‘Once Upon a Time’ season 6, episode 6 review: Hook’s past; The Evil Queen’s plan for Rumpelstiltskin

The sixth season of “Once Upon a Time” to date has followed a relatively simple pattern: Focus on the Land of Untold Stories through the lens of a particular character. Last week, that was more about Aladdin as we started to understand further the weight of being a Savior. That’s something that Emma is starting to confront more and more as move into tonight’s “Dark Waters.”

Let’s start with a resolution of the Aladdin story, as Jasmine and the famous former street rat finally sat down and had a conversation. He was ready to go back and fight for her in Agrabah, but he received some rather distressing news from her: The place is … gone? That sounds a little bit off, but we’re inclined to believe her for now.

The meat of this story was about Captain Hook having to face some of his past through not only Captain Nemo of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” fame, but also his younger brother Liam, who held it against him that his father was gone and wanted revenge for it. This showcased the evolution of Hook as a man, and the willingness to trust in a new family. He was willing to sacrifice his life for Henry while on their jaunt underwater, and in turn, Henry started to respect him and treat him as a member of his family.

The old Hook probably would’ve cast both Nemo and his adoptive son Liam aside; luckily, the new Hook did not, and he was able to come to terms with his past. Meanwhile, he also came clean to Emma about not disposing of the shears right away, and how Henry convinced him to go in another direction. Emma was accepting of him despite him not following what he wanted, mostly because in her own words she would have done “the exact same thing” at first.

Rumpelstiltskin update – He wanted to figure out another way to manipulate Belle and therein her unborn child, but of course this wouldn’t work out as he wanted. He and the Evil Queen kissed (!!!) right as she started to make her plan clear for him: It involved the shears, which she had retrieved somehow from the bottom of the ocean. Belle still harbors feelings for him, as well. Really, all of this stuff feels messy. The sooner we get answers here, the better.

Still, “Dark Waters” shined largely because of the Hook backstory, which should propel his relationship with Emma forward rather nicely. Grade: B.