Tag Archives: Rumpelstiltskin

Apr 23 2013
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ABC, Once Upon a Time, Recaps

once upon a time recapping: lacey

Previously on Once Upon a Time: Selfless, Brave, and True.

This week on Once Upon a Time, Belle gets her memory back, but it’s not what Rumpelstiltskin was hoping for. In Storybrooke, Regina restores Belle’s false memories, convincing her she is a barfly named Lacey, which prompts Rumple to woo her all over again. Meanwhile, Emma must decide if she wishes to return to the Enchanted Forest, while Tamara and Greg set their plan in motion. In the pre-Curse Enchanted Forest, we learn Belle’s and Rumpelstiltskin’s romance was sparked when he spared a thief named Robin Hood.

Screencap from Once Upon a Fan

In the Enchanted Forest, Rumpelstiltskin and Belle are in the days before the “chipped cup” incident. Rumpelstiltskin thwarts a thief (Tom Ellis) attempting to make off with one of his wands, and proceeds to viciously torture him, much to Belle’s dismay. The moment he leaves, Belle frees the thief from the dungeon. Rumpelstiltskin returns to find the thief – and the wand – are gone, and forces Belle to accompany him on his quest to track him down and kill him. They encounter Nottingham (played by Red Widow’s Wil Traval), who tries to trade the thief’s location for some time alone with Belle, but Rumpelstiltskin is not in the mood. He uses magic and tongue-stealing to get the information he needs, and the thief’s name – Robin Hood. They come across the thief using the wand to heal the deathly-ill (and pregnant) Marian. Due to Belle’s pleading, Rumpelstiltskin spares Robin Hood at the last moment. Back at his castle, Rumpelstiltskin shows Belle a room full of books for her to clean, and she’s intrigued by his new kindness.

Once Upon a Time, Mr. Gold and Lacey

In Storybrooke, Rumple has nightmares about killing Henry due to the Seer’s prophecy. He lets the bombshell drop that Neal is Henry’s father, but Regina warns him that his new family will never accept him. Needing reassurance of his good side, Rumple offers to get Belle released from the hospital. Naturally, Regina thwarts this by restoring Belle’s curse memories. Rumple discovers “Lacey” at a dive bar called The Rabbit Hole, where she is a scantily-clad, hustling, hard-drinking barfly. His only option to bring Belle back is True Love’s Kiss, but she must reciprocate his feelings first – prompting him to ask her for a date. Meanwhile, Snow and Charming reveal the magic beans and their intention to return to the Enchanted Forest to Emma. As she ponders her decision, Emma lets slip to Regina that she might lose Henry “for good.” On their date, Lacey confesses to Rumple that she doesn’t understand why people are scared of him, and he accidentally spills wine on her dress in his surprise. She disappears into the bathroom for quite some time, and Rumple goes outside to discover her macking on the Storybrooke equivalent of Nottingham. She admits she went on the date out of pity, and that he is not the man for her. Nottingham later apologizes to Rumple, but he’s had it with being good and proceeds to viciously beat the idiot. Lacey discovers him mid-attack and is intrigued by the dark Mr. Gold that everyone’s warned her about. Elsewhere, Regina traces the dwarves’ tracks back to the magic bean field, while Tamara and Greg bring a package into Storybrooke to aid them on their mission – Hook.

Screencap from Once Upon a Fan

Thoughts/Theories
• Rumpelstiltskin’s perspective on magic – “those who steal it have evil intentions” – and his desire to prevent Robin Hood from using it for wrongdoing were really interesting to me, especially considering he uses magic for such evil himself. Maybe he’s trying to spare people his fate?
• Ok, so the curse is broken, and all of these men who are suddenly very into Lacey/Belle fully know who she really is, right? It makes Storybrooke Nottingham’s interest in her really creepy. The whole situation is just a little uncomfortable.
• What are the circumstances of Henry’s adoption? There are too many coincidences involved – maybe we’ll get more of the story in season 3?

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 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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Feb 19 2013
3 Comments
ABC, Once Upon a Time, Recaps

once upon a time recapping: manhattan

Previously on Once Upon a Time: Tiny.

