. Aladdin says that whoever is inside might be able to help them get to Agrabah.

(Seriously. Is Jafar in there?)

At the farmhouse, Belle gives Zelena the wand. She asks her to hurry up so she can be in the Enchanted Forest before Gold can find her. The wand disappears and it’s clear it’s too late. He says he figured Aladdin wasn’t just rooting around the shop for his own benefit. Gold says he won’t let Belle take his son from him and slaps a gold cuff on her wrist, telling her it will let him track her no matter where she goes. Belle calls him a beast and he tells her that he’s doing everything out of love for his son and her.

Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Rumple.

Oh. Wait. Dark Ones don’t sleep.

Never mind.

Belle lets Rumple have it. She says one day she is going to run far away and he’ll never see his son. Rumple says he takes children, children aren’t taken from him. Zelena scoffs that he should ask his other son and he starts to choke her.

But then Gold gasps and clutches at his chest. Belle asks what’s going on and Zelena reminds us of the events of Episode 4x17 (“Heart of Gold”), where she used magic to save him from a heart attack. She said that they had a deal and if he tries to hurt her, he just ends up hurting himself. Gold tells her that he’s good at finding loopholes and tells her to watch out before leaving.

(Zelena' on top for now)

Snow puts Neal down for the night before climbing into bed. She pulls out a pad and pen to write David a note but she just stares at it before ripping out the paper, crumpling it as she says “I miss you.” She then kisses David and he wakes, greeting Neal. He takes the paper from Snow’s hand and opens it to find it blank. He sighs and tells Snow he misses her too.

(A blank paper can say it all)

Violet enters Granny’s, which is still decorated for the dance. They had it in Granny’s? Not the gym? Or did Henry do this to simulate the dance? It’s probably the latter. Anyway, Henry appears from the back, apologizing that they missed the dance. She said this was better, since it was where their first date was. Henry admits he thought she was getting bored with him and she assures him that’s not it. Violet admits that she’s having trouble adjusting to school, having trouble determining where she fits in—princess? Jock? Nerd? Henry shakes his head, saying they should’ve started with Pretty in Pink and then assures her that she’s Violet and that’s amazing. They share a dance and are all cute.

(Aww)

Outside, Emma and Regina watch through the window. Emma says that Henry is going to be okay once she’s gone. Regina says she was so worried about how she would raise Henry, she didn’t realize…they already had, Emma finishes.

(Excuse me. Regina raised him for the most part. You’ve barely had two years, Emma).

Gold stares at the sonogram as Queenie enters the shop. She moans about the things parents do for their children. Gold surmises that Henry didn’t do what she wanted. She says that Henry will appreciate everything she’s done to make sure he’s strong one day. She just knows it.

He asks her how far she’ll go to get her happy ending and she’s like “how ever far it takes.” Gold is pleased by this answer and they start making out. (Ew). She says that they are the same team and he says if they are, then teams require a give and take. (Ew). Queenie says that sounds like a proposition and he agrees. (Ew). He says that Zelena has become a problem and Queenie offers to give her a stern lecture. Gold says she needs to kill Zelena.

Well damn.

Well, that was an interesting romp. It was nice to see Regina and Emma being Team Moms again, but I’m not sure Regina’s journey was necessarily in keeping with her character—split or not. Emma’s made sense with the overall arc for her character this season.

They seem to be well on the way to sinking the S.S. Rumbelle right good. Sorry, you guys.

Next time: Hey, remember when they accelerated Zelena’s pregnancy and nobody liked it? They’re doing the same thing to Belle!  

Screen caps from here.