BWW Recap: Hidden Secrets Revealed on ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME

As this week's episode begins, Regina answers her door to discover green apples waiting at her doorstep; this gesture was obviously made by the Wicked Witch. The Witch appears in Regina's living room, claiming to be 'checking up' on her sister after their showdown days before. After some taunting by Regina, the Witch admits that she only came to see Regina because she wanted to make sure she was at home and not somewhere else, for Rumpelstiltskin is currently stealing her heart from Robin Hood's possession.

We then shift to the woods of Storybrooke, where Rumpel is surrounded by Robin and his men. Robin is guarding Regina's heart carefully, for he knows of Rumpel's motives (or rather, the Witch's motives, for she is the one forcing him to do her dirty work because she has his daggar). Robin aims his bow and Arrow at Rumpel's chest, warning him that he never misses his target. In order to achieve his goal, Rumpel forces Robin Hood's young son into quicksand, and threatens to re-direct the Arrow into the boy's chest if Robin does not surrender the heart. Robin complies almost immediately, and Rumpel escapes with Regina's heart in his (and the Witch's) clutches.

Regina enters the clearing, and Robin guiltily admits that he has lost her heart to Rumeplstiltskin. Regina forgives him, insisting nothing is worth the loss of a child. However, she is afraid of what the Witch is planning on doing with her heart.

Regina then ventures to Rumpel's old pawn shop, which Belle has been taking care of in his absence. Regina attempts to persuade Belle into helping her uncover the Witch's plan, but she refuses, keeping in mind her negative history with the former Evil Queen. However, Regina points out that the Belle will never see Rumpel again unless the Witch is defeated, which changes Belle's mind. After winning her aid, Regina asks Belle for the candlestick Snow used to kill her mother, Cora, for she has developed a new plan for eliminating her sister.

We are then shown a flashback of Cora's young adult years working as a waitress in a tavern. A man by the name of Prince Jonathan was in love with her, and he gives her a ring made of straw before asking for her hand in marriage. The prince promises to meet her at the crossroads in town in two weeks time, after which he will give her a proper gold ring and they can proceed in their wedding plans. Elated by Prince Jonathan's admiration, Cora seductively offers to keep him company for the rest of the evening.

Back in present day, Regina, Emma, Hook, and the Charmings meet to discuss how to take down the Wicked Witch as per usual. Since Zelena remarked that Regina's weakness was her lack of knowledge towards Zelena's past, Regina is determined to learn her sister's history. She believes the best way to do so is to contact her deceased mother, Cora, and discover why her mother chose to give up baby Zelena so many years ago.

Our heroes perform a ritual of sorts, and attempt to contact Cora. They can only do so because both there murderer (Snow White) and the murder weapon (the candlestick) are both present. After a moment, a portal appears above their heads, but it soon fades without Cora appearing/ Regina figures Cora does not want to reveal any information about her past.

In a continuation of the flashback to Cora's youth, the future Queen of Hearts waits at the crossroads in town for Prince Jonathan, but he never shows up. Two months later, Cora spots Jonathan in a gazebo in town, and is startled by his peasant clothing. He reveals that he is not a prince at all, but rather a measly gardner, and never planned on having a future with Cora. Filled with anger, Cora tells him that she is pregnant, and he must give her some money to live on for this reason. Jonathan refuses, so Cora pretends she is being attacked by him to get him in trouble with the owners of the garden. Jonathan scurries off before this can happen. However, Prince Leopold (who would go on to become Snow White's father) comes to Cora's aid after hearing her screams, and offers to walk her home.

On their walk, Cora and Prince Leopold bond a bit. It turns out Prince Leopold is engaged to be married to Princess Ava, whom he has never met. Cora flirtatiously asks what the use of having power was if he cannot choose his own spouse, but it is clear her intentions are less than honorable; Cora seems to only be interesting into Prince Leopold so that she can claim the baby as his, and in Turn keep her honorable name.

