Once Upon a Time: Season 1

2011 · 22 episodes · ★ 7.7

What Season 1 of Once Upon a Time

Emma Swan lives alone in Boston, works as a bounty hunter and avoids commitment. Everything changes on her twenty-eighth birthday, when Henry, a ten-year-old boy, shows up claiming to be the son she gave up for adoption as a baby. He is convinced that Emma is Snow White's daughter and that she comes from a land of fairy tales. Emma doesn't believe him, but she ends up going with him to Storybrooke, a town in Maine where nobody remembers who they are. There, Mayor Regina will stop at nothing to drive her out of town. The season explores how far Emma will go to protect her son, while the characters from the fairy tales begin to recognize one another in the real world.

22episodes

Oct 23, 2011aired

May 13, 2012latest episode

16.2 hrtotal runtime

Season 1 Episodes

1x01 Pilot
Oct 23, 2011 · 45 min · ★ 7.1
Emma's life turns upside down when she is visited by Henry, the 10-year-old child she long ago gave up for adoption; Emma brings Henry back to his foster mother in a strange town called Storybrooke.
Directing: Mark Mylod · Writers: Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis · Starring: Jeffrey Kaiser, Meghan Ory, Mig Macario, Michael Coleman
1x02 The Thing You Love Most
Oct 30, 2011 · 44 min · ★ 7.3
Regina does everything in her power to force Emma out of Storybrooke and out of her and Henry's lives forever. Meanwhile, the chilling circumstances of how the Evil Queen released the curse upon the fairytale world is revealed.
Directing: Greg Beeman · Writing: Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis · Starring: Meghan Ory, Kristin Bauer, Patti Allan, C. Ernst Harth
1x03 Snow Falls
Nov 6, 2011 · 44 min · ★ 7.7
At Henry's urging, Emma convinces Mary Margaret to pay a visit to a comatose John Doe in the hospital and to read to him from the storybook. But Mary Margaret is stunned at the outcome of her visit. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world, Prince Charming meets Snow White for the first time in a most unexpected way.
Directing: Dean White · Writer: Liz Tigelaar · Starring: Meghan Ory, Anastasia Griffith, Mark Gibbon, Amos Stern
1x04 The Price of Gold
Nov 13, 2011 · 44 min · ★ 7.7
Emma tries to help a young pregnant woman escape from the clutches of Mr. Gold. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Cinderella makes a regrettable deal with Rumplestiltskin.
Directing: David Solomon · Writer: David H. Goodman · Starring: Meghan Ory, Natalie Gibson, Catherine Lough Haggquist, Ted Whittall
1x05 That Still Small Voice
Nov 27, 2011 · 44 min · ★ 7.8
As Sheriff Graham deputizes Emma, the ground shakes and a giant sinkhole mysteriously appears at the edge of town. But a curious Henry’s life is placed in danger when he decides to explore the innards of the sinkhole to see if its contents can link the inhabitants of Storybrooke to the fairytale world. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world, Jiminy Cricket yearns to leave the family business and transform into the person he wants to be.
Directing: Paul A. Edwards · Writer: Jane Espenson · Starring: Meghan Ory, Anastasia Griffith, Harry Groener, Carolyn Hennesy
1x06 The Shepherd
Dec 4, 2011 · 44 min · ★ 7.5
David - aka John Doe - must choose between staying with Kathryn or leaving her to be with Mary Margaret, with whom he's fallen deeply, and inexplicably, in love; and Emma catches Sheriff Graham in a lie. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Prince Charming is about to encounter a life-changing event that will forever alter his destiny.
Directing: Victor Nelli, Jr. · Writers: Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg · Starring: Anastasia Griffith, Alex Zahara, Ian Butcher, Demord Dann
1x07 The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Mid-Season Finale
Dec 11, 2011 · 44 min · ★ 8.0
One of the town's residents begins to remember their fairytale past, and Storybrooke mourns the loss of one of their own. Meanwhile, in the fairytale world that was, the Evil Queen attempts to find a heartless assassin to murder Snow White.
Directing: David Barrett · Writers: Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis · Starring: Meghan Ory, Scott Heindl, Tristan Jensen, Kam Kozak
1x08 Desperate Souls
Jan 8, 2012 · 45 min · ★ 8.2
