In the Fairy Tale Realm and Hyperion Heights, Dr. Facilier returns and makes things difficult for our Heroes. Meanwhile, Weaver/Rumple and Rogers search for a serial killer. Full recap of Once Upon a Time, “A Taste of the Heights”. (First aired Friday, March 9 at 8pm ET|PT on ABC.)
“A Taste of the Heights” takes us to the Fairy Tale Realm as Tiana she is preparing to be coronated as the new queen. Henry, Ella, Regina, and Tiana’s mother are all with her and encourage Tiana to let go of the nerves. She’s already proved herself to be a loyal leader. Unfortunately, they’re interrupted by the arrival of Dr. Facilier. Facilier is particularly interested in Regina too… Before he leaves, he delivers a “gift”, a glimpse into Tiana’s future. Facilier says that before she is crowned, Tiana will have to face a test when a terrible beast threatens the kingdom. At first she thinks it’s a trick, but decides it’s better to be safe than sorry. Tiana delays the coronation and leaves for the docks on the bayou has Facilier instructs.
Ella and Alt-Killian join Tiana for the search. Once there, they confirm that something has been attacking villagers. However, they’re interrupted by a newcomer, Prince Naveen of Maldonia, who is hunting for the beast too, an alligator. He’s pretty boastful and claims his enchanted spear is apparently the only weapon that can kill the gator. Tiana invites Naveen to join them, but she’ll be teaching him a thing or two about heroism.
"Prince Naveen of Maldonia, at your service." ?
Don't miss a new #OnceUponATime at 8|7c on ABC! pic.twitter.com/uzcZvt3Gnc— Once Upon A Time (@OnceABC) March 9, 2018
The group tracks the alligator and figure out that it’s to a village at Firefly Island. While Alt-Killian and Ella take an injured man to the healer, Tiana and Naveen continue on. Their confrontation gets pretty heated, especially since Tiana sees Naveen as super arrogant and flirtatious to he a true hero. Tiana and Naveen take a boat into the middle of the bog to wait for the alligator. In an unexpected moment of seriousness, Naveen reveals that he’s hunting the alligator because it killed his brother. Ruling Maldonia alone is hard and lonely. Tiana feels his fears and suggests a royal alliance to kill the alligator. When Naveen offers Tiana a drink, she notices he has something in his bag… something that belongs to Facilier. When Tiana accuses Naveen, he denies know Facilier.
In that moment, the gator attacks and Naveen is dragged under the water. Naveen is able to break free and tells Tiana to throw the spear. She hits the alligator and is able to get Naveen out of the water, but he’s badly hurt. Facilier shows up just then. Apparently he was looking for the alligator too, to retrieve a locket. Tiana implores Facilier to use her magic to save Naveen, but apparently he’s already between worlds. She’s able to convince Facilier that she’s owed his help in exchange for killing the alligator. Facilier agrees and saves Naveen. But since Naveen still owes him for the magic, Facilier will keep Naveen until he pays the debt. Tiana promises that, as queen, she will use all her resources to find Naveen.
Tiana returns for the coronation and invites her friends to join her, after all, they will help her protect the people. Regina hangs back though… it turns out Facilier is there for her! He gives Regina the locket, which apparently is hers. What does Facilier get out of it? Well, he misses his queen, and apparently these two had a very close relationship, because their kiss is smoking!
In Hyperion Heights, Victoria’s funeral has been held and Lucy, now awake, visits her Step-grandmother’s grave to leave flowers. In the first episode of his new podcast, “HTown” Henry reflects on the mystery around Victoria’s life and death. Meanwhile, life continues… Sabine is launching the new food truck at Taste of the Heights, a local food fair. While she takes the lead with the food truck, Lucy convinces Jacinda to invite Henry to game night and dinner.
While getting ready for Taste of the Heights, an old friend of Sabine’s from culinary school surprises her. Drew/Naveen is back in town for the food fair. He has a food truck too, a Cajun one, just like Sabine’s. Hmmm…
Sabine is able to get a sample of Drew’s food and isn’t worried because it’s not that good. However, when the inspector comes to check on Sabine’s licenses and permits, she doesn’t have them. The inspector tells Sabine that she can’t participate in the food fair. How did the inspector know Sabine was missing the necessary documents. Well, he got an anonymous tip, and Sabine believes it was Drew who snitched.
