Key Deaths Change Everything On 'Once Upon A Time' Finale

It's going to be a very long wait until March 9, 2014 after that midseason finale on "Once Upon a Time." That's when the show returns to ABC's schedule. Until then, we won't know the fate of virtually the entire cast, thanks to Pan's curse. It was just one shocking turn after another. First, Rumplestiltskin sacrificed himself to kill his father, Peter Pan. Then, there was the curse itself.

Pan intended it to turn Storybrooke into the new Neverland, but Regina had the ability to undo it. The drawbacks were that it would undo the curse entirely -- including the original curse that created Storybrooke -- and Regina would have to sacrifice herself as Rumplestiltskin did. All of the fairy tale characters would return to their respective lands. Only Henry and Emma could escape this curse. In exchange for losing everyone they knew and loved, Regina gave them false memories ... of a life where Emma never gave Henry up for adoption.

The show then unexpectedly jumped ahead a year to find them living happily in New York ... until Captain Hook showed up at the door saying that Emma's family needed her. Of course, she had no idea who he was and slammed the door in his face. "What a great way to wrap this up and then create a new adventure for Emma and Henry, plus what a way to wring every last ounce of emotion out of everyone involved," wrote Zap2It's Andrea Reiher of the twist.

Over at Hollywood Life, Andy Swift is already anticipating that March 9 return date for "Once Upon a Time" on ABC. Especially with the casting news that "Lost" star Rebecca Mader is joining the show as The Wicked Witch of the West.

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