6x06--Dark Waters

1. In this episode we meet Captain Nemo and learn of Hook's backstory with him. What were your reactions to Hook's relationship with Nemo, his half brother, Liam, and Henry?

Sam: I loved the look and feel of the Nautilus, its captain and crew. That being said, Hook stories are not usually my favorites. I do like that the story of Hook's half-brother, Liam 2.0 was addressed.  I like the idea of Nemo finding "lost" people and making them part of a family. It was a nice parallel to how the Charmings have adopted so many loosely related people into their own family.    

Joanne:  I enjoyed watching Hook with Captain Nemo. Nemo is in a place that most of the characters need to get to. He is past seeking revenge and simple wants everyone to live together in peace. I was hoping that Hook would get to see Liam aII grown up and my wish was fulfilled. Hook had to face the fact that he destroyed his own family by killing his father. I was surprised by Henry's attitude towards Hook at the beginning of the episode. Henry had always seemed to accept Hook before he moved in. I didn't understand the change in Henry's attitude. It is good to see all the family relationships on their way to being resolved.

Mia: My reactions to Hook's relationship with Nemo actually left me surprised, I didn't expect Nemo to have a calmer side to him, as we saw he wasn't really a foe or villain to Hook, but rather as someone who was offering advice. I'm very glad that Hook was able to repair the relationship between Liam and Nemo, and make amends with Liam. Hook realized he made a mistake and fixed it. I'm very happy that there are no continuity errors when it comes to his character
development.
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I loved the interactions that Hook had with Henry. Henry is in an angsty, teenager stage and Hook is trying his best to relate to Henry and to feel like a part of the family, which he is. I hope to see more scenes between the two. 

Mauri: I really enjoyed Nemo because I already love 20,000 Leagues, so anything that has to do with it I'll probably like. Yes, Nemo was OOC, but Disney always does that to him in the children's version. He's so nice he let Professor Aronnax and his assistant, and Ned Land go free at the end of the children's book. Aww. LOL. How Nemo got to the Land of Untold Stories really didn't make sense, but I didn't mind because it wasn't a depressing storyline like Rumbelle. I hope they keep Liam 2.0 and Nemo around!

​ I also absolutely loved Henry and Killian's development. Henry  comes to terms with the new change and accepts that, yes, Hook is family. Just because Killian's living with his mom doesn't mean he's taking his father's place, and things will alright. Henry even gained a new relative in Liam 2.0. 

Teresa: I liked Nemo and was all warm and fuzzy seeing the happy-ending reunion with Liam. It was also nice to see Henry able to express his feelings and explore them. And Hook! I just loved that all-too-brief scene with him in his Evil Glory Days barking orders at the crew of the Jolly Roger!

2. Belle has a lot of decisions to make in regards to raising her baby without Gold. Is she making the right choice?

Joanne:  I can understand that she has been lied to and hurt in the past, but I don't agree with not letting a father have any contact with his child. Especially when she is basing this choice on a dream in which the child expressed hatred of his father. Do we really know that Morpheus was the Rumbelle baby? I'm glad that she made the choice of letting Gold see the ultrasound. Rumple needs the opportunity to redeem himself with his new son.

Mia: As of right now, I think Belle is making the right choice, given Gold is stuck in another troubling situation where parenting isn't his number one priority. In the end, I'd love to see a happy ending with Gold, Belle, and their son, but it's going to take work. I'd like a scene with Gold and Belle where they sit down and have him explain to her why he's doing the things he is. A theory that interests me is possibly seeing Gold using the shears on himself, getting rid of his magic since it's been a burden to him. This way he can raise his family in peace without retreating to his old ways that upset Belle. 

Mauri: I honestly don't give a hang about Rumple and Belle anymore. We know Disney has its big live action "Beauty and Beast" movie coming out, and it's the year of celebration for the tale except on ABC's Once Upon a Time. Yes, I know Belle and Rumple need drama, and they can't be hanging around doing each other's hair and drinking tea, but having them fighting over custody of their unborn child like a divorced couple is just depressing, hopeless, and not fun to watch.

Sam: OMG, Belle!  Seriously. I think I will blame all her upcoming mood swings on pregnancy hormones. I really just want to skip to the end of Rumbelle, whatever that may be. I hope she does let Rumple into the baby's life. He is a very devoted father and he sure won't let anyone hurt the baby.

Teresa: What Sam said. Using feelings about Rumple as a reason to keep him out of his child's life-- and denying him the magical moment to catch the first glimpse of his baby--is not ok. Yea they're estranged, but come on!  I'm glad she at least gave him the image, but .... still! It is difficult seeing Belle written like this. I'm also sad that we are at the point where we just cry "Uncle" and only want to skip Rumbelle. Is this really what the masterpiece "Skin Deep" has come to?

3. Will Gold uphold the end of his deal with the Evil Queen and trade Snow's heart for the Fate's shears? Will he use them to change the fate of his family?

