This was what everyone initially thought, but the hints have definitely been that Rapunzel is Victoria. I am glad that she is not the mother of Hook’s baby though. I would rather it be Gothel. This episode was like a bunch of nothing, plot, plot, plot, no character development, then a trick ending.
I still think that real Rapunzel is Victory, though maybe this is all they are going to do with it for now. Why is Gothel not older? It has been at least 20 years since Alice was born, possibly longer. Hook was pretty old. I guess she has magic. That’s why is the answer.
I think the idea of Hook staying and raising the baby is ridiculous. He would never do that. He sold Bae to Pan. He killed his father and abandoned his brother. There is no i am going to take care of this helpless infant in Hook’s character.