"Once Upon a Time" Recap: "Her Handsome Hero"

​Written by Shae

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

Every time I think I know where this show will take me, I get a fun surprise. This episode did not go in the direction I was expecting. I actually haven't been able to catch this show while it's airing due to Walking Dead, but I always record it! I'm also bad at watching the sneak previews for next week, which might always make me a bit behind on what's going on. I kind of like not knowing though. It means that there's something to look forward to; like a surprise birthday party...minus the cake and balloons...and presents.

Anyway, this last week had me looking at Belle in a whole new light. Belle has always been kind of a side character in this show, but not really. It's hard with so many characters to always focus on certain ones. It's not like she fell to the back burner, she mostly shows up to break Rumple's heart, then get back with him. They're kind of that on again/off again couple we all know. Just, this time they're married and Belle is pregnant, because conflict! Well, in the Underworld, Belle is kind of struggling with Rumple, but she does have hope. Hope in Hades' place is bad. Turns out he likes things decaying and gross. Enter Gaston. Why? Because nobody is a raging jerk like Gaston, and who better to ruin Belle's happiness. I adored how Rumple was all "this is who I am! Love me!" and it worked.

Until Hades showed up and offered Belle a deal of a lifetime. Hades might have given Gaston special arrows that would plunge Rumple into the sea of lost souls if he got hit by one. Then Hades may have made a deal, let Gaston and Rumple fight until one throws the other into the river and the baby will be free of any contract. Good deal? Rumple thinks so. Was I shocked when Belle showed up to save Rumple? No. Was I shocked when she saved Rumple by pushing Gaston into the River of Lost Souls to save Rumple? You bet your sweet cookies I was! I'm not even sure that was well...acceptable?

Except it is. In all the flashbacks we saw both the good and bad side to Gaston. He was a douche and a half and his only business in the Underworld was because he blamed Belle. We see the lengths Belle will go to in order to protect the innocent. We also see how far she's willing to go to save those she loves. I never questioned her love for Rumple, not really. She even admits she loves the Beast part of him, which is really adorable. Sadly, because Belle pushed Gaston into the river and not Rumple, the deal is off. Hades is the king of dicks. He and Lucifer from Supernatural ​would totally get along.....

So why all the drama? Hades wanted to extinguish hope. All the hope was making things grow in the Underworld and that is not what he wanted. He picks a decaying flower and sends it to Zelena....because, you know, romance?

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