Since the last episode, ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter’, many fans wonder, who else will fall victim to the curse and Regina’s wrath and  how will Emma react to her loss? In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, show creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis were able to shed light on what to expect when ‘Once Upon A Time’ returns from hiatus.

The January 8th episode will be set weeks after ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter’ events and we’ll see Emma dealing with her loss and how the death of a major character affects the town. It will also tell the tale of the curse through the eyes of Mr. Gold/Rumpelstilskin. According to Horowitz and Kitsis, Mr. Gold/Rumpelstilskin will play a very important part in the second season. His role in the town of Storybrooke and his connection to those around him will be revealed along with a surprise connection to a character we have yet to meet. We’ll also find out more about what he knows and doesn’t know about the curse and Storybrooke.  Also exciting will be the story of how Rumplestilskin became the man that he is in Fairy Tale Land.

The reveal of Regina’s vault has viewers already jumping with anticipation as to what to expect out of her character. All that Horowitz and Kitsis will say is that she has some very clear intentions in Storybrooke and we’ll find out more in the second half.

And what about Mary Margaret/Snow and David/Prince Charming? How does Dr. Whale and Mary Margaret’s one night together affect it all. And who is Dr. Whale? And what of David’s wife? Those questions and many more will be answered when the series returns.  Nearer towards the end of the season, we’ll also see more of David’s wife and her history and who she really is.

Not only will the fans learn about Mr. Gold/Rumplestilskin when the show returns, they will also be introduced to Hansel and Gretel, learn about the origin of the magic mirror and meet Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

As for any more causalties as seen in the last episode, Horowitz replies, “Boy, I don’t know. You never know. As Henry said to Emma in the pilot, the final battle will be begin. Unfortunately, with final battles, there are casualties.”

But all in all what viewers can expect in the last half of the season is the one resounding message all fairy tales contain and is the common thread of this series. Horowitz explains it well when he says the series is “about true love and about how it can overcome anything. That’s one of the hopeful messages we’re trying to send with the show.”

‘Once Upon A Time’ returns to ABC on Sunday, Janaury 8, 8pm ET/PT.