Two themes for first half of Season 5: "Sometimes things aren't what they appear to be, and...love is a dangerous weapon."
Welcome to Storybrooke, Maine, a small town that probably won’t show up on your GPS, but it’s a magical place to visit. Reality and myth merged after Emma broke Regina’s curse, which had deprived the fairy tale characters of their memories and trapped them in our modern world. When they finally regained their identities, our heroes were dismayed to discover that they weren’t transported back to Fairy Tale Land. To make matters worse, Rumplestiltskin – aka Mr. Gold – decided to escalate his power struggle with Regina by introducing magic into the town. But this is our world, and magic always has a tendency to yield unfathomable consequences.
“Once Upon a Time” returns to the ABC Television Network for its fifth season and master storytellers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (“Lost,” “Tron: Legacy”) invite everyone to join Emma Swan, Snow White, Prince Charming, The Evil Queen, Hook and all the other resident fairytale characters as they cope with Emma’s new role as The Dark One and begin the search for Merlin. This is a journey that will take our heroes from the Enchanted Forest to Camelot and along the way bring many surprises, including encounters with a brave and headstrong Scottish princess named Merida.
As the season continues, new fairy tale characters will be revealed and old acquaintances will be revisited. Not everyone can be trusted but one thing remains true — you never give up on the people you love…
“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills, Sean Maguire as Robin Hood, Rebecca Mader as Wicked Witch/Zelena and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.
Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz are creators and executive producers. Steve Pearlman, David H. Goodman and Andrew Chambliss are also executive producers. The series is produced by ABC Studios. Once Upon A Time - Season 5 - Synopsis
Here were 12 other teases offered up at the D23 panel:
Kitsis has two dread-inducing themes for the first half of Season 5: Sometimes things aren’t what they appear to be, and the other is love is a very dangerous weapon.” Commence mental dun-dun-duning.
Henry will regret breaking the Author’s quill. “There will be events in the premiere that will make him wish he could just rewrite things,” Kitsis says. Horowitz adds, “Maybe he was a little hasty. We’ll see pretty quickly.”
Emma as the Dark One will differ from Rumpelstiltskin. “Being the Dark One, it’s sort of a magnifying glass on who you are but then kind of twisting it a little bit,” Horowitz says. Kitsis continues, “Having the dagger and the power that comes with it tricks you into believing there’s a freedom to lose your fears. … She has her own take on being the Dark One.”
Emma as the Dark One will directly affect Snow White. “The darker Emma goes, the more to Snow/Mary Margaret she is herself a failure,” Goodwin says. “Those realizations will make things grayer and grayer to her.” Dallas says of Charming, “He’s going to try to get his daughter back to the light.”
Regina feels “responsible” for saving Emma, and it upsets her. “I don’t think anyone has ever made a sacrifice like that for Regina,” Parrilla says. Kitsis continues, “It’s not what she wants to do. She hates owing people things. Now she feels like she really has to band together with everyone to save Emma.”
None of the main characters can agree on how to fix the Dark Swan problem. They all want to save Emma, but they all have a different opinion about it. Hook and Regina have different ideas, Snow White and Charming have different ideas: “There’s some friction,” Horowitz says.
A bunch of main characters and a handful of not-so-main ones are heading to Camelot. “We are going to have our heroes. We’re going to see [Snow and Regina]. We are going to see our core characters on the voyage, plus a few people who don’t get to go on the adventures,” Kitsis says.
Parrilla says “Camelot clothes” are “something to look forward to.”
Camelot exists concurrently with our world. “It’s Enchanted Forest adjacent,” Horowitz says. It has its own past and present timelines.
There’s going to be a Charming and Arthur bromance. Goodwin teases it’s true in real life too. Dallas offers that their friendship could “light a fire” under Charming that reinvigorates his defining characteristics.
The Wicked Witch remains evil. “She lives up to her name this season,” Horowitz says. “Her and her sister [Regina] get into it a little bit.”
A lot of exciting Disney characters may be showing up, maybe. Playing a game of “Yes/No/Maybe,” Kitsis and Horowitz offered “maybe”s to: Mulan, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Ariel, Balefire, Ursula, Cora. So, fingers crossed.
Then there was this interesting concept art shown of the bell jar and magical rose from “Beauty and the Beast.” The photo says it’s taken from the Season 5 premiere.
