‘Once Upon a Time’ 3.09 Episode Recap and Review: Save Henry

Things do not look very good for Henry and his family on Neverland as we come into this week’s Once Upon a Time episode, “Save Henry.”

The events in Neverland play out against the backstory of Henry’s adoption, heading back to Storybrooke’s past. We were able to learn how Regina came to be Henry’s mom – I’d always wondered what drove the Evil Queen to make such a leap. It turned out that even after successfully leveling a curse on her kingdom and gaining revenge on those she hated, Rumpelstiltskin was right. She still had an empty space in her heart. He’d gifted her with the grandson of Snow White and Prince Charming which meant the baby’s biological mother was the one person who could destroy her curse. It was interesting to see that Peter Pan had been searching for the boy even then.

Fast forward to present day Neverland, Henry’s parents head back to the camp in hopes of figuring out where to look for Peter Pan. Emma offers the Lost Boys a chance at a loving home, Felix is the only one who refuses to give in but the other boys tell them about Pan’s Thinking Tree. Emma, Snow and Regina head off to find Pan, while the boys stay back to get the Jolly Roger ready. Pan tells the women that he is Rumplestiltskin’s father.

The tree traps the women and feeds off their regrets. The funny thing is that Regina doesn’t regret her mistakes at all. All of Regina’s mistakes have helped her on her path to Henry. Then she walked out of the trap, tore Pan’s heart out of his chest, picked up Pandora’s box and she was ready to go save her son. But Regina isn’t convinced the danger is passed. Worried that Henry is not adequately protected, she casts a spell that will prevent his heart from ever being taken again.

Rumple is back and Neal forgives him and tells his father that he’s not like Pan, because he went back for him.

Pan makes his appearance and tries to take Henry’s heart! Finding he cannot, he tries to detach Henry’s shadow from him, when Rumple appears to finally capture Pan in Pandora’s box.

When the happy ending seems to have arrived, Henry goes to offer some food to Felix and we learn that Pan has switched places with Henry.

How much damage will Pan do before the truth is revealed?

Best Quotes:
Regina – “He can bleed. We can hurt him and if we can hurt him we can kill him.”

Regina – “I did cast a curse that devastated an entire population. I have tortured and murdered. I’ve done some terrible things. I should be overflowing with regret but I’m not. Because it got me my son.”

Charming – “I didn’t think it was possible. A hero, a villain, pirates. That we could all be untied but we were because of the most important piece of the puzzle. A leader.”