Spoiler Discussion: The apple was poisoned?!

[KAOS Agent]

I wish they'd stop using song titles/lyrics for their episode titles. "Sympathy for the De Vil" isn't even remotely clever and it makes me already hate what's coming in what I'd assume to be a Cruella-centric. It wouldn't surprise me if she dies in this episode and since she's the most interesting of the new villains to me, I'm going to hate it even more. With my luck, this will be the episode where August returns and there will not be enough alcohol in the world to get me through it.

 

The original premise of this show was that everyone's happy endings had been stolen from them and Emma's arrival was the signal that the final battle would begin. Emma would fight evil to return the happy endings. This show was about individuals working for their happy ending, not Villains: Misunderstood Woobies. I understand that they want to give the villains motivation for their actions, but five villains running around in one half season is way too many if we're going to get all of their sob stories. Not to mention that the villains and heroes are ostensibly looking for the author to write them a happy ending. If some puppeteer has been pulling the strings this whole time, nothing that happened in the past matters because they had no control over their own actions.

Edited February 8, 2015 by KAOS Agent

[YaddaYadda]

If some puppeteer has been pulling the strings this whole time, nothing that happened in the past matters because they had no control over their own actions.

 

This is what scares me to be honest, that nobody was responsible for their own actions at the end of the day.  

 

418, we know that Henry and Cruella are together.  And if he sought her out, I hope he gets a good spanking and is grounded for life, though I'm sure it will be something along the lines of Cruella maybe having had a boy who became breakfast for some animal.

[Camera One]

Let me try my hand at "Sympathy for De Vil" given what we know in Spoilers so far...  

 

FLASHBACK SCENE 1

 

Young Snow and Johanna are on the palace grounds, which is bustling with activity.  A girl with a leashed dog, and her father with several leashed dogs, are about to walk past.

 

YOUNG SNOW: Why do they have so many dogs?

 

JOHANNA: It's the big Hunt.  The dogs bring back the birds that are killed.

 

YOUNG SNOW (to the Girl walking past):  DOG GIRL.

 

JOHANNA (aghast): Snow!

 

The girl loses focus and lets go of the leash.  The ferocious dog LEAPS onto Snow, snarling!

 

STORYBROOKE

 

EMMA: So, you said you knew Cruella a long time ago?

 

SNOW: I was SUCH a brat.  She thinks I ruined her life.

 

EMMA: Did you?

 

SNOW: Yes.

 

CHARMING: Wait a minute.  Didn't we have this conversation once before?

 

FLASHBACK #2:

 

In the palace, Snow is lying in bed.  A doctor is examining her.

 

DOCTOR: I'm afraid Snow will not wake up because she is too afraid.  Until she can feel that she won't be maimed by a dog, she won't get better.  

 

EVA: I'm afraid we must do it, Leopold.  We must ban all dogs from the kingdom.

 

ANIMAL LOVERS ACROSS AMERICA: Gasp!  Gasp!  What evil woman would suggest all lovable dogs be banned!

 

STORYBROOKE:

MARY MARGARET: Wait a minute.  I thought Snow loved all animals.  I have never been shown to be afraid of dogs.  Or even a wolf.

 

A&E: Excuse me.  I think your only role in this scene is standing in the back holding the baby.

 

FLASHBACK #3

 

A montage of everyone in the kingdom being parted from their beloved pets.  Young Cruella and her father are shown escorted from the palace grounds.

 

CRUELLA'S FATHER: I have lost my job because of you.

 

YOUNG CRUELLA: But Father!

 

CRUELLA'S FATHER: You are dead to me.  I never want to see you again.

 

FLASHBACK #4

 

Young Cruella is sobbing in the forest.

 

RUMPLE: Hello, dearie!

 

STORYBROOKE

 

CRUELLA: Hello Henry, I know where the Author is.  Follow me and I will take you to him.

 

HENRY: Sure!  I can't wait for my mother Regina to get her happy ending.  Did you know it's called Operation Mongoose?

