Once Upon a Time (2011–2018): Season 1, Episode 8 - Desperate Souls - full transcript

(Man) There is a town in Maine

where every storybook character
you've ever known

is trapped between two worlds...

You're the only thing
in this whole place

that feels right.

Victims of a powerful curse...

(Henry) The evil Queen sent everyone

from the enchanted forest here.

They don't remember who they are.

I just wanna make sure Henry's okay.

He's fine.



She's a con woman.
All I'm doing

is trying to protect you.

You belong together.

Oh, now how did you get like this?

Only one knows the truth...

How far are you willing to go?

As far as it takes.

And she'll stop at nothing...

(Grunts) Graham!

Till someone breaks the spell.

Graham! Graham!

Don't underestimate me.

You have no idea what I'm capable of.

♪



Once Upon A Time - S01E08
Desperate Souls

Original air date
January 8, 2012

(Squeaking)

Papa! Papa! (Pants)

They've come for Morraine.

(Horse whinnies in distance)

(Man) No! No!

- (Woman crying) No! No!
- (Man) Please. Please.

- No!
- Please.

- No! Don't take her!
- Please. Please.

No! You can't take her!

She's my baby!
Don't take my baby!

Nonsense.
She's a fine, strong girl.

She'll make a fine soldier.

It's a mistake.
She's turning 14. Only 14!

More troops will turn the tide.

- They lowered the age again, papa.
- I know.

- Take her.
- No! No! Aah!

She'll ride with me.

(Woman crying)

(Grunts)

- No!
- You can't have her!

(Blade zings)

(Whooshes)

(Groans)

(Both gagging)

The Dark One seems to think I can.

(Gasps)

(Both panting)

My birthday is in three days.

They'll come for me in three days.

We'll find a way.
We'll... we'll find a way.

(Woman screaming)

(Door bells jingle)

(Emma) Gold?

You in here?

(Under breath) Well, it is my shop.

(Sniffs) Whoa.

What is that?

Oh, this is lanolin.
Used for waterproofing.

It smells like livestock.

Well, it is the reason why
sheeps' wool repels water.

It stinks. Um, if there was

a reason you called
the sheriff's department,

- if you want to talk about that quickly or outside--
- Yes.

I just wanted to, uh,

express my condolences, really.

The sheriff was a good man.

You're still wearing
the deputy's badge.

Well, he's been gone two weeks now.

And I believe that after
two weeks of acting as sheriff,

the job becomes yours.

You'll have to wear the real badge.

Yeah, I guess.

I'm just not in a hurry.

So, um, thank you for the kind words.

(Clears throat)

I have his things.

What?

The sheriff.

He rented an apartment that I own.

Another reason for my call, really.

I wanted to offer you a keepsake.

I don't need anything.

As you wish.

I'll give them to mayor Mills.
It seems like she was

the closest thing he had to family.

I'm not sure about that.

No love lost there, I see.

Look...

I fear that all of this stuff is

headed directly for the trash bin.

You really should take something.

Look. His jacket.

No.

Oh. Well, look.

Your boy might like these,
don't you think?

You could play together.

I don't--

no, please. They...
They grow up so fast.

Thanks.

You enjoy these with your boy.

Your time together is precious,
you know?

That's the thing about children--

before you know it...

You lose them.

(Seagulls calling)

(Ship's horn blowing)

Brought you something.

Ah. Thought we could use them
together for Operation Cobra.

Thanks.

Oh, come on.

What's up? You've been
ducking me for weeks.

I think we should stop
Cobra stuff for a while.

You don't play with a curse.

Look what happened to Graham.

Henry, I told you.
They did an autopsy.

It's totally natural causes.

Okay, whatever.
You don't believe. Good.

That should keep you
from messing with it

and getting killed.

You're worried about me?

She killed Graham
because he was good.

And you're good.

Henry...

Good loses.
Good always loses,

because good has to play fair.

Evil doesn't.

She's evil.

This is probably best.

(Sighs) I don't want
to upset her any more.

Oh. I'm sorry.

