'Once Upon A Time' recap: Episode 12 – 'Skin Deep'

The episode begins with the kingdom of Sir Maurice [played by Eric Keenleyside] in danger from the ogres. His daughter, Belle, [played by Emilie de Ravin] begs him to believe that “he will come.” Sir Maurice, Belle and the kingdom’s soldiers fear the worse and then there’s a knock on the door. Sir Maurice tells his soldiers to un-barracade the door. They do so and see nothing, but then they turn to see Rumplestiltskin sitting on Sir Maurice’s throne. He tells them that he’s heard their cries for help. He tells them that he can protect them “for a price.” He then tells them that he wants Belle. Sir Maurice Immediately refuses. Then, Sir Gaston [played by Sage Brocklebank] appears and tells Rumplestiltskin that Belle is engaged to him and that he cannot have her. Rumplestiltskin informs him that he’s “not looking for love. I need a caretaker for my large estate. It’s her or no deal.” Sir Maurice demands that Rumplestiltskin leave his palace. He moves to leave but Belle stops him and tells him that she will go with him. Gaston then shouts, “I forbid it!” To which Belle replies, “No one decides my fate but me.” Rumplestiltskin reminds Belle that she must stay with him forever. She asks if her family and friends will live if she goes with him. Rumplestiltskin replies, “I give you my word.” Belle then gives Rumplestiltskin her word that she will go with him. Rumplestiltskin is ecstatic as Sir Maurice begs Belle not to go but she and Rumplestiltskin leave.

Shoot to Gold confronting a florist named Moe French (Sir Maurice) for the money he owes him. French tells Gold that he will have his money the following week. Gold says that isn’t soon enough and tells his associate to take French’s van, which is filled with flowers to deliver for Valentine’s Day the next day. French screams as his van is driven away and Gold walks over to Regina, who witnessed the whole thing. Regina wants to talk to Gold, who tries to blow her off but Regina insists that they talk right then and there. Yet, Gold tells Regina that she’ll “have to wait…please.” He then walks away as Regina looks a tad scared.

Shoot to the diner as Mary-Margaret and David are there, at separate tables. Mary-Margaret sees that David is reading a book she suggested to him and asks if he likes it. Ruby [played by Meghan Ory] asks while refilling Mary-Margaret’s coffee cup if the two would like her to push the tables together but Mary-Margaret and David immediately say no and say that they aren’t together. Then, Emma enters the diner, says hello to Mary-Margaret and David, sits down at Mary-Margaret’s table and asks her how Henry is. She tells her that he’s fine and that they’ll be back together soon. “Those that are meant to be together always find a way,” Mary-Margaret replies as David watches the two women. Emma asks Mary-Margaret again if Henry is behaving normally and if he’s happy. Mary-Margaret reiterates that he misses Emma. Just then, Ashley Boyd [played by Jessy Schram] and her baby walk into the diner. Mary-Margaret and Emma ask her to sit with them and ask her how things are going since they barely recognized her. Granny [played by Beverley Elliott] holds the baby as Ashley tells Mary-Margaret and Emma that she and Sean haven’t had time to get married, that he’s working double shifts at the cannery and even has to work on Valentine’s Day. Ruby overhears and proposes a “girls’ night out” to Ashley and invites Mary-Margaret and Emma along, Emma declines saying that she “isn’t in a party mood” but insists that Mary-Margaret go and have a good time. Just then, Emma gets beeped and has to leave to go back to the sheriff’s office.

Shoot to Gold returning home to find his front door open. He enters cautiously, with a gun drawn, he goes through each room and hears a noise behind him. It’s Emma with gun drawn too. She tells Gold that a neighbor saw his front door was open and called the sheriff’s office. Gold replies, “It looks like I’ve been robbed.”

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as Rumplestiltskin and Belle enter his home. He leads her to “her room,” which turns out to be the dungeon. He pushes her in and locks the door behind her. Then, we see Belle bringing Rumplestiltskin his dinner. He then tells Belle all of the chores she will expected to do for him. Belle accidentally drops a cup, which chips. She apologizes profusely but Rumplestiltskin replies, “Its only a cup” and looks at her strangely.

