In the twelfth episode of Once Upon a Time, we’re introduced to Emilie de Ravin, who plays Belle from the classic Beauty and the Beast story. In Once Upon a Time, however, there’s a twist to the story; the beast is Rumpelstiltskin (Robert Carlyle).
The episode is, in most ways, a love story that reminds us that it’s not always easy to know if you’re loved. Rumpelstiltskin takes Belle in as a slave of sorts and – over time – the two of them fall in love with each other, completely unbeknownst to the other. Rumpelstiltskin doesn’t believe that he can be loved because of the way that he looks and eventually shuns Belle. The first time around, she comes back, but the second time she’s been burned so badly by his anger that she returns home. We’re told that she took her own life, but this is never confirmed.
Over in real life, we never meet Belle as a character during the episode itself, which is a change from how things usually go, but we find out in the very end of the episode that she’s being held in a mental institution in Storybrooke. Another big reveal in this episode comes right at the end, and it’s something that we’ve been suspecting for a long time; Mr. Gold knows about the fairy tale world. I suspect the Mayor (Lana Parrilla) is holding on to her to have a way to manipulate Rumpelstiltskin if push comes to shove.
It’s becoming a little more clear what Mr. Gold’s objective is. Since he cannot break the Queen’s curse himself, he needs somebody to do it for him. That’s why he brought Henry (Jared Gilmore) to Storybrooke, because he knew that Henry would bring Emma (Jennifer Morrison) there later on.
In the side story, Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) is – surprise! – having relationship problems with David (Josh Dallas), who still doesn’t seem to have made up his mind on whether or not to leave his wife. I’m told episode 13 will change this, so we’ll see!
Also, I’ve just learned that episode fifteen is going to be about Red (Meghan Ory). Finally! Pity it’s about a month away now that there’s going to be a two week break from Once Upon a Time.
How did you like Once Upon a Time: Season 1, Episode 12?