Once Upon a Time Recap: #ImWithHerc 

, a demigod helped the heroes with a triple threat, leading Hades to hand Hook a most grave assignment.

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good episode. From the flashbacks, which like last week connected some meaningful dots, to the current-day tale, it had — as had been promised — a Seasons 1/2 feel.

We finally lay eyes on a physical Hook, and he is battered and bruised — but not bested. Rather, he aims to make a run for it from his subterranean prison, but instead urges a fellow captive, whom we ultimately learn is Megara, to make her escape while he fends off the three-headed hellbeast. After Emma stumbles across Meg in the outside woods, she, Regina and the Charmings learn that to get anywhere close to Hook, they will need to conquer Cerberus.

To that end, Mary Margaret seeks out Hercules, whom she met (in flashbacks) when she was a princess, not yet a bandit. Herc leads the heroes to the tunnels and makes a demi-assed run at the beast, but quickly turns heel. Turns out, he was killed by Cerberus, and thus never finished the 12 Labors needed to join dad on Mount Olympus. Worse, Hades is thus his uncle, so the Underworld overlord warns his unwanted guests that if they mess with his kin, he will mess with theirs. In the meantime, Hades shows off to Emma a trophy to serve as a warning — Hook’s hook.

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Mary Margaret is ready to quit after that encounter, but in a simply

scene, Regina urges her not to do so. “You defeated me in a way no one thought possible — you made me your friend, by never giving up on me,” notes the formerly Evil Queen. Mary Margaret may not be able to hep them now, but

Mary Margaret finds Herc again and lobs his sword at him, challenging him to finish the job he started. And with plucky Meg’s help, when Cerberus comes crashing through the doors of the library where they have holed up, they attack all three heads at once, vanquishing the beast. Afterward, Mary Margaret schools Emma on her Enchanted Forest existence, how she took risks even when she was afraid. And on that note, she officially gives up her Storybrooke name, to be Snow White once again.

Emma, Regina and the Charmings bid Herc and Meg adieu, but before the nascent lovebirds ascend up the glowy path, toward Mount Olympus, Herc gives his old friend Snow a warm hug, marveling, “You became an

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Elsewhere in the episode, Robin and Henry went looking for a big ol’ MacGuffin — namely, a “map” of the Underworld — in the mayor’s office, but what Henry found there instead, after crawling through the heating duct past a(n apparently wispy) protection spell), was Cruella de Vil. She tells Henry that she needs his help as the Author, that she right now has only two places to move onto from the Underworld, and she wants a third. She wants to return to the real world and… all that gin. When Henry notes the Author’s quill is broken, she explains that it too was a “living” entity, and thus is somewhere in the Underworld as well, the paragon of “unfinished business.” And if found, Henry can return Cruella to the living, and thus clear his mom’s name as a murderer.

The episode ended with a grave twist, as Hades held Hook accountable for the one, two,

souls who have now left his realm, Regina’s dad included. As punishment, Hades explains, one of Hook’s friends must stay behind in the Underworld for each soul they liberate — and it is up to Hook to decide who be damned!

What did you think of “Labor of Love,” the adorable flashback romance ‘tween Snow and Herc, Hook’s dilemma and the rest?

Where can I watch online now? For cheap or free?? Tornados have taken over my tv… I need my ouaT!!!!

You should be able to watch on abc online. You’d have to login with the Info from your tv provider

Loved the episode. Loved Regina’s talk to Snow White. Love the present and past Regina. Would like them to confront one another. Perhaps Hades can make that happen. Here’s a thought, what if the Evil Queen kills Robin Hood before Regina can stop her.

Have a question about Emma’s plan to split her heart and share it with Hook. Wasn’t it established in Season 2 when Cora tried to take Emma’s heart that it couldn’t be done because she was the Savior ?

Yes, Cora couldn’t rip Emma’s heart out. But remember, Neal already informed Emma that her plan to share Hook her heart will not end the way she thinks it will. So right now it seems clear that that heart sharing thing won’t work.

I thought it was a wonderful episode. It was great seeing Bandit Snow White again! How I have missed her! It was great seeing all characters work together. We were promised Season 1/2 feels and so far that’s what been delivered. Really enjoying Season 5b so far.

