Appearances
Featured characters:
Emma Swan (First appearance)
Mary Margaret Blanchard (Princess Snow White) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback) (In main story as Mary Margaret Blanchard; in flashback as Snow White) (Origin revealed)
"John Doe" (Prince David/Prince Charming) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback) (In main story as "John Doe"; in flashback as Prince David / Prince Charming) (Origin revealed)
Supporting characters:
Henry Mills (First appearance)
Dr. Archie Hopper (Jiminy Cricket) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback) (In main story as Dr. Archie Hopper; in flashback as Jiminy Cricket)
Sheriff Graham Humbert (Huntsman) (First appearance)
Mr. Gold / Dark One (Rumplestiltskin) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback) (In main story as Mr. Gold; in flashback as Dark One (Rumplestiltskin))
Marco (Geppetto) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback) (In main story as Marco; in flashback as Geppetto)
Seven Dwarves (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Leroy (Grumpy) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback) (In main story as Leroy; in flashback as Grumpy)
Ruby / Red Riding Hood (Red Lucas) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback) (In main story as Ruby; in flashback as Red Riding Hood (Red Lucas))
Granny (Widow Lucas) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback)
Antagonists:
Ryan (First and only known appearance)
Evil Queen (Regina Mills) (First appearance) (Main story and flashback)
Evil Queen's Black Knights (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Numerous unnamed soldiers (Only in flashback)
Other characters:
Seven Dwarves (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Sleepy (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Doc (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Happy (First appearance)(Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Sneezy (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Dopey (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Bashful (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Pongo (First appearance)
Pinocchio (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Blue Fairy (Ruel Ghorm) (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Organizations:
Black Knights (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Seven Dwarves (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Royal Family of the Enchanted Forest (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Storybrooke Elementary School (First appearance)
Storybrooke General Hospital (First appearance)
Races and species:
Humans (First appearance) (Main story and flashbacks)
Dark Ones (First appearance) (Main story and flashback)
Werewolves (First appearance) (Unidentified)
Dwarves (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Fairies (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Crickets (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Dogs (First appearance)
Dalmatians (First appearance)
Puppets (First appearance)
Wolves (First appearance)
Locations:
Enchanted Forest (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Forest (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Snow White and Prince Charming's castle (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Apparent destruction)
Rumplestiltskin's prison cell (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Land Without Magic (First appearance)
North America (First appearance)
United States of America (First appearance)
Massachusetts (First appearance)
Boston (First appearance)
Boston Greyhound Station (First appearance)
Restaurant (First appearance)
Emma Swan's apartment (First appearance)
Bathroom (First appearance)
Maine (First appearance)
Storybrooke (First appearance)
Clock Tower (First appearance)
Regina Mills' house (First appearance)
Henry Mills' room (First appearance)
Storybrooke Police Department (First appearance)
Holding Cells (First appearance)
Granny's Inn and Diner (First appearance)
Emma Swan's room (First appearance)
Items:
Snow White's coffin (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Henry Mills' Once Upon a Time Storybook (First appearance)
Regina Mills' Apple Cider (First appearance)
Emma Swan's Phone (First appearance)
Henry Mills' Computer (First appearance)
Vehicles:
Emma Swan's bug (First appearance)
Greyhound (First appearance)
Concepts:
Magic (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Dark magic (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
The Dark Curse (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Plot
Opening sequence
A title card which states "Once Upon a Time..."
In the characters' past
Prince Charming rides to the rescue of Snow White, who is comatose after eating a poisoned apple that was given to her by the Evil Queen. Doc informs Charming that he is too late, but Charming kisses Snow regardless, breaking the curse. On the wedding day of Snow White and Prince Charming, the Evil Queen arrives and delivers an ominous threat about a powerful curse she intends to release upon them. Some time later, a pregnant Snow White is worried about the curse and visits Rumpelstiltskin in prison, who issues a prophecy that the Queen's curse will take them all someplace terrible where there will be no happy endings. He also reveals that Snow White's unborn daughter Emma will return when she is 28 years old to rescue them, thus beginning a crucial battle with the Queen. Following the Blue Fairy's advice, Geppetto and Pinocchio fashion a wardrobe from a magical tree which will allow one person to escape the Queen's curse. On the day Snow White gives birth to her daughter, the Queen's curse strikes. Prince Charming places their daughter in the magic wardrobe, but is mortally wounded battling the Queen's henchmen. The Queen stands triumphantly over Snow White and Prince Charming's body, as the Curse takes them "somewhere horrible."
In Boston
In present-day Boston, Emma Swan lives a lonely existence working as a bail bondsman and bounty hunter. On her 28th birthday, she is approached by a ten-year-old boy, Henry who identifies himself as her son, whom she had given up for adoption as a teenager. Not wanting a relationship with him, Emma agrees to drive him back to his home in Storybrooke, Maine. Along the way, Henry shows her his large book of fairytales, correctly insisting that all of the stories in it are real. Henry also tries to convince Emma that she is the product of true love and she needs to break a curse the Evil Queen has cast over many fairy tale characters, including her family.
In Storybrooke
When they arrive in Storybrooke, Henry informs her that everyone in town is in reality a fairy tale character, exiled by the curse and with no memory of their real identities. This includes his therapist Archie Hopper, who is really Jiminy Cricket, and his teacher Mary Margaret Blanchard, who is really Snow White. Henry claims that time is frozen in Storybrooke and the people are unable to leave, but that the curse will be broken by Emma. A skeptical Emma returns Henry to his adopted mother, the town Mayor, Regina, who is really the Evil Queen. Emma attempts to leave but after having drunk apple cider given to her by the Mayor and nearly hitting a wolf she has a car accident where she is knocked out. While unconscious, she is arrested and taken to Storybrooke Jail for supposedly drunk driving. When Henry runs away again, Emma makes a deal with the Mayor and Sheriff Graham: if they release her, she will find him. After exhausting all possibilities she speaks with Mary Margaret, who tells Emma to "Check his castle." After finding Henry at a wooden jungle gym (which bears a resemblance to Prince Charming's castle), they talk and Emma decides to stay in Storybrooke temporarily, especially after Regina warns her to leave town. This leads Emma to be suspicious of the mayor's motives.
Shortly after her conversation with Emma, Mary Margaret volunteers at Storybrooke Hospital, placing flowers at the bedside of patients. She stops in the ICU where a John Doe is sleeping in a coma. Mary Margaret is unaware of who he is. Meanwhile, at the Mayor's home, Regina takes the book from Henry's room and goes downstairs to look at her mirror, with an expression that seems to acknowledge she is aware of her fairy tale existence.
