Once Upon a Time (2011–2018): Season 1, Episode 20 - The Stranger - full transcript

Once Upon A Time: "The Stranger"
Season 1 Episode 20

Original Air date April 29, 2012

No one...

Is getting through that.

Wow. When are you installing
the torture chamber?

You like it?
I call it medieval chic.

I don't care what it looks like

as long as it keeps Regina
and her skeleton keys out.

You're pretty handy
for a writer.

Where'd you learn how to do
all this?

Wood shop. Eighth grade.



Oh, speaking of school,
have to get going.

Um, are you sure
you're ready to go back?

(Chuckles) After a stint
behind bars,

how tough can a room full
of fourth graders be?

(Coffee pours) Besides, aren't you
the one we need to be worried about?

Me? Why?

Well...

You did threaten
to take Henry away from Regina.

Oh, that wasn't a threat.

I'm hiring Mr. Gold to help
build a case against her.

She tried to frame you
for murder.

But you do know what happens
if you win?

Yeah.

And you're ready?



To be his mom?

Yeah.

(Radio static)

(Henry) Code red. Code red.

Hey, Henry. What's going on?

Meet me at Granny's. It's
an operation cobra emergency.

I'm on my way.

Emma, wait up.

You heard the kid.
Operation cobra calls.

I didn't think you believed
any of that.

Oh, I don't, but sometimes
it's the only way

to get through to Henry.

You know, a custody battle
against Regina

isn't going to
accomplish anything.

(Chuckles) You need to
look at the big picture.

That's the only way

you're gonna understand
what you're up against.

That's the only way.
You'll know how to beat Regina.

Okay, new guy, how's that?

Take the day off.

Come with me,
and I'll show you.

And where exactly
would we be going

on this magical mystery tour?

If I told you,
you would never come.

Oh, come on.
Take a leap of faith.

You come with me,
and I promise you,

you'll find exactly
what you're looking for.

My kid needs me.
I don't have time for faith.

(Door bells jingle)

Hey. What's the emergency?

(Whispering) Shh!

This is sensitive.

(Whispering) If it's sensitive,

why are we at Granny's,
out in the open?

(Normal voice) I'm hungry.

Who else knows
that we hide the book

at the sheriff's station?

(Normal voice) No one. Why?

Someone changed it.

There's a new story in it.

Why would someone add
a new story?

To tell something we need
to know about the curse.

And what would that be?

I don't know.
The story isn't finished.

Why would someone go to so much
trouble to add a new story

and then not bother
finishing it?

That's what's weird.

The story's about Pinocchio.

Everyone knows how that ends.

Well, maybe that's
why it was left out.

Or maybe there's more to it.

Henry, you are
gonna be late for school.

Let's go.

(Waves crashing,
thunder rumbling)

Hold on, my boy!

I'm trying, father!

(Thunder crashing)

Faster, father! Faster!
He's catching up!

The current...
it's too strong!

(Grunting)

Don't let go!

(Creaking) Aah!

(Yells)

(Grunts)

What is it?

We must abandon ship.

Take this.

This is the only one.

No, father. I'm made of wood.
I'll float.

We can both survive.

No. We don't risk.

Whoa! Whoa!

Take it!

No, father! You take it!

Save yourself!

Pinocchio!

Pinocchio?

Pinocchio?

You saved me.

(Chuckles)

Oh!

Where are you?

Oh! Where are you?

Oh, no.

No. No.

(Crying)

No.

Oh.

No. (Crying)

I wish I could've saved you,
my boy.

(Sobbing)

(Tinkling) We still can.

Please.

Save him.

(Tinkling and whooshing)

Father?

(Giggles)

Pinocchio...

Look.

I'm...

A real boy.

I'm a real boy!

(Laughs)

Thank you.

I don't know
how I can ever repay you.

Th...

this is all I-I ever wanted.

You and Pinocchio
have found each other.

Now go. Live your life together
as a family.

Come, my son. (Chuckles)

Remember, Pinocchio,

be brave, truthful,
and unselfish.

So long as you do that, you will
always remain a real boy.

(Blows kiss)

Mr. Gold?

We need to meet.
It's about Emma.

There's a... problem.

Mm-hmm.

(Groans)

Oh!

(Inhales sharply)

(Panting)

(Chuckles)

Ms. Blanchard.

I see you're back.

Yes.

Isn't it wonderful?
Everything worked out.

Henry forgot his lunch.
Have you seen him?

He's with his mother.

Ms. Blanchard,
is there a problem?

Not any more.

Though someone did go
to a lot of trouble

to make it look like I had done
something horrible.

But they failed.