The synopsis for Season 5 reads: “‘Once Upon a Time’s’ savior has gone dark! As Emma Swan transitions into her role as the Dark One, join the resident fairy tale characters as they cope with Emma’s new role and begin the search for Merlin. This is a journey that will take our heroes from the Enchanted Forest to Camelot and along the way bring many surprises, including Merida from ‘Brave,’ as ‘Once Upon a Time’ introduces its first Pixar character.”
"Dark Swan Rises: A Once Upon a Time Fan Celebration" Airs Sunday, September 27
FANS ARE INVITED TO ENJOY AN ENCHANTED EVENING IN ANTICIPATION OF
“ONCE UPON A TIME’S” MAGICAL FIFTH SEASON PREMIERE ON
“DARK SWAN RISES: A ONCE UPON A TIME FAN CELEBRATION”
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 ON ABC
The Special Features Cast Interviews, Super-fan Questions and Exclusive Insights from
Executive Producers Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz
ABC invites new and loyal “Once Upon a Time” fans to celebrate the magical fifth season premiere with an in-depth look at the series in the unique special, “Dark Swan Rises: A Once Upon a Time Fan Celebration,” which will explore what will happen next as Emma Swan becomes the Dark One and will highlight the characters fans love, including the incredible stories that have created an extraordinarily passionate fan base. Cast members will answer fan-submitted questions and discuss favorite moments as voted on by fans, giving viewers an authentic perspective as they dish on various characters, relationships and backstories. The special also features interviews with executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz with exclusive insights about the season fans won’t want to miss. “Dark Swan Rises: A Once Upon a Time Fan Celebration” airs SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (7:00-8:00p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills, Sean Maguire as Robin Hood, Rebecca Mader as the Wicked Witch/Zelena and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold. source
• •
5.01 - "The Dark Swan" written by Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis | Airdate: September 27, 2015 @8 pm EST
SEASON PREMIERE
EMMA SWAN MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRAFICE BY BECOMING THE NEW DARK ONE,
LEAVING THE RESIDENTS OF STORYBROOKE WITHOUT THEIR SAVIOR,
NOW THE HEROES MUST BAND TOGETHER TO FIND A WAY TO SAVE EMMA,
ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF ABC’S “ONCE UPON A TIME”
Amy Manson Guest Stars as Merida and Liam Garrigan Guest Stars as King Arthur
“The Dark Swan” – Immediately after becoming the Dark One, Emma disappears and the heroes must band together to save her, but first they have to find her, which will require the help of an unlikely ally. Meanwhile, in the Enchanted Forest, Emma struggles to resist her dark urges as she searches for Merlin in the hope that he can stop her transformation. Along the way to Camelot, she gets help from the plucky and brave warrior princess Merida, as well as King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, in the adventure-filled season five premiere of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills, Sean Maguire as Robin Hood, Rebecca Mader as the Wicked Witch/Zelena and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.
Guest stars include Lee Arenberg as Leroy/Grumpy, Beverley Elliott as Granny, Amy Manson as Merida, Keegan Connor Tracy as the Blue Fairy/Mother Superior, David-Paul Grove as Doc, Gabe Khouth as Sneezy, Faustino Di Bauda as Sleepy, Jeffrey Kaiser as Dopey, Michael Coleman as Happy, Mig Macario as Bashful, Sinqua Walls as Lancelot, Raphael Alejandro as Roland, Timothy Webber as the Apprentice, Ingrid Torrance as Severe Nurse, Liam Garrigan as King Arthur, Andrew Jenkins as Sir Percival, Lee Majdoub as Sir Kay, Brent Stait as the Peddler, Elliot Knight as the Usher and Mckenna Grace as Young Emma.