Sabine confronts Drew, but he denies telling the inspector about Sabine. However, he believes it might be his business partner, Mr. Samdi AKA Dr. Facilier. Samdi promises that Drew’s truck would be a success and this is how he plans to make it happen. Sabine is incensed because, once again, Drew gets things handed to him, while she has to struggle for even one opportunity. She’s discouraged, but Drew makes it up to her by giving Sabine his permit. As expected, Rollin’ Bayou is a hit! Maybe Sabine and Drew can be a team. NO! Because Samdi arrives and this is all part of a plan for Drew to earn Sabine’s trust. Apparently Facilier needs Sabine to help him get something. UGH.
At game night and dinner, Lucy, Jacinda, and Henry have a blast playing LIFE. But Lucy’s has bigger intentions. She remembers how Victoria confirmed that the Fairy Tale book is real, which means Henry and her mom are true loves. And tonight, Lucy intends for them to share a kiss and break the curse. When Lucy goes to bed early, Henry mentions the mixtape Jacinda made for him (he learned about it from Remy earlier at the bar, who spilled that Jacinda had come to the bar with the tape the night Henry left for San Francisco). Jacinda shows Henry the mixtape, and get closer and closer… until they’re interrupted by Lucy! While getting ready for bed, she finds a note in her Fairy Tale Book. It’s the page with Drizella and Gothel poisoning Henry. She learns that if the curse is broken, Henry will die. So Lucy rushes to break Henry and her mom apart, saying that she’s had a nightmare. Now that Lucy is in the room, the potential for TLK is diminished, at least for now.
Roni/Regina and Kelly/Zelena are back into the swing of things at the bar. But another investor arrives and claims to be interested in the property–it’s Baron Samdi. YIKES. Now that Victoria is gone, Samdi has returned to Hyperion Heights. He claims he wants to help. Sure… 🙁 When Henry shares Samdi’s information with Regina, she knows that he’s Facilier. Regina and Zelena need to figure out whether he’s cursed or awake. They call Samdi to come to the bar and Zelena pretends to be Roni, while Regina says she’s Kelly. Samdi makes his proposal to expand and franchise the bar, but doesn’t seem to know their true identities, so he’s likely still cursed.
Elsewhere, Weaver and Detective Rogers continue their investigation. Weaver believes that the death of Dr. Sage (Lucy’s doctor) is tied to Victoria’s murder, which means the evil cult. But, at least now, Rogers believes that Eloise is at fault. Weaver and Rogers visit a local bakery where Dr. Sage purchased something the day she died. The proprietress (a blind woman named Hilda) remembers Dr. Sage bought a tea cake. She doesn’t have much more information, but Weaver and Rogers are still suspicious. That night, they break into the bakery and notice that the gas has been left on. They find Hilda unconscious on the floor, now missing a lock of her hair. The cult strikes again!
Weaver goes to see Regina and Zelena at the bar and confirms that he’s fully Rumple. He tells them about Dr. Sage’s and Hilda’s deaths. Both had a scar, from a tattoo removal, the image that was in Eloise’s journal, eight spokes on a wheel. If these two women were members of the cult, that means someone is killing witches.
Regina goes to see Samdi and tells him to drop the act. Facilier is awake and she wants to know why he’s in Hyperion Heights. Facilier invites Regina into his house. She hesitates before following him in.
He may be a master of tricks, but Regina can see right through Dr. Facilier. ? #OnceUponATime pic.twitter.com/Qa1meC7lIp
— Once Upon A Time (@OnceABC) March 12, 2018
What in the world is Facilier up to? Whatever it is, let’s hope Regina is able to stay a few steps ahead of him and find a way to save Henry. I realllllllllly need the Henry/Jacinda TLK that’s going to break the curse!
Once Upon a Time airs Fridays at 8p/7c on ABC.