Yes. Sidney glass,

who's safely incarcerated.

If it was Sidney.

Well, ask your roommate.
He confessed.

Of course he did.

Are you insinuating something?

Yes, I am.

But I forgive you.

Even if you can't admit
what you did,

I forgive you anyway.

Your life must be filled with
such incredible loneliness

if your only joy

comes from destroying
everyone else's happiness.

It's so sad, mayor Mills,

because despite what you think,
it won't make you happy.

It's only going to leave
a giant hole in your heart.

There's Henry now.

What are you doing here?

(Clears throat)

You forgot your lunchbox.

Thanks.

Henry, it's time for a change.

I think it's time
to transfer you

to a new class
with a new teacher.

Why do you want me
out of Ms. Blanchard's class?

Is it because you framed her?

Henry!

Do you really think

I'm capable of doing
something so horrible?

Of course.
You're the Evil Queen.

Enough.

Those fairy tales are not real.

Ms. Blanchard should never
have given you that book.

She should be grateful I'm not
trying to get her fired.

Go ahead and try.
It won't work.

No matter what you do,

Snow White will have
her happy ending.

She and prince Charming
will be together.

The curse will end.

Good will win.

And I'm not
transferring classes.

(Door bells jingle)

Ah, Mr. Booth.
I'll be with you in a moment.

On second thought, tell me...

as one admirer of antiquities
to another...

do you think it's worth my while
having this clock repaired?

I'll take your silence
as a "yes," then.

You know,
I'm very busy right now,

and, uh,
I'm just a one-man shop.

But, uh, I'll get to the clock
as fast as I can.

I wouldn't ask
for anything more.

Good day.

H-how are you?

(Door bells jingle, door closes)

First time seeing dear old dad

since you arrived
at Storybrooke?

I'm s-sor...

you know, what surprises me is

why a man who claims
to be at death's door

can't even bring himself
to say hello to his father.

What are you afraid of?

That's, uh...

That's my business.

Oh.

Fair enough.

Let's talk about ours.

You claim to be the only person
who can make Ms. Swan believe,

that you could get her to do

exactly what she was
brought here to do, and yet,

for a man
who's running out of time,

you don't seem
to be in much of a hurry.

It's not me slowing us down.

It's her. All she can
think about right now

is getting custody of her kid.

Sounds like sheriff Swan
needs a course correction.

She's coming to you
for legal advice.

And you want me
to steer her toward you.

I can get her there,
to believing.

Trust me.

(Laughing)

Ah. I'm sorry. It's just that
knowing who you are

and your nature,

trust is a big ask.

Fear not.

A gentle nudge I shall provide.

Align the gear on the spindle.

Now press the spring.

Oh!

Good work!

You fixed it, eh? Bravo!

Aah!

(Grunting)

Did you do this, Pinocchio?

(Jiminy) Oh!

Remember what the blue fairy
told you

about being a good boy?
Thanks.

Oh, it's okay.
He meant no harm.

(Sighs) I'd be laughing, too,
if... I wasn't so dizzy

(laughs)

(Tinkling)

I'm sorry.

I meant to be good.

I'm not here because of you,
Pinocchio.

I'm afraid I bring bad news.

Wait in your room, my boy.
Go on.

(Jiminy) H-hang on, Pinocchio.
I'll come with you.

What is it?

The Evil Queen...

she's threatened the entire
kingdom with a curse,

a curse that will rip away
all that we love.

Then we must stop her.

It's too late for that.

So all is lost?

No. There is hope,

if you will help us.

Me?

Snow White is about
to give birth to a child...

a child who will save us all
when she reaches her 28th year...

but only if she
can be protected

from the powerful effects
of the dark curse.

But how can I protect
this child?

There is an enchanted tree,

much like the one
you carved Pinocchio from.

If fashioned into a vessel,

it can protect the child
from the queen's magic.

Will you do this?

I cannot lose my boy.

I have lost...

So much.

I cannot lose him, too.

Then build the wardrobe.

That's how
you will save us all.

I have to save him.

I have to get Henry
away from Regina.

I must admit,
your intentions are admirable.

However,

I won't be taking your case.

What?

You know what Regina did.

Yes, but we can't prove it.

And given the mayor's sway
in this town,

any proceedings against her

would be long and drawn out
and futile.

The only certainty is
Henry would suffer.

You can't do that to your boy.

So we leave him in the same
house with that sociopath?

I'm sorry, sheriff.
My mind's made up.

Well, then change it.

The only person I've ever seen

go head-to-head with Regina
and win is you.

That's because I know
how to pick my battles.

Then pick this one.

