Mr Gold’s file card: false memories and forgiveness

I haven’t cared all that much for “True North”: I’ve always found the Hansel & Gretel story gruesome, and besides, this episode contains no Rumple. But in rewatching it, I’ve come to appreciate it for what it reveals about Emma–and now, re-rewatching it, for what it reveals about Gold.

In his only, very brief, appearance in “True North, ” Gold reveals three important facts about himself. When Emma comes in to ask about the compass, Gold seems to be expecting her. We’ve come to expect that from Gold: he usually knows ahead of time when someone will come by and why. Then we get to see him at work: it seems like all he ever does is take inventory or clean and repair objects, but here we see he really does know about antiques. We also see that he apparently likes Emma; he’s sincere and friendly with her, as he is with Henry.

But then he does two strange things. First, he pretends he doesn’t remember who bought the compass. Why the deceit? Is he trying to give Emma the impression that he’s not as sharp as he really is? Or is the file card fake because the sale never actually happened? Was the sale another false memory implanted by Regina? If so, is Gold a co-conspirator in creating those false memories?

Or is it something even bigger? What if that fake card is one of many fake records–what if Storybrooke has no actual records because Storybrooke doesn’t exist? What if the whole town is an illusion brought on by the curse?

The other odd thing is Gold’s response to Emma’s question when she asks the price for the information. He says, “Forgiveness.” Not “Accept my apology for tricking you before.” He wants forgiveness, which implies a much larger infraction than “I apologize” or “Excuse me. ” Maybe what he seeks is forgiveness for all his crimes against her, past and future. His request shows he knows how much harm he’s caused and he regrets it, but perhaps he couldn’t see a way to achieve his mission without hurting innocent people.

I believe this request shows us his heart. He will someday seek forgiveness from all yhe innocents– maybe he ‘ll even ask Regina’s forgiveness