Once Upon a Time
Season 5 Episode 1: “The Dark Swan”
Directed by Ron Underwood
Written by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
Created by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Emilie de Ravin, Colin O’Donoghue, Jared Gilmore, Robert Carlyle
ABC
Air Date: Sunday, September 27th, 2015, 8:00pm

Once Upon A Time is back! And it’s step right up to the next magical problem. Moments after that nasty crazy author problem was taken care of, the Dark One’s magic went to claim Regina (Lana Parilla), but Emma (Jennifer Morrison) sacrificed herself in her place, and what looked like Venom swept her away. Everyone is desperate and dumbfounded. Where did she go?

If you didn’t watch tonight’s episode yet, go watch, then come back for there’s spoilers ahead.

Emma appears out of a black well, and runs into Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle)? He explains rather quickly that he is just a representation of the darkness (Mr. Gold is still nestled in his coma), to teach her the dark ways. She proclaims she will never give in, and he giggles. So at least we will get Robert Carlyle in this manifestation. He is one of the best parts of the show. She soon runs into Merida (Amy Manson) from Brave, who is looking for her brothers. They have a test of wills, and it seems like Emma is giving in to the dark side when…

Regina proves you don’t have to be bad to be a badass, and tricks Zelena into opening an Oz portal, for them to hitch a ride to Camelot, just in time for the gang to stop her from crushing Merida’s heart. They part ways. Will Amy Manson be a one and done? Or is this the beginning of a reoccuring character? Not sure, but I dig her accent. She also throws in a bear reference, which was kinda cool.

King Arthur rides in expecting them. They hold the key to a prophecy, one that will find the missing Merlin.

Six weeks later…

There is a shock that I will not spoil, but I did not expect it. I do enjoy OUAT’s plot devices of time passing coupled with amnesia, so the season goal is to solve the mytery of the missing time.

Poor Hook (Colin O’Donoghue). She finally said, “I love you,” and then he lost her to the darkness. He and Belle (Emilie de Ravin) can commiserate over a few beers and loving the “Dark One” stories.

Tonight’s Once Upon A Time showed once again how a fairy tale show maintains longevity, with quick adventure, small, easily resolvable problems, an overarching storyline, and plenty of shocks and surprises thrown in.

Once Upon A Time airs Sunday nights at 8pm ET on ABC.

Video

Emma & Merida Face Off – Once Upon A Time

Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and Merida (Amy Manson) face off. Watch a scene from Once Upon A Time – Season 5, Episode 501: “The Dark Swan.”