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Dark Hollow is more of a set-up episode than a pay-off episode. Fresh off last week's confessions, Emma, Hook and Neal have to work together to trap Pan's shadow. It will serve as their way off Neverland. There's tension of the triangular kind because Hook chooses to be honest with Neal about kissing Emma. Both Colin O'Donoghue and Michael Raymond-James bring great physicality to their roles. Even when they're not tussling, their stances and gestures bring to life their rivalry.
Meanwhile, Snow and Charming set off to find Tinker Bell and tell her Neal has a way off Neverland, but Snow is so angry with Charming from keeping his poisoning and cure-with-restrictions from her that I'm tempted to call her call her Frost Bite.
When Ariel gets to Storybrooke, the dwarfs -- most of whom are enjoying the peace and quiet with the royals out of town -- bring her to Belle. Belle didn't get the cloaking spell around Storybrooke before John and Michael Darling found their way to Storybrooke, though, so the ladies have to contend with them. The Darling boys are there to thwart Belle and Ariel because they need to save Wendy's life. Wendy, of course, is the occupant of the other cage back on Neverland. Belle assures them that Team Operation Cobra Rescue will save Wendy, too.
"Ariel" left me with such a high that I've decided to refrain from grading "Dark Hollow" until I submit the recap. I can't yet tell if this episode also sends me soaring over the moon, or if I'm still there because of last week's. I have to watch it a few more times, so I'm off to do that right now. If there are any veterans (or their families) reading this, thank you so much for your service.
I'll be back with the recap, ASAP. In the meantime, please grade the episode up top, and then join us on the boards, where we might have lit Neal on fire to attract Pan's Shadow.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!This week, I'm happy to report that at the urging of forum member SilverShadow, I have now watched Disney's version of The Little Mermaid. I'm now better equipped to compare Once Upon A Time's Ariel to Disney's. I mostly mention that here because I downloaded it from Amazon onto my TiVo. Disney is stingy with their properties, so I couldn't rent it; I had to pay about $20 for it. If I'm audited for claiming the download fee as a deduction, I'm submitting this recap as proof that it was a professional expense.
Before we get to the recap proper, can we just take a moment to talk about The Little Mermaid? Thank you for your indulgence. In addition to being the wrong age when the Disney version came out, I have to confess that I never wanted to see the film because as a child, I hated the Hans Christian Andersen original. It's depressing. Also, the subtext of it -- giving up your voice for a man -- is fairly nauseating. While the Disney version ends better for Ariel, its subtext still sends some troubling messages to little girls. Give up your voice for a man. Leave your home, family and friends forever for a man. Change who you are for a man. Blah. And hey, Mouse House, how come Ariel has to leave her world anyhow? Since you were prettifying the whole story, why didn't Triton zap them with his trident so that they could travel between Ariel's world and Eric's at will? And if this happens in sequels, I don't care. I never like your sequels. The first film should stand on its own.
This is my long way of saying I'm so grateful to Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis for giving us empowered versions of Snow, Red, Aurora, Ariel and the like. I still have some problems with some aspects of their Belle, but "Dark Hollow" does her some justice. Speaking of "Dark Hollow," since I've now justified my tax deduction, let's get to it.
Previously on Once Upon A Time, Regina teaches Emma to harness her anger and magically light a fire. Charming confesses that he can't leave Neverland without dying. Regina and Rumpy discuss ways to beat Pan that don't involve killing him. Regina enlists Ariel's help by giving her the magic bracelet that will give her legs and explaining that Prince Eric is currently residing in Storybrooke. Oh, I have to say, now that I've seen Disney's Prince Eric, I understand why so many people on the boards were underwhelmed by OUAT's version. Pan tries to tempt Rumpy to return to Storybrooke and Belle. And now, we open...