Back in Storybrooke, Snow asks to speak with Regina privately in her home. Snow admits that she still feels guilt over Cora's murder, but Regina understands why Snow acted as she did; after all, Cora did kill Snow's mother. In the middle of their conversation, a loud noise is heard from the upstairs corridor. The two rush to see the source of said noise, and they open a bedroom door to reveal a tremendous swirling portal, along with the ghost of Cora. Snow figures Cora must have sensed her presence and broke into our WORLD to face her murderer. Regina tries using magic to transport them into another area of the house, but the ghost follows them. Regina holds the ghost back from harming them with magic, but Cora's ghost manages to get a grip on Snow White, and tells her the conclusion of her pregnancy.

It turns out that Jonathan and Cora crossed paths yet again, and Jonathan was displeased with Cora's engagement to Prince Leopold. He demands that Cora bring him an ample supply of gold, or else he will tell the town of her unplanned pregnancy. Fearing her the destruction of her reputation, Cora agrees to this deal. Unfortunately for her, Princess Ava overhears this entire conversation.

Later that night, Cora visits Prince Leopold in the great hall of his castle. Leopold claims he heard a rumor that Cora was pregnant, and demands to know the truth. Cora smoothly lies, but Leopold sees right through her act; Princess Ava then enters the room, and it is revealed that she was the one who informed Leopold of the pregnancy, for she obviously wished to having the prince to herself. Ava asks Leopold to check Cora's pockets for gold, knowing that Cora was on her way to pay Jonathan to ensure he wouldn't spill her secret. There is indeed gold in Cora's pockets, which further convinces Leopold that Cora has been using him. He orders her to leave at once. Princess Ava consoles him, and promises to give him a baby pure as snow.

After Zelena is born, Cora leaves the baby out in the woods and says her final goodbyes. Cora states that she cannot keep her daughter if she wants to maintain a clean reputation, and selfishly admits that she is giving herself her best chance by disposing of her daughter. After Cora departs, a twisting green cyclone appears, and Zelena's story comes full circle.

This information has been passed through the ghost to Snow White, who collapses once it has been received. Snow breathlessly tells the gang the basics of Cora's pregnancy with Zelena, which shocks them. Belle then shows up at Regina's house, and informs everyone that she believes the Witch is preparing to cast a time travel spell. So far, the Witch has collected a brain, courage (from Charming's sword) and a heart (from Regina), which are all ingredients for a time travel spell. One has never been cast before due to magic laws, but it is clear the Witch considers herself to be above the law. It is agreed that the Witch must want to go back in time to kill Princess Ava so that Cora could marry Prince Leopold, ensuring that she herself will be granted a wealthy and pleasant life. This action could potentially cause Snow, Emma, Henry, and possibly Regina to have never been born. In addition, the Witch is clearly after the Charmings' baby, but the reason is so far unclear.

M eanwhile, the Witch makes dinner for herself and Rumpelstiltskin. She finally reveals her plan of time travel with him, and offers to reunite him with his son in the process. Rumpel pretends to be on her side, and even begins to make out with her; however, this is a scam to retrieve his dagger from the Witch's pocket, which she of course figures out. Angered by this deception, the Witch takes back her offer to reunite Rumpel and his son, Bae, and orders him back to his cage.

Back in Regina's home, Regina apologizes to Snow for the information Snow has just gained about her mother, Princess Ava. This is not the mother Snow knew, who was always kind, gentle, and protective towards her. Snow wonders what could have changed her mother into such a kind person, but knows she will probably never find out. The women also apologize to one another for being so focused on their pasts, and agree to support each other from now on. Snow even states the she admires Regina's strength, for life has not been kind to her. Snow believes Regina is destined for a happy ending, and hopes she finds her happiness soon.

Sparked by this conversation, Regina visits Robin Hood in the clearing of the woods where he patrols. Robin once again apologizes for losing her heart, but Regina interrupts him by a kiss. It seems Regina has finally accepted her fate with Robin Hood, closing the episode on an uplifting note.

Photos: ABC/Jack Rowand

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