OUAT: Are You Sure That What You Wish is What You Want?

Last time on “Once”: Henry convinces Mary Margaret to read to John Doe, the hospital’s coma patient. When she does, he wakes up and ends up running off. Mary Margaret helps Emma and Graham find John Doe in the woods. She gives him mouth-to-mouth, saving him, and they return him to the hospital. There, Regina reveals that they’ve discovered John Doe is really David Nolan and she introduces his wife, Kathryn. Mary Margaret’s heart breaks as Emma grows suspicious over how convenient this all is. Regina manages to convince her otherwise, no doubt laughing all the way home about how she’s fooling the Savior.

In the enchanted forest, Snow and Charming meet when she robs the carriage he’s riding in with his fiancée, Prince Abigail (still hereafter known as Princess Can’t Be Bothered and the like). Snow makes off with some jewels, including a ring later revealed to have belonged to Charming’s mother. He chases after her and captures her, forcing her to bring him back to whoever she sold his jewels too. After a brief skirmish with the Black Guard, Snow brings him to the Troll Bridge. Things go south quickly and they have to defeat the trolls together. Though they part ways after, it’s clear the two are already starting to fall in love.

And judging by the longing look David gives Mary Margaret, those feelings still exist despite the curse. As a forlorn Mary Margaret considers this, Emma shows up to ask if the spare room is still available. It is and the two become roommates.

All together now: Aww!


Three women dressed for a ball hurry toward a carriage as a young woman in rags sweeps the dirt. It’s time for Cinderella, y’all! She watches as her family gets in (and I notice neither of her stepsisters have blonde hair, since we’re all pretty sure Anastasia from the Wonderland spin-off is her stepsister) and drives off to the ball without her.

But wait! Who should pop in but Cinderella’s fairy godmother? She says she can get Cinderella to the ball with her magic wand. But before she can strike up either “Bibbidi-Boppidi-Boo” or “Impossible,” she explodes.

Well, that’s different.

As Cinderella reels back in horror, Rumpelstiltskin appears and takes the wand. She asks him why he did that and he waves the wand around, saying he needed it. Cinderella says her fairy godmother was going to send her to the ball. Well, Rumple figures he did her a favor. He tells her it’s better to stay where she is.

(Not a good fairy godmother substitute) 

Cinderella vehemently disagrees. She says she’s just a maid and that she’ll be nothing if she stays here with her abusive stepfamily. Rumple senses her desperation and asks her what she’s give him if he makes her dream come true. She promises him anything. Oh, Cindy. She even signs a contract.

Rumple conjures up a beautiful blue ball gown for Cinderella and includes the glass slippers. He says every story needs a defining characteristic. He sends Cinderella on her way, reminding her to watch the time.

(Who knew Rumpel had such a keen eye for fashion?)

Poor, poor Cinderella.

Emma walks Henry to the bus as they discuss code names. She’s not too keen on it but he says they need them. He gets on the bus as Graham approaches. Emma promises she’s not doing anything illegal and he says he knows that. He says he has room in his budget to hire a deputy and would like her to take the job. She hems and haws so he gives her his card, asking her to think about it.

(How can you say no to that face?)

Inside Granny’s, Ruby gives her her hot chocolate while Emma reads the classified. Regina comes in and invites herself to join Emma. She tells the blonde that she’s done some research into her and she’s no longer concerned. Emma asks why. And it’s because Emma hasn’t lived some place for more than two years in the past ten years. She then asks Emma what was so special about Tallahassee. (We’ll find out later, Regina). Anyway, Regina’s point is that Emma’s just passing through. She’ll get bored and leave. Then Regina will comfort Henry and things will go back to normal.

(Looks like Regina has given Emma something to think about)

Smug, Regina leaves as Emma seethes. She starts to stand up and knocks her hot chocolate onto her shirt. Ruby shows her to the bed and breakfast’s laundry room so she can clean up.

In the backroom, Emma takes out her frustration on her shirt and whose ever shirt she steals. A dryer goes off and the maid pulls out pink sheets. She starts crying and Emma’s like “Not used to laundry, huh?” She also notices that the girl is pregnant.

The maid’s name is Ashley Boyd, she’s nineteen and no one thinks that she can raise her baby. Emma tells her that she was eighteen and that she understands. But she tells Ashley that if she wants to be a mother, she should be. She needs to start taking control of her life and not let anyone tell her she can’t do something. Ashley takes these words to heart.

(Group hug Ashley!)

Maybe a little too much. After Gold locks up for the night, Ashley breaks in and goes to a safe. He catches her and she knocks him unconscious. You guys, it’s Floor’s first pairing! Aww, Floor.

(Such a momentous occasion)

Regina dons some lipstick, telling Henry that she hates Saturday council meetings but she has no choice. She tells him she’ll be back at five and goes over the rules—no TV, do his homework and above all, stay in the house. He agrees and when she tries to be affectionate, he still rebuffs her. Regina leaves and Henry breaks out.