 

CRUELLA: Bwahahahahahahahahahaha, you dared call me Dog Girl.  Now, your grandson will become a Dog's Breakfast, Snow White.  Oh stop me, how many puns can I say in a single episode.

 

HENRY: Sorry, what did you say?

 

CRUELLA: Oh nothing.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Camera One

[retrograde]

Oh yes, I forgot that each of the three villains is supposed to have a "connection" to one of the main characters. I was hoping Cruella's backstory could be something/somewhere a bit different, but I guess it pretty much has to happen in the EF. 

[KingOfHearts]

 

But wouldn't the pendant be empty now since its "essence" left it when Zelena was killed?  I cannot wait to see how they spin this one.  I like how Cora's vault of hearts is still there, the hearts are still glowing and Regina has her own too.  How many people are walking around SB without their hearts exactly?

The way I understood it was Zelena was in the process of using a spell once her pendant was taken from her person. The "intent" to perform the spell was still in the pendant, but it couldn't execute without the body. Once the body shattered, the pendant lost its connection and was forced to complete the action. The pendant was still glowing as the magic went out from it, so I don't believe it went out or something.

 

I'd love for Regina to be haunted by Zelena's ghost every time she's in the crypt.

 

 

Oh yes, I forgot that each of the three villains is supposed to have a "connection" to one of the main characters. I was hoping Cruella's backstory could be something/somewhere a bit different, but I guess it pretty much has to happen in the EF.

Snow befriends Ella in high school. Ella tells Snow her deepest, darkest secret - she smokes. Snow feels she has to tell Ella's abusive parents, then Ella becomes so bitter that she becomes the school bully. She's nicknamed Cruella by her classmates, drops out, goes to beauty college and joins the Queens of Darkness sorority. The group decides to pull a prank on the Dark One, but Rumple spots them and gives them a deal to train them as his pupils so they can have revenge on their former schoolmates.

Edited February 9, 2015 by KingOfHearts

[formerlyfreedom]

Please remember this is the spot to discuss Spoilers. The topic has been veering off of spoilers into what people would like to see happen. Posts have been moved to A Thread for All Seasons. Going forward, if a post isn't primarily about a Spoiler or Spoiler Discussion, it may be moved or deleted with no notice.

 

Thanks for posting.

 

Again. Please talk about Spoilers in here. Speculations and wishes, as well as what's happened in the past episodes have other topics. Posts will be deleted going forward.

[KAOS Agent]

Has anyone seen that round-up of spoilers that contains something about Rumpel blackmailing Regina by threatening to kill Robin? I read it somewhere (which I can't find again) and it said Rumpel killed Robin, but that makes no sense, so I think it should be threatens to kill Robin. I'm wondering if there is something to Rumpel blackmailing Regina and that's why we've seen so many scenes with her working with the evil trio. It also fits in with Robin filming with Rumpel in NYC. Is this pure speculation or was this confirmed by someone watching the filming?

Edited February 9, 2015 by KAOS Agent

[Souris]

It's total and complete bollocks. Just some writer on some random site (ChristianityToday, of all places!) compiling/rewording spoilers that have been released on other sites and adding their own spin and speculation as fact, trying to get hits. And of course it spread through the fandom like wildfire and freaked people out. That crap infuriates me so much. The Internet can be such a cesspit of lies, and so many people don't stop for a second to think, "Hey, does this tidbit from this random website even make sense?" before spreading it all over as fact, and half the time not even attributing the source. Drives me bonkers.

Edited February 9, 2015 by Souris

[YaddaYadda]

Has anyone seen that round-up of spoilers that contains something about Rumpel blackmailing Regina by threatening to kill Robin? I read it somewhere (which I can't find again) and it said Rumpel killed Robin, but that makes no sense, so I think it should be threatens to kill Robin. I'm wondering if there is something to Rumpel blackmailing Regina and that's why we've seen so many scenes with her working with the evil trio. It also fits in with Robin filming with Rumpel in NYC. Is this pure speculation or was this confirmed by someone watching the filming?

