Gothel

"I've been a gardener my whole life. And I can honestly say there is no greater pest than humanity."

- Eloise Gardener to Margot

Mother Gothel, also known as Mother Nature, the Witch, briefly known as Rapunzel, and currently known as Eloise Gardener, is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. She débuts in the third episode of the seventh season. She is portrayed by guest star Emma Booth.

Gothel is based on the character of the same name from the fairytale "Rapunzel", and the Disney film Tangled. She also takes the role of Mother Nature, and briefly the role of Rapunzel.

Trivia

 * -|Character Notes=

Etymology

 * Gothel claims that she calls herself "Mother Gothel" because, according to her, she tends people's needs like a mother would do.
 * "Mother" is actually an inherited title for the leader of the tree nymphs.
 * In addition, the name "Gothel", which comes from the "Rapunzel" fairytale, is an ancient German phrase for "godmother".
 * The word "gardener" refers to a person who tends and cultivates a garden as a pastime or for a living. This is a not so subtle reference to Gothel's secret garden and phytokinetic abilities.
 * It is also a reference to Eloise being a member of the Coven of the Eight. Just like fellow members Ivy Belfrey, Doctor Sage, Hilda Braeburn and Tilly, her name comes from plants.


 * -|Production Notes=

Production Notes

 * Her original casting announcement described her as "the Witch who is as wicked as they come", before being deleted.
 * According to Adam Horowitz, this description is mainly speculation from the press as the writing staff never used the word "wicked" to describe this character.
 * After the airing of "Beauty", Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis said that Eloise Gardener was Rogers' missing daughter. This information turned out to be wrong as the witch is the mother of the missing daughter, who is Tilly.


 * -|Cultural References=

Disney

 * The red dress Regina wears in Camelot resembles Disney's Mother Gothel.

Fairytales and Folklore

 * Eloise, whose original counterpart is Gothel, being trapped in the Belfrey Towers is a reference to the "Rapunzel" fairytale, where Rapunzel is trapped in a tower by Gothel.


 * -|Goofs=

Goofs

 * On her police file, Eloise's last name is misspelled as "Gardner", instead of "Gardener".