As Emma arrives at Granny's Bed & Breakfast, she is given a key to her room by the elderly proprietor and her estranged granddaughter Ruby, who are actually the Grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood respectively. They are followed by a man who came to collect money: Mr. Gold, who helped build and owns the entire town, and is actually Rumpelstiltskin. When Emma mentions her name, Mr. Gold pauses as if he knew something about her. Emma's decision to stay in Storybrooke causes the hands of the town clock, previously frozen at 8:15, to begin moving again, indicating that the Dark Curse is beginning to weaken, as Henry watches from his room, smiling.
Cast
Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan: An bail bondsman and bounty hunter and Henry's biological mother, who Henry recruits for Operation Cobra.
Ginnifer Godwinn as Mary Margaret Blanchard / Snow White: Henry's teacher and biological maternal grandmother and Emma's biological mother.
Josh Dallas as John Doe / Prince David / Prince Charming: Snow's husband, Henry's biological maternal grandfather, and Emma's biological father and a patient in the ICU of Storybrooke General Hospital.
Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills: Emma's biological son and a 10-year-old who knows the truth about Storybrooke and the curse.
Raphael Sbarge as Dr. Archie Hopper / Jiminy Cricket: Storybrooke's psychotherapist who serves as everyone's conscious both in Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest.
Jamie Dornan as Graham Humbert / Huntsman: The sheriff of Storybrooke who in actuality, is the Queen's Huntsman.
Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin / The Dark One / Mr. Gold: The Dark One, owner of Storybrooke, and the creator of the Dark Curse.
Tony Amendola as Marco / Geppetto: An handyman in the Enchanted Forest whose cursed identity is an handyman and Archie's best friend.
Lee Arenberg as Grumpy / Leroy: The town drunk and the town's black sheep who in the Enchanted Forest, is the dwarf Grumpy.
Meghan Ory as Red Lucas / Red Hiding Hood: Granny's estranged granddaughter and a waitress at Granny's, who in the Enchanted Forest is a wolf/human hybrid and Snow's best friend.
Beverley Elliott as Widow Lucas / Granny: The owner of Granny's Diner and Red's grandmother who is extremely overprotective and overbearing.
Warren Christie as Ryan: An bailjumper who is cheating on his wife. His last name is Marlow.
Lana Parilla as Regina Mills / Evil Queen: The mayor of Storybrooke and the titular evil queen of the Enchanted Forest who casted the "curse" to ruin everybody's "happy endings".
David-Paul Grove as Doc: A member of the Seven Dwarves who serves as the dwarves' doctor.
Gabe Khuoth as Sneezy: A member of the Seven Dwarves who is allergy-prone.
Faustino Di Bauda as Sleepy: A member of the Seven Dwarves who is prone to insomnia and fatigue.
Jeffrey Kaiser as Dopey: An mute member of the Seven Dwarves.
Michael Coleman as Happy: An member of the Seven Dwarves who is kind-hearted and always presents a smile.
Mig Macario as Bashful: An shy, introverted member of the Seven Dwarves.
Jakob Davies as Pinocchio: Geppetto's wood-craven puppet son who was animated into a real boy and will remain one as long as he remains selfless, brave, and true.
Keegan Connor Tracy as The Blue Fairy: An fairy who wields powerful magic.
Three Weeks Ago, Sanctum Sanctorum
The portal opened at once. Out came everybody and bickering immediately began.
"What the hell?!" Emma exclaimed. "Regina, what did you do?"
"That wasn't me, Swan. It was him." Regina, who was in her outfit the night the Dark Curse occurred.
"Regina?" Snow asked.
That was when Emma saw a face she hadn't seen in almost 11 years.
"Emma?" Neal asked.
"Neal? What are you doing here?" Emma asked.
"I was in my apartment in New York when a portal pulled me." Neal explained.
"You abandoned me in a minimum-security prison in Phoenix! You set me up!" Emma exclaimed.
"No. He made me." Neal said, pointing at Pinocchio.
"Oh, come on!" Pinocchio exclaimed.
It was at that point that a young boy of about 10 or 11 showed up.
"Mom, what's going on?" the boy asked.
"Henry, stay back." Emma said.
"How old are you, kid?" Neal asked.
"Don't answer him." Emma said.
"How old are you, kid?!" Neal shouted.
"10, now why is everybody yelling?" Henry asked.
"Is this my son?" Neal asked.
"No, my dad was a firefighter. He died or at least that's what you told me." Henry looked at Emma for support.
"Is this my son?" Neal teared up.
"Yes." Emma admitted. [1]
Henry tried to run off, only to be thrown back across the room.
"HENRY!" Emma and Regina exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
"I'm found, moms." Henry said.
All of a sudden, Steve and Bucky noticed something.
"Bucky?" Steve asked. "But if you're here, who's that?"
They noticed Jefferson, who looked similar to Bucky. [2]
"My name isn't Bucky. It's Jefferson, the Mad Hatter. Might be a coincidence, don't you think?" Jefferson said.
Now
"So, who are we watching next?" Henry asked.
"Once Upon a Time. A series about the happy endings of all the fairy tale characters being taken away from them." Alex explained.
Henry realized they were watching their lives.
Alex clicked on the Disney+ app typed in "Once Upon a Time" in the searchbar and clicked the first result and clicked the first episode "Pilot".
A black background started the series. White text appears reading "Once Upon A Time… There was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know. Or think we know. One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen. Our World. This is how it happened."
Everyone gasped.
Prince Charming is riding through the Enchanted Forest on a steed. He comes upon a forest, and Snow White in her glass coffin, surrounded by the Seven Dwarves.
"Wait, this is from the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." Steve noted.
"It's actually from our Land. We come from a land where fairy tale characters exist." Snow explained.
"Really?" asked an amazed Steve.
All of the Storybrooke residents nodded.
Doc: You're too late.
Charming: No. No! Open it.
Grumpy: I'm sorry, she's gone.
Charming: At least let me say goodbye. The dwarves remove the coffin lid. Charming kisses Snow, and a burst of magic erupts. Snow awakens with a gasp.
Snow: You... you found me.
Charming: Did you ever doubt I would?
Snow: Truthfully? The glass coffin gave me pause.
Everybody chuckled.
Charming: Well, you never have to worry, I will always find you.
Snow: Do you promise?
The scene transitions to their wedding.
"Awww." Everybody said.
Everyone who was at Snow and Charming's wedding, with the exception of Regina (obviously) smiled at the couple.
Charming: I do.
Bishop: And do you, Snow White, promise to take this man to be your husband, and love him for all eternity?
"Wait. In Snow White, there wasn't an wedding. How is there one here?" Steve asked.
"This is a fairy tale, but the fairy tales are different modernized versions." Henry explained.
Snow White: I do.
All the girls, except Regina, awed.
Bishop: I now pronounce you husband and wife. The audience cheers and as the newlyweds kiss, the Evil Queen enters. The cheering stops.
