Tag Archives: Cora

Mar 13 2013
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ABC, Once Upon a Time, Recaps

once upon a time recapping: the miller’s daughter

Previously on Once Upon a Time: The Queen is Dead.

This week on Once Upon a Time, the battle for Storybrooke begins. Emma, Nealfire, Henry, and Rumpelstiltskin return to Storybrooke to reunite with Snow and Charming and face off against Cora and Regina. In the pre-Curse Enchanted Forest, we learn how a young Cora started on the path to becoming the Evil!Mommy we know and love to hate.

Once Upon a Time, Cora and Rumpelstiltskin

In the pre-curse Enchanted Forest, young Cora is a lowly miller’s daughter (played by Rose McGowan, of Charmed). When she goes to the palace to deliver a shipment of flour, Princess Eva (Snow’s mother) spitefully trips her. King Xavier (Joaquim de Almeida) forces to Cora to apologize to the princess, which does not sit well with her at all. She later sneaks back into the palace to crash the Prince’s masked ball – but the King is shrewd enough to recognize her from the straw on her dress. Refusing to be intimidated, she boasts that she can spin straw into gold, so the King locks her in a cell until she can demonstrate her talent: succeed, and she can marry the Prince; fail, and she dies. Rumpelstiltskin appears in her tower to save the day. In exchange for her “very important” firstborn, he offers to teach her how to spin straw into gold. Rumpelstiltskin and Cora bond over their desire for vengeance on those who made them feel small. She spins on command and wins the hand of the prince, but it’s not everything she’d hoped for as she’s fifth in line to be Queen. Cora would rather have Rumple, and he alters their deal: in exchange for giving him his child, he teachers her how to rip out hearts so she can exact her revenge on the King. When she goes to the King, he reminds her it’s a choice of love or power – so the heart Cora rips out is her own. She apologizes to Rumpelstiltskin, and later gives birth to Regina, who “will be queen” one day.

Once Upon a Time, Emma and Co.

In Storybrooke, things are looking dire. As they race towards home, Emma vows to save the ailing Rumpelstiltskin since he’s now “family,” despite the fact that Cora can potentially control him. He’s so far gone that his name has started to fade from the dagger, leading Cora to claim she has to become the Dark One lest all the power be lost – much to Regina’s dismay. Emma and Co. prepare for battle at Gold’s shop. Rumple produces the dark candle and encourages Snow to trade Cora’s life for his own by using the spell over her heart and returning it to her body; meanwhile, Emma uses her magic to cast a protection spell over the shop. Regina and Cora appear, Snow slips out a side door, Charming is thrown out the front, and Emma/Nealfire retreat to the back room. Cora senses something is wrong with her heart and sends Regina to the vault. Snow uses the candle over Cora’s heart. When Regina appears, Snow claims she wants Cora’s heart returned so she can love her daughter and give up on being the Dark One. While Cora works on the barrier, Rumple calls Belle to make a deathbed confession of love, and it’s enough to soften Nealfire’s disposition towards his father. Cora breaks through and whisks Nealfire and Emma away with magic, and is about to stab “the only man she ever truly loved” when Regina restores her heart. Mother and daughter have a brief moment of happiness before Cora collapses, claiming, “this would have been enough” as she dies. Snow tries to stop Regina, but it’s too late.

Next week, hell hath no fury like Regina scorned.

Thoughts/Theories
• We finally get our glimpse into Cora’s past, but it leaves more questions than answers. How did Cora go from the wife of a prince to a bitter social climber? How did Eva become the queen? Was Regina the rightful princess/queen all along? I want more of this storyline!
• I hate (like, haaaaaaaaaate) Rose McGowan, but she was absolutely spot on as a young, self-righteous, bitter Cora.

Nicole N. decided to justify the countless hours she spends watching television by writing about it here. She is currently terrified of Stanley’s oddly-shaped head on Project Runway. For more tv-centric musings, check out her tumblr.

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Mar 05 2013
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ABC, Once Upon a Time, Recaps

once upon a time recapping: the queen is dead

Previously on Once Upon a Time: Manhattan.