(In a few years, he'll look back on this with regret)
(So will she)

At Mary Margaret’s loft, Emma’s belongings have arrived from Boston. She changes out of her signature red leather jacket into a blue one. It seems odd, to be honest. Anyway, Mary Margaret is surprised that Emma has so few possessions but Emma brushes it off as someone knocks on the door.

It’s Gold and he has a job for Emma. He explains that Ashley broke into his store and has something of value to the man. He wants Emma to track her down and return it. Emma agrees, mostly because she wants to help Ashley and doesn’t want to get the girl in trouble.

As Gold leaves, Henry shows up and asks Emma if she knows who he is. She says she met Gold her first night in Storybrooke so Henry clarifies if she knows who he really is. Emma’s not in the mood for games and says she has a job to do. Henry decides to tag along, despite Emma’s protests. He ends up guilting her into letting him come.

("Oh, he is good")

Back in the fairy tale world—FIREWORKS! Cindy—actually just called Ella—watches them from the castle as a handsome young prince stands beside her. He asks her what she’s thinking and she talks about watching the fireworks as a young girl, knowing something was happening at the palace. Now, the fireworks are for their wedding. Aww, you guys!

(It's like something out of a fairy tale. Oh wait...)

Since this is a fairy tale, you know what that means! Time for a ball! Ella and her prince, Thomas, dance around and have some well-known friends: Snow White and Charming. Charming congratulates Ella before Snow steals her away, telling her she’s an inspiration. She went for what she wanted and got love in return.
Ella’s next dance partner isn’t someone she wants to see: Rumpelstiltskin. He tells her that he kept his end of the bargain and now it’s time for Ella ‘s payment. She asks him what he wants—jewels, money? No, he tells her. He’s Rumpelstiltskin, so of course he wants her firstborn child. Ella is horrified.

Read the fine print next time, Ella. That’s always where they try to trap you.

(She looks ready to set him ablaze)

In her room, Ella packs a bag as Thomas comes in. I don’t know who is more surprised—her or him. She thought he was still on the hunt and he didn’t expect her to be packing. He realizes she’s only packing for herself and asks her what’s going on. Ella tells him she’s pregnant and Thomas is overjoyed. She then tells him about her deal with Rumpelstiltskin. He isn’t angry with her and says they will do something to make sure he doesn’t steal their child.

(All together now: Aww!)

Emma goes to Granny’s and tries talking with Ruby. But she’s a bit more concerned about her returned car, which Billy is letting off the tow truck. She tells him to watch out for her glass wolf ornament as she makes eyes at him. Emma’s like “Focus!”

Ruby explains that Ashley was dating some kid named Sean but he broke it off when she got pregnant. It seems his dad wasn’t thrilled with anything. Emma wonders if Ashley would try to get some help from Sean and Ruby makes it seem it’s possible. Back to the Yellow Bug!

Emma tells Henry to wait in the car as she talks to Sean. It sounds like he didn’t want to break up with Ashley but Daddy Dearest made him. Speaking of Daddy Dearest, he comes in and tells Emma to buzz off. That Ashley and Sean can’t be parents, which is why he made a deal for the baby to go somewhere else when its born. Emma realizes that’s what Gold meant and she’s not thrilled that he sold the baby. She tells Sean that Ashley might be in trouble and that they have the right to be parents.

(Who do you think will throw the first punch?)

Emma and Henry return to Granny’s to confront Ruby. She realizes that Ruby sent her on a wild goose chase and wants to know why. Especially once she sees Ruby’s wolf ornament. She asks her where her car is. But Ruby is reluctant to speak in front of Henry. Even though he insists he’s cool, she points out that he’s the mayor’s son. So Emma tells Henry he needs to go home so she can find Ashley. It’s what’s best for the case. Henry nods and leaves.

(Mother-son moment)

Once Henry’s gone, Ruby tells Emma that Ashley is looking to leave town so she can be a mother to her child. Emma says it’s better for everyone if Ashley stays and she goes looking for her.

In the car, Henry pops up in the backseat and Emma almost has a heart attack. 

(The moment Emma realized Henry was his father's son?)

She tells him she’s taking him home and then going after Ashley before she can leave town. Henry says she has to stop Ashley now because bad things happen to people who try to leave. Emma points out that Henry left and he says he came back. He had no choice. But others who leave…it’s bad. And I wonder if Emma recalls that David was supposedly leaving Storybrooke after Kathryn threw him out and ended up in coma. She floors it though and goes to the town line.

In the Enchanted Forest, Charming helps Thomas and Ella with their Imp problem. He and Grumpy take them on a tour of the mines, which has been converted into the prison cell we’ve seen Rumple in for the first two episodes. They say it’ll be able to hold him but they have to first capture him. Which is where Ella comes into play. She’s going to try to make a new deal with Rumple and get him to sign a contract using a quill with special ink. It will freeze him in place and let them take him prisoner.

