The Hot Seat: Once Upon a Time bosses answer burning questions 4B Spoilers

The Once Upon a Time season finale is gearing up to potentially be a joyous and devastating occasion. To prep for the upcoming season-ender, EW put executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis in the Hot Seat, where they revealed there will be a wedding and death(s). Because this is a special finale edition of Hot Seat, the OUAT bosses had the option of answering your questions from Twitter with “Yes,” “No,” “Can’t say” or “Next season.” Get the scoop below
 
Is there a way to balance out Emma’s (Jennifer Morrison) light and Lily’s (Agnes Bruckner) dark and reverse what happened?
ADAM HOROWITZ: Next season.

Does Lily possess magic?
EDWARD KITSIS: Can’t say.

Will the topic of Lily’s father be brought up?
HOROWITZ: Yes.

Will Emma and the Charmings (Josh Dallas and Ginnifer Goodwin) work out their issues?
KITSIS: Keep watching.

Will Killian (Colin O’Donoghue) play a role in bringing Emma back from the darkness?
HOROWITZ: Who says she’s being brought back from the darkness?
KITSIS: But he will play a role in her life.

Will Page 23 be featured?
HOROWITZ: Yes.

Will we find out the identity of the Sorcerer?
KITSIS: Yes.

Is there a chance of seeing a new Dark One?
HOROWITZ: Can’t say.
KITSIS: There’s always a chance.

Is next season’s villain someone we already know on the show?
KITSIS: Can’t say.

If the Author (Patrick Fischler) is able to rewrite stories, might we see an alternate timeline?
KITSIS: Can’t say.

Will there be another time jump?
KITSIS: This season, no.
HOROWITZ: Never say never in the future.
KITSIS: I would say next season probably.

Any chance of seeing a true love’s kiss in the finale?
HOROWITZ: There’s some kissing action coming.

Will there be nuptials for any of our couples soon?
KITSIS: There will be a wedding in the finale. Whether it goes through or not, you’ll have to watch.

Any chance of incorporating an LGBT character?
KITSIS: Always a chance.

Will we see more of Regina (Lana Parrilla) and Emma working together?
HOROWITZ: Yes.

Will we see the sister relationship between Zelena (Rebecca Mader) and Regina further explored?
KITSIS: Absolutely.

Will Regina get pregnant someday?
KITSIS: Can’t say.

Will Cruella (Victoria Smurfit) and/or Ursula (Merrin Dungey) return in the finale?
KITSIS: Nope.

Will we ever learn anything about Rumple’s (Robert Carlyle) mother?
HOROWITZ: Someday.

Any chance of seeing a darker Belle (Emilie de Ravin)?
HOROWITZ: Not this year.
KITSIS: We saw her as Lacey and boy did people have opinions on that.

Does Belle really love Will (Michael Socha)?
KITSIS: I would say that’s a rebound. Even fairy tale characters have rebounds, people.

Might Belle’s mom (Frances O’Connor) have a connection to an Author?
HOROWITZ: Belle’s mom is a character that we love and we’re not seeing more of this year, but never say never. We’d love to revisit her.
KITSIS: But as far as her with an Author, I don’t know.
HOROWITZ: Not this year and not this Author.

Will Belle confront Regina for taking her heart?
KITSIS: Next season.

Will we finally learn why Will is in Storybrooke?
HOROWITZ: Not immediately.

Will we find out who Killian’s parents are?
HOROWITZ: Someday, yes.

Will we ever find out how August (Eion Bailey) knew about Neal (Michael Raymond-James)?
HOROWITZ: I sure hope so. I feel like we’ve hinted at it in an indirect way, but we’ll probably get more explicit about it down the line.

Will anyone die (either temporarily or permanently) in the season 4 finale?
KITSIS: Both. Yeah. Decipher that one!

Once Upon a Time airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Once Upon a Time - Episode 4.20 - Mother - Press Release

Mother" - Emma returns to Storybrooke to reunite Lily with Maleficent while Regina and Robin struggle to cope with the implications of Zelena's pregnancy. When Gold's health takes a turn for the worse, Isaac looks to a new ally for help procuring the magic ink he needs to re-write history. In a Fairy Tale Land flashback, Cora returns from Wonderland to beg Regina's forgiveness on the anniversary of Daniel's murder. Cora vows to help her daughter find true love, but Regina remains suspicious of her mother's intentions, on "Once Upon a Time," SUNDAY, MAY 3 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Once Upon a Time" stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David Nolan, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O'Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry, Michael Socha as Will Scarlet and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest stars include Barbara Hershey as Cora, Tony Perez as Valet/Nobleman, Beverley Elliott as Granny, Rebecca Mader as Zelena, Sean Maguire as Robin Hood, Wil Traval as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Raphael Alejandro as Roland, Ingrid Torrance as Severe Nurse, Agnes Bruckner as Lily, Patrick Fischler as Isaac, John Innes as Older Man, Jeremy Patrick Schuetze as Young Man, Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maleficent, Chad Cosgrove as Carriage Driver, Joe Dodds as Outrider #1 and Jim Finkbeiner as Outrider #2.