This week on Once Upon a Time, revenge is on everyone’s mind. In New York, Hook finds Rumpelstiltskin and a return to Storybrooke is the only thing that can save him. In Storybrooke, Cora and Regina come out on top – but Snow is not giving up without a fight. Finally, in the pre-Curse Enchanted Forest, we learn what happened to Snow’s mother.

Once Upon a Time, Snow and the Queen

In the pre-curse Enchanted Forest, the court is preparing a ball for Snow’s birthday. The little princess is quite snooty – especially when she catches her servant Johanna (played by Lesley Nicol, better known as Downtown Abbey’s no-nonsense cook Mrs. Patmore) trying on the tiara she will inherit. The Queen (Rena Sofer) schools her daughter on how to be a benevolent ruler, but collapses in pain mid-lecture. The healers are at a loss, so Johanna mentions to Snow that the Blue Fairy might be able to help. The Blue Fairy offers Snow a forbidden magic to save her mother – a candle that will trade someone’s life for the Queen’s. Snow cries to her mother that she wasn’t strong enough to use dark magic to save her, but the Queen praises her goodness with her last breath. After the funeral, Cora appears to gloat over the Queen’s body – even if she wasn’t able to corrupt Snow with her Blue Fairy deception, she vows her daughter will be queen one day.

Recap from Once Upon a Fan

In New York, Emma and Rumpelstiltskin commiserate over the fact that their sons are not exactly happy with them. Nealfire treats Henry to some New York pizza that is “delicious, cheesy, and doesn’t lie,” but their bonding time is interrupted when Hook appears and stabs Rumple. Emma knocks out the pirate (seriously, how does he not have brain damage by now?) and locks him in the basement. Unfortunately his hook was poisoned and the only thing that can save Rumple is magic – meaning they need to return to Storybrooke, and fast. Nealfire offers to captain Hook’s ship back to Storybrooke – apparently the real world wasn’t his first stop after the Enchanted Forest – and works on getting them a car to get to the harbor. Emma receives an update via text from Snow, and gets Rumple to give up the location of his dagger so they can get before Cora does. Emma and Neal go to retrieve their ride – from Neal’s fiancé, Tamara.

Once Upon a Time, Snow and Regina

In Storybrooke, Snow is not in the mood to celebrate her birthday. A mysterious present contains her tiara, and she’s happy to discover that Johanna is in town. They have a tearful reunion, which is interrupted when Snow discovers Cora and Regina digging for the dagger off in the woods, with no success. Meanwhile, Hook attacks Charming at the sheriff station and retrieves his hook. Snow revives Charming and gives him the bad news – but she thinks she can turn Regina against her mother. The two meet at Granny’s; Snow offers Regina “one last chance” to be good, to which she replies “Hey, remember that time I saved your life and then you shunned me? No, thanks.” With help from Emma, Snow and Charming retrieve the dagger from the clock tower. Regina and Cora appear with Johanna in tow, and the revelation that Cora was responsible for the Queen’s death. It’s Johanna’s life for the dagger, and Snow caves, only to have them murder her anyway. With their cover blown, Regina worries what Cora’s endgame will be. Over Johanna’s grave, Snow vows to kill Regina.

Next week, Snow and Regina have an epic showdown, and apparently someone dies.

Thoughts/Theories
• Both Baelfire and Rumpelstiltskin are a “few centuries” old. So while Rumple was creating the curse, we can assume Balefire was in Neverland. I have only one question: can I have epic Baelfire and Hook Neverland adventures like, RIGHT NOW PLEASE?
• Stay tuned for Storybrooke: The Deadliest Small Town in Maine that No One Knew Existed – Until Now, a documentary that is sure to be in the works if this battle between good and evil escalates.
• Cora and Snow’s mother – hopefully there is more backstory to come.

Nicole N. decided to justify the countless hours she spends watching television by writing about it here. She is currently terrified of Stanley’s oddly-shaped head on Project Runway. For more tv-centric musings, check out her tumblr.

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Dec 03 2012
1 Comment
ABC, Once Upon a Time

once upon a time recapping: queen of hearts

Previously on Once Upon a Time: Into the Deep.