Mia: I believe, because we know deep down Gold is desperate to rebuild his relationship with Belle and his son, he'll do whatever it takes to get his hands on the fate's shears. However as stated earlier, theories that he will change the fate of his family by using the shears on himself instead seems like a possibility. 

Teresa: Rumple has an amazing way of twisting things around. His words, and lack of words with the EQ, spoke volumes in my opinion. I don't think he'll take Snow's heart, and he never confirmed nor denied that the reason he wanted the shears was to use them on his family.

Sam: As we well know, Rumple will always do what's best for himself.  BUT, after everything he went through after losing Bae, I think he might put his child before himself this time around.  Somehow his sheared hair is going to come into all this in the end, I am convinced of that!

Joanne:  I don't know. I think, being a lawyer, he will try to find some loophole in their deal. I don't think that he plans on changing the fate of his family. I think he may change his own fate as the Dark One and use the shears on himself.

Mauri: I'm cynically hoping he takes the shears and does change the fate of his family because it really turned me off that Belle would keep his child from him. Even though she gave him the other sonogram picture, it really doesn't mean that she'll let him in their child's life afterwards.

4. Hook confessed about hiding the shears from Emma, how long do you think it will be before Charming confesses to Snow that he kept the clue about his father's death?

Teresa: I think that this one will be on the back-burner for awhile. Charming might, like Killian did in a way, get caught out before he tells. I'm really looking forward to more of this story. I adore Charming and this story has great potential.

Sam:  It's always nice to see everyone being honest with each other. Then again, there wouldn't be any "drama" without secrets! I am looking forward to learning more about Charming's father.

Joanne:  Snow is the one notorious for not being able to keep secrets, not Charming. Charming may confide in Emma before he confides in Snow. He will eventually tell Snow the truth because they are a solid couple that tries not to keep secrets from one another.

Mauri: I can't really judge how long. He kept the dreamshade injury secret in Season Three, but I  think the revenge thing is bigger, and it could really throw a monkey wrench into Snow and Charming's life. With Charming going off his "hero" path he'll probably land in some big trouble and throw things off course. It took 30 years for things to right themselves the last time he and Snow went rougue when they kidnaped Maleficent's child, Lily.

Mia: I'm hoping that Charming tells Snow about keeping the clue about his father's death soon. The problem that always arises is the characters keeping secrets from each other. It's understandable why Charming is curious, but Snow deserves to know. Otherwise if she finds out any other way besides Charming telling her, I doubt she'll be happy. It's better for them to fight this family ordeal together. 

5. Favorite Moment or Possibly LEAST Favorite Moment Ever!

Mia: My favorite part of the episode was Henry going back to save Hook and they had a heart-to-heart. I loved that Hook assured Henry about Emma's future telling him "Those visions won't come true. I can promise you that. We will find another way to save her." They both will do everything they can to keep Emma safe. 

My least favorite part of the episode was seeing Gold and the Evil Queen kiss. I was not pleased to see that on my screen. It made me uncomfortable, since the Evil Queen/Regina never had feelings like that towards Gold in the past, I'm not sure why her view of him has changed. It felt very out of character. 

Sam:  There was a time when I would have said the kiss between Cora and Gold was the worst thing ever! This totally did NOT work for me AT ALL!!!! I love the banter and tension between Rumple and the Evil Queen, but this is not a place in their relationship which I want to explore. Big thumbs down for me.

Joanne:  The GoldenQueen kiss! Wow and ewwwwwww! I remember a past episode when EF Rumple tried to hold Regina's hand and got denied. He was always kind of flirty with her, but she didn't seem to reciprocate. Now the tables are turned. I'm not sure if she really is interested in him or if she is just trying to manipulate him. It reminded me of when Zelena kissed him when she held him captive. I also had flashbacks to Cora (Barbara Hershey) kissing him. I guess Rumple just has that effect on women.

Teresa: I think it's universally agreed that the kiss was the most icky and least favorite moment ever. I wish I could erase it from my memory! Why? Why?  What was the purpose? The Queen herself said she didn't want Gold. Going back to my previous comment about "Skin Deep", seeing this plot for Rumple just hurts.

Mauri: Favorite scene was seeing the Nautilus and Killian staying with his brother in the hospital. ​

6. Favorite Quote

Joanne, Sam, Mauri, Teresa:  Killian: Remember that walking prisoner gag?  Henry: Wookie! Wookie prisoner gag.  Killian: Wookie? What's a wookie? It doesn't even make any sense.

Sam:  Have to agree with Joanne, always love a ​Star Wars reference!

Mia: Emma: *In response to a Killian keeping the shears* "I would've done the exact same thing." 

7. Anything Else?

Joanne:  I'm hoping that we get to see more of Liam II and Nemo.  I hope that it wasn't just a one episode storyline.

Mia: This definitely was a slower episode from Season 6, but I was overall happy to see Hook and Henry bonding. I'm curious to see what's going to happen between Belle and Gold, and I hope Gold can get away from the Evil Queen and her desires soon, since he doesn't truly want that type of relationship with her.