About 2×16 “The Miller’s Daughter,” airing March 10, 2103

A gloved hand holds the dagger (screenshot from promo for 2×16 “The Miller’s Daughter”)

Next week is the much-anticipated episode The Miller’s Daughter. Info about the episode is after the jump.

Yes, as we expected, the episode will give us Cora’s backstory — and it will use elements of the classic tale that gives the episode its name.

Official episode description

Cora’s desire to rid herself of Rumplestiltskin in order to take his place as The Dark One takes one step closer to becoming reality as she and Regina try to overpower a dying Mr. Gold, and Mary Margaret is once again tempted by dark magic.

Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Rumplestiltskin agrees to offer his services to a younger Cora – for a price – when the king calls her bluff and orders her to actually follow through on her boast of being able to spin straw into gold

Returning guest stars

Barbara Hershey as Cora
Michael Raymond-James as Neal Cassidy

New guest stars

Rose McGowan as younger Cora
Gerry Rousseau as father
Joaquim de Almeida as King Xavier
Eva Allan as Princess Eva
Zak Santiago as Prince Henry
Sonequa Martin-Green as Tamara

Behind the camera

Jane Espenson wrote the episode (yay!), and Ralph Hemecker was the director.

Questions

What do you think Rumpelstiltskin’s price will be? Do you think this episode will make you feel more sympathetic to Cora? Would you be glad if it does, or would you prefer she remain a villain through and through, all evil with no redeeming qualities?

No one’s name is written on the dagger in the screenshot at the top of this post. What do you make of that?