The Jolly Roger (13 Apr. 2014)

With Ariel's return, or at least some closure on her story, I have slight hopes that perhaps we could, eventually, get the same for the other Disney princesses. Until then though, at least one can be marked off the list. But, while we learn of Ariel's happy ending, it seems Hook's is sealed with a kiss.

Topic 1: Search for the Jolly Roger - Hook

In the past, after the curse, Hook has turned into being a land pirate in order to find fulfillment in his life. He even has Mr. Schmee and some of his old crew helping him. This venture, though profitable, seemingly doesn't hold the same weight as the high seas though. Luckily for Hook, Ariel pops up and says that he kidnapped Eric and with this nonsense we learn that while Eric may have been kidnapped and put on the Jolly Roger, in truth it was Blackbeard who took him.

But, what is truly interesting about Hook's lost year is how the events in Neverland have seemingly changed his persona. Many believe he has turned over a new leaf, has become a good guy, and due to being a good guy getting him nowhere with Emma, he rebels against this. Hence him trying to devolve back into a simple pirate, with hopes getting the Jolly Roger back will fill the space he made for Emma. This comes at a costs though. After fighting Blackbeard and besting him, Blackbeard presents an ultimatum: Either I get the ship and you learn where Eric is, or I die with the information and you get your ship back. This leads to a moment of thinking of which Hook thinks whether it is better to be good and continue to suffer, or bad and attempt to alleviate his suffering. And being that he ventures toward being a villain once more, he decides to sacrifice Eric for his ship. Something which leads to a brisk slap from Ariel who calls him some low key insults before searching once more for Eric.

Topic 2: I Have So Much to Teach You – Regina and Emma

With Regina barely able to outsmart her more powerful sister, Emma decides it is time for her to step up and learn to control her magic. Something which Regina appreciates, but doesn't think Emma is willing to take serious. So, at first she tries to train her in a kind way but, realizing Emma may truly not be invested, she decides to put a spin on their lesson and teach Emma the way Rumple taught her: by putting her in a life or death situation. This, oddly enough, works. But, with us seeing Emma's vast potential, it leads us to understand why Zelena was watching her.

Topic 3: Ariel's Search for Eric (Present) - Hook

In what seems rather strange, Ariel washes up on shore in Storybrooke with her memories lost. Something I found odd since during the last curse she seemed to know very well who she was, and you'd think she could out swim the ominous cloud. But, being that maybe she was on land at the time, we'll just set that oddness of the situation to the side. Anyway, as before, she still is looking for Eric and with Henry wanting to spend time with Hook over his grandparents, Charming and Snow decide to use Ariel to force Hook to help her as they try to regain their former relationship with their grandson. All that leads to though is Henry driving and this causing Regina to have a fit.

Back to Hook and Ariel though, their first stop is Gold's shop in which they discover Eric's cloak, enchant it, and then go off looking for him. Unfortunately though, the cloak dives into the ocean, possibly signaling Eric is dead. All the while though, Hook keeps his mouth shut on knowing what happened in the past, well at least until that night when all is reveals.

Hook confesses what happened and seemingly Ariel is willing to accept his apology if he swears on Emma's name. Which he does, and this leads Zelena to revealing herself. She informs us that Ariel has long found Eri, and that her ruse was so that the next kiss Hook and Emma share, all her powers would be erased allowing no one to contest Zelena at all. And, to add a bit of punch to her scheme, she says she will go after everyone but Emma until that kiss is sealed.

Making it so while Zelena may not have Peter Pan's charisma, you cannot say she doesn't have the type of viciousness that we saw glimpses of when we first met Regina, and Gold to a point, in season 1. But still, even knowing he committed a selfish act, it is quite hard to not feel sorry for Hook. The one thing which could bring his life fulfillment seemingly can no longer be him being a pirate, nor his glorious ship, but now just one woman who he can't share something as simple as a kiss with. Poor fellow.