That's not for you.

It's been two weeks.

Promotion is automatic.

Unless the mayor appoints
someone else

within the time period,
which I'm doing today.

So who's it gonna be?

After due reflection, Sidney Glass.

Sidney from the newspaper?

How does that even make sense?

Well, he's covered
the sheriff's office

for as long as anyone can remember.

And he'll do
whatever you want him to.

You just cannot stand the fact

that things have been getting
better around here, can you?

Better?

Are you referring
to Graham's death as better?

No.

He was a good man, Ms. Swan.

He made this town safe,
and forgive me for saying it,

but you have not earned
the right to wear his badge.

Graham picked me...

To be deputy.

He was wrong.

No, he knew what he was doing.

He freed this office from your leash.

You're not getting it back.

Actually, I just did.

Ms. Swan, you're fired.

("Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth playing)

(Clatter)

(Music stops)

Toaster broken?

(Sighs) It wasn't
when I started with it.

Pretty sure it is now.

I just needed to hit something.

What's going on?

Regina fired me

so she could put one of
her own puppets in as sheriff.

That's my job.

Never heard you so passionate
about it before.

What happened?

I don't know. I just...

(Sighs) I know I want it back.

There must be a reason.

(Knock on door)

Maybe...

I just want to beat her.

(Door creaks)

Good evening, Ms. Swan.
Sorry for the intrusion.

There's something I'd like
to discuss with you.

I'll let you two talk.

(Sighs) Come on in.

Thank you.

I, uh,

I heard about what happened.
Such an injustice.

Yeah, well, what's done is done.

(Toaster clatters)

Spoken like a true fighter.

(Utensils clatter)
I don't know what chance I have.

She's mayor, and I'm...

Well... me.

Ms. Swan, two people
with a common goal

can accomplish many things.

Two people with a common enemy...

Can accomplish even more.

How would you like a benefactor?

A benefactor?

Do you mind?

You know...

It really is...
Quite shocking

how few people study
the town charter.

The town charter?

Well, it's quite comprehensive.

And the mayor's authority?

Well, maybe she's not quite
as powerful as she seems.

Bae.

Bae.

Waken up, son.
Come on, waken up, son.

We're going now. We're
going now. Come on. Come on.

It feels wrong to run away.

It's worse to die, son.

I'm not having you taken away
to that Ogres-War.

Alms? Alms for the poor?

Alms for the poor?

Yes.

Oh, thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
(Coins clatter)

Are we sure there's no other way?

Oh, I can't lose you, Bae.
You're all I got left, son.

You don't understand
what war is like,

what they do to you.

(Horses galloping)

Quick. Hide. In the ditch.
Hide. Go. Go.

- Go!
- (Man) Stop right there!

(Horse whinnies)

What are you doing
on the King's road?

We have some wool to sell
at the fair in Longbourne, sir.

I know you, don't I?

What was your name?

Hmm?

Spindleshanks?

(Men laugh)

Threadwhistle?

Hobblefoot?

His name's Rumpelstiltskin.

Hush, boy.

Rumple...

Ahh.

The man who ran.

Is this your boy?

How old is he?

What's your name?

I'm Baelfire and I'm 13.

When's your birthday?

In two days' time.
Hush, boy.

Did you teach him how to run
as well, Rumpelstiltskin?

Did he tell you?

Did he tell you how he ran,

and the ogres turned
the tide of the battle,

And all the others were killed?

And he returned home

to a wife who could not bear
the sight of him.

Please.

You see, women do not like
to be married to cowards.

(Whispers) Please don't speak
to my boy like that.

It's treason to avoid service.

Take the boy now.

No. No. No. No.
What do you want?

What do I want?

You have no money,

no influence, no land,

no title, no power.

The truth is,

all you really have is fealty.

Kiss my boot.

I don't understand.

You asked my price.

Kiss my boot.

Not in front of my boy.

Kiss my boot!

(Kisses)

(Laughs) (Men laugh)

(Grunts)

Papa!

(Horses whinny)

(Gasps)

No. No. No.

