The Belle of the ball!! Once Upon A Time S2 Ep. 11 recap!!

*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!*

The second season of Once Upon A Time has certainly been interesting. Last season the focus was on removing the curse placed on the inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest with the title characters being Mary Margaret/Snow White, David/Prince Charming and Emma. This season, it is nice to see the torch being passed around; giving the secondary characters a chance at the spotlight. This time it is Belle who is center of attention. In the first season, she was introduced through a retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” with Rumplestiltskin as the cursed man. For a time she was able to sooth Rumplestiltskin and was close to having him give up magic until an incident happened that drove her away. This episode takes a look at the aftermath of their relationship as well as their current relationship in Storybrooke.

Belle has been traveling through the Enchanted Forest in search of adventure. While sitting at an inn, she meets Dreamy (Grumpy’s name before it was changed) where he tells her about his meeting with the Blue Fairy. Upon hearing about Belle’s desire for adventure, Dreamy encourages her to follow her dream. Belle takes his advice and sets out to see the world. She is handed a pouch filled with fairy dust by Dreamy which she takes with some reluctance. Dreamy knows of her past with Rumplestiltskin and tells her that fairies only work with good magic, not dark. Belle hitches a ride on a wagon and learns of the party’s intensions to find and kill a monster. Ironically, Belle is reading a book about said monster and throws the men of course just before they throw her of the wagon. From the book, she finds where the monster is. There, she is attacked by the creature but she is soon rescued by Mulan.

In Storybrooke, Gold’s past as Rumplestiltskin catches up with him which puts Belle in danger. With Archie’s help, Hook learns of another weakness the “crocodile” has. He corners Belle in her library with intentions to draw out Gold. His plan works and, while Gold tends to Belle, Hook ransacks Gold’s shop. Gold arrives at his shop to discover that Hook has taken something important from him. Belle begs him not kill Hook. That request gets no reply from Gold. He’s already lost one love; he will not lose another. And he will kill the pirate if necessary. Belle truly loves Gold and will do anything to keep him from losing his humanity. Their relation is put to the test when Gold finally corners Hook on his ship and issues a severe trashing with his cane with Belle pleading for him to stop. Her words soon reach him. Gold doesn’t want to drive Belle away again because of Dark Magic. He shows the pirate mercy and leaves with Belle but not before issuing a stern warning. However, their relationship isn’t the only one that will be put to the test.

While at Ruby’s Grandmother’s restaurant, Grumpy tells Mary Margaret, David and Emma that he and a handful of others are feeling homesick and wish to return to the Enchanted Forest, not only because of Regina but, now with the curse broken, outsiders can freely enter Storybrooke. It would be extremely awkward to arrive in a place where dwarves mine for fairy dust and a girl turn into a wolf. That could be a little tough to explain. The matter is discussed later between David and Mary Margaret. David wishes to return to the Enchanted Forest for fear that their land may be in turmoil. Mary Margaret, however, wishes to leave their past lives behind and begin a new life in the real world. It is apparent that their desires differ from each other when Mary Margaret asks her husband if they truly want the same thing. Who says they’re the perfect couple?

Belle is given a strong lead as she helps Mulan hunt down the monster that has been threatening the people of a small village. Belle shows her bravery by going her own to find the monster after Mulan was injured from saving her earlier. She soon tracks the monster down and discovers that it is a man who was placed under a curse. She uses the fairy dust Dreamy gave her to remove it. Through these actions, Belle learns that she must return to Rumplestiltskin with the hope of perhaps ending his curse. This carries over into Storybrooke with her keeping Gold in check and never giving him a reason to use magic. Gold truly loves Belle and will do anything for her. And so far he has kept his end, except for when he turned Smee into a rat. Their love has grown stronger throughout this episode, not even the notorious pirate from Neverland can ruin it. Well, almost. Earlier in the episode, Gold discovers a way to cross Storybrooke’s border without losing his memories. His intends to find his son whom he still believes is alive. With Belle’s support, he prepares to set out on his search. However, his last chance at happiness is shattered when Hook shows up and shoots Belle in the back causing her to fall forward across Storybrooke’s border. Without her memories, Belle has no idea who she is nor does she recognize the man she loves.

Gold sets to exact his revenge when the unexpected happens—a car suddenly arrives and runs Hook down before slamming into a tree. It seems everyone’s fear is about to come true. What will the people of Storybrooke do now that another stranger has arrived in town other than Emma at the start of season 1? Neither Cora nor Regina was present in this episode. I wonder what will happen when they reunite so to speak. And what of the accusations that were brought against Regina for Archie’s death now that the good doctor is alive and well and at Emma’s place? How will Mary Margaret and, especially David react once they learn not only of Regina’s innocence but also the arrival of her mother Cora? I see a lot of twists in the next episode. Maybe I’ll finally get that “Alice in Wonderland” episode I wanted.