there is a town in Maine...
I'd like a room.
Welcome to Storybrooke.
Where every storybook character you've ever known...
Is trapped between two worlds...
An Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairy tale characters here.
And now they don't remember who they are.
Victims of a powerful curse...
Everything you love, everything all of you love,
Will be taken from you.
Only one knows the truth,
And only one can break her spell.
It's your destiny.
You're gonna bring back the happy endings.
You enjoy your stay.
I wish, I wish,
But nothing changes.
I wish I was better at wishing!
Alas! Will no one slay this fearsome dragon
and win my hand in marriage?
I will slay the fearsome dragon, milady,
or die trying!
Good-bye, dear prince.
It was nice knowing you!
Who dares disturb my sleep?
Uh, he went that way!
Then I will go that way.
Very good idea.
You go that way, and I'll...
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Careful. Careful.
Don't let those coins roll away.
No. They might... disappear.
Whoop. Whoop. Ha. Look at that.
Oh, a cricket! I love crickets!
Crickets are trouble noisy bugs.
But they get to do whatever they want--
Hopping from place to place. They're free.
You're free.
To do what we want.
To be who you are.
And you are who you are.
Well, maybe I want to be something else.
Maybe I don't wanna steal.
Maybe I want to be good.
All that from a cricket.
Told ya. Trouble.
"Good" is another word for "Weak."
Let us do the thinking for you.
That's what parents are for.
To help you.
You are who you are, and there's no changing it, Jiminy.
- Right? - Right.
Right.
Problem solved.
You weren't always a cricket.
I wasn't al--
Oh, right. Because I'm...
Because you think I'm Jiminy cricket.
Why--why do you-- why do you think that, Henry?
It's just because of who you are.
And who am I?
You're a conscience. You help people see right from wrong.
So all of the crickets in storybrooke--
They were once people, too?
There aren't too many crickets here. Listen.
Maybe it isn't late enough.
There's never been crickets here.
You've just never noticed.
So you think that's proof that there's a curse?
Yes, but I know it's not enough.
I'm looking for more.
So, Henry, look, I asked you this once before,
and you said you'd think about it.
Why do you think it's so important that this is real?
It...
It just is.
All right, well...
Keep thinking about that answer, Henry,
'cause I think there's something buried there.
A tie?
You know you don't have to dress a woman
as a man to give her authority.
So you think you can get people to do what you want
in that red coat?
I'm getting you to do what I want right now.
Well, at least wear the badge. Go on. Take it.
If you really want to be a part of this community,
You have to make it official.
- Everyone step back, please. - Is that a crater?
No, there were tunnels, uh, old mines.
Be careful. Step back.
Something collapsed.
Sheriff, set up a police perimeter.
Marco, why don't you help with the fire department?
Ms. Swan, this is now official town business.
You're free to go.
Well, actually, I work for the town now.
She's my new deputy.
They say the Mayor's always last to know.
It's in my budget.
Indeed.
Deputy, why don't you make yourself useful
and help with crowd control?
People of Storybrooke, don't be alarmed.
We've always known this area was honeycombed
with old mining tunnels, but fear not.
I'm going to undertake a project to make this area safe,
to rehabilitate it into city use.
We will bulldoze it, collapse it, pave it.
Pave it? What if there's something down there?
Henry, what are you doing here?
- What's down there? - Nothing. Now step back.
In fact, everyone, please, please step back. Thank you.
Let's go, boys.
What was that?
Henry, enough.
Listen, this is a safety issue. Wait in the car.
Deputy Swan, Sheriff, cordon off the area.
Hey, Archie. Over here.
This requires all of Operation Cobra--both of you.
I didn't realize I was in Operation Cobra.
Of course you are. You know everything.
We can't let her do this.
What if there's something down there?
They're just some old tunnels.
That just happen to collapse right after you get here?
You're changing things. You're weakening the curse.
That's not what's happening.
Yes, it is. Did you do anything different today?
Cause something made this happen.
Henry, I told you to wait in the car.
Deputy, do your job.
Dr. Hopper, a word, please.
Okay, we're done with this.
Uh, excuse me?
My son. We need a new treatment plan.
Everything I do he thinks is part of some horrible plot.
I can't cover up a safety hazard
without him thinking I'm hiding something.
How am I hiding something terrible in an old mine?
How is any of this logical to him?
He's got an amazing imagination.
Yes, that you let run rampant.
Well, I think it would be wrong to rip away
the world he's constructed.
I'd rather use it to try and get--
Sometimes I think you've forgotten.
You work for me.
You're an employee, and I can fire you.
This is my town.
You will lose your office, lose your house.
I can cut you down to size
until you're a tiny, shrunken little creature,
And this will be the only roof over your damn head.
