To be quite honest, I’m not sure how I feel about this most recent episode. I know that I’m extremely angry with King George, or as StoryBrooke knows him, Albert Spencer. I understand he’s angry and he’s bitter at having lost his true son. However, it doesn’t excuse his behavior last night. Killing an innocent man, or in this case a mouse that looked like a man, in such a gruesome manner for the purpose of ruining Charming’s reputation is absurd. Not to mention his horrible deed when he burned the only portal Charming and Henry had to their family. King George is coming across as less than a King and more akin to a troll. A king should be noble, wise, and ironically, charming. George embodies none of these qualities. I’m hoping this season we’ll see other enemies like George arise and add more dramatic depth to the show.

One thought that popped into my head during the mining scene is my fear that the dwarves may dig past StoryBrooke’s curse line. I have to wonder if the curse is only affective on the surface or if it stretches down through the ground. Since Belle’s father had tried to send her past the barrier on a mining cart but failed, I think the question is still open. It just makes me nervous to think that Snow’s second greatest group of allies could easily stumble across that invisible line and be lost to her once again. If King George is going to continue to prevent Snow and Charming from being together, then Snow and Charming need every ally they can get. Sharming, as I will call them until someone makes a better suggestion, is the new “Kate and Will” marriage that we all fantasize about. May that type of love never die due to someone’s greed.

Who else was excited that Grumpy and the dwarves finally found diamonds to make fairy dust? This is great news for everyone in StoryBrooke except perhaps for Rumplestiltskin who has always had disagreements with the Fairies. It means that magic has indeed been restored for everyone in StoryBrooke and that the tides are turning in favor of the good. However, while the light shines on StoryBrooke, darkness begins to fall on those stuck in Fairyland. We still haven’t seen Cora since she sent Hook to distract Emma and Snow but there is one thing we can be certain on: She is still alive and planning. It’s too bad King George took out the only hope Emma and Snow had at a fairytale rescue, but isn’t that always the way of things? Hopefully now that Charming unmasked King George for who he really is, people in town will support Charming’s cause.

This episode exposed some interesting backstory to Ruby, or as we’ve come to know her as, Red Riding Hood. Let me go off on a tangent here for just a moment; I think Ruby is absolutely gorgeous and definitely one of the stronger female leads, though this series does a superb job at destroying the stereotype of the wimpy, damsel in distress. I loved seeing Gus, who later has the misfortune of being murdered; attempt to ask Ruby out on a date. It was funny witnessing a beloved fairytale character go through the same rejection we’ve all felt at some point. These small details are important because they help me relate better to those in StoryBrooke. The fact that these stories are not perfect only adds to my enjoyment. Ruby, for example, is both Red Riding Hood and the wolf, which I find a really unique concept. Personally, I love it. However, I do know there are others who remain skeptical and I’m thinking it’s out of curiosity on where the story could go. To that I shall say, fear not, the writers of this show are extremely talented and won’t disappoint, though they will keep us guessing.

I have to empathize with Ruby because I can’t imagine being cursed twice: once as a werewolf and once by Regina. Watching Ruby struggle with her wolf and her feelings about her wolf made me realize that her story could be applied to all of us. Each one of us has our own personal wolf we constantly try to subdue and control but occasional we set free. When you look at her situation from a certain viewpoint it becomes aware how tough it is. Ruby never knew her mother because Anita, whom I still have my doubts about, claims Granny stole Ruby away as a baby. Not for a moment do I find Anita’s story plausible; I can’t exactly explain why but I felt like Anita was trying to start a war a build a werewolf army. Gentlemen, take this from a woman, and be wary of a beautiful face but embrace a beautiful heart. One of the most emotional parts of this episode is when Ruby must kill her own supposed mother to protect Snow. Yet another reason I didn’t trust Anita. While it was almost obvious that something bad was bound to happen, it didn’t make witnessing it any less impactful.

Meanwhile, back in StoryBrooke all hell had broken loose and Henry had his nightmare again. This actually had me excited because Henry and Aurora are, as I suspected, having the same dream, at the same time. What worries me though is the fact that the dream is starting to bleed into reality. I was surprised to see Regina in this episode; she seems to be fading a bit from the show. However, it’s always nice to see her maternal side come into play. Anyone else smile like a fool when they saw how sweet Rumple was to Henry? I love that man, despite all his faults. I have a hard time believing that Henry isn’t in Rumple’s debt though. I suppose only time will tell the truth. Henry lost his mother and grandmother in the same day because of King George’s hatred. The next episode looks like Henry decides to take a leaf out of Charming’s book and do the noble thing by attempting to rescue Emma and Snow. Somehow the dream shared between him and Aurora is going to come into play but it’s unclear how. This time two weeks from now should bring our favorite heroines back into focus, but at what cost? Tune in Sunday, November 25 and witness a brave little boy sacrifice his safety in the name of love. Share your thoughts here.