Five days ago, in Storybrooke. Rumpy leaves Belle a cloaking spell to hide Storybrooke while he's in Neverland. She realizes he doesn't think he'll be coming back. There's more talk about the prophecy and how Henry is Rumpy's undoing. Belle doesn't care about prophecies and tells her beast she will see him again. They kiss. The ship goes through the portal. Belle is crying alone on the docks when Grumpy and some other Dwarfs, Archie, Blue and whoever run up. They're cheering because they figure Team Charming saved them. Grumpy grows concerned when he sees Belle is in tears. She explains that Team Charming stopped the self-destruct device, but that Greg and Tamara kidnapped Henry and took him through a portal, so Team Charming followed on Hook's ship. She only stayed behind to cast the cloaking spell. Blue examines it and asks why they need it. Belle tells them Rumpy said others are coming. I hear Jin-Soo Kwon yell "Others! Others!" But I'm pretty sure that's only in my head. Maybe not, though, because as we cut to the road into town, we see two young men approaching in a red convertible that makes me so covetous, I'm actually turning green.
Grumpy and the Dwarfs lead Belle, Blue and crew to the mines. Archie tries to be the voice of calm optimism, but when Belle says whoever is coming will want to destroy the town, he agrees with the pessimistic Grumpy that now is as good a time as any to panic. As the Dwarfs start hacking away (to get some fairy dust) we cut to the red car again. The two 20-something Hipster Doofi are looking at a map of Maine on which they've identified Storybrooke. I'm not going to pretend the Doofi are anyone other than John and Michael Darling because the visual cues are overwhelming. In addition to John's glasses, there's a miniature teddy bear hanging from the rearview mirror. You know I never have enough patience to play along until this sort of "surprise" is revealed. The Dwarfs finally open a vein of fairy dust. Belle hesitates. Since she's never before cast a spell, she suggests Blue do the honors. Blue says Gold gave Belle the task (or is it test) for a reason; she just needs to believe in herself.
Belle nods as if to convince herself, pours out the potion that came with the spell into the vein of fairy dust. When nothing happens, Grumpy leans into Belle. "You might want to believe a little harder." Summoning her best constipation face, Belle does just that. Magic shoots out of the rock over the group and out of the mine. It blows off a manhole cover and shoots up in the sky right in front of the Storybrooke clock tower, then spreads out over the town. The Darlings see it coming so they speed down the road and make it past the town line just as the magic is about to touch ground. It hits the rear of their beautiful car and rips the bumper clean off. Remember, dearies, magic always comes with a price, at least when the White Hats are using it. Did that price have to be this car's bumper? This is almost as painful as losing Sheriff Graham. The boys look back at their bumper -- the Minnesota license plate reads 0920-EAW -- which is still outside of Storybrooke, then drive off. The title card features the Storybrooke Library. Gee it's good to be back home again.
Ah, I've spoken too soon. We're back in Neverland and its oppressive darkness. Using a stick, Rumpy sketches a rudimentary "map" to Storybrooke in the sand. Ariel says it's far and she'll have to cross over realms, but she says she can make it. Rumpy warns her that the town should be magically cloaked, so she'll have to surface close to the shore. She asks what she needs to retrieve. Rumpy won't say because "...Pan has ears, everywhere." He enchants a sand dollar and tells Ariel to find Belle and give it to her. "She'll know exactly what to do." Ariel is ready to go, but she asks Regina where in this new world she can find Eric. Regina says, "That comes after you've succeeded. Incentives are important. The bracelet will only give you legs for 24 hours." Ariel and I want to know why we should trust Regina to uphold her end of the deal. Regina says, "Guess you'll just have to trust me." Ariel's brain must be pruned from spending her life underwater because that's enough for her. She dives back into the water and we cut to...
Pan's camp. He tells Felix he can sense that someone is leaving Neverland. Felix asks if they should put a stop to it, but Pan isn't concerned. They just need to get word to their friends in Storybrooke. "They can handle this. All it does is move up our time table a touch." That's a funny turn of phrase considering you're in Neverland, Pan. But those of us in this World Mostly Without Magic are grateful for anything that moves this along. Pan tells Felix they'll need to get Henry ready, "...and I'll need to have a chat with our friend in the other cage." Felix smirks. We cut to...
Camp Operation Cobra Rescue. Neal has just informed the team that Pan's shadow is their way off Neverland. Charming says, "We thought you learned how to navigate the stars." Neal deadpans, "I know how to navigate the stars but I can't fly." Keep it up, Douchefire, and soon even Prince Daddy will be ready to set sail on the good 'ship Captain Swan. So yeah, they need to capture Pan's shadow in order to fly off of Neverland. Emma has her doubts about this cockamamie plan. Hook explains that Pan's shadow is an entity unto itself and is rarely with him. Neal says they can get it without getting anywhere near Pan. Neal brags that he knows where to look. Emma says she'll join him on shadow duty. Hook is so quick to join them that Emma can't help but give him a look. Addressing Neal, Hook says, "This trek won't be easy. You could use another veteran of the island." Neal's, "Thanks man," is casual enough that it's clear he doesn't know about the kiss, Hook's confession of his feelings for Emma and is apparently blind to the sparks that shoot out of their very pores whenever those two are within ten yards of each other.
