Once Upon a Time Season 5 Episode 6 Review/Recap

Back in episode 6 they finally free Merlin from the tree back in Camelot.In this episode we don't really learn more about what happened in Camelot. We learn more about Merida's story, which is actually pretty awesome.

After the group frees Merlin, they all storm the castle to rescue Lancelot and Merida from the dungeon. They surprisingly succeed without King Arthur intervening for once. After everyone is safe and sound they head to the woods. Merida distracts Belle from the rest of the group. Out of desperation to save her brothers she hits Belle, knocking her unconscious. Belle wakes up on a small boat with Merida, confused and angry. Even though Merida Kidnapped her Merida still is able to convince her to help her find her brothers.

They arrive at a magic cauldron and Merida and Belle see her brothers deathly fate. Belle promises to help Merida save her brothers from a twisted man who wants her crown. They show up, and Merida has a plan. She has a special potion that will turn her into a bear. But Belle switches the potion with water to prove to Merida she can save her brothers without the potion. And Merida, being a badass archer, uses her bow to save her brothers. She shoots her bow to the three of them and the arrow tears through all three ropes that were about to hang them. Everyone is stunned and impressed. They all bow to her, and she gains her Kingdom as well as her brothers' lives.

Back in the present, the group is determined to find out what happened back in Camelot. They ask King Arthur to try and talk to Merlin who is trapped in the toadstool. He agrees but lights it on fire when everyone leaves the room. Luckily it isn't destroyed and now everyone knows he's not on their side after they find the toadstool in the ashes. They instead ask Henry, who's the only other person with a  connection with Merlin (now being the author). 

While everyone is trying to contact Merlin, Rumpel is becoming a hero. Yes, the once before evil Dark One is now becoming a hero! Merida takes Emma to their camp in the woods where she left Rumpel tied up. But when they arrive he is no longer there. Rumpel has escaped and is looking for Belle. He finds her and they have a wonderful moment. He thanks her for always being there while he was in the coma. That she is the reason he is still alive.

Now that Rumpel has escaped, Emma, who still has Merida's heart, orders her to find Belle and kill her. Apparently this was Emma's plan all along, because she knows Rumpel will do anything to save Belle. She believes having Belle in danger will turn Rumpel into the hero she desperately needs. 

So Merida runs after them, and Rumpel realizes Emma's plan. They run from Merida and drive off toward the town line. Rumpel tells Belle that leaving Storybrooke is the only way to keep her safe. But Belle can't leave her friends behind, and orders to let her out of the car. A cowardly Rumpel eventually stops the car to let her escape. He tells her he can't stand up for her, because he will always be a coward. 

Belle leaves Rumpel and Merida is waiting down the street. She takes a the potion that turns her into a bear, and the chase begins. Belle runs into the woods, trying to get away from Merida. Rumpel finally shows up at the last second, and protects Belle. He throws an anecdote into the bears mouth and Merida returns to her normal form. He finally becomes a hero.

Now that he's a hero, he goes back with Emma to pull the sword from the stone. But before he does, he makes a deal with Emma to give back Merida's heart. She does, eager to have the sword. He easily pulls the sword from the stone, making Emma very happy.

I really enjoyed learning more about Merida, I think she's a great character! And a badass I'm kind of obsessed with archery. I can't wait to see what Emma will do now with the sword and her dagger.