04x01 - A Tale of Two Sisters

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Once Upon A Time". Aired October 2011 - May 2018.*

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A woman with a troubled past is drawn to a New England town where fairy tales are to be believed.
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04x01 - A Tale of Two Sisters

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[ Ocean - A long time ago ]

(A boat is trapped inside a storm. In a cabin, a queen is looking for a pencil. She writes a note. Her husband comes in.)

Adgar: What are you doing?!

Gerda: I have to finish this.

Adgar: My dear, no. The vessel... It's going down. We have to abandon ship.

Gerda: They have to know. We might not make it home, but this could.

(On the deck.)

Adgar: Are you sure we're doing the right thing?

Gerda: Yes. Anna and Elsa must know the truth. It's the only thing that will save them.

(The boat sinks.)

[ Arendelle - Past ]

(Five years after their parent's death, Anna and Elsa put flowers on their parent's graves.)

Elsa: Anna, they would be so proud of you.

Anna: Both of us, Elsa.

Elsa: Now, come on. I have a surprise for you.

Anna: Really? Because surprises tend to be hit or miss in this family.

Elsa: This one you'll like. I promise. It's for your wedding.

[ Storybrooke ]

(Elsa goes out from the barn. She explores the area. She finds the sign of Storybrooke.)

Elsa: "Storybrooke"

(Regina is going out from Granny's Diner. Emma follows her.)

Emma: Regina...

Regina: Not now, Swan.

Emma: I'm sorry. When I brought Marian back, I didn't know who she was. I didn't intend to cause you pain.

Regina: Well, your intentions really don't matter. Because once again, I've felt the brunt of heroism. Always the villain... Even when I'm not.

Emma: What was I supposed to do?

Regina: Well, you were dumb enough to travel through time. Maybe you should have left things well enough alone.

Emma: I am not gonna apologize for saving someone's life.

Regina: She was to die anyway. What did it matter?

Emma: What mattered was she was a person. And... Whatever she did, she didn't deserve to die.

Regina: Well, maybe she did.

Emma: Well, you would know. I saved her from you.

Regina: The woman who did that, that was the person I was, not the person I am. I worked very hard to build a future... A future that's now gone.

Emma: You don't know that.

Regina: Well, I know it's complicated enough that his dead wife is back.

Emma: Regina, for that, I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do to help...

Regina: Swan... The more you try to help... The worse my life becomes.

(Robin, Marian and Roland join Emma and Regina.)

Robin: Marian, please, meets her. She's not at all what you think. Regina... I-I want you to meet Marian. I... I want us to talk about this.

Marian: Wait, were you two... Are you two together?

Robin: Marian, please.

Marian: You and the Evil Queen? Did you let her near my son? Do you know what she's done? The terror that she's inflicted?

(Mary Margaret and David come.)

Mary Margaret: Is everything okay?

David: Well, no one's been incinerated yet, so that's a good sign.

Mary Margaret: Regina, you all right?

Marian: What... What is wrong with you people? W-why are you talking to her? Don't you know who she is?

Henry: Mom, what's going on?

Marian: She's a monster.

Emma: No, she's... Regina...

(Regina leaves.)

Hook: Uh, no good has ever come of pushing that woman. Give her space.

David: Yeah, but it's what she does in that space I'm worried about.

Henry: You don't think she'll become evil again. She can't. She's come too far.

Emma: I hope you're right, kid.

(Walter drives Leroy's car.)

Leroy: Well, that party went south fast. Easy, Walter. Easy. She needs to be treated gently.

Walter: You made me designated driver. I'm gonna drive how I like.

Leroy: No beer is worth this. Really? Radio station shuts down after dark now?

(Walter falls asleep.)

Leroy: Sleepy!

(Elsa is walking when she hears a noise. Leroy's car is about to crash her when she uses her powers to stop it.)

Leroy: Aah!

(Elsa is walking in the middle of Storybrooke's streets. She was afraid of a motorcycle. She starts to lose control.)

[ Arendelle - Past ]

(Elsa leads Anna to an attic.)

Anna: You have to tell me! No, don't tell me. Um... A horse and carriage! No, a horse couldn't get up stairs. It's a snow palace, an indoor ice rink. The whole wedding will be on ice. It's an... Attic.

Elsa: It is indeed.

Anna: So, we're here because...?

Elsa: Take a look.

(Elsa opens a wardrobe. There is a wedding dress inside.)

Anna: Is that...

Elsa: Mother's. Yes.

Anna: You found it.

Elsa: Go on.

Anna: I don't want to rip it.

Elsa: Then you'll have to put it on carefully.

Anna: You want me to wear it? Of course you want me to wear it. Why else would we be here?

Elsa: It's missing something. Hmm. There.

(Elsa gives a necklace to her sister.)

Elsa: Something new to go with something borrowed.

Anna: It's gorgeous! I mean enchanting. I mean I love you!

Elsa: You're very welcome. Now, shall we see it with the dress?

Anna: Mm! Whoop. It's so beautiful and soft. You know I'm gonna spill something it. Maybe only clear beverages at the wedding.

Elsa: So, about the wedding... Tell me I don't have to walk down the aisle with Sven?

Anna: He's not the best man... But he is invited.

Elsa: And now is where you tell me you're joking.