Charming says he and Snow will give Tinker Bell a head's up and see if she'll now help them gain entry to Pan's camp. Since Snow winces at the sound of his voice, it's safe to say she's not over his confession. Emma says they'll all meet back at Tink's. Snow's voice is flat as she adds, "Then we get Henry and get the hell back to Storybrooke." As she starts to rise, Charming extends his hand, which she pointedly ignores as she heads off. It's too bad Regina is missing this tension. I can almost hear her cackle. We cut to...
Storybrooke. And while it's tangential to our World Mostly Without Magic, there's a sun, and it shines and stuff, so neener. The Dwarfs are eating lunch on the beach. Five of them sit together. Sleepy sits a little bit off from the group and Grumpy, being Grumpy, sits even further away. Happy is happy that things have been so calm since Snow and Charming left town. "It's kind of nice not having them around." When Grumpy chides him, Happy says, "No, really. It's only been five days, but it's the first five days with no killing." Sneezy adds, "No wraiths." Doc says, "No giants stepping on my Miata." Sleepy nods. "It has been peaceful." Grumpy says, "ENOUGH! I don't want to hear any more of this. Snow and Charming are coming back. And everything will remain normal."
That's Ariel's cue to appear. She shouts, "Hey," to the approaching Dwarfs as she dons her bracelet and walks toward them. "Do you know where I can find someone named Belle?" Michael Darling (James Immekus) watches the scene through binoculars. He tells John (Matt Kane), "The home office was right. She's here. What now?" Hearing impaired people. Don't believe the closed captions when they tell you Michael is speaking with a British accent because it's not the truth. John, however, does have an accent, which makes Michael's lack thereof all the more striking to the hearing enabled. John answers, "We follow our orders. We find out why she came and we make sure never leaves this town again."
Sidebar: So, are we to believe that the Storybrooke leaders (Belle, Granny, the Dwarfs, Blue) who know Rumpy has warned them that "Others" are coming don't notice these two strangers in their shiny (albeit damaged) vintage, huge red convertible? They've been in town for five days now right? It's not like they're being stealthy (may he rest in peace). I just had to get that off my chest. Let's get back to it.
When we return from break, Belle's sitting at Granny's counter, but she can't even make herself take a bite of her usually beloved cheeseburger. Archie says it's the fourth one she's turned down this week. He knows she can't eat because she misses Gold. Granny says, "It's certainly not my cooking" as she walks out of the scene. Belle explains that Rumpy left saying he was going off to his death. "I wish I was …I wish I was able to help him… help save Henry." Be careful what you wish for, my pretty. Archie tells her that by protecting Storybrooke, she's done something just as important. Belle scoffs at that. "All I did was pour some potion over some rocks. The Dwarfs did all the hard work." Archie knows she wants to be a hero but since she kept the bad guys out, in his eyes, she is. Oh dear, I think I'm accidentally 'shipping Belle and Archie. Belle doesn't think any bad guys are coming there. "I wasn't on that ship because he doesn't need me." Grumpy walks in with Ariel. "Beg to differ, sister, because this little lady just swam a real long way to find you."
Granny peers over the counter and gives Ariel the up and down with a sneer. "Uh, maybe you didn't notice the sign. No shirt. No shoes. No service." TWoP Tennison gives her a warning for starting her statement with, "Uh." For what it's worth, Ariel does have Grumpy's jacket draped over her shoulders. Grumpy grumps, "Now you've got a dress code? I seem to recall some Ruby outfits that are seared into my brain." Hee. Stop that, Grumpy. Once Emma broke the curse, Ruby cleaned up rather nicely.
Belle rises from her stool and asks Ariel who she is and why she's there. Belle is thrilled to learn that Rumpy is alive in Neverland and sent Ariel to her. Ariel holds out the sand dollar and says, "He wanted me to give you this." We cut to...
