The Dark Swan
| "The Dark Swan" | |
|---|---|
| Once Upon a Time episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Ron Underwood |
| Written by | Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz |
| Production code | 501 |
| Original air date | September 27, 2015 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Dark Swan" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, which aired on September 27, 2015.
In this episode, the events of Emma Swan being consumed by the Darkness have left the residents of Storybrooke without "The Savior," leaving Regina, Mary Margaret, Hook, David, Henry, Robin, and Belle to find a way to save her, even if it means turning to an unlikely individual that they cannot trust. Meanwhile, Emma finds herself in the Enchanted Forest where she encounters Merida en route to Camelot in her search for Merlin before the darkness consumes her for good.
Commentators gave the episode positive reviews, citing the episode's dark and more human tone following the events of the fourth-season finale.