“The Dark Swan” was written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, and directed by Ron Underwood. x
The season opener, not unexpectedly, will pick up right where the finale left off, with Emma having vanished after taunting the disembodied Darkness with the Dark One’s dagger. Where exactly the Savior was transported to, however, thus far remains a closely guarded secret. - TVLine
Emma, Hook, Regina, Henry, Robin, Snow, Charming, Belle, Zelena, Dwarves, Grany filmd scene with King Arthur & knights on horses | x Scene summary: so basically what happened was King Arthur led zelena belle Regina Emma hook Roland Henry the dwarves granny charming and snow across a bridge with a bunch of knights on horses hook and Emma walk arm in arm Regina Robin (well stunt double Robin Sean wasn't there) Roland and Henry walk together and zelena and belle walk together belle is holding some white jug and then charming snow and Neal walk together and hen granny and the dwarves |x ~July 14, 2015
Beer Garden in Stoprybrooke? | x ~ constructed July 16 for Jul;y 17 filming
So what this scene is most likely about: Zelena wants a wand because she wants to keep her baby (somehow she got the cuff off) and so she chokes Robin Hood and then Regina gives her the wand she swirls the clover necklace from oz around it and then she points it up something happens she falls then Regina puts on the cuff takes the wand and David holds zelena and basically we all think that zelena called a tornado because David says YOU WANNA HIGHJACK A TWISTER? And that's how they get to Camelot because they also filmed a scene just blowing giant fans at granny's and that's how granny's ends up in the woods
Blocked scene being filmed at Granny's involving Dark Swan, Massive wind fans blowing | x, x
Night scene filmed, directly after Emma disappears.
Regina says something like “how could she be/do something so stupid” and David says “REGINA!”. Regina then says “there had to have been another way” and Snow says “there wasn’t! she did what she had to do, she saved your life!”. Then Henry comes running into the scene and we couldn’t hear any dialogue, it just seemed like them all explaining to him what happened. Cause Regina says something like “she got sucked up into a vortex by a vortex of evil”. While this is all happening Hook was kinda hanging back, just staring at the dagger, and eventually he walks forward to grab it. Robin tries to stop him but Hook goes “get out of my way!” and slapped his hand away in a few takes. Then he grabs the dagger and tries to summon Emma. “Dark one, with this dagger I command thee. Return!” and nothing happens. “Dark one, APPEAR!” . Then Regina goes “put that thing down (before you get us killed???). don’t you know the dagger’s rules?” and Hook says “the rules are I can summon the dark one from any corner of the world”. After that we can’t hear anything, but Hook looks sadly down at the dagger and kinda twists it around to look at Emma’s name on it
Adam and Eddy said the events of the premiere will make Henry regret snapping the quill. x
"Merida will first cross paths with Emma (Jennifer Morrison) before eventually meeting up with the rest of our heroes and villains. “It’s certainly a part of Emma’s journey as the Dark Swan and dealing with her darkness"Horowitz says.
As the new Dark One, "There's a real driving force behind what Emma is doing and why," says co-creator Adam Horowitz. "Emma [before] was a very smart person who did things for a reason, and that translates. It's not a rampant evil that's been unleashed." Even so, "Emma is going to do something particularly bad," co-creator Eddy Kitsis assures, "and to the people she loves." All the more reason for those near and dear to get thee to Camelot and find Merlin, posthaste! Though it's not as if that realm's denizens are just sitting around, waiting to help out. "You'll see a bromance between Charming and King Arthur, but others might be more skeptical [of our heroes]," Kitsis says. The people of Camelot, after all, "have a similar goal to ours." Elsewhere: Belle will team with Brave's Merida during her quest to revive Rumple, while everyone is advised to be frightened of pregnant Zelena -- "and in the premiere, you will see why," Kitsis teases.