What would you have me do?
You take that delusion out of my son's head,
And you crush it.
Come on, Jiminy.
Oh, I remember this place.
Looks like it's been a good year.
Yeah, you can tell by all the fat people.
Maybe we can run the Elf Tonic Scam here.
Oh, can't we just-- can't we just do the show?
Ohh. We make enough on the ticket sales.
Do we have to steal, too?
We don't need to, but it's nice.
We steal from them, and they steal from someone else.
It's called an economy.
We're a vital part of it.
I want to change. I-I want to quit.
- Oh, this again. - No, you can't leave now.
- We're getting old. - It's my hip.
- My liver. - I got lumps in strange places.
I've got burning sensations.
You'd better stay with us.
Just until we die.
Now be a good boy and set up.
Puppets!
Wow! What a great job you have!
You don't like it?
No. No, I don't.
Same show, same fairs every year.
Well, then why don't you do something else?
It's just who I am.
Well, did you just come out here to watch us set up?
No. I came out here to listen to the crickets.
Oh, crickets.
Oh, I haven't listened to the crickets in a while.
Hey, you'd better get home, or you're gonna catch a cold.
So are you. Here. Have my umbrella.
I don't live far.
I can't wait to see the show!
Hey, Archie.
Marco, what are you doing here?
Oh, lunch. I'm sorry. I forgot.
I've got another patient. Another time?
Sure. Of course.
Hey. Have a good session, Henry.
Hey.
Are you recruiting Geppetto for Operation Cobra?
You think Marco is Geppetto?
Sure. He's Jiminy Cricket's best friend,
and Marco's yours.
Henry. Henry, look.
We--we really need to talk about this, okay?
I know you're not convinced, but I know where I can get proof.
What is this?
A flashlight and c-candy bars?
Oh, wait. Henry.
Henry, you do not want to go down there.
Emma's here and stuff's happening.
- I have to look at it. - Henry. Henry, stop. Stop.
There is no proof.
Look, all of this, all of this is a delusion.
Do you know what a delusion is?
I-I think so.
It's something that's not real and--and not healthy,
and--and I thought that you'd outgrow this,
but, Henry, you know...
Now it's turned into a psychosis.
Do you know what a psychosis is?
That--that's when you can no longer tell what's real,
and if that continues,
then--then I have to lock you away.
Henry, look, this has to stop for your own good.
You gotta wake up.
This nonsense must end.
I don't know. "M"?
Mm-hmm.
Two of 'em.
Get it yet?
Yes, and I am completely mortified.
I almost hanged on my own name.
Don't worry. I would never have let you hang.
I would have added toes, a hat, maybe a horse.
Is this a game you played a lot, uh, before?
I don't know.
It'll come back.
They're sending you home in a week.
They have to think you're progressing, don't they?
Physically.
Well, you're making new memories just fine.
Maybe I'll like these better.
Okay. Play again?
Can I guess, too?
Mrs. Nolan. I thought...
Oh, it's noon already. I didn't realize. I should go.
Good day, Ms. Blanchard.
Honey, I brought more pictures.
Maybe they'll jog something.
It's our old dog, Ajax.
Remember?
Yeah. Yeah, Ajax.
Oh, I am the worst person in the world.
Really? In the whole world?
If Kathryn was horrible, it'd be easier,
but she's so... nice.
And what exactly would be easier?
Nothing.
Nothing's a good idea. You're smart.
You know not to get involved with a married guy.
It's not worth the heartache. Trust me.
I'll get it.
Kid, what happened? Come on.
Archie? Archie!
What did you do?
You told me not to take the fantasy away.
You told me it would devastate him.
When a course of therapy stops working, you just adjust it.
It is her? Did she threaten you?
What could be strong enough to drown out your own conscience?
I do not need to defend my professional decisions to you, okay?
Hello, Madam Mayor. Nice work.
Are you with him?
Yes, I'm with Dr. Hopper, and guess what?
You left your fingerprints all over him when you tried--
Not him. Henry. Is he with you?
I dropped Henry at your office an hour ago.
Well, he's not here.
I don't know where he is.
I do.
Thank you very much.
And the names?
To whom did these treasures belong?
Go thread for your favor.
Thank you. You can go.
But you want something else, don't you?
Something with...
magic?
Every year, I'm stuck in that damn wagon...
and I-I want to be free.
I want to-- I want to be someone else,
but... something keeps holding me back.
Something or someone?
It's my parents.
Then I have exactly what you need.
This will set you free.
Pour it. Sprinkle it.
Put it in their curds and whey.
Anything will work.
Ah! But you have nothing more to give to me.
Tell you what.
After the potion has... done its work...
Leave them where they are,
and I'll come collect them.