Shoot back to Gold telling Emma that he knows what was taken from his home and that she can leave. Emma tells Gold that she wants to know what he knows about the robbery or she’ll arrest him for obstruction of justice. Gold then tells Emma about French, who recently defaulted on a loan he gave him and that they had a disagreement over “collateral.” Emma then says she’s going to go and check him out. Gold wishes her good luck as she leaves.

Shoot back to Belle tending to Rumplestiltskin’s windows on a ladder as he spins gold. Belle then asks him, “Why do you spin so much?” He replies, “I like to watch the wheel. It helps me forget.” “Forget what?” Belle replies. Rumplestiltskin stops spinning and says, “I guess it worked.” He giggles as does Belle. He then gets up from his wheel and asks Belle what’s she doing. She tells him that she’s trying to open the drapes “since its almost spring and you should let some light in.” She yanks the drapes too hard, they fall as she falls from the ladder. Rumplestiltskin catches her in his arms. They stare at each other for a moment. Then Belle thanks him for catching her. Rumplestiltskin then hastily puts her down. Belle then says she’ll put the drapes back up. Rumplestiltskin replies, “No need. I’ll get used to it.” Rumplestiltskin walks away looking perplexed and Belle’s smiling.

Shoot to Emma showing Gold that she’s recovered his stolen property and tells him that he was right about French “ripping you off.” Gold tells Emma that there is still something missing. Emma tells him that she’ll find it but he replies, “Not if I find it first.”

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as Belle asks Rumplestiltskin why he wanted her to come there. He tells her “tidy up” but she says she thinks he was lonely, “Any man would be.” Rumplestiltskin replies, “I’m not a man.” Belle then says, “I’ve had a few months to look around and upstairs there’s clothing, small, is if for a child? Is it yours or is it someone else’s?” Rumplestiltskin replies, “There was a son, but I lost him as I did his mother.” Belle says she’s sorry and adds, “So, you were a man once. An ordinary man. If I’m never going to know another person in my whole life, can’t I at least know you?” He replies, “Perhaps. Perhaps you just want to learn the monster’s weaknesses.” Belle then tells Rumplestiltskin that he isn’t a “monster. You think you’re uglier than you are. That’s why you cover up all of the mirrors, isn’t it?” Before Rumplestiltskin can reply, there’s a knock at the door. The door opens and it’s Gaston saying he’s come to rescue Belle. But, with a flick of his wrist, Rumplestiltskin turns Gaston into a puff of smoke, then a rose appears. Then, the door closes. Belle then asks Rumplestiltskin who was at the door, not seeing what Rumplestiltskin did. He tells her that it was just an old woman selling flowers. He gives her the rose and she thanks him. He then asks her why she chose to leave her friends and family to be with him. “Heroism, sacrifice. You know there aren’t many opportunities for women in this land to show what they can do. To see the world, to be heroes. When you arrived it was my chance. I always wanted to be brave I figured, “Do the brave thing and bravery will follow.” Rumplestiltskin replies, “Is it everything you hoped?” Belle responds, “Well, I did want to see the world. That part didn’t really work out. But, I did save my village.” Rumplestiltskin then asks Belle about Gaston. She tells him that it was an arranged marriage, that she never really cared much for Gaston and that she could never give her heart to someone as superficial as him. Then, she reminds Rumplestiltskin that he was going to tell her about his son. Instead, he proposes a deal. He asks her to go to town and get him some straw and when she returns, “I ‘ll share my tale.” Belle tells him that she’s shocked that he trusts her to return. Rumplestiltskin replies, “Oh no, I expect I’ll never see you again.”

