'Once Upon A Time' episode recap - "Witch Hunt"

We open in the fairy tale land. The Wicked Witch of the West is in the Evil Queen's castle going through her belongings. She then tells the flying monkey to "find the Evil Queen and let her know I'm here and don't be gentle." The flying monkey then flies off.

Meanwhile, Snow, Charming, Regina, Red Riding Hood, Robin Hood and his Merry Men walk the perimeter of the castle. Red comments to Snow that it feels like old times except "we're with Regina not against her." Snow tells her that she believes that Regina has changed. Red isn't so sure since she tried to hurt them so many times. Snow then goes over Regina to ask her if she's ready to make camp. Snow knows Regina is thinking about Henry, which she replies that she always is. She also mentions that there are tunnels that run under the castle, which "may run underneath the spell." She tells Snow and Charming that they can get her (Regina) in undetected so she can lower the shield and then Snow and Charming can "send in your army." Suddenly, the flying monkey appears overhead. Snow shoots an arrow at it as it tries to grab Robin's young son, but Robin grabs him in time. Regina then puts a spell on it that makes a cloud of purple smoke and then the flying monkey falls to the ground as a stuffed animal, which she gives to Robin's young son as a "new toy." Robin, in turn, thanks Regina.

Now, it's a year later in Storybrooke. Emma tells Mary-Margaret, David and Hook that Henry is asleep so now they can strategize. Mary-Margaret explains that they watched her and Henry drive over the town line, then Regina cast her spell to take them all back to the Enchanted Forest "and then everything went black." David adds that then they woke up in their beds like it was any other morning in Storybrooke. He then says they don't even know if during their missing year they ever left Storybrooke. Hook then says that they did because he was with them. He explains that Regina's spell brought them back to the Enchanted Forest for a brief time where they saw Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora, but he went off on his own while they made their way to Regina's castle. Emma is suspicious of Regina, but Mary-Margaret maintains that she's "as clueless as the rest of us. I don't think she's involved in this." David then asks Hook that if he left the Enchanted Forest before the curse, how did he know to find Emma and bring her back to Storybrooke? Hook explained that once he got back to the Jolly Roger, "a bird landed on my ship's wheel, instructing me to retrieve Emma and bring her back here. There was also a small vial of the memory potion tied to its leg." Mary-Margaret asks Hook who sent it and he assumed they had. Then, Leroy (Grumpy) and another dwarf arrive telling everyone that another person has disappeared and Bashful hasn't been seen as well. Leroy is happy that Emma is back as she asks what is going on. Mary-Margaret then explains that besides their memories disappearing, residents of Storybrooke have been as well. Emma asks who else is missing, but David replies That besides the dwarves they can't be sure because of all of the confusion. Emma then asks if Neal is there and Mary-Margaret says they haven't seen him. Hook tells Emma that Neal will turn up. David then says that residents have set up camp in the woods and that Neal might be there. Mary-Margaret adds that "he might not have gotten swept into the curse at all." Emma then says that, "there is only one way we're going to figure all of this out. We need to get your memories back...by figuring out who took them in the first place."

Back in the fairy tale land, Charming asks Regina "what the hell was that thing?" Leroy says that it looked like a monkey. "A monkey with wings?" David asks and Regina replies That is exactly what is was. Neal comments that isn't normal, but Belle chimes in and says it us, "there's only one land that has creatures like that. I've read about it...Oz." Snow can't believe it's a real place, but Regina confirms that Belle is right. Regina then says she knows, "exactly who's taking up residence in our castle...the Wicked Witch." Leroy then asks if she means "East or West," but Snow replies that "neither sounds good." Leroy then explains that, "you drop a house on one and the other you throw a bucket of water at." Charming then asks Regina what she did to her and she replies that she did nothing to her and has never met her. Charming then says that they're sticking to their original.plan, assuming Regina can get the shield down. Regina then says not to worry about her. Snow wants to come with Regina, but she says that it's "a one woman job" and that she can lower the shield on her own. Snow then says that they'll be waiting on the other side. Regina then goes off.

