Ep 1. Hyperion Heights

In the season 7 premiere of Once Upon a Time, the story travels to Hyperion Heights, a new location in Seattle where the inhabitants are unaware of their true identities. The episode introduces a new protagonist, an adult Henry Mills, who is living in Hyperion Heights as a taxi driver named Rogers. The opening scene introduces a younger version of Henry, sitting in a castle with his daughter Lucy, who is determined to find her father and help him save their family from a curse.

The plot follows separate storylines involving Henry and several new characters, who are all unknowingly connected by a curse cast by an unknown villain. In Hyperion Heights, Henry meets a homeless woman named Jacinda and her daughter, Lucy. Jacinda is also the daughter of Cinderella from a different realm, and is struggling to keep her family together while facing adversity at work and from her scheming stepmother.

Meanwhile, Victoria Belfrey is introduced as the ruthless developer of Hyperion Heights, who is causing chaos for the residents of the neighborhood. The character is played by Gabrielle Anwar, who is a new addition to the cast.

As the episode progresses, Henry begins to realize that there is something strange going on in Hyperion Heights. He is drawn to a bar called Roni's, which he discovers is run by Regina Mills, who has taken on a new persona in this realm. The two reunite, and Regina reveals that there is a curse on the neighborhood that is preventing them from leaving.

The episode also features appearances from other familiar Once Upon a Time characters including Hook, Rumplestiltskin, and Belle, who are all somehow connected to the story in Hyperion Heights.

The episode ends with a dramatic twist, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and eager for the next installment. Overall, the premiere does an excellent job of introducing new characters and building a new world in a way that feels fresh and exciting for fans of the series.