‘Desperate Souls’ was directed by Michael Waxman. Writer was Jane Espenson. In pre-curse FTL, children are drafted into service.
The age requirement has been dropped again to 14. Rumple (Robert Carlyle) is terrified. His beloved son Baelfire (Dylan Schmid) turns 14 in a few days.
When they try to run, they’re confronted by soldiers. The leader Hordor (Ty Olsson) demands the boy. Rumple humiliates himself to spend more time with his son. An old beggar (Brad Dourif) offers to help. He reveals how the Dark One is enslaved to the Duke of Frontlands.
He plants the idea of killing the Dark One with a magical dagger. In order to steal his powers. Rumple commits arson, theft and murder. In doing so he inherits the Dark Curse.
His name is now etched on the dagger. His skin turns gold and his nails green. When he returns home the transformation is complete. His eyes have turned from brown to gold and appear reptilian. His teeth are covered with a gold film. Rumple kills the soldiers taking Baelfire. His ruthlessness terrifies Bae.
In StoryBrooke, Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle) tells Emma (Jennifer Morrison) to take the Sherriff’s job. While she’s reluctant Regina (Lana Parrilla) picks Sidney Glass (Giancarlo Esposito) for the position. Mr. Gold tells Emma Regina can only select a candidate. He presumably wrote that loophole into the town charter.
Emma and Sidney must run against each other. Mr. Gold arranges for Emma to save the Mayor’s life. When a fire suddenly breaks out in City Hall. Emma finds evidence proving arson. Mr. Gold plays stupid when she confronts him.
She reveals the truth during the election. She’s surprised to learn that she won. Mainly because she stood up to Mr. Gold. Later he explains the exposure was all part of his plan. Now that she’s Sherriff, Emma’s in a better position to repay his favor.
The good: What a tortured existence for poor Rumple. Life was bad enough. The single father was the town coward. Bae’s draft pushed him towards a nervous breakdown. As the Dark One, Rumple was finally able to express his rage over a lifetime of bullying without repercussions. It was now their turn at being afraid. The Dark One will make everyone pay for his suffering.
The bad: Hordor doesn’t have to worry about that crick in his neck anymore. Why did that horseman sit there and wait to be killed by the new Dark One? If he took off, Rumple could’ve amazed us with his first display of raw power.
The ugly: Zoso for condemning Rumple to his fate. Did life cease to have meaning because he was immortal? How did the Duke of Frontlands learn about and take the dagger? Will there be flashbacks with Zoso as the Dark One? Did he suggest lowering the age requirement? So he could ensnare Rumple?
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