Back to Storybrooke. At Granny's Diner, Ruby serves Henry a cup.of hot cocoa with cinnamon. He asks her how she knew he liked that. She reigns ignorance and says it was a "lucky guess." Then, Mary-Margaret and David come in and Emma introduces them to Henry, who doesn't remember them. He asks if they're helping Emma with her case. She says that they're "old friends." Henry asks from where and Mary-Margaret says Phoenix while Emma says from Storybrooke. Henry then comments that he thought Emma was in jail in Phoenix. Mary-Margaret then says that they were cellmates, but then says, "the important thing is that we're moving on." Then, Regina walks in, sees Henry (who doesn't remember her) and she drops her plate. She apologizes. Emma then takes Regina aside to talk. "He looked right through me," Regina tells Emma, who tells her that he doesn't remember her, but Regina says that she clearly does. Regina then asks Emma why she's there. "Storybrooke, a new curse, a missing year, what do you think?" Regina clarifies asking how Emma knew to come back. She then tells Regina that "Hook found me and gave me a potion to remember. There wasn't enough for Henry." Regina then tells Emma that she didn't cast this new curse. Emma replies That the thought crossed her mind, but Regina asks why she would cast a curse where Henry doesn't remember her?

Near the town line, Robin and his Merry Men are examining a crossbow that Little John stole. He sees a turkey, proclaims that they have to eat and wants to see "how fast wild turkeys are in this land." He shoots and misses. Robin and the other Merry Men laugh. Little John then goes chasing after the turkey while Robin and the rest of the Merry Men follow. The turkey crosses over the town line. Little John is about to do the same when suddenly, a flying monkey appears, picks Little John and carries him away as Robin and the other Merry Men watch in horror. Then, Emma and some others appear and warn Robin and his Men not to cross over the town line. Robin thinks Little John was carried away because he attempted to cross it. David asks Robin what took Little John. Robin replies, "some manner of beast with wings." Emma replies, "Sounds a lot like the monster that tried to attack me in New York." Hook then fires back, "You mean the monster you were going to marry?" David the asks about Emma getting married, but Robin changes the subject back to finding Little John. Emma then tells David and Hook to take Robin and his Men and form a search group. Hook asks why Emma isn't coming with them. She replies that she's going to talk to everybody to find out who cast the new curse.

Emma calls a town meeting. Everyone is bickering at each other. Archie then stands up and asks Emma if it's true "that there's some kind of monster keeping up from leaving town?" Emma confirms that they believe "people are being abducted as they approach the town line." Then, Belle stands up and asks Emma if she knows who cursed them and why they want them in Storybrooke. Emma replies, "I'm working on it. How can we figure out who cast a curse when they can't remember the last year?" Leroy then stands up and accuses Regina, who is standing in the back, of casting the new curse. She replies. "For once, I'm as clueless as the rest of you," but the townspeople don't believe her. Regina then says that if she had cast the curse, she would have Henry, but she doesn't. Emma then says that Regina can't come near Henry until she finds the truth. Regina again proclaims her innocence while Emma says she isn't sure she believes her. The townspeople then all stand up and start to close in on Regina, who tells them to not come any closer. "If you all want me to be the Evil Queen, then fine. That's exactly who you'll get!" She then makes the whole building shake then disappears in a cloud of purple smoke. Emma starts to leave as Dr. Whale whispers to her that she can't let Regina get away. She replies that she won't. We then see the Wicked Witch, looking normal, among the townspeople, smirking.

