Once Upon a Time (2011–2018): Season 3, Episode 14 - The Tower - full transcript

As the hunt for the Wicked Witch continues, she sets a plan for David into motion, as flashbacks show Charming encounter Rapunzel and assists her in facing her fears.

[baby crying in distance]

This... This is impossible.

This shouldn't be here.

This is all wrong.

[Emma] You're right.

A full-grown princess
still living in her nursery?

I don't even have
a proper vanity.

Emma, what...

What are you doing here?

I was looking
for a place to practice.

I'm a little nervous
about tonight.



Tonight?
What's tonight?

The ball.

You know I've never been
to one before.

I don't even know how
to dance.

Teach me.

[music playing]

You're a natural,
just like your mother.

[chuckles]

And you
are the best teacher...

a daughter could hope for.

Oh, Emma, this is everything
I ever hoped for you.

Me, too. It's a
shame I never got it.

What do you mean?

I'm not really here.



I was never here.

I should be, but I'm not,
all for one reason...

You failed me.

[thunder rumbling]

[thunder crashing]

Goodbye, daddy!

Emma, I'm sorry!
I'll save you!

No! You can't save me!
You failed me!

- There's nothing you can do!
- No, Emma!

Don't fail the next one.

Emma!

[echoing] Don't fail
the next one...

[birds singing]
[panting]

Snow?

Look who's awake.

Come look at
this view, Charming.

I'd forgotten how beautiful
it was here.

Someone's in a good mood.

I am.

I have some
pretty wonderful news.

We're pregnant.

You are?

- Are you not happy?
- No. No, I'm not.

I am thrilled.

[both chuckle]

Once Upon A Time: "The Tower"
Season 3 Episode 14

Original air date March 23, 2014

So now that we know
who we're dealing with,

how do we found
this Wicked Witch?

Might I suggest we start by

asking if anyone's seen a woman

with green skin running around?

We're cursed in Storybrooke.

She'll look like any one of us.

[Emma] Then we start somewhere
we know she's been...

- Regina's office.
- I went over it with a fine-toothed comb.

- She left no trace.
- But you were combing for magic.

Maybe there's physical evidence
that you missed.

Good idea. We'll track her.

If you want to waste your time
playing Nancy Drew, be my guest.

But we can't let Henry
wander around alone

with that witch and her
flying monkeys out there.

Well, especially since
one of those flying

monkeys could turn out
to be his father.

- Still no sign of Neal?
- No.

Point being,
someone needs to protect Henry.

He doesn't even know
what's going on.

I'm guessing
you're volunteering?

If you find anything, call me.

Just remember,
he thinks we're here

because I'm on a case.

Well, look who's gotten good
at lying.

And just don't let anyone
slip up.

As... As far as Henry knows,

you're just Madam Mayor,
and that's it.

I'm well aware
of how Henry sees me.

Time's wasting.

There's something wicked
in your town.

What do you say we go find it?

[creaking]

Enjoying your little toy?

[rhythmically] The spinning cleans
the mind, soothes the soul.

It cleans the mind,
it soothes the soul.

Cleans the mind,
soothes the soul.

[laughs]

You look as awful
as you sound.

What?

You're not enjoying
your cage, hmm?

Not appreciating your jailer?

Oh, no.

You look like you want
to hurt me.

Go on, then.

Give it a go. [giggles]

[padlock clicks]
I'd love to see you try,

especially when we both know
that you can't,

not when I have this.

You're a slave to it.
And to me.

Frustration
can be so intoxicating...

on others.

The only one that can do
the hurting here is me.

So why don't you be a good boy
and sit back down?

[breathing shakily]

Well?

What are you waiting for?

Don't let me stop you.

[singsong voice] All the voices in my head...

will be quiet when I'm...

dead.

[giggles]

I'm not here
to kill you, Rumple.

But you really need
to keep up appearances.

Appearances? Appearances?
For what? For why?

Let me spin...

spin the madness away.

Spin away the madness...

No.

I think the spinning
is bringing the madness.

Here.
Come closer.

Now, hold still...

Lest you want me to nick
that pretty face.

[chuckles] You're probably
wondering how I know how

- to do this.
- [Rumple exhales shakily]

Did I ever tell you
about my father?

His hands used to shake

from drink or...

worse.

I didn't ask.

He didn't tell me. But he couldn't abide
going a day without a shave, so...

I had to learn
how to shave him.

He used to say that no matter what
we were feeling on the inside,

we had to put on
our best face.

In our land,

you and I never had
that choice, did we?

