Following the tenth anniversary of the pilot episode Once Upon A Time continues to be a magical series that fans love to revisit on Disney. Over the course of 7 seasons and 156 episodes there is no shortage of episodes to re watch. Thanks to ratings on IMDb it is easier to see which episodes from each season resonate most strongly with audiences. In most cases the thrilling and rewarding season finales are usually the highest-rated episodes of each season but this is not always the case with other installments sometimes winning fans over more than a finale. What are the best episodes in every season of the series?
Season 1 A Land Without Magic 8.9
The season 1 finale paid off many of the narrative threads throughout the season from Emma finally embracing her destiny as the Savior and breaking the Dark Curse to Rumplestiltskin finally learning that Belle had been alive and in Storybrooke the whole time. With all the focus on Emma and Henrys relationship throughout the season it felt right that her love for him is what broke the Dark Curse especially as he was the one who brought her to Storybrooke and helped her realize her true identity and full potential. It was an action-packed rewarding season finale filled with plot twists that also provided an intriguing setup for the next season.
Season 2 Manhattan 8.7
Two of the biggest mysteries after season 1 were the identity of Henrys father and what happened to Rumplestiltskins son Baelfire. The season 2 episode Manhattan answered these mysteries simultaneously by revealing that Baelfire was alive and that he was Henrys father. It was emotional to see Henry meet his father for the first time and to see Rumplestiltskin united with his son after refusing to go through the portal with him so many years ago. It was a classic case of fans feeling bad for and hating Rumplestiltskin which became even more true after the episodes Rumplestiltskin-centric flashbacks. This entry was also refreshing for taking the present-day storyline out of Storybrooke and placing it in the setting of Manhattan forcing the characters to operate in an unfamiliar setting without being able to use magic.
Season 3 Theres No Place Like Home 9.2
The time-traveling season 3 finale solidified Emma and Hook as one of the strongest relationships in the show especially during the second episode of the finale. Not only was their chemistry on point but the finale showed how well they worked together as a team how much they genuinely cared for each other and that Hook was even willing to give up his beloved ship The Jolly Roger if it meant helping Emma. By the end of the episode Emma learned the true meaning of home while falling in love with Hook and seeing her own parents fall in love in the past Rumplestiltskin and Belle had their fairy tale wedding while Regina found true love with Robin Hood. If not for the return of Maid Marian actually Zelena in disguise and Frozens Elsa emerging from an urn this episode could have served as a satisfying series finale.
Season 4 Operation Mongoose Part 2 9.0
The second part of the season 4 finale gave Henry the opportunity to be the hero instead of watching his family members being the heroes once again. It was rewarding to see Henry become the Author and to save the day in a way that felt authentic to his unique strengths and his individual journey. Of course the happy ending didnt last for long as Emma let the Darkness consume her instead of letting it consume Regina. The Dark One dagger clattering to the ground with the name Emma Swan etched into the blade is Once Upon A Times best cliffhanger. While not all fans liked how Emmas Dark One storyline was handled in season 5 the cliffhanger of the shows main hero becoming the Dark One was a fascinating shift in the status quo with endless possibilities.
Season 5 Birth 8.6
The title of this episode refers to the literal birth of Zelena and Robin Hoods child and the birth of Hook as a Dark One. This episode finally explained what Emma was up to as the Dark One in Storybrooke. When Hook was cut by Excalibur he shouldve died. Instead Emma used the Darkness to save his life by also making him a Dark One. Emma had not become a full-on villain after all but was instead just trying to save Hooks life and shield him and everyone else from the truth of what happened. Regardless of how fans felt about this plot twist it was a relief to finally understand what was happening with Emma.
Season 6 The Final Battle Part 2 8.7
Had Once Upon A Time not been renewed for a seventh season The Final Battle Part 2 wouldve been a strong series finale. Many elements from the pilot episode and the first season came full circle along with a number of references to the shows earlier episodes. Instead of Emma saving Henry with true loves kiss Henry saved Emma with true loves kiss. Emmas belief was tested just like it was in the beginning only this time all the realms were at risk if she failed. The final battle that had been prophesied from the beginning of the series came to pass and Emma fulfilled her destiny and arc as the Savior all while defeating one of Once Upon A Times best villains. This episode effectively culminated Emmas journey and gave happy endings and a bright future for all of the core characters.
Season 7 Leaving Storybrooke 9.0
While the story couldve ended in a satisfying way after season 3 or season 6 that wouldve been a mistake as fans wouldve been deprived of this perfect series finale. Leaving Storybrooke brought the arcs of Once Upon A Times best characters--Regina and Rumplestiltskin--to rewarding conclusions. Rumplestiltskin learned what it truly meant to be a hero and defeated the worst version of himself to save everyone. Regina was introduced at the beginning of the series as the Evil Queen who barged into Snow White and Prince Charmings wedding swearing that she would destroy their happiness. Regina ended the series being crowned by the Good Queen of all the realms supported by Snow White Prince Charming and all those who once feared her. The stories of Regina and Rumplestiltskin felt rewarding and earned after their painstaking journeys toward redemption proving that it is never too late to change and become a better person.
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