Regina rolled her eyes.
"Why is everybody scared of you? Oh…" Steve realized.
Evil Queen: Sorry I'm late. She crosses the room, dispelling guards with magic.
Doc: It's the Queen! Run!
Snow (drawing Charming's Sword and pointing it at the Queen): She's not a queen anymore! She's nothing more than an evil witch!
Regina cringed at that.
Henry looked at her with pity. Yes, she is the Evil Queen, but also, yes, she is one of his mothers. He didn't care if her heart was filled with darkness at all. He loved her.
Prince Charming: No no no, don't stoop to her level, there's no need. He lowers the sword.
"That doesn't sound like you, grandpa." Henry said.
"Yes, don't stoop to her level." Emma said, still pissed at Regina for what she did to their son.
Charming: You're wasting your time, you've already lost. And I will not let you ruin this wedding.
Evil Queen: Oh, I haven't come here to ruin anything. On the contrary, dear, I've come to give you a gift.
"What gift?" Emma seethed, wondering possibly what gift they could accept from her.
"You'll see." Charming said.
Snow White: We want nothing from you.
Evil Queen: But you shall have it. My gift to you is this happy, happy day. For tomorrow, my real work begins. You've made your vows, now I make mine. Soon, everything you love, everything all of you love, will be taken from you. Forever. And out of your suffering will rise my victory. I shall destroy your happiness, if it is the last thing I do.
"Seriously? You ruined my chance at meeting my happiness because Snow White found love and you didn't? Boo hoo! Give me a break!" Emma exclaimed.
She turns and walks towards the door.
Prince Charming: Hey!
"There's our Charming we know." Snow smiled.
The Queen turns, and Prince Charming throws his sword at her. She disappears in a cloud of smoke, as does the sword. As Snow and Charming hold each other, the scene transforms into a drawing in a book held by Henry Mills, riding a bus.
Everybody looked confused. "Wait, he was reading a book?" somebody asked.
"It's more than a book." Henry smiled and Neal smiled at his son, but frowned, does the book know his story?
Woman: That a good book?
Henry: This... it's more than just a book.
"It is." Emma smiled.
Woman: Oh. She chuckles.
Announcer: Boston sub-station. Thank you for riding Greyhound. Henry gets off the bus and knocks on the window of a taxi. The driver rolls down the window.
Henry: Uh, do you take credit cards? He holds one up.
Cabbie: Where to, chief?
"Boston." Emma said.
In Boston, the scene takes place at a upscale restaurant. Emma Swan arrives and walks through the restaurant. She comes to Ryan's table, he stands and extends his hand.
Ryan: Emma.
Emma: Ryan? You look relieved.
Everybody who Emma cared about glared at Ryan. They didn't like the idea of Emma dating. Neal frowned, that should be him.
Ryan: Well, it is the Internet. Pictures can be...
Emma: Fake. Out-dated. Stolen from the Victoria's Secret catalogue. So...
Ryan: So... tell me something about yourself, Emma.
Emma: Oh... Uh, well, today's my birthday.
Everybody looked at Rumplestiltskin, except Belle and Neal who didn't want to look at his cowardly father in the eyes.
"Told you so, dearie!" he exclaimed in a sing-song voice.
Ryan: And you're spending it with me? What about your friends?
Emma: Kind of a loner.
"That sounds familiar." Regina said.
Ryan: And... you don't like your family?
Emma: No family to like.
Snow and Charming frowned and glared at Regina. It was her fault Emma was spending her birthday without her family.
Ryan: Aw. Come on, everyone has family.
Emma: Technically, yeah, but not everyone knows who they are. Ready to run yet?
Ryan: Oh, not a chance. You, Emma, are, by far, the sexiest friendless orphan that I have ever met.
Charming double-glared at the guy. "Oh, he is dead." he said.
"Stop it." Snow and Emma said.
Charming grunted.
Emma: Okay! Your turn. No, wait, let me guess. Um... you are handsome, charming...
Ryan: Go on.
Emma: The kind of guy who... and now, stop me if I get this wrong, embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town before they were able to throw your ass in jail.
"Wait, I'm confused. What's going on?" Hook asked.
"It was a fake date." Snow realized.
"She is good." Charming said.
"You do know I can hear you, right?" Emma asked. The two blushed with embarrassment.
Ryan: What?
Emma: And the worst part of all this is your wife. Your wife loves you so much that she bailed you out, and how do you repay that loyalty? You're on a date.
"That's disrespectful." Charming looked horrified.
Ryan: Who are you?
"Emma." Snow said.
Emma: The chick who put up the rest of the money.
Ryan: The bails bondsman.
Emma: Bail bondsperson. Ryan flips the table and runs out of the restaurant, out into the street and to his car. Emma walks calmly after him. Ryan gets into his car and starts it, but it goes nowhere. He opens the door to discover that his car has been booted. Emma walks up.
Ryan: You don't have to do this, okay? I can pay you, I've got money.
Emma: No you don't. And if you did you should give it to your wife and take care of your family.
Ryan: The hell do you know about family, huh?
Charming glared at the guy. "More than you, obviously." he said.
Emma (she slams his head against the steering wheel): Nothing.
We cut to later at Emma's apartment. She comes in with a bag and places it on the counter. She takes a gourmet cupcake out of it and puts a candle on it, lighting it.
Emma: Another banner year... She closes her eyes and blows out the candle. The doorbell rings. The scene transitions to Emma opening the door to find Henry standing in the hallway. Uh... can I help you?
"What did you wish for?" Henry asked.
"To not be alone anymore." Emma said.
Henry smiled, knowing her wish was fufilled.
Henry: Are you Emma Swan?
Emma: Yeah, who are you?
Henry: My name's Henry. I'm your son.
Neal smiled at his son. "No longer we will be apart from each other. I will spend every waking moment with you."
Henry hugged Neal.
Henry slips under Emma's arm and walks into her apartment.
Emma: Whoa, hey, kid! Kid! I don't have a son! Where are your parents?
Henry: Ten years ago, did you give up a baby for adoption? That was me.
"You gave up our son for adoption?" Neal asked angrily. "Why didn't you call me?"
"I thought you abandoned me and left to Canada. And I thought you wouldn't have cared." she explained.
Neal nodded. He knew he had a lot of 10 years to make up for deserting Emma and for missing out on father/son bonding with Henry.
"Plus, all the guards, inmates, everybody told me there was no chance in hell that I would be able to raise our son by myself at 18." Emma explained
Emma: Give me a minute. She goes into the bathroom.
Henry: Hey, do you have any juice? Never mind, found some. Emma exits the bathroom. You know, we should probably get going.
"Who drinks out of the jug?" Regina asked.
"My son?" Emma suggested.