No matter what we did,

our outsides showed exactly...

what was rotting
on the inside.

But...

we're in a new land now,
aren't we?

A land filled
with opportunity,

not the least of which
is to look our best.

[gasps]

Oh...

I'm so sorry.

Did that sting?

[laughs]

There.

Handsome as ever.

Appearances.

You don't care
about appearances.

If you cared about appearances,
you'd change my shirt.

Just exactly what
is it you want?

What I'm after, Rumple...

[door shuts]

Is something you've spent
a lifetime seeking...

Something that goes
against your very nature...

Something
that I can't afford...

to wait that long for.

[giggles]

Luckily, I won't have to. [giggles]

[chain clinks]

Uh, hi.

Can I, uh...
Can I help you?

Oh, you must be Mrs. Gold.

No, I'm, uh...

I'm... not. [chuckles]

Is Mr. Gold around?

Uh, he...
No, he isn't.

He...

[clears throat]

He died.

Oh, I'm so sorry
for your loss.

Oh. Belle.

[chuckling] "Belle."

That's such a pretty name.

Look, I'm...

I'm so sorry to bother you,

but I was hoping
to buy a baby gift

for a lovely woman I met
at Granny's Diner.

Maybe you know her.
She goes by Mary Margaret here.

See, I'm helping her
with her pregnancy, and...

today's my first day
on the job.

You know, curse or no curse,

a girl's got to work.

[both chuckle]

Mary Margaret.

Well, why didn't you say so?

I think I may have
just the thing.

Bless you.

[chuckles] Just a second.

[whoosh]

[beep]

I think I have
a partial footprint.

You guys see anything?

Other than an austere sense
of design, nothing.

Is that blood?

[sniffs] It's berry.

Like a fruit?

No, like holly berry.
They grow on bushes.

Are you some sort of botanist
in this life, mate?

I worked in an animal shelter,

saw dogs track them
all the time.

The bushes grow in the woods.

- You know where?
- Yeah...

In the Northwest corner,
not far from the troll bridge.

[cellphone vibrates]

[clears throat]

[sighs]

Everything okay?

Uh, Mary Margaret needs me
to come back to the loft.

We're getting a midwife,

and she wants to meet
the both of us.

A bit demanding, isn't she?

I meant the midwife.

It's fine. Go.

No. W... We just got
on track here. I mean...

And I've got it covered.

- She needs you.
- [David sighs]

Just meet us
when you get done.

[sighs] All right.

[sighs]

[horses neighing]

[Robin] I used to keep a bottle
hidden in my quiver.

I...

[sighs]

Are those
gold-tipped arrows?

Payment for helping the Queen
break into her castle.

Never thought I'd be paid
to break in somewhere.

Just feels... wrong
somehow.

That's very generous.
The Queen must like you.

Oh, I simply think she wants me
out of her castle

as soon as possible,
but, uh...

for now, it's the best place
for my boy.

With a witch on the loose,

my first priority
is keeping my family safe.

I'm sure you understand that.

I do. [sighs]

If you don't mind me saying,
you, uh, look like a man

who needs some sleep
more than a drink.

Ah, I would if I could.

[sighs, chuckles] Mm.

Yeah, I've been there.

[horse neighs in distance]
[liquid sloshing]

Is there anything you want to talk about
or not talk about?

It's just... [sighs]

I've always known everything
would work out for the best.

When I was last
in the Enchanted Forest,

I dueled a black knight
to put my newborn

in a magic wardrobe
to flee a curse,

and never once
did my confidence waver.

Then what's changed?

That's just it.
I don't know.

I just can't seem
to escape this feeling of...

dread.

And I really need to be there
for Snow right now,

and I can't be distracted
by this...

this fear.

So don't be.

Easier said than done.

After my wife died,

Friar Tuck told me of a root
that, if digested,

would help one overcome
any and all fears.

Where do I find it?

Well, it's said
to grow under the white moss

at the edge of Sherwood Forest,
just South of here.

White moss.
Anything else?

It has flecks of crystal
within its flesh.

It looks like stars.

- Stars.
- That's why they call it night root.

Did it help you?

I don't really dabble in magic,
not unless I have to.

Well, I may not have
that luxury.

You should know they, uh...

say that that part
of the forest is haunted.

- Haunted?
- You may need the night root to handle the fear

of your journey
to stop your fear.

Perhaps the flask
was the right idea.

I'm not afraid
of a ghost story,

not when my family's at stake.

Thank you.

[laughing] No!
He caught you in a net?!

Well, I had just robbed
his carriage!

[laughing] Oh, my...

