There was a lot going on in episode three of ABC’s Once Upon a Time‘s fourth season, with storylines advancing on all fronts and with the identity of the Snow Queen (played by Elizabeth Mitchell) verified. So much ground was covered that there wasn’t any one scene that defined the episode (the introduction of Will to the series was possibly the episode’s most memorable). Titled “Rocky Road,” episode three confirmed suspicions regarding the relationship between Rumple, Elsa, and the Snow Queen, and it offered an explanation as to why Emma’s so leery of being in an actual relationship with Hook.

Regina has yet to return to the dark side and Robin confessed how he really feels about Marion, while in Arendelle Kristoff proved he’s willing to do anything to keep Anna’s sister Elsa – and the kingdom – safe.

For those who need a walk-through of the events of “Rocky Road,” here’s a detailed recap of what transpired:

Arendelle, an Urn, and Kristoff the Hero:

Elsa and Kristoff continue to be worried about Anna’s absence, however, Kristoff’s holding up better than Anna’s sister. Elsa wants to take off and try to find her sister, but Kristoff uses logic and reason to keep Elsa out of danger and in place as the ruler of Arendelle. (An observation: No scene more than this one looked like an animated film come to life, lit in such a way as to make both Elsa and Kristoff look plastic yet real.)

A soldier arrives with news that an army’s amassing and Kristoff, of course, volunteers to go check it out. Elsa tells him to stay put as she doesn’t believe her sister would appreciate her fiancee getting injured or killed before the wedding, but Kristoff sneaks off anyway. He comes upon Hans and his 12 brothers bickering over a fire, with all but Hans laughing over the idea of Hans ruling Arendelle. A pissed-off Hans makes them stop laughing when he whips out a drawing of an urn and assures them his plan to be Arendelle’s king will happen once Elsa is inside the urn.

After overhearing this game-changing plan, Kristoff races back to the castle and interrupts Elsa’s meeting with her soldiers. Kristoff reveals the urn is hidden in a valley and he believes it should be destroyed so that Elsa will no longer be in danger and so that Hans won’t have a powerful tool in his possession. Elsa suggest she and Kristoff search out the urn on their own (without any soldiers) and Kristoff reluctantly agrees.

The urn is ancient and has the power to trap people who are magic users. Elsa realizes that must mean she’s not alone after all and that there are others like her out there, which gives her reason to hope she’ll be able to talk to people who understand what she’s going through. Once the pair find the urn, Elsa is almost ready to destroy it at Kristoff’s urging when suddenly strange words appear on its side. She asks Kristoff what he thinks it says, and he promptly replies, “Dangerous urn – keep away.” Smart man.

Elsa now firmly believes that it will help her locate other magic users, but the decision on whether to destroy it or not is taken out of her hands with the arrival of Hans and three of his brothers. Elsa uses her magic against them but is forced to back off when they grab Kristoff and threaten to kill him if she doesn’t hand over the urn. She does, even though Kristoff warns her that by doing so, she’ll be giving Hans the power to entrap her inside the urn, effectively dooming Arendelle.

Hans doesn’t believe Elsa belongs in charge of Arendelle, and he wants to send her somewhere where it will be like she doesn’t even exist. A liquid spreads toward her feet to encase her but suddenly veers sharply off. The Snow Queen materializes out of the liquid and freezes Hans as his brothers flee. “I know from experience no one should be trapped in that urn, especially someone as special as you,” says the Snow Queen.

The two compare notes on their magical talents once they’re back at the castle and, spotting the portrait of Elsa’s mother and father, the Snow Queen reveals she’s Elsa’s mother’s sister. The Snow Queen was trapped in the urn by people who feared her, and now she swears to Elsa that she’ll work with her to locate Anna, declaring, “That’s what family’s for.”

Meanwhile, in Storybrooke:

Robin’s walking casually with Marion and his son through the town when the kid says he wants an ice cream. Robin gives in, and at the ice cream shop the owner whips up a special treat for Marion, complete with sprinkles. However, unbeknownst to the happy family, she uses magic on Marion’s cone before sending them on their merry way.

Emma’s still trying to find out why Elsa was in the urn inside Rumple’s “secret vault of terror.” Rumple continues to claim he doesn’t know Elsa and Elsa still can’t remember anything. Rumple is sticking to his story that he’s turned over a new leaf following the death of his son and his marriage to Belle, and even has Belle use the dagger on him to compel him to tell the truth because Emma wants proof.

Meanwhile, Mary Margaret’s embracing the idea of open government by hosting her first fireside chat as Mayor. Although she doesn’t anticipate any problems, the good citizens of Storybrooke have a different idea. They’re scared of the ice wall and they’re frightened of Elsa. The meeting comes to an abrupt halt when Marion starts sprouting white streaks in her hair and passes out in the middle of the meeting.

In another part of town, Regina seems back to normal, smiling and chatting with Henry in the coffee shop. She tries to get the info on who wrote his storybook by bringing him S.H.I.E.L.D. and Thor comics, but he’s a smart kid who immediately figures out that Regina wants something. She confesses she wants to find out who wrote the book in order to ‘ask’ them to write her a happy ending. Henry says it’s the best idea she’s ever had and the two launch a new secret mission: Operation Mongoose.