It's okay. Let me help you.

Let me help you home.

Thank you, old man.

(Grunts)

I don't have any money to pay you.

I can think of another way.

You just feed me
whatever you can spare,

and I'll find a way
to be your benefactor.

Come. Come.

Come.

(Camera shutter clicks)

Everyone deserves to feel safe
in their own homes.

That's why Sidney Glass is
my choice for post of sheriff.

This man has put the needs
of Storybrooke above his own

for as long
as any of us can remember,

as chief editor of
the Storybrooke "Daily Mirror."

Please welcome

your new sheriff.

(Door opens) (Emma) Hang on a second.

Oh, Ms. Swan,
this is not appropriate.

The only thing not appropriate
is this ceremony.

She does not have the power
to appoint him.

The town charter clearly States
"the mayor shall appoint"--

a candidate.
You can appoint a candidate.

It calls for an election.

The term "candidate" is
applied loosely.

No, it's not.
It requires a vote.

And guess what, madam mayor--
I'm running.

Fine. So is Sidney.

I am?

I am.

With my full support.

I'll guess we'll learn
a little something

about the will of the people.

I guess we will.

Another day gone.

There'll be no fleeing now.

No.

You need to find another way.

You need to choose a different path.

Choose?

What choice do I have?

Everyone has a choice.

I'm the town... coward.

The only choice I have...

Is which corner to hide in.

I'm lame...

Friendless...

The only thing I've got is my boy...

(Voice breaks) And they're gonna
take him away from me.

If they take him away,
I will truly...

Truly become dust.

Not if you have power.

You may as well say diamonds.

Get a hold of yourself.

Think.

Why do you think that someone
as powerful as the Dark One

would work for a useless fool
like the Duke of the Frontlands?

Tell me.

The Duke has the Dark One in thrall.

He's enslaved him with the power
of a mystical dagger.

And on the blade is written a name--

the true name of the Dark One.

If you were to steal the dagger...

Then you would control
the Dark One yourself,

and then no one

would be able to take your son
away from you.

But...

To keep a man like the Dark One
as a slave?

No. I-I can't.

I'd be terrified.

Then perhaps

instead of controlling the power...

You need to take it.

(Door bells jingle, lighter clicks)

Regina.

(Sets lighter down)

Shall I move some things,

make a bit of space for your rage?

You found that loophole
in the town charter.

Legal documents--
contracts if you like--

always been a fascination of mine.

Yes, you love to trifle
with technicalities.

I like small weapons, you see--

the needle,

the pen,

the fine point of a deal.

Subtlety-- not your style, I know.

You're a bastard.

(Laughs)

I think your grief's getting
the better of you, Regina.

Shame what happened to Graham.

Don't you talk about him.

You know nothing.

What is there to know?
He died.

Are you really going up against me?

Not directly.

We are, after all,

both invested in the common good.

We're just picking different sides.

Well, I think you picked
a really slow horse this time.

It's not like you to back a loser.

- She hasn't lost yet.
- She will.

Never underestimate someone
who's acting for their child.

He's not her child.

Not legally.

Ohh.

Now who's trifling
with technicalities?

(Door bells jingle)

(Door closes) How was school?

Okay.

You're reading that paper
pretty hard.

Sidney wrote it.

Is it a lie?

No.

I was born in jail?

Yes.

These records were
supposed to be sealed.

Tell me you're not scarred for life.

I'm not.

Well, not by this.

Good.
Then let's throw this out,

and we will get our news
from something more reliable,

like the Internet.

That's what I've been
trying to tell you.

Good can't beat evil

because good doesn't do
this kind of thing.

My mom plays dirty.

That's why you can't beat her, ever.

I have a new ally.
Mr. Gold said he's gonna help.

Mr. Gold?

He's even worse than she is.

You already owe him one favor.

You don't want to owe him any more.

Don't do this.

This was a juvie record.

This was sealed by court order.

I don't know how you got it,

but that's abuse of power
and illegal.

Oh, I'm sorry. You didn't
want people to know

you cut his cord with a shiv?

