There are several role reversals in tonight’s Once Upon a Time season finale when our heroes become villains and vice-versa! Preview the two-hour episode “Operation Mongoose”, airing at 8:00pm ET|PT on ABC.
In last week’s Once Upon a Time (“Mother“), we began with a flashback to Fairy Tale Land. The Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) was feeling particularly vindictive that day—she interrupted a wedding and killing the groom for holding the ceremony in a meadow on royal lands. It was the anniversary of Daniel’s death at her mother’s hands. While visiting his grave, Cora (Barbara Hershey) arrived to see Regina. She apologized and offered to help her daughter find her one true love…the one foretold by Tinkerbell. Cora arrived at a tavern in the Sherwood Forest searching for a man with a tattoo of a lion on his arm: Robin Hood. Instead she came across the Sheriff of Nottingham (Wil Traval) and hatched a plan. Since Robin was married, Nottingham would pretend to be him. In exchange he’d be king. At first, Regina was very excited, but after conversation (and a spell), she realized that this man wasn’t really her soulmate (his tattoo was fake!). But what did Cora get out of this? Well, she was desperate for Regina to have a child so she could have a claim to the future royal line. Regina took that opportunity from her mother by drinking a potion to eliminate her ability to have children. But had she overreacted?
In the present, Regina and Robin (Sean Maguire) were at a loss regarding what to do about a Zelena/Fake Marian (Rebecca Mader). Could the two of them just get back together? What about Robin and Zelena’s child? They ultimately decided that the best bet was to return to Storybrooke as soon as possible.
Back in Storybrooke, there were several reunions: Emma (Jennifer Morrison) was back with Henry (Jared Gilmore) and Killian (Colin O’Donoghue, ***CaptainSwan FEELS***)…she still wasn’t on good terms with her parents; Zelena was returned to a cell and gladly threw her pregnancy in Regina’s face; and Maleficent (Kristin Bauer van Straten) was finally reunited with Lily (Agnes Bruckner). She was happy to see her daughter and was willing to let go of revenge against the Charmings. However, Lily had other ideas—she wasn’t about to let Snow (Ginnifer Goodwin)/Charming (Josh Dallas) get away with what they did to her, and clearly Maleficent was just a pushover. Surprisingly, Maleficent went to the Charmings for help…they had experience with Emma when she first arrived.
We also found out that in order for Isaac (Patrick Fischler) to write a new story, there was still a missing ingredient—the ink needed to be infused with the blood of the Dark Savior. Emma had returned to town and was still herself. Moreover, Rumple (Robert Carlyle) was running out of time because his heart was almost totally black (could we imagine the Dark One without Rumplestiltskin reining in the evil?). While searching for a loophole, Regina arrived and took the Author and quill. The energy of Emma’s dark potential was needed for the ink…and thanks to Snow and Charming, Emma’s darkness was in Lily. While Lily was at the bus stop, Regina sliced her hand, then took the blood and put it in the ink.
Unfortunately, the cut had an adverse effect on Lily and unleashed the dragon. And Dragon Lily was upset and out of control. She knocked Snow into a rock with her tail before flying away again. Snow hurt her head, but when Emma arrived, she healed her mother. After talking with Killian, Emma realized it was time to forgive her parents. When Lily returned to her human form, Maleficent came to her and realized that she was scared of letting her mother down. But Maleficent reassured her…they could be scary dragon bitches together.
Meanwhile, Regina planned to have her HEA immediately. She and Isaac went to Zelena so he could write the new story…one where Zelena never existed. Upon further reflection, Regina changed her mind, realizing she already had her happiness. She felt at home in the world with Robin as a part of that happiness. However, the Author had another idea, and disappeared with the book, quill, and ink in hand. Isaac returned to Mr. Gold prepared to write a new story where villains finally won…
In tonight’s Season Finale episode “Operation Mongoose” (Part 1 and Part 2) written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz and directed by Romeo Tirone (Part 1) and Ralph Hemecker (Part 2):
HENRY IS CALLED UPON TO RESTORE THE BALANCE BETWEEN HEROES AND VILLAINS—The Author proves to be a formidable wild card and forges an alliance with Gold. Emma, her parents, Hook and Regina scramble to stop them, but when Gold and the Author turn the tables on heroes and villains alike, the prospect of any happy outcome appears worlds away. Henry discovers he has big shoes to fill as he steps up to save his family before the story’s final page is turned. It’s a race to the finish, and everything culminates with a shocking twist that will leave the residents of Storybrooke reeling. (via ABC)
Take a look at THREE sneak peeks from the upcoming two-hour show. In the first clip, Isaac tells Rumple about why he’s so willing to help get his happily ever after. It seems they’ve both endured similar circumstances of watching others’ joys while being denied their own. We also get an idea of what Rumple’s HEA will look like. In the second clip we get a glimpse of Rumple the hero in shining armor when he saves a village (and Henry) from an ogre-attack. And in the third video, we see an insane role-reversal, with Evil Snow and Charming threatening Regina:
So it seems that Isaac’s new story is playing out and once they get to the end, things will be set in stone. But there’s a potential loophole that Henry figures out…we have to find a way for a hero to get a happy ending! Also, I love Snow White as she is, but she is ROCKING those Evil Queen fashions, don’t you think?
Remember to tune into ABC at 8:00pm ET|PT tonight for “Operation Mongoose” and come join me over on twitter to live tweet while we watch the OUaT’s season finale!
See your favorite characters as you’ve never seen them before. The #OnceUponATime season finale begins Sunday! https://t.co/DYjM8JBuFU
— Heroes And Villains (@OnceABC) May 8, 2015