Emma: Going where?
Henry: I want you to come home with me.
Emma: Okay, kid, I'm calling the cops. She crosses the room.
"You didn't…" Snow implied.
"No, I didn't. But, I almost made good on my threat." Emma said.
Henry: And I'll tell them you kidnapped me.
"He's good." Neal said.
"And they would believe him because she's his biological mother." Snow realized.
Emma: And they'll believe you because I'm your birth mother. She puts down the phone.
Henry: Yep.
Emma: You're not gonna do that.
Henry: Try me.
Emma: You're pretty good, but here's the thing. There's not a lot I'm great at in life, but I have one skill. It's called a "superpower." I can tell when anyone is lying, and you, kid, are.
Everyone scoffed.
"That's not a superpower." Peter-2 said. He used his web to shoot a web.
"That is."
Henry: Wait. Please don't call the cops. Please come home with me.
Emma: Where's home?
Henry: Storybrooke, Maine.
"Sounds fake." Bruce said.
"Oh, it is to outsiders. Anybody who is from the Enchanted Forest can enter it, but can't exit it." Henry explained.
Emma: Storybrooke? Seriously?
Henry (nods): Mm-hmm.
Emma: Alrighty, then. Let's get you back to Storybrooke.
"This is when you came to us." Charming realized.
Emma nodded.
Meanwhile in the Royal Castle a pregnant Snow stands in a balcony doorway.
Charming: What's wrong?
Snow: Nothing.
Charming: You're thinking about what the Queen said again, aren't you? Snow, please... I can't keep having this conversation, you have to let it go. We're about to have a baby!
They smiled at Emma.
"Can you stop smiling?" she asked.
"Sorry, it's just nice to know what you look like." Snow said.
Snow: I haven't had a restful night since our wedding.
Charming: That's what she wants, to get in your head! But they're only words. She can't hurt us.
Snow: She poisoned an apple because she thought I was prettier than her. You have no idea of what she's capable.
Charming: What can I do to ease your mind?
Snow White: Let me talk... to him.
"Who?" Emma asked.
Rumple giggled, revealing himself as if that was the answer.
Charming: Him. You don't mean–
Snow: I do.
Charming: No. No, no. It's too dangerous.
Snow: He sees the future.
Since when could Papa see the future? What's next? Is he psychic? Neal thought.
Charming: There's a reason he's locked up.
Snow: Can you promise me that our child will be safe? Can you guarantee it? Because he can.
Charming: All right. For our child.
Neal wondered why his father was locked up.
On the New England Highway, Emma is driving Henry home.
Henry: I'm hungry. Can we stop somewhere?
Emma: This is not a road trip; we're not stopping for snacks.
Henry: Why not?
Emma: Quit complaining, kid. Remember, I could've put your butt on a bus; I still could.
"That's kinda harsh." Charming said.
"I agree." Snow said.
Emma shrugged. "At this point, I didn't want a relationship. It wasn't until I found him at his castle that I wanted a relationship with him."
Henry: You know, I have a name? It's Henry.
"She doesn't want to get attached." Charming realized.
"Stop it." Emma said.
Charming smiled at his daughter.
Emma (eyeing Henry's book): What's that?
Henry: I'm not sure you're ready.
Emma: Ready for some fairy tales?
"They're not just fairy tales, you know?" Henry asked.
"I know that, now." Emma replied.
Henry: They're not fairy tales. They're true. Every story in this book actually happened.
Emma: Of course they did.
Henry: Use your superpower. See if I'm lying.
Emma (looks at him for a moment): Just because you believe something doesn't make it true.
"Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing." Charlie Calvin said.
Emma nodded.
Henry: That's exactly what makes it true. You should know more than anyone.
Emma: Why's that?
Henry: Because you're in this book.
"Wait, what?" Steve asked.
"As I said, they're modernized versions. In one of the final stories in the book, Snow White and Prince Charming are pregnant. You'll see more of the story as we go along." Henry explained.
Emma: Oh, kid. You've got problems.
Henry: Yup. And you're going to fix them.
Everybody chuckled.
We transition to Rumplestiltskin's cell. A nameless guard escorts Charming and Snow to the cell.
Guard (aside to Charming and Snow): When we reach the cell, stay out of the light, and whatever you do, do not let him know your name. If he knows your name, he will have power over you. (to Rumplestiltskin) Rumplestiltskin. Rumplestiltskin! I have a question for you.
"No, he doesn't. Grandma and Grandpa do." Henry said.
Rumplestiltskin (climbs down from cell bars like a monkey): No, you don't. They do. Snow White—and Prince "Charming"! He insanely cackles. You insult me. Step into the light, and take off those ridiculous robes. They take off their robes. Ah, ha-ha ha... that's much better.
Charming: We've come to ask you about the-
Rumplestiltskin: Yes, yes, I know why you're here! You want to know about the Queen's threat.
"Not a threat. A promise." Regina noted.
Everybody nodded.
Snow: Tell us what you know.
Rumplestiltskin: Ohh! Tense, aren't we? Fear not: for I can ease your mind! But. It's gonna cost you something in return.
Charming: No. This is a waste of time.
Snow: What do you want?
Rumplestiltskin: Oh... the name of your unborn child?
"Why do you want Emma's name?" Neal asked.
Rumple didn't reply. He knew exactly why he wanted her name. Knowing that the Savior would help him find his son. Rumple realized this Neal character seemed very similar but couldn't seem to put his finger on it.
Charming: Absolutely not!
Snow White: Deal! What do you know?
"Why do you act so impulsively?" Charming asked.
"Says the one who chased me despite being chased by King George's army." Snow pointed out.
"Touché, touché." they both said.
Rumplestiltskin: Ah. The Queen has created a powerful curse. And it's coming. Soon you'll all be in a prison, just like me, only worse! Your prison-all of our prisons—will be time. And time will stop. And we will be trapped, someplace horrible, where everything we hold dear, everything we love will be ripped from us while we suffer for all eternity, while the Queen celebrates, victorious at last! ...No more happy endings.
"How does that make sense?" Emma asked.
"I don't know. I guess because it is an independent realm created with magic, time can freeze. Because Storybrooke was created when I cast the curse." Regina theorized.
Snow White: What can we do?
Rumplestiltskin: We can't do anything!
Snow White: Who can?
Rumplestiltskin: (reaches hand beyond bars): That little thing. Growing inside your belly.
Charming (draws sword and slaps Rumplestiltskin's hand with it): Next time, I cut it off.
Everybody was creeped out by Rumple even coming close to Snow.
Rumplestiltskin (toCharming) Tk, tk, tk, tk, tk. The infant is our only hope. (to Snow White) Get the child to safety. Get the child to safety and on its-(Closes eyes in concentration)—twenty-eighth birthday, the child will return. The child will find you—and the final battle will begin! He insanely cackles again.