BONUS SPOILER!: "I hope there's a full moon this year," Kitsis shares. "You never know who might come out…." | source
Jen filmed a night scene x, possibly with The Apprentice x
Filming in Central Park July 23 Castle set ~ Josh, Ginny, Lana, Sean, Liam, Jen & Colin filmed x
July 23 ~ Night scene filmed with Josh, Ginny, Lana, Sean, Lee & Liam
Scene description: Everyone is running in the woods. Ginny yells: “Charming, this way.” Lana says: “stop! If you need a life, take mine!” Then she gets attacked by like a CGI thing we couldn’t see. Ginny says: “Regina, what are you doing?" Lana says: “what I should have done in Camelot!” Ginny grabs onto Lana’s hand and screams. Then Josh, Lee and Liam come and also hold onto Lana’s hand (literally Guardians of the Galaxy style and they kinda get pushed back). source
Description of scene; Not much to see here. But what we decided is that Charming is in the midst of making a speech to newly arrived Camelot people under the watchful eye of Arthur. David holds up a silver cup to the crowd and proclaims that this chalice will reveal to him who among them is… [something we couldn’t hear–leaning toward Merlin though] just as he says this, a guy in a red cloak flees from the rear of the crowd, jumping up on a horse and riding away. Charming and Arthur tear after him, jumping in David’s truck to continue the chase. x
5.04 - "The Broken Kingdom" written by David H. Goodman & Jerome Schwartz | Airdate: October 18, 2015
guest-casting the role of a medieval manservant who is devoted to his employer but harbors a deep resentment… that may lead him to do very bad things. x ~ July 27 Update:Sir Kayx Adult, Lee Majdoub imdb
Aug 12th: Merida filming? x, Location pics Minaty Bayx
dialogue: “ A gift for King Arthur and his queen Guiniver”.[sic] Then Lancelot and Guinevere dance with guest and Arthur enters the scene shouting “Where is my queen?” Video here
casting the possibly recurring role of Sir Lionel, a distinguished knight who sits at King Arthur’s Round Table and is a single father to his 13-year-old daughter, Violet.X
Steveston filming 8/21: "Welcome to Storybrooke" carnival/fair set up xx | Gunievere and Camelot subjects in Storybrooke x
Colin, Sean, Lana, Emilie, Joana (Guinevere), Ginny on setx | scene 1 x | Josh too | Lana wearing red blazer
The first scene during night shoot: Jared, Olivia, Ryan Robbins, Gosh, Colin, Emilie, Liam, and Joana.
The last scene: Gosh, Colin, Emilie, Liam, and Joana x The last scene was them basically sitting in the table at the block party talking to one another. xx | Hook
Filming Summary:
Filming started at 1pm with a scene outside Granny’s. Lana and Ginny and Emile are there and some non-Storybrooke extras come up to them and then Colin and Sean come over and talk to them.
Next a scene between Storybrooke bank and Mr. Gold’s shop....Emile was there and Cruella’s car was parked on the street with “"FOR SALE” on the windshield. Colin and Sean come talk to her
Later scenes in a cool Storybrooke carnival/fair they set up in the street between the Rabbit Hole and the hardware store. Jared practiced riding a horse into the festival and talking to a girl (possibly love interest?) in a blue princess like dress.
Filmed a scene down by Gold’s shop ...Merida coming back from that area...that she had been shooting an arrow and blasting the door to Mr. Gold’s open during that scene.
EVENING Filming: Everyone is dancing and then Henry rides in on a horse and talks to the girl in the blue princess dress. Then Colin and Emile run into the scene with it seems like important news or something. a scene in that area with Liam and Gosh and Colin and Emile
Next the Charmings and Hook were at a picnic table talking with Arthur. Henry brings over the princess girl and talks to all of them. on set source
Scene Description x:
Emma knocked, they talked, then at some point Emma turned around, took two steps, turned around like she changed her mind about leaving, they talked more and then Regina got into the house and slammed the door. Emma left after a moment.
Regina is holding the dreamcatcher at the door x
August 27 - Night filming at Camelot set constructed in Central Park set pics
Jen, Lana, and Jared spotted in Camelot costumes x, xx
Stunt doubles used in the scene for Lana, Liam, and possible Jared x, x
Scenes filmes with Snow, Charming, Emma, Regina, Henry (probably Arthur and Merlin)x
First scene: Gosh, Lana, and JMo
2nd scene: Lana, JMo, Jared, Liam, and Elliot x
3rd scene: Elliot and Andrew (Percival) source | additional set report
August 28th filming - Scenes continue from previous evening set source
Lana, Jared, Jen, Elliot, Liam, and Andrew on set
magical flight between Regina and Merlin: Regina conjured up a fireball like she was trying to shield herself from a spell he had cast
in the end Merlin apparently prevailed, because Regina fell to the ground
while Emma was standing and facing Merlin and whoever was with him
Then they moved onto the next bit, which was quieter, BUT we did hear something. A man yelled “You ruined my life!” and I’m 99% sure it was Merlin. Now, the problem is I have no idea who he was telling that to. At first I thought Regina, since it was the two of them fighting, but when he said he was facing Emma, so he might as well have been talking to her.
Merlin, Arthur, Percival, with Regina, Henry and Emma at Camelot castle on set source
Henry look like he was crying or upset. Emma & Regina were comforting him, touching his arm. it looked like they were making some potion... xxx
Jen and Jared filmed with the bug in front of a pumpkin stand that said “Peter Peter’s” (which I thought was hilarious). Amy showed up on set before that scene seemed to be finished, but I’m not sure if they filmed together or not.