Lana can always destroy my heart with her emoting, but the MVPs were Hercules, Cruella, and Emma Caulfield’s Witch. The second this Hercules, the actor first appeared tonight and smiled, I was in love! Make him a regular!

I know some knocked his “slight” build when cast, but his boyishness sold the flashback scenes.

With the Young Snow, yeah. He’s both adorable in that boyish way, and brawny too. And I love his mouth. Can you tell Im in love? Nice actor as well.

For a “slight” build, the guy has impressive arms. I think the actor perfectly encapsulated the gawky-hotish-nerd teen Hercules of the film.

Not quoting verbatim. But a few questioned him not being some “Gold’s Gym lunk.”

Oh, I get it. While perhaps not The Rock in build, he was sure “buff” enough for me to accept him as a young Herc. Good actor too.

I hope this isn’t the last we see of Emma Caulfield. That scene between the Blind Witch and Regina was just so much fun to watch. I need more!! And throw Cruella into the mix as well.

I agreed with you wholeheartedly! Make hercules a regular!

Hook’s dilemma is one of the best storylines we’ve had in 5 seasons on Once. I love everything about it.

I hope Hades at least also gives him a mallet to help chisel the headstones. Otherwise that’s just cruel.

This is probably my favorite episode of the season. It was fantastic to see Bandit Snow back and even that little moment with Emma in the diner was amazing. Love Hades, young Herc and Snow were adorable and I’m excited to see Emma get to Hook next week…*cheers loudly from my chair*

Well it’s good to see Snow is rediscovering her brain this arc. :)

I was a little disappointed with the they wrote Meg’s character. She is probably one of my favorite Disney “princesses”. I wish she was smarter and sassier. I know these aren’t the exact same stories as the movies but it was a completely different character

I have to agree. I wanted to love Meg because I love Kacey Rohl, and she’s a firecracker, believe me, but everything about this character tonight just wasn’t enough like the Meg from the animated film. She got outshone.

I was wondering that myself. Which then made me wonder if there’s more to this version of Meg that caused her to be more scared and cautious. I saw a comment elsewhere online that said that Meg is part of the original Greek mythology with Hercules. Anyone know if this is true? I’m very unfamiliar with mythology and I’m wondering if this Meg was based more on her than the Disney version. And also if that’s why she was also headed to Mount Olympus with Herc.

Yup, it’s true! In the original Greek mythology, Megara was Creonte’s daughter. She was a princess of Thebes, and she married Hercules after he defeated Cerberus and saved Thebes. According to some versions, she was also killed later by Hercules himself, after he got mad because of Hera. So I’d say that this Meg was based on the Greek mythology, instead of the Disney movie. No idea on why she’s heading to Olympus, since only Gods are allowed there (human souls should head to Elysium). It might be interesting to know, I hope we see them again this season.

Although, I initially had my reservations about the casting for Hercules, I thought he turned out to be very good especially opposite Young Snow. Megara, however, was a complete disappointment. And was it just me or did she resemble Sarah Bolger who played Aurora?

Can Emma Caulfield stay on forever?? I love the Blind Witch and that scene with Regina was just so much fun to watch. Oh and how I’ve missed Cruella. I want her plan to work so that we continue to see more of her. Overall pretty good episode and still WAYYYYY better than anything in 5A.

5B bringing the goods! So pleased the show is seemingly back on track. I never gave up on it but was kinda getting worried.

I’m with you on that!! I never gave up watch it every week but I was getting worried with the direction it was heading it. So glad 5b is bringing the good stuff!!! I’m loving having Snow White back!

Was pleasantly surprised with Hercules and Meg. And I’m especially glad that their story seems to be over and they won’t be taking over the entirety of the half season like this show has tended to do in the past (Anna and Elsa, anyone?).

Nice to see Cruella back too. Was always skeptical of her inclusion in this show but the actress nails it.

Low point of the episode was the girl who plays young Snow White. Simply not a very good actress and hasn’t gotten any better.

While I do agree with you on Young Snow’s acting at times, however, she is a really great casting choice in terms of looks. She definitely looks like she could be a young Ginnifer Goodwin.

Oh for sure. She definitely looks perfect for the role. I just have always found her performance very distracting.

I’m confused, in this episode king Leopold was already dead when snow was young, yet in previous episodes he was still alive when snow was an adult 😑

King Leopold is alive in this episode, they even mention he’s on a trip or something.

