So first, I’m just putting it out there that wouldn’t Regina in FL have to physically remove the heart from Kathryn’s counterpart in FL in order to have it? I mean she had Graham’s heart because she tore it from the huntsman in FL – so are we assuming she did this to Kathryn’s FL counterpart so that Regina would have Katherine’s heart “on hand”? If the writers just do a dumb DNA testing accident route, i’m going to be disappointed.
Next, I see Katherine has roaming the woods. I think it is the type of deal that whenever someone tries to leave SB, something “magical” happens and they lose control/become disoriented. There has to be magic in SB – the place was created BY A CURSE. It is literally founded on magic. I really dont think anyone had anything to do with Kathryn’s disappearance. I think she tried to leave, was prevented by the magic of the curse, and ended up roaming around the forest till she found her way back. Regina just saw the scenario and decided she might as well take the opportunity to frame MM.
So magic in SB? Yes. But it is a unique, uncontrollable magic. Rumple isn’t going to be turning handsome men into roses anytime soon.