Regina and Mr. Gold play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs for a coveted Storybrooke public office against Sidney. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Rumplestiltskin tries to track down the ultimate power source in order to help his son avert the horrors of a meaningless war.
Directing: Michael Waxman · Writing: Jane Espenson · Starring: Meghan Ory, Dylan Schmid, Conner Dwelly, Brad Dourif
1x09 True North
Jan 15, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Feeling their pain from having lived through the same experience, Emma desperately tries to help two homeless children find their birth father before they’re separated and put into the foster care system. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, the Evil Queen coerces Hansel and Gretel into stealing an important artifact from a blind witch.
Directing: Dean White · Writers: David H. Goodman, Liz Tigelaar · Starring: Jeffrey Kaiser, Eion Bailey, Mig Macario, Michael Coleman
1x10 7:15 A.M.
Jan 22, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Mary Margaret and David continue to grapple with their unrequited love, and Emma and Regina grow suspicious over a mysterious new stranger in town. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Snow White yearns to ease her breaking heart as Prince Charming’s wedding to King Midas’s daughter approaches.
Directing: Ralph Hemecker · Starring: Jeffrey Kaiser, Meghan Ory, Eion Bailey, Mig Macario
1x11 Fruit of the Poisonous Tree
Jan 29, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.5
A dejected Sidney enlists the aid of Emma to help uncover evidence that could expose Mayor Regina as the corrupt person she really is to the townspeople of Storybrooke. Mary Margaret and David continue their secret rendezvous while trying to figure out a way to unleash their forbidden love. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, King Leopold, who is the father of Snow White and married to the Evil Queen, stumbles upon a magic lamp and is granted three wishes by a Genie - who warns the king to be careful what he wishes for.
Directing: Bryan Spicer · Writing: Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg · Starring: Eion Bailey, Richard Schiff, Tony Perez, Giancarlo Esposito
1x12 Skin Deep
Feb 12, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 8.4
After Mr. Gold's house is robbed, Emma keeps a close eye on him when it looks like he wants to track down the criminal and dole out some vigilante justice as payback, and Valentine's Day finds Mary Margaret, Ruby and Ashley having a girls' night out. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Belle agrees to a fateful deal to give up her freedom in order to save her town from the horrors of the Ogre war.
Directing: Milan Cheylov · Writing: Jane Espenson · Starring: Emilie de Ravin, Meghan Ory, Sage Brocklebank, John DeSantis
1x13 What Happened to Frederick
Feb 19, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
With their love for each other growing stronger, David finally agrees to tell Kathryn about his relationship with Mary Margaret and put an end to his loveless marriage. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, while runaway groom Prince Charming searches for Snow White, he agrees to aid Abigail on a dangerous mission to recover something precious that was lost to her.
Directing: Dean White · Writing: David H. Goodman · Starring: Meghan Ory, Eion Bailey, Anastasia Griffith, Aria Pullman
1x14 Dreamy
Mar 4, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.5
Unlikely allies Mary Margaret and Leroy team together for a good cause to help the Storybrooke nuns sell their candles during the town's Miner's Day festival. But Leroy makes a promise to a nun, Astrid, that he may not be able to keep; and Emma looks into the mysterious disappearance of David's wife, Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Grumpy finds forbidden love with beautiful but clumsy fairy Nova.
Directing: David Solomon · Writers: Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis · Starring: Jeffrey Kaiser, Emilie de Ravin, Meghan Ory, Mig Macario
1x15 Red-Handed
Mar 11, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.8
After Ruby quits Granny's diner and with her self-esteem at an all-time low, Emma hires her as an assistant in order to help Ruby discover what it is in life that she's good at; and Emma continues questioning David about the disappearance - and possible murder - of Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Red Riding Hood yearns to run away with her true love. But she, along with her fellow townspeople, are virtual prisoners when a bloodthirsty wolf continues on its relentless killing spree.
