I thought this episode had some really good moments. I give it a 8/10
Liked:
Rumple being a good dad in both the past and present. This is the Rumple I love the most a really caring dad who would do anything to protect his sons even darken his soul and jeopardize how his son perceives him
Regina’s I will always have to pay the price for what she did….what I did. GREAT character moment
Rumple and Blue Fairy’s conversation. Yes Blue it is partially your fault, she is such a powerless useless character
Belle understanding and not blaming Rumple for doing what he did to the blue fairy so that Gideon would not have to darken his soul.
Hook actually saying that he wanted to tell Emma the truth
Mixed:
Bae being influenced by the power of the dagger. I understand what the episode was trying to say which is that anyone can be influenced by dark magic and power, but it just felt so out of character from the Bae that we all know. The only thing that saved this at all was the memory potion which was a good use of it. Rumple used the potion to break the influence of the dagger on Bae.
Rumple trying to use the memory potion on Gideon, instead of reassuring him that he was just a kid who was being manipulated and that it does not make him a coward it makes him a normal scared kid which is okay. Rumple you can’t always and shouldn’t always take the easy way out.
Hook not telling Emma the truth although this felt in character for Hook who always tries to deflect responsibility and take the easy way out.