- “Who are you in the other land, Whale?
That's my business.” - ―David Nolan and Dr. Whale[src]
Victor Frankenstein, also known as Dr. Whale, following the Dark Curse, is a character featured in the ABC fantasy-drama series, Once Upon a Time. He is portrayed by David Anders.
Frankenstein is a scientist, originating from the Land Without Color. After his older brother is killed, he wagers a deal with the sorcerer, Rumplestiltskin, to resurrect him. In Storybrooke, he is the head of Storybrooke General Hospital.
History[]
In the Land Without Color, Victor originally seeks a way to restore life to the dead but has his funding pulled by his father. Rumplestiltskin offers him gold in exchange for the scientific method on how to revive the dead as magic could not. Victor robs a grave for body parts to experiment on but is caught by Gerhardt who is shot by a police officer. As Victor attempts to bring Gerhardt back to life, electricity cannot revive him, so Rumplestiltskin instead offers a heart from the Enchanted Forest. As part of a bargain, he creates a false attempt to reanimate Daniel to make it easier for Rumplestiltskin to manipulate her. In his own world, Frankenstein reanimates his brother with the heart, thus creating Frankenstein's Monster, who beats Alphonse to death. Victor imprisons the Monster until he can devise a way to help the Monster overcome his psychotic rage. When the Evil Queen cast her curse, Victor is sent to the Land Without Magic.
In Storybrooke, he is Dr. Whale, a doctor working in Storybrooke General Hospital. He originally assists Regina Mills, doing whatever she says without hesitation. During this time, he goes on several dates with Mary Margret Blanchard, which often leads them to often having one night stands.
After the curse is broken, he leads a mob to Regina's home intending to kill her. Victor later seeks a way to return to his brother, believing if he were to do something for Regina, she would bring him back. He successfully reanimates Daniel's corpse with a magical heart, turning him into a monster who savagely rips off Whale's arm. Mr. Gold later reattaches his arm. He is transported back to the Land Without Color when Regina undid her curse.
After Snow White cast a new curse, somehow, Victor returns to Storybrooke, resuming his position as the doctor at the hospital. He also helps deliver Mary Margaret's and later Zelena's baby. He later helps Dr. Jekyll with his experiments to create a new serum to defeat the Evil Queen.
Trivia[]
- Frankstenstein goes by the name "Dr. Whale", in Storybrooke. This is a reference to director James Whale, who directed Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935).
- Frankenstien is the only character who is not from the Enchanted Forest and the Once Upon a Time storybook to be sent to Storybrooke during the first curse. Instead, he is from the Land Without Color and not even from a fairytale.
- Count of Monte Cristo is the second character who is not from a fairytale, but he does not appear until after the third curse, unlike Frankenstein.
- Victor Frankenstein is the first character to appear from a work of literature not written for children.
- When Emma learns that Doctor Whale's true identity, she says she hopes he won't have bolts in his head, referring to Frankenstein's monster from the fairytale.
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