‘Once Upon a Time’: ‘Dark Hollow’ brings Storybrooke back into play

“Once Upon a time” had been spending so much time in Neverland that it felt like the Storybrooke characters were being a little forgotten, but in the “Dark Hollow” episode, Belle and the bunch get a spotlight as the heroes in Neverland make their push to grab Henry and leave the magical prison.

Ariel has traversed the dimensions and rises out of the water like Ursula Andress to meet up with Grumpy and the rest in hopes of finding Belle. She does, and delivers Rumpelstilskin’s cryptic message about finding an object in his shop that will help the Neverland crew. But first, Belle must cast her first spell. It’s a cloaking spell that old Mr. Gold gave Ariel to give to her with the warning that others like Tamara and Greg would be coming. Unbeknown to Belle, the Blue Fairy and the dwarves who are watching the cloaking happen, the bad guys manage to make it inside of Storybrooke’s city limits just as the spell is cast.

In Neverland, Neal, Hook and Emma are going to capture Peter Pan’s shadow. Neal knows that they can use it to get out of Neverland, since he can’t fly. And Pan doesn’t have to be anywhere near his shadow for them to grab it. All it takes is a magical coconut and a flame. In the “trouble we don’t need” category, it’s Neal vs. Hook over Emma. It’s starting just as they make their way to the Dark Hollow -- a place devoid of light. Hook tells Neal about the kiss that he and Emma shared. Awkward.

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The triangle is uncomfortable, but they continue on, making it to the Dark Hollow. After a minor scuffle among themselves, Pan’s shadow, with friends, show up to battle the trio. The shadows are getting the upper hand, especially since the group can’t seem to light the coconut (I know, sounds weird). Emma concentrates, as Regina has recently taught her, and magics up a flame, drawing the shadow into the prison.

Belle and Ariel bond a bit while looking for “the symbol of Belle and Rumpel’s love.” The chipped tea cup, of course, which leads to the discovery of ... Pandora’s Box?! Oh wow. Rumpelstiltskin had Pandora’s Box hidden away. Since it holds, or once held, the world’s evils, it should be able to hold Peter Pan. One little problem: The evil duo that drove in from the “home office” makes their presence known -- and they want the box. Unlike Tamara and Greg, they know they’re working for Pan, and they are on his side, it seems. Pan mentioned having agents in Storybrooke earlier, and it appears these two are it. Ariel is great in the scene, asking “Why are we doing what they’re saying?” Belle says it’s because they have a gun. Ariel asks, “What’s a gun?”

After being tied up, Belle and Ariel escape and go after Pan’s minions. The duo are apparently on a mission to destroy Pandora’s Box. Why? Because if they do, Pan will release their sister, Wendy Darling! Yes, the boys have grown up a bit. But they’re gullible if they think Pan would let Wendy go. Regardless, Belle gets the box back, and Ariel delivers it to Rumpelstilskin and Regina. She also tells them about Wendy and relays a message from Belle imploring Rumpel to rescue her. He doesn’t say no, but he doesn’t say he will, either.

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Henry is staying strong, not bowing to Pan’s influence. He fancies himself a mini-detective, though he’s on an island where Pan seems to know everything that’s going on everywhere. He, after following Pan’s no. 2 through the forest, stumbles upon Wendy Darling, who seems to be sick. They talk, with Wendy telling Henry that the magic is leaving the island and making her sick. Henry now has new motivation to become the heart of the truest believer and do what Pan asks of him. It was all so obviously orchestrated, though, by Pan. Wendy is taken back to her cell, and Henry now is willing to do whatever it takes to help restore a dwindling magic back to full strength in Neverland -- Or so he thinks.

So the gang’s all here. Charming and Snow have patched things up and found Tinkerbell. Emma and the others have Pan’s shadow hostage, and Regina and Rumpelstilskin have Pandora’s Box. Let the assault on Pan begin. We can only guess what will happen in next week’s “Think Lovely Thoughts” episode, but it does seem as if the Pan saga is finally heating up, and an actual battle could occur.

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