Once Upon a Time Recap: "The Apprentice"

Written by Shae

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

What I admire most about this show, is its ability to draw me in and make me fall in love all over again. With all sorts of craziness happening, this show has consistently given twists and turns that nobody seems to really see coming. Some of them, yes, but this episode had me wondering what would happen next. It seems as though things will be normal. Emma has a chance to ask Hook on a date, and he accepts. From there, it's the crazy Storybrooke action we all know and love oh so much. Hook visits Gold in an attempt to bully his way into getting his other hand back. Which works...or does it. It would seem things are fine, but Gold says the hand is from Hooks' old life and could bring back that old person. Of course, the hand was fine. It was Gold putting ideas in Hook's head. Forcing the pirate to help him with some things. 

Meanwhile, The Snow Queen has been distracting Emma. Showing up from time to time in various instances to keep her busy. It seems she and Gold are still working together. While Emma is away, Hook has gotten himself into some trouble. Gold doesn't let up on his deals. He doesn't take kindly to being threatened, and he's fully ready to make Hook pay for threatening his marriage. 

In the past, Anna finally makes it to Rumple and asks for his help. She makes a deal with him. In exchange, however, the princess must place the contents of a vail in an elderly man's tea. The man in question? Why, he's the Sorcerers Apprentice; sworn guardian of the Hat. This isn't just any hat...crafted over a thousand years ago, legend says it has limitless power. Well, once it's fully charged. Many a Dark One has tried to obtain it, but many have failed. Anna, unbeknownst to all of this, is unable to poison the kind man. She lies, telling Rumple she did. Only, it wasn't poison she would have fed him. But an antidote. One that would have saved him from being turned into a mouse. In her desperation for answers, Anna nearly stabs Rumple. It is her desire to protect her sister that saves him. In that dark moment, she did contemplate killing him, and that was the key to unlocking Rumples' chance to get the Hat. 

He takes it and reveals to Anna that her dead parents had come to him asking for Elsa's powers to be taken away. Shortly thereafter, Rumple is surprised when the Apprentice, in mouse form, attacks his face; leaving Anna a chance to grab his dagger. She takes the box, demands to be sent home and have the Apprentice turned back into a human. Forced to obey, Rumple does. He's able to get the dagger back, but loses the Hat. It seems as though all is lost... 

In the present, he has the Hat, and allows it to swallow the Apprentice while he watches. What does he want the Hat for? My guess is so he can be free from the curse of The Dark One but still hold his powers. What happened to Anna? Why does the Snow Queen know Emma and Elsa? Why can't they remember her? This show always leaves more questions than answers.

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