This week’s Once Upon a Time brings us the most lovely Rumbelle HEA and we start to learn how Rumple ends up in Hyperion Heights. Full recap of “Beauty” (first aired Friday, October 27 at 8pm ET|PT on ABC).
In “Beauty” we finally learn about the Rumbelle events that eventually bring Rumple to the Hyperion Heights Curse.
The episode begins with Belle, Rumple, and Baby Gideon in Storybrooke. They’re getting ready for Gideon’s birthday party (Emma, Killian, Snow, Charming, Zelena, Regina and others are expected to attend). Belle is a little stressed, but Rumple tries to calm her down. As long as Gideon gets to eat cake, everything will be great. It’s time to get un-used to the chaos. Rumple also gives Belle a present–he plans to take her on a trip around the world and he provides a blank book where she can record their adventures.
10 years later, during one part of their family trip, Rumple and Belle find themselves on an ancient bridge. He shares that he’s ready to let go of his immortality and live his last years with Belle. He casts the Dark One Dagger into the river and makes a wish that he can live one more natural life with Belle. Unfortunately, after he tosses the dagger in, it magically returns to his pocket. Belle isn’t discouraged though. She promises that they’ll find a way that Rumple will be mortal again.
They spend the next years together researching how to get rid of the dagger. One day 18-year old Gideon shares that he’s been accepted to Elphame Academy for school. Rumple is pleased for his son, but also sad that they’ve spent Gideon’s childhood searching for his mortality rather than focussing on their son. Belle thinks their life and adventure together have been good and now it’s time for Gideon to find his own adventures. Belle also has some news of her own. According to a scroll she found, the Edge of Realms might hold the key to getting rid of the Dark One dagger.
At the Edge of Realms, time and space move differently. It could take what seems like years for sun to set and their answers to come. Belle agrees that they should wait. Rumple and Belle build their home and it does seem like years pass–Gideon visits from school, Rumple and Belle share picnics and dances (to the “Beauty and the Beast” theme *CRIES*), Belle grows old. One day while she’s opening the curtains, Belle passes out.
Adventure is out there…
Watch this incredible episode of #OnceUponATime here: https://t.co/1Blfbilii5 pic.twitter.com/OvOaRJMqzB— Once Upon A Time (@OnceABC) October 28, 2017
Rumple is so afraid that he offers to use the dagger’s magic to make her young again. However, Belle refuses. When she translated the prophecy all those years ago, the sun that needed to set at the Edge of Realms was hers, her life. Even when Belle dies, Rumple must believe their love is strong enough to outlast death. Then he will find the path to bring them back together. In Belle’s final moments, we relive her life with Rumple and their beautiful HEA. Then she dies, with the hope that he’ll find the answer to get rid of the dagger and they’ll reunite…
Rumple buries Belle at the Edge of Realms and Gideon attends the funeral too. Gideon offers to take the dagger so his father can be with his mother, but Rumple refuses. There is only one person who is destined to hold this darkness, and it’s the Guardian. Then the darkness will finally rest. Rumple leaves that realm and travels to the one where Henry, Cinderella, and Lady Tremaine are, ahead of the Prince’s ball. The first person Rumple bumps into is Alice as she’s looking for her rabbit, and Henry speeds by on his motorcycle.
In Hyperion Heights it’s Halloween and Detective Weaver is on the prowl. He goes to see Tilly/Alice to exchange a snack for some tips about what Victoria Belfrey might be up to. Tilly doesn’t think very highly of Victoria, but she has started noticing things around town.
“But we’re all wearing masks! …. it’s Halloween.” Methinks Tilly is way more perceptive than people give her credit for. In fact, she recognizes that Weaver is wearing a mask too and seems determined to get under it.
Tilly gets to work trying to uncover what Victoria is up to. Tilly scares Victoria by sneaking into her car (while wearing a rabbit mask) and jumping out when Victoria least expects it. Tilly asks Victoria how they all got to Hyperion Heights and says she’s very interested in uncovering Victoria’s mask. But Victoria chases Tilly away by spraying her with mace. Victoria then calls Weaver to come see her. Tilly left her backpack behind, with her pills and Weaver’s calling card. According to Victoria and Tilly’s doctor, it’s important that Tilly stay on her medication and Weaver can be the one to track her down. Weaver is resistant… why should be drug and lock up one of his best informants. But when Victoria threatens to report Weaver’s corrupt actions, he agrees to look for Tilly and force her to take the medication.