(Mama Bear Mode Activated)

When they get there, they find Ruby’s car in a ditch and smoking. Emma gets out and calls for Ashley, who responds. She’s sitting in the ground by the “Welcome to Storybrooke” sign and rubbing her baby bump. Guess who’s in labor? Emma says she’ll take her to the hospital but Ashley is afraid Gold will take her baby. Emma pretty much tells her it’ll happen over her dead body.

As Emma speeds toward the hospital, Ashley’s contractions grow worse. Henry’s looking a bit traumatized in the backseat. Ashley wonders if maybe everyone was right and she couldn’t do it. She can’t be a mother. Emma tells her that anyone who wants to be a parent should very well be allowed to. She says she wasn’t able to be do it and that’s why she gave up her son. But if Ashley wants to be, then Emma knows she’ll be a great parent. Ashley wants to be a mom.

(Both Emma and Henry come to some realizations)

Ella waits in a garden when Rumple appears. He asks her what she wants and Ella reveals she’s pregnant with twins. Rumple wonders what that has to do with him and Ella offers him both children. He’s surprised and wonders if it’s a trap. She says Thomas’ kingdom has hit hard times and their farmers are struggling. In exchange for the second baby, Rumple will make their farms fertile again and let them be successful. She holds out the contract and the pen.

(He is utterly fascinated by that pen!)

Rumple is still suspicious and focuses on the quill. He asks where she got it and she says she just grabbed one from the palace. She grows impatient and demands to know if he’ll sign it. He does and he is frozen in place. As Charming and Thomas dart out to capture him, he tells her she’ll regret it.

Ella starts to panic and Thomas tries to assure her. But she feels dizzy, so he has her sit down. He tells her he’ll go get her some water. Thomas finds a well and the camera pans away as he approaches it.

Uh oh.

(Even he knows he's doomed)

In the hospital, Emma and Henry wait for Ashley to give birth. He’s still studying her when Gold shows up. Guess who isn’t thrilled to see him? Emma! She asks him why he didn’t tell her that his merchandise was a baby and he replies that he didn’t think she would do the job if she knew. Which is right. Emma says that Ashley has the right to be a parent and realizes she was stealing the contract from Gold. He doesn’t deny it but he doesn’t confirm it. He just makes it clear that he intends to hold Ashley to it.

So Emma decides to make a new deal.

Oh, Emma.

(No, seriously. Do not trust this man!)

Ella’s dizzy spells passes and she calls out for Thomas. But he doesn’t answer. So she gets up to find him. As she approaches the well, Thomas is nowhere to be found.

Uh oh.

She hurries back and confronts Rumple, asking where Thomas went. He tells her she won’t be reunited with her prince until she fulfills her deal. Well, that’s lovely.

So what deal does Emma make? Gold says he’ll give up his claim to Ashley’s baby if Emma does him a favor to be named later. Don’t do it, Emma! He’s untrustworthy! Who knows what he’ll make you do? But she agrees because this is season 1 and she doesn’t know that he’s the Dark One. Doesn’t know how dangerous it is to make a deal with him.

Emma and Henry go to visit Ashley in her hospital room. She rocks her daughter and introduces her as Alexandra, which was a name suggested by Thomas earlier. Ella hated it but it looks like Ashley doesn’t. Emma tells her that she worked everything out with Gold and Ashley can keep her baby. Moved, Ashley thanks her.

(All together now: Aww!)

When Emma and Henry leave, Sean shows up. He apologizes for not being there and gives her a gift for the baby. She is touched and he asks if they can try again. Ashley agrees and they are reunited, because Rumple’s deal is no longer in effect.

(Happy ending!)

Regina zips up her dress and fixes her lipstick as a shower runs in the background. She calls out to the other person that she has to go because she told Henry she’d be home by five. She says she’ll see whoever is in the shower that she’ll see him at the next council meeting. Before she leaves, she reminds him that his socks are under the bed.

Was there really a council meeting? Or was Regina getting laid all day long instead? Hmm…

Emma and Henry race home as Regina also heads home. Henry jumps out of the yellow bug and Emma says he knows her code name: Pumpkin, like Cinderella. But Henry says it’s not her code name. But she’s not ready for it yet. He races inside the house and loses a shoe on the stairs as he runs to his room. Regina pulls into the driveway and comes into the house, calling for him. She finds his shoe and storms into his room. After a lot of hurrying, Henry is lying on his bed, reading. Regina tells him not to leave his shoes on the stairs and that’s it. He’s not busted.

(Safe!)

Outside, Emma calls Graham and accepts his position. She says Regina won’t like and he says he’ll handle her. We cut to Graham crouching down to retrieve his socks from under the bed. He’s Regina’s lover!

Gasp!

So, Emma’s putting down roots and now owes Gold a favor. This is going to be interesting.

Next time: Jiminy’s backstory!

Screen caps from here.