‘Once Upon A Time’ Spoilers: Why The Dark Swan Will Be Different From The Dark One

How is being the new Dark One going to affect Emma? Well, fans do have to wait until September for the Once Upon a Time Season 5 premiere to truly see what’s coming up for Jennifer Morrison’s character next, but the latest news out about the ABC series teases a bit of what to expect.

In case you forgot how Once Upon a Time Season 4 ended (or just want to watch it again), you can rewatch that final scene below. When the Sorcerer’s hat could not hold the Darkness from Rumplestiltskin’s heart, it was free and entered the Apprentice. However, Emma used her magic to save him, but the Darkness was again free – and a major problem. It was ready to attach itself to Regina until Emma used the Dark One’s dagger to take it in herself, and when she disappeared, all that was left was that dagger – with her name inscribed on it.

So where is Emma? Well, according to TVLine, that’s going to be the big question for the premiere, as there will not be a time jump. But with the tease that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table will be seen “sooner rather than later,” could the two be connected?

That may be a stretch, but for now, thanks to Entertainment Weekly posting two photos of Emma Swan as the new Dark One – and she’ll be known as Dark Swan – and some details about what to expect from Emma now, not everything is a mystery. According to executive producer Adam Horowitz, don’t expect her to be like Rumple was (and not just because of her appearance).

“How a Dark One manifests is specific to each person who takes on the mantle. Emma will have her own unique spin on what it means to be a Dark One.”

EP Edward Kitsis further teased that “every part of her is fighting her dark urges,” as it “allows you to have the freedom to have no inhibitions.”

“We are going to be exploring love and what happens when you use it as a weapon and what are the things that it makes you do. In the past, we’ve said love is the most powerful magic of all. It makes you do many things you normally wouldn’t think you would.”

So will this mean that Emma’s parents, Henry and Hook, could help Emma fight for control against those dark urges, or will this mean trouble for them if she can’t? Either way, they need to find Merlin to help Emma.

Once Upon a Time Season 5 premieres Sunday, September 27 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

[Image via ABC]