Ariel (Episode)

"Ariel" is the sixth episode of Season Three of ABC's Once Upon a Time. It was written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz and directed by Ciaran Donnelly. It is the fiftieth episode of the series overall, and premiered on November 3, 2013.

Synopsis
Back in the Enchanted Forest that was, when Ariel saves Snow White from drowning in the ocean's depths, Snow returns the favor by helping her new friend get acquainted with Prince Eric, with whom she has fallen madly in love with. Meanwhile, Emma, Mary Margaret, David and Hook attempt to save Neal, who is imprisoned in one of Pan's encampments, and Regina and Mr. Gold begrudgingly team up to find a way to take down Pan.

Starring

 * Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret
 * Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan
 * Lana Parrilla as Evil Queen/Regina
 * Josh Dallas as David Nolan
 * Emilie de Ravin as Belle
 * Robert Carlyle as Mr. Gold
 * Michael Raymond-James as Baelfire/Neal Cassidy
 * Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills (credit only)
 * Colin O'Donoghue as Hook

Guest Starring

 * Robbie Kay as Peter Pan
 * JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Ariel
 * Gil McKinney as Eric
 * Parker Croft as Felix
 * Josh Kalender as lead knight
 * Adam Lolacher as black knight
 * Arpad Balogh as footman
 * Yvette Nicole Brown as Ursula

Production Notes

 * This episode's title card features Ariel sitting on a rock.

Event Chronology

 * The Enchanted Forest events occur after the events of "Snow Falls" and before the events of "Skin Deep".
 * The Neverland events occur after the events of "Good Form".

Episode Connections

 * Agrabah was first mentioned in "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree".

Disney

 * Ariel saves a prince from a shipwreck, who she later falls in love with.
 * The Under The Sea celebration is a reference to the Disney song "Under the Sea".

Fairytales and Folklore

 * This episode is a rendition of The Little Mermaid fairytale, focusing on Ariel's fateful encounter with her prince and meeting Ursula.
 * This episode features Snow White and the Evil Queen from the Snow White fairytale.

Pop Culture

 * At the Under the Sea ball celebration, Snow White references the tight undergarment Ariel is wearing as a corset.