Continuity mistake: When we see Emma giving Merida back her heart, shoving her away in the same motion, a couple of shots later the camera turns on Emma and we are shown her still doing the same movement, although several seconds have passed. (00:33:40)
Revealing mistake: When Hook tries to rip Zelena's heart out, as a blast of magic hurls him into the wall, you can see that the one who actually hits the wall is Colin O'Donughue's stunt double.
Factual error: The episode opens with Emma going to the State Theater in Mpls. in 1989. The theater was closed for renovation at that time, and hadn't shown a movie since 1975. It was the Jesus People church all through the 80's.
Answer: He knows who she is because he knows that the fairy tales are true. He was also shown to sneak out to go see Emma or someone else. Sometimes he succeeded, sometimes he didn't. This is how he knew to look for her despite his strict mother.