Once Upon a Time Review: Enter the Dragon (Season 4 Episode 14)

Finally some back-story on Maleficent! The tale of her sleeping curse on Aurora has always been a big question mark hanging over the show, so I’m glad that blank got filled in.

Everything else… it kind of pales in comparison.

Regina tries her hand at being a double agent and convinces the Queens of Darkness that she’s still a bad girl, intent on ruining Snow’s life. They don’t quite believe her, so they put her to the test. Worst game of chicken ever if you ask me.

Regina: “What are you doing?”
Cruella: “Playing my favorite game. It’s called ‘Don’t Be A Hero.’ First one to save us loses.”

Back in Fairytale Land, a younger Regina hopes to gain a new teacher when she visits Maleficent’s castle. Unfortunately, Mal has lost her powers and succumbed to a pretty heavy depression. We still don’t know what her past with King Stefan is, or how she came to be this way, but I’m excited to learn more!

I’m hoping it leads to answer about how she got pregnant and if Stefan is the father.

Meanwhile, Hook approaches Belle, worried that the new witches in town might go after Rumple’s dagger as a means of controlling him. Together, they rush to recover it. I wasn’t a huge fan of this subplot, mostly because it didn’t seem plausible that Belle would trust Hook so much with Rumple’s dagger. She knows the history between them, plus… didn’t he try to murder her a bunch, just a couple seasons ago? I know this show is all about forgiving villains and second chances, but still. That’s a little bit of a stretch for me.

Regardless, Belle decides to trust Hook’s judgment, and together they unearth the dagger from Belle’s hiding spot. She hands it off to Hook since he’s good with buried treasure, but the joke’s on her.

Hook turns out to be Rumple in disguise, and now he’s got his dagger back.

Time to panic? Maybe, but I’m not sure Belle’s anxiety over protecting herself is based in much truth. Rumple doesn’t seem angry with her, just upset and hurt that she’s moved on from him.

Rumpelstiltskin: “So you’re over him then? Rumpelstiltskin?”
Belle: “I don’t know if I can… ever be over him.”

Regina faces a tough choice back in Storybrooke, when Maleficent urges her to kidnap Pinocchio to pump him for information about the author. Against Emma’s better judgment, Regina snatches the boy and hands him over to Rumple, who magically turns him back into August.

That’s right, people! August is back in action, and we’re moving closer and closer towards that elusive author!

Other Thoughts:

• Admit it Rumple, the “Pirate’s Oath” was just an excuse to touch Belle again, right?
• Is that Papa Mikaelson I spot playing the part of King Stefan?
• Regina is rocking a whole lot of leather, and I’m loving it!
• I remember when Henry used to be on this show. Good times…

Do you think Regina will succumb to darkness? Is Belle really in danger from Rumple? Sound off in comments below!

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Once Upon a Time airs Sundays at 8/7c on ABC.