Gold's shop. Back room. Holding her new gift, Belle says, "A sand dollar? What am I supposed to do with it?" Really Belle? You walked all the way from Granny's to the shop before asking this question. I hate when the dialogue and cuts are overly cutesy. Ariel comes out from behind a curtain, dressed in some of Belle's Storybrooke clothes. "Don't ask me. I'm just the delivery girl. Belle lays the sand dollar on a table and picks up what might be a magnifying glass, but it has some sort of attachment, which she seems to move. I can't really figure out what she's doing here. Can you? Maybe I'm already supposed to know what that object is, but it isn't anything that's stayed in my memory. I suppose it doesn't matter much because Belle sets it down just as quickly as magic shoots out from the sand dollar.
A hologram of Rumpelstiltskin appears in the magical mist and says, "I hope you've raised the cloaking spell. The people headed for town are far more dangerous than even I first believed. They're unwitting pawns in Pan's game. I told you I was going to my death, but I've found another way. I can defeat Pan and live, but only if you get me something from the shop. The object I need is hidden, but I know with the strength of our love, you'll find it. Belle nods and the magic disappears. Ariel cracks that Rumpy is into being cryptic. She should meet him when he's all twee and glittery. Belle is beaming with pride that Rumpy wants her help to save Henry and everyone else. We cut to...
Camp Operation Cobra Rescue. Snow won't let Charming help her. She walks away from him and over to Emma, who pleads her father's case. He only hid his illness to keep their focus on the mission. Snow says, "Good to see you've inherited his tunnel vision." Emma asks what that means, but Snow only answers, "Nothing." Emma: "You say a lot with nothing." Snow changes the subject and warns Emma to be careful with Hook and Neal. Emma says what they need to be careful of is the Shadow. Snow says it's dangerous that both men have feelings for Emma. Emma says none of that matters. "All I care about is getting my son back." We cut to...
Pan's camp. Pan asks Henry to take a stroll with him, but Henry refuses to go with him. He says he thinks Pan is lying to him. "My family -- they're here on Neverland. I know it." Pan never outright lies. Instead he manipulates the boy. "If your family is here, Henry, why haven't they come for you?" Oh, I don't know, probably because some smug, all powerful teenager is keeping them from him. Henry nearly says as much. Pan promises Henry he's not holding his family prisoner. I guess that's technically true, except for how he holds all of Neverland's inhabitants' prisoner. Henry ignores that and asks why Pan keeps disappearing into the jungle. "You're hiding something from me, and I'm going to find out what it is." Henry swans off into the verge. Felix notes it appears they're losing the boy. Pan grimaces. "He just requires some effort. Given his lineage, I'd expect nothing less." That's because you're his paternal great-grandfather, you stroppy baggage. Felix asks if he should bring the cage to camp. Pan says he has a different idea. We cut to...
Baelfire's cave. Neal is looking for his coconut candle holder/star map contraption. Emma says she hid it and goes off to find it. The Contrivance Fairy cues up to take a big bow. Once he's alone with Neal, Hook says, "I owe you thanks for being so understanding." Neal wonders what he means. Hook says, "Emma and me." Neal automatically straightens as he turns to face his newly minted romantic rival. I commented on it in the recaplet, too, but I just love the physicality of these two actors in this scene. It's very male and quite appealing. Anyhow, Neal says, "Emma and you?" Hook says, "Our dalliance," then winces and adds, "You don't know, do you? Well, the two of us shared a kiss. Apologies. I assumed she told you." Oh Hook, you sly fox, you know she didn't, because you were spying on them when they had their "private" conversation. Good form. Or possibly bad form, but I like it, so I'm happy to believe it's good. And while we're stuck in this ever dark land that runs on belief, that makes it so. Right?
Neal is onto Hook's game. You can tell because he immediately plays along. "Honestly, it probably slipped her mind. We're kind of focused on getting our son back." That's entirely true, and yet it's still a blow to Hook's ego. There's just so much bubbling under the surface. I love it. I wasn't necessarily tingling with anticipation over this triangle, but this short scene has changed things. Hook's voice and expression are earnest and respectful of the gravity of Henry's situation. "Of course."