I think that might have been me, but it was purely speculative.  I said that since we now know that Robin ins NYC and we see him with Rumple then it makes sense that Rumple was going to visit Robin before/after they found Cruella.  He did say to Ursula that they had two more stops to make which hadn't really made sense all that much since Maleficent is in Storybrooke.  So two stops are Cruella and Robin.

 

Rumple knows where Robin is now, so if Regina is being a double-agent like we speculated, then once they find out she has betrayed them, Rumple can just go ahead and tell her that he knows where Robin is and that he will just kill him for what she has done which would likely make Regina fall in line.

[retrograde]

I like the Rumple blackmailing Regina theory, except we know Robin doesn't show up on screen until 4.17. Five eps seems a long time to keep the audience in the dark on that backstory if it is an important part of the plot.

[YaddaYadda]

That's why Regina might start out as a double-agent before turning.  Nothing else makes sense as to why she is with the villains since she doesn't consider herself as such anymore.  

 

I think that whatever Robin/Rumple scenes we have might not be done in real time, I don't think they can be in real time unless Rumple leaves Storybrooke to go back to him for whatever it is he needed retrieved at Walsh's store (we are assuming it's Walsh's still, right?).  I'm not even sure they will reveal that Rumple saw Robin until 417 and he probably has the object with him already.

[RadioGirl27]

I'm not sure if this twit from Merrin Dungey has been already posted. But it seems that she met Rebecca Mader the day she was on set. So, it was just a "hello, nice to meet you" or the Queens of Darkness shooted with Zelena (I hate myself for writting this).

Edited February 9, 2015 by RadioGirl27

[retrograde]

4.12 press release!!! http://www.spoilertv.com/2015/02/once-upon-time-episode-412-darkness-on_45.html?m=1

[sharky]

Official 4x12 press release!

“With Gold banished from town, the residents of Storybrooke attempt to resume their normal lives. Hook and Belle search for a way to release the fairies from the Sorcerer’s hat, while Emma, Henry and Regina continue to look for clues that could lead them to the Author. But when a terrifying darkness descends on the town, Emma and Regina are forced to confront the true nature of evil. Meanwhile, in New York, Gold and Ursula enlist Cruella De Vil to join their cause.”

 

I'm excited about seeing Hook and Belle work together. It'll be nice to see him doing something that doesn't necessarily involve Emma -- and it explains the Captain Swan pictures with Belle at the library.

 

Also, what the hell is the darkness descends on the town mean? I'm starting to think about the scenes that have been shot outside that we've seen and I want to say quite a few of the real world scenes were shot at night, weren't they?

 

I'm not sure if this twit from Merrin Dungey has been already posted. But it seems that she met Rebecca Mader the day she was on set. So, it was just a "hello, nice to meet you" or the Queens of Darkness shooted with Zelena (I hate myself for writting this).

There was a similar situation when Chris Gorham watched some filming at Steveston, but he never showed up in that scene. It may just be a set visit.

[retrograde]

Re: that tweet. That was the same day they were filming the Zelena/Marian scene on location. She may have shot more in the studio after, but I think it's also possible they were just in makeup or wardrobe at the same time.

[Delphi]

I'm wondering if Mal ends up releasing herself from under the library and is just laying low while causing mischief.

[YaddaYadda]

It's always nice to know we're right about certain things, like the whole research part to release the fairies and she probably makes the remark about his temper when they're not finding anything.  

 

I'm wondering if Mal ends up releasing herself from under the library and is just laying low while causing mischief.

We don't even know what Snow's curse has done really, so it's a possibility.  The actress playing Maleficent is also listed as a guest star.

 

Also, an the FBI agent?  That sounds hella weird.  And a banker?  Is that the reason there are ATMs around town?

