Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-26225812-20150611110107/@comment-24674051-20150612172019

Predictions...

First, the Arthur, Guin, and Merlin that are being cast are going to be primarly flashback characters. Merlin may carry over to present day towards the end of the first half, but either Arthur and Guin will be dead, or they will be much older than what we see in the casting call. (Could still be the same actors, aging is not that hard to accomplish).

Second, we may very well see some real realm jumping happen as they try to save Emma. (I would love to see them visit Wonderland, Oz, the EF, and maybe other realms, in their search for Camelot and Avalon). Hopefully it is something as simple as the Apprentice teaching the portal spell to Regina (or Zelena?). I'd rather the Apprentice not become a semi-regular part of the group, as he is way over powered compared to even Rumple. Maybe staying more in the background working from the Sorcerer's home in Storybrooke. And being assisted by 50 Shades of Blue.

Third, we may see the vault of the Dark One again. And this time someone (Belle) will figure out how to open/activate it without the cost of life. (Maybe a former Dark One is able to access the vault?)

The first half/First arc will be the quest for Camelot and Merlin, and should conclude with their arrival in Camelot. We will see Emma struggling with what she has become, and what the Darkness is doing to her.

The second half will be some sort of quest to find a way to seperate Emma and the Darkness.