Ep 7. Eloise Gardener

Eloise Gardener is the seventh episode of the seventh season of the American fairy tale drama television series, Once Upon a Time. The series was created by Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis and premiered on ABC on October 23, 2011. This episode originally aired on November 17, 2017.

The episode begins with Victoria Belfrey (Gabrielle Anwar) awakening from a nightmare in which she is chased by a hooded figure. She confides in Weaver (Robert Carlyle), who suggests that she may be afraid of her own past catching up with her. Meanwhile, Henry (Andrew J. West) and Jacinda (Dania Ramirez) go on a date but are interrupted by Lucy (Alison Fernandez), who is concerned about her mother's safety due to the recurring nightmares she has been having.

Upon hearing of Victoria's nightmares, Roni (Lana Parrilla) realizes that they may be related to a garden in the Storybrooke graveyard that she once saw Victoria visit. In order to investigate, Roni disguises herself as her old persona, Regina, and uses the Dark One's dagger to summon Belle (Emilie de Ravin) from the afterlife. Despite Belle's reluctance to help Weaver, she agrees to help Roni in exchange for seeing her daughter again.

While searching for clues in the garden, Roni and Belle encounter a woman named Eloise Gardener (Emma Booth) who claims to know Victoria. After following Eloise into a bar, Roni overhears a conversation between her and Victoria's hooded pursuer. She realizes that Eloise is actually Drizella (Adelaide Kane), Victoria's estranged daughter, and that they are plotting to find Anastasia (Yael Yurman), Drizella's sister and Victoria's missing daughter.

In the past, we see a young Drizella (Adelaide Kane) desperate to gain her mother's approval and become a powerful witch like her sister Anastasia (Yael Yurman). However, her mother constantly undermines her efforts, leading to Drizella seeking out a mentor in the form of Gothel (Emma Booth). As Drizella trains under Gothel's guidance, she becomes consumed with revenge against her family and starts to plot against them.

In the present, Drizella and Victoria kidnap Hansel (Nathan Parsons), one of Jacinda's old boyfriends, and force him to lure Lucy into a trap. However, Lucy is saved by Henry and the others, and they manage to escape with the help of Weaver, who uses the Dark One's powers to defeat Drizella and Victoria.

After the battle, Weaver reveals to Roni that he is still searching for his son by using the Dark One's powers. Belle returns to the afterlife, content in the knowledge that her daughter will be safe in Roni's care.

In the final scenes, Jacinda and Henry share a kiss, while Victoria confronts Drizella and tells her that she will never forgive her for her betrayal. Drizella, however, remains unfazed, confident that she will soon have the power to take what she wants. Meanwhile, in a post-credits scene, it is revealed that Tiana (Mekia Cox) has come to Hyperion Heights, setting the stage for further adventures to come.

Overall, Eloise Gardener is an intriguing and action-packed episode that further explores the complex relationships between the show's characters. The past and present storylines are seamlessly integrated, with strong performances from the cast and plenty of surprises along the way.