BWW Recap: Wicked Intentions Emerge on ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME

When we left our beloved fairytale characters in the mid-season finale, it seemed as if all hopes of a happily-ever-after were destroyed; Rumpelstiltskin sacrificed his own life in order to prevent Peter Pan from casting an evil curse, forcing Regina reverse her original curse, sending all residents of Storybrooke back to the Enchanted Forest apart from Emma and Henry, for they were born in our world. Emma and Henry lose all their memories of their lives in Storybrooke, and their knowledge of their true identities as descendants of fairytale characters. As many are whisked back to the Enchanted Forest, Hook goes to Emma's apartment in New York City to attempt to jog her memory and convince her to rescue her family and friends once more.

As the episode begins, we find Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip preparing for the arrival of a child. However, their conversation is soon interrupted by a gust of purple wind that Phillip recognizes as magic rather than a storm. As the mist fades, our Storybrooke characters appear in its place; Snow White announces that they have returned to the Enchanted Forest. It seems the Storybrooke residents have full recollection of their time in our world.

Back in New York City, Emma goes on a dinner date with a man named Walsh. The two seem smitten, and playfully discuss Henry's ambitious science fair project. When Walsh steps out for a moment, Hook surprisingly makes an appearance. Emma, remembering the previous encounter with Hook (as far as she remembers, she has only seen him once when he showed up at her doorstep and kissed her to try to get her to remember him), tells him to leave. Hook insists that Emma doesn't truly know who she is, and her current life is made up of lies. He gives her and address on the scrap of paper, and promises that she will want to know more after visiting this mysterious place. Hook promises to wait in Central Park for her just in case she wants more of an explanation. Here we also find out that Emma is only in New York because there was a fire in her apartment in Boston.

In the Enchanted Forest, Aurora and Phillip offer as much hospitality as possible. Prince Charming and Snow White insist they only need a few horses, for they are planning on taking the Storybrooke characters back to their castle to try and help people adjust. Rather, 'their' case is actually Regina's; it is the castle Snow grew up in, and Regina inherited by marriage. They have all chosen to share the property, for Charming and Snow's old castle was destroyed during Regina's original curse. As Charming, Snow, and company prepare to leave, Aurora and Phillip talk privately of some sort of secret danger near the castle, but it unclear what they are referring to.

Meanwhile, Emma's date appears to be going very well. When Walsh returns, he brings her a plate of dessert with a ring; shortly and sweetly, he proposes to her. Very true to character, Emma rushes out of the restaurant. Walsh follows her out into the street, and she tells him that things are moving a bit too fast; after all, they have only been dating for about eight months. Walsh soothingly tells her that she can take as much time as she wants to, and he will be here waiting for her.

In an adorable scene, Emma returns home and plays video games with Henry. Clever as always, Henry figured Walsh was going to propose tonight due to the fancy restaurant ordeal. Emma admits she hasn't made up her mind yet, and Henry reminds her that not all men will just up and leave her like his father did.

Back in fairytale world, Jiminy Cricket tells Grumpy (or rather, Happy) that fifty more Storybrooke residents popped up two miles away. Grumpy passes this information along to Charming, who orders for everyone to be brought to the castle. It seems Hook will not be joining the gang, for he is off to find the Jolly Roger, or at least another ship (or so he claims- we know he is actually going to track down Emma). Neil has a mission of his own; he wants to find Rumpelstiltskin's home to see if there is any magic that can bring him back to Emma and Henry. Charming tells him that by leaving them be, they are giving them their best chance.

In our world, curiosity gets the best of Emma, and she goes to the address Hook gave her. We recognize this place as Neil's apartment. After some snooping, Emma finds a camera with Henry's name on it. Emma rushes to meet Hook in Central Park, and demands to know why one of Henry's belongings was in that apartment. Hook explains this is more proof that Emma is unaware of her true identity, and Emma furiously has him arrested by nearby for assault (though of course, Hook did nothing wrong).

Meanwhile, the Storybrooke characters begin their journey to the castle. Belle privately tells Neil that she believes Rumpelstiltskin is still alive, for they would have seen his knife wen he died. It seems these two will be joining forces to find him. In addition, Regina strays from the pack, and Snow finds her burying her own heart in the woods. She cannot take the pain of being without Henry, and would rather feel nothing and suffer any longer. Snow sympathizes with her, for she is in agony over leaving her daughter for a second time. But she convinces Regina to put her heart back in the proper place, for things will soon get better. As they turn to leave, a flying creature springs from a bush and tries to attack Regina. She is saved by Robin Hood and his men, though the two seem to have a rift between them, and rightfully so; the Evil Queen used to send her men after Robin Hood and his thieves on a regular basis. Nevertheless, Robin Hood begins traveling with the rest of the fairytale characters as well. This could be the beginning of a romantic plot line between Robin and Regina hinted at in the first half of season three.

In New York, Emma bails Hook out of jail after receiving photos from him of pictures of herself and Henry in Storybrooke. She doesn't see how she could not remember so many events featured in the pictures, and wants an explanation from Hook. Hook gives her some magic potion, which he claims will make her remember everything she has forgotten. Finally worn down, Emma drinks the potion, and memories of Storybrooke and her identity as the child of Snow White and Prince Charming come flooding back to her.

The Storybrooke residents finally reach the castle. However, Regina notices that there is now a protection spell over the castle, and they will not be able to get in. Someone must have cast the spell so they could live in the castle without fear of attack. Regina nor anyone in the company as any guesses of who could have done such a thing.

While this is going on, Emma has gained a full recollection of her time in Storybrooke. She and Hook plan to go back to Maine to try and figure out how to reach those in the Enchanted Forest, but this means she must leave Walsh behind. When Walsh comes over for dinner that night, Emma brings him up onto the roof and informs him that someone from her past has resurfaced, and she must leave town to help him with a problem. In a shocking twist, Walsh bitterly mumbles that she should never have drank the potion, and transforms into a flying monkey. He initially tries to attack her, but Emma sharply defends herself and knocks him off the building, and he disappears into thin air.

After he encounter with the flying monkey, Emma is even more determined to return to Storybrooke and figure out what is going on. She tells Henry that they need to go on a trip to Maine for work related reasons, and one of her "clinets" (a.k.a. Hook) will be joining them. Henry, always up for an adventure, doesn't question this much. The trio travel to Storybrooke, and are surprised to find the town in tact. In another surprise, Emma locates her father, Prince Charming, in his old apartment. He informs her that another curse has been cast, and the fairytale creatures are once again in Storybrooke, and have no memory of the past year of their lives. When Emma asks how they could possibly know that a year had even passed, Snow appears with a very pregnant belly. It looks like another product of true love will be roaming around Storybrooke very soon!

In the Enchanted Forest, we finally see who has been occupying Regina's castle-it's the Wicked Witch of the West! The flying monkey that attacked Regina brings her the few drops of Regina's blood he managed to obtain during their scuffle, and it seems the Witch has plans for said blood. Judging from her attitude as the episode closes, we can only assume that her intentions are nothing but evil!

Photo credit: ABC/Jack Rowand

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