Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-6175354-20140207012130/@comment-5655661-20140208221712

I guess Hook somehow escaped the Curse so he kept his memories from the year in the FTL and is also able to come to and leave Storybrooke without any problems (since he is not cursed). That would make sense especially if someone casted the Curse to save those characters from whatever threat they were facing. They had to send someone to our world before the Curse so he/she can find Emma and bring her to Storybrooke and for some reason they chose Hook.

Imagine if someone had to sacrifice his/her own life so the Curse could be cast (heart of the thing you love most) and save them all.

Regina did know that Emma would come and that she is Henry's mother but since she drank a potion I guess she forgot it (Saving Henry). But before that I don't think she was aware what a threat Snow's child would be. She thought that Curse was her endgame and that no one would break it.