Season 2

This article contains episode summaries for the second season of Once Upon a Time.

Season Summary
In the U.S., original episodes of season two started airing on Sunday, September 30, 2012. The 22-episode season concluded its original broadcast on Sunday, May 12, 2013. A special recap episode aired before the season premiere, and another one aired before episode 2.19.

Overview
Emma Swan began to see through the cracks of the curse, believed that the stories were true and was finally able to break it. Reality and myth merged as the fairytale characters began awakening once the curse was lifted and remembered who they were. But to their dismay, they weren't transported back to fairytale land. To make matters worse, Rumplestiltskin - a.k.a. Mr. Gold - decided to gain the upper hand in his power struggle with Regina and introduced magic into the town. But this is our world, and magic has a tendency to have unfathomable implications.

Cast
For a breakdown of the characters' appearances, check here.

Starring
1 Also played the role of Prince James in 2.13. 2 Series regular from 2.14 onwards; guest starred in 9 episodes prior to that.
 * Ginnifer Goodwin - Mary Margaret Blanchard/Snow White (21/22)
 * Jennifer Morrison - Emma Swan (21/22)
 * Lana Parrilla - Regina Mills/Queen Regina (20/22)
 * Josh Dallas - David Nolan/Prince Charming (22/22) 1
 * Emilie de Ravin - Lacey/Belle (15/22)
 * Colin O'Donoghue - Captain Hook (15/22) 2
 * Jared S. Gilmore - Henry Mills (22/22)
 * Meghan Ory - Ruby/Red Riding Hood (12/22)
 * and Robert Carlyle - Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin (19/22)

Recurring Guest Stars
1 Also featured in archive footage in 2.05, accounting for 11 appearances. 2 Not credited. 3 Also featured in archive footage in 2.14, accounting for 3 appearances.
 * Lee Arenberg - Leroy/Grumpy (12/22)
 * Michael Raymond-James - Neal Cassidy/Baelfire (11/22)
 * Michael Coleman - Happy (10/22)
 * Faustino Di Bauda - Walter/Sleepy (10/22)
 * Beverley Elliott - Granny (10/22)
 * David-Paul Grove - Doc (10/22)
 * Barbara Hershey - Cora (10/22) 1
 * Jeffrey Kaiser - Dopey (10/22)
 * Mig Macario - Bashful (10/22)
 * Sarah Bolger - Aurora (9/22)
 * Ethan Embry - Greg Mendell (9/22)
 * Jamie Chung - Mulan (8/22)
 * Keegan Connor Tracy - Mother Superior/Blue Fairy (8/22)
 * Raphael Sbarge - Archie Hopper/Jiminy Cricket (7/22)
 * Sonequa Martin-Green - Tamara (6/22)
 * David Anders - Dr. Whale/Dr. Viktor Frankenstein (5/22)
 * Gabe Khouth - Tom Clark/Sneezy (5/22)
 * Tony Amendola - Marco/Geppetto (4/22)
 * Chris Gauthier - William Smee (4/22)
 * Cinder - Pongo (3/22) 2
 * Alan Dale - Albert Spencer/King George (3/22)
 * Sebastian Stan - Jefferson (3/22)
 * Eion Bailey - August W. Booth/Pinocchio (2/22) 3
 * Jarod Joseph - Billy/Gus (2/22)
 * Tony Perez - Henry (2/22)
 * Parker Croft - Felix (1/22)
 * Jamie Dornan - Sheriff Graham (1/22)
 * Freya Tingley - Wendy Darling (1/22)

Trivia

 * For the second season, the central main cast of characters was brought back with regular status, but season 1 regulars Eion Bailey (August W. Booth/Pinocchio) and Raphael Sbarge (Archie Hopper/Jiminy Cricket) were dropped to recurring status. Additionally, former guest stars Emilie de Ravin (Belle) and Meghan Ory (Ruby/Red Riding Hood) were promoted to series regulars. Colin O'Donoghue was introduced in the recurring role of Captain Hook early on in the season, and was promoted to a series regular for the last nine episodes, when the series resumed production in 2013.
 * This is the only season to feature Ory as a series regular, due to the actress committing to a different project.
 * Dallas and Gilmore are the only actors to be featured in every episode this season.

Gallery
Gallery of photographic posters released to promote the season.