Darth Maul’s Alter Ego is Mister Hyde – #OnceUponATime

Who would have thought that the alter ego of Darth Maul is Mister Hyde? The irony of it all is just delicious as Jafar would say. And he should know as his story is being introduced into Once Upon A Time. Season 6 is just under way and it started off much better than Season 5. The opening featuring Jafar and Aladdin was intriguing and mysterious. Oded Fehr does a charming and convincing job as the evil vizier. This brief glimpse into their world only stirs the appetite for what’s to come. I love Jafar’s The Giving Tree reference at the beginning of the episode. “It’s the fate of saviors. You give and give and give and for what? They pick the fruits, they cut the branches and all that’s left is this shaky stump. That’s why you never, ever hear these words about a savior. ‘They lived happily ever after.'”

ONCE UPON A TIME - "A Bitter Draught" - When a mysterious man from the Land of Untold Stories, who has a past with the Evil Queen, arrives in Storybrooke, David and Snow work together with Regina to neutralize the threat. Belle seeks Hook's help finding a safe place to hide away from her husband, Mr. Gold. The Evil Queen continues to try to win Zelena over to her side, while Emma resumes her therapy sessions with Archie and shares her terrifying vision of the future, on "Once Upon a Time," SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eike Schroter) LANA PARRILLA, ROBERT CARLYLE — ONCE UPON A TIME – “A Bitter Draught” – When a mysterious man from the Land of Untold Stories, who has a past with the Evil Queen, arrives in Storybrooke, David and Snow work together with Regina to neutralize the threat. Here the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) confronts Rumple (Robert Carlyle) “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eike Schroter)

Speaking of saviors, Emma’s arc involves her own demise as she discovers a grisly fate is in store for her. She suffers from tremors that she can’t explain, but somehow Mr. Hyde seems to know something. He drops little hints that eventually leads Emma to come to him for help and Hyde tells her to follow the red bird, but then adds the tantalizing teaser, “Are you truly ready to face your own story, savior?” Sam Witwer has got SUCH a great voice and tenor for this part. He seems menacing even when he isn’t doing anything. But that isn’t surprising to Star Wars Rebels and Clone Wars fans since Witwer is also the voice of the sinister Darth Maul. Emma ends up facing the future – and she doesn’t like it. She gets a glimpse of the vision of her life by the mysterious oracle and she dies in battle by a figure that looks like Death. By the way, who is this oracle who appears to both Aladdin and Emma?

ONCE UPON A TIME - "The Savior" - As "Once Upon a Time" returns to ABC for its sixth season, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network, so does its classic villain-the Evil Queen. (ABC/Jack Rowand) SAM WITWER, JENNIFER MORRISON — ONCE UPON A TIME – “The Savior” – In this scene, Hyde (Sam Witwer) reveals to Emma (Jennifer Morrison) that she is not the first savior he has known. (ABC/Jack Rowand)

The third story unfolding this season is about Belle and Rumple – and their son! We actually meet him since he becomes the god of dreams, Morpheus. It’s rather complicated since he hasn’t been born yet. I wonder if Belle will actually name him Morpheus when he’s born? It was great to finally see them recreate the iconic dance from the animated film as Rumple transforms her dress into a replica of the yellow one we see in the movie. It turns out to look even better in reality on the beautiful Emilie De Ravin.

Belle's dress transforms into the iconic one we remember from the animated film — Belle’s dress transforms into the iconic one we remember from the animated film

Finally, Regina has to deal with the unfolding nature of her own story, the grief she is working through at losing Robin, and the resentment she has toward Zelena about Robin’s death. Of course, there is still the Evil Queen lurking in the background, but I’m sure it won’t be long until she comes out to play. There are LOTS of questions about what’s coming, but hopefully the journey will be worth it.

By the way, the writing was great. Some of the best lines from this episode were:

“Hey mutton-chops!” – Emma to Hyde

“I didn’t mean that like I was anti-cricket.” – Emma to Archie (Jiminy Cricket)

“Can’t you give me a pill or something?” “When it comes to our biggest problems, Emma there are no shortcuts.” – Emma and Archie again

“You taught me to have faith. You were the one who taught me that hope is a choice.” – Snow to Regina

What are you most looking forward to in Season 6?