It’s been a long almost-three months since the winter finale of Once Upon a Timeaired. Since then, we’ve been left to sit and fret about the fate of Killian Jones, who was sacrificed by his true love Emma at the end of “Swan Song” in order to stop Dark Hook (and to destroy the Darkness, which didn’t exactly work out… ugh, Rumple).
We were lucky enough to get a peek at the upcoming winter premiere, “Souls of the Departed,” and we’ve gotta tell you guys: you’re going to love it.
Here are five things to expect from the upcoming episode! Be warned that very light spoilers follow.
1. Did you think this was going to be a quick sojourn into the fiery pit? Think again.
Let’s face it: Once Upon a Time has a bit of a bad habit of setting up supposedly huge/epic storylines and then only going half way with them. That’s not at all the case here. Emma’s journey to retrieve her dead boyfriend is not going to be as easy as she may have thought when she blackmailed Rumple into assisting her with the rescue mission. This is not a one-episode-and-done storyline. Settle in and buckle up, folks. We’re going to be in the Underworld for a while.
2. Regina Deals With Her Troubled Family Past
Regina’s journey from #1 villainess to tortured anti-heroine has been quite a thing to behold. It’s easily one of the best parts of watching this series unfold over the course of the past five seasons. Much of Regina’s checkered past is dredged up in “Souls of the Departed” and she’s forced to face the not-so-heroic things that she’s done head-on. Expect to see a few familiar faces from the past pop up as Regina deals with these challenges and examines just how much she’s truly changed.
3. Surprising Returns
Several fan favorites have already been listed and confirmed for returns in this episode, the series’ 100th. But expect to see at least a few more characters that, if you’re anything like me, you haven’t even thought about in a long while and certainly weren’t expecting to see again. Fun surprises abound!
4. A Memorable New Villain
Hades from Hercules is easily one of Disney’s all-time greatest animated villains (though I may be a little biased because Hercules is my #1 Disney movie and anybody who says differently is straight up wrong). The sassy, hotheaded devil was voiced perfectly by James Woods. Those are big shoes to fill, and though Hades is introduced only briefly in “Souls of the Departed,” we see a very promising flash of Greg Germann embodying the latest and greatest Once villain. We’re super thankful about that, especially after some of the recent dud villains (*cough* Snow Queen *cough cough*).
5. The Dead Have Their Own Agendas
Those special guest appearances by the show’s deceased characters? Some are clearly one-off cameos while others hint at something larger. Expect some of the more nefarious returning figures to show up and leave you with the idea that we’ll be seeing them again, real soon, and that they’ve got big plans involving our heroes.
Photos from “Souls of the Departed”
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
GINNIFER GOODWIN, JOSH DALLAS
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
JOSH DALLAS, JENNIFER MORRISON
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
JOSH DALLAS, JENNIFER MORRISON
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
GINNIFER GOODWIN, JOSH DALLAS
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
LANA PARRILLA, JARED GILMORE, SEAN MAGUIRE
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
LANA PARRILLA, JARED GILMORE, SEAN MAGUIRE
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
JARED GILMORE
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
JARED GILMORE
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
JENNIFER MORRISON
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
LANA PARRILLA
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
BARBARA HERSHEY
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
BARBARA HERSHEY
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
LANA PARRILLA
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
LEE ARENBERG
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
LEE ARENBERG, MICHAEL COLEMAN, JEFFREY KAISER, MIG MACARIO, GABE KHOUTH, DAVID-PAUL GROVE, JOSH DALLAS
ONCE UPON A TIME – “Souls of the Departed” – Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Henry and Gold arrive in the Underworld, on a mission to rescue Hook, only to discover that their search will be more difficult than they had anticipated. The inhabitants of the Underworld-all souls with unfinished business and many with quite personal vendettas-hound our heroes at every turn. Meanwhile, in an Enchanted Forest flashback, a familiar face from the Evil Queen’s past returns to present Regina with the perfect birthday gift, on the 100th episode of “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)
JOSH DALLAS, SEAN MAGUIRE, JENNIFER MORRISON, JARED GILMORE, GINNIFER GOODWIN, LANA PARRILLA
What are you most looking forward to with the return of the show for its 100th episode? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Caralynn is a freelance writer and editor, but most importantly, she is a diehard TV addict. A few of her current favorites are Mr. Robot, You're the Worst, iZombie, and The Vampire Diaries. She also writes about TV for Romper, The TV Junkies, and TV Fanatic.
