1. Yes, it was Jefferson’s curse to remember….he tells Emma this in Hat Trick.
2. The time line is a bit confusing, but, considering that these tales have been around for centuries, I remember something Stephen King said a while back –
No matter how old a stoy is or how many times it’s told, there is always someone, somewhere that is hearing it for the first time.
In other words, every time a story is told or a book is open, the story starts over…..regardless of when.
MM said to Emma, I think in Ture North, that these stories (in Henry’s book) are not the traditional fairy tales.
Also, K&H said this (OUAT) is Emma’s story and it’s being told now……maybe the other ‘characters’ are in it being ‘retold’……..???
OUAT is literally about a story book.
4. Regina told Archie that she brought who she wanted.
She probably brought Victor to punish him for what he did to her when it came to Daniel.