Papa has only gotten worse. Neal thought.
Charming: Heard enough. We're leaving.
He takes Snow White away as Rumplestiltskin whoops and cackles.
Rumplestiltskin (with a deranged scream) Hey! No! We made a deal! I want her name! We had a deal—I. Need. Her. Name! I want her name!
Okay. Papa can tell the truth but how was he able to know Emma's gender? Neal thought.
Charming: Her? It's a boy.
Rumplestiltskin: Missy, missy—you know I'm right. Tell me. What's her name?
Everybody shivered mostly because Rumple terrified them.
Snow White: Emma. Her name is Emma.
Rumplestiltskin: Emma.
Emma passes Storybrooke's town limits. She is driving Henry into town on a rainy night. The scene then transitions to Emma driving through downtown Storybrooke.
Emma: Okay, kid, how about an address?
Henry: Forty-four, not-telling-you street.
Everybody chuckled. Henry did have a sense of humor.
Emma (stops the car and gets out): Look, it's been a long night, and it's almost (She looks at the clock tower) —eight-fifteen?
"The clock was frozen?" somebody asked. "How can time freeze but 28 years have passed."
"Yeah, it doesn't make sense." Henry admitted.
Henry: That clock hasn't moved my whole life. Time's frozen here.
Emma: Excuse me?
Henry: The Evil Queen did it with her curse. She sent everyone from the Enchanted Forest here.
Emma: Hang on. The Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairytale characters here.
Henry: Yeah. And now they're trapped.
Emma: Frozen in time, stuck in Storybrooke, Maine. That's what you're going with?
"So thought you were crazy?" Snow asked.
"Well, to be honest, the truth is kinda hard to explain. 'Hey, my biological mother who sent me to live with my emotionally abusive mother when I was an infant, I need you to come to my childhood home to save our family because they're under a curse where their happy endings are ripping away from them. Oh, and by the way, your parents are Snow White and Prince Chaming and my adoptive mother is the Evil Queen.'" Henry pointed out.
Henry: It's true!
Emma: Then why doesn't everybody just leave?
Henry: They can't. If they try, bad things happen.
"What kind of bad things?" Steve asked.
"Driving into a sign because of seeing a wolf, car breaking down, etc…" Henry explained.
Archie (walking up with his dog, Pongo): Henry! What are you doing here? Is everything all right?
"Wait a minute, is that Pongo from 101 Dalmatians?" Peter-1 asked.
"I guess. I never really thought of it." Archie noted.
Henry: I'm fine, Archie.
He pets Pongo.
Archie: Who's this?
Emma: Just someone trying to give him a ride home.
Henry: She's my mom, Archie.
Archie: Oh.. I see.
Emma: You know where he lives?
Archie: Oh. Yeah, sure, just uh, right up on Mifflin Street; the Mayor's house is the biggest one on the block.
Emma: You're the mayor's kid?
"Is it a coincidence that the Evil Queen is the mayor of Storybrooke?" Snow asked.
"Not really. It was intentional." Charming and Emma stated.
Henry: Uh. Maybe?
Archie: Hey. Where were you today, Henry, because you missed our session.
Henry: Oh, I forgot to tell you. I went on a field trip.
Archie (crouches to get face-to-face with Henry) Henry, what'd I tell you about lying? Giving in to one's dark side never accomplishes anything.
Emma: O-kay! Well, I really should be getting him home.
Archie: Yeah. Sure. Well, listen—have a good night, and uh, you be good, Henry. He walks away.
Emma: So that's your shrink.
"Psychotherapist, actually." Henry said.
Henry: I'm not crazy.
Emma: Didn't say that. Just—he doesn't seem cursed to me. Maybe he's just trying to help you.
Henry: He's the one who needs help. Because he doesn't know.
Emma: That he's a fairytale character.
Henry: None of them do. They don't remember who they are.
Emma: Convenient. All right. I'll play. They get back in the car. Who's he supposed to be?
Henry: Jiminy Cricket!
"Wait, what?" Steve asked. "He's human."
"Well, he was originally human in the Enchanted Forest, too." Henry explained.
Emma: Right. The lying thing. Thought your nose grew a little bit.
"That's not Jiminy Cricket. That's Pinocchio." Steve pointed out.
Henry: I'm not Pinocchio!
Emma: 'Course you're not. 'Cause that would be ridiculous.
Everybody chuckled.
They drive off.
In Snow and Charming's castle, Charming, Snow, Red Lucas / Red Riding Hood, Widow Lucas / Granny, Grumpy, Doc, Geppetto, Pinocchio, several guards and Jiminy Cricket are discussing what to do about the Curse.
Charming: I say we fight! He slams his fist on table.
Jiminy: Fighting is a bad idea. Giving in to one's dark side never accomplishes anything.
Charming: And how many wars has a clear conscience won? We need to take the Queen out before she can inflict her curse.
Henry smiled at Jiminy.
"I don't think a clear conscious has won any war, Archie." Henry pointed out.
Doc: Can we even trust Rumplestiltskin?
"No." Charming said.
Charming: I've sent my men into the forest. The animals are abuzz with the Queen's plan. This is going to happen unless we do something.
Snow: There's no point. The future is written.
"Wow. So cynical. I've never seen this side of you." Emma said.
Charming: No. I refuse to believe that. Good can't just lose!
Snow White: Maybe it can.
"Impossible." Steve said.
Charming: No. Not as long as we have each other. If you believe him about the curse then you must believe him about our child. She will be the savior. Ruel Ghorm / TheBlue Fairy and some soldiers enter, carrying a tree trunk. What the hell is this?
Neal looked away from the Blue Fairy. Maybe she had tricked him. Papa warned me, after all.
Blue: Our only hope of saving that child.
Grumpy: A tree? Our fate rests on a tree? Let's get back to the fighting thing.
Blue: The tree is enchanted. If fashioned into a vessel it can ward off any curse. Geppetto, can you build such a thing?
Geppetto: Me and my boy. We can do it.
He ruffles Pinocchio's hair.
Geppetto looked guilty, as did Jiminy and Blue, who were the only souls alive who knew the truth about the wardrobe.
Blue: This will work. We all must have faith. There is, however, a catch. The enchantment is indeed powerful, but all power has its limits. And this tree can protect only one.
Snow and Charming share a concerned look.
Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, Emma walks Henry up the garden path to the Mayor's house.
Henry: Please don't take me back there.
Emma: I have to. I'm sure your parents are worried sick about you.
Henry: I don't have parents. I just have a mom, and she's–evil.
Emma: Evil. That's a bit extreme, isn't it?
Regina looked down. Does Henry really think of me like that? she thought.
Henry: She is. She doesn't love me; she only pretends to.
