"Once Upon a Time" Recap: "Enter the Dragon"

Written by Shae

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

Admittedly, this show has me yelling at it every so often. Thankfully, nobody was around to hear, because, guys, seriously, this show. This episode of this show. I’m starting to think the writers are messing with my emotions on purpose.

Long ago, there was a young Regina who wanted nothing more than to get revenge on Snow White for causing the death of her true love. Villains are made, after all, and every one of them has a story to tell. We didn’t really get Maleficent's back story, but we did get to see what really happened between her and Regina. The two of them met, long ago, when Regina wanted revenge on Snow, and Rumple was taking forever to teach her. So she went to Maleficent, only the once dragon was now…less than what she used to be. Having been defeated by Aurora’s mother, somehow, she was a shadow of her former self. Regina decided that wasn’t all right. She wanted to learn from the once mighty villain, only Maleficent couldn’t transform into a dragon anymore, or even be bothered to try. That is, until Regina helped her regain that power and ability. Then, she cursed Aurora and Philip. It was pretty spectacular. And Regina, who had sought a teacher, became the teacher to Maleficent, only to go back and tell Rumple she was ready to learn from him…

Happy endings are few and far between, and in Storybrooke, Regina is still trying to find a way to get hers. But, Snow asked a favor of her, so for the time being she’s undercover working with Maleficent, or trying to gain their trust. She’s trying hard to ensure she figures out their plan, meaning she has to play dirty to get everyone to trust her. Emma finds out and is 14 kinds of NOT okay with this. She finally confronts Regina saying she’ll follow and jump in if need be. Especially when a certain thing is requested of Regina. Maleficent wants her to kidnap Pinocchio. Emma barges in and demands to take the kid and have them run and hide, only…Regina assures her she’s capable of protecting the kid. Emma finally agrees, and Regina takes Pinocchio, ditching Emma, and off she and Mal go.

All the while Killian tells Belle they need to hide the dagger in a better place in case Cruella, Ursula and Maleficent try to take it and summon Rumple back. Belle agrees and gets the dagger, but before she gives it to Killian, she hesitates. The pirate suggests she call for Rumple to show himself if he’s in town, or appear before her, and he doesn’t. Which, you know…turns out Rumple is Killian in disguise, but out Belle doesn’t know that. Or figure it out. She is dating Will, though. Seems they’re getting on quite happily. She’s having fun, he’s being nice and sweet, and things aren’t bad…

Maleficent takes Regina to Rumple’s cabin, where they set August down and Rumple shows up. He turns Pinocchio back into August, because they all want to find the Author and get their happy endings…if those even exist. If you ask me, Regina is in over her head…but what do I know?

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