What kind of man is Weaver? We’re about to find out. #OnceUponATime is all-new tomorrow at 8|7c on ABC! pic.twitter.com/9nxd28qsTy
— Once Upon A Time (@OnceABC) October 26, 2017
When Jacinda arrives at Victoria’s office to leave Lucy’s costume, her step-sister Ivy is there and isn’t very friendly. While Jacinda would be glad for a chance to take Lucy trick-or-treating, Victoria has demanded that Lucy do it. During trick-or-treating, Ivy neglects Lucy, who ends up tricking another girl into pretending to be her. Once Ivy realizes Lucy is missing, she knows there’s going to be trouble.
At Roni’s, Henry hangs out at the bar, while she (dressed as Marilyn Monroe) tries out new drink recipes. Roni makes a “poisoned apple” and Henry suggests to add cinnamon. He’s in a bad mood though, the result of finding the cemetery where his wife and daughter are buried. Roni comforts Henry but reassures him that there’s nothing wrong with moving on… maybe with Jacinda. She tells Henry to ask Jacinda out.
Weaver enlists help from Rogers to look for Tilly; however Weaver admits he’s suspicious of Victoria. Something about Tilly scares her and Weaver wants to figure out what it is. Rogers is peeved that Weaver only wants to find Tilly to use her to get at Victoria, so he demands that they split up. Weaver finds Tilly sitting with the stone troll and playing with a Rubix cube. She’s so close to remembering… something. And if Tilly takes those pills, she’ll forget, just like Victoria wants her to. Everyone in Hyperion Heights is part of a larger puzzle, one that Victoria wants to make sure remains scattered. But for Tilly, she claims that soon the masks will be uncovered and they’ll all see the truth. Weaver…the good man behind the cop. Or maybe the beast?
Henry meets Jacinda and Mr. Cluck’s and plans to ask her out… but they’re interrupted when Ivy arrives and says that Lucy ran away. Jacinda is angry and Ivy is insulting (she even says Jacinda is running around with Henry, trying to turn him into her baby-daddy… oh hell no!). If Jacinda leaves work, she’ll be fired, so Henry agrees to help Jacinda look for Lucy. They exchange numbers and Jacinda will text her ideas about where Lucy might be. Henry eventually catches up with Ivy who’s lamenting her circumstances. When he asks why she keeps doing her mother’s bidding, Ivy admits to being alone and wanting her mother’s approval. Henry commiserates, saying he’s alone too with family baggage. But they can try to take a risk and do something different. Ivy looks at the list Jacinda sent and deduce that Lucy will be at a haunted house.
Tilly tells Weaver to take them to the train tracks and on their way, he gives her something to eat. Weaver has snuck the pills into the orange marmalade. Tilly is upset because Weaver never believed her. He thinks that the pills will make her think straight, but that isn’t the case. Tilly pushes Weaver, if only he could remember that he’s a good man and someone who loves him is waiting for him. Tilly jumps out of the car and takes off running and Weaver chases after her. They arrive at a shack and Tilly shows Weaver a chipped tea cup, the missing piece to learning the truth! Tilly says that Weaver gave her that cup, a reminder of how to get back to “her.” Weaver doesn’t believe though… when he tries to handcuff her, she takes his gun. The teacup doesn’t work, so she shoots him: “Because you told me to, Rumpelstiltskin!”
Weaver wakes up from a dream about Belle, but Rogers is by his bedside Rogers confirms that Tilly is OK and is taking her pills. Weaver asks that the official report say that a masked robber shot him, not Tilly. Rogers goes to Tilly outside and she’s very apologetic. She promises to keep taking her pills. Then Tilly and Rogers sit down together to play a game of chess… (Is she his daughter?!) Later when Victoria comes to the hospital to see Weaver, he reports that Tilly is back on her pills. But something has changed…
“Oh no, I remember, quite clearly. But, it appears that I’ve found something much bigger than what’s on those tapes, Dearie.”
Dearie!!!!!!! Rumple is BACK and HE REMEMBERS.
Henry and Ivy find Lucy and bring her to Jacinda. Ivy even suggests that Jacinda and Henry take Lucy trick-or-treating. Henry declines… he doesn’t want to push in on their family tradition. And instead of asking Jacinda out, he says something about getting her to look at his blog post about the community garden.They wish each other a happy Halloween and part ways. Henry makes his way to the bar and Ivy joins him there. She buys him a drink, a thank you for encouraging her to put herself first. Henry and Ivy toast to keeping things uncomplicated…
If they make Henry and Ivy happen, I’m going to be so upset. Also, what’s Rumple going to do now? Does this means he might figure out a way to find Gideon, at least?
What did you think of this week’s Once Upon a Time? Share your thoughts in comments!
Once Upon a Time airs Fridays at 8p/7c on ABC.