[RadioGirl27]

 

Also, what the hell is the darkness descends on the town mean? I'm starting to think about the scenes that have been shot outside that we've seen and I want to say quite a few of the real world scenes were shot at night, weren't they?

I think it's Maleficent in dragon form, releasing herself (or being released) from under the library. There were some pics with Emma and Regina doing the jazz hands and looking at the sky.

 

I'm all for Emma and Hook not expending all the time together, but I would prefer if Emma spent that time with her parents, but I guess the writers think queerbaiting is more important than writting some family time for Emma and her parents.

 

As for the banker and the FBI agent, they would be extras with lines in some of the New York scenes with Rumple.

Edited February 9, 2015 by RadioGirl27

[Curio]

Finally, something to get us a little bit excited about the premiere. Some interesting bits from that release:

 

"Keegan Connor Tracy as Mother Superior" is listed as a guest star, so I'm going to assume they're successful in releasing the fairies from the hat. I wonder if they can only release a couple people at a time, because The Apprentice isn't listed as a guest star.

 

Panou as FBI Agent

 

This intrigues me. Why would an FBI Agent be involved with this episode? Are we going back to the initial idea set up in 2B about real world people discovering Storybrooke? Will this FBI Agent be investigating Rumple and how he seems to have appeared in NYC out of thin air with no record of living anywhere in the U.S. or the world? Is he connecting the trail of odd occurrences, starting from Emma Swan randomly leaving her apartment loft without paying for rent, or Robin and Marian randomly appearing in a big city with a lot of cash but no bank accounts?

 

Nah, I'm probably way over-thinking this and he's only in a one-off comical scene where Rumple evades him quickly or something.

Edited February 9, 2015 by Curio

[scenicbyway]

It feels like Cruella and Ursula are really random villians for Rumple to be aligning with.  Perhaps they are the only ones living in NYC.  Anyone else think that Rumple might be staying at Neal's in NYC?

 

As for the press release, why, Why, WHY, with the Regina and Emma and Regina, Emma and Henry stuff.  The women are in relationships with men, Regina has tried to kill Emma and her family for decades, why must we see them try to be BFF's just because of Henry.  I could care less if Hook and Belle went fishing.  I'm not watching the show to see Hook be scuttled away with Belle.

[Souris]

Oh, goody, more forcing of the awful Emma-Regina queerbaiting "friendship." The Hook/Belle item is the only thing remotely interesting, and we called that.

[RadioGirl27]

 

The Hook/Belle item is the only thing remotely interesting, and we called that.

Yeah, and I doubt it's going to last more than a couple of episodes. The moment Belle forgives Rumple (and we know she is going to forgive him), that friendship ends.

 

As for the Emma and Regina "friendship", well, we all knew it was going to happen. The writers have decided to give up and give the bullies what they want, but without actually giving it to them (I doubt they are going make both Regina and Emma lesbians/bisexual at this point of the show, but hey, a few more insults to the cast and maybe they surrender). So we are going to have lots of Emma and Regina as BFF, the two of them spending time together with Henry, etc.

Edited February 9, 2015 by RadioGirl27

[Curio]

I have such a love/hate relationship with this show. On the one hand, I'm actually excited to see how they deal with Belle and Hook in the premiere after everything that went down in 4A. But knowing these writers, their scenes will probably be the B or C-Plot and Emma and Regina's stupid quest to find the author will be the A-Plot. We could potentially get so much character drama from Hook and Belle begrudgingly researching the hat and fairies together in the library, yet I'm only expecting to get 3 minutes tops of them together. Maybe the writers will prove me wrong, but I honestly doubt we'll get any meaningful conversation between those two about: 

 

• How Belle feels about Hook and if she still holds some resentment toward him for attempting to kill her multiple times, or if it's water under the bridge after she realized her husband attempted to crush his heart behind her back.
• How Belle feels about watching her husband nearly kill Hook right in front of her, and if Hook will actually thank her for stopping him.
• Is Hook truly regretful for harming Belle in his quest to kill Rumple and will he actually give her an honest apology this time?
• Does Belle know anything about the amount of secrecy that went into Rumple's 4A plans? At this point, does she even know he gave her a fake dagger as an engagement gift? Does she know he tried to suck Emma into the hat? Does she know he forced Hook to do terrible things? Will she be angry with Hook that he didn't try to warn her about the fake dagger sooner? Will the audience be able to witness Hook informing Belle of these things because he's literally the only person in town who knows about what Rumple did in 4A?

