Henry Mills, the heart and conscience of Once Upon a Time, faced his toughest challenge yet in Season 7. The answer to the burning question of when he finally breaks the curse is: Henry breaks the curse in Episode 12, titled “A Taste of the Heights.” This pivotal episode marks a turning point in the season, restoring memories and reigniting hope in Hyperion Heights.
Understanding the Hyperion Heights Curse
Season 7 introduced a new curse, orchestrated by Drizella/Ivy Belfrey (Adelaide Kane), designed to trap Henry and the other fairytale characters in Hyperion Heights, Seattle. Unlike previous curses, this one targeted generational curses and manipulated memories across different timelines. The curse primarily affected the “cursed” versions of the core characters: Henry, Regina, Hook, and Rumplestiltskin.
The Key Players and Their Cursed Identities
- Henry Mills became Henry Rodriguez, a rideshare driver with a complicated relationship with his wife, Ella/Cinderella. He suffered amnesia, unaware of his true identity as the son of Emma Swan and the grandson of Snow White and Prince Charming.
- Regina Mills transformed into Roni, a cynical bar owner, also stripped of her memories and magical abilities. She retained flashes of her past but struggled to piece them together.
- Captain Hook became Rogers, a Seattle police officer haunted by the disappearance of his lost love, searching relentlessly for clues.
- Rumplestiltskin was reborn as Weaver, a detective entangled in shady dealings, his cunning still present but masked by the curse.
The Mechanics of the Curse
Drizella’s curse was unique in its complexity. It not only erased memories but also created new identities and histories for the characters. The curse was also designed to target true love, preventing Henry and Ella from finding lasting happiness. It even involved manipulating time itself, making it difficult for anyone to escape its grasp.
“A Taste of the Heights”: The Turning Point
Episode 12, “A Taste of the Heights,” focuses on the escalating conflict between Victoria Belfrey (Rapunzel Tremaine) and her daughters, Drizella and Anastasia. It also depicts Henry’s growing suspicion that something is amiss in Hyperion Heights, hinting at a life he can’t quite remember.
The Catalyst for Breaking the Curse
The catalyst for breaking the curse lies in Henry’s unwavering belief in true love and the power of family. His connection with Ella, even under the curse, proves too strong for Drizella’s magic to contain. A key moment involves Henry choosing to trust his instincts and stand by Ella, despite the lies and manipulations surrounding him.
The Moment of Revelation
The actual moment of the curse breaking occurs when Henry kisses Ella, truly believing in their love. This act of selfless love triggers a wave of memories, flooding back into Henry and shattering the carefully constructed illusion. He remembers his life in Storybrooke, his family, and his destiny.
The Aftermath of the Broken Curse
Breaking the curse has a ripple effect, starting with Henry and gradually spreading to the other cursed residents of Hyperion Heights. Regina, Hook, and Rumplestiltskin begin to regain their memories, although the process is not immediate or painless. The breaking of the curse also sets the stage for the final confrontation with Drizella and the unraveling of her master plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Henry Breaking the Curse
FAQ 1: Why did Drizella target Henry with the curse?
Drizella, fueled by years of resentment towards her mother and Cinderella, saw Henry as a symbol of hope and happiness. By cursing him, she aimed to destroy his faith in true love and perpetuate her own cycle of bitterness. She also needed Henry’s belief in hope to ultimately revive Anastasia.
FAQ 2: How was this curse different from the previous ones in the series?
This curse was more sophisticated, targeting memories across different timelines and manipulating identities more thoroughly. It also relied on generational curses, making it more deeply rooted and harder to break than previous iterations.
FAQ 3: Did Lucy, Henry’s daughter, play a role in breaking the curse?
Yes, Lucy’s unwavering belief in Henry and the fairytale characters served as a constant beacon of hope. Her persistent attempts to remind Henry of his true identity, coupled with her inherent goodness, significantly contributed to the weakening of the curse. Lucy was essentially the anchor to the true Henry.
FAQ 4: What happened to Drizella after the curse was broken?
While her curse was broken, Drizella didn’t immediately experience redemption. She continued to grapple with her past and the consequences of her actions. Eventually, she began a slow path toward forgiveness, ultimately understanding the pain she had inflicted.
FAQ 5: Did Regina remember everything immediately after the curse broke?
No, the process of regaining memories was gradual for Regina and the other characters. They experienced flashes of their past, struggled to reconcile their cursed identities with their true selves, and slowly pieced together the fragments of their forgotten lives.
FAQ 6: How did the curse affect the new characters introduced in Season 7?
The new characters, like Ella and Jacinda, were integral to the curse’s narrative. They were given new identities and backstories as part of the curse, and their relationships with the original characters were manipulated to serve Drizella’s agenda.
FAQ 7: What were the immediate consequences of Henry regaining his memories?
Henry’s restored memories empowered him to take action against Drizella and fight for the happiness of his family. He also became a driving force in helping the other cursed residents of Hyperion Heights regain their true identities.
FAQ 8: Why was true love’s kiss necessary to break this curse?
True love’s kiss has always been a powerful force in Once Upon a Time, symbolizing the strength of selfless love and the triumph over darkness. In this case, Henry’s genuine love for Ella, despite the curse’s manipulations, was the key to unlocking his memories and shattering the illusion.
FAQ 9: Did Weaver and Rogers also break free from the curse in the same episode?
While the groundwork was laid for their awakening in “A Taste of the Heights,” Weaver (Rumplestiltskin) and Rogers (Hook) didn’t fully regain their memories until subsequent episodes. The breaking of Henry’s curse acted as a catalyst, but their individual journeys to self-discovery continued.
FAQ 10: How did breaking the curse impact the storyline of the season moving forward?
Breaking the curse shifted the focus from escaping Hyperion Heights to confronting the underlying issues that led to the curse in the first place. It allowed the characters to actively fight against Drizella’s plans and work towards a lasting resolution.
FAQ 11: Was there any magic or object that helped Henry to break the curse?
While Lucy’s unwavering belief was crucial, there wasn’t a specific magical object involved in Henry breaking the curse. It was the power of his and Ella’s true love that served as the catalyst. However, other magical objects, like Rumplestiltskin’s dagger, played important roles later in the season.
FAQ 12: Could Drizella have stopped Henry from breaking the curse?
Drizella’s control over the curse weakened as Henry’s connection with Ella grew stronger. While she attempted to manipulate events and sow seeds of doubt, her power ultimately paled in comparison to the force of true love. Her failure to recognize the strength of Henry and Ella’s bond proved to be her undoing.
In conclusion, “A Taste of the Heights” represents a crucial turning point in Season 7 of Once Upon a Time. Henry’s act of breaking the curse underscores the enduring power of true love, family, and belief, setting the stage for the final battles and ultimate triumph of good over evil. The unraveling of the Hyperion Heights curse is a testament to the unwavering hope that defines the very essence of the show.