Once Upon A Time Season 5 Episode 12 Review: A Trip To Hell Is Better Than Having Your Memory Wiped...Again

"OUAT" returned from it's winter break this week. After a very underwhelming Camelot/Dark Emma story line, the crew (Emma, Regina, Henry, Rumple, Robin, Snow, and Charming) head to Hell to rescue Hook. The place bears a strong resemblance to Storybrooke (but with a red filter). It seems closer to Purgatory because everyone there is in limbo due to unfinished business. Not that I'm complaining. A trip to Hell has to be better than having your memory wiped... for the umpteenth time.

"Operation Firebird" (as it's dubbed by Henry) gives the show a reason to bring back many of the old characters. Peter Pan is there and wants Rumple to help him rejoin the living. For that to work, someone must stay in Hell in his place. Snow encounters David's brother James (who plants a big hot kiss on her). Cruella is driving around in her snazzy car. Regina reunited with Cora (who tells her she must take Henry and leave Hell immediately). It's either that or her dead father Henry will pay by being dropped into a lake of fire. Apparently there's a lower level to Hell (and that's where all the REALLY bad stuff happens). Regina is torn because she doesnt want to abandon her friends.

Rumple gets a vial of ...something... from Pappy Pan. They pour it over Hook's grave in an attempt to locate him. Hook is badly beaten but they still dont know where he is. Of course it's going to take a while. If they resolve the search in one episode, what would they do with the rest of the season?

We see flashbacks of evil Regina back in FTL (FairyTaleLand). This gives Lana Parrilla a reason to prance around in her fantastic outfits. I just love that woman! She's the only reason I watch this show. Well, that and SwanQueen.

It's Regina's birthday. Someone bakes her a pie but it's blueberry. Don't they know apple is her favorite? Stupid peasants. Anyway, Regina is still obsessing over Snow White. Her mother Cora sneaks out of Wonderland and gets Snow's heart as a gift. Her father Henry secretly switches it with one of the guards. Regina shrinks Henry down and sticks him in a box for safe keeping.

Back in Hell Regina and Henry share a tearful reunion. He finally understands why he's there. He had unfinished business with Regina. He meets his grandson Henry before walking into the light and heading for Heaven. As Regina passes the clock tower outside, time turns back one minute. Things are going their way... for now.

Cora later descends in the elevator in the library. She approaches a man who I assume is Hades (the dude has flaming hair). He's not happy that Cora failed at getting Regina to leave. He's also not thrilled that Henry escaped. Hades has a quota to maintain. He turns Cora back into a miller's daughter (which is where she started all those years ago).

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). "Souls Of The Departed" was an OK episode but I'm giving it bonus points for Regina's FTL escapades and her tearful reunion with Henry in Hell. Does that woman know how to turn on the waterworks or what? Also extra points for Neal. I never really like the scruffy dude but that was a tender moment between he and Emma. Robbie Kay was also excellent as Pan. The boy has some serious acting chops. And brace yourself cause Hercules arrives next week.