Although the theory of Whale being Frankenstein is beginning to look more likely, I am still not entirely convinced. Whale’s line to Charming “You’re not my Prince” doesn’t fit in with Frankenstein although perhaps Whale meant that because he doesn’t have a prince to answer to he’s not going to start answering to Charming. We know Whale is from another world, he appears to be an associate of Jefferson and they both seem to be fleeing from Rumple.
Regina’s comments to Jefferson in Hat Trick about his state of living suggest that these scenes with Jefferson and a young Regina happen before Jefferson stops using his hat which Charming crushed in Broken 😆