This week on Once Upon a Time, it’s all about family. In New York, Emma and Rumpelstiltskin find Baelfire and it’s not the reunion that any of them are expecting. In Storybrooke, Cora and Regina bond over their love of evil plans, while Greg continues to meddle. Finally, in the pre-Curse Enchanted Forest, we learn what set all of Rumpelstiltskin’s plans in motion.

Rumpelstiltskin and Baelfire.

In the pre-curse Enchanted Forest, a pre-Dark One Rumpelstiltskin has been called to the front of the Ogre’s War, and is eager for the chance to prove that he’s not a coward like his father. At the front, Rumpelstiltskin is left to guard a child Seer, who prophesizes that Milah will bear him a son but his actions will leave him fatherless – and when they ride “cows into battle” he’ll know she speaks the truth. The next night, he’s told they’ll be riding horses – complete with “cows” or saddles (really, writers?) into battle. Fearing death, Rumple breaks his own leg with a mallet so he’ll be sent home. Milah is waiting with baby Baelfire, but she’s disgusted with the shame her husband has brought on the family. After Rumplestiltskin loses Baelfire, he returns to the now-adult Seer for a way to get him back. She foretells of the Curse, and when she’s unable to give more details he takes her powers – only to find he can’t make sense of the jumble. She offers one final prophecy: a young boy will lead Rumpelstiltskin to his son, but will ultimately be his undoing.

Emma and Neal. Screencap from Once Upon a Fan.

In New York, Baelfire is not expecting company, prompting Emma to leave Henry with Rumpelstiltskin as she chases down his son and tackles him. Baelfire is none other than Neal. Emma freaks out, and Nealfire freaks out that his father has found him. They take their respective freak outs to a bar. Emma accuses him of playing her, but Nealfire swears he had no idea she was the chosen one until August warned him off (the box contained his typewriter with the message “I know you’re Baelfire”). She still feels manipulated, but he suggests their meeting was fate. Emma returns and lies that Bealfire escaped. Rumpelstiltskin is not willing to give up so easily, and as they search Nealfire’s apartment he senses Emma is lying and they get into a shouting match, and his son appears. All the yelling prompts Henry to emerge from the bathroom, which causes Nealfire to realize that he’s his son. Henry is totally disillusioned with Emma, accusing her of being like Regina for lying to him about his father. Nealfire agrees to hear Rumpelstiltskin out to fulfill Emma’s deal, but nothing his father can say will encourage him to reconcile. Emma makes Nealfire promise not to break Henry’s heart, and father and son meet for the first time.

Regina, Cora, and Hook

In Storybrooke, Regina is upset that Henry has left town with Emma. Hook (who along with Regina and Cora can cross the town line without losing their memories, since they weren’t victims of the curse) wants to follow Rumple to New York and finish him off while he’s powerless, but Cora would rather use the opportunity to get his dagger and destroy him that way. Regina visits Belle in the hospital and despite having two good hands she uses magic to search Belle’s purse – solely as a plot device so Greg can record the whole thing on his phone and send it to “Her.” A note from the purse leads Regina, Cora, and Hook to search the library. They find a map that Hook deciphers, after which they knock him out and leave him behind. Regina worries that her mother is only after the Dark One’s power, but Cora says the dagger will allow them to control Rumple and use him to remove all obstacles to Henry.

Next week, Hook heads to the Big Apple for his revenge.

Thoughts/Theories
• Dear Show, I love it when you prove me right and make me happy. Love, Me. I’m SO EXICTED that Neal is Baelfire! Now that he’s being thrown into the mix I’m really excited to see how this convoluted family dynamic develops.
• Speaking of family, I can’t believe that Regina is actually going to go along with Cora’s plan. After all, Regina saved Emma and Snow only a few episodes ago – I doubt she would break Henry’s heart like that.
• Knowing what we know now, I wonder if Rumple’s ability to see the future and the Seer’s prophecy had anything to do with him bringing baby Henry to Regina.
• Who is “Her”?

