Mr. Gold

"I remember how the darkness feels. But you don't have to get into it."

- Mr. Gold to Emma Swan

Mr. Gold, formerly the Dark One and also known as the Crocodile, is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. He debuts in the first episode of the first season. He is portrayed by starring cast member Robert Carlyle, and is the Storybrooke counterpart of Rumplestiltskin.

Trivia
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Etymology

 * The surname "Gold" is of Old English origin derived from the word "gold" that was often used as an endearment or show of affection.
 * His name is a reference to both the original fairytale and Mr. Gold's Enchanted Forest persona. In both, Rumplestiltskin is able to spin straw into gold.

Character Notes

 * Has a few gold teeth.
 * He has a noticeable limp and walks with a cane, much like he did before he was cursed with the Dark One's abilities. Being in a Land Without Magic, Mr. Gold is unable to use his powers to placate his disability. However, once magic was brought to Storybrooke in "A Land Without Magic", he no longer needed it, but chose to keep using it. Then, in "The New Neverland", he rejects the cane in order to move on from his past self.
 * Like Rumplestiltskin, Mr. Gold treats names as important. In many cultures and some beliefs about magic, to know someone or something's "true name" gives you power over that person or thing.
 * Owns and operates a pawnshop, where a number of objects from the Enchanted Forest are kept.
 * Like his son Neal and his grandson Henry, who both collect clocks, Mr. Gold's pawnshop is filled with them.
 * He greatly dislikes nuns.
 * Mr. Gold is a licensed attorney, a quality which allows him to broker many of his Storybrooke deals. He alludes to having enough legal experience to represent Mary Margaret in a criminal trial.
 * He has been called an imp in reference to the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale.
 * The box that Belle opens in Hook's ship contains gold coins and a bell.
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Production Notes

 * On Twitter, episode writer Jane Espenson stated a first name has never been established for Mr. Gold.
 * For his part of Mr. Gold, Robert Carlyle wears heavy eye-make-up to make his eyes look similar to his Enchanted Forest counterpart, Rumplestiltskin. It is meant to be the one, single visual connection between the two characters.
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Reawakened: A Once Upon a Time Tale

 * As the elevator stops, Mr. Gold tells Emma that Regina had him take over for her. Unlike the episode's events, Regina is not tied to the chair by Mr. Gold, and instead she runs off to the hospital to watch over Henry.

Appearances
Note: "Archive" denotes archive footage.


 * Mr. Gold's name appears on the list Tamara has in "The Evil Queen".
 * Mr. Gold's name appears on the pawnshop sign in the Once Upon a Time in Wonderland episode "Heart of the Matter".