I don't care what people know,
but this hurts Henry.

He would've learned eventually.

We all lose our heroes at some point.

He doesn't need to lose
anything more.

He's depressed, madam mayor.

He doesn't have any... any hope.
Don't you see that?

He's fine.

He's not fine.

I mean, think about it--
watching his adoptive mother

throw an illegal smear campaign against
his birth mother? (Door closes)

You don't think
that would be upsetting?

All I did was expose him
to the truth.

And as for the legality,

I did nothing wrong.

But you and Sidney will have a chance

to get into all that at the debate.

Debate?

Yes, Ms. Swan, there's a debate.

You two can talk about jail time
and juvie records

and maybe even your
new association with Mr. Gold.

He's a snake, Ms. Swan.

You need to be careful
who you get into bed with.

I'm not getting into bed with anyone.

I'm just fighting fire with--
(Whoosh)

Aah!
Aah!

(Gasps)

(Coughs)

Oh.

(Emma grunts)

(Ladder clatters) All right. Come on. Let's go.
We gotta get out of here.

I can't move!
You have to get me out.

Help me.

(Fire crackling)

Keep that fire good and stoked, Bae.

The sheep's fat needs to be liquid.

And get that wool good and soaked.

Why are we doing this, papa?

This is good wool.
We can spin and sell.

These are our keys
to the castle, son.

Once I'm inside, there's
something I have to take.

What do you need to take?

That old beggar--
he told me a fine tale

about the Duke
and his magical dagger.

What does it do?

Oh. If I own that dagger,

I control the Dark One.

If I kill the Dark One
with the dagger,

I take his powers.

By God's name.

Imagine me with those powers.

Can you imagine me
with those powers, Bae?

I could get to redeem myself.

I could turn it towards good.

I'll save all the children
of the Frontlands,

not just you, my boy.

I'd love to see that,

but if the law says
I'm to fight, I-I can fight.

No. No. The--the law doesn't
want you to fight, son.

The law wants you to die.

That's not battle.

That's...

That's a sacrifice, son.

You look at that red in the sky.

That's not the--the fires
of the battlefields.

That's the blood of our people, son.

It's the blood of children,

the blood of children like you.

I mean, what sane person would
want to get involved with that?

So it's true?

What?

It's true--it's true you ran.

I had no choice, son.

And mother--did she leave you
like the knight said?

You told me she was dead.

(Whispers) She is dead.

So... what do we need to do?

The Duke's castle is made of stone,

but the floors and the rafters...

(Taps) Made of wood.

Why does that matter?

Because wood burns.

(Inhales deeply)

You're gonna leave me, aren't you?

(Fire extinguisher whooshes)

(Hisses)

Oh.

(Grunts)

(Whoosh)

(Pants)

(Sirens wailing) (Both coughing)

Aah!
(Camera shutter clicks)

Oh! Oh! Ow! My ankle!

Set me down gently!

Seriously? You're complaining
about how I saved your life?

The firemen are here.

It's not like
we were really in danger.

(Coughs) Fine.

Next time, I'll just--

no, you know what? Next time,
I'll do the same thing

and the time after that,

because that is what
decent human beings do. (Coughs)

That's what good people do.

(Coughs)

Hey, did Emma really rescue my mom?

(Oxygen hisses)

Enough.

(Sidney) Regina.
I'm fine.

A nice shot of the victim?

(Camera shutter clicks)
Sidney, what the hell are you doing?

Are you trying to hand
this election to her?

But it's news.

She's the competition, you fool.

(Indistinct conversations)

Did you really rescue Regina?

She did.
The firemen said it.

They saw it.
Well--

you are a hero.

We should see if they have
a picture of the rescue.

We can make campaign posters.

- Oh, people would love that. That's a great idea.
- (Mary Margaret) Okay.

Wait. So I'll get the photo
and then you--

(granny) Can you write it up?

This is how good wins.

You do something good,
and people see it

and then they wanna help you.

Maybe you're right.

You see, Henry?

