Once Upon a Time showrunners Ed Kitsis and Adam Horowitz rehash the season 2 finale in a new interview, and look ahead to season 3.

In the season 2 finale “And Straight on Till Morning,” the extended Charming family saved Storybrooke from being destroyed. But Greg and Tamara kidnapped Henry and took him to Neverland, where the shadowy Peter Pan creature is waiting for him.

Now, Emma and co. have joined forces with Captain Hook and set sails to follow them.

Speaking to EW, the showrunners explain their decision to send this group of characters off together.

“We’re really interested in watching this kind of dysfunctional family on this journey together,” Kitsis says, “and I think we’ll meet new people along the way. But our hope is never to have the new people overwhelm it.”

Therefore, don’t expect as many new characters this year as in season 2. “[In] season 3, we really want to dive deeper into our core characters, and continually tell their story,” Kitsis explains.

They also discuss the character arcs of Regina and Rumpelstiltskin. While Regina’s goals have changed from redeeming herself to saving her son, “Rumpelstiltskin’s whole life, he’s always chosen power over love,” Kitsis says. “And then when he sees that boat coming, he knows what he has to do. He knows this is a one-way trip, but he knows it’s the only way to lighten his heart.”

Finally, a little teaser about Hook and Peter Pan’s shared past: “He absolutely knows who Peter Pan is. In true Mr. Gold/Rumpel style, he knows more than Greg and Tamara,” Kitsis reveals.

We can’t wait to find out! Once Upon a Time‘s third season premieres in the fall of 2013 on ABC.