January 9, 2012, 9:51 am

‘Once Upon A Time’: Rise of the Dark One

Previously on Once, we were all starting to warm up to Sheriff Graham, even Emma Swan. In fact, the closer Sheriff Graham got to Emma, the more he remembered Fairytale Land. But Mayor Regina could not take that and she killed him. Apparently no one is safe.

You’d think the entire town would be torn up over the death of their Sheriff, but really the only one to show any emotion is Emma. Mr. Gold gives her the nudge to seek the office of sheriff, but Regina throws her support behind Sydney Glass, reporter for The Daily Mirror. Henry warns Emma to stop because of Sheriff Graham’s death and how good can’t compete with evil because good doesn’t play dirty.

Rumpelstiltskin

Emma saves Regina from a fire but then decides to stop campaigning since she didn’t want to stoop to the level of smear campaigning. This ultimately leads to her winning the election as most townspeople saw her stance as standing up to Mr. Gold. As Regina put it, the only thing people like better than a strong ally is someone standing up to a formidable enemy.

In Fairytale Land, we finally get a backstory dedicated to Rumpelstiltskin. He has a son who is approaching his thirteenth birthday when he will be taken away to join the country’s army. Trying to run away with his son, they are stopped by army forces and it is revealed that Rumpelstiltskin fled a military front and everyone was killed. His wife couldn’t even look at him any longer. 

An interesting character is added to the mix, the Dark One. The Dark One is controlled by the one with the dagger revealing his name. Rumpelstiltskin steals the knife, kills the Dark One and gains his powers. And hence, the Rumpelstiltskin as we know him is born.

I’m still trying to determine whether the Dark One is based on some fairytale character or completely original. I’ve gone through all the stories I can think of, but can’t place him anywhere. I personally want to know more about him, where he got his powers and where he came from.

It’s good to know more about Rumpelstiltskin, but it also just makes me want to know more. What became of his son? How did he start his “wheelin’ and dealin” and become so cruel? I’m thinking something happens to his son and it really sends him over the edge.

I’m not too surprised Emma became sheriff. I feel like that was a given. But her defying Mr. Gold…that was a nice touch. I feel like this is really the start of good versus evil. Like Henry said, Regina is evil but Mr. Gold is worse.

Let’s hear what you have to say! Notice anything interesting? Have any lingering questions? Next week we meet Hansel and Gretel!