Emma: Kid. I'm sure that's not true.
The door opens, to reveal Regina Mills and Sheriff Graham Humbert.
Regina: Henry? Uh! Henry! She runs out and hugs him. Are you okay? Where have you been? What happened?
Emma glared at Regina, knowing what happened next.
Henry: I found my real mom!
Regina: You're Henry's birth mother?
Emma: Hi.
Sheriff Graham: I'll… just… go check the lad, make sure he's okay. Graham exits of shot to upstairs, where Henry's room is.
Regina: How'd you like a glass of the best apple cider you ever tasted?
"Don't fall for it!" Snow exclaimed.
Regina rolled her eyes.
In her mind, Emma was thinking the same thing Snow said.
Emma: Got anything stronger?
"No. You're about to head home." Snow admonished.
The scene transitions to inside the house as Emma stands in the foyer. Regina enters with a set of glasses.
Emma: How did he find me?
Regina: No idea. When I adopted him, he was only three weeks old. Records were sealed, I was told the birth mother didn't want to have any contact.
"Wait, what?" Steve asked confusedly.
"I thought I wouldn't ever see him again or even think about him." Emma explained.
Emma: You were told right.
Regina: And the father?
Emma: There was one.
Regina: Do I need to be worried about him?
Emma: Nope. Doesn't even know.
Henry and Neal looked at Emma with shock and anger.
Regina: Do I need to be worried about you, Miss Swan?
Emma: Absolutely not.
Sheriff Graham (coming down the stairs): Madam Mayor, you can relax. Other than being a tired little boy, Henry's fine.
Everyone chuckled.
Regina: Thank you, Sheriff. Sheriff Graham leaves out of shot again as Emma and Regina make their way into a sitting room. I'm sorry he dragged you out of your life. I really don't know what's gotten into him.
"He was tired of your tyranny." Snow pointed out.
Regina slumped in her seat and nodded.
Emma: Kid's having a rough time. Happens.
Regina: You have to understand, ever since I became mayor, balancing things has been tricky. You have a job, I assume?
"But you've been mayor for almost 29 years." Charming pointed out.
Emma: Uh, I keep busy. Yeah.
Regina: Imagine having another one on top of it. That's being a single mom. So I push forward. Am I strict? I suppose. But I do it for his own good. I want Henry to excel in life. I don't think that makes me evil, do you?
Everybody glared at her. She was just making sure Henry didn't learn the truth.
Emma: I'm–sure he's just saying that because of the fairytale thing.
Regina: What fairytale thing?
"Great. You told her. What a grand idea." Grumpy said sarcastically.
Emma: Oh, you know, his book. How he thinks everyone's a cartoon character from it. Like his shrink is Jiminy Cricket.
Regina: I'm sorry, I–really have no idea what you're talking about.
"And you just told her." Grumpy said.
Emma realized she didn't know about the book until that point.
Emma: You know what, it's none of my business. He's your kid. And I really should be heading back.
Regina: Of course.
Emma leaves, and turns around briefly to find Henry watching her from an upstairs window. Meanwhile, Emma is starting to pass the "Leaving Storybrooke" when she notices Henry's "Once Upon a Time" storybook in the passenger's seat.
Emma: Sneaky bastard. Looking up, Emma sees a wolf standing in the road, she gasps and the car spins out of control, crashing into the "Welcome to Storybrooke" sign. Emma's head hits the steering wheel and she falls unconscious. In the middle of the road, the wolf howls. The storybook, fallen to the floor, flips pages with the breeze and comes to rest upon a picture of Geppetto carving the enchanted tree trunk.
"I saw the same wolf before I got my memories back before I died." Graham said.
Meanwhile in the Enchanted Forest, in Snow and Charming's castle, Geppetto and Pinocchio work on the trunk. The camera pans to Snow White, staring out a window. She turns back and approaches Prince Charming.
Snow: I don't wanna do this.
Charming: It has to be you.
Snow: I'm not leaving you.
Charming: It's the only way. You'll go in there, and you'll be safe from the curse.
Snow: He said it would be on her twenty-eighth birthday.
Charming: What's twenty-eight years when you have eternal love? I have faith. You will save me, as I did you. They kiss. Snow White breaks away with a look of pain. What is it?
Snow and Charming looked at each other and smiled. They had found true love and it only had taken, give or take, 3 weeks later
Snow: The baby. She's coming!
Meanwhile, on top of Snow and Charming's castle, Grumpy stands guard with Sleepy and two others. He takes a drink from a canteen. Then he sees something and kicks Sleepy awake.
Grumpy: Wake up. Wake up! Look! It is a creature flying toward the castle at breakneck speed, trying to outrace a cloud of purple and green smoke. The dragon flies past and Grumpy rings a nearby bell. The curse! It's HEEEEEERE!
"That's what it looks like?" Emma asked. "It looks a combination of a potion from Harry Potter and a protective spell."
In the Storybrooke Sheriff Department is Emma is lying on a cot and opens her eyes. Leroy is in the cell next to her, softly whistling "Whistle While You Work", and Marco stands outside, repairing a cabinet.
Leroy: What are you looking at, sister?
"Grumpy! That's my daughter you're talking to!" Charming exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. This must be my cursed self." Grumpy stated.
Marco: Hey, Leroy–manners! We have a guest! So you are eh, Henry's mother. How lovely for him to have you back in his life.
Emma: Actually, I was just dropping him off.
Leroy: Tkh. Don't blame ya. They're all brats; who needs 'em.
"Grumpy!" Snow exclaimed.
"Sorry, Your Highness!" Grumpy exclaimed.
Marco: Well, I'd give anything for one. My wife and I, we tried for many years, but, uh... it was not meant to be.
Leroy: Well cry me a river.
Graham (entering and unlocking Leroy's cell): Leroy! I'm going to let you out; you need to behave. Put on a smile, and stay out of trouble. Leroy smiles falsely, before leaving.
Everybody shivered. Seeing Leroy smile was very creepy.
Emma: Seriously?
Graham: Regina's drinks; a little stronger than we thought.
Emma: I wasn't drunk; there was a wolf, standing in the middle of the road.
Graham: A wolf. Right.
"I really shouldn't have passed that off. It was very possible that was the case." Graham noted.
Regina (from outside the holding center): Graham? Henry's run away again, we have to– (She comes into the room) what is she doing here? (toEmma) Do you know where he is?
"So he's done more than once?" Snow asked.
"He does every day." Regina said.
Emma: Lady, I haven't seen him since I dropped him at your house, and–(indicates prison bars)—pretty good alibi.
Regina: Yeah, well, he wasn't in his room this morning.
Emma: Did you try his friends?
Regina: He doesn't really have any. Kind of a loner.
"That's kind of familiar." Snow said.