 

I have a bad feeling the answer to most of these points is going to be... no. We will not get to see it play out on screen because we still have to deal with Rumple's plot in NYC, whatever the heck Regina, Emma, and Henry are doing with the stupid author, Maleficent escaping in dragon form, and releasing the fairies from the hat. Which is a shame, because I feel like half of the episode could be spent on hashing out those Belle/Hook relationship issues as a "bottle episode" set in the library.

[Rumsy4]

Maybe Hook and Belle release Maleficent while researching the Hat. After all, if they are working in the library, Mal is right underneath.

[YaddaYadda]

I don't care for the whole Hook/Belle thing though, hey, progress!!  But there's also that BTS we saw where Belle seems to be giving Hook the Dark One's dagger, so it's not like the interaction is done after 411.

[Shanna Marie]

The problem with all the scenes we want to see from Hook and Belle is that they're all conversations you'd think would already have happened during the missing six weeks. Unless Belle has spent the intervening six weeks holed up in her room eating ice cream and watching Thelma and Louise on a loop or Hook dealt with the aftermath of having his heart ripped out by taking to sea (as far as he could go within the boundaries of the border spell) with a crate of rum, they should already have had these conversations by now.

[Mari]

"Keegan Connor Tracy as Mother Superior" is listed as a guest star, so I'm going to assume they're successful in releasing the fairies from the hat. I wonder if they can only release a couple people at a time, because The Apprentice isn't listed as a guest star. 

Do they describe her as the Blue Fairy when she's in flashbacks?  Because if Maleficent is the Black Fairy, KCT could be in the epsisode for Blue flashbacks. 

 

If they get the fairies out of the hat this early in the story arc, it leaves a huge "why aren't they doing anything" problem for the writers.  (Not that that would stop them.  TS, TW.)

[retrograde]

The problem with all the scenes we want to see from Hook and Belle is that they're all conversations you'd think would already have happened during the missing six weeks. Unless Belle has spent the intervening six weeks holed up in her room eating ice cream and watching Thelma and Louise on a loop or Hook dealt with the aftermath of having his heart ripped out by taking to sea (as far as he could go within the boundaries of the border spell) with a crate of rum, they should already have had these conversations by now.

I mean, in fairness, she just found out her husband was plotting murder and sundry other evil things and lying to her about it and she had to magically banish him from town. That is pretty messed up. So I think she probably should have spent at least a few weeks at home eating ice cream. 

 

Personally, I am looking forward to seeing their storyline (and for both characters to have something to do outside their romantic plots), but I don't think seeing any apologies/rehashing of things the audience already knows is necessary. I think they can convey where the characters and their relationship is at through their interaction and body language. 

 

Anyway, I think this explains why Belle and Hook dig up the dagger, and possibly why Regina is doing some magic with it later. Belle probably wants nothing to do with it, so she gives it to Hook and he gives it to Regina to free the fairies (perhaps with the promise that the apprentice may help find the author), which is that scene with the Charmings and Emma and Hook. But probably none of them know at the time that Rumple is back in town and is looking to get the dagger back. 

Edited February 9, 2015 by retrograde

[RadioGirl27]

The problem with all the scenes we want to see from Hook and Belle is that they're all conversations you'd think would already have happened during the missing six weeks. Unless Belle has spent the intervening six weeks holed up in her room eating ice cream and watching Thelma and Louise on a loop or Hook dealt with the aftermath of having his heart ripped out by taking to sea (as far as he could go within the boundaries of the border spell) with a crate of rum, they should already have had these conversations by now.