This week on Once Upon a Time, it’s the winter finale!

Once Upon a Time, Regina and Hook

In pre-curse Enchanted Forest, Hook stages a rescue in order to learn how to kill Rumpelstiltskin from Belle, which ends about as well as you’d expect. Regina (rocking an AWESOME dress) finds him in the cell and cuts him a deal. She intends to transport Rumpelstiltskin to land without magic, where he will be easily defeated. In order to do that, however, he needs to kill Cora for her first. With the aid of Jefferson’s hat, Regina sends Hook to Wonderland with a now enchanted hook to rip out her heart. The Queen of Hearts is none other than Cora (who else?), but Hook’s murderous attempt fails since she isn’t foolish enough to keep her heart where everyone else does. She uses him to bring her back, where she intends to steal Regina’s heart. However, as Cora feigns death, Regina admits she killed her mother because she loves her, and love is weakness. This prompts Cora to wait out the curse instead, so she can return to aid her daughter once it’s broken.

Once Upon a Time, Emma

In present day Enchanted Forest, Emma and Co. reach the cell, where they find an empty ink bottle and a parchment with Emma’s name written over and over. To add to the bad news, the heart-controlled Aurora lowers the gate and traps them in the cell. Cora and Hook arrive to steal the compass and gloat. They then go to Lake Nostos where Cora restores the waters – the final element they need to create a portal. Snow has an epiphany and realizes the parchment contains a spell written in the ink, and uses it to destroy the bars of the cell. Aurora asks to be left behind; Mulan promises to restore her heart. The heroes arrive at the lake just in time. In the heat of the fight, Hook saves Aurora’s heart just before it falls through the portal and gives it to Mulan, who rushes off to aid the princess. Emma and Hook have the most innuendo-filled fight ever until she gets the compass and clocks him in the face with it. Cora tries to steal Snow’s heart but Emma gets in the way. Emma’s special brand of magic – love – keeps her heart intact and knocks Cora down. They go through the portal. Mulan returns Aurora’s heart, and they vow to save Philip. Hook and Cora use plan B – a magic bean.

Once Upon a Time, Regina

In Storybrooke, with David under a sleeping curse, Mr. Gold and Regina have no way of knowing if their message got through. The only way to ensure that Cora doesn’t reach Storybrooke is to destroy the portal. Regina argues they could be preventing Emma and Snow from coming home, but Gold calls it a win-win: they either stop Cora or Regina becomes the only parent in Henry’s life. It’s enough to tempt her, so she lies to get Henry out of the way and then the two steal the fairy dust from the mine. Ruby and Leroy discover this and break the bad news to Henry. Gold and Regina go to the well that “restores that which was lost” and use the dust to create a barrier. In a heart-wrenching scene, Henry arrives and begs Regina to reconsider, asking her to have faith in him. She destroys the barrier just in time for Emma and Snow to return. Henry thanks Regina for choosing good, Snow revives Charming, and everyone goes off for a celebratory dinner at Granny’s – without inviting Regina, of course. Just when I’m starting to think this way too much of a happy ending (for everyone but the mayor), we zoom over to a pirate ship in the harbor, bringing Cora and Hook to poor Storybrooke.

Once Upon a Time, Cora and Hook

See you all in the new year!

Thoughts/Theories
• Hats off to Lana Parrilla, because she is killing it this season. Regina has grown so much, and deserved so much better than what she got this episode. C’mon Emma, SHOW SOME RESPECT, PLEASE.
• How much does influence does Rumpelstiltskin really have over Emma’s destiny? She may have her own special brand of magic, but I want to believe his power over her name will have some meaning in this plotline.
• I am so excited for all the havoc Hook and Cora are going to unleash!

Nicole N. decided to justify the countless hours she spends watching television by writing about it here. She is currently indulging her addiction to medical dramas by rewatching all of Grey’s Anatomy. Follow her on twitter @nicolemnelson and check out her tumblr.

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Nov 26 2012
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ABC, Once Upon a Time

once upon a time recapping: into the deep

Previously on Once Upon a Time: Child of the Moon.