Nicole N. decided to justify the countless hours she spends watching television by writing about it here. She is currently upping her political savvy by watching all of The West Wing. For more tv-centric musings, check out her tumblr.

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Oct 28 2012
3 Comments
ABC, Once Upon a Time

once upon a time recapping: the doctor

Previously on Once Upon a Time: The Crocodile.

This week on Once Upon a Time, it’s all about monsters. In the past, we learn how Rumpelstiltskin’s manipulation sent Regina down her dark path. In Storybrooke, Regina’s past, specifically Daniel, comes back to haunt her. And in the Enchanted Forest, Emma and Snow must team up with Hook to defeat Cora.

Once Upon a Time, Regina and Jefferson

In the pre-curse Enchanted Forest, Rumpelstiltskin attempts to tutor Regina on how to control – and kill – others by ripping out their hearts, but she’s not willing to go that far. When Rumpelstiltskin asks what’s holding her back, she reveals she wants to bring someone back from the dead. He informs her that it’s impossible, but Jefferson (who just happens to stop by at that moment) says there is a man who could help. “The Doctor,” a.k.a Dr. Whale, is brought to the palace. In order for his experiment to work, he needs an enchanted heart. Regina is still unwilling to snatch one, but her mother left a vast supply. Yet even though The Doctor uses “something greater than magic,” he fails. With Daniel lost, Regina returns to Rumpelstiltskin ready to crush hearts and continue her education. Rumpelstiltskin thanks The Doctor for fulfilling his end of the bargain, and in exchange gives him a heart to create “his own monster.” The Doctor insists his powers transcend magic, but Rumpelstiltskin warns that whatever it is, it comes with a price, and Jefferson transports him home. Back in his black and white realm, he uses the heart – and science – to reanimate a corpse. The assistant congratulates Dr. Frankenstein for bringing his brother back to life.

Once Upon a Time, Dr. Whale

In Storybrooke, Whale asks Charming if the “all the lands” still exist. His answer is a punch in the face (for the time Whale slept with Snow) and yes, which is why he’s trying to get back. Meanwhile, Regina is seeking help from Dr. Hopper to keep her promise to Henry. Whale interrupts her session, demanding to be sent back to his land since her curse only “transported the living.” However, that’s not exactly true, since Regina has kept Daniel magically preserved in her heart vault. Hopper tells her to let go of her past; Regina storms out and sees her past standing on the corner. Daniel is missing from the vault, and when she finds Dr. Whale, he’s missing an arm. He used one of her hearts to bring Daniel back and created a “monster.” Regina tracks him to the stables, but she’s only able to get through to him for a few seconds before she’s forced to use magic to destroy him. She returns to Dr. Hopper. Whale goes to Mr. Gold to reattach his arm. Whale confesses he revived Daniel in the hopes Regina would send him back to his brother so he could “try again,” since the first time ended badly. Gold forces “Victor” to admit he needs magic, and restores his arm.

Once Upon a Time, Emma and Snow

In the Enchanted Forest, Emma and company make it back to Haven, only to discover that Cora has killed everyone by ripping out their hearts. Under the bodies they do find one survivor – Hook. Mulan believes he’s a blacksmith, but he’s unable to get his lies past Emma. The threat of being dinner for ogres is enough to get him talking. Cora sent him to learn everything he could about Storybrooke, and the enchantment from the wardrobe remains in the ashes. The only thing Cora needs is a magical compass, but Hook is willing to help them get it instead – if he gets to come along. Their target is at the top of a very large beanstalk, guarded by a giant.

Next week, we get a glimpse into Emma’s past!

Thoughts/Theories
• Point of interest: Jefferson’s hat only transports between magical realms. Speaking of, I’m not 100% certain where this fits into his timeline, but it must be prior to his mushroom selling days with Grace. I’d be interested to see how he got to that point, because this version of him is quite nefarious.
• Whose heart did Whale use? Whose heart did Rumpelstiltskin give him? Do the original owners of the hearts affect the outcome? I have a feeling this will play out later on.
• Are there any other characters from different lands wandering around? The plot thickens.

