ABC's Once Upon A Time continues to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Tonight's episode featured drama, action, unrequited love, oh, and a slight dragon problem.
The episode opens in Storybrooke, where David Nolan, released from the hospital (suspiciously fast) is thrust into a Welcome Home party thrown by Kathryn and Mayor Regina. Until now, it's been rather unclear whether Kathryn was lying to David or not, but the audience learns that Kathryn seemingly remembers being married to him. After Emma & Henry's "Operation Cobra," conversation on how to reunite David & Mary Margaret, David confronts Emma to find out why his true love isn't at the party. Disappointed in her absence, David leaves to find her.
After David tells Mary Margaret that he chooses her over Kathryn, MM insists that it's because she's the one who saved his life. The heartbreak on his face was unmistakable.
Back in the Fairytale world, the audience finally learns Prince Charming/James/David's past: a fun twist of Rumplestiltskin, King Midas, & The Prince & the Pauper! To make it as simple as possible, the man known as David in Storybrooke was the twin of Prince James in Fairytale. The real James was killed during a fight. This fight was to preempt the slaying of a dragon that has been ruining King Midas' kingdom. The audience learns that if Prince James can slay the dragon, James' father will receive a lot of gold. Unfortunately, Prince James is killed and the king must find a way for his "son" to slay a dragon. instead of losing his gold and kingdom, the King goes to Rumplestiltskin to contact the Shepherd, or the new Prince James. It turns out that Prince James was a twin that was taken from a farming family to save their land. The shepherd, or "Prince James 2," is told all of this by his mother, who is ashamed she gave up a child for land. Reluctantly, the Shepherd agrees to pose as his brother to slay a dragon and bring riches for him & his mother to live on.
Meanwhile, it seems that David has left his wife and Mary Margaret is the cause of it. Regina confronts Mary Margaret before she even hears about it (busy being hit on by Dr. Whale).
The newly established Prince James, armed with the King's men, goes to slay the dragon that has "killed many warriors." Being brave and rebellious, as usualy, James disobeys orders to stay out of the beast's lair and, miraculously, slays the dragon! He is a hero and has seemingly settled all problems.
In Storybrooke, David finds Mary Margaret at work and tells her to meet him at the bridge "where you found me." That troll bridge has a funny way of bringing them together over & over again.
At the Sheriff's office, Graham gets Emma to cover his night shift to volunteer at the animal shelter. Back to this back-burner story later. On a side note: it's wonderful how the writers of the episodes have one main story in both worlds and in Storybrooke set up a storyline for next week ("The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," next Sunday at 8/7c). Mary Margaret goes to Emma for advice, who surprisingly encourages MM to go meet David at nightfall. "He left his wife. Saying it is one thing, but he actually did it!" Sounds like he made his choice.
Fairytale royalty just gets more and more complicated. Not satisfied with the slaying of the dragon, King Midas insists that Prince James marries his daughter, Abigail ( it's revealed to be Kathryn!). Threatened with death and the destruction of his farm by "daddy," James must accept the marriage proposal. He says goodbye to his mother and goes on the road with his new fiance. Look familiar? It is the same day that he meets his true love, Snow White, in the woods.
In Storybrooke, David is on his way to the toll bridge, but doesn't know which way to go. Enter Regina, who points him in the direction of Mr. Gold's pawn shop as a way to get to the bridge. Isn't it funny that a windmill from David's past just happens to be in the pawn shop and just happens to jog his memory? Nicely played, Regina.
David goes to tell Mary Margaret that he remembers his life with Kathryn and that it is the right thing to do to be with her and work through his marriage. Poor Mary Margaret.
While patroling the neighborhood, Emma sees a shadowy figure hopping down from Mayor Regina's house. Afraid of a robbery, she strikes the figure, who turns out to be Graham. It seems that volunteering includes sleeping with the Mayor. Disgusted, Emma leaves.
Mary Margaret, in quiet tears, is seen in the diner, when she is once again approached by Dr. Whale. It wouldn't be too much to assume he's been asked to woo Mary Margaret by Regina, would it? The episode concludes her story with having a drink (or two) with the doctor.
What did everyone think of tonight's episode? And what will Graham & Emma do to solve their problem next week? Will Mary Margaret & David ever really find each other? Will David at least realize he does not truly love Kathryn?
Lines of the night: "She needs someone to feel about her the way I feel about you."
"The right thing to do was to not lead me on."
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