Ep 19. Sympathy for the De Vil

In the nineteenth episode of the fourth season of Once Upon a Time, titled "Sympathy for the De Vil," the spotlight is turned to the infamous villainess Cruella De Vil. As the residents of Storybrooke come to the realization that Cruella may be hiding a dark secret, they must work together to uncover the truth about her past and her ultimate goals.

The episode begins with Emma, Regina, and Henry on the hunt for clues about the mysterious author of Henry's storybook. With the help of August, who has returned to Storybrooke, they discover that the author may have some connection to the magical quill that Regina used to cast the curse that created Storybrooke itself. As they search for more information about the quill, they begin to realize that they may have to enlist the help of an unlikely ally: Cruella De Vil.

Meanwhile, in flashbacks to the Enchanted Forest, we see Cruella as a young girl living in poverty with her mother. When her mother falls ill, Cruella is forced to work for a wealthy family in order to pay for her mother's treatment. It is here that we first see the darkness that lurks within Cruella, as she takes pleasure in tormenting the family's dogs.

Back in Storybrooke, Emma, Regina, and August approach Cruella and offer her a deal: in exchange for her help in locating the author of the storybook, they will track down her long-lost mother, who she believes to be alive and living in hiding. Despite her initial resistance, Cruella ultimately agrees to the deal, leading the group on a wild goose chase to find her mother.

It is during this quest that the truth about Cruella's past is revealed. As the group tracks down her mother, they discover that Cruella was responsible for her own mother's death, and has been living a lie ever since. When she finally confronts Emma, Regina, and August with the truth, she reveals that her ultimate goal is to escape the confines of her cursed existence in Storybrooke by using the author's power to rewrite her own story.

In the end, the episode leaves us with the revelation that the person behind the curse on the town of Storybrooke has been none other than the evil sorcerer himself, Rumplestiltskin. As Emma and Regina work to stop Rumplestiltskin's nefarious plans, they must also come to terms with the fact that their own actions have had unintended consequences that threaten the safety of everyone in Storybrooke.

Overall, "Sympathy for the De Vil" is a thrilling episode that provides a deeper understanding of one of the most enigmatic and dangerous villains in the Once Upon a Time universe. With its intricate plot and intense character development, this episode is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.