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 21 2012
3 Comments
ABC, Once Upon a Time

once upon a time recapping: the crocodile

Previously on Once Upon a Time: Lady of the Lake.

This week on Once Upon a Time, we are introduced to the delectable Captain Hook and filled in some of the gaps of Rumpelstiltskin’s backstory. In the Enchanted Forest, Rumpelstiltskin loses his wife and gains an enemy. In Storybrooke, Belle starts to doubt Mr. Gold’s willingness to give up his dark ways. When she goes missing, Mr. Gold and Charming must join forces to save her before it is too late.

Once Upon a Time, Captain Hook and Milah

In the pre-curse Enchanted Forest, we start with a pre-Dark One Rumpelstiltskin, who is too cowardly to rescue his wife Milah (played by Rachel Shelley of The L Word) via a duel with Captain Killian Jones (played by Colin O’Donoghue of The Tudors). Next, we catch up with a Rumpelstiltskin that has gained the powers of the Dark One but lost Baelfire. He is at a tavern attempting to trade with an unnamed man for a magic bean that grants the ability to cross realms when Jones walks in. Rumpelstiltskin makes a point of running into the Captain, who calls him a “crocodile” before realizing who he is and informing him of his wife’s death. Rumpelstiltskin challenges him to duel, defeats him easily, and is about to rip out his heart when Milah appears. She makes a deal – the magic bean in exchange for their lives. Only when Rumpelstiltskin arrives on the ship to collect, he flies into a rage at Milah’s abandonment of Baelfire, and rips out her heart, killing her. When Jones tries to retaliate, Rumpelstiltskin cuts off his hand (which was holding the bean) before disappearing – only to learn later that and he was tricked and the bean is still in the Captain’s possession. Later, Captain Jones replaces his lost hand with a hook, and makes a deal with the man from the tavern, William Smee: the magic bean for his life, and passage to a land where they never grow old. Captain Hook uses the bean to create a portal to Neverland.

Once Upon a Time, Charming and Mr. Gold

In Storybrooke, Belle doubts Mr. Gold’s willingness to give up his dark side, especially when she catches him practicing magic in the basement. When she confronts him, his evasiveness is the final straw and she leaves the next morning. At Granny’s, Belle befriends Red, who suggests she try for a job at the library. Belle goes to peak in the library windows, only to be snatched by William (Smee). He brings Belle to her father, Moe Finch, who tries to convince her to leave Mr. Gold. When she refuses, he insists that she will forget him. A worried Mr. Gold goes to acting sheriff Charming for help finding Belle. Along the way, Mr. Gold asks for relationship advice and Charming suggests “honesty of the heart” is the way to go. They try Granny’s, and Red eventually agrees to use her newly returned sense of smell to lead them to the Game of Thorns (HA! Still funny) flower shop and Moe Finch. They learn Moe intends to send Belle across the Storybrooke barrier – thus making her forget everything – via the mines.

Mr. Gold uses magic to save her in the nick of time, but Belle wants nothing to do with him or her father, insisting she make her own way. The next day, she’s gifted the key to the library. Mr. Gold meets her inside, saying the caretaker’s apartment is hers if she wants it. He then reveals everything: that he’s always been a coward and magic is the only thing that makes him feel powerful; that he created the curse to reach this realm and Baelfire, and that he brought back magic because it’s his “crutch,” but now he can’t reach his son (…and tears for me again). Belle is moved, and invites him to lunch. Later, Mr. Gold asks William about the Captain, but he never appeared in Storybrooke.

In the Enchanted Forest, Captain Hook appears to have his eye on Haven. Cora appears with her dust from the wardrobe, suggesting they may be able to cross over. Hook is pleased with the news, since he has a “crocodile to skin.”

Next week, Regina tries to bring Daniel back to life…and Whale is involved in some way. Can’t wait!

Thoughts/Theories
• OH MY GOD, YOU GUYS! NEXT WEEK! IS WHALE’S IDENTITY REVEALED?
• So, I’m still a little unclear on this – when the curse was “broken,” was it Mr. Gold’s use of magic that caused the memory erasing barrier to appear? Or would that have happened either way? What do you all think?

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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