Once_upon_a_time_5x08 May 2026

Once Upon a Time season 5, episode 8, "Birth," acts as a pivotal turning point in the Dark Swan arc, revealing that Emma tethered Hook's soul to Excalibur to save him. The episode is highlighted for its emotional depth and the shocking twist of creating a second Dark One, which intensifies the conflict for the season's second half. Read the full review at The Young Folks . Once Upon A Time (5x08 & 5x09): 'Birth' and 'The Bear King'