"Mother" was written by Jane Espenson and directed by Ron Underwood.

Once Upon A Time - Episode 4.18 - Sympathy for the De Vil - Press Release

Once Upon a Time: Sympathy for the De Vil (4/19)
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IS BETTER THAN THE DE VIL YOU’LL MEET, ON ABC’S “ONCE UPON A TIME”

Kristin Bauer van Straten (“True Blood”) and Victoria Smurfit (“Dracula”) Guest Star

“Sympathy for the De Vil” – In fictional 1920s England, viewers meet a young Cruella, whose oppressive mother uses her Dalmatians to terrorize her daughter. Cruella is confined to her mother’s attic until a mysterious stranger arrives and empowers her to challenge her captor. In Storybrooke, Regina gains leverage to keep Gold from interfering with her plan to rescue Robin, but her trip to New York takes the backseat when she and Emma learn that Cruella has kidnapped Henry, on “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, APRIL 19 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David Nolan, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry, Michael Socha as Will Scarlet and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest stars include Victoria Smurfit as Cruella De Vil, Patrick Fischler as Isaac, Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maleficent, Anna Galvin as Madeline, Milli Wilkinson as Young Cruella, Morgan Tanner as Dancer #1, Scott Augustine as Dancer #2, Tony Giroux as Dancer #3, Michelle Dawley as Dancer #4, Kelly Konno as Dancer #5, Julia Harnett as Dancer #6 and Jolene Bothwell as Dancer #7.

”Best Laid Plans” was written by David H. Goodman and Jerome Schwartz and directed by Romeo Tirone.

Once Upon a Time - Episode 4.17 - Heart of Gold - Press Release

"Heart of Gold" - Emma is still reeling after learning the truth of her parents' history with Maleficent, but she must focus on finding the Author, who is running loose in Storybrooke, before Gold does. When Gold's quest for his happy ending grows more urgent, he blackmails Regina into helping him. In a Fairy Tale Land flashback, Robin Hood learns what it means to be an honorable thief when he accepts a proposition by Rumpelstiltskin to travel to Oz to steal a valuable magic elixir from the Wicked Witch, on "Once Upon a Time," SUNDAY, APRIL 12 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Once Upon a Time" stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David Nolan, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O'Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry, Michael Socha as Will Scarlet and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest stars include Rebecca Mader as the Wicked Witch, Sean Maguire as Robin Hood, Wil Traval as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Raphael Alejandro as Roland, Jason Burkart as Little John, Christie Laing as Maid Marian, Patrick Fischler as the Author, Jennifer Cheon as Nurse, Paul Kloegman as Carriage Driver and Tristan Shire as Oz Guard.

Once Upon A Time - Episode 4.16 - Best Laid Plans - Press Release

SNOW AND CHARMING MAKE A TRAGIC DECISION THAT WILL HAUNT THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES, ON ABC’S “ONCE UPON A TIME”

Kristin Bauer van Straten (“True Blood”), Merrin Dungey (“Revenge”),Victoria Smurfit (“Dracula”) Guest Star

“Best Laid Plans” – Hook tells Emma that her fate is at stake in Gold’s plan while Regina leads the villains on a wild goose chase. Henry makes a breakthrough in his search to find the Author, but Mary Margaret and David need a moment to reconsider the best course of action. In a Fairy Tale Land flashback, Snow and Charming search for a way to ensure their child will grow-up to be a hero. When a travelling peddler directs them to visit a kindly old hermit, Snow and Charming are presented with a choice that could secure their child’s goodness, but at a price that will haunt them for years to come on “Once Upon a Time,” SUNDAY, MARCH 29 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David Nolan, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry, Michael Socha as Will Scarlet and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Guest stars include Keegan Connor Tracy as Mother Superior, Eion Bailey as August, Merrin Dungey as Ursula, Victoria Smurfit as Cruella De Vil, Gabe Khouth as Sneezy, Abby Ross as Young Emma, Barclay Hope as Adoptive Father, Timothy Webber as the Apprentice, Patrick Fischler as Peddler, Michelle Choi-Lee as Adoption Agent and Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maleficent.

