Once Upon a Time‘s action packed episode last night left viewers with one major twist to Gold’s plan for freedom. But does that mean that Hook must die?

Hook’s heart may be bright and full of love for Emma, but it no longer beats in his chest. As last night’s Once Upon a Time season 4, episode 8, “Smash the Mirror,” drew to a close the secret to Rumpelstiltskin’s freedom from the dagger was revealed. The missing piece is the heart of someone who knew him before he was the Dark One. The only living person who remembers the man from that long ago is Hook.

But will this mean that Hook is destined to meet his death? Rumpelstiltskin is nothing, if not persistent in his endeavors to have control and endless power, even if this means finally getting revenge of the pirate. As we saw at the end of last night’s episode, Hook certainly believes that he is in a losing battle for his life. With his heart gone, he practically burns Emma with his gaze as he holds her for what could be the beginning of the end.

Colin O’Donoghue had this to say in a chat with EW, “Hook firmly believes that Rumpelstiltskin is going to kill him. He has to do whatever Rumple tells him to, but he can’t help but already miss the idea of not having Emma. He’s desperate to try and figure out a way to survive, but for somebody who prides himself on being a survivor, this is the last grasp.”

Hook’s first mission under Gold’s control may have been a simple retrieval of the hat, but there is more dirty work to come for the pirate. O’Donoghue teases, “He uses Hook as a hit man to get [other magical beings].”

After all the work to make himself a better man, don’t expect Hook to enjoy any part of his future. “He really doesn’t want to have to do that, and it’s killing him to have to pretend to Emma that everything is okay. He’s remorseful for that, but he has no choice.”

What about the future of CaptainSwan? Emma is already uneasy about Killian’s behavior, so how long will it take her to find out what he is hiding from her? The answer is not as soon as viewers would hope! Jennifer Morrison, also speaking with EW, says, “She senses something, but she doesn’t have time to figure out. As we’ve established before, Regina (Lana Parrilla) spent a long time without her heart and it didn’t stop her from loving Henry (Jared Gilmore) or Robin Hood (Sean Maguire). Hook doesn’t cease being Hook and doesn’t cease having the feelings that he has for Emma.” We are not sure which is worse: watching Hook fake his well-being or seeing Emma feel completely safe in their relationship?

Hook certainly has quite the emotional baggage to carry around for the remainder of the season. (And we thought Robin had it bad!)

What do you think will become of Hook? Is there anyone walking around Storybrooke who can recall the Dark One, before he was dark? Maybe there is still a flashback to come, but until then, let the speculations fly!

Once Upon a Time season 4, episode 9, “Fall,” returns Sunday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.