'Once upon a Time' season 5 spoilers: Merida introduced; Regina and Emma flip roles as hero and villain?
Last season ended in a shocking but not so surprising twist, as Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) sacrificed herself to the darkness that turned her into the dark swan right after she confesses her feelings of love for Hook (Colin O'Donoghue). This sets her up to be the big bad villain in the upcoming season.
The new season will revolve around Snow (Ginnifer Goodwin), Charming (Josh Dallas), Regina (Lana Parilla), Henry (Jared Gilmore), and Hook trying to bring Emma back from the dark side and finding Merlin the sorcerer, who is the only one who can help them get Emma back from the darkness.
The upcoming season will also see someone take possession of the dark one's dagger. However, it is not yet known who will actually possess the dagger and be able to control the dark one to a certain extent.
The creators teased fans in an interview that they will see a new savior in the upcoming season. While they did not say who it is, a few fans believe that Regina will be the new savior, as she will most likely help Snow and the gang save Emma even if it means that Snow will owe her a debt of gratitude.
The brand-new season will see Snow and Charming do some rather unorthodox and questionable things as they try to get their daughter back. The whole situation will put a strain on their strong relationship. Fans will get to find out what happened to Rumple now that he is no longer the dark one and how his relationship with Belle progresses.
Fans of the show will also see more of the complicated romantic relationships between the characters. Regina's love triangle with Robin Hood and Zelena will continue. Meanwhile, Captain Hook will attempt to summon the dark one.
The forthcoming season will also introduce some new characters like Arthur, Guinevere, and Sir Lionel from Camelot; and Princess Merida from Brave. Zelena the wicked witch is set to give birth next season, and fans might see the return of some old favorites.
Merida will be played by Amy Manson and she will cross paths first with Emma prior to meeting the rest of them. She is described as a fun spitfire, who will possibly go on an adventure with Belle.
"Once upon A Time" is set to air on Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. on ABC.