It'll be my fee.
What will become of them?
Worry you not.
They'll be in safe hands, and you'll be free.
Henry!
Henry! What do you got there, Pongo?
I don't think he's here.
I think he is. Candy bar. He had these with him.
Henry!
Archie!
- Henry, it's not safe! - Henry!
Henry!
Archie!
Archie! Henry!
Henry?
Archie! You're here to help me.
No, Henry, listen.
We gotta get out of here, okay?
So you're still against me.
Henry, there's no time for that.
Come on, henry! Come on.
You don't believe me? You'll see. You'll see.
Henry!
Henry. Henry, come back!
Henry!
Look, can't we skip this tonight?
I mean, we don't need the money.
Everything isn't about money, Jiminy.
It's about the principle.
A commitment to excellence.
Excellence at stealing money.
Now go ahead and take the "Elf Tonic", Jiminy.
Such beautiful young people.
Pardon me. Uh, do you have a place at your hearth
for an honest man and his... uh, elderly parents?
Of course. Come in.
I'll heat up some broth.
Oh, we love broth.
Oh, what a beautiful home.
Your cobbles are so even.
Oh, and that's real thatch.
Honey, that's a big ham.
Thank you for your kindness.
I just can't get it out of my mind.
- That family. - Terrible way to go.
What?
What happened?
Plague.
The next town over. We just passed through.
The plague?
Well, a plague, certainly.
Is it coming here? Are you okay?
Oh, us? No, we're immune.
We have Elf Tonic.
Made by elves from elves.
Four out of five court physicians recommend it.
Fifth one died before he could try it.
Well, you have it, right, smart folks like you?
We've never heard of it.
- Oh, no. - Oh, dear god.
Oh, no. You're going to die.
You need Elf Tonic.
- Oh, I wish we had extra. - We don't have extra.
There is no extra.
- We could pay you. - We have a tiny bottle.
But we need that for ourselves.
What can we give you?
Surely there must be something here you would want.
I'm sure we could come up with something.
Well, I guess we should start loading up.
Here you go.
Thank you.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Those are good people.
They--they would never have hurt us like that.
And that's where they went wrong.
It's better to be the kind of people that take...
Instead of those that get taken from.
I'm sorry.
You've given me no other choice.
How frail do you think we are, son?
Rainwater won't hurt us.
I'm pretty good at sleight of hand, Jiminy.
You switched them?
If this was the elf tonic...
Oh, my. We must have given whatever you had...
To that family.
Oh, I hope it wasn't dangerous.
Oh, look at that.
New puppets for the act.
Mama, papa!
Who are you?
Mama? Papa?
What did you do to them?
What did you do to them?!
Henry?
Henry.
Henry!
Henry.
Henry. Henry. You gotta slow down.
There's something shiny down there.
Henry, this is seriously dangerous.
We've got to get out of here.
It could be something.
Will you look at me?! Look at me!
I'm frightened for you, Henry!
Because you think I'm crazy?
No! No.
Because we are trapped underground
in an abandoned mine, Henry,
and there is no way out.
Archie's smart.
He will keep the boy safe until we get to them.
Watch out!
Stop! Stop!
Move, move, move!
You're making it worse!
I am trying to save him.
You know why he went in there in the first place, don't you?
Because you made him feel like he had something to prove.
And why does he think he has anything to prove?
Who's encouraging him?
Do not put this on me.
Oh, please! Lecture me until his oxygen runs out!
Henry, do you hear that?
It's pongo!
Follow the noise.
We have to stop this.
Arguing won't accomplish anything.
No, it won't.
What do you want me to do?
Help me.
It's loudest, over here.
What's--what's this?
Looks like...
An old elevator.
We need to find some way to... punch through the ground.
We need something big.
Like what?
Explosives.
It's to get the mine workers in and out.
Goes all the way to the top. That's why we could hear pongo.
Can we make it work?
Let's give it a shot.
Okay. We're all clear.
Come on!
Blow it.
Did it work?
It didn't open.
Then what did it do?
Have a good day.
Where are you going?
Home. I'm done for the day.
Shouldn't you be resting?
Uh, actually, Dr. Whale wants me to start physical therapy.
I'm supposed to walk 30 minutes a day
on the treadmill or outside with an escort,
but they're kinda short on personnel
because of that thing that happened at the mine.
So... maybe if there was a volunteer
willing to help?
I'm trying to remember this place.
It's like... it's like I woke up in some strange land.
Is anything coming back?
What about when you're with her?
You remembered your dog.
Yeah. I lied.
You did?
She's just so loving, you know?
I didn't want to disappoint her...
But none of it feels right, you know?
A dog named Ajax? Who would name a dog that?
