Ep 2. A Pirate's Life

Following the premiere of its seventh season, Once Upon a Time continues its bold new direction with "A Pirate's Life," the second episode of the current season. In this episode, the narrative shifts focus onto a fan-favorite character who made his debut in season two—Captain Hook (Colin O'Donoghue).

The backstory of Captain Hook is explored in depth in this episode, with viewers getting their first glimpse at Hook's life before he was a pirate. In flashbacks set in the Enchanted Forest, Hook is shown as a down-on-his-luck sailor who is desperate to find a way to provide for himself and his brother, who is in poor health.

Hook's quest leads him to cross paths with an infamous pirate named Captain Nemo (Faran Tahir), who takes Hook and his brother on board his submarine, the Nautilus. However, Hook soon learns that Captain Nemo has a dark secret and is not the hero he appears to be. The Nautilus, it turns out, is on a mission to destroy a sea monster known as the Leviathan.

Meanwhile, in the present day, Hook is seen living his new life in Seattle, where he has a new identity and a new love interest, Dr. Sabine (Mekia Cox). However, his past comes back to haunt him when Henry (Andrew J. West) shows up on his doorstep, seeking his help with a new crisis in the Enchanted Forest.

Henry reveals that the villainous Lady Tremaine (Gabrielle Anwar) has put a curse on his family, trapping them in Hyperion Heights, a cursed neighborhood in Seattle. With the help of Regina (Lana Parrilla) and Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle), Hook and Henry hatch a plan to break the curse and reunite with their loved ones.

As the episode progresses, Hook's flashbacks are interspersed with his present-day mission, with viewers seeing parallels between the two storylines. The theme of family is heavily referenced in this episode, with Hook's love for his brother and his willingness to do anything to protect his newfound family in Seattle.

As expected, there are a number of twists and turns throughout the episode, as well as a handful of exciting action sequences. Fans of the series will also be pleased to see appearances from several other fan-favorite characters, including Regina and Rumplestiltskin.

All in all, "A Pirate's Life" is an engaging episode that offers a unique glimpse into the backstory of Captain Hook, while also advancing the larger narrative of the season. With solid performances from the cast, exciting action, and plenty of plot twists, it's a fitting continuation of the series' new direction.