"Dreamcatcher" is the fifth episode of the fifth season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, which aired on October 25, 2015. In this episode, with Mary Margaret and David attempting to retrieve the dagger, Emma uses a Dreamcatcher to look into the past to see how Merlin was transformed into a tree, and joins Regina in their quest to free the sorcerer, but Arthur is determined to keep Merlin imprisoned. Henry is encouraged by both his mothers to ask Violet out on a date. Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, Emma uses Mérida to turn Gold into the hero she needs to release Excalibur as the heroes come up with a plan to break into Emma's home to see what she has in the basement.