I don't think the charm would have worked for Gold had he been in the trunk. I think the person had to look at it/read it for the charm to work.
I sighed when Emma told Regina that they would never stop looking for "him" (she meant the author).

When we saw that snippet in the promo weeks ago, I assumed the "him" she was referring to was Robin.
Speaking of sighs, I wonder if the reference to Emma stealing the VW Beetle was a reference to her misspent youth.
And speaking of misspent youth, LOVED the part where Hook asked what the Savior and Evil Queen had to fear from this week's big bad and Regina asked, "Can we
drop the
"E" word already?"
I did like the appearance of everyone having some happiness, Regina going back to be Mayor, Snow/Mary Margaret going back to teach school, Hook and Emma getting on with their relationship, Granny playing babysitter for baby Neal.
But then the reminders that
all was not well.
Henry studying the story
book for clues to the author, Regina finding and pasting the painting of her and Robin back together again, Hook unhappy with his past villainy even if he was controlled at the time of said villainy, and Belle... Belle of the broken heart. I thought it was sweet when Hook tried to reassure her Gold truly loved her... and silly at the same time. Is he trying to make Belle second guess her decision to march him out of town? And what's with the Blue Fairy? She looked ready to jump out of her skin at any moment.