Back in the fairy tale land, Regina sees that Robin has followed her saying he can help. He thinks the flying monkey was after her, not his son. "That's the second time you've been attacked. The Wicked Witch wants you dead," Robin tells Regina, who asks if he thinks he can protect her? "Maybe, maybe not, but I have to try. I owe you a debt. Even though that winged beast wasn't after Roland, [his son] you saved him," Robin says. "Who knew a thief had honor," Regina replies. "Who knew an Evil Queen had a soft spot for children," Robin retorts. Regina then tells Robin not to get in her way and he says that he "wouldn't dream of it."

Back in Storybrooke, Regina goes to her house and Emma follows. Regina then asks Emma, "Do you think they bought it?" Emma replies, "Yeah, I think they did. Nice work. Now, let's figure out who really cursed thus town."

At Regina's office, she asks Emma how much time she thinks they have? Emma replies until whoever cast the curse realizes Emma isn't chasing Regina, but doesn't think they'll suspect they are working together. Regina takes out a portion that she can replicate to get people to start remembering. Regina is eager for Henry to remember her. Regina then thanks Emma for believing that she didn't cast the new curse when everyone was so quick to assume that she had. Emma tells Regina that she always knows when she's lying.

Back in the fairy tale land, in the castle's tunnels, degina tells Robin that there's a fire that burns in the courtyard of the castle, as long as it burns, the shield stays up. She needs to put it out. They negotiate traps laid out for thieves. He then says that he hopes she didn't let him come with her to lure him into one if the traps. "Roland has already lost his mother. I'd hate for him to lose his father too," Robin tells Regina. "Then you should have stayed with the others," Regina retorts. Regina then asks Robin what happened to Roland's mother. He replies that after Roland was born he inadvertently put his mother in harm's way. "It was my fault," he tells Regina. Regina is then shocked to see the door open since she tells Robin that she "seals it with blood magic. I'm the only one who can open it." "It appears the Wicked Witch is a formidable foe," Robin retorts. They then enter a crypt. He asks who it was built for and Regina replies, "My mother." She says she's also lost people she's cared about and Robin mentions a child. She asks him how he knows about that. "I saw the way you grabbed Roland back there. You clearly have the touch of a mother," he replies. Robin asks what happened to the child and Regina replies that "he's not dead, if that's what you're thinking. He’s just lost to me forever.” Robin then asks Regina if they should reconsider their plan if the Wicked Witch is powerful enough to break blood magic, but Regina says that she doesn’t care how powerful she is and that she HAS to go through with the plan.

Back in Storybrooke, Mary-Margaret is in Granny’s Diner reading a baby book, which talk about “cradle cap,” while Henry is playing a video game. She mentions that she knows that he loves to read, he asks how she knows that and she replies that Emma told her. She suggests going to the local book store, Henry agrees and goes to get his coat. Mary-Margaret continues reading out loud about “cradle cap” and then the Wicked Witch, who looks normal, comments that “it goes away. It doesn’t hurt the baby.” The Wicked Witch calls her Snow White, but she corrects her and says that she’s Mary-Margaret in Storybrooke and comments how she must be new in town. The Wicked Witch replies that she, “missed the last curse so everything in this world is still a bit new.” Mary-Margaret tells her not to worry and asks her who she was back in their land. The Wicked Witch replies, “No one you’d remember. Not everyone was famous like you.” She comes over to Mary-Margaret’s table and tells her that she was a midwife and that her name is Zelena. She assures Mary-Margaret that she’ll learn quickly then Mary-Margaret asks if she can give her some advice. Zelena says she’d be honored, touches Mary-Margaret’s stomach and says, “Helping Snow White with her baby. I can’t think of anything that would make me happier.”

Hook, David, Robin and his Merry Men are out in the forest. David finds a leaf with blood on it. They find Little John barely alive. Hook says that he’s never seen a bite like Little John has before. They all help Little John up so they can get him help.