We don't have to fight dirty.

(Door bells jingle)

Loads of visitors today.

(Door bells jingle)

I do hope you're not gonna break
my little bell.

You set the fire.

(Scoffs) I've been right here,
Ms. Swan.

Take a whiff. It smells like
your sheep crap oil.

Turns out it's flammable.

Well, are you sure?

There's some construction working

on at city hall at the moment.

There's loads of flammable
solvents used in construction.

Why did you do it?

If I did it,

if I did it, that would be because

you cannot win without something big,

something like, uh,

oh, I don't know,
being the hero in a fire?

How could you even know I'd be
there at the right time?

Maybe Regina's not the only one
with eyes and ears in this town

or maybe...
I'm just intuitive.

Were I involved.

I could've run and left her there.

Not the type.

I can't go along with this.

You just did.

This is just the price
of election, Ms. Swan.

A price I'm not willing to pay.

Find another sucker.

Okay, go ahead. Expose me.

But if you do,

just think about
what you'll be exposing

and what you'll be walking away from.

Oh, yes, and, uh,

who you might be disappointing.

(Door bells jingle)

(Door bells jingle)

(Flames whooshing)

(Indistinct conversations)

(Stapler clicking)

David, hi.

Mary Margaret.

Hi.

I was just, uh...

Yeah, me, too.

(Clicking continues)

How are things?

Okay.

Oh, I got a job.

Yeah. I'm working
at the animal shelter.

Really?

Yeah.

(Stapler resumes clicking)

So... Sidney?

Yeah, well, my wife is
friends with Regina, so...

Oh, right. How is Kathryn?

Good.
She's meeting me here later.

That's wonderful.

Well, I'm all out of posters.
I'm gonna go get some more.

(Stapler clicks)

(Archie) Citizens of Storybrooke,

uh, we welcome you to--

uh, welcome, citizens of Storybrooke.

Oh. Uh, we welcome you--

citizens of Storybrooke,
welcome, uh...

I'm not gonna win.
What are you talking about?

Everyone's talking about
what you did in the fire.

No, Henry's right.

I can't beat Regina at this,
not the way she fights.

Watch and see.

Is this really just about
beating Regina?

(Sighs)

It's just...

Henry.

I want to show him
that good can actually win.

That's why you want
to win it for him,

but why do you want to win
the election for yourself?

That is why.

I want to show him
that a hero can win.

And if I'm not...

If I'm not a hero
and I'm not the savior,

then what part do I have in his life?

Okay. There it is.

There it is.

- Papa! I was so worried for you.
- Bae.

Are you burned? The castle--

I'm fine, son. I'm fine.

I need you to go home
and wait for me there.

Come with me, please.
I have a bad feeling.

Bae, this is something
I have to do on my own.

Go home, son.

Go home and wait for me, Bae.

I'll be back. You go.

(Bird calling in distance)

Zoso.

Zoso.

I summon thee.

Aah!

You were asking for me?

Submit, o Dark One!

I control you.

Yes, you do.

Wield the power wisely.

You can wield at any time now.

It's almost dawn.

That means it's your son's birthday.

I bet herder and his men
are already on their way

to your house.

No, they can't take him.

You don't control them.

You control me.

Have you ever wondered

was he really your child at all?

Unlike you, he's not a coward

and yearns to fight and die in glory.

No.

What a poor bargain that would be--

to lay down your soul

to save your bastard son.

So I ask you...

What would you...

Have me...

Do?

Die!

(Blade whooshes)

(Gasping)

(Laughs)

(Whispers) It's you.

You're the beggar.

Looks like you made a deal
you didn't understand.

I don't think you're
gonna do that again.

You told me to kill you?

(Whispering)
My life was such a burden.

You'll see.

Magic always comes with a price,

and now it's yours to pay.
(Coughs)

(Whispers) Why me?
(Normal voice) Why me?

I know how to recognize...
(Panting)

A desperate soul.

(Gags)

No.

No! Stay!

You have to tell me what to do!

Tell me what to do!

(Crackling)

Oh.