Another reason why the six weeks time jump is so wrong.

 

About the Blue Fairy, I'm pretty sure they are going to release her from the hat in the premiere. There were some BTS pics with her and I think Snow, and they were in their Storybrooke clothes.

[Shanna Marie]

I suppose both Hook and Belle could have felt overwhelmed by the massive awkwardness of it all and just not talked about any of it while focusing on practical matters, like trying to free the fairies, and it's only after they've built up a comfort zone from working together a while that they can have the more serious conversation and hash things out. So it might not have started with thanks and apologies but rather "we need to fix this other thing and we both feel kind of obligated to do so," and then once they're more comfortable, there can be the "I don't think I ever thanked you for saving my life, and I haven't properly apologized for what I did to you earlier" and "I was wrong about you and about Rumple" conversation.

[Curio]

The problem with all the scenes we want to see from Hook and Belle everyone involved with 4A is that they're all conversations you'd think would already have happened during the missing six weeks.

 

We should probably keep a tally throughout 4B and track the amount of times we have to say this.

[Shanna Marie]

We may need to invent a popcorn (or M&Ms) game instead of a drinking game (to spare our livers). Or maybe in addition to a drinking game. You get to eat a piece of popcorn or an M&M when a conversation happens that should have happened during the missing six weeks. Or when characters are behaving as though something pivotal happened that we didn't get to see because it was in the missing six weeks.

[Camera One]

If they get the fairies out of the hat this early in the story arc, it leaves a huge "why aren't they doing anything" problem for the writers.  (Not that that would stop them.  TS, TW.)

 

The major story challenge with releasing the Fairies trapped in the Hat so early is the Apprentice would be released as well.  So wouldn't Regina, Henry, Emma, etc. ask him how to contact the Sorcerer, if he controls the Happy Endings, why there are so many empty storybooks, etc.?   All the answers would need to be given.  So I anticipate some BS like the Apprentice doesn't come out of the Hat.  

 

With Maleficent coming back, there could be huge story for Blue, but I'm sure we would all place $100 on the Fairies coming out of the Hat, dispersing, maybe giving Hook a chance to give a heartfelt apology, and then they'll be MIA until the 4B finale, when Blue gets eaten by a Dalmatian and then she'll come out at the last minute and no one would care.

Edited February 9, 2015 by Camera One

[YaddaYadda]

I'm actually really okay with the 6 week jump and I think everyone else would be if 411 was different than what we got.  A&E are writing 412, so it's a chance at redemption.  We'll see what happens.  I'm glad they're getting the fairies out of the way in the first episode back.  They could leave them in the hat, because seriously, who needs them?  I re-watched the episode where Blue's shadow is ripped out and how no one really cared.  Tink cared mildly but she just really wanted the black wand (just like everyone else).  

 

Maybe everyone knows Blue is shady as hell and they don't wanna say anything.

[Curio]

We may need to invent a popcorn (or M&Ms) game instead of a drinking game (to spare our livers).

Screw our livers, we're going to need some serious liquid courage to get through 11 episodes of "The Pursuit of Unhappiness."

 

A&E are writing 412, so it's a chance at redemption. We'll see what happens.

 

I'm not expecting much of a redemption considering they're also the ones who wrote 4x11.

Going back to the episode description, I'm curious to see how Rumple, Cruella, and Ursula are able to release Maleficent from wherever she is. (I'm assuming they have a hand in it because it's way too coincidental that the moment they decide to team up, Mal suddenly escapes after years of imprisonment.) Will they have to do it remotely because they can't cross the town line yet? Maybe "The Banker" is a double agent living in Storybrooke who still stays in touch with Rumple, Ursula, or Cruella. Or will those three be able to get back into Storybrooke and secretly release the dragon without anyone realizing they're back in town?

