Posted by Dustin on 04.21.2013 at 10:04 pm

After weeks of reruns, “Once Upon A Time” finally came back tonight. It was Henry’s birthday, and as a gift Gold let him have anything from the shop. He picked an old wand. He then showed him how the wand worked, turning him to a statue and shattering him! However this was just a nightmare of Gold’s . . . which was brought on by the seer’s prophecy that Henry would be his undoing.

Neil and Henry continued to bond, and Regina asked Gold why his son is so invested in Henry? She was stunned when Gold told him that Bae is his father and he’s Henry’s grandfather. She thought he planned this all along, after all he was the one who procured her for Henry. He said it was as much a shock to him. He said it seems fate has a sense of humor. I don’t think Regina figured out that he only found Emma’s son, knowing it would break her curse. Gold really didn’t know who his father was . . . but if he and Regina still had limited powers, why didn’t he?

Gold went to visit Belle in the hospital. She is glad to see he is still alive, though she still has no memory of him or feelings for him still. However she does feel they were connected in the past. Gold promised to do everything he could to bring her memory back. He knew she always brought out the best in him, and clearly he needs to rediscover the good in him before the darkness drives him to do something bad.

We then learned more about Gold and Belle’s past. We saw how he initially locked her up in his dungeon. Robin Hood ended up showing up to tried to steal a wand from him. However Rumple ended up capturing Robin Hood instead and throwing him in the dungeon where he tortured him. When Rumple left for the day, Belle ran to set Robin Hood free.

Later in Storybrook, Regina visited Belle in the hospital with a gift which seemed to spark her memory. Belle disappeared from the hospital, presumably with Regina. Gold found her missing and a matchbook to a bar left on the bed. He went there looking for her. He found her going by the name Lacey, playing pool and drinking. She said she remembered who she is, her name is Lacey. Right . . . .

Gold new Regina probably had something to do with this, and he confronted her. She told him the only way to break this curse would be true loves kiss, which she doubted Lacey would be giving up to him. He vowed to get Belle back and make her suffer! She said at least they agree on one thing, making people suffer. I’m guessing she’s hoping to lure Gold back to the dark side, aka her side.

Greg, the stranger, and Bae’s fiance continued to search for Greg’s missing father. He had a map of magic spikes, places he thought he could be. They are also bringing some mysterious package into town under the veil of darkness. Something they think will help them . . .

Snow and Charming took Emma to a parcel of land that is protected from view via magic. The giant Anton is there and is busy growing the magic beans. Emma learned that they were planning to use the beans as a portal to go back to their world, and they wanted her to go as well. She seemed conflicted about this, after all she’s never been anywhere but Earth.

Gold had to go to Charming for help, to figure out how he was able to break his curse when Mary fell for others and he was with Katherine. He said for once he’d owe Charming a favor. Charming said he had to show Belle the man she fell in love with, that would be the only way to awakening her memories.

In the past we saw an angry Rumple learning Belle let Robin Hood go. Not only did she let him go, but he duped her and still managed to steal Rumple’s wand. She thought there had to be a good reason he needed it, but Rumple thought it was for greed. He said people only want magic for themselves. He then forced Belle to go with him and watch him deal with this theif.

In Storybrook, Lacey met Robin at the bar, or Robin on this side of the world. Gold showed up to try and win Lacey/Belle back. Gold asked Lacey out on a date, but she said she wasn’t this Belle he goes on and on about. Lacey also said she’s heard how people in town are afraid of him. He said it was just talk asked for a chance, and she agreed to meet him at Granny’s.

Regina confronted Emma over the truth about Henry. Regina wanted to know what Neil is doing here? Emma said he just wants to spend time with his son. Emma told Regina to stopped worrying about everyone else and focus on being the person Henry wants her to be before she looses him for good. Regina wondered what she meant by that? She knew Emma had a secret and promised to find out what it was.

Lacey and Gold went on their date at Granny’s. She doesn’t understand why people are scared of him, she sees a man who wouldn’t hurt anyone. He tries to play the good guy. She begins saying things she used to say in the past, which startles Gold a bit. He knocks over his drink, which spills on her. She says she’ll head to the ladies room and fix herself . . . but never comes back.

In the past we see Rumple and Belle in a carriage searching for Robin Hood. As it turns out, Robin Hood stole the wand to heal a woman he loved, Maid Marion of course. However Rumple wasn’t moved and still wanted to kill him. Belle said there was good in him, she was right about a thief and is right about him. The woman turns out to be pregnant and Belle can’t believe he’d leave a child fatherless. Rumple goes to shoot but misses . . . Belle knows he spared his life as the bow is magic and doesn’t miss.

Back in the present, Lacey ditches Gold. He’s stunned to find her with Robin Hood’s counterpart in this world. Lacey says she only went out with him as she felt sorry for him, and she doesn’t love him and is not Belle. Gold says “no you’re not!” Later Robin Hood’s counterpart apologizes to Gold, he never knew they were together. Gold was tired of being good and ended up taking him. He began beating him when Lacey stumbled out drunk and saw him doing it. Lacey said so it is true what they say about him. Gold said yes, it’s all true. Lacey however is turned on by this side of him, she likes the darkness! I think this is exactly what Regina wanted, for Gold to go bad.

In the past we saw Belle and Rumple return to the castle, and Belle’s feelings for him had obviously changed. His towards her has as well. He let her have access to his library, knowing she liked books.

By the end of the episode Regina followed people and discovered the magic bean garden. Meanwhile Emma asked Neil if he ever thought about going back home to where they are from. He said he’s been trying to forget that place. Elsewhere Greg and Neil’s fiance snuck something big into town. Big enough to fit in a trailer. It turnes out they have Hook!

My Other Thoughts . . .
I think Regina planned all along to get Gold to go bad. Gold is so in love with Belle that when “Lacey” loved his darkside, he embraced it. I think though this will backfire on Regina as all her schemes do. I think if Gold stays bad, it will trigger her memory and she’ll run from him as she initially did.

If Greg is right and his father is being held in one of the magical spiked areas, I have to wonder why? I’m wondering what he knows that Regina would have to keep him so well guarded and locked up? Could he and his son be from another universe and we don’t know that yet?

I’m assuming we will see Robin Hood and Maid Marion again, otherwise why introduce them? Their storyline seemed fairly pointless for such huge fictional characters.

Where the hell is Mulan and Aurora, and what’s going on with Phillip? I hope we see them again before the season is over.

*Update*
I hope ABC doesn’t go there . . . but it just dawned on me. Greg was a “Star Wars” freak. ABC is owned by Disney, who just bought Lucasfilm . . . I really hope they aren’t going to bring “Star Wars” in as an alternate universe.