Shoot back to Ashley, Mary-Margaret and Ruby at a bar, drinking on a “girls’ night out.” Ruby tries to get Ashley to go with her to hit on some guys by the bar but she reminds her that she’s with Sean and that he’s working. Ruby reminds her that Sean isn’t there and is “always working. Well, enjoy your mope,” Ruby says as she goes to hit on the guys. Ashley then says to Mary-Margaret, “She’s right. He’s always working. I thought love would be different.” Mary-Margaret replies, “I did too” then takes a sip from her drink.

Shoot to David buying two Valentine’s Day cards. Gold sees him buying them. David tells him that he can’t decide which to buy. Gold looks at the cards and asks, “They’re both for the same woman?” “Well, they’re both so ‘us,’” David replies. Gold then tells him that he’s fortunate to have a woman who loves him. David agrees. “Love, it’s like a delicate flame. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever,” Gold says to David. Gold then wishes David luck and leaves the store.

Shoot to Gold driving in French’s flower van and we see French tied up in the back. Gold drives the van into the woods, stops, and lets French out even though his hands are still tied and he’s gagged. Gold then pulls out a gun and tells French to walk in front of him. French walks a bit, stops and turns to Gold as he cocks the gun and says, “You see here’s the thing. I don’t normally let people get away. “

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as Belle is walking in the woods. The Queen’s carriage comes up behind her and stops beside her. The Queen opens the carriage door and asks Belle if her carriage splashed her. Belle tells her that it didn’t. Then, the Queen says that’s she tired of riding and will walk with her. The Queen asks Belle why she’s carrying so little. Belle tells her that she doesn’t want to waste time. The Queen asks if she’s running from “a lover or a master.’ Belle says nothing so the Queen deduces that she’s running from both. The Queen continues saying, “You love your employer, but you’re leaving him.” Belle replies, “I might love him, but something evil has taken root in him.” The Queen replies, “Sounds like he’s cursed to me and all curses can be broken. A kiss from a true love would do it.” Belle looks at the Queen strangely as she adds, “Oh no child, I’d never ask a woman to kiss a man who’s held her captive. What kind of message is that? Besides, if he loves you, he would have let you go and if he doesn’t, then the kiss won’t even work.” Belle tells the Queen that “he did let me go.” “But, no kiss happened,” the Queen replies. Belle then asks the Queen if “a kiss would be enough? It would make him a man again?” “An ordinary man. A true love’s kiss will break any curse,” the Queen reiterates to Belle.

Shoot to Rumplestiltskin looking out the window then rushing back to his wheel as Belle returns with the straw from the village. Rumplestiltskin says that he’s surprised that she came back so quickly. She tries to make him admit that he’s happy that she returned. “I’m not unhappy,” he replies. Belle then reminds Rumplestiltskin that he “promised me a story” and asks him to tell her about his son. He tells her, “I lost him. There’s really nothing else to tell.” Belle replies as she touches his face, “And since then you’ve loved no one and no one’s loved you?” Rumplestiltskin then asks Belle in a whisper why she came back. She tells him that she wasn’t going to be she changed her mind. Then, Belle kisses Rumplestiltskin. He’s dazed and she tells him to kiss her again because a “true love’s kiss can break any curse.” Rumplestiltskin then pushes Belle away and asks her who told her that. He then goes over to one of the covered mirrors, uncovers it and starts screaming at the mirror. Belle asks him who he’s talking to. “The Queen,” he replies. “How did she get to you? How did she turn you against me?” Then, Rumplestiltskin accuses Belle of working for the Queen and that he knew that she could never really care for him. “Or is this you being the hero, killing the beast?” Belle tries to convince Rumplestiltskin that she isn’t working for the Queen but he screams at her to “Shut up!” She then asks him why he doesn’t believe her. He grabs her and screams “Because no one could ever love me!” Rumplestiltskin then throws Belle into the dungeon.

Shoot back to Gold and French. They are in a cabin. French is still tied up but asks Gold to let him “explain.” But, Gold sticks his cane against French’s throat and tells him that he going to say two sentences. “Where it is and who told you to take it?” French doesn’t tell him what he wants to know, so Gold starts hitting him with his cane. Then, French says, “It wasn’t my fault.” Gold replies, “What do you mean? It wasn’t your fault? You shut her out. You had her love. But, now she’s gone. She’s never coming back. You are her father!” Gold screams as he repeatedly hits French with his cane.