I'm sorry.
I'm afraid I'm just simply

not the man
to help you beat mayor Mills.

No. You're not.

(Door opens and closes,
door bells jingle)

Emma.

Hey.

Take it easy.

Is everything okay?

No. I am just about
out options.

"Just about"?

You told me to beat Regina,
I need to see the big picture.

Show it to me.

(Keys jangle)
(Exhales deeply)

Oh! Ow.

Car trouble?

(Sighs) It won't start.

I've got a car full
of groceries,

and well, it hasn't exactly been
a banner day.

Let's see.

Your battery's dead.

What?

I don't have any jumper cables,

but I can give you a ride home
in my truck.

Oh, no, no. Thank you,
but I couldn't impose.

I insist.

Unless you want to have
a car full of melted rocky road.

(Chuckles)

Sure.

Thank you for being
my knight in shining armor.

Well, it's more like flannel,

but you're welcome.

Hey, why don't you stay
for dinner?

I bought more than enough
for me and Henry,

and...

Well, I'm making lasagna.

Oh, I-I shouldn't.

It's getting late,

and I've gotta get up early
tomorrow for work.

Of course.

(Keys jangle)

(Door unlocks)

(Crow caws)

(Clears throat)

Oh, you can just set the bags
over there.

What is it?

Henry.

He's having dinner with Archie
after his session

instead of coming home.

I'm sorry.

Lately it seems like
he'll do anything

to avoid spending time with me.

But I-I shouldn't be burdening
you with my problems.

You've already helped me
more than enough for one day.

Thank you.

You know what?

I do love lasagna.

The Evil Queen
will stop at nothing

to destroy prince Charming
and Snow White's happiness.

So we must stop at nothing
to undo her curse.

It's beautiful.

This is the last enchanted tree
in the entire realm.

It can be done.

I can make a beautiful wardrobe
out of this.

The tree contains enough magic

to protect two
from the queen's curse.

Before the curse strikes,

before Snow gives birth
to her child,

she and the prince
will enter the wardrobe

and travel to a distant land,

a land without magic,

where Snow will give birth
to her child.

Then when she reaches
her 28th year,

she can begin the battle
that will defeat the Evil Queen.

You see why it is vital that
you complete the task at hand?

Pinocchio wasn't always
a real boy.

When the curse strikes,

when the things we love
are ripped away,

he will be turned back into wood
again, won't he?

I'm afraid
it's impossible to say.

Uh... (Clears throat)
You're frightening the boy.

Oh, no. Shh.

I will build your wardrobe,

on one condition...

If Pinocchio can take
the second spot in it.

You can't bargain like this,

not when the entire realm
is in danger.

If I don't, I will lose my boy,

maybe forever.
I-I can't risk that.

Snow can raise the child
without her husband.

(Lowered voice)
Geppetto, think about

the example you're setting
for Pinocchio.

Oh!
Oh!

You may be a conscience,

but you have not earned
the right to tell me what to do.

Please.

I'm only trying to help.

Help?

Help, like you "helped"
my parents?

Your debt to me
can never be fulfilled.

But a start would be
staying out of this.

Understand?

Yes.

Good.

Hey. Hey. Here.

Here, boy.

Oh!

Pinocchio goes through...

Or no one does.

And what will we tell the prince
and Snow White?

You will tell them
that the tree

contains enough magic
to protect only one.

Do we have a deal...

Or no?

The tree is enchanted.

If fashioned into a vessel,
it can ward off any curse.

Geppetto,

can you build such a thing?

Me and my boy...
we can do it.

This will work.

We all must have faith.

There is, however, a catch.

The enchantment is
indeed powerful,

but all power has its limits.

A choice must be made.

(Engine rumbling)

August, you gonna tell me

where we're going and how it's
gonna help me beat Regina?

We're going on a trip, Emma,

so I can tell you
somebody's story.

Whose story?

Mine.
(Revs engine)

(Crunches)

How did you like it?

(Chuckles)
Best lasagna I ever had.

You really know
how to work some magic.

Here. Let me get the dishes.

Oh, no, David.

No, no, no, no.
It's the least I can do.

(Chuckles) You saved me
from having to call

the tow truck today,
and now you're doing my dishes.

It doesn't seem right.

Please.

The last couple of weeks haven't
exactly been easy for me,

and you've been there
the whole time.

Well, I can't help it.
I feel responsible for you,

ever since I... found you.
(Faucet runs, turns off)

You know, after all this time,

no one's ever told me
the story.

What story?

About how you found me.

That's probably because
I'm the only one who knows it.

(Chuckles)

I was working late.

It... it was a cold night.
Must've been 10 below.

