page_title: Desperate Souls
section_title: Production
hierarchical_section_title: Desperate Souls / Production
caption_attribution_description: Portrait of Jane Espenson in September 2006
context_page_description: "Desperate Souls" is the eighth episode of the first season of the American Fairy Tale/Drama television series Once Upon a Time. It was written by consulting producer Jane Espenson, and was directed by Michael Waxman. Espenson wrote it to give viewers some "crucial facts" about Rumpelstiltskin's origins. Guest stars included Brad Dourif, Giancarlo Esposito, Beverley Elliott, Ty Olsson, Meghan Ory, and Dylan Schmid.
  The series takes place in the fictional seaside town of Storybrooke, Maine, in which the residents are actually characters from various fairy tales that were transported to the "real world" town by a powerful curse. In this episode, Emma Swan runs for Sheriff against Regina's candidate, Sidney Glass. Meanwhile, in the episode's flashbacks, Rumpelstiltskin's backstory is revealed.
  "Desperate Souls" first aired in the United States on ABC on January 8, 2012. Its broadcast was watched by an estimated 10.35 million viewers, a 29 percent increase from the previous episode. Television critics gave mostly positive reviews to the episode; most praised Carlyle's performance, but one noted that the storytelling was beginning to "feel stale."
context_section_description: "Desperate Souls" was written by consulting producer Jane Espenson, while Friday Night Lights veteran Michael Waxman served as director. The episode was Espenson's second writing credit for the series at that point. She intended the episode to reveal "some crucial facts about where Rumpel comes from," believing him to be "a wild card" whose "ulterior motives are still always very complicated."
  "Desperate Souls" partly deals with the aftermath of Sheriff Graham's death from the previous episode. Though her character is associated with evil, actress Lana Parrilla attempted to keep Regina as human as possible. She clarified, "You will see how there is a genuine love and care for Graham…There was a physical connection to the character. He did become sort of a boy toy in both worlds. But, you know, at the end of the day, in Storybrooke, she’s still trying to fill this void that Maleficent warned her about." Leading up to the episode broadcast, Parrilla also gave a preview of what viewers could expect. Of the episode's plot, she explained, "We will be seeing some dirty politics between Regina and Mr. Gold. You’re going to see how threatening that is to Regina, and, as you know, she really takes on these challenges full force."
  In early October 2011, TV Guide reported that actor Brad Dourif would be making a guest appearance as a "beggar who befriends evil Rumpelstiltskin." Other guest stars included Meghan Ory as Ruby, Patti Allan as Miss Ginger, Beverley Elliott as Granny, Giancarlo Esposito as Sidney, Dylan Schmid as Baelfire, Conner Dwelly as Morraine, Ty Olsson as Hordor, Michael Phenicie as The Duke (scenes deleted), C. Ernst Harth as Burly Man, David-Paul Grove as Doc, and Gabe Khouth as Mr. Clark. The episode was included in Reawakened: A Once Upon a Time Tale – a novelization of the first season – which was published by Hyperion Books in 2013.
caption: Consulting producer Jane Espenson wrote "Desperate Souls," her second such credit for the series.
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