Sisters (Once Upon a Time)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

“Sisters” is the 19th episode of season 5 of Once Upon a Time, airing on April 24, 2016. In the present, Regina and Cora work together to keep Zelena away from Hades, while James pretends to be David. In flashbacks, Cora travels to Oz to bring Zelena to the Enchanted Forest to wake Regina.

In the Enchanted Forest years earlier, Regina wishes for her mother’s time. She finds a magic wand and tries to bring a sister to life, but the spell backfires. Cora and Prince Henry realize they must bring a magical family member to wake Regina, so Cora goes to Oz and brings Zelena. Zelena uses her magic to help wake Regina, and the two sisters become close once they learn they are related. Cora then wipes both sisters’ memories and sends Zelena back to Oz.

Back in the Underworld, Regina confronts Zelena about her feelings for Hades. Cora is in the Underworld Mill and, after meeting Zelena, devises a plan to make Zelena forget about Hades using River Lethe water. Zelena suspects her mother’s motives but the two later have a difficult reunion. Cora apologizes for how she raised them and the sisters begin to heal. Cora then chooses to move on, joining her husband Henry Mills on Mount Olympus.

Regina then gives Zelena her blessing to be with Hades, who is waiting for Zelena at the Underworld Diner. Meanwhile, another storyline follows David and James, with James blaming David for their past and attempting to capture Zelena’s baby with Cruella’s help. David and Hook rescue Emma and Robin Hood, and James is pulled into the River of Lost Souls, condemned to eternal torment. Cruella escapes.

Meanwhile, Gold (Rumplestiltskin) watches Belle and decides to use dark magic to save their child, while Peter Pan is brought in as a “loophole” and abducts Zelena.

The episode is dedicated to producer Scott Nimerfro, who died shortly before it aired. Critics gave it positive notes on its emotional focus on siblings. Andrea Towers (Entertainment Weekly) praised the themes of sisterly bonds and forgiveness, though noted not every reunion is perfect. Nick Roman (Rickey.org) called it a strong, character-driven installment. Amy Ratcliffe (IGN) gave it 7.5 out of 10, saying Zelena and Regina’s relationship carried the episode, with some reservations about Cora’s arc. The AV Club rated it a B+.