You two have got
quite a love story.

Oh.

Well, speak
of the handsome devil.

Zelena, this is David.

Mr. Nolan, it's so lovely
to meet you.

[exhales] Okay, so...

I'm here.

Shall we, uh,
get this started?

Oh. It sounds like you mean
"shall we get this finished?"

No, no!
I am... here.

[sighs] Let's do this.

Before you begin,
I'm gonna get us a cup of tea.

No, no, no.
Let me make you some tea.

After all,
that's what I'm here for...

To make your life
as easy as possible.

[sighs]

[quietly] I mean,
isn't she wonderful?

[quietly] Yeah,
she seems perfect.

But can we trust her?
We don't even know her.

It's entirely possible we were
all friends in our missing year.

And it's possible we weren't.

[kettle whistling]

Look. I just wish
we knew more about her.

It's not like we can ask for
references from a missing year.

[whistling stops]

She knew Johanna.

Your nanny growing up?

Yes!
They were friends!

[sighing] Huh. Small world.

David...

if any part of this

feels wrong to you,
to either one of us,

we can always change our mind.

So let's just hear her out,
right?

Mm.

Here we go.

I hope chamomile is okay.

I've found it's excellent
for the nerves.

Perfect.

[horse neighs]

[panting]

[grunts]

Just like stars.

Night root.

[woman] Help! Please help me!

Up here! Please!

[sighs]

[grunting]

[panting]

You're...

You're the first person
I've seen in such a long time.

How long
have you been up here?

I've lost count of the years.

Are you a prince?

Yes.

You can call me David.

A tiara.

Are you a princess?

Yes. But you can
call me Rapunzel.

[sighs]

My parents are the King
and Queen of my realm.

They're great leaders,
adored by our people.

Why did you leave
your kingdom?

For the same reason you did.

I saw what you
were digging up.

You came for the night root?

Yes.

When I got older, I knew.

I just knew I could never
be a leader like my parents.

But at least
I had my older brother.

He was next in line.

But then...
something happened,

something horrible.

I'm sorry.

It was a terrible,
terrible accident.

And after his death, this...

fear started to overwhelm me.

When I closed my eyes...

then the nightmares
would come.

They crippled my sleep.

- Did you take the night root?
- Yes.

Didn't work... Coming to get it was
the greatest mistake of my life.

Then how are you still here?

Before I could return home,

a witch appeared,
her face hidden under her cloak.

She attacked me,
chased me into this tower.

Well, you don't have to worry
about her anymore.

I'm getting you out of here.

You don't understand.
She won't let me.

Whenever I try
to leave, she...

[whoosh]

Oh, no.

[breathing shakily]

It's too late.

She must know you're here.

Now, you've already gone
through labor once,

so at least you know
what to expect.

Oh, yes.
We both do.

I don't think that your hand has
recovered from my squeezing it.

Well, it's been almost 30 years.
I'm sure it'll heal.

Well, keep in mind

the second birth can progress
much faster than the first.

Well, that's
putting it mildly.

I seem to have gone
from zero to due date

in the blink of an eye.

How's our father doing?

Oh, me? I'm... I'm fine.
I'm great. [chuckles]

Well, Mary Margaret
was telling me earlier

about what happened
in the first curse, and...

losing your daughter is...

It's tragic.

Look,
I... I don't mean to pry,

but she did express some anxiety
about all of this.

You did? [sighs]

David, we're missing
a year of memories

in the Enchanted Forest.

We suddenly find ourselves
in Storybrooke

about to have a baby? It's...

a bit disconcerting.

I think it's best to just get
these anxieties out in the open.

Feelings, especially
those we keep bottled up,

can affect a pregnancy just
as much as diet and exercise.

Look, I suppose what I'm trying
to say is that...

if you've got any fears at all
about any of this,

it's best to just get it out

- into the open.
- I don't. [sighs]

Whatever's coming,
we'll get through it.

[chuckles]

Well, cheers to that, then.

[chuckles] You are so lucky

to have such a brave husband.

So fearless. [chuckles]

Speaking of which,
Mary Margaret alluded

that we pulled you away from
some important town business.

You know, I think
we've done enough for today.

We should just let you
get back to it.

[sighs] It was wonderful
to meet you, Mr. Nolan.

Uh, David.
Nice to meet you, too, Zelena.

Pleasure's all mine.

[Zelena chuckles]

[door closes]

[engine shuts off]

[Regina] The ice cream good?

[Henry] Delicious.
My mom used to take me

for gelato in Little Italy.

But this is just as good.

