Once Upon A Time Episode 16 Recap: The Millers Daughter Will Rip Your Heart Out

Tonight's episode "The Miller's Daughter" focused on Cora's backstory and her death. Could this show get any better? It is perfection. First I hate Cora, then I see her backstory, then I feel sorry for Cora. The same with Rumple and Regina. I hate them, then I love them, then I hate them, then I love than again. The writers know a lot about ripping people's hearts out cause that's what they're doing to us!

The main themes of the show continue to be:

Love- all Regina ever wanted was love-- the love of Daniel, her mother and Henry. Cora killed Daniel by ripping his heart out so that was the end of him (sorta, remember FrankenDaniel). After Regina gave Cora her heart back, Cora said 'This would have been enough. You would have been enough" and then died. So Regina got her mother's love for all of five seconds. Cora told Rumple that he was the only man she ever truly loved. He was her weakness and that's why he had to take her own heart out.

Power- Cora and Rumple both chose power over love. Instead of trying to get people to love them, they tried to force them into obedience. We see how well that worked. After Rumple was poisoned, Cora was trying to get his dagger so she could gain his power and become the "dark one". I think Cora finally realized her mistake right before she died but it was too late. Also in tonight's episode Rumple told Belle and Neal that he loved them (since he thought he was dying). Rumple continues to play the power card though by getting Snow to kill Cora and thus save his life.

Revenge- these people can hold a grudge like nobody's business. Cora continued to seek revenge on Queen Eva for tripping her all those years before. Little did Eva know what effect that one stupid act would eventually have on her daughter Snow White. Hook continues to stalk Rumple and almost killed him this go around. Regina continues to hate Snow for what she unwittingly did as a young child.

Points to ponder:

If it's possible that Regina didn't hate Snow enough before, she will hate her EVEN MORE after she finds out Snow tricked her into killing Cora.

Will Snow turn to the dark side?

I'm confused about why Cora had to put her master plan into effect (with making Regina the queen by having her marry Snow's father). Is it because they were not directly in line for the crown after she married Prince Henry? Cora said she was fifth in line which was too far away.

Rose McGwan did a great job as young Cora. I wish we could see more of her. And I never thought I'd say this but Cora left too soon!!! Barbara Hershey should get some serious awards for her work.

Per Rumple magic feeds off of emotions so less thinking and more hating if you want your magic to work.

Emma used magic chalk to mark the doorway to protect Rumple from Cora and Regina. Just dont forget your magic chalk in your pocket or you'll ruin your load of laundry.

Previously I thought either Regina or Snow (or both) could be Rumple's child but I guess not. Rumple's contract with Cora was for his child with her (which they never had). Am I wrong? That would put a very interesting twist on the show.