None of it makes sense. None of it...
None of it feels real.
That sounds lonely.
Actually, one thing does feel real.
You.
What?
I know it's crazy, but I swear,
you're the only thing in this whole place
that feels...
That feels right.
Kathryn.
Right.
Kathryn, uh, wh--
You're here.
I know it's outside of visiting hours, but, uh...
I needed to see you.
I made some cranberry muffins.
They used to be your favorite.
Well, I should leave you two.
Wait. Mary Margaret.
See you tomorrow?
What was that?
What the hell was that? You said you could do this!
Madam Mayor I realize that--
- Madam Mayor. - They could have killed my son!
I know, but this isn't helping.
If we knew exactly where they were,
we could drill down to them,
Maybe... maybe rig something to bring them back up.
But drill where?
- Come on, buddy. - What do you think--
It's Archie's dog.
He's found something.
Look.
This is where they must be. What is it?
Good boy. Good boy. Good boy.
What is that?
It's an air shaft.
I'm... really...
Really...
Really sorry.
It's all right.
I just wanted to find proof.
No, it's really all right, Henry.
I mean, I'm-- I'm sorry, too.
Look, I-I don't think you're crazy.
I-I just--I just think that you've got a very strong mother
who's got a clear idea of the path
that she wants you to be on,
and when you step off that, she...
She gets scared, and, you know, that's natural,
but it's also natural for you to be able to be free
to think the things that you want to think.
So...
Anyway, I-I didn't mean those things I said,
and I-I never should have said 'em.
Then... Why did you?
I guess I'm just not a very good person.
I'm not the man I want to be.
Okay. All right. Gun it.
Okay, stop. We got it.
All right.
So? What's next?
I think you can be him.
I think you can be a good person.
I mean, you're Jiminy Cricket.
Henry. Henry, Jiminy Cricket was a, uh,
he was a cricket, okay, and he was a conscience,
and--and I hardly think that's me.
But before you said he was a guy who took a long time
to figure out the right thing to do.
That kinda sounds like me.
Now it's harder for you, because of the curse,
to hear the voice inside of you,
to be who you want to be.
We need to lower someone straight down,
or the line will collapse the sides of the shaft.
I've got a harness.
Lower me down.
Oh, no way. I'm going.
He's my son.
He's my son, too.
You've been sitting behind a desk for ten years.
I can do this.
Just bring him to me.
Hey. Can I ask you again?
Ask what?
Why do you think it's so important that
your fairy tale theory is true?
I don't know.
Give it a shot.
'Cause...
This can't be all there is.
I understand.
And I thought if I found proof...
Mm. But I didn't find anything.
Well, that's not true.
I was lost, and you found me, right?
You mean, you remember?
No, I-I don't remember,
but I-I do remember the kind of person I want to be.
I just gotta listen harder.
What's that?
I think it's a rescue.
Are you guys okay?
Yeah, we're--we're okay.
Hang on, Henry.
Okay. That's good. Stop.
Uhh. Here you go. Up.
Come on. I gotcha.
Okay. All right. I got him.
You got him? Is he safe?
Archie.
It's gonna fall!
I'm sorry!
It's okay!
Thank you.
Are you okay?
Deputy, you can clear the crowd away.
Thank you, Dr. Hopper.
I have something to say.
I'm gonna continue to treat Henry,
and I'm gonna do it my own way.
My relief at his safety hasn't changed a thing, Dr. Hopper.
You will do as I say, or you--
Or what? You'll ruin my life?
You'll do your worst?
Because I will always do my best.
Don't test me.
Oh, I don't need to, because you're gonna leave me alone
and let me do my work in peace.
Really? Why is that?
Because someday, Madam Mayor,
you may find yourself in a custody battle,
and do you know how the court determines who is a fit parent?
They consult an expert,
particularly one who has treated the child.
So... I suggest that you think about that
and you allow me to do my work
and let me do it the way my conscience tells me to.
I wish...
I hear your wish.
You don't need to wish it so loudly.
But it is not possible.
I cannot bring back the boy's parents.
It's my fault.
I have to make it right. I...
I would trade my life to make it happen.
What's done is done,
but there may be another way.
Tell me, please.
The little boy...
He will grow up to face many challenges.
Do you want to help him?
I can't get away from these people.
They're my parents.
They're...
Who I am.
But if you didn't want to be that,
what would you like to be?
I hear your wish.
How do you feel?
Find the boy, Jiminy.
You will live as many years as you need to help him.
Just find him.
His name is Geppetto.
Is that archie's father?
No. They're just old friends.
You really scared me.
I'm sorry.
Gentlemen. Well, come on.
Your mom wants to take you home.
Listen.
Crickets.
They're back.
Things are changing. �