Emma returns and feels the tension swirling around her, so she asks if everything is all right. Neal lies that it couldn't be better, so Emma hands over his "star map." Neal says it's not a star map, but rather a Shadow trap. Hook says, "A coconut. Are you daft?" Neal: "You came to Neverland on a pirate ship through a portal, but you draw the line at a magical coconut." Ha. I feel like the writers just spanked us, in case we were ready to object. Hook agrees with me and says, "Ah, fair enough. What's our stop on this mission?" When Neal answers, "Dark Hollow," Emma says, "Oh, really? Why couldn't it be called something like Sunshine Valley or Rainbow Cove." I feel ya, girl. Hook explains that Dark Hollow is exactly what it sounds like -- the darkest spot on the island. "Any light that makes its way in is snuffed out by the shadows that call it home." The darkest spot on this island? Is there anything blacker than black. Dear me. Neverland had already triggered my S.A.D. I've got to look into getting one of those phototherapy lamps. I suppose it's too much of a stretch to write that off on my taxes. We cut to...
Storybrooke. Gold's Shop. True to her Disney iteration's form, Ariel is impressed with Gold's collection. She marvels over a corkscrew, and then is thrilled to find an anchor-imprinted button, and says Eric had one just like it. She shares a little of her story with Belle, but politely leaves Regina's role as spoiler out of the story. Belle remembers Hologram Rumpy said the strength of their love would lead her to the hidden object, so she picks up the chipped cup, and takes it to the cabinet where he used to keep it. When she sets chip down on his saucer, magic streams out and down to the floor, where it reveals a previously cloaked trap door. Belle opens it to find Pandora's box. She explains to Ariel that she knows what it is, thanks to her books. Great touch, Show. Who wrote this episode? Let me rewind a second... oh, that's taking too long. I'm going to trust IMDB, which reports...nothing. Damn it. Let me Google this. Dark Hollow was written by Kalinda Vazquez and Andrew Chambliss and directed by Guy Ferland. I remember seeing Chambliss's name in the opening credits. Good form, team. Now get someone on the crew to update IMDB.com.
Anyhow, when Belle explains that legend says Pandora's box contains the world's darkest evil, Ariel asks, "Shouldn't you be wearing gloves?" That's not important, but it tickles me. Belle assures her they'll be fine, as long as they don't open it. Of course she speaks too soon, because the Darling Doofi enters, guns in hand. When Belle asks who they are, Michael Darling gives a British accent another go as he answers, "The people you tried to keep out of Storybrooke." Eh...it's better, I guess.
After a break, Michael and John tie up Belle and Ariel. Ariel can't understand why she and Belle keep doing as the Doofi order. Belle says they're obeying, because the Doofi have guns. When Michael asks Ariel what the box is, she says, "I'm not afraid of you or your gun, and not just because I don't know what it is." Hee! Belle finally answers that the box is magic, "...which you're only going to destroy anyway, so I don't know why you even care." Michael says their boss wants to know. Belle mocks them and says they don't even know what this is all about, or who they're working for. John says, "Peter Pan." If only Belle's reading had included the Disney/Little Golden Books version of Peter Pan, she'd realize who's holding her captive. John tries to win us over by calling Greg and Tamara clueless "patsies." The Doofi are quite aware of their real mission. They must make sure Rumpy fails by ensuring the box never makes it back to Neverland -- which is where we're going, right now.
Pan orders Felix to head to the other side of the island with the "supplies." When Felix asks if there's anything else, Pan says, "Just be certain Henry doesn't find out what you're up to." Henry, bless his heroic heart, is listening. He follows after Felix, not realizing he's just been played.
After just typing that, I giggle that our shot is of Charming. While I don't strictly agree, he's gotten a bit of a reputation on our boards for being a bit of a dunderhead. Charming calls Snow out for giving him the big chill. He pleads his case (rather weakly, I mean all he was trying to do was "be fair" -- why not say he didn't want to distract from rescuing Henry), but Snow is unmoved. Ignoring him, she points and says, "I think Tinker Bell's is that way."
Meanwhile, Neal, Emma and Hook find their path blocked by too much greenery. Neal says they'll have to cut their way through. Emma draws the sword that was once his and hands it to Neal. He recognizes it and asks if she found it in the cave. Emma says Hook gave it to her. Neal asks when Hook got sentimental. Hook says, "I thought Emma would wish to have something to remember you by." Neal's response is gruff. "Thanks. She's got me now." He heads off to chop at the foliage.
