Ep 4. The Broken Kingdom

In Once Upon a Time season 5 episode 4, titled "The Broken Kingdom," viewers are taken on a journey back to Camelot in which they see that the situation in the kingdom is not as good as it once was. The titular kingdom is in dire straits, with poverty and unrest leading to desperate times. The episode centers around the search for Merlin, who was last seen trapped in a tree by Emma, the savior, in season 4.

As the episode begins, viewers see Arthur and Guinevere have called upon the Dark One, Rumplestiltskin, to help them retrieve the sword of Excalibur. They believe it will restore the kingdom's prosperity. Meanwhile, Emma, Hook, and Charming are in Camelot, and they are searching for the aforementioned Merlin. Emma is struggling to control the darkness within her, and is convinced that Merlin can come to her aid.

Flashbacks take viewers to a young Merlin who is on a quest of his own: searching for a powerful sorceress named Nimue who can teach him how to harness his magic. He is joined on his quest by a young woman named Freya, whom fans will recognize from the Frozen story arc. Their quest takes them to a beautiful waterfall, where Nimue is rumored to live. They encounter the infamous Lady of the Lake and learn that Nimue is dead. While they are there, Merlin discovers that the magic of the Dark One has corrupted the land. This revelation proves to be important later in the episode.

Back in present-day Camelot, Emma, Hook, and Charming continue their search for Merlin. They learn that the tree that trapped Merlin is in the courtyard, but it has been removed. They are able to track it down, but the tree was cut down many years ago. While this appears to be a dead end, in true Once Upon a Time fashion, they discover a clue in the form of a hidden message from Merlin. The message leads them to a hidden underground chamber where they find the Holy Grail, which is said to have healing powers.

Belle is also on a mission of her own. She has been tasked with uncovering the truth about what happened to Merlin. She has been searching through the Dark One's library for something that can help the team find him. She finally unearths a book that tells the story of how Merlin became trapped in the tree. We see that Emma is the one responsible for this - she was trying to use Merlin's magic to eliminate the darkness within her. She regrets her actions and is now determined to free him.

At the end of the episode, Rumplestiltskin reveals to Arthur and Guinevere that he has, in fact, found the sword. However, he wants it for his own purposes, claiming that it is the only way he can find a way to be free of the curse of the Dark One. Emma and her team return to the chamber with the Holy Grail, and they finally find Merlin. They are able to bring him back, but the reunion is not a happy one. Merlin reveals that the darkness is stronger than he ever imagined, and that Emma's powers are stronger than they appear. Fans will be on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next.

Overall, "The Broken Kingdom" is a tense, action-packed episode that will entertain Once Upon a Time fans. It has all the classic elements of the show: magical powers, hidden clues, and a dramatic storyline that will keep viewers invested until the very end.