[Shanna Marie]

Screw our livers, we're going to need some serious liquid courage to get through 11 episodes of "The Pursuit of Unhappiness."

I figured that there would be some serious baseline drinking going on, so adding a drinking game on top of it might not be a great idea. So drinking on an ongoing basis plus a chocolate game sounds more fun to me.

[snarkastic]

It's possible the de-hatting is 'Last in, first out' and Blue is the only fairy (that's not an extra) to get released because they are interrupted during the de-hatting ceremony by the Queens of Darkness or Rumpel doing something. This way the Apprentice can stay in the hat a little longer, because a lot of fairies have to be released before him.

[FabulousTater]

But when a terrifying darkness descends on the town, Emma and Regina are forced to confront the true nature of evil.

Are you kidding me with this crap? Pssst, Emma, take a look to your right at Regina. THAT'S THE TRUE NATURE OF EVIL. She's standing right next to you! JFC, these writers and their delusions -- people befriending serial killers and trying to get them their happy endings, freaking insanity.  This is FUBAR.

 

I'm actually really okay with the 6 week jump and I think everyone else would be if 411 was different than what we got.  A&E are writing 412, so it's a chance at redemption.

HA! You know this sounds like it was written by Snow when talking about Regina (or Belle about Rumple), right? We know the writers suck, the show-runners are horrible at their job, and in a recent interview they said they don't care about showing us anything remotely related to character development or emotional pay-off (and never has that been more in evidence than in the shit-fest that is most of 4A and the winter finale), but hey let's give them chance number #2346297346273 to redeem themselves! LOL This is Stockholm Syndrome, no doubt about it. 

[KingOfHearts]

 

Has anyone seen that round-up of spoilers that contains something about Rumpel blackmailing Regina by threatening to kill Robin?

This is probably what will happen, and it's very disappointing. We just did the blackmail plot in 4A. I'm really tired of Rumple having the advantage with no one being able to do diddly squat until the finale. 

 

But when a terrifying darkness descends on the town, Emma and Regina are forced to confront the true nature of evil.

"Darkness". Could they be more vague? Maleficent threatened to "give darkness" in the promo, so I'm guessing it has to do with her. Then the rest of Team Villain will be sneaking their way past the town line.

[FabulousTater]

Remember some of the spoilers have Hook and Emma walking right past Cruella without batting an eye...Because the woman really blends in.

I'm betting that Cruella and Ursula stroll into town under the guise of being reformed villains, just like Regina (because Rumpel told them these fools in Storybrooke wouldn't know evil if it struck them dead, literally). Everyone of course buys their story because the writers equate being good with being boot-licking, evil coddling, idiots who don't think mass-murder or abuse matters or should be punished -- nay, it should be rewarded! Cruella and Ursula then either 1) pretend to overhear the talk about Operation Too-stupid-To-Live and they offer to "help" out of the goodness of their reformed hearts, or 2) they come into town offering intel on Rumpel and how he plans to get his revenge. Either way, we all know they are in cahoots with Rumpel and no one notices because the Contrivance Fairy is the most powerful fairy of all. At some point, Maleficent gets sucked into the plans somewhere along the way because reasons.

 

Cue Maleficient, Ursula, and Cruella poor ickle villain sob stories; cue Henry cheering Regina on no matter who she enslaves, murders, or abuses (and Snow cheers her on too, in between all her baby babble); cue Emma, the kicked dog, taking Regina's abuse because Emma got officially lobotomized in ep 4x05; And cue Regina saves the day after 10 painful, ISIS is starting to look sane compared to this show, episodes and everyone bows down chanting "We're not worthy, Regina! We're not worthy!" Sprinkle in Belle and Hook awkwardly talking to each other and Charming running around in the background with a sword yelling "I will always find you, Snow. Our hearts our literally one!" and that's the rest of season 4 in a nutshell. Oh, I almost forgot. Rumple shows up somewhere along the way, fails with his plans, and in the end gives a big speech of non-sincere repentance  to yet another headstone and Belle welcomes him back with open arms. The End.