Alone for the nonce, Emma asks Hook what that was all about. Hook says he had assumed Neal heard his secret in the Echo Cave. "And I also assumed you told him of our shared moment?" Emma asks why. Hook says, "Because I was hoping it meant something." Aw. Emma says, "What meant something is that you told us Neal was still alive. Thank you. I realize you could have kept Pan's information for yourself." Hook asks why he'd do that. Emma says she doesn't know. "Maybe Pan offered you a deal. Why else would he tell you?" Hook says it was a test. "He wanted to see if I'd leave an old friend to die, even if the old friend happens to be vying for the same woman I am." Hook notes that Emma seems surprised he chose his friend. Emma says, "You are a pirate." He winces at that, then looks down and says, "Yeah, that I am." He closes the gap between him and Emma and adds, "But I also believe in good form. So when I win your heart, Emma, and I will win it -- it will not be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me." Woof. I need to take a cold shower. Emma tells Hook this isn't a contest. "Isn't it? You're going to have to choose, Emma. You realize that, don't you, because neither one of us is going to give up." Emma says, "The only thing I have to choose is the best way to get my son back." Preach it, sister. Still, once that's accomplished, I think you and Hook should revisit this conversation. Hook says Emma will get Henry back. Emma says, "You think so?" Hook says, "I've yet to see you fail. And when you do succeed, well, that's when the fun begins." Oh my.
Neal, the moment slayer returns with a shout of, "Guys?" He says he thinks he found "it." He hands his sword back to Emma, then heads off. She and Hook share a look, and Emma follows. Hook brings up the rear. Lanterns in hand they make their way to Dark Hollow, which is also rather windy. Hook, who'd always avoided this place until now, says, "So this is where the victims of Pan's shadow reside?" Neal: "Yeah -- forced to spend an eternity in this darkness. C'mon, let's be sure not to join them." You'll find the audience huddled in the corner, waiting for the sun, Neal.
Back in Storybrooke, Ariel assures Belle they'll find a way to free themselves. Belle is not the optimist that Ariel is. "Every time I try to be a hero, it just feels like it backfires. I'm sorry you won't get to be with Eric." Ariel tells her new friend not to worry, even after the magic has worn off her bracelet, she'll find Eric and tell him how she feels. "As long as he lives near the beach." Hee. Belle realizes Ariel can take off the bracelet and that might prove a way of loosening their bonds. Working together (they're tied back to back), they remove the bracelet. Ariel returns to mermaid form. She wriggles until their chairs tip over and she's free. "See. That didn't backfire." She unties Belle's hands and they exit the shop. Belle realizes the Doofi must be trying to destroy the box. She remembers Greg and Tamara used a Dwarf's pickaxe to destroy the diamond, so heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's to the mines they go. We cut to...
Neverland. Charming is still trying to get Snow to talk to him. Perhaps if he stopped calling her "Mary Margaret" she would. Ooh, he listens to me. "Snow! When are you going to start talking to me again. When we're storming Pan's camp? When we're grabbing Henry? When? You need to say something." Snow turns and gets right up in his face, and asks why. After all, he didn't tell her anything, even after he found a cure. Charming stammers out a flaccid excuse. Snow demands to know why he didn't tell her he couldn't leave the island. Charming says he was scared. She asks if he ever thought she'd leave him. Charming says he knows she wouldn't. What scared him is the thought of her having to be stuck on Neverland with him. "The price of this cure was something I didn't want to force on you." Snow shakes her head. "Love means being together." Charming knows that, but it also means sacrificing for and protecting your loved one. "How could a part of me not want you to leave this place." Still shouting, Snow says she'd happily build a tree house, "...and spend the rest of my days dodging poison arrows and Lost Boys, as long as I had you by my side." Her voice drops to a whisper. "But you should have told me." Charming says he knows and, "I'm sorry." Finally, they hug it out. Snow tells him what I've been saying all season. "You didn't believe, David. You needed to believe in us." They're both in tears now. I'd been missing Charming's pretty, pretty tears. Thank you, Show. We cut to the...