Back in the fairy tale land, Regina tells Robin to keep watch. She opens up a case with potions in it. Robin asks about it, but Regina replies that it “doesn’t concern you.” He then draws his bow and arrow and asks her again. Regina gets angry that he’s threatening her and casts a spell on him that starts to choke him, but he won’t drop his bow. She releases him from the spell and says she’s making a sleeping curse. “Like the one you used on Snow White?” Robin questions. “That came from Maleficent. I finally learned how to make my own,” Regina replies. Robin asks if this was why she wanted to come to the castle and asks her if she plans to use it on the Wicked Witch. Regina replies that she doesn’t care about her. Robin then asks who she plans to use it on. She replies, “Don’t worry. No one you’ll miss. No one anyone will miss.” Robin then asks Regina if this whole thing is about her son and says that he won’t let her carry out her plan. Regina replies that he doesn’t have a say and casts a spell to hold him in place so he can’t stop her. “I know you feel Regina. When I lost my wife, I felt there was no reason to go on. But, then I found one…my son.” Regina replies that’s where they’re different because she already lost Henry. “I already lost the only thing I care about.” Robin then says that she can find a new reason for living and that everyone gets a second chance. “It’s too bad mine will be closed,” Regina says as Robin asks if she’s just going to give up. “This isn’t an end, it’s an eternal middle. This curse can be broken…by the only true love of my life and the only reason I would ever want to wake…my son.” Regina says. Robin tells her what she’s doing is a mistake, but she tells him not to worry and she’ll lower the protection spell so that “Snow and Charming can be victorious, but then…I go to sleep.”

Back in Storybrooke, Emma watches Regina concoct the memory potion. Regina drinks it to check if it’s right, but then throws the vial across the room. Emma assumes that means it didn’t work. Regina starts to get frustrated because there’s no more of the potion Hook gave Emma for Regina to try to replicate. Regina then says that she can’t live in Storybrooke if Henry doesn’t remember her. Emma then suggests finding the person who cursed Storybrooke. Emma suggests getting the person who cast the curse to think making the memory potion they would want to stop them. They just need to get the word out that Regina is close to making it work. Regina then smirks and says she knows just who to tell.

Suddenly, Leroy bursts into Granny’s Diner, tells everyone that Emma found Regina holed up in her office working on a memory potion to prove she didn’t cast the curse and they will remember who really did. Zelena hears this and quickly exits the diner.

Meanwhile, Little John is at the hospital in Storybrooke. Dr. Whale asks what hurt Little John and David and Robin says they don’t know. Then, Little John starts to have a seizure. They try to sedate him but suddenly he sprouts octopus-like legs and starts swatting people to the ground. Little John then becomes a flying monkey before everyone’s eyes. David then says, “Okay, I didn’t see that coming.” Then, Little John flies out of the hospital with everyone shocked.

Emma and Regina wait outside Regina’s office in Emma’s yellow VW bug for whoever cast the curse to show up. While they wait, Regina asks Emma if Henry has friends back in New York. Emma replies that he has lots of friends, no girlfriends yet that she knows about anyway. Regina then asks if he’s happy and if their life is good there. Emma replies that it is so much so that she almost didn’t come back because of it. Regina then asks why she did come back to Storybrooke. “Because he may not remember all this, but I do and Henry would say that a hero would come back,” Emma replies. Regina agrees that is what Henry would say. Emma then asks Regina again if she wants to meet him and that Emma could say she’s an old friend. Regina says it would be too hard. Emma then sees someone in Regina’s office. Emma asks Regina if they can escape and she fires back that they can’t because she sealed the room with blood. Regina opens the door as Emma has her gun cocked, but the room is dark and empty. They find everything strewn about and see the intruder, but they disappear in a cloud of green smoke before Regina or Emma can see them. Emma then asks who they are dealing with if they can break Regina’s blood magic.

Back in the fairy tale land, Regina approaches the green fire that keeps the protection spell on the castle. She puts her hand near it and soon it’s been put out.

Leroy, who is the lookout, sees that the green protection spell has been lifted from the castle and yells to Charming that it’s down. Charming then order to move in on the castle and everyone goes towards the castle.

