Ep 1. The Dark Swan

The Dark Swan is the first episode of Once Upon a Time season 5 and it marks a significant shift in the direction of the show. After four seasons of battling various villains from classic fairy tales, the series takes a turn towards the darker side as it explores the consequences of magic and power.

The episode picks up where season 4 left off, with Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) sacrificing herself to become the new Dark One. The once-heroic Savior has now become the very thing she fought against, and the audience is left wondering how the rest of the characters will deal with this new threat.

The opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the episode, with Emma wandering through a desolate forest as she struggles to come to terms with her new reality. Her hair has turned jet black, her clothes are torn, and her eyes are now a piercing shade of green. It is clear that this is not the Emma Swan that we have come to know and love, and her transformation into the Dark One is already taking its toll on her sanity.

Meanwhile, back in Storybrooke, the rest of the characters are reeling from the events of the season 4 finale. Hook (Colin O'Donoghue) is particularly devastated by Emma's sacrifice and he becomes the driving force behind the search for a way to bring her back from the darkness. Regina (Lana Parrilla) also feels a sense of responsibility, as she was the one who had put Emma on the path to becoming the Savior in the first place.

The episode also introduces two new characters who will play a major role in the season: Merida (Amy Manson), the Scottish warrior from Disney's Brave, and King Arthur (Liam Garrigan), the legendary king from Camelot. Their presence in Storybrooke is not a coincidence, as they have both been brought there to help the other characters on their quest to save Emma.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Emma is not the only one who has been affected by her transformation. Her presence as the Dark Swan has unleashed a dangerous new magic throughout the town, with objects and people being affected in unpredictable ways. This leads to some intense and emotional scenes between the characters, as they struggle to understand what is happening and how to stop it.

The episode also sets up several storylines that will be explored throughout the season. One of the most intriguing is the mystery surrounding King Arthur and his connection to the Dark One. It is clear that he knows more about Emma's situation than he is letting on, and there are several hints that his true motives may not be as noble as he claims.

Overall, The Dark Swan is a strong start to what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable season of Once Upon a Time. The episode sets the stage for an epic battle between good and evil, and it introduces several new elements to the show that will keep viewers engaged and guessing. It is clear that the writers have taken some risks this season, but so far they seem to be paying off, as the show feels fresh and exciting once again.