Once Upon A Time Season 5 Episodes 1-2 Reviews: Saving The Savior (Season Premiere)

At the end of last season Emma replaced Rumple as the "Dark One" after rescuing Regina from a similar fate. I'm hoping this year is high in SwanQueen drama. Because, let's be honest, it's the only reason I watch this show. I'm hoping Regina proves herself worthy to be the Savior and rescues Emma in the end. Having said all that, please forgive me if I've left out any major plot points.

"The Dark Swan" opens with Emma in Camelot. She has not gone completely black...yet. She's doing an OK job of fighting off the Darkness but it's very enticing. It takes the form of Rumple and continues to taunt her. The real Rumple is in a coma back in Storybrooke. Emma encounters Merida (from "Brave"). She tries to shoot a few arrows at Emma but that doesn't work. They follow a will o' wisp. Emma wants it to tell her where Merlin is so he can break the curse. Rumple tells Emma to murder Merida in her sleep. That was a funny scene.

Meanwhile the SB (Storybrooke) folks are trying to activate the Apprentice's wand. They need someone evil to do it (and Regina cant because she's Team Light now). Off they go to see Zelena (who is still being held captive in the basement of the hospital). Hook and Henry later sneak back in. Zelena lops off her hand in order to remove the containment bracelet. The only problem is the severed hand is definitely a GIANT MAN'S hand. Oh well. We'll let it slide this time. Did those two dummies really think their plan would work? Zelena whips up a portal (portal #427 for those of you counting along at home) to get back to Oz. But Regina slaps the bracelet on her again. Instead of Oz, they all travel to Camelot... in Granny's Diner.

Just as they arrive, Dark Emma pulls Merida's heart out. FakeRumple tells her to squash it. Luckily the others talk her down. Then Emma gives Regina the dagger. She trusts Regina will do whatever is necessary...even if it means killing her. This scene is rich in SwanQueen. Yeah!!! Interesting side note: The Dark One's dagger is actually the bottom piece of King Arthur's sword Excalibur. Who knew? Well, apparently some people online did. I must be slow.

It's six months later when "The Price" begins. The diner is back in Storybrooke. Everyone's memories have been erased. Again with the memory loss? How many times has this happened? I've lost count. Anyway, Emma is a full fledged baddy now. All the Camelot folks are now in Storeybrooke. Better pitch some tents and dig some latrines. Excalibur is missing. It's because it's in Emma's basement. Oh and Regina no longer has the dagger.

Back to Camelot again. I'm getting dizzy. The Storybrooke crew is invited to the castle for some festivities. Doesnt everyone look stunning in their outfits? Arthur says a legend foretells the Savior will release Merlin from his tree form. But Emma can't do it since she's gone dark. Regina pretends to be the Savior instead. It looks lilke she's enjoying herself for a few minutes. Unfortunately a guy named Percival recognizes her as the Evil Queen and calls Regina out.

Percival tries to stab Regina but Robin jumps in the way. Regina begs Emma to use her magic to heal him. Emma does it because... ya know... she loves Regina. But as we've learned so many times previously, magic always comes with a price.

Later in Storybrooke a Fury (I thought it was another damn flying monkey) tries to take Robin... then Regina... to the Underworld. Someone has to pay for Emma saving Robin's life. Luckily they all join hands and fight it off.

In other news:

Henry meets a girl and might have a love connection. Good thing he has an ipod to impress her with. Where is he recharging that thing? Do they have electricity in Camelot? Violet seems to remember something about their lost six weeks so this should be interesting.
The Dwarfs try to cross the town line but that doesnt go well. Man, those guys are irritating. Can they all be turned into trees?
Speaking of trees, was Merlin as a tree part of the original story? I must have missed that.
Belle tells Hook "true love's kiss" didnt work because Emma has gone dark or something. But you and I both know the reason it didnt work is... Emma LOVES Regina and not Hook. So there. I've said it. Live with it.
I dont trust Arthur and his wife Gwen (no, I will not attempt to spell her name). They seem sneaky.
Oh and Emma and Hook kissed. Robin and Regina kissed. Hook ran around trying to find a way to save Emma. Blah, blah, blah, I don't really care.

Favorite Quotes:

"If you want the sword, you're going to have to pay the price."- Fake Rumple to Dark Emma.
"Magic always comes with a price...dearie."- Rumple.
"Well that's new."- Regina after witnessing Dopey go over the town line and then turn into a tree.
"I built this curse without the one thing you need to break it...a savior."- Dark Emma to Regina.
"You re the one who did not pay the price of magic in Camelot. You want everyone to believe you are the Savior, then step up and do what needs to be done."- Dark Emma to Regina.
"You didnt fail me in Camelot. Everyone else did."- Dark Emma to Henry. Ouch! And by "everyone else", I'm sure that means Regina.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). I'm really jazzed about Emma flexing her dark muscles this year. Bonus points for her baddie leather outfit. I'm not so sure about the silver hair though. That freaks me out a little.