Dr. Whale does seem to be one of Regina’s minions. So he is in debted to her somehow. Regina did say to Rumple that she need help with a certain mermaid. Dr. Whale does not have any contact or association with Dr. Hopper or Marco, so I can go along with Dr. Whale being involved with the Little Mermaid Story. It will only be confirmed if they do show Ariel’s Storybrooke counterpart and see if she has any contact with Whale. He has been seen with Red, Mary Margaret and David though so he can still fit into the Charming / Snow White story.
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