Meanwhile, inside, Regina sits down, looks out into the land and apologizes to Henry saying that “maybe someday you’ll find me and wake me up, but until then…” She’s about to prick herself when the Wicked Witch interrupts asking if she’s going to say hello first. The Wicked Witch then uses magic to take the needle from Regina’s hand into hers. “You really don’t know who I am, do you?” the Wicked Witch asks Regina. Regina says that she knows she’s the Wicked Witch. “Is that all?” the Wicked Witch replies. Regina fires back that she’s not interested. The Wicked Witch then introduces herself as Zelena. Regina then asks her how she broke her blood magic to enter her mother’s crypt. Zelena replies that she didn’t and replies, “Cora never told you.” “Told me what?” Regina replies and asks how she knows her mother. “The same way you do. I’m your sister. Actually, half-sisters, but details, details,” Zelena tells Regina, who replies that it isn’t possible. Zelena explains that Cora had her first and says that Regina knows she’s telling the truth because how else could she have opened the door to the crypt? “Our mother gave me up and sent me away, but you…you she kept. You she gave everything.” Regina fires back, “Everything SHE wanted. If what you’re saying is true, then you were lucky to escape her.” Zelena then asks how it felt to grow up without a mother. “Knowing you were never good enough even for the man our paths both crossed…Rumplestiltskin.” Zelena then tells Regina that she was also his student. Regina assumes correctly that Zelena is mad because Rumplestiltskin picked Regina to cast his curse. “Get over it. It wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be,” Regina tells Zelena, who says that anything would have been better than the life she had. Zelena then says that despite everything she made something of herself and she didn’t need Cora or Rumplestiltskin. Regina then tells Zelena that they’re both dead. Zelena chuckles a bit then says that Regina is the only one she needs to be alive. Regina asks why and Zelena replies that she’s going to take everything from her. “Too late. I’ve already lost everything that matters,” Regina replies. Yet, Zelena says that she hasn’t lost anything yet. Regina thinks she’s going to kill her, but Zelena says that’s too easy. She says she needs her to suffer. Regina challenges her to do her worst. Zelena then bids Regina goodbye and leaves the castle on her broom. Regina then goes back to Robin, who sees she didn’t go through with her plan. She unfreezes him and tells him that he was right and the sleeping curse wasn’t the answer. She tells him that she found something to live for, “Something I haven’t had in a very long time…someone to destroy!”

Back in Storybrooke, Emma takes Regina to meet Henry. He’s with Mary-Margaret. Emma first asks him how his day was. He tells her that, “Storybrooke is a weird place, but cool.” Emma then introduces him to Regina as the Mayor of Storybrooke and says that she wanted to meet Henry. Regina seems to know a lot about him and he asks why. She says it’s because Emma told her and because she’s so proud. Regina then suggests giving Henry a tour of the town. Henry replies that he’d like that. He tells her it was nice meeting her, she moves to hug him, but he puts his hand out first. She shakes it and he walks away. Then, David and Hook arrive saying they need to talk. Henry is busy with his video game, but Emma insists they all talk outside. David and Hook tell Emma, Regina and Mary-Margaret how Little John turned into a flying monkey right before their eyes. They think the same fate befell the dwarves and Neal. But, Regina reminds Emma that whoever cast the curse disappeared in a cloud of green smoke. They all realize who cursed them… the Wicked Witch of the West! Emma then asks why she would come to Storybrooke.

Elsewhere in Storybrooke, Zelena goes into a field with a tray. She opens a trapdoor and goes down a flight of stairs. “Hungry?” she asks her prisoner, who grabs the tray. It’s Gold/Rumplestiltskin, who tells her, “You should have never brought me back!” Zelena just smiles, chuckles and says, “Eat up. We’ve got work to do.” She walks back up the stairs and once she’s gone Gold/Rumplestiltskin starts talking to himself then laughing maniacally as he eats.