Dark Hollow. Neal explains how the coconut contraption works. When lit, the candle will draw the Shadow, and suck it into the coconut. You put the lid on and it's trapped. Everyone wants to know why the Shadow can't escape through the tiny holes on the lid. The show doesn't explain, and yet the answer is: it just can't. This is Neverland. If you believe this thing will work, it will work. Hook points out that their lanterns were extinguished and asks how they're going to light the candle. Neal whips out a lighter. Did he steal Charming's or does yet another non-smoker have an expensive, refillable metal lighter? Neal's still in jealous suitor mode so he smirks at Hook. "Welcome to the 21st century." With the high winds, Neal is struggling to light the candle. Hook offers to help. Neal snits that he's got it. Hook: "I've only got one hand and I could do better than that." Neal straightens up, throws his shoulders back and his chest out and says now isn't the time to try and impress Emma. Hook chuckles. "You think that's what I'm doing." Emma says, "Really? You're doing this now?" Hook: "You heard her. Are we going to stand here and argue, or are we going to get the candle lit?"
Neal's smile is bitter as he gives up the lighter and steps back. Hook can't do the job, either. The two men struggle over the lighter like two toddlers with a toy. The lighter goes flying into the rotted remains of a tree trunk. Emma reminds them they don't have time for this. The guys run off in search of the lighter. Emma grabs the coconut and immediately draws her sword because the Shadow is approaching and he's got a couple of friends with him. Emma and Hook do their best to ward the creatures off with their swords. One Shadow throws Hook up against a tree. Emma screams his name. Another Shadow then throws Neal up against a tree. He screams Emma's name. She ducks down near a fallen tree and we duck out to a commercial.
Emma is clutching the coconut to her bosom and warding off the Shadow as best she can, while the men are still being tormented by the others. They're trying to steal Neal and Hook's shadows, and as we all know from that joyful moment in the premiere when we got to say goodbye to Owen, that can kill ya. Emma's boyfriends scream at her to leave and save herself, proving neither of them knows who she really is. Finally, she uses her emotions to light the candle and sucks in Pan's shadow. As soon as she places the lid on the contraption, the other two shadows disappear, leaving Hook and Neal to fall to the ground with a thud.
Neal considers the mother of his child. "How did you do that?" Emma answers, "Regina." Neal says, "She's teaching you magic?" Emma says, "Yeah, I guess she is." She's as stunned as anyone else. We cut to the...
Jungle. Henry follows Felix. We cut to...
Storybrooke Down in the mine, Belle and Ariel find the Darling Doofi about to destroy the box. Belle pleads with them and explains that if they do, people they love will die. The Doofi understand. If they don't destroy it, someone they love will die. They warn the women to walk away, but Belle says never and sends the cart at them, which knocks them over. The Darlings lose their guns in the process. Belle grabs the box. It's John's turn to plead their case. They don't want to destroy magic. They're trying to save their sister who has been Pan's prisoner for over a century. They're only alive because Pan has kept them that way to do his bidding. As long as they do, Wendy lives. When they're done, Pan will free Wendy and them. Belle tells them their team is the best chance at beating Pan so that their sister can be free. She tells them that if they get the box to Neverland, Pan is going to have a lot more to worry about, and they can save their sister in the process. Ariel asks who their sister is. Michael, whose accent has improved in each scene, answers, "Wendy. Wendy Darling." Belle looks amazed, so while she might have missed out on the Disney version, I suspect she's been reading some Barrie at her library. Michael adds, "If you see her, tell her John and Michael are waiting for her. We cut to...
Neverland. Pan lets Wendy out of her cage. She asks if she's free. Pan says, "Not yet, Wendy, but that doesn't mean you can't come out and play."
On the sunny shores of Storybrooke (okay, it's actually sort of overcast, but at least there's discernible daylight) Belle and Ariel part. The mermaid assures her new friend that she'll deliver her message. Belle wishes her good luck. Ariel walks to the water, removes her bracelet and swims away. We cut to...