(Blade whooshes)

(Gasps)

(Amplified voice)
Tragedy has brought us here,

but we are faced with this decision,

and now we ask only that
you listen with an open mind

and to please vote your conscience.

So without further ado,
I'd like to introduce you

to the candidates-- Sidney Glass

and Emma Swan.

Glass. Swan.

Sounds like something that
a decorator would make you buy.

(Chuckles)

Wow. Crickets.
Okay, uh... (Clears throat)

Uh, Mr. Glass,
your opening statement.

I just want to say that if elected,

I want to serve as a reflection

of the best qualities
of Storybrooke--

honesty,

neighborliness...
(Mouthing words)

And strength.

Thank you.

And Emma Swan.

You guys all know I have...

What they call a, uh,

troubled past,

but you've been able to overlook it

because of the, um...

Hero thing.

But here's the thing...

The fire was a setup.

(Audience murmuring)

Mr. Gold agreed

to support me in this race,
but I didn't know that

that meant he was
going to set a fire.

I don't have definitive evidence,

but I'm sure.

And the worst part of all this was...

The worst part of all this is

I let you all think it was real...

And I can't win that way.

I'm sorry.

(Door opens)

(Footsteps retreat)

(Door closes)

(Footsteps approach)

Another?

Oh, hell, yes.

(Door bells jingle blinds clatter)

Hey, Henry.

What's this for?

You stood up to Mr. Gold.

It's pretty amazing.

Well, he did something illegal.

That's what heroes do--

expose stuff like that.

(Whispers) I shouldn't have
given up on Operation Cobra.

(Door bells jingle)

I thought I might find you here...

(Door closes)

With a drink.

And my son.

Here to card me, officer?

Well, not at all.
In fact, I think I'll join you.

Here? I don't know.
I think they're setting up

a back room for the victory party.

Well, you'll have to tell me
what that's like.

Congratulations...

Sheriff Swan.

Wait. What?
(Door bells jingle)

It was a very close vote.

But people really seem to like

the idea of a sheriff

brave enough to stand up to Mr. Gold.

Are you joking?

She doesn't joke.

You didn't pick a great friend
in Mr. Gold, Ms. Swan...

But he does make a superlative enemy.

Enjoy that.

Everyone's watching from behind
their curtains today. (Chuckles)

(Dagger squishes) (Grunts)

(Squish, thud)

Dark one.

No.

Who are you?

Have you forgotten me already?

What was it you
used to call me again?

Spindleshanks?

Hobblefoot.

Papa?

(Panting)

Rumpelstiltskin.

Wonderful.

And now you shall know me...

As the new Dark One.

How about a little fealty?

(Gasps)

Kiss... my... boot.

(Gasping) (Crack)

No! Papa!

(Dagger squishes) (Grunts)

(Grunts)

(Horse whinnies)

Papa?

What has happened to you?

(Panting)

You're safe, Bae.

Do you feel safe, son?

No.

I'm frightened.

I'm not.

I protected what belongs to me...

And I'm not scared of anything.

(Laughs)

(Keys jangle)

(Sighs)

(Sets mug down)

The sheriff's jacket--

I thought you might want it
after all.

You do know I'm armed, right?

It's all part of the act, my dear.

Political theater
in an actual theater.

I knew no one was gonna vote for you

unless we gave you some kind
of extraordinary quality.

And I'm afraid saving
old Regina's arse from the fire

just wasn't gonna do that.

We had to give you
a higher form of bravery.

They had to see you defy me,

and they did.

No way.

There is no way you planned that.

Everyone's afraid of Regina,

but they're more afraid of me.

By standing up to me,
you won them over.

It was the only way.

You knew I'd agree.

Oh, yeah.

I know how to recognize
a desperate soul.

Why did you do this?

We made a deal
some time back, Ms. Swan.

We established
that you owed me a favor.

I know that can be a bad feeling--

owing someone.

Now that you're sheriff,

I'm sure we'll find some way for
you to pay back what you owe me.

Congratulations.

(Footsteps retreat)