Well, Storybrooke's
got its own charms,

though I know it must seem
quaint compared to the big city.

It's nice, actually.

New York's great,
but there's so many people,

it can make you feel...

alone.

- Yeah.
- Mm.

Yeah. That's the best part
of a small town.

Everybody knows
everybody. It's like...

It's like a big family.

Can I tell you something?

- Sure.
- I don't think it was just the case

that brought my mom
to Storybrooke.

Uh, what do you mean?

I think she wanted to get out
of New York for a while.

W... Why do you think that?

My mom's boyfriend...
His name was Walsh.

He proposed to her.

Oh.

And two days later,
she's taking me out of school

for some job in Maine.

She wouldn't take a job
in Queens

if it meant I'd miss school.

What do you think happened?

I don't know.

But I doubt we'd be here
if she said yes.

And how do you feel about it?

Did you like him, this...

Walsh?

I liked how happy he made her.

Plus, it might be nice having more than
two place settings during the holidays.

I think one day,
you'll have more family

than you'll know
what to do with.

You think so?

I really do.

You'll look for any excuse
to use that thing, won't you?

At least we know we're in
the right place. What now?

Now, we start searching.

[Killian] You know something, Swan?

Whenever you're around,
I inevitably find myself

trekking through some manner
of woods or forest,

courting danger.

Ah. Here, I thought you
weren't afraid of anything,

always looking
for the next adventure.

- Oh, is that what this is?
- Isn't it?

The hell were you doing
for the last year

alone on that ship?

I'm guessing it was

one swashbuckling tale
after another...

till you decided
to come back and save me?

Exactly.

You're lying.

- Excuse me?
- What happened back there?

- What aren't you telling me?
- Nothing.

It's my tale,
and I'm sticking to it.

Still don't believe you.

Well, let's leave it at that,
and you can just say thank you.

For my memories?
I already did.

Well, for saving you
from a loveless marriage.

Is that what you think
you're doing?

- He was a flying monkey.
- I didn't know that.

Were you considering it...
His proposal?

Does it matter?

Humor me.

Yes, okay?

I was in love, so of course
I was considering it.

As usual,
he wasn't who he said he was,

and I got my heart broken.
That enough humor for you?

Don't take this the wrong way,
but I'm glad to hear that.

You're glad to hear
I had my heart broken?

If it can be broken...

it means it still works.

[wind whistling, animal croaking]

[Emma] A farmhouse. [sighs]

You have to appreciate
the irony.

[bird squawking]

[whoosh]

[beeping]

[Emma] You have reached Emma Swan
of Big Apple Bail Bonds.

Leave a message,
and I'll call you back.

[beep]
Emma, it's David.

I'm at the trail head. And I think I
found her... The Wicked Witch.

I'm going after her.

I should never have called
to you. I'm the one she wants!

- If you leave now, maybe she'll spare you!
- No, that's not the way this works.

- I'm getting you back to your family!
- Please! She'll kill you!

You can't save me.
There's nothing you can do.

No.

I can save you...
And I will.

[grunts]

Aah!

[grunts]

[grunts]

[bird squawking]

[Emma] There's definitely
someone living here.

Looks empty right now, though.

Why are we whispering?

Because good hideouts
always look empty.

Trust me.
I spent a lot of time

tracking down people
who don't want to be found.

I know about hiding out.

[sighs]

Storm cellar.

Whoa, wait, wait, wait.

It's one thing walking
around a deserted farmhouse.

It's quite another
descending into a one-way cellar

with no way out.

Scared?

There's a difference
between fear and strategy.

We know she's got
flying monstrosities.

Who knows what's down there.

If this witch
is as powerful as we think,

we could use
some magical backup,

unless you've been practicing
in New York City.

Okay, I'll call Regina,
have her drop Henry at Granny's.

I'd like to see
those flying monstrosities

try to get past her crossbow.

- And her lunch special.
- It's David.

[recorded voice] Emma,
it's David. I'm at the trail head.

I think I found her...
The Wicked Witch.

I'm going after her.

Aah!

[choking weakly]

[grunts weakly]

Hey! Get away from her!

I am her.

[choking]

[hoarsely] What are you?

[deep voice] I'm you. [laughs]

Rapunzel, it's not a witch.
It's you.

You said she appeared
after you had the night root.

You thought it didn't work,
but it did.

The root allows you to overcome
your fears by facing them.

I can't.
Please help me.

She's your fear!

Only you can defeat her!

You can't defeat me.

I can smell your fear.
It's like a stench...

The stench
of a scared shepherd boy

who strayed too far
from his farm.