Neverland. Henry watches Felix drop the bag of supplies in front of a tree house and walk away. Once the coast is clear, Henry picks up the bag. Hearing coughs coming from the tree house, he investigates. Inside, he finds Wendy lying in bed. She lies that she's isolated out here because she's sick and Pan is afraid the Lost Boys might catch it. Henry introduces himself and asks Wendy what's wrong. She blames her fake illness on this idea that Neverland's magic is fading. Then ups the ante and tells Henry he looks like his father. No he doesn't. Well wait, while he doesn't look like the Baelfire you knew, Wendy, I can buy he's Neal's son. In fact, that's a lot easier than accepting that Baelfire grew up to look like Michael Raymond-James. Wendy tells Henry, "We were friends, a long time ago, when he was just a little bit older than you. He saved my brothers from danger. He would do anything for my family." Wendy coughs some more for effect, which is unnecessary, because Henry has already been fully reeled in.
She manipulates Henry, even as she asks him to leave, so that he doesn't catch her faker-itis. Henry promises Wendy he'll come back for her. Once he's gone, Pan congratulates Wendy on her performance. She hates lying to Henry. Pan tells her to think of it as providing motivation for what needs to be done for all of them. There's more heart of the truest believer spiel. Peter needs Henry to believe in him. He orders Wendy back to her cage. We cut to the...
Neverland waterfront. Rumpy and Regina talk about his faith that Belle will succeed. She's surprised he really loves her. Rumpy asks if she's jealous. Regina laughs. "Of Belle? I think not." Rumpy corrects her. "No. Of having someone." Just then, Ariel surfaces. She hands over Pandora's MacGuffin. Regina re-enchants the bracelet so that Ariel can have legs or a fin. She shudders and adds, "Whatever Eric's into these days." Ariel thanks Regina. Rumpy gives the mermaid leave to return to Storybrooke. Ariel tells him Belle wants him to know Pan has a prisoner named Wendy. "Her brothers are back in Storybrooke. Belle doesn't want to let them down. She wants you to make sure that Henry's okay." Regina shakes her head. "All that matters is Henry." Ariel says, "And now you have a chance to save him thanks to me and Belle." She turns her gaze from Regina to Rumpy. "...So rescuing that girl is the least that you can do." Rumpy assures her they'll do their best. Regina sighs in his general direction. Rumpy tells Ariel, "Look, when you return, tell Belle I love her, and that she was right. I will see her again." Regina's lip curls with contempt. Ariel smiles sweetly and swims away.
Emma is silent as she leads her boyfriends back to camp. Finally, Neal admits he screwed up. Emma swings to face him. "Yes you did. You both did. We almost lost our shot at capturing the Shadow because you two were fighting over a lighter." Hook says, "It wasn't a lighter we were fighting over, love." Emma says, "Okay, let me be very clear about something. If I had to choose someone... I choose Henry. He's the only love I have room for in my life." Way to go, Mama. She leaves her boyfriends staring after her, shamed by her focus and perspective.
Snow and Charming find Tink and tell them they've found a way off the island. Snow explains the Shadow plan. Tink isn't going to buy into it until she sees some proof. Just then, Neal leads Emma and Hook to Tink. He holds up the coconut contraption and says it's all the proof she needs. His smile is bashful as he adds, "It's been a long time, Tink." Her face lights up. "Bae. Is it really you?" I know, right? He looks nothing like himself. He explains that most people call him Neal now. That's right, Tink. It's Neal or Douchfire, these days. Hook asks Tink if she's ready to do her part. She says she is and takes the lead. As Emma follows the party, Neal calls her back. He tells her she's right about Henry being all that matters. "And if he's the only thing that came from us being together, I say we did all right." Emma smiles, but it fades quickly. "Yeah. Now let's go get our son back." That's the way to do it, folks. If you have any chance at all, Neal, being a good father is your best shot at earning Emma's devotion.
Speaking of... Henry finds Pan and asks him why he kept Wendy a secret and asks if she's dying. Pan says she is, like much of the island. The magic is slipping away. Blah blah blah heart of the truest believer-cakes. He manipulates Henry into thinking Wendy's life depends on him. Henry asks how he can save magic. Pan says the question isn't how, but where. He leads Henry to a waterside cliff and shows him Skull Rock. Pan says that's where their salvation awaits. "Salvation that only the heart of the truest believer can bring." Pan says it won't be easy. It will require heroism and sacrifice. "The only question is, are you up to the task?" Henry's expression is resolved as he stares at Skull Rock and calmly answers, "Yes."
I'll be back coverage of "Think Lovely Thoughts." In the meantime, please grade the episode up top, and then join us on the boards, where we might have lit Neal on fire to attract Pan's Shadow.