The episode was good but the ending - wow. Initially I thought the writers were getting Rumplestiltskin out of the way so that the odds would really be against the people of Storybrooke when Cora faced them, so what happened really came as a shock. I noticed they closed in on the license plate, is it from Emma's ex's car? I enjoyed seeing Mulan again, and Dreamy. And I really loved the bit where Hook mentioned Milah and Rumpy threw down his cane and said "Well, he has to die."
When Belle and Rumple were straddling that line I knew something would happen that would cause Belle to cross it and lose her memories. I'm guessing that eventually Rumple/Gold will find a way to reverse it.
I'm thinking the only way to reverse it will be to bring her back to The Enchanted Forest. That was a Hell of an ending, though. I wonder if Hook is dead. And who is the guy in the car-- Bae or just some random guy who witnesses magic and becomes a liability? And it was great to see that they haven't forgotten Mulan-- I wonder if she will ever come to Storybrooke?
I've been wondering what's been happening in Storybrooke since Emma, Snow, Hook and Cora left. I'm sure they'll cover it in a future episode.
The week before Hook's first episode premiered the mentioned they'd bumped him up to a series regular for the second half of the season.
I finally remembered to watch the episode this morning. Really enjoyed it. I'm glad they're not dragging out the whole Hook/Cora/captive Archie thing forever. I'm very curious to see where they are going with the outsider coming into own.
Great episode. I especially liked hearing their concern about being discovered by the outside world. It's such a compelling idea, that I really hope the show explores it at some point.
The car could be baby daddy acting on Pinocchio or possibly Pinocchio himself. (Or Von Rothbart. They've got to have the Black Swan in there somehow!) There's an off chance it's Balefire who's the baby daddy. Pinocchio might be chancing a return to Storybrook even though it might return him back to wood. (I've thought he left Storybrooke to undo the magic puppetry.) Gold's next quest is restoring Belle's memory and vengeance on Hook, who is not dead. The diversion is how he gets away instead.
I've noticed a major theme in the show seems to be turning points in the character's lives - when they could have gone good or bad. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out how Hook became a pirate.
Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I keep getting the feeling that eventually a "bridge" will be established between Storybrooke and The Enchanted Forest. (Maybe Fringe just spoiled me on that idea though...) The Notion of Other Realms gives so many possibilities. Also, Did Magic come only to Storybrooke or does it now permeate the entirety of the Earth realm. (Suddenly feels like a Mortal Kombat tournament is about to go down...)