Bobby and Amy filmed together that evening
It’s different kind of dreamcatcher — like the one that Mr. Gold invited Emma to use one to “see” Archie’s “death” (in Season 2, Episode 10) — that the new title is meant as a nod to.
“Although dreamcatchers evoke and remind us of Neal, they have been used on the show — magically,” cocreator Eddy Kitsis explained.
Kitsis shared that “Dreamcatcher” as “a very Emma-centric episode,” though it won’t incorporate any flashbacks to her past.
“The construction [of Season 5A] is different as far as flashbacks go,” Horowitz noted. “But we will be getting an Emma flashback in the early part of the season.”
Fan Source: There were three scenes filmed from around noon to midnight. It was a long and very rewarding day.
Regina’s Vault: Hook, Charming, Snow, Regina, Arthur, and Guinevere. Hook, Charming, Snow, and Regina were all wearing their Storybrooke clothes (Hook in his leather jacket, Charming had on his typical style of clothes with his Sheriff badge on, and Snow had a cute blue cardigan on, Regina had on a blue dress and jacket). Arthur and Guinevere had on their Camelot clothes we’ve seen them in quite a bit here lately.
I couldn’t see the scene super well, but I could see that Snow and Charming had some sort of fight in front of the vault, Snow turns and angrily talks to Charming and then he reaches out to console her and she jerks away and moves towards Arthur and Guinevere who are standing in front of the vault.
Belle and Merida filmed down by what appeared to be the witch’s hovel from Brave. We couldn’t see anything. All I know is that they had bows and arrows down there and they took quite a few forest shots, probably for the CGI of the arrows or something. Belle had on a super pretty dress, but we only saw the top and then the bottom at different times. But very pretty.
Forest: Lancelot, Hook, Charming, Belle, Merida, and Merlin. This was literally the most boring scene to watch ever. It was just numerous shots from different angles to make it look like they were walking all over the forest and they were talking here and there. Hook was in that pretty new quilted looking coat, Charming was in his princely clothes, and Belle was in the same dress we saw her in during the afternoon shot with Merida. Night shoot photos
How would you say this Dark Swan is different from what we know of Emma? HOROWITZ: I would say that Dark Swan is an extension of Emma and an exploration of who she is. Just like when Rumpelstiltskin became the Dark One, it became an extension of all the character traits, flaws, and strengths he had. KITSIS: He was a coward, and the knife gave him the freedom to be powerful. HOROWITZ: Emma becoming Dark Swan has been a great opportunity for us to explore who she is at her deepest levels and to see those traits exploded in a way. That’s what the Darkness does to you. It takes who you are and twists it, and that’s what we’re going to see with Emma. Once Upon a Time season 5: Dark Swan spoilers from showrunners Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis | EW.com 9/10/2015
"There's a real driving force behind what Emma is doing and why," says co-creator Adam Horowitz. "Emma [before] was a very smart person who did things for a reason, and that translates. It's not a rampant evil that's been unleashed." Even so, "Emma is going to do something particularly bad," co-creator Eddy Kitsis assures, "and to the people she loves."...Elsewhere: Belle will team with Brave's Merida during her quest to revive Rumple, while everyone is advised to be frightened of pregnant Zelena ONCE UPON A TIME Fall Spoiler | TVLine 9/8/2015
guest-casting the role of a medieval manservant who is devoted to his employer but harbors a deep resentment… that may lead him to do very bad things. x ~ July 27, 2015
Will Once Upon a Time explore any storylines for Belle outside of Rumple this season? — Kelley
If you’re wondering whether we’ll see any flashbacks to Belle in her pre-Rumple days, “That might happen,” executive producer Edward Kitsis says. “I would say that the second half of the season is looking a lot like some of our past will come back to haunt us.” EW Spoiler Room 9/11/2015
Any new faces coming to Once Upon a Time? —
Yes, and the newbie has a connection to Henry. “We’re going to meet Henry’s very first crush,” says EP Edward Kitsis. Since Kitsis also notes that Camelot is a place of love, I’m guessing his crush will hail from there, but TPTB are keeping tight-lipped. “It’s a character that we’re going to meet and we want it to be a surprise,” adds EP Adam Horowitz. “It’s fun to give Henry something new to play and deal with, and to really explore Henry as a boy who’s growing up and all the joy and pain of adolescence.” | EW 9/04/2015