”Best Laid Plans” was written by Kalinda Vazquez and Jane Espenson and directed by Ron Underwood.

‘Once Upon A Time’ EPs Talk Queens of Darkness’ Descent On Storybrooke

 

Poor Rumplestiltskin. Despite all of his manipulating, plotting and scheming, his master plan to free himself from a mystical dagger — the one object capable of controlling him — blew up in his face. Instead, his wife Belle used the dagger to banish Rumple from Storybrooke in “Once Upon A Time’s” season four winter finale. But as all the best storytellers know, it’s hard to keep a good villain down.
The show’s midseason premiere, “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” finds Rumple recruiting three evil cohorts, who just so happen to also be three of the biggest Disney villains of all time: Ursula, Maleficent and Cruella De Vil. Sick and tired of always losing, their mission is to track down the mysterious Author of Henry’s story book and force him or her to write their version of a happy ending, whatever it may be.
Ahead of Sunday night’s episode, executive producers Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis spoke with SPINOFF about the Queens of Darkness, the essence of heroes and villains, Emma flirting with the dark side, and her complex relationships with Hook and Regina — not to mention the enigmatic Author and happy endings.

Spinoff Online: Having just wrapped up the “Frozen” storyline, what were some of your goals for “Once Upon A Time” going into this Queens of Darkness arc?
Eddy Kitsis: We really wanted to pick up our search for the Author, but really, the second half is exploring what makes a hero and what makes a villain. We’ve had Regina wonder, can villains have happy endings? That’s what we wanted to get into.

Why are three Queens of Darkness better than one or two?
Kitsis: In the winter finale, we realized that the one thing the heroes always do is they work together. The villains work alone. Rumple, realizing that his plan did not go the way he thought it would, decided to take a page from the heroes’ playbook. Obviously, the more on your side, the more people you have to wreak hell with.

Maleficent and Ursula are magical beings, with obvious power and strategic uses. How does a human like Cruella De Vil stack up against those powerhouses?
Adam Horowitz: We have taken some liberties with Cruella. We are going to see she has a little magic of her own that we will reveal in the premiere. She is not fully the Cruella we remember from the animated movies.

The show’s villains tend to shine a light on many of the leading characters in some way, whether it is father issues, insecurities or other flaws. How will the Queens of Darkness open old wounds or expose new details about specific Storybrooke characters?
Kitsis: Right away, they are going to open some deep wounds. We’re going to realize a few of our heroes have crossed paths with them and perhaps left some of the details out. As we said before, the villains are really going to spotlight the theme of what makes a villain and what makes a hero. We’re going to find out, maybe not every villain is a villain and maybe not every hero is as heroic as we thought.

From the promos, it looks like Emma might be switching sides, at least temporarily. What’s the appeal for you about examining her darker urges and desires?
Horowitz: We’ve seen Emma all these seasons as the savior and the hero. We thought it would be an interesting thing to dig deep beneath that and explore the question, “What makes someone a hero?” Whether there is a darkness in all of us, and how do we handle that?

Both Regina and Rumple are determined to find the mysterious Author. What does a “happy ending” mean to them?
Horowitz: That’s a good question, because what a happy ending means to both of them is something that will really influence how they pursue the Author and what happens when they come across him/her. To get into the specifics of what their happy ending is, that is part of the journey of this half of the season.
Kitsis: Also, for Mr. Gold, for Rumple — he’s had a couple of happy endings, but they don’t seem to make him happy. What happiness is and how we achieve it is a theme we are exploring this half.

Obviously, there’s unfinished business between Belle and Rumple. Does time really heal all wounds? Does Rumple feel betrayed by his wife? How do the two of them react when they come face-to-face again?
Kitsis: I don’t think he feels betrayed by Belle, because he betrayed her. They got married, and on their honeymoon, he immediately started lying to her. The person who has the most resentment is Belle. As she said, she used to see the man behind the beast. Now, she only sees the beast. Unfortunately, Rumple is a person who doesn’t really seem to appreciate anything until it is gone. He has a lot of making up to do, if he can at all.

Where do the Charmings fit into this half of the season? Mary and David were off on separate missions last year.
Horowitz: They are brought into the center of what’s going on with the Queens arrival and the search for the Author. We’re going to be exploring a secret from their past. By the end of the first couple of episodes, it’s going to place them at the center of this chaotic vortex.

How is Emma and Hook’s relationship going to evolve — or stumble?
Kitsis: It’s taken a long time for Emma to let anyone in. First, Henry, then her parents, and now, Hook. For us, there’s always that conflict with Emma. We are interested in them growing as a couple. How do they handle the adversity of life as a couple?