Pretty good episode! Just like the last one. 5B is doing excellent so far.

This was the best Snow flashback episode in YEARS. Frankly, I didn’t want to see another Snow flashback like EVER (and I *really* don’t think we need any more Regina-hates-Snow backstory) but this one advanced the “present day” plot as well as developing the characters. The actress who plays young Snow has picked up so many of Ginny’s mannerisms & even sounded like her at times. I wish Herc & Meg could’ve stuck around longer, especially since Meg’s storyline got almost no development, but overall I loved it. Much more well-rounded and interesting than last week episode.

I’m with you , Matt, this was a really good episode. In fact, 5B has had two excellent episodes and both have been the best of the season thus far. It’s nice to watch this show when they have all the characters working together and being front and center like this. I think one of the best things was Snow dropping Mary Margeret- I’ve never understood why they didn’t drop it a long time ago, honestly. I guess it was just a sign that she wasn’t going to sit back anymore??? Loved Regina in this one too. Really , she seems to be the team coach right now- perhaps that’s why Hades didn’t want her there? Another highlight- Cruela. I love her and it’s also nice to see Henry have a story of his own since he’s the author. Glad OUAT is back!

I have to comment. I have watched this from the very beginning and loved it. But putting thr Devil in it is making me turn it off. I am so disappointed

LOL but all the murder, violence, lying, thieving, witchcraft, curses, etc., was okay with you? And I’m no expert on Greek mythology but aren’t Hades and the Devil two different things? Hades is the God of the Underworld who ruled over the afterlife unlike Satan who is a fallen angel.

Hades isn’t really the Devil, though. He’s a Greek god of mythology, not from the Bible.

I liked this a LOT better than last week for sure! This would have been better as a focus for the 100th ep. So good to see Snow getting back to her strong self. I do wish we had gotten more of a talk with her and Emma instead of her and Regina, though — we need more Snow/Emma scenes. They were such great friends in Season 1. Seeing Hook all beaten up and bloody was really upsetting, though, and what Hades is going to make him do is even worse. I wonder if Hook can refuse to do it? He’s already sacrificed himself for them all once, I could see him doing it again. Maybe that’s why he’s chained up in the previews.

2. Wish Meg was a bit sassier. I spent most of the episode thinking “I though this was suppose to be Meg? Does she show up somewhere else?”. I didn’t mind the character, just seems silly to base her off the animated Meg but deliver a whole different character.

3. Give Cerberus honey cakes and then he’ll just be a playful three-headed monster puppy who’ll let you waltz on in!

I loved this episode! I really enjoyed all the interations between Regina and Snow. They have came so far! I kinda wish that hercules can become one of the regulars but I don’t he will be back

I loved this episode! I really enjoyed all the interations between Regina and Snow. They have come so far! I kinda wish that hercules can become one of the regulars but I don’t he will be back

It was a very good episode. Now my head is spinning with a few questions. It was revealed a couple of weeks ago, that someone would not make it back from the underworld. I assumed that it would probably be Robin and if it is him will that drive Regina to really hold a grudge against Emma because of the quest that they are all on to save Hook, even though Emma wanted to do this alone but they all decided to go with her. Now I am wondering if it will be Henry. After being alone with Cruella and she telling him about the magic quill, I am just wondering if she pulled something like a switheroo and she is now Henry. He was acting really strange when he crawled out of that room and Robin was there waiting for him. I know that this is probably far fetched but after watching this show from the very beginning, I am starting to think my brain is becoming a once upon a time.

Well it was somehow informed that a major character dies this arc. But I am not sure if it was Robin, because there was a photo of him reuniting with Roland. And it seems to take place after the underworld.

I loved 5A, and that’s probably the main reason i want to see a more firey (sort of post dark swan) Emma (and dair i say darker Hook?). They shouldn’t have been forgiven that easy and i just hope that there is some of 5A left in both of them (even though i am pro captainswan). As for 5B so far, i am pleasantly surprised and really happy with the storyline so far. Hercules was awesome, but it’s good that he’s out of the picture so we can focus more on the core characters. Snow finally came to her senses, which i liked, and the deal between Henry and Cruella seems interesting. Hades is absolutely terrific! Greg Germann portrays him really well, it’s just reallt fun to see. I just missed Rumple this episode, but it seems like we wont be missing him for long (hints to episode 14 promo).

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