"Once Upon a Time" season 5 episode 5 revealed much of Merlin's (Elliot Knight) backstory and how he got trapped in a tree during his battle with the Dark One. Episode 6, titled "The Bear and the Bow," will now deal with Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) as he trains to become a true hero.
The promotional trailer for the episode shows Rumplestiltskin alongside Merida (Amy Manson) as she helps him train to overcome his fears and become a powerful sword-swinging hero. However, at some point he will have to face his greatest fear, which in the trailer manifests into a large, violent bear.
According to the iDigital Times, the title of the episode alludes to more than just Rumplestiltskin facing off against a giant brown bear. Fans of the character Merida will be familiar with her backstory from the original Pixar film "Brave," which involved her mother turning into a bear, and this episode may focus primarily on her struggles and backstory.
Danger also lurks ahead as Emma (Jennifer Morrison) tasks Merida to kill Belle (Emilie de Ravin), handing the latter her bow. It is heavily speculated by fans that Merida may not end up killing Belle but will instead face off against the bear that is also terrorizing Rumplestiltskin given that they both have connections to bears.
Rumplestiltskin will have to stand up and fight as the trailer showcases he will be the only one left to keep Belle alive. Not only will he have to fight to save his own skin but also Belle's and maybe even Merida's as things get more complicated.
Merlin and the rest of the Camelot characters that have now relocated to Storybrooke may still play a large part in this episode but they are noticeably absent in the promotional trailer.
"Once Upon a Time" season 5 episode 6 airs this Nov. 1.
