This Sunday, March 6, "Once Upon a Time" will air its next episode, "Souls of the Departed," after an excruciatingly long two month hiatus.
What we all -- assuming everyone has watched the last episode ("Swan Song") back in December -- know is that our favorite heroes are headed on a quest to the Underworld! Writer Horowitz says, "The underworld isn’t hell -- it is a place between. It’s the place for
people with unfinished business, so it’s not about good or evil." Not only might some of our favorite villains be making a return, but some of our favorite good guys as well.
To top that off, the 100th episode of "Once Upon a Time" is coming up, so some familiar faces who've been a bit absent lately might be making a return! So who are they and should they bring them back, either in the Underworld or in Storybrooke?
13.The Blind Witch
Not exactly sure who decided she's a character who needs to stick around, but the clip shown at the end of "Swan Song", they showed her in the Underworld Storybrooke. If there's any gingerbread houses in the Underworld, I sure wouldn't trust it! Also, how did she end up in the Storybrooke Underworld anyways? Is it connected to the other worlds as well? In that case, I'm opening this list up to anyone and everyone, not just people who died in our world.
Necessity of her return: Pretty much nil, but could be fun.
12. Sidney Glass
Right...this guy...what happened to him? He's definitely confirmed to be back. But last we saw he was unstuck from the mirror Regina had forced him back into, so probably the writers have a Storybrooke plan for him, unless he died while we weren't paying attention to him.
Necessity of his return: 1/10. Let him live his happy life outside of a mirror.
11. Prince Henry/Valet
Remember this guy? He's been confirmed to be coming back. He definitely had his moments, but mostly they were awful moments, like his own daughter both figuratively and literally ripping his heart out. It's safe to say he has unfinished business with Regina. And now that Regina is one of the heroes, seeing her might give him some peace? He rather deserves it, between putting up with Cora as his wife and the Evil Queen Regina as his daughter.
Necessity of his return: 2/10. He has the potential to be interesting, but he never added that much to the show.
10. Liam Jones
Hook's brother? "Once Upon a Time" writerHorowitz and Kitsis say we'll definitely be seeing him. Not someone fans had said they were missing, but could make for some tear-jerking moments between Hook and Liam.
Necessity of his return: None, but any Hook backstory is great.
9. Captain Hook
OK, rather pointless to have him here when the whole point of going to the Underworld is to save him. Of course he's coming back, even though he's deadish. But c'mon, who wouldn't want to see a dashing picture of guy-liner?
Necessity of his return: 10/10. It's happening. They couldn't even kill him off for a few minutes of an episode before making it clear he'd be back.
He didn't even last a season before Regina crushed his heart. His heart, which he hadn't had in his chest in over 30 years (figuring 28 years of Storybrooke, and probably a handful of years in the Enchanted Forest). He certainly makes for a tragic, tortured figure lurking in the Underworld. Or, he would if the actor hadn't ended up in another franchise. Doubtful we'll see him back anytime soon.
Necessity of his return: 10/10, but still probably not going to happen.
7. Jackson/The Mad Hatter
Chances are this crazy hatter won't be back working for this Disney show because he'll be busy working for another Disney franchise. But you never know... and maybe his magic, wild touch would just what OUAT needs to spice up the rather grim season.
Necessity of his return: 5/10. He's great, but there aren't that many story lines that he'd fit into. Besides, Captain America needs him more.
6. Peter Pan
It's confirmed, they're bringing back everyone's favorite youth great-grandfather! He's starting to look his age, isn't he? And having his own son kill him, yes that could be just cause for having unfinished business worth lingering about in the Underworld. Even more interesting, Emilie de Ravin is pregnant, so if they decide to write that into the plot, Peter Pan might be having another grandchild on the way, which could make for some very interesting twists and turns.
Necessity of his return: 7/10. He was a great villain, but his story line seemed to wrap up neatly.
5. Neil/Baelfire
Apparently Neil is going to be back, which could get insanely awkward with Emma and Hook going strong! But on the other hand, he never really had the chance to connect with Henry, his son, a reunion which absolutely needs to happen.
And Will Shatner's the leader of the Neil fanclub hoping for Neil's return. Let's make Captian Kirk happy with Bae's return.
Necessity of his return: In general, 6/10. For Henry's sake, 10/10.
4. Red/Ruby
After going missing for a few seasons, she made a brief return in fall with Merida and Mulan. As exciting as that was, it simply wasn't enough! And there was very little of the werewolf thing, other than as a way for a witch to enslave her. Let's hope she gets some real action this time. The writers have confirmed she'll be in the 100th episode!
Necessity of her return: 7/10.
3. Mulan
And while we're at it, they teased and then took away Mulan too! One of the few Disney "princesses" who was originally a fighter. And of course is a fighter on "Once Upon a Time." Sad part is though, no Shang, so she couldn't have her true love couple like the other characters, only unrequited love that she never even admitted to Aurora. Hmm... you know... Red Riding Hood alsodoesn't have a true love couple... and both actresses are confirmed for at least the 100th episode, maybe even more this season... maybe there'll be something there? Please?
Necessity of her return: 8/10. And the necessity of her being in a scene with Ruby, 10/10.
2. Cruella de Vil
Yes, yes, yes! But no, the writers haven't said anything about her coming back. But they should. Who's a better villain that the girl who has literally been evil her whole life? No "misunderstood", no broken heart, no vacillating back and forth (other than when she's trying to trick people of course). And this:
Some people struggle not to be drawn in to the darkness. But ever since I was a little girl, I've said... "Why not splash in and have fun?
No villain is ever going to top Cruella's level of evilness. Ever.
Necessity of her return: 10/10. Even if it doesn't happen this season, I will never stop hoping. Because as far as being evil goes, she was perfect.
1. Cora
Of course she's #1. And they've made sure we know she's returning. And her unfinished business obviously is going to have something to do with Regina, her daughter. Maybe also with Snow White, her murderer? Hopefully not too much of the latter as the writers seem to be bungling the character of Snow White lately, but another Regina/Cora showdown would be epic. And there's been quite a few developments since the last time the two spoke. Zelena for one. And we know now Regina made it impossible for her to get pregnant to spite Cora. Those two would have a lot to talk about. And maybe, just maybe a crazy magic witch fight too? Please??
Necessity of her return: 10/10. No explanation needed.
So who do you most want to see make a spectacular return?