High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! "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.