Edited February 9, 2015 by FabulousTater

[Camera One]

I was reading this interview about 4B:

http://www.etonline.com/tv/156743_exclusive_once_upon_a_time_scoop_get_to_know_the_queens_of_darkness/

 

Not only are we definitely going to discover how the Queens of Darkness ended up outside of the town's limits, we’re also going to learn that each malevolent lady has a hidden past with Regina.

 

So everything is ultimately about Regina.  At first, I really didn't understand how Regina would have a past with Ursula, given she impersonated her in "Ariel".  I suppose AFTER the events of "Ariel", Ursula could have shown up for real and met Regina then.  

 

"Well since we last saw our Maleficent there was a fantastic movie that came out, but we are going to be sticking to the villain that we created," Kitsis said of the return of Kristin Bauer van Straten's evil alter ego. "She was inspired by the original Sleeping Beauty movie, and we love the Maleficent movie that came out, but what we've been doing is building on the character we introduced in season one. We're not planning on doing a rip on the Disney movie that just came out."

 

The Maleficent they "created"?  Oh yeah, whatever...

[YaddaYadda]

Well everyone has a past with Regina.  Everyone must have a past with her, that's the only way the show works [/sarcasm]

 

There is one interesting thing though and it's this.

Not only are we definitely going to discover how the Queens of Darkness ended up outside of the town's limits

 

So, Regina decided that she did not want to take Cora with her, so she had Hook murder her or she thought he did.  She put Maleficent under the library and is holding her in whatever form with a spell.  

 

If Maleficent is indeed the Black Fairy, then that makes her inherently magical.  Her magic resides inside of her (and she is a villain).

 

Ursula was also born with her magic and we know nothing about Cruella but she is apparently magical in the EF.  So, is it possible that Regina when she enacted the Dark Curse decided that those two would be brought to the Land without Magic, but that they would be outside of Storybrooke?  If they were both born with their magic, then they can challenge Regina once the curse is broken, that's the whole reason Mal is living under the library.

 

I know...none of them have aged.

[MaiLuna]

Episode stills!

[Shanna Marie]

So that one scene of Hook and Emma that we were thinking might have been behind the scenes rather than in the episode does seem to come from here, and yep, Regina's at the table with them. Because it's all about Regina. I do love Belle's "Oh, God, get me out of here" expression in the one where she and Hook are at the counter with Snow and Granny.

[Amerilla]

What's with the counter full of pineapples stuck with skewers of. ...what, ham and olives? Has Granny been reading some 1960s guide to appetizers?

[Souris]

Hook & Emma can't even have a romantic moment without the show shoving Regina at the table with them. Fuck this show. I give up.

[The Cake is a Pie]

Looks like Granny is throwing a party. What's with the pineapple cocktail appetizers? Hehehe... in the photo with Regina, Hook, and Emma, Emma is holding Hook's hook.

[YaddaYadda]

They seriously want me to hurt someone. Why is Regina sitting with Emma and Hook? Girlfriend. Go get your son's kit for a broken heart and wallow some place. Stay away! She is going to suck the freaking fun out of my enjoyment of a normal moment.

There are 6 chairs around the table.

 

Hook & Emma can't even have a romantic moment without the show shoving Regina at the table with them. Fuck this show. I give up.

She's sitting with them in only one shot, and they look plenty happy and romantic sitting there by themselves.  

Edited February 9, 2015 by YaddaYadda

[RadioGirl27]

Not only Regina is there, so is Henry. Funniest date ever.

Edited February 9, 2015 by RadioGirl27

[Shanna Marie]

Trying to look on the bright side, maybe this is that Charming family dinner we've wanted to see. Yeah, Regina's there, but at least that means she isn't sitting around and crying because she wasn't invited to join the people she'd just spent 28 years torturing for their first time together as a family.