My fellow OUaTers, I’ve missed you! A big thank you to the lovely TVDM Editor Nicole for covering my recaps when life pulled me into a land without magic. This week on Once Upon a Time, with Jefferson’s hat destroyed, Henry and Aurora’s netherworld connection may be the only way Snow and Emma can get home. In Storybrooke, Charming makes a sacrifice for a chance to see Snow again. In the Enchanted Forest, Cora remains one step ahead of our heroes.

Once Upon a Time, Captain Hook

In present day Enchanted Forest, we catch up with Hook as he escapes the beanstalk. Cora catches up with him also, and is none too pleased he is missing the compass. Her plan is to use heart-controlled “zombies” to get it back. Meanwhile, Snow and Emma realize they can use Aurora’s dreams to communicate with Henry, and through him, that master of all things magic: Rumpelstiltskin. When Aurora goes back under, she is unable to learn anything more – especially since the zombies attack mid-dream, and she gets captured. Aurora refuses to bargain with Cora and gets knocked out for her trouble. Our heroes only have until sundown to save her, but Emma won’t give up the compass. Since Snow has been under a sleeping curse before, she offers to go back to get the information they need. However, she requires a sleeping potion, and the poppies they need to make it are hard to find (of course). In the meantime, Hook rouses Aurora and frees her, since what hurts Cora helps him. In the netherworld, Snow is surprised to meet Charming. He tells her what she needs to know but her kiss won’t revive him. Snow wakes up in a panic about Charming, and Mulan is missing with the amulet too. Cora is not pleased to find Hook instead of Aurora, but he offers a gift. Emma and Snow catch up with Mulan, but Aurora appears before the encounter gets too violent. She sings Hook’s praises, explaining how he rescued her and only wants to help. We cut to Cora using Aurora’s heart, stolen by Hook, to spin these lies and get the pirate back into Emma’s good graces, and closer to the compass.

Once Upon a Time, Emma and Snow

In Storybrooke, Henry connects to Aurora through his dreams and brings Charming and Regina the unfortunate news that Cora plans to visit Storybrooke. The threat of Cora is enough to get Gold on their side. Henry is eager for his chance to be a hero and return to the netherworld. Gold informs him that a supply of the ink used in the magic quill that defeated him remains in his old cell, and should be enough to stop Cora. Unfortunately Henry is unable to get this across before Aurora disappears, and his encounter with the netherworld leaves him badly burned. Neither Regina nor Charming are willing to send him back to try again. With Aurora gone, Charming believes Snow will be there in the netherworld to meet him, and offers to undergo a sleeping curse to reach her. The only catch is he may never wake up (though he believes Snow’s kiss will revive him) and that as first-time curse sufferer, he will have to navigate the netherworld to find the burning room himself. As Regina prepares the curse, Henry remarks he is proud she’s using her magic for good, and they share a moment. Charming goes under, and finds the burning room, but breaks the amulet in the process. He tells Snow what she needs to know but her kiss won’t revive him. Henry frets over the still-sleeping Charming, but the outcome doesn’t look good.

Once Upon a Time, Snow and Charming

Next week, mid-season finale!

Thoughts/Theories
• Point of interest: Philip may not be dead (yay!). According to Cora, the wraith merely transported his soul to another realm.
• Just when we thought Hook was a rogue with a heart of gold, he turns out to be a rogue that steals hearts. I still love him though.
• I am really into Regina’s redemption arc. Her drive to prove herself to Henry just kills me. Love when they have those mother/son moments.

Nicole N. decided to justify the countless hours she spends watching television by writing about it here. She is currently indulging her addiction to medical dramas by rewatching all of Grey’s Anatomy. Follow her on twitter @nicolemnelson and check out her tumblr.

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Oct 14 2012
1 Comment
ABC, Once Upon a Time

once upon a time recapping: lady of the lake

Previously on Once Upon a Time: We Are Both.

This week on Once Upon a Time, Charming continues to look for a way to find Snow and Emma, while Henry starts an “operation” of his own. Meanwhile, Snow and Emma navigate through the dangers of the Enchanted Forest and some difficult emotions. In the pre-curse Enchanted Forest, Snow and Charming learn that the road to saving the kingdom requires some sacrifice.