And on my drive home, I realized
I left my phone at the office.

I remember thinking
just to forget about it

and I didn't really need it,

but... something inside me told
me to turn around and go back.

And that's when you saw me?

You were
on the side of the road,

unconscious...

So cold you felt like ice.

The doctor said if I found you
ten minutes later,

it would've been too late.

It's amazing, isn't it?
(Sighs)

If I hadn't forgotten my phone,

I wouldn't have been on the road
at that time.

Yeah, it's almost...

Almost like the universe
wanted you to find me.

Uh...

I-I'm sorry.

I-I hope you didn't get
the wrong idea.

No, I'm sorry. I just
got caught up in the moment.

You don't have to apologize.

I just... we...

This is great like it is.

Thanks again for dinner.

(Door opens)

Aah!

Doc, do something.

It's going to be okay.
The wardrobe's almost finished.

Just... just hold on.

(Tinkling)
Circumstances have changed.

What do you mean, "changed"?

Snow White is going
to give birth early.

The savior will be born
at any moment.

Pinocchio can't go.

Snow White must accompany her
daughter or all will be lost.

She must be protected.

This is a land with no magic.

She will need someone
to guide her,

someone to make her believe
in her destiny.

Who better than her mother?
But we had a deal.

There is no time to argue.
The curse is almost upon us,

and I must return to the fairies
to make final preparations.

It is vital that you tell
Snow White what I just told you.

Her child is our only hope. She
is the only one who can save us.

And my boy...

what will happen to him?

All we can do is have faith
that one day

the savior will restore
all that we have lost.

(Sighs)

Shall we tell Snow White?

No.

Get in the wardrobe, my boy.

Geppetto, you can't.

Things have changed.
The savior needs her mother.

No, she needs
someone to protect her,

to make her believe
in her destiny.

My boy... he can do that.

I don't understand, father.
She said...

I don't care what she said.

All that matters is
you are safe.

But you told me to be honest,
father.

You told me not to lie.

(Sighs)

Sometimes...

We have to lie to protect
the people we love, eh?

You must look out for the child
in this new land.

You must protect her.

I don't want to go.
I don't want to leave you.

(Sniffles) Pinocchio,

you must remember
what the blue fairy said.

In 28 years,

you must make sure
the savior believes.

Promise me you'll do that.

That is the only way we'll...

we'll see each other again.

I promise.

Oh.

Good. Here.

There will be many temptations
in this new world, Pinocchio,

but as long as you remain brave,
truthful, and unselfish,

you will not fail.

Here. Get in.
Get in. Get in.

You'll find me again.

And on that day,
I will look at you with pride.

You will be a great man,
my son.

Oh.

(Sighs)

(Lock turns)

(Loud rumbling)

(Rumbling stops)

(Sniffles)

(Exhales deeply)

(Engine rumbling)

(Engine turns off)

What the hell is this?

Last I checked, it was a diner.

No more screwing around.

I am not a character
in one of your books.

What the hell
are we doing here?

I think you know.

You've been here before.

This is the diner
you were brought to

when you were found as a baby.

So you found an article
about me. So what?

I thought this trip was
supposed to be about you.

It is.

This is my story,

and it's your story.

And how is that?

That 7-year-old boy
who found you...

That was me.

(Birds chirping, wind whistling)

(Rumbling)

(Wind gusting)

(Whoosh)

(Air gusting)

(Panting)

(Jet roaring)

(Whoosh)

(Whoosh) You must look
out for this child

in this new land.
Promise me you'll do that.

That is the only way we'll...
we'll see each other again.

I promise.

(Whoosh)

(Birds chirping)

(Grunting)

(Whooshing)

(Baby crying)

(Continues crying)

Shh. Shh.

(Wailing)

Why are we in the woods?

All the answers
you've been searching for

are right where I found you.

See? You're not
that 7-year-old boy.

I wasn't found in the woods.

I was found
on the side of a highway.

Why do you think that?

Because you read it
in the newspaper?

Did it ever occur to you

that maybe that 7-year-old boy
lied about where he found you?

No. But it occurs to me

that you've been lying to me
about everything,

and I'm done listening.

When I found you,
you were wrapped in a blanket,

and the name "Emma"
was embroidered

along the bottom of it.

That wasn't in the article,
was it?

How would I know that
unless I was there?

Okay.

Let's say you were that kid.

Why lie
about where you found me?

I lied to protect you.

From what?

That.

A tree?

You've read Henry's book,
right?

(Scoffs) You know about
the curse, don't you?

Your role in it?
It's true, Emma.

We both came into this world...

Through this tree.

You're asking me to believe

that you are
a fairy tale character?