Directing: Ron Underwood · Writer: Jane Espenson · Starring: Meghan Ory, Eion Bailey, Bill Dow, Jesse Hutch
1x16 Heart of Darkness
Mar 18, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.0
Mary Margaret hires Mr. Gold as her attorney when Emma is forced to arrest her for the suspected murder of David’s wife, Kathryn. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, Prince Charming sets out to stop a determined and unhinged Snow White, whose memory is still clouded by Rumplestiltskin’s potion, from assassinating the Evil Queen.
Directing: Dean White · Writers: Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg · Starring: Jeffrey Kaiser, Meghan Ory, Eion Bailey, Mig Macario
1x17 Hat Trick
Mar 25, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 8.1
While searching for a missing Mary Margaret, Emma is kidnapped by a man whose affinity for hats has him teetering on the edge of madness. Meanwhile, viewers will be transported outside of the fairytale land that was for the first time when the Evil Queen persuades a skillful man of magic to come work for her one last time and travel to Wonderland in order to help steal something from the Queen of Hearts.
Directing: Ralph Hemecker · Writing: David H. Goodman · Starring: Paul McGillion, Sebastian Stan, Alissa Skovbye, Jennifer Koenig
1x18 The Stable Boy
Apr 1, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.7
Emma continues her exhaustive search for evidence that will prove Mary Margaret's innocence in the murder of David's wife, Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was and before evil blackened her soul, Regina must choose between betraying her mother, Cora, and marrying for true love, or betrothing royalty and living a regal - but loveless - life; and the event that caused the Evil Queen to loathe Snow White is revealed.
Directing: Dean White · Writers: Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis · Starring: Meghan Ory, Eion Bailey, Anastasia Griffith, Noah Bean
1x19 The Return
Apr 22, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.7
Mr. Gold attempts to uncover the true identity of August, Emma confronts Regina about her involvement in Kathryn's disappearance, and David tries to apologize and reconcile with Mary Margaret. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Rumplestiltskin agrees to comply and do whatever it takes if his son can find a way for him to safely give up his powers and turn back into the loving man he used to be.
Directing: Paul A. Edwards · Writer: Jane Espenson · Starring: Meghan Ory, Eion Bailey, Mig Macario, Michael Coleman
1x20 The Stranger
Apr 29, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.4
August tells Emma how to beat Regina and how she can get custody of Henry, while Regina hatches a plot to seduce David now that Mary Margaret is back at work. In the fairy-tale world, a plan to save Snow White and Prince Charming’s daughter unfolds and is agreed to by Geppetto, who has his own child’s safety in mind.
Directing: Gwyneth Horder-Payton · Writers: Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg · Starring: Eion Bailey, Rick Dobran, Isaiah Lehtinen, Jakob Davies
1x21 An Apple Red as Blood
May 6, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Henry pleads with Emma to stay in Storybrooke and continue her quest as the savior of the fairytale dwellers, and Regina concocts a plan that could rid her of Emma forever. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, Snow White enlists the aid of her fellow fairytale cohorts to attack the Evil Queen and save Prince Charming's life.
Directing: Milan Cheylov · Writers: David H. Goodman, Jane Espenson · Starring: Jeffrey Kaiser, Meghan Ory, Mig Macario, Michael Coleman
1x22 A Land Without Magic Season Finale
May 13, 2012 · 44 min · ★ 8.1
Emma and Regina team together in order to find a way to save Henry's life. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Prince Charming attempts to escape from the Evil Queen's clutches in order to reunite with Snow White who, unbeknownst to him, has already taken a bite of the Queen's poison apple.
Directing: Dean White · Writers: Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis · Starring: Emilie de Ravin, Meghan Ory, Sebastian Stan, Kristin Bauer