Did Swan Queen escape the wish realm and made it back to Storybrooke? (Photo property of ABC Studios)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome back to Season Six, Once Upon A Time fans!
The last time we saw our favorite Storybrooke residents in December, The Evil Queen captured Aladdin’s lamp and wished that Emma Swan would be transported from the realm. Aladdin sent Emma into a fantasy world, where she never separated from Henry or her parents. While Emma was blissfully unaware of her previous life, Regina met up with the wish realm’s Rumple and inspired his former student to return to her evil ways briefly. Disguised as the Evil Queen, Regina kidnapped Queen Snow and King Charming to wake Emma from this dream world. When Emma cowardly handed her the “keys to the kingdom,” Regina went to drastic measures and crushed the Charmings’ hearts. Sir Henry arrived on the scene, and when the former Evil Queen stated that she could not kill her beloved adopted son, Emma woke up.
As the two women fled the scene, they were able to meet up with Rumple, who gave them one of the realm’s remaining magic beans. But, just before they were transported back to Storybrooke, the wish realm’s version of Robin Hood appeared before them and gave Regina-the shock of her life. Unbeknownst to the women, the shadowy hooded figure that was in Emma’s nightmarish vision suddenly appeared in Storybrooke! After transforming the Evil Queen into a cobra, the menacing figure headed over to Mr. Gold’s shop where he revealed his identity to Mr. Gold and Belle: Gideon.
Were Gold and Belle successful with hiding Gideon’s true identity from the rest of the town? Did Regina convince Robin Hood to come with her to Storybrooke? Read on to find out!
In the wish realm, a shocked Emma tried to warn Regina that their only chance of escaping vanished, but Regina failed to listen to her as the wish realm’s version Robin Hood appeared in front of them and demanded their jewelry. A shocked and saddened Regina learned that the thief they handed their jewelry to was not the same man she fell in love with. The situation got grimmer as Sir Henry, and his knights closed in on the trio. As Robin Hood vanished and Sir Henry vowed revenge on Regina for killing his grandparents, the former Evil Queen asked Emma why Robin Hood did not age. Emma revealed that this whole realm was fake and warned her not to get lost in the wish realm.
Back in Storybrooke, David and Hook were looking for the hooded figure. Hook tried to advise his future father-in-law to get some rest and wake up Snow. David stated that the game plan has changed and vowed that he would not let the hooded figure kill his daughter. He also revealed to the good captain that he wished that the Evil Queen got what she deserved and because of him, the hooded figure had arrived in Storybrooke. Hook stated that he understood and hoped that Charming knew he was doing.
Belle and Gold were shocked to see their son standing. Gideon explained that the Black Fairy toughened him up and revealed that no matter how evil the Black Fairy made him, he tried to use Belle as a role model. Gideon also explained that if he killed Emma Swan, he would become a hero and would use her magic to save a realm from the Black Fairy.
As Gideon vanished, Emma reunited with Pinocchio and wanted to recruit him to find out the Enchanted Wardrobe in the wish realm. Pinocchio revealed that he dismantled the wardrobe because it brought back dark memories. While Emma and Pinocchio were working on the fine details, Regina penned a note to Emma that she had to check if Robin Hood was better off without her.
Regina tracked down Robin Hood to a Sherwood Forest Tavern. As the tavern’s customers screamed and retreated in fear, Regina asked Robin Hood if he was happy. Robin Hood asked her why he would care about their happiness, the Sheriff of Nottingham captured them both. Emma and Pinocchio tracked down the enchanted tree and Emma shared her job description as the Savior to him. However, they were rudely interrupted by that realm’s Captain Hook.
Back in Storybrooke, Mr. Gold confronted his son, Gideon, in the darker part of the town’s forest. Gideon advised his father not to talk him off his path and stated that killing Emma is his fate. Gold suggested to his wicked son that the future still requires work, while Gideon bluntly said that his father does not think that he has the guts to kill Emma. Gold grabbed his son and tried to bond with him over the equally miserable childhoods. However, when Gideon refused to punch his father and told him that he did not need his help killing Emma, Gold’s wayward son left the scene in a cloud of bronze smoke.
Meanwhile, Hook’s blundering attempt to save Emma cost Pinocchio his prized tool and stated that he could not help Emma anymore. As Pinocchio moped, Regina learned that the Robin Hood in this realm was not the legendary thief who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but a selfish, entitled thief. Meanwhile, Rumple arrived to release Regina and Robin but confronted Regina about how the Evil Queen starved Belle to death.
Back in the realm, Hook’s blundering attempt to save Emma cost Pinocchio his prized tool and stated that he could not help Emma anymore. As Pinocchio moped, Regina learned that the Robin Hood in this realm was not the legendary thief who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but a selfish, entitled thief. Meanwhile, Rumple arrived to release Regina and Robin but confronted Regina about Belle’s death. As Rumple prepared to torture the duo, Regina was able to get through to Robin, and they were able to escape their prison cell.
But Regina was not the only one who brought faith back to the realm. Emma was able to convince Pinocchio that he was worthy of his father’s legacy and he was successful in carving the enchanted tree and transforming it into the magical wardrobe. Regina and Robin appeared at Pinocchio’s house. Before they said goodbye, Robin gave Regina his lucky feather as a token of good faith and told them that he would join them on the journey home. Emma and Regina arrived safely back in Storybrooke, and they were joined shortly by Robin Hood.
As Regina introduced Robin to Storybrooke, Gideon confronted Emma in the street, and they began their epic duel. Everyone arrived to stop the battle and Gideon froze them, but Emma was able to stop him. While Gideon retreated from the scene, Emma reunited with her family and Regina introduced them to Robin Hood. As the episode ended, Emma talked with August while Belle and Gold tried to find an understanding on how to save their son from the darkness.
Next week, David & Hook’s relationship will be put to the test!