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as Rumplestiltskin begins breaking all the windows.

Shoot back to Gold hitting with his cane as he continues to scream, “It’s your fault!” Then, Emma appears and stops Gold.
Shoot back to the fairy tale as Rumplestiltskin starts breaking the tea set Belle brought him earlier but when he gets to the cup she dropped and chipped earlier, he stops, places it on the table and walks away.

Shoot back to Ashley at the bar looking sad. Mary-Margaret reappears and says to her, “Looks like ‘Girls’ Night Out’ is really working out for you.’” She replies, “I thought it would make me feel better but the truth is I need a ‘Be With My Guy’ night.’ He’s never around and I’m at home with the baby all day. I mean what’s the point of being together if we’re not together.” Mary-Margaret answers, “I get it. Loving someone you can’t be with is a terrible terrible burden.” Ashley then tells Mary-Margaret that ‘Girls’ Night Out’ was a “bad idea” and she moves to leave when Sean [played by Tim Phillips] appears with a bouquet of roses. “I thought you were working,” Ashley says to him. “I had a break and I had to see you,” he replies. Ruby reappears and sits next to Mary-Margaret as they watch Ashley and Sean. Sean gives Ashley the bouquet and then says he has to ask her something. He then gets down on one knee, takes out a ring and asks Ashley to marry him. Ashley’s speechless as Ruby and Mary-Margaret smile. “I only have a 20 minute break, so anytime now,” Sean jokes. Ashley excitedly accepts as everyone in the bar starts to applaud. Sean and Ashley embrace and he tells her that his truck is outside if she wants to take a drive with him before he has to go back to work. “It’s not much of a date,” Sean says but Ashley replies, “The best date.” She kisses Sean again and he says, “Then, your carriage awaits.” She then turns to Ruby and Mary-Margaret, who are still smiling. Sean and Ashley excitedly get into Sean’s truck. Ruby then Mary-Margaret leave the bar. Mary-Margaret watches Ashley and Sean drive off as David appears. He asks Mary-Margaret how ‘Girls’ Night Out’ was. She asks him what he’s doing there and he tells her that he knew she’s be there and that he wanted to give her a Valentine’s Day card. He hands her the card and she asks him if he was checking up on her. He replies, “Maybe a little. I wouldn’t want you finding someone else.” She opens the card and it’s the card David picked for Kathryn. He apologizes, takes the card from Mary-Margaret and gives her the other card he bought. Then, she says, “I always thought if two people were meant to be together they’d find a way but David, if this is our way. I think we should find another one.” She then tells him that he should go home to Kathryn. David replies, “You’re right but that doesn’t mean I want to give up. We’ll find that way.” “I hope so,” Mary-Margaret responds. They wish each other a “Happy Valentine’s Day” and walk away in different directions.

Shoot to French on a gurney being put into an ambulance and Emma telling Gold that he didn’t “break anything that he [French] needs.” She then asks Gold, “What did he really do?” Emma says she overheard Gold say ‘he hurt her’ and ‘What happened to her?’ Who is she and what did he do? If someone needs help maybe I can help,” Emma tells Gold. But, he says, “No, I’m sorry sheriff. I think you have that wrong.” Gold moves to leave but then Emma arrests him

Shoot back to the fairy tale world. Belle is still in the dungeon when Rumplestiltskin opens the door and walks in. Belle then asks, “So, what are you going to do to me?” Rumplestiltskin then tells her to leave and that he doesn’t want her there anymore. Belle gets up and leaves the dungeon but then goes back in and says to Rumplestiltskin, “You could have had happiness if you’d just believed that someone could want you. But, you couldn’t take the chance. “Rumplestiltskin replies, “That’s a lie.” Belle then calls him a “coward. And no matter how thick you make your skin, that doesn’t change.” He replies, “I’m not a coward, dearie. It’s quite simple really. My power means more to me than you.” “No, it doesn’t,” Belle answers back. “You just don’t think I can love you. Well, you’ve made your choice and you’re going to regret it…forever. All you’ll have is an empty heart…and a chipped cup.” Then, Belle leaves the dungeon, holding back tears.