Emma: Every kid has friends. Did you check his computer? If he was close to someone
he'd be emailing them.
Regina: And you know this how?
Emma: Finding people's what I do. Here's an idea; how 'bout you guys let me out, and I'll help you find him.
"It's literally her job description, love." Hook said.
Meanwhile in Henry's bedroom, Emma and Graham pore over a computer screen. Regina watches on.
Emma: Smart kid. Cleared his inbox. I'm smart too, a little hard disk recovery utility I like to use.
"A smart kid knows how to clean their inbox, especially to avoid trouble." Ned said.
Graham: I'm a bit more old-fashioned, in my techniques. Pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, that sort of thing.
Emma: You're on salary; I get paid for delivery. Pounding pavement is not a luxury that I get. Ah, there's a receipt for a website, —it's expensive. He has a credit card?
Regina: He's ten.
Emma: Well, he used one. The camera cuts to computer screen, where the card clearly belongs to Mary Margaret Blanchard. Let's pull up a transaction record. Mary Margaret Blanchard, who's Mary Margaret Blanchard?
"Me." Snow said.
Regina: Henry's teacher.
In her classroom, Mary Margaret Blanchard, holding a bird in her hand, is teaching.
Mary Margaret: As we build our birdhouses, remember: what you're making is a home.
"Some things never change." Charming said.
Mary Margaret: Not a cage. A bird is free, and will do what it will. This is for them, not us. They're loyal creatures… She releases the bird out the window; it flies up to a birdhouse. If you love them and they love you, they will always find you. The bell rings and the class departs for recess. We'll pick this up after recess. No running! She accepts a pear from a student. Why thank you! Regina enters the room. Miss Mills, what are you doing here?
Regina: Where's my son?
"So aggressive. Perhaps you need therapy, Regina." Archie pointed out.
Regina nodded.
Mary Margaret: Henry… I assumed he was home with you.
Regina: You think I'd be here if he was? Did you give him your credit card so he can find her? She gestures toward Emma, standing just inside the doorway.
Mary Margaret (to Emma): I'm sorry, who are you?
Emma: I'm–I'm his–
Regina: The woman who gave him up for adoption.
"That's kinda harsh. She was 17 to be fair." Snow pointed out.
Regina pointed her head down in embarrassment.
Emma: You don't know anything about this, do you?
Mary Margaret: No, unfortunately not. She searches for her credit card. Clever boy. I should never have given him that book.
Regina: What in the hell is this book I keep hearing about?
Mary Margaret: Just some old stories I gave him. As you well know, Henry is a special boy: so smart, so creative, and as you might be aware, lonely. He needed it.
Regina: What he needs is dose of reality.
Emma, Snow, Neal, and Charming glared at Regina. No kid deserves to be treated like that.
Regina: This is a waste of time. Have a nice trip back to Boston. She walks out in a huff, knocking over a stack of books on the way. Emma helps Mary Margaret pick them up.
Emma: Sorry to bother you.
Mary Margaret: No, it's–it's okay, I fear this is partially my fault.
Emma: How's a book supposed to help?
Mary Margaret: What do you think stories are for? These stories? The classics? There's a reason we all know them. They're a way for us to deal with our world. A world that doesn't always make sense. See, Henry hasn't had the easiest life. They leave the classroom, walking down the hall.
Emma: Yeah, she's kind of a hard-ass.
Everybody laughed.
"I'm not that hard of a parent." Regina grumbled.
Mary Margaret: No, it's more than her. He's like any adopted child. He wrestles with that most basic question they all inevitably face: why would anyone give me away? (realizing what she said) I am so sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean in any way to judge you...
Snow facepalmed. "Why did I say that?"
"It's okay." Emma said.
Emma: It's okay.
Mary Margaret: Look, I gave the book to him because I wanted Henry to have the most important thing anyone can have; hope. Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing.
Emma: You know where he is, don't you.
Mary Margaret: You might want to check his castle.
In the Enchanted Forest, at Snow and Charming's castle, Snow is in the final stages of labor. Charming holds her while Doc waits by the bedside. Concurrently, the Queen's forces ride through a forest to the castle.
Snow: Ahhh! Help! I can't have this baby now!
"I was panicking because I knew we were going to be separated." Snow explained after Emma looked at her.
Charming: Doc. Do something. (to Snow White) It's gonna be okay. The wardrobe's almost finished, just—just hold on.
Snow: Nooooo! Ahhh!
Geppetto (entering the room): It's ready.
Charming (very softly): It's ready. He starts to pick up Snow White.
Doc: It's too late. We can't move her.
Charming: Push. Push.
The camera cuts back and forth between the Castle and the forest. The Queen's riders are followed closely by the Dark Curse. Snow White has successfully given birth, to an infant covered in a blanket with "Emma" embroidered on it. Prince Charming kisses Snow White's forehead.
"You know what's funny? I still own that blanket. It's the one thing that links me to my origin." Emma chuckled.
"I know. You showed it to me that one time." Snow smiled.
Snow (groggily): The wardrobe. It only takes one. She and Prince Charming share a look until a blast and a whinny outside the door cause them to look that way.
Charming: Then our plan has failed. At least we're together.
Snow: No. You have to take her. Take the baby to the wardrobe.
Charming: Are you out of your mind?
Snow: No. It's the only way, you have to send her through.
Charming: No no n-n-n-n-no. You don't know what you're saying.
Snow: No, I do. We have to believe that she'll come back for us. We have to giver her her best chance. Charming kisses Emma on the forehead. Goodbye, Emma.
"You did your best to make sure I would have a good life." Emma noted.
He takes the baby, and his sword. Two of the Queen's soldiers murder palace guards. Charming dispatches both, suffering a shoulder wound in the process. Emma is unharmed. He kicks open the door to Geppetto's workshop and places Emma inside the wardrobe and gives her one last forehead kiss.
Charming: Find us. He closes the wardrobe and fights off two more soldiers. One wounds him in the abdomen, and he collapses. The same soldier opens the wardrobe–no sign of Emma. Charming sees this just before he loses consciousness.
"You did." Charming and Snow smiled at Emma, and she smiled back.
In Storybrooke, Henry sits on his wooden playground castle while Emma walks up behind him with his storybook.
Emma: You left this in my car. She gives Henry the book. Still hasn't moved, huh?
Henry: I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here. That the final battle will begin.
"No, that doesn't start until later." Rumple said.
Emma: I'm not fighting any battles, kid.
Henry: Yes, you are. You're here because it's your destiny. You're going to bring back the happy endings.
Emma: Can you cut it with the book crap?
"It is fate. Probably destiny or one of the other forms." Neal said.
Henry: You don't have to be hostile. I know you like me, I can tell. You're just—pushing me away because I make you feel guilty. It's okay; I know why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance.