Robin needs help figuring out what’s up with Marion, and there’s no one in town who might be able to help him other than Regina. She agrees to see if there’s anything she can do and after insulting Mary Margaret’s decorating skills, she says that the freezing spell is strong magic. Elsa chimes in and says the only way to break the spell – which she didn’t cast – is true love’s kiss. Robin kisses her but Marion doesn’t wake up. Elsa knows the only way to clear her name is to find the person who really cast the spell, and she wants to help in the search, as does Hook, but Emma sends them both off with orders for Hook to see Elsa safely to the sheriff’s station. Hook is charged with keeping Elsa safe, but he takes her toward danger rather than away from it, something which Elsa approves of and eagerly embraces.

Emma and David search the forest looking for something ‘cold’ and find Will Scarlett (Michael Socha reprising his role from Once Upon a Time in Wonderland). He doesn’t like sheriffs very much and runs, but David tackles him. He tells them his name and that he used to be one of the Merry Men until he and Robin had a falling out. He’s been working his way down the town’s main street during the blackout doing what he does best – stealing things – and found the ice cream was still frozen solid at the shop, even when all the power was out and it should have been melted.

With Emma out in the forest, Hook takes Elsa to Rumple’s and wants the truth. He knows the dagger was a fake and he knows Rumple would never let anyone have power over him, not even Belle. “That’s a very dangerous insinuation,” says Rumple. “Good news, he’s agreed to help,” responds Hook. Using Marion’s hair, Rumple provides them with the clue that the magic is similar to Elsa’s but not quite the same. He also tells them that magic can change forms, but it can’t be destroyed and sends them off chasing snowflakes that are now trying to get back to the person who cast the spell.

Emma, Will and David head to the ice cream shop where Will attempts to break in but it’s Emma who actually succeeds in picking the lock. The shop’s completely quiet – no compressor or no cooling systems are going, which helps prove Will was right. While they’re not paying attention, Will steals the cash from the cash register and runs off. Emma thinks she’s the anti-savior now because she can’t see the cat for the trees.

Hook and Elsa travel through the forest tracking the snowflakes. Hook and Elsa discuss Emma and how maybe it’s possible Emma is scared of letting herself trust anyone, let alone a pirate. They finally catch up to the Snow Queen and Hook has to take a moment to explain to Elsa what a phone is as he calls Emma who doesn’t answer him, so he’s forced to leave a message.

The Snow Queen spots them and freezes Hook to the ground. She tells Elsa they have so much catching up to do. The trolls pulled her memories out and it was Anna who feared her and put her in the urn. Elsa doesn’t believe the Snow Queen who then neutralizes Elsa’s magic and has Hook ready to die under icicles. Emma and David run up and Emma uses her good magic to free Hook and stop the Snow Queen who escapes while Emma’s helping Hook, but not before she drops a hint that she and Emma also know each other well. Emma thinks her voice sounds familiar, but Elsa says the Snow Queen was lying about everything.

Back to the Regina/Robin storyline, Regina says the curse is working its way toward Marion’s heart and she needs to do something drastic. Robin tells her the kiss, which should have ended the curse didn’t work because he’s in love with someone else and he’s sorry he dragged Regina into this. Henry runs in with the box from Regina’s vault and Regina reaches into Marion’s chest and grabs her heart. The ice hasn’t touched it yet so Regina will keep it safe and beating until they find a cure.

After the adventures of the day, Hook wants to have a quiet drink with Emma. She turns him down and he thinks it’s because she doesn’t trust him. Finally, Emma tells him the real reason she’s pulled back: everyone she’s ever loved has died and she’s afraid of losing him too. He says that’s one thing she doesn’t have to worry about. “If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s surviving.” He really knows the way to a woman’s heart, doesn’t he?

As the episode finishes up, the Snow Queen and Rumple meet in the forest. He tells her he’s sorry things didn’t work out the way she wanted. “They will,” she responds. He asks if Emma remembered her and the Snow Queen says she didn’t, which is good, according to Rumple. He offers her help but she isn’t ready to make a deal with him… yet. He tells her to find some shelter because it’s getting “quite frosty.”

The Bottom Line:

It was great to see Michael Socha finally show up, and the introduction of his character should liven things up a bit. Also refreshing was the continuation of Regina’s storyline as a woman getting over a major break-up but dealing with it in an adult way. She’s not vengeful and it’s quite possible she’ll ultimately get that happy ending she so wants now that she’s teamed up with Henry to track down the author(s) of the storybook that’s been dedicating the behavior of the characters.

This episode was also a turning point in the relationship between Emma and Hook, with Hook finally understanding what it is that has made Emma push him away after they’d been getting along so well and after it looked like she was willing to take their relationship to the next step.

Overall, “Rocky Road” was an entertaining, well-paced episode that spread the wealth among all the key characters. Belle seems to be the one getting the short end of the stick when it comes to screen time this season, but with Rumple a key player in the Elsa storyline, Belle will likely get involved in the Storybrooke happenings later into the season.

GRADE: B