Shoot to Emma eating lunch as Gold sits behind bars. She reminds him that she owes him a favor and offers him half of her pastrami sandwich. Gold replies, “You don’t need to remind me that you owe me a favor. The day will come when I will make my request and it will be for more than half a sandwich.” Then, Regina and Henry appear. Regina tells Emma that she’s letting her have 30 minutes with Henry. “You want me to leave you alone with the prisoner?” Emma asks Regina. “29 ½ minutes,” Regina replies. Henry happily says hello to Emma. “Just this once,” Emma says as she and Henry leave. Once they’re gone, Gold asks Regina to sit down. She sits on the arm of the sofa near the bars. “Now when someone has something the other wants, a deal can always be struck. Do you have what I want?” Gold asks Regina. She smiles and says, “Yes.” “So, you did put him up to it then,” Gold replies. “I merely suggested that strong men take what they need,” Regina answers. “And you told him exactly what to take, didn’t you?” Gold asks. Regina reminds Gold that they used to know each other so well. “Has it really come down to this?” Regina asks Gold. “It has,” he replies. “Now, you know what I want. What is it you want?” Regina tells Gold that she want him to answer one question. “What’s your name?” “It’s Mr. Gold,” he replies. “Your real name,” Regina replies. “Every moment I’ve spent on this earth, that’s been my name,” he answers. “What about moments spent elsewhere?” Regina asks. “What are you asking me?” Gold replies. “I think you know and if you want me to return what’s yours, tell me your name.” Gold snickers and replies, “Rumplestiltskin. Now give me what I want.” Regina then takes out the chipped cup and gives it to Gold. “Thank you, your Majesty,” he replies. “So, now that we’re being honest with each other. Let’s remember how things used to be, shall we? Don’t let these bars fool you. I’m the one with the power around here. I’m going to be out of here in no time and nothing between us will change.” Regina then gets close to the bars and says, “We shall see.” Then, she leaves.

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as the Queen visits Rumplestiltskin. “We have a deal to discuss about a certain mermaid,” the Queen says. “I’m not dealing today,” Rumplestiltskin replies. The Queen then asks him if he’s angry with her. He tells her that her “little deception failed. You’ll never be more powerful than me. You can keep trying, dearie but you’ll never beat me.” “Is this about that girl I met on the road?” the Queen asks in a mocking tone. She asks him what her name was, “Margie? Verna?” “Belle,” he replies. “Well, you can rest assured I had nothing to do with that tragedy,” the Queen says. “What tragedy?” Rumplestiltskin asks the Queen. “You don’t know? Well, after she got home, her fiancé had gone missing. And after her stay here, her association with you. No one would want her, of course. Her father shunned her, cut her off, shut her out.” “So, she needs a home?” Rumplestiltskin asks the Queen. “He was cruel to her. He locked her in a tower and sent clerics to cleanse her soul with scourges and flame. After a while, she threw herself off the tower. She died,” the Queen says. Rumplestiltskin replies, “You’re lying.” “Am I?” the Queen answers. “We’re done,” he replies and shows her the door. “I have other calls to make. The place is looking dusty, Rumple. You should get a new girl,” the Queen tells him as she leaves. As soon as she does, Rumplestiltskin takes out the chipped cup and places it on a pedestal.

Shoot to Regina visiting a hospital. She enters a code into a keypad and enters a door marked ‘Exit.” She then walks into a room where a nurse is sitting at a desk. Regina gives a nurse a single red rose and then asks her, “Has anyone been in to see her?” “No one today. Not ever,” the nurse replies. Regina goes down the hall and stops in front of a room. She lifts the opening on the door. We see Belle crouched in the corner and Regina smiling.