Once Upon a Time – The Complete Fifth Season

The Fifth Season of Once Upon a Time offers trips to the Enchanted Forest, Camelot, and the Underworld while also delivering Emma Swan's (Jennifer Morrison) far-too-temporary time as new Dark One. Season Five is somewhat frustrating as it explores some interesting ideas only to forcibly reset the status quo by the end of the season. I equally enjoyed Emma in the role of reluctant villain and Rumpelstiltskin (Robert Carlyle) forced into playing hero, but shoving both characters back into their boxes by mid-season destroys all the momentum heading into the Underworld arc.

Highlights include Amy Manson's recurring role as Merida, the return of Mulan (Jamie Chung) and Ruby (Meghan Ory) and their adventure in Oz, events in Camelot finally explained, the introduction of the first Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin's reunion with his wife, the introduction of Gaston (Wes Brown), and the truth behind Henry's (Jared Gilmore) heartbreak.

Available on DVD and Blu-ray, extras include commentary for three episodes ("The Dark Swan," "Birth," and "Only You"), deleted scenes, bloopers, and featurettes on Merida, Cruella, and the show's 100th episode.

[Walt Disney Studios, Blu-ray $79.99 / DVD $45.99]