I'm not scared of anything.

[both grunting]

[laughs]

Ah, if that were true,
I wouldn't be here.

[grunts]

[straining]

[panting]

[laughs]

You have to face it, Rapunzel!
You must!

No. I can't.

[grunts]

[roars]

[grunting]

Listen to me!

Your fear was you could
never be a leader

like your parents,
like your brother!

Own it, and you can do this.

- No, I can't!
- Yes, you can.

Cut it away. Let it go!

If you do, you can finally
have what you want.

- You can leave this tower!
- I don't want to leave!

I understand.
Believe me, I do.

To be frightened
of an uncertain future.

It may feel safe here,

but if you don't face
that future, Rapunzel,

you will die here, alone!

Is that what you want?!

- No.
- You know what you have to do.

Do it!

[grunts]

I...

did it!

[both grunting]

[panting]

Don't you see?
Your fear makes you weak.

No. I'm not afraid.

Saying that
doesn't make it so.

I'll die to protect my family.

That doesn't
make you fearless,

even as the point is proven.

[choking]

Give in.
It's easier.

[hoarsely] I am afraid,

afraid... I won't be
a good father.

But I won't let that stop me,
not now!

[grunts]

[panting]

[vehicle approaches]

[doors open]

David, are you okay?!

[breathing heavily]

Well, where is she?

- It wasn't her.
- Then who was it? You look whiter than a fresh sail.

- Myself.
- Come again?

It's the witch.
She's toying with us.

Did you guys find
where she might be hiding?

A farmhouse.
And we think it's hers.

Then let's end this.

Let's send that witch
back to Oz.

I was swimming in the river,

where I shouldn't have been,

where my parents had always
warned us to avoid.

And I got caught
in the rapids.

My brother dove in after me.

He... He saved me.

But...

But couldn't save himself.

- I'm sorry.
- The throne was his.

I didn't know
if I could be Queen.

And if I didn't know, how could
my parents believe in me?

That's who you are.

You can't hide
from it forever, or them.

You really think
they'll forgive me.

You're their child.

Of course they'll forgive you.

[crowd gasping, murmuring]

Mother? Father?

- [father] Oh my dear.
- [mother's voice breaking] Oh, my daughter.

[crying]

Are you going to tell me why you
were out in the woods all night?

I was there because...

I was afraid.

Afraid?

- 'Cause we lost Emma.
- Twice.

Once as a baby,
then again when we were...

forced to return to the
Enchanted Forest without her.

- No, neither time was our fault.
- I know.

But because we lost her,
I was never her father.

You have been a great father.

To her now.
But I didn't raise her.

[sighs]

And this child, this one...

[sighs]

I don't know. I've never done this
before, and I don't know if I can.

You don't have to.

We're going to do this
the way we do everything...

Together.

[exhales softly]

Now, how did I forget that?

Now, come on.
We have a nursery to build.

Any particular reason she would
send a demon who looks like you?

No idea. It was just there, Wearing my
face, harping on my deepest fears.

It knew your deepest fears?

Yeah... Things I never
told anyone, even Mary Margaret.

It wasn't until I admitted them
that I was able to defeat it

by stabbing it
with the hilt of my sword.

W... Where is it...
Your sword?

That's the strange part.

After I killed it, the hilt...
It... disappeared.

Well, what's that mean, then?

When we face our deepest fears,
our true courage comes out.

When you used the hilt of your
sword to vanquish your fears,

your courage
transferred into it.

Then why'd it disappear?

It didn't disappear.
She took it.

Hang on. The Wicked Witch
stole his courage?

Well, a symbol of it,
at least.

And symbols
can be powerful totems.

I'm so glad you came by.

Of course.
I so loved getting to know you.

And please thank David again
for meeting with me.

You know,
I'd heard so many stories

about your courageous prince.
I just...

I just feel so lucky
to have met you both.

Oh, we're the lucky ones.

With this curse, I had no time
to prepare for the baby,

and suddenly I feel like... [inhaling deeply]
I can stop panicking.

[sighs] Of course you can.

There's no reason
to be scared.

That's what I'm here for.

[chuckles]

That lock...
It wasn't busted before.

Ready?

[gun cocks]

So far, so good.

Everyone, stay alert.
Come on.

[Regina] There's definitely
dark magic here.

[sighs]

Can you feel it?

I don't know. Maybe.
Whatever I feel, it's not good.

What would the Wicked Witch
keep in a cage... Monkeys?

No, not monkeys.

Now, how many people
do we know...

who can spin straw into gold?

Rumplestiltskin.