"You're right. I did." Emma said.
"I'm sorry I judged you. I thought it was because you didn't care about him." Regina said shamefully.
Emma (taking a short pause): How do you know that?
Henry: The same reason Snow White gave you away.
Emma: Listen to me, kid. I am not in any book. I'm a real person. And I'm no savior. You were right about one thing, though. I wanted you to have your best chance. But it's not with me. C'mon, let's go.
Henry: Please don't take me back there! Just stay with me for one week, that's all I ask! One week, and you'll see I'm not crazy.
Emma: I have to get you back to your mom.
"No, you don't. Stay with him!" Neal exclaimed.
"I'm sitting right here." Emma said.
Henry: You don't know what it's like with her. My life sucks!
Emma: Oh, you wanna know what sucking is? Being left abandoned on the side of a freeway; my parents didn't even bother to drop me off at a hospital! She begins to break down. I ended up in a foster system and I had a family until I was three but then they had their own kid so they sent me back... She stops to collect herself. Look. Your mom is trying her best. I know it's hard. And I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you. But at least she wants you.
Snow and Charming looked guilty.
"It's not your fault." Emma said.
Henry: Your parents didn't leave you on the side of the freeway; that's just where you came through!
Emma: What?
Henry: The wardrobe. When you went through the wardrobe you appeared on the side of the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse.
Emma: Sure they were. C'mon, Henry. He takes her hand and they walk off.
In Snow and Charming's castle, Snow makes her way to Geppetto's Workshop, where a fallen Charming lies.
Snow: No. No. No! She continues saying "no", sits and cradles Prince Charming's head in her lap. Please. Please come back to me. She kisses him and nothing happens. She tries again but still nothing. The Evil Queen appears.
Evil Queen: Oh, don't worry, dear. In a few moments you won't remember you knew him, let alone loved him.
Snow: Why did you do this?
"She's evil!" Peter-1 exclaimed.
Regina looked down at the floor.
Evil Queen: Because this is my happy ending. Two soldiers enter the room and the Queen addresses them. The child?
Guard: Gone. It was in the wardrobe; and then it was gone. It's nowhere to be found.
Evil Queen (to Snow) Where is she?
Snow: She got away. You're going to lose. I know that now. Good will always win.
Evil Queen: We'll see about that. She begins to laugh evilly.
The ceiling cracks, and the air begins to darken and swirl. Soon the characters find themselves in the middle of a vortex of dark magic.
Snow: Where are we going?
Evil Queen: Somewhere horrible. A window shatters inwards and the Curse floods inside the room. Absolutely horrible. A place where the only happy ending will be mine. The shards of glass from the window are suspended in midair, and then the Curse smoke covers everything.
"It isn't that horrible. I mean, we have movies, TV shows, video games, books, and comic books." Henry noted.
In Storybrooke, at her house, Regina opens the front door to find Emma escorting Henry home. Henry runs inside.
Regina: Thank you.
Emma: No problem.
Regina: He seems to have taken quite a shine to you.
Emma (laughing): You know it seems kind of crazy. Yesterday was my birthday. And—when I blew out the candle on this cupcake I bought myself, I actually made a wish. That I didn't have to be alone on my birthday. And then Henry showed up..
Regina (interrupting Emma): I hope there's no misunderstanding here.
Emma: I'm sorry?
Regina: Don't mistake all of this as invitation back into his life.
Emma: Oh…
Regina: Miss Swan, you made a decision ten years ago. And in the last decade, while you've been—well, who knows that you've been doing—I've changed every diaper, soothed every fever, endured every tantrum. You may have given birth to him, but he is my son.
"And that is when Henry realized there was a chance for me to get back into his life." Emma said.
Emma: I was not–
Regina: No. You don't get to speak—you don't get to do anything. You gave up that right when you tossed him away. Do you know what a closed adoption is? It's what you asked for. You have no legal right to Henry, and you're gonna be held to that. So I suggest you get in your car, and you leave this town. Because if you don't, I will destroy you if it is the last thing I do. Goodbye, Miss Swan.
She begins to leave.
Emma: Do you love him?
Regina: Excuse me?
Emma: Henry. Do you love him?
Regina: Of course I love him. Emma is visibly troubled. The scene transitions to Henry's room, where Henry lies on his bed. Regina takes his book without him noticing, and stands watching herself hold it in a mirror as the scene ends.
"I do love him. But I wasn't paying attention to him." Regina said shamefully.
At Storybrooke General Hospital, Mary Margaret places flower by an anonymous patient's bedside and holds his hand. She does the same for a man in the ICU with a wristband naming him "John Doe".
Snow and Charming smiled and held home.
The scene transitions to Henry staring out his window at the Storybrooke Clock Tower. It reads 8:15. The scene transitions again as Emma walks into Granny's Bed and Breakfast, where Granny and Ruby are arguing.
Granny (offscreen): You're out all night, and now you're going out again.
Ruby: I should've moved to Boston!
Granny: I'm sorry that my heart attack interfered with your plans to sleep your way down the Eastern Seaboard!
"Sorry, Red." Granny said.
"It was my fault." Red said. "I shouldn't have yelled at you."
Emma: 'Scuse me? I'd-like a room?
Granny: Really? Emma nods as Granny fetches a ledger. Would you like a forest view or a square view? Normally there's an upgrade fee for the square, but as the rent is due, I'll wave it.
Emma: Square is fine.
Granny: Now. What's the name?
Emma: Swan. Emma Swan.
Mr. Gold (appears behind Emma): Emma.. What a lovely name.
It is. Papa. In human form. Again. Neal thought.
Emma: Thanks.
Granny (removes a roll of cash from a drawer before handing it to Mr. Gold) It's all here.
Mr. Gold: (accepts it without counting) Yes, yes, of course it is, dear. Thank you. (to Emma) You enjoy your stay, Emma. Heexits.
Emma: Who's that?
Ruby (watching Gold through the curtains): Mr. Gold. He owns this place.
Emma: The inn?
Granny: No. The town. So! How long will you be with us?
Rumple looked at Regina gratefully, knowing she was the reason he was rich in luxury, wealth, and reputation.
Emma: A week. Just a week.
Granny: Great. She hands Emma an old-fashioned key. Welcome to Storybrooke.
In Henry's bedroom, Henry stares out his window at the clock tower, which turns at 8:16 as he grins. The credits roll as the episode ends.
And that's the chapter. In my next chapter, I will go over the next episode "The Thing You Love Most".
Comment below what you think.
[1] This scene is partially taken from the season 2 episode "Manhattan".
[2] This is a reference to Sebastian Stan, who portrays Jefferson / Mad Hatter in Once Upon a Time but also portrays Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier / White Wolf in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). What a small world we live in. 😱