Once Upon a Time: True North (Spoiler)

This week’s episode of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” proved to be a little different because it featured characters that hadn’t previously been introduced, Hansel and Gretel. We’ve had introductions of Jiminy Cricket, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, the Huntsman, the Evil Queen, Prince Charming, and of course Snow White.

But the introductions of Hansel and Gretel are unique because they had not been known in either Storybrook or the fantasy world. We didn’t know of them until now. We’ll get to the reason for their introduction shortly. But first, here is this week’s review of “Once Upon a Time.”

The Plot

“True North” tells the story of Hansel and Gretel a little different than traditionally understood. The twin brother and sister were chopping wood with their father when he sent them off to gather kindling. He gave them a compass to be able to find their way back. While they were away, the evil queen took the father and used the children to get inside the home of the evil blind witch to steal a satchel containing a poisonous apple. You know the rest of the story, Hansel and Gretel get caught by the blind witch because they couldn’t resist their sugar cravings and ate part of her house. After being locked up, they escape and push the witch into the fire.

In Storybrook, the twins find themselves on their own, parentless. They are introduced by getting caught stealing from a grocery store. Emma finds out they are parentless but is reluctant to put them into the foster system, where she had so many bad experiences herself. So Emma sets out to find their dad.

The Twist

You’re probably thinking, “How does any of this add to the overall story?” Well, I thought the same thing up until the final 5-10 minutes of the episode. While trying to locate the siblings’ father, Emma is reminded of an object she had been given from her father (prince charming, but she doesn’t know it yet). It’s her baby blanket. She uses the baby blanket to show Gretel and to see if the little girl had anything from her parents. Gretel gives Emma the compass and Emma is able to use it to find their father (who obviously doesn’t remember them, but eventually takes them in).

In the meantime, Emma leaves the blanket out and Mary Margaret (Snow White) sees it. She picks it up, and while it doesn’t appear she remembers everything, you get the sense she’s starting to catch on.

The End

The episode ends with one final twist. As Emma is talking to her son, Henry, a man on a motorcycle rides up and asks them where the nearest hotel is. They direct him where to go and Emma asks, “I thought strangers never came to Storybrook.” Henry responds, “They don’t,” and the episode ends with that.