Once Upon a Time came back for it’s third season tonight, and if this episode is any indication of how the rest of the season will go, then we are in for a fun ride.

Right away, the show seems to have taken a much darker leaning. The good guys are on uncertain ground, and the bad guys are killing people. I kept waiting for that drawn-out, corny moment that seems to happen in every episode, but it never came. The entire episode moved quickly and seemed to have a dark edge to it.

And now, if you haven’t watched the episode yet, then you should stop reading, because I won’t be holding back on spoilers.

First, I find it interesting that they have Peter Pan being the big bad, while Hook is playing for the good guys. Something about having a kid running around murdering people makes him all the more devious. I also like that in Neverland, the magic is different and is powered mostly by belief. It’s going to be very interesting to see how this effects everyone.

I also like seeing Henry on his own and having to fend for himself. We’ll get to see what his strengths are besides running around telling adults what they should already know or refuse to believe. I’d also like to see what being a “lost boy” will do to him. He’s been incorruptible so far, and it will be interesting to see how he is changed by this ordeal. And the episode is called “The Heart of the Truest Believer” in reference, as it is eventually revealed, to Henry. So Pan wants him for his heart? Something tells me Pan’s removal process will be slightly more gory than Rumple’s.

I like that they’re keeping Rumple evil. He’s my favorite character and he’s much more fun when he’s bad. I really would like to see him return to being a bit more like the giggling, psychotic “dark one.” Mostly for the giggle, but also because he’s a far more fearsome and interesting character that way. I also thoroughly enjoyed the meta moment where he mocks his own hand gestures.

Speaking of enjoying seeing evil characters be evil, I hope I wasn’t the only one who was tickled to hear Regina say, “That’s right, Charming. Filet the bitch.” I am so looking forward to seeing more moments like that! Not only seeing Regina be bad, but seeing Charming and Snow trying not to be bad. It’s much more fun to see the goodies characters in flux.

I’m also having fun seeing Hook trying to be the nice guy, mostly it would seem, to get into Emma’s pants. And on that note, can we take a time-out to talk about just how freaking twisted that is. Hook, who is Baelfire’s step-dad, is now hitting on Bae’s baby-mama. Every time he makes a pass at her, I can’t help thinking about how messed up that is.

And while we’re talking about how messed up Bae’s life is, he’s warped himself back home where he is forced to face the magic he’s spent his whole life trying to avoid. Is anyone else hoping to see Bae turn into some kind of white wizard? I’d like to see him and Rumple face off, evil against good, in a wizard fight.

The end of the episode leaves Bae in his father’s castle with Mulan and Robin Hood, Henry trapped in the Echo Caves with Pan, Rumple crying over a doll, and the travelers on the ship begrudgingly resolved to work with one another.

What did you think of the episode? Do you also drool over Colin O’Donoghue (Captain Hook) and his pretty eyes? What do you think will happen next week? Tell me in the comments.