Darkness on the Edge of Town (Once Upon a Time)

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Darkness on the Edge of Town is the twelfth episode and spring premiere of Once Upon a Time’s fourth season. It aired on March 1, 2015. In this episode, Hook and Belle try to free the fairies from the Sorcerer’s hat, while Emma, Henry, and Regina investigate the author of the storybooks. A new dark force, Chernabog, threatens Storybrooke. In New York, Mr. Gold teams up with Cruella De Vil and Ursula. Flashbacks show how Ursula, Maleficent, and Cruella first met and joined Rumplestiltskin’s plan.

Back in the Enchanted Forest, years ago, Maleficent, Ursula, and Cruella are brought together by an unknown organizer. Rumplestiltskin appears with a plan to seize their happy endings. The trio agrees to help, but the tasks are dangerous. After they complete them, Rumplestiltskin reveals his true plan and leaves them to face the demon Chernabog. The women escape, with Ursula rescuing Maleficent using her tentacles.

Six weeks pass in the real world. Life in Storybrooke mostly returns to normal. Hook and Belle continue their efforts to free the fairies. Regina works with Emma to locate the author, and Henry’s arc involves a torn page about Regina and Robin Hood.

Regina uses the Dark One’s dagger to release the fairies from the hat. Just after, a dark smoke forms the demon Chernabog and he escapes into the sky. The town celebrates the fairy return, but the danger isn’t over.

Gold, Cruella, and Ursula reach the town border and gain entry with a magical scroll. Gold explains he manipulated events to free the fairies while releasing Chernabog, and he plans to resurrect Maleficent and target Emma, who he sees as having the darkest potential.

Emma learns Chernabog is drawn to her. Regina and Emma corral him toward the town border, where he is banished beyond the line. Cruella and Ursula are allowed to stay after proving they’ve changed, with the Snow Queen’s magic scroll helping them cross.

That night, Gold hints that he set everything in motion to grant himself power, and he remains willing to use others to reach his goals. The episode ends with fragile new alliances and ongoing threats.

Reception:
- Ratings: 2.2/6 among adults 18-49 and about 6.66 million viewers.
- Reviews: Positive. IGN’s Amy Ratcliffe gave it 8.5/10, calling the episode a strong start to the back half of the season and praising Chernabog’s introduction and the character moments. Entertainment Weekly noted the return of older characters but warned there may not be enough time to give everyone attention.