Pinocchio.

Right. Of course Pinocchio.

Explains all the lying.

You're the one who added
the story to Henry's book.

I needed you to know the truth.

The truth is you are
out of your mind,

and you're not even
a very good liar.

Why not write the end
of that story?

Because this is the ending,
and we're writing it right now.

And how does this story end?

With you believing.

Not gonna happen.

Emma? Emma, wait.

(Grunts)

(Groaning)

(Coughs)

What... is wrong...

With your leg?

(Groans)

I failed.

What are you talking about?

It doesn't matter.
You don't believe.

If you think

that by making me
feel sorry for you

that something's gonna change,
you are wrong.

I am not screwing around here.

Whatever you believe or don't,
this is real, Emma.

I am sick.

That's an understatement.

You ever been to Phuket?

It's beautiful.

Amazing island.

Full of pleasures. The perfect
place to lose oneself.

That's where I was when you
decided to stay in Storybrooke.

How do you know when I decided
to stay in Storybrooke?

Because at 8:15
in the morning,

I woke up with a shooting pain
in my leg.

That's 8:15 at night
in Storybrooke.

Sound familiar?

That's when time there
started to move forward again.

I was supposed to be there
for you,

and I wasn't.

Because I was
halfway around the world,

I got a painful reminder
of just how far I'd strayed.

If that tree
won't make you believe,

maybe this will.

How does that prove anything?

Look.

August, I'm looking.

You don't see it, do you?

See what?

Your denial is more powerful
than I thought.

It's preventing you
from seeing the truth.

Okay, one of us is
losing it here, and it's not me.

You don't want to believe.

After everything you've seen,
why can't you just do it?

Why is it so important to you
that I do?

Because I, the town...
everyone needs you.

I don't want them to need me.

Well, that's too bad,
because we all do.

You're saying
that I am responsible

for everyone's happiness?
That is crap!

I didn't ask for that!
I don't want it!

Right now. A little while ago,
you didn't want Henry either,

but then he came to you,

and now you are fighting
like hell for him.

(Crying) For him! Because that
is all I can handle right now.

And I'm not even
doing a good job at that!

Now you're telling me
I have to save everyone?

That is beyond ridiculous.
I don't want any of it.

Well, that's too bad, Emma,

because that doesn't change
the truth.

You are our only hope.

Then you're all screwed.

(Baby crying)

(Continues crying)

Shh. Shh.

Don't cry, Emma.

Look at me. Watch this.

(Babbles)

(Babbles)

(Babbles)

There. That's better, right?

(Man) Do those tools
belong to you?

I was just trying
to fix the crib.

I didn't want Emma
to fall out and get hurt.

Don't ever touch anything
in this house again.

Nothing belongs to you.

Yes, Mr. Raskind.

Hey.

You okay?

Uh, can you keep a secret?

Wow. Where'd you get that?

I stole it
from the sock drawer.

It's enough to buy us all
bus tickets out of here.

You're leaving? When?

Right now.

You wanna come?

I told my father
I'd take care of Emma.

Can she come? Please?

We can't take care of baby.

You want to stay here
for the rest of your life?

Be my guest.

Wait.

(Whispers) I'm sorry, Emma.

(Blows kiss)

Faster and faster.

Come on. Work. Work.
Work. Work. Work.

You see?

(Speaks Italian)

Align the gear on the spindle,

then press the spring.

(Sighs)

(Whirring)

(Cuckoo bird chirps)

(Whirring stops)

Who taught you that?

My father.

He taught you well.

He must be very proud.

I don't know about that.

Don't think I became the man
he wanted me to be.

Well, have you tried
to make it up to him?

I made him a promise...

A long time ago.

By the time I got around
to making good on it,

I think it was too late.

But you kept your promise.

You realized your mistake,
and you tried to fix it.

That's important.

If I had a son,
that would be enough for me.

You look like
you might be shorthanded.

Hmm. I get by.

How would you feel

about...

Taking on an assistant?

I can't pay you.

That's okay.

I just feel like fixing things.

Come in.

Vieni, vieni.

(Speaking indistinctly)

(Radio static)

(Emma) Code red. Code red.
Henry?

Emma, what's wrong?

I need to talk to you.

About operation cobra?

No. About us.
Meet me downstairs.

If my mom sees me
out here talking to you,

she'll get really mad.

Henry, I need to ask you
something very important.

Do you want to get away
from Regina?

Do you want to come
and live with me?

More than anything.

Okay. Then buckle up.
You ready?

Okay. Why? Where we going?

(Seat belt clicks)

We're leaving Storybrooke.

(Engine rumbling)