Can you explain to me the new Once Upon a Time photo of Dark Swan being trained by Rumplestiltskin? How can that be, if he’s in a coma back in Storybrooke? – Upon being consumed by the Darkness in the May finale, Emma “did not travel time, but she did travel realms,” series co-creator Eddy Kitsis makes clear. “And why Rumple’s there will be immediately explained within the first act of the premiere (airing Sept. 27).” Is the incredible resemblance between Once Upon a Time’s King Arthur (to be played by Liam Garrigan) and a certain one-handed pirate just happy coincidence? – With a chuckle, Eddy Kitsis affirms, “It is just a happy coincidence!” | TVLine 8/31/2015
Is there any hope that we will see Once Upon a Time‘s Robin Hood in a new adventure? When I heard Merida was coming (played by Amy Manson), I immediately thought that she would somehow end up related to him. – “We are going to see his adventure side,” series cocreator Eddy Kitsis answered when Matt Mitovich delivered your Q. As for the other ace archer entering the series’ mix, “Robin does not have a connection to Merida,” Kitsis said, “but he will intereact with her.” | TVLine - 8/24/2015
Next time you speak with Once Upon a Time creators Adam and Eddy, can you ask them about Belle’s storyline for Season 5A? Even a small hint would be greatly appreciated.
Your wish has been granted! “We’ve always wondered what would happen if Belle and Merida went on an adventure together…,” EP Adam Horowitz shares. “We hope you do, too, because it’s coming!” P.S. On a related note, everything I heard from the cast at Comic-Con suggested that Amy Manson really “hits the bull’s-eye” as the Brave heroine. Bonus scoop: For Episode 5, Once is casting the possibly recurring role of Sir Lionel, a distinguished knight who sits at King Arthur’s Round Table and is a single father to his 13-year-old daughter, Violet. | TVLine 8/17/2015
What about a potential bromance between Arthur and charming? Josh: if you look at the evolution of Charming, he was a shepherd and then became a prince and a husband and a father. He wants to know if he can still have these adventures - he has a big heart - he wants to know if he can still have these things as big as his heart. His relationship with Arthur will introspectively reflect that. | D23 Expo 8/15 “Josh, your daughter is going dark.” Josh: “It’s gonna teach Charming a lot of things and he’s gonna do his best to try to get her back to the light.” | D23 Expo 8/15
There’s going to be some people who are going to go to Camelot who never got to go before. People who should’ve been Snow’s real friends (I think dwarves) unlike Neverland so nows their chance. Gonna be solved in premiere. | D23 8/15
On Emma’s sacrifice: Regina doesn’t like to owe anything to anyone and this is like the first time anyone’s ever done anything like this for her so she feels like she really has to band together with everyone. She hates owing people so that’s gonna be the first half.
In the season 3 premiere Emma was like the coach. She banded them together and now with her gone it’s kinda the same. Everyone has different opinions on how to do things so there’s gonna be some fun moments - some hooked queen and her parents wanna do things differently. It’s gonna be a tense first few epis. | D23 Expo 8/15
In regards to Rumple, he was weak and couldn’t stand up for Bae whilst Emma is brave and awesome. What’s the dark one going to reflect in Emma? The dagger tricks you into having a freedom into losing your fear so she’ll have her own take on being TDO. | D23 Aug 15, 2015 | clarification
What’s going on with Rumple when Once Upon a Time returns? — Marisa
At Comic-Con, Robert Carlyle insisted upon making a very clear distinction about his character: “Rumple’s not in a coma. Gold’s in a coma,” later following up with, “Gold’s got a white heart, Rumple doesn’t. It’s a different thing.” It seemed like a passing comment at the time, but now I have a feeling it’s going to be very important in the new season. | EW Spoiler Room - 8/07
Do you know who possesses the Dark Swan’s dagger on Once Upon a Time? — Rachel As of this very moment, it’s TBD. “That is a discussion [and] that is absolutely addressed immediately,” Ginnifer Goodwin says, noting that it’s probably not a great idea for the Charmings to be the one to take it. “I don’t know that I would trust us with it,” she adds. However, whoever does end up with the dagger will learn that it’s not so easy to call upon the Dark Swan. “There’s also some caveats in how and when you can control the Dark One through the dagger,” Josh Dallas says. “Somethings can be possible and somethings are impossible.” | Spoiler Room ~ July 31, 2015
