Once Upon a Time
Season 5 Episode 7: “Nimue”
Directed by Romeo Tirone
Written by Jane Espenson
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, Sean Maguire, Rebecca Mader
ABC
Air Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2015, 8:00pm

Last week on Once Upon A Time, it was all about our “brave” heroine Merida (Amy Manson) in both 6 weeks ago Camelot and present-day Storybrooke. In Camelot, Merida is freed when they free Lancelot (Sinqua Walls). Belle (Emilie de Ravin) helps her prove to her clansmen that she is queen material, and she saves her brothers. In Storybrooke, Merida is successful in making Rumple (Robert Carlyle) brave by using Belle. He pulls the sword from the stone. Emma (Jennifer Morrison) tries to make a deal with Zelena (Rebecca Mader) who rejects her. The Storybrooke citizens find out (again since they knew before the amnesia) that Arthur (Liam Garrigan) is evil. They also get a message from Merlin (Elliot Knight).

Spoilers below.

Once Upon A Time 5.7 “Nimue” recap/review: Emma has both Excalibur pieces in present day Storybrooke.

Years ago: Merlin and companion find a chalice of water in the desert. His friend explodes. He asks permission from God and does not. The chalice makes the desert green and forest-y. He has magic. And has an apprentice. And finds love. But we know the end to that tale. The in-between is the heartbreak. Merlin wanted to get rid of his immortality for love, so he used the chalice to make Excalibur, while the First Dark One looked on. His honey keeps hinting that she wants to live forever too. He magically makes the famous sword. And the man in the mask who decimated Nimue’s village attacks and kills her… or does he?

6 Weeks ago Camelot: Emma makes dreamcatchers instead of sleeping. But Merlin comes with a task. They are to journey to find the first spark of mankind, and will see the First Dark One. They could be successful, or it could end with Emma killing Merlin. He brings her to the place he lost his love. He gives her her knife and tells her to call on the spirit of the previous dark ones. The names mixing on the knife is cool.

And surprise! Nimue is the original Dark One! She still loves her sorcerer.

On the other front, Zelena has a plan to get Excalibur, that was originally conceived while she plotted her escape. Her directions are true, but of course she escapes and betrays. That’s understandable. Can you really betray people that are holding you captive?

Regina (Lana Parilla): “Tell your timbers to stop shivering pirate.” She is so great. Parilla gets the best lines, probably because she can deliver them with just the right amount of sardonic twist.

Arthur is a complete looney tune. Zelena make the other half of Excalibur a Merlin sword. He commands Merlin.

Back to present day, in front of a scary Dark One audience Emma finally completes what she has been trying to do since the beginning of the season. We will see the consequences of this next week.

Solid episode. At times, it felt a bit like, “Let’s move this story along, shall we?” Next week is a 2-hour episode, so that is where the juicy stuff will happen. The movement kept my interest and I really like the first Dark One/Nimue.

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

ABC’s synopsis:

ONCE UPON A TIME – “Nimue” – In Camelot, Merlin spearheads a mission to reunite the dagger with Excalibur so he can use the weapon to save Emma from the darkness threatening her soul. With Zelena in tow, Hook, Mary Margaret, David, Regina and Robin steal into Arthur’s castle to take the broken sword from the maniacal king. Meanwhile, Merlin brings Emma along on a journey to confront his ancient nemesis and retrieve the sacred spark he’ll need to reforge Excalibur. Both parties are tested, but one suffers a blow that could derail the entire operation. In a flashback to long before the Age of Arthur, young Merlin finds purpose after he is blessed with magic and immortality, but when he falls in love with a young refugee named Nimue, everything changes for Merlin, as their romance starts a chain of events that touches every one of our present day heroes, on “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)

Image Gallery

Videos

Once Upon A Time – Hook and Emma Express Their Love

Hook and Emma exchange ‘I Love You’s.

Once Upon A Time – Can Emma be Saved?

Hook, Mary Margaret, David, Regina and Robin gather to find out how to save Emma from the darkness threatening her soul.

Once Upon A Time – Mr. Gold Becomes A Hero

Mr. Gold pulls Excalibur from the stone and becomes a hero.