In pre-curse Enchanted Forest, Snow and Charming have their hands full with fending off King George’s men. During an attack, they split up. Charming heads to his mother’s cabin, but Snow is captured by the disgraced Sir Lancelot (played by Sinqua Walls, who fans of teen shows will know from Teen Wolf, Secret Life of the American Teenager and Friday Night Lights) and brought to King George, who curses her with infertility. His men dump her in the woods. She comes across Lancelot, who left the King’s service after his treatment of Snow, and warns her that men are on the way to Charming and the cabin. They arrive too late – Charming defeats the soldiers but his mother Ruth (played by Gabrielle Rose) is mortally wounded. The only thing that could help her are the magical waters of Lake Nostros. On the journey to the lake, Ruth tries to give Snow an amulet that indicates the gender of her future child, but she admits to Ruth that she’s been cursed. The lake is dry save for one sip – and Snow insists Ruth drink it. Her health doesn’t improve so Snow and Charming grant her dying wish of a wedding, with Lancelot officiating. As they lay Ruth to rest, Snow attempts to break the news of her infertility  to Charming, but the amulet indicates she will have a child, and Snow realizes that Lancelot put the enchanted water in the wedding chalice.

Once Upon a Time, Jefferson and Henry

In Storybrooke, Henry wants his grandfather’s help on “Operation Scorpion,” but Charming insists that Jefferson was a dead end and would rather Henry stay far away from magic as possible. Henry seeks out Jefferson on his own, but he has nothing to offer and instead suggests there might be something in Regina’s vault. When Henry notices Jefferson holding a flyer drawn by his daughter, he insists that they should be reunited so she’s not left wondering. Afterwards, Henry tricks Regina into leaving her office so he can steal her skeleton keys and break into her vault. The magical objects down there prove to be dangerous, but Charming arrives just in time to prevent Henry from being hurt. Charming promises Henry that they’ll get Emma and Snow back together. Later, Jefferson tearfully reunites with Grace. Charming offers to train Henry with a wooden practice sword as D.A. Albert Spencer (aka King George) watches ominously from a parked car.

Once Upon a Time, Lancelot and Mulan

In the Enchanted Forest/Haven, the minute Snow regains consciousness and sees Cora she freaks the hell out. Emma lets slip that she and Regina “share” Henry before Emma and Snow are taken to meet the leader of the camp, Lancelot. Snow asks for permission to go in search of a possible portal, but refuses to elaborate. He sends them off with Mulan, but Aurora is not happy that Philip’s “killers” are walking free. When they stop to make camp Aurora unsuccessfully tries to kill Snow and Emma accidentally draws out an ogre, which Snow defeats. The four women soon arrive at the old palace in hopes of finding the wardrobe that sent Emma to Storybrooke. The wardrobe is intact but powerless, so they decide to take it back to Haven – and Lancelot suspiciously appears to help them to do just that. Turns out that Cora killed the real Lancelot and has been posing as him. They fight, but after Emma torches the wardrobe and Mulan joins the fight, Cora makes a hasty retreat. With Lancelot gone, Mulan dubs Snow the leader of Haven. Emma apologies for destroying the wardrobe to protect Henry, and finally realizes how much Snow gave up to send her away, tearfully admitting, “I’m not used to anyone putting me first.” They hug, and cry, and I cry too (3 for 3 so far this season, damn!). After they leave, Cora reappears to collect some ashes from the wardrobe, which appear to retain some power.

Next episode, Captian Hook appears!

Thoughts/Theories
• I wonder if Cora is the reason that Haven and the surrounding land were spared from the curse? Did her magic nullify Regina’s?
• Once again, I continue to be perplexed by the heart vault and its connection to magic. Did it go dormant when Regina lost her powers? Is back now that she has magic? I’m hoping more will come of it this season.

Nicole N. decided to justify the countless hours she spends watching television by writing about it here. She is currently indulging her addiction to medical dramas by rewatching all of Grey’s Anatomy. Follow her on twitter @nicolemnelson and check our her tumblr.

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