Tonight Emma searches for a way to remove Excalibur from the stone, an attempt that might push Killian away for good (*weeping*)! Watch a sneak peek of Once Upon a Time, airing at 8:00pm ET|PT on ABC.
After the big reveal at the end of Once Upon a Time‘s premiere, in last week’s episode, we began the process of unravelling what actually took place in Camelot over the last six weeks.
“The Price” began with the residents of Storybrooke realizing that Dark Emma had placed another boundary curse on the town. Those who tried to leave were turned into trees.
Speaking of trees, back in Camelot, Emma, Killian, and company were formally welcomed by King Arthur and Guinevere. They were then taken to see Merlin…who was trapped in a tree and had been so for a decade. Merlin’s prophecy foretold that it would be the Savior who would be able to free him. When Arthur explicitly asked who among them was the Savior, Regina said it was her. Emma was upset, but Regina assured her that she’d done it to protect Emma from having to use dark magic and potentially lose control.
In other developments, to honor the Savior’s arrival, they would host a ball and everyone was excited. Regina had never been to a ball before, and though she was initially hesitant, a dance lesson and wardrobe from the Charmings changed her mood. Percival, one of Arthur’s knights, even presented Regina with a necklace as a gift. When the ball commenced, everyone looked lovely in their finery. It was a beautiful event and people enjoyed themselves. Henry even met a young lady friend (Violet) who he wooed with music from his iPod.
The night came to an abrupt end when Percival tried to kill Regina, who he knew was the Evil Queen. When he was younger, Regina had destroyed Percival’s village and killed his family. He planned to kill her in revenge. Charming and Robin came to Regina’s rescue, but Robin was stabbed in the process. Regina begged Emma to use dark magic to save Robin. Emma was successful, but Fairy Dark Father Rumple showed himself and to remind her that there was a price for all magic. Also, it seemed Emma liked her dark power a bit too much.
In the present, Killian searched for a way to free Emma from the darkness. After speaking to Belle, he wondered whether true love’s kiss would do the trick. (Interestingly, Killian and Belle have this very dilemma in common: “It’s far easier to hate a Dark One than it is to love one.”) Later, when he summoned Emma, she transported them new house, She also and assured Killian that they could still be together. (It seemed that the only people Emma still cared about were him and Henry.) Unfortunately for Killian, when he kissed Emma, the curse didn’t break. This was mostly because she had accepted being the Dark One; there was nothing to fix. Once again he asked her to tell him what happened in Camelot, but Emma refused. Killian left her them, refusing to be part of Dark Emma’s new life.
At the same time, we learned that Arthur, his knights, and some of his subjects had also been transported to Storybrooke with the curse. Charming and Robin led the effort to help them build a camp, while Regina struggled to convince the town she could protect them all. Regina’s ability to be a Savior was tested when a fury arrived and captured Robin to collect on a debt incurred from the unpaid price of magic—when Emma had saved Robin’s life in Camelot! To save Robin, someone would have to give their life in his place. When the Fury tried to send Robin to the underworld, Regina, Snow, Charming, Arthur, and Grumpy/Leroy interceded and were able to destroy the fury.
Later at her house, Fairy Rumple showed Emma that there was more work to be done. He showed her where Excalibur was buried in the stone. She needed to make the sword whole and use it destroy all the light. Yet, Emma couldn’t remove the sword herself…she first needed to pay the price.
In tonight’s episode “Siege Perilous”, written by Jane Espenson, directed by Ralph Hemecker, and with Sinqua Walls returning as Lancelot:
DAVID AND ARTHUR EMBARK ON A HEROIC QUEST WHILE EMMA ENACTS HER PLAN TO DRAW EXCALIBUR—In Camelot, the heroes feverishly work to free Merlin. Determined to help Emma, David embarks on a quest to retrieve a magical relic that Regina could use to communicate with the imprisoned sorcerer, but, when David leaves, Arthur insists on joining him because the dangers ahead are greater than he can imagine. Meanwhile, Mary Margaret discovers the fate of her old friend Lancelot. Back in Storybrooke, Arthur seeks David’s help to catch a thief who threatens the safety of the citizens of Camelot. Across town, Emma reaches out to a conflicted Hook as she sets about her plan to draw Excalibur from the stone. (via ABC)
This week we’ve got THREE sneak peeks, two from the present-day Storybrooke timeline and a second from Camelot six weeks in the past.
In the first video, Dark Emma and her Fairy Rumple figure out what/who they need in order to remove Excalibur from the stone. Fellow CaptainSwan shippers, get ready for some MAJOR swoons because the second clip features Emma and Killian on the Jolly Roger reliving their first date (EEEEEEP!).
Then the last clip takes place in Camelot, where Regina is trying to warn Zelena away from escaping to Oz with the baby:
That second sneak peek gives me so many feelings, mostly because Killian’s ambivalence is palpable. He loves Emma and would do anything for her, but he can’t abide her as the Dark One *sigh* But does Emma think Killian is the hero who can help her free Excalibur?
And can we talk about that moment between Regina and Zelena?! Goodness, Lana Parrilla and Rebecca Maderare fantastic together! The mutual animosity radiates off of their interaction. Do you think this means Regina plans to raise the baby with Robin, and maybe banish/kill Zelena? So many questions!
Check out 15 images from “Siege Perilous” that give us a glimpse into Emma’s plan to acquire Excalibur—the Dwarves seem to be playing a major part. We also see Charming and Arthur reaching out to Belle for some assistance.
Once Upon a Time airs at 8:00pm ET|PT on ABC and we’ll be live tweeting, so come watch along!