Emma and Regina seem to have buried the hatchet. What is their relationship moving forward?
Horowitz: In the first half of the season, we saw Emma tell Regina, “My job is to get everyone their happy ending — and that includes you.” Then, in the winter finale, she said, “I’m a part of Operation Mongoose.” She wants to be friends with Regina, but Regina tends to like Emma’s mom more. In the second half of the season, there’s going to be a lot of Emma and Regina together, as well as the exploration of their friendship. Emma is definitely going to be helping Regina, and Regina is going to be helping Snow White.

Ariel will reportedly be back in this half of the season, but what other characters will be making an appearance?
Kitsis: We’re going to see people from Robin Hood. We’re going to see the Sheriff of Nottingham again.
Horowitz: We’ll be diving into some of the Robin Hood mythology.
Kitsis: Barbara Hershey is coming back as Cora.

Finally, how much will we learn about the enigmatic Author by the end of the season?
Horowitz: Lots. You are going to meet he, or she, or it before the end of the season. We are going to explain the mythology behind the Author and the book.

'Once Upon A Time' Spring Premiere: We Answer 22 of Your Most Burning Questions!

We're keeping this intro short and sweet because we've got spoilers to spill!

ABC's most magical drama, Once Upon a Time, returns this Sunday with its highly anticipated Spring premiere. Even though we at ETonline have already spilled six things you need to know before returning to Storybrooke, we also wanted to answer your Twitter questions about all the wicked twists and romantic turns that are headed your way in the next two episodes.

Read on for spell-binding scoop from co-creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz as we answer 22 of your most burning Once Upon a Time questions!

1. @MariaPazMS: What's the dynamic like between the Queens of Darkness? Do they clash much?
Take a look at our sneak peek video above to see for yourself! ETonline has snagged our fellow OUAT fans a clip from the Queens of Darkness' first meeting and their wicked banter is even more amazing then you could have ever hoped. "We just loved the idea of a team of evil and when we were saying our wish list of who we wanted to write, it was kind of these three," Kitsis spilled of the evil trifecta.

2. @celianomas: How did Regina/Gold contacted people in other city to adopt Henry in past seasons and now it seems this is not possible?
Never doubt the power of the internet, my friends -- or as Hook calls it, "that magical box" in Belle's library.

3. @AshAshmarie20: Any hope that can be given for Rumbellers or why they should continue watching given the recent spoilers?
According to Kitsis, there's definitely hope for Rumple and Belle to rekindle their flame. "He is going to do his Rumple-ist to get Belle back. So you are going to see full-Rumple." To follow up on that, Horowitz confessed that at the end of episode 14, Rumple will start on a "new quest that he's really energized about." Our money is on a love quest with a side of revenge.

ABC

4. @niyati_92: Do Emma and Killian have a convo about everything that occurred in 4A? Or do they have any heart-to-heart convo?
They actually have both! Their biggest and most swoon-worthy conversation happens in the sheriffs' office in episode 14. Kitsis teased that Emma is "beginning to open her heart up," and it most certainly shows. And, as we've said before, Emma and Hook have coffee in Sunday's premiere. Note: By coffee, we mean the dark-colored liquid that many drink to stay awake. As for the nookie-nickname that the Captain Swan fandom has created? All we can say is stay tuned…

5. @Lady_Junky: Are we gonna see [Maleficent's] dragon form again?
Yes, in episode 14 in all its fiery glory!

6. @shawngf7: Any information on how Regina and Henry will grow and develop through Project Mongoose is appreciated. Thanks!
Over the past six weeks, Operation Mongoose has been in full swing with Regina's office as their central hub. Regina and Henry's scenes are as sweet as chocolate-frosted donuts (you'll understand in episode 14) and Horowitz also revealed that Henry is going to be a key component in Emma and Regina's blooming friendship. "There's a new common ground between [Emma and Regina] that I think will help build on that friendship," he said. "In addition to Henry they have something that they can share and deal with."

7. @skyliange: What is the 'connection' that the Charmings have with the QoD?
Let's just say that long ago in the Enchanted Forest -- before the big curse hit the land -- these heroes and villains had the same goal: protect the lives of those they love most.

ABC

8. @CapitainSwan__: I heard that Hook and Belle became good friends. Can you tell us anything more about their friendship?
We can tell you that we adore this friendship more than a basket full of newborn kittens. Seeing Hook comfort Belle in a moment of sadness -- and vice-versa -- will warm your Hookelle-loving heart. Plus, the fact that they are combining their brilliant minds to solve a puzzling case, makes us wish they had their own spin-off procedural called CSI: Storybrooke.

