Once Upon a Time 5×15 put the secrets of “The Brothers Jones” in the spotlight at the cost of another’s story.

The continuing saga of Hook’s journey to be a full-fledged hero took a rather expected and disappointing turn in Once Upon a Time season 5, episode 15, “The Brothers Jones.” With Hook’s sacrifice at the close of the winter finale came a ship’s worth of unfinished business. Could he ever see himself as a hero after succumbing to his darkest instincts? Does he still feel deserving of a second change in Storybrooke? Are there still some lingering family matters to sort out?

All of these and more were answered in “The Brothers Jones,” but Liam’s role was less Underworld-shaking than it was another disappointment to add to Killian’s story. Killian thinks the world of Liam Jones. He has put him on a pedestal and judged every single one of his actions against either the principals of exhibiting good form or the honorable actions of his brother.

In Killian’s eyes his brother could do no wrong. So why did we need to sit through an entire episode of push and pull between Emma and Liam for Killian’s illusion to shatter? Wasn’t it enough to have him disappointed by a lackluster father who was willing to trade his new son, named after the more honorable brother, for an adventure? Why couldn’t we have one person in his life not be a major disappointment?

Because Liam’s brief resurgence drives home one of the cornerstones of season 5– everyone can be tempted. What you do when presented with that temptation is entirely up to you. The introduction of Hades, lord of the Underworld, dealmaker to fairytales’ finest, provides the undercurrent that carries Liam’s betrayal of his attempt at mutiny. Hades is presented with a ship full of ill-fated sailors. Rather than lose the lot of them, he trades away two souls and a jewel of the sea, the Eye of the Storm, for instant gratification.

If Hades were stronger he could have gained numerous more souls in the long run. Ships would continue to sail their way into the heart of that hurricane for the chance at glory. But what feels right in the moment is something that even the master of manipulation can’t resist. Liam is no different, he saw a future for Killian and himself and went for it.

Regardless of his deal with the devil, Liam presented an interesting case against another of Hook’s heroes. Let’s take a look at Liam’s interactions with Emma for a quick second. I’m going to play Hades’ advocate here and agree with Liam — Emma is selfish. Emma refused to let Hook die by turning him into the one thing he hates most in the world, the Dark One. Emma ignored every request made by the pirate to greet his fate and die a hero. Killian may never be able to forgive himself for the actions of his past, a point that Regina agrees is hard to do when beacons of heroism are constantly blocking your view of the future.

Which brings us back to the necessity of Liam’s story. When Emma tries to throw Liam under the bus and out him as a pawn in Hades’ game to ensure the protection of his dark tale, Hook recoils at the idea that more than one hero in his book could let him down. But he is forced to look at the seedy underbelly of yet another icon in his life and see that everyone has their brush with darkness. It is what they choose to do with it that sets them on the path of righteousness of darkness. Hook chose the latter many moons ago, but Liam made one wrong choice and lived on to become a hero. Emma made a few wrong choices, but she tried to keep everyone around her the hero they believe they are.

There is a dark spot on everyone’s heart. Heroes and villains alike. I don’t agree with Liam that Killian should stop reaching for the bar set by those he admires. I think he needs to adjust his perspective. The bar is much lower than he thinks.

Meanwhile in underserved stories of ‘Once Upon a Time’

I am about as fed up with Once Upon a Time‘s attention to Henry as Henry finally admits to feeling aloud. Cruella and Henry made a deal, what feels like weeks ago, that once Henry discovers where the quill exists in the Underworld he can restore her to life and clear his mother’s guilty conscience (at least of one murder). Henry finally feels some sense of agency in this world and yet no one else seems to care. Emma’s passive remarks, “Henry ran off somewhere,” and referring to him as an “emo teenager” reduce his feelings to something that can continue to be ignored as long as the teams’ M.O. is fulfilled.

Don’t forget, Henry wants to save Hook. He wants to get everyone home. He wants to be useful. So when the Apprentice appears and tells him to simply play recorder of the stories, he rebels. Who wants to sit around telling other people’s stories when they don’t want to invite him into the action? I loved that when Henry found the quill he made a bit of a power play. He say upstairs dealing with a difficult decision– lean to the darkness and keep the little bit of agency he has and rewrite Cruella’s story or lean to the light and help the greater good.

Henry is still the boy everyone expects him to be. I want him to do more. I want him to give into temptation. Let Henry make a mistake.

Stray observations:

• Emma’s home is decked out in the style of the lost children. No wonder the tree from her initial transportation to the real world and Christopher Robin’s best friends make an appearance in the living room.

• Cruella and James are my new favorite couple. Wait, maybe it’s Zelena and Hades? Underworld ships are starting to sail.

Watch Once Upon a Time season 5, episode 16, “Our Decay,” next Sunday, April 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.