JMO:"They do establish with all of the Dark Ones in the past, which they kind of go back through in the beginning of the season this year, that everyone takes the Darkness for a good reason. Rumpel takes it because he wants to be braver for his son. Emma takes it because she's saving the whole town from being destroyed by the Darkness. Before that, they mention some of the earlier Dark Ones, and their good reasons for choosing the Darkness. I think there's something really interesting about this idea that people make bad decisions for good reasons sometimes, and how far down you can end up in the rabbit hole for having made a bad decision but for a good reason. That happens in life, so there's an incredible life lesson that they're telling with these stories. It's so easy to justify something when you don't know the domino effect of how far that can take you in life." | PopSugar 7/26/2015
How are the Charmings dealing with Emma going dark on Once Upon a Time? — Luis Not well. “It is definitely going to put a strain on Snow and Charming’s relationship,” Josh Dallas says. “There are things they’re going to go through in finding their way back to Emma.” But it’s not all doom and gloom this season. “You’re going to see Charming have a big bromance with King Arthur and go on some adventures,” he says. “We’re going to see Charming at his most heroic in Camelot.” Spoiler Room ~ July 24, 2015
So wait, Merida is NOT Rumple’s mom on Once Upon a Time? — Trisha Correct! The producers were hoping to keep the surprise of Merida joining the show intact by throwing fans off with fake casting sides. “The only way to throw the press off and our fans off of this being Merida was to say we’re casting Rumple’s mother,” EP Edward Kitsis says. “It honestly worked because for once, this was not spoiled.” Fear not, EP Adam Horowitz says Rumple’s mother is a character they eventually want to introduce. As for Merida, “We’re going to meet her through Emma,” says Kitsis. Adds Horowitz: “It’s certainly a part of Emma’s journey as the Dark Swan and dealing with her darkness. All that is tied with how we explore the world of Camelot this year.”Spoiler Room ~ July 17, 2015
How much will we see Maleficent and Lily on the new season of Once Upon a Time? — Jaimie Because the focus is on Emma becoming the Dark One — did you see the awesome shots of the Dark Swan? — the hunt for Lily’s father will take a backseat for at least the first five episodes. “We intend to tell that story at some point this season,” EP Edward Kitsis says. “We set it up for a reason. That is one we are definitely intending to do.”Spoiler Room ~ July 3, 2015
"The breakup of a certain couple will go down as one of the — if not the — most polarizing events of the 2015-16 season.
I’ve learned that a hit series will throw caution to the wind and put a (possibly permanent!) pin in one of TV’s most popular love stories — a game-changing move that threatens to seismically alter the DNA of the series. Oh, and it will also piss off a lot of people, a backlash The Powers That Be are said to be fully prepared for and not necessarily all that fearful of; the aging series could benefit from having its core rocked, many believe." | TVLine ~Blind Item 6/30/2015
Any scoop on Once Upon a Time? I’m not particular, I’ll take anything! –Allison I’m hearing that the season opener, not unexpectedly, will pick up right where the finale left off, with Emma having vanished after taunting the disembodied Darkness with the Dark One’s dagger. Where exactly the Savior was transported to, however, thus far remains a closely guarded secret (but hey, that’s what Comic-Con is for, amiright?) Also, it will be sooner rather than later that we meet King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. | TVLine 6/29
When will you be posting #EWHotSeat for Once Upon a Time? — Andy You’ll have to wait patiently because Hot Seat won’t be coming out until Comic-Con. But I’m feeling generous, so how about a little sneak peek? When I asked the guys whether Zelena’s baby will be born this season, EP Edward Kitsis answered with a definitive…. yes! Poor Regina. That is one messed up family tree. | EW - 6/26/2015
Adam Horowitz, executive producer and writer | twitter
Andrew Chambliss, writer | twitter
Jane Espenson, writer | twitter
David H. Goodman, writer
Brigitte Hales, writer | twitter
Dana Horgan, writer | twitter
Robert Hull, writer
Paul Karp, writer | twitter | sdcc
Scott Nimerfro, writer | twitter
Daniel T. Thomsen, writer
Bill Wolkoff, writer | twitter
Mark Isham, composer | twitter
Stephen Jackson, production Dir. photography | twitter
Sarah McCulloch, production Leaf Lady | twitter
Jerome Schwartz, production | twitter
Helga Ungurait, production | twitter
"Camelot is a place of love" - Eddy Kitsis
"Love is a weapon, dearie. So few people know how to wield it." ~ Rumplestiltskin
"Exactly what I need, the tear of someone who faed their inner darkness and turned away." ~ Rumplestiltskin
"I thought you said you could outrun a storm. This isn't a storm. It's bloody damnation!"
