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Goodbye Storybrooke, hello Hyperion Heights!

Everyone and their mother practically lost it when a majority of Once Upon a Time’s main cast left the show at the end of Season 6. Most Oncers were left wondering if the show could even go on without Emma Swan. Well, I was lucky enough to watch the highly-anticipated Season 7 premiere early, and I can assure you that the revamped series is full of surprises.

In fact, the radical, new changes have provided Once Upon a Time with the opportunity to push past the narratives that took place in Storybrooke. While you’ll still get a hefty dose of familiar faces, they’ll be blended in with some fresh, new characters.

The Season 7 premiere will serve as a callback to the show’s pilot when a grown-up Henry receives a knock on his apartment door from his daughter Lucy. Together, they’ll dive into a quest to uncover the truth and all the mystery surrounding Hyperion Heights.

Read on to get the scoop on how Season 7 of Once Upon a Time will hit the reset button. You'll probably find yourself falling in love with this show all over again!

1. Saying goodbye is never easy.

"Hyperion Heights" immediately gets to business from the opening scene. As we initially reported from our San Diego Comic-Con coverage, Regina and Henry experience quite an emotional goodbye. The show offers us one last and very pivotal moment with young Henry who has decided to embark on a quest of self-discovery rather than hitting college like most teenagers. As the Author, Henry has become weary of writing other people’s stories and feels that it’s time for him to go out into the world and write his own.

2. Different realms, bring different spins on classic fairytales.

Upon closer inspection of the Sorcerer’s book, Young Henry discovers that various versions of classic fairytale characters exist. This quickly explains why we’ll be seeing a whole new Cinderella this season. These familiar yet unfamiliar creatures simply exist in different realms! (Also, to be honest, this new rendition of Cinderella is so much more interesting than her former OUAT version).

3. Forget about Charming and Snow, it’s all about Henry and Cinderella!

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The epic fairytale romance will shift over to Henry and Cinderella in Season 7. Just like Charming and Snow fortuitously met in the Enchanted Forest, Henry and Cinderella’s rather hilarious first encounter also feels like fate. Let’s just say that riding a motorcycle can often lead to some very sticky and tricky situations!

Oh, and if you thought Emma and Hook had crazy chemistry, just wait till you see Henry and Cinderella flirt up a storm. It is utterly glorious.

4. Hook will tone down his eyeliner and suit up instead.

Following in the footsteps of his beloved Emma, Hook will be putting his beauty and talent to good use through law enforcement. In fact, he’ll play a cop who, in a way, is striving to find something that’s missing — except he’s not really sure what he’s looking for which makes it quite a difficult task to accomplish.

5. Regina’s got a new wardrobe and a whole new attitude.

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You’ll see a much more casually dressed Regina this time round, and she’ll also have a new name. Let’s just say there’ll be ample denim, distressed T-shirts, and messy curls. This alt-Regina is not the Queen or Mayor that we’re used to seeing. Although she’s still a successful business owner, she’s no longer in charge or wearing any pantsuits.

6. There’s a new big bad in town.

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Cinderella’s Evil Stepmother is the one to watch, and she’s clearly copied Storybrooke-Regina’s wardrobe. Lady Tremaine’s got crazy intense eyebrows and a no-nonsense attitude. It wouldn't be surprising if she ended up throwing one of her high heels at someone’s head.

7. Regina and Henry’s relationship is the driving force of the story.

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While Emma and Henry’s bond often took centerstage, this time around it’s all about Regina and Henry. Whether it’s the younger or older version of her beloved son, Regina is present during all his emotionally taxing moments in the season premiere. Watching them interact in two different worlds, through flashbacks and present day, creates a much more powerful and dynamic narrative. It’s also reminiscent of Emma and Mary Margaret’s relationship in Season 1. Both heroines didn’t realize they shared a history through their unbreakable mother-daughter bond. Similarly, Regina and Henry will experience such a storyline in Season 7.

8. Hyperion Heights is not Storybrooke.

With Seattle as the new location, expect to see a much more fast-paced and city-centered backdrop. This new shift also creates a nice distinction between the present world and the flashbacks to the magical world.

9. Will the real Rumplestiltskin please stand up?!

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You’ll probably laugh and give several eye rolls when you catch a glimpse of the new Rumple. It seems as if Hyperion Heights has not fazed him a bit, and he’s got quite the army of minions. It always seems as if Rumple is above the magic, though. I, for one, am most certain that he is always aware of whatever curse, spell, or magical incantation that has been cast. He is, after all, the most cunning and knowledgable character on the show.

10. It’s Alice, minus the whole rabbit hole situation!

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Expect to see a very different version of Alice stirring up some trouble of her own. Turns out, she’s not a big fan of Wonderland after all. Plus, she’s got a weird, creepy rabbit vibe. Yeah, that sounds confusing, but what if this version of Alice actually has the ability to change into a rabbit? Guess we’ll have to wait and find out.

Once Upon a Time returns on Friday, Oct. 6 at 8/7c on ABC.

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