Recap: ONCE UPON A TIME They Found Nemo

Episode 606 “Dark Waters”
Written by Andrew Chambliss and Brigitte Hales
Directed by Robert Duncan

In this episode, there were a key, a sonogram, and giant calamari!

In flashback, Captain Hook (Colin O’Donoghue) found a stowaway (Faran Tahir) on his ship. When he tried to throw him off the ship, the unwanted visitor pushed Hook off the side, then jumped in after him to be taken aboard the submarine Nautilus. On the sub, it was revealed that the person was Captain Nemo and was there looking for Hook to help him. In doing so, he further proved that our intrepid heroes in the enchanted world had no down time. They were all too busy appearing in other people’s stories.

Nemo was out for vengeance, Hook was bent on vengeance, and there was a crew member (Nick Eversman) who wanted vengeance on the ones that killed his family. I see a pattern here. There seems to be a lot of that on this show.

In some caverns, Hook was attacked by the Kraken, and Nemo killed it with an enchanted spear. With the giant creature shown on the opening credits, one would think it would have a more prominent role in the story. The three found a chest. Nemo opened it and revealed a key which led to the “Mysterious Island” where they could start their lives again devoid of loss.

Back on the ship, Hook noticed a blade on Nemo’s desk, and learned that the crewman was Hook’s half brother Liam. Hook decided to leave so he wouldn’t have to face Liam. But in a struggle while Hook was trying to leave, Liam accidentally stabbed Nemo.

In Storybrooke, Regina (Lana Parrilla) called out the Evil Queen (also Lana Parrilla) in an attempt to distract her and Zelena (Rebecca Mader) so that David (Josh Dallas) and Snow (Gennifer Goodwin) could rescue Archie. It worked. And with one warning from Regina, the three disappeared with Archie. Although he’s not cured of being a cricket, I do like the fact that they’re not stretching subplots out for excessive periods of time. All too often, a “rescue Archie” type of subplot would stretch out for half a season. They haven’t been doing that much this season.

Aladdin (Deniz Akdeniz) still refused to help Jasmine (Karen David) save Agrabah, no longer seeing himself as the Savior. When Emma (Jennifer Morrison) found him stealing from an unlocked car, she took him to the city limit and explained that she tried to run away from her role many times. Aladdin opened up to her about what happened in Agrabah. He then apologized to Jasmine who explained that the kingdom disappeared after he left.

The Evil Queen told Henry (Jared Gilmore) where Hook was hiding the magic shears instead of getting rid of them. Hook went to the docks to try and stop Henry from throwing them into the water when the Nautilus showed up and the crew took them aboard. As prisoners, the two found a way to escape, but only one diving suit. Hook had Henry use it to go and alert Emma.

Then Liam confronted Hook. He revealed that Hyde took Nemo to the Mysterious Island, which turned out to be the Land of Untold Stories. When Liam attacked Hook, Henry showed up, not having left like he was supposed to, which distracted Liam. That gave Hook the chance to knock him out.

At the hospital, Regina and Snow brought in one of the people from the Land of Untold Stories who had been injured when they came upon Belle (Emilie de Ravin) getting an ultrasound of the baby. And while Hook was visiting Liam there, it was found out that the one that David and Snow brought in was actually Nemo, who forgave Liam.

The Evil Queen was at the shop with Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle) who wanted the magic “Shears of Destiny” to separate his son from his fate. The Queen tried to seduce Gold when Belle showed up and dropped a print of the ultrasound through the mail slot. The Queen showed Gold the shears which she had retrieved from the bottom of the ocean. She wanted to hatch a plan to take Snow’s heart.

In general, I liked the episode, especially how they’re moving through and not lingering on the subplots, only stretching the main Savior plot. I didn’t care much for the seduction part as it was unnecessary and out of place. But overall, well done.

 

Once Upon a Time airs Sunday nights at 8/7c on ABC.