9. @asinoski: Will we find out that someone is pregnant? *coughReginacough*
We're going to plead the fifth on this one.

10. @Chloe_Queen: Please any on Emma/Snow relationship? We really didn't have much in 4A. I miss seeing Emma/Snow scenes!
Well then you might not want to hold your breath for some Storybrooke "Mommy and Me" scenes in the next two episodes. We will have more Charming Family scenes than we've had in the past, but that doesn't mean that these scenes will be truth-filled ones. (Sorry, y'all...)

11. @theMagicalTweet: Does Rumple seem to genuinely miss Belle?
Oh yes. We've never seen a more devastating look of despair as when Rumple first lays his eyes on Belle after all their time a part. But to see that sadness instantly transform into unfiltered rage is absolutely terrifying.

ABC

12. @txangelwolf: Do our heroes meet the QOD in the first episode?
Well, technically most of our heroes first met the Queens of Darkness long ago. But to expand on your question, yes -- two-thirds of our evil trifecta will enter Storybrooke in Sunday's premiere.

13. @good_plain_jane: Do we get to see any of Hook's insecurities that Adam & Eddy were talking about? Or any clue which QOD he knows?
We're definitely getting a deeper peek at the internal struggles that Hook is battling with. "We are going to realize that he has got some things going on in his head that he is concerned about," Kitsis shared. As for which Queen of Darkness Hook shares a past with? We can't tell you who it is, but we can tell you that Emma's wave of jealousy/curiosity after seeing [Spoiler] and Hook's first encounter back together is definitely worth-watching.

14. @AndryPresh: Will Regina finally get rid of the "evil" monicker now that she's redeemed herself for over two seasons or will it follow her around?
We're so glad you asked this! One of the most hilarious lines in episode 13 is when someone in present-day Storybrooke – we're not naming names here – calls Regina the Evil Queen in a time of peril. To which Regina snaps in an exasperated tone, "Can we drop the "E" world already?!" Whatever you say, your majesty...

15. @repeatlitanies: Anything new about Belle would be great! I'm hungering for more!
Not only is our book-lover still keeping the Storybrooke library in tip-top shape, she also is making a point to keep Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop up and running. She even invites a wonderful new friend to be her guest at the shop in episode 14.

ABC

16. @Msqueenemmy: Anything OutlawQueen?
The only OutlawQueen scene is when Emma finds a very special momento of Regina's could've been/should've been love life with Robin. We don’t have much else to report other than the fact that Regina is still very much in love with her OTL. Luckily when we asked Kitsis about Regina's FFTBFF (Former Foe Turned Best Friend Forever, natch) Emma, the show-runner spilled that our savior is "absolutely" determined to find Regina's happy ending.

17. @PhoenixHeart815: Will we find out how Ursula & Cruella were able to live outside of Storybrooke (Real World) without aging during the 28-year curse?
According to the creators we most definitely will, but we can confirm that it will not happen in the next two episodes. "There’s an upcoming episode where all the piece on the chessboard are laid up and we find out who wound up where and why," Horowitz said. "That will also speak to the earlier question of why these three and how they connected and what they’re all after together."

18. @ouat_csfan_: Can we get a quote between Hook and someone?
"Love is a weapon." -- Hook to Belle.

19. @mysunshine0808: Scoop on the Snowing secret? A hint? A breadcrumb?
Oh, we can definitely give you more than a measly bread-crumb: The Snowing secret is a two-parter. The first part -- if revealed -- will greatly affect their family dynamic. The second will drastically change the way you've always looked at this beloved couple.

20. @EmBeeKay: Are they ever going to eat at another restaurant besides Granny's Diner?
Funny you should ask because Regina begs that same question in Sunday's premiere. Not everyone shares Emma's endless grilled-cheese loving appetite.

21. @Lizzyc807: The preview shows Cruella breathing on the dogs - does her breath just calm animals into submission?
Ding ding ding! You've guessed Cruella's secret power, so here is your scoop-filled prize. "We thought she should have a power so that she feels a part of the show," Kitsis explained. "We love the idea that she can speak to animals, not like Doctor Doolittle, but in a more cruel way. Her backstory is coming up toward the middle of the second half and that’s probably our favorite one"

22. @Melaniee_27: On a scale of 1 to captain swan heaven how perfectly cute is captain swan in 4x12 and 4x13?
Okay, let us put it this way. Take a look at this puppy…

You know those feelings you're feeling right now? High pitched squeals of delight, wanting to scream "Suh kewt!" and the overpowering instincts to smother it with love and affection? That’s CaptainSwan in the first episode back.

Once Upon a Time airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on ABC.