Two themes for first half of Season 5: "Sometimes things aren't what they appear to be, and...love is a dangerous weapon."
“ONCE UPON A TIME” (Season 5)
Master storytellers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (“Lost,” “Tron: Legacy”) invite everyone to join Emma Swan, Snow White, Prince Charming, the Evil Queen, Hook, Rumplestiltskin and all the other resident fairy tale characters as they cope with Emma’s new role as the dark one and they begin the search for Merlin.
“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 Zelena and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.
Executive producers are Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Steve Pearlman and David H. Goodman. “Once Upon a Time” is produced by ABC Studios.
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.
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.”
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.
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, x
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
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.”
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
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 - 8/07/2015
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
"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!"
"It's time for us to believe. Not in magic, but in each other."
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
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.
“Whether you’re a villain or a hero, everybody wants somewhere where they go at the end of the night where somebody cares about them.”
– Edward Kitsis, 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
Someone needs to slip her a tranquilizer or put some "Keep Calm" posters at her desk. The season's a marathon not a sprint. We'll all never make it at this pace.
I was just thinking that I wish she'd bever posted about 5.05 so I could just sit back and enjoy the filming reports.
I have a love/hate relationship with her posts One the one hand any news can be exciting but on the other hand
Man, me too! I hope she let slip whatever form the storyboard she isn't supposed to
__________________
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.
"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
But she must be talking about 5x08 since Jane was still writing 5x07 last week.
Let's see if I have this straight....
√ 5.05 will be heartbreaking and cause a twitter meltdown
√ 5.07 written by Jane is "a big one"
√ 5.10 as outlined is tears inducing, but at least "good" tears
AND NOW
5.08 will have "mind blowing" development
Seriously, Yeah, I need to double on the beverages of Randysgirl's shopping list.
√ 5.05 will be heartbreaking and cause a twitter meltdown
√ 5.07 written by Jane is "a big one"
√ 5.10 as outlined is tears inducing, but at least "good" tears
AND NOW
5.08 will have "mind blowing" development
I think 5x04 and 5x06 are more lighthearted - the calm before and after the storm. The only thing Brigitte said about 5x04 was that it was a lot of fun to write and she didn't say anything about 5x06. She seems to not share much if the episode isn't too dramatic.
I think 5x06 might be the Belle/Merida adventure, possible Belle centric.
I kind of thins 5x05 will be light hearted as well until a very hard blow at the end. Kind of like "Lily", esp for Regina's/OQ fans, everything seemed "normal" until the end
Have to say though, if we are right and Emma goes full on dark on 5x05 I can't wait to know what the cliffhanger will be in 5x10 (because of course it will be )
__________________
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.