Hook: "How do you know how to sail a ship?" Henry: "I had a great teacher. You."
"I couldn't let you die." ~ Regina
“No one’s ever done anything like this to me before. No one’s ever been willing to die for me. - Snow White”
Emma: "There's nothing wrong with being cautious." Mary Margaret: "It may keep out pain, but it also may keep out love."
“Never underestimate the power of a guilty conscience.” — Rumplestiltskin to Snow White and Prince Charming
"What magic are you going to hide behind today?" ~ Hook
"You must stop the darkness." ~ The Apprentice
"Thanks to the hero Regina's sacrifice. Isaac's villainous work was undone." ~ Henry, The Author
"You figured out how to take the darkness out of me once. You need to do it again, as heroes." ~ Emma
"Love is a weapon. As dangerous and persuasive as magic." Hook to Belle x
I see it, but I don't believe it... Actually, the fact that you can see it tells me that you do believe.
The cardinal rule of The Authors is don't write your own happy ending. As you can see I broke that rule.
No need to yell, Snow. I will always find you.
Long before your stories began, [Merlin] battled the darkness. He was able to keep it from consuming realms. He tethered it to a human soul that could be controlled by the dagger…. - The Apprentice, 4.22
, Once Upon A Time: Journey to Neverland
“This is about family…and that’s what saves you in the end.” x
"Our show is for believers. We wanted to make this show about hope and not be cynical—which is tough in today’s world when usually anything that is cool is cynical. We wanted people once a week to feel the way I felt when I watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the boy got the golden ticket. For me that personally was important. I like that feeling and it’s important. Henry embodies that."
- Eddie Kitsis from Neil Landau’s 'The TV Showrunner’s Roadmap’
"Once Upon A Time is, at its core, a story about hope. For us, that’s what a fairy tale is. It’s that ability to think your life will get better."
"Adam and I just wanted to write about something hopeful that for one hour a week allows one to put everything aside and have that feeling that your dreams just may come true." - Edward Kitsis
I would see you kept safe from the sad havoc of this world. I will not bring my ruin upon you.
You do not bring ruin! You bring hope. You are naught but hope and life. You saved me, first time I ever laid eyes on you. That's who you are to me, who you'll always be.
Just something on this spoiler from the last thread.
I don't think this actually has to do with Belle. We saw a lot of them filming her centric (and I think they may have finished it already). It seems to be present day scenes in Storybrooke with flashbacks to the missing time in Camelot.
I think A&E decided to give a vague answer to this for fun and then threw in the second part about "the past coming back to haunt them" as a reference to several of the characters.
Quote:
Will Once Upon a Time explore any storylines for Belle outside of Rumple this season? — Kelley
If you’re wondering whether we’ll see any flashbacks to Belle in her pre-Rumple days, “That might happen,” executive producer Edward Kitsis says. “I would say that the second half of the season is looking a lot like some of our past will come back to haunt us.”
Lana made a comment in one interview, I can't remember which one, about Regina killing her father and maybe finally dealing with it this season. I can see that coming back to haunt her.
"I don't need a congressional honor. I don't need Agent Thompson's approval or the President's. I know my value, anyone else's opinion doesn't really matter." - Agent Peggy Carter
I would see you kept safe from the sad havoc of this world. I will not bring my ruin upon you.
You do not bring ruin! You bring hope. You are naught but hope and life. You saved me, first time I ever laid eyes on you. That's who you are to me, who you'll always be.
Yes, as long as it's not Cora
Maybe also his twin brother, jelaous of all the brothering Charming does with the others
__________________
I would see you kept safe from the sad havoc of this world. I will not bring my ruin upon you.
You do not bring ruin! You bring hope. You are naught but hope and life. You saved me, first time I ever laid eyes on you. That's who you are to me, who you'll always be.
Bennett 
