‘Once Upon a Time’ season 4 spoilers: Cora returns, Lily’s quest, and more in ‘Mother’

Sunday night’s new “Once Upon a Time” episode is simply titled “Mother,” and let’s just say that there is a pretty good reason for that. You obviously still have the story of Lily playing out as she tries to get Lily and Maleficent back together (hopefully in a peaceful way), but the surprise to some is that you are also going to get a chance to see Barbara Hershey return as the Cora character. This news was first announced several weeks ago, but in the middle of all of the chaos as of late, it would not be even remotely terrible if you forgot.

Her role will of course be in the past (after all, the woman is dead), and the synopsis below reveals that this will be tied back to the story of Daniel, Regina’s first love who was snatched away from her in a cruel way. At the same time, she is dealing with an equal amount of cruelty in the present courtesy of Zelena:

“Emma returns to Storybrooke to reunite Lily with Maleficent while Regina and Robin struggle to cope with the implications of Zelena’s pregnancy. When Gold’s health takes a turn for the worse, Isaac looks to a new ally for help procuring the magic ink he needs to re-write history. In a Fairy Tale Land flashback, Cora returns from Wonderland to beg Regina’s forgiveness on the anniversary of Daniel’s murder. Cora vows to help her daughter find true love, but Regina remains suspicious of her mother’s intentions.”

Could Rumpelstiltskin die this season? Crazy as it may seem, we would not be surprised. We’d love to see him and Belle together forever, but we’re not sure if there is any going back for him at this point. At a certain point, you have to make the story believable, and for Belle to find redemption in him after all the lies he has told could be challenging. His only hope may be through Isaac, and finding a way for him to alter the course of his life. Then again, if this happens will he even be around in the present? So many questions abound!

If you missed it last night, head over here to watch the promo from this episode! Also, you can sign up to get some other TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)