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Once Upon a Time

Desperate Souls

  • Episode aired Jan 8, 2012
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
S1.E8
  • S1
  • E8
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  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Ginnifer Goodwin in Once Upon a Time (2011)
  • Adventure
  • Fantasy
  • Romance
Gold and Regina play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs against Sidney for Sheriff, as flashbacks show Rumplestiltskin desperately try to find a way to save his son from b... Read allGold and Regina play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs against Sidney for Sheriff, as flashbacks show Rumplestiltskin desperately try to find a way to save his son from being enlisted into war.Gold and Regina play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs against Sidney for Sheriff, as flashbacks show Rumplestiltskin desperately try to find a way to save his son from being enlisted into war.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Waxman
  • Writers
    • Edward Kitsis
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jane Espenson
  • Stars
    • Ginnifer Goodwin
    • Jennifer Morrison
    • Lana Parrilla
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Waxman
  • Writers
    • Edward Kitsis
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jane Espenson
  • Stars
    • Ginnifer Goodwin
    • Jennifer Morrison
    • Lana Parrilla
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos23

    Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, and Jared Gilmore in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Robert Carlyle, Ty Olsson, and Dylan Schmid in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Robert Carlyle in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Jennifer Morrison and Jared Gilmore in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Jennifer Morrison and Jared Gilmore in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Lana Parrilla in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Robert Carlyle and Ty Olsson in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Giancarlo Esposito and Josh Dallas in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Lana Parrilla in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Beverley Elliott, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Meghan Ory, Raphael Sbarge, and Jared Gilmore in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Robert Carlyle and Dylan Schmid in Once Upon a Time (2011)
    Giancarlo Esposito and Lana Parrilla in Once Upon a Time (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ginnifer Goodwin
    Ginnifer Goodwin
    • Mary Margaret Blanchardas Mary Margaret Blanchard
    Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison
    • Emma Swanas Emma Swan
    Lana Parrilla
    Lana Parrilla
    • Regina Millsas Regina Mills
    Josh Dallas
    Josh Dallas
    • David Nolanas David Nolan
    Jared Gilmore
    Jared Gilmore
    • Henry Millsas Henry Mills
    • (as Jared S. Gilmore)
    Raphael Sbarge
    Raphael Sbarge
    • Dr. Archie Hopperas Dr. Archie Hopper
    Robert Carlyle
    Robert Carlyle
    • Rumplestiltskinas Rumplestiltskin…
    Brad Dourif
    Brad Dourif
    • Zosoas Zoso
    Giancarlo Esposito
    Giancarlo Esposito
    • Sidney Glassas Sidney Glass
    Beverley Elliott
    Beverley Elliott
    • Granny Lucasas Granny Lucas
    Ty Olsson
    Ty Olsson
    • Hordoras Hordor
    Meghan Ory
    Meghan Ory
    • Ruby Lucasas Ruby Lucas
    Dylan Schmid
    Dylan Schmid
    • Baelfireas Baelfire
    Patti Allan
    Patti Allan
    • Miss Gingeras Miss Ginger
    Kate Bateman
    • Motheras Mother
    Conner Dwelly
    Conner Dwelly
    • Morraineas Morraine
    Mark Gash
    • Fatheras Father
    David Avalon
    David Avalon
    • Docas Doc
    • (as David Paul Grove)
    • Director
      • Michael Waxman
    • Writers
      • Edward Kitsis
      • Adam Horowitz
      • Jane Espenson
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit
    Regina and Mr. Gold play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs for a coveted Storybrooke public office against Sidney. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Rumplestiltskin tries to track down the ultimate power source in order to help his son avert the horrors of a meaningless war. —ABC Publicity
    • impressment
    • curse
    • sheriff
    • debate
    • election
    • 4 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Fantasy
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • TV-PG
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This episode marks the first time clips from the opening title/recap had been changed to reflect plot developments so far. Prior to this the opening only used clips from the first episode.
    • Goofs
      Gold puts the folder containing the town charter on Emma and Mary Margaret's kitchen table as he sits down. In the next shot it is still in his hands.
    • Quotes

      Henry Mills: Good loses. Good always loses because good has to play fair. Evil doesn't.

    • Crazy credits
      There is a horseman with a torch in the opening title sequence. This is a hint to Rumpelstiltskin setting fire to the Duke's castle.
    • Soundtracks
      Kool Thing
      Written and Performed by Sonic Youth

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    An episode that's hardly desperate for soul
    When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.

    "Desperate Souls" continues the very good to wonderful standard of the first season up to this point. As said quite a few times already it is demonstrative of 'Once Upon a Time's' first season growing all the time, even at this very early stage, with the dialogue and acting in particular having come on quite a long way.

    There is not much wrong here, the occasional bit of corn in the writing here and there and occasionally Lana Parrilla overdoes it with the pouting lips and intense staring.

    However, "Desperate Souls" is a very handsomely mounted episode, settings and costumes that are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully and there were some make-up that suited the characters perfectly. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.

    As said, the writing has come on a lot since 'Once Upon a Time' first started and it's humorous and engaging with emotional impact too. Really love Rumpelstiltskin's ever growing back-story, which has a lot of soul and entertainment value and nothing becomes desperate. The episode again establishes the concept and intertwines and mirrors the real and fantasy worlds very well, with standout scenes being the final fairy tale scenes and David and Mary Margaret's touching poster scene.

    Robert Carlyle shows why he is one of the show's consistent high-points, he looks like he is having so much fun with the role and he does it without going over-the-top. Brad Dourif is inspired casting too and ever charming Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas are electric together. Parrilla is not at her best here but she will always be one of my favourite 'Once Upon a Time' cast members overall.

    Overall, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox
    helpful•1
    0
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Nov 28, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 8, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • John H. McDonald House, New Westminster, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Kitsis/Horowitz
      • ABC Signature
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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