Anna: He's going to be properly attired... For a reindeer.

Elsa: I'm sure he will be. I am actually a little bit more concerned with the groom.

Anna: Elsa, he knows what to wear. It's not like he grew up in a barn. Fine. Yes. H-he lived in one for a while, but he grew up with trolls. Wait until you see him. He even cut his hair. He's going to look wonderful.

Elsa: That would be a most-welcome surprise.

(Elsa opens a drop-leaf desk. She finds her mother's diary. She is upset, snow appears.)

Anna: Elsa, what's wrong? What is that? A diary?

Elsa: Mother's.

Emma: What's in there?

Elsa: Our parents... Their death. It's all my fault.

(Elsa runs away.)

Anna: Elsa. Elsa!

[ Storybrooke ]

(Mr Gold and Belle are in their car.)

Belle: Hey. It's okay. You can... You can do this.

(Mr Gold visits his son's grave.)

Mr Gold: My boy. Remember when you were small, there was a night, during the ogre's w*r? There was a terrible noise. It was horses' hooves thundering down the dusty path. You crawled into my bed, and I can still hear your little voice. "Papa. I'm afraid. And I guess by instinct, I just said, "don't you worry, son. Everything's gonna be fine." And you smiled at me.

(You know, that was the happiest moment of my life because for the first time ever, I felt like a man, that I could truly look after you, alone. Until I discovered... This. It turned me into a monster, obsessed with power, when all I really needed was you, your love. And now, through Belle, there's love in my life again. And once more, I've started it with a lie. She thinks she has the real dagger. I only lied to her in order to avenge your death. And now that I've done so, I really need the strength to give it back, be that man I should be, the man you d*ed for. And I pledge, Baelfire, I will be that man. Your heroism... Has shown me the way. I promise. I'll spend my life repaying you for that.)

(Robin knocks on Regina's door.)

Robin: Hello, Regina.

Regina: Robin?

Hook: Can I have a moment? I want to talk. I'm sorry.

Regina: Why are you sorry? Everything Marian said was true. I am a monster.

Robin: The woman I know is the furthest thing from a monster.

Regina: Maybe you don't know me as well as you think.

Robin: I know you better 'cause you're like me. I was once, long ago, quite different, but I changed. And I left my past in the past, where it belongs, as you have.

Regina: So, what went on between us...

Robin: Was real. Yes. My feelings for you were... Are real. But Marian is my wife. I loved her, and I made a vow... "Until death do us part," and it did. And then it didn't. But my vow remains.

Regina: So, you made your choice.

Robin: I may be a thief, but I have a code, and I have to live by that code. Otherwise, what kind of life am I living? I hope you can look into your heart and understand.

(Robin leaves Regina's office. She loses control and uses her powers to break a mirror. She takes a piece and smiles.)

(Regina is at the hospital. She walks downstairs until Sydney's cell.)

Sydney: What are you doing here?

Regina: I need my mirror.

Sydney: For what, my queen?

Regina: There's someone standing in the way of my happiness. I need your help getting rid of them.

(Mr Gold drives in Storybrooke.)

Belle: There. Right around the bend. I, uh... I found it on a morning hike. It must have come over in the last curse. No one's claimed it, so I thought... There'd be no harm if we borrowed it for our honeymoon.

(Inside the manor.)

Belle: You know, I wonder who this belonged to. Come on. Take a look around. It is spectacular. You can see the ocean from nearly every room.

(Mr Gold freezes Belle. He gives her the real dagger.)

Mr Gold: If we're gonna do this... We're gonna do it properly.

Belle: You haven't even seen the best part yet. Come on. Is everything okay?

Mr Gold: Yeah. It's just whoever this place belonged to... Has interesting taste.

(They enter in a library.)

Belle: Come on. So... What do you think?

Mr Gold: Well, I think we've been married almost a full day, and I don't believe we've had our first dance.

(Mr Gold uses his powers to start the music, to light the candle and to dress Belle and him with a beautiful dress and a suit.)

Mr Gold: Care to dance... Mrs. Gold?

Belle: I would love to.

(They dance.)

(The charming family is walking in the street.)

David: I don't know. Maybe we should have gone with Baelfire.

Henry: She hasn't answered any of your calls?

Emma: Uh, sorry, kid. Looks like Regina does not want to be disturbed. But that doesn't mean that she's... Doing anything...

Henry: Evil? I know. I just... Let me try calling her. Maybe, you know, it's you she doesn't want to hear from.

Emma: You might have a point, kid.

Mary Margaret: I hope for his sake she doesn't give in to what she sometimes gives in to.

Emma: Seems to be handling it well.

Mary Margaret: I mean, between losing and regaining his memories, seeing both of his moms with new men.

Emma: Uh, speaking of that...

Mary Margaret: He doesn't know about you and Hook?

Emma: There is no me and Hook.

Mary Margaret: Mm.

Emma: Okay, well, I don't know what there is, but I certainly can't talk to Henry if I don't know what I'm talking about.

Hook: Swan.

Emma: Speaking of.

Hook: Mausoleum's all clear. Regina's not hiding there.

Emma: Thanks.

Hook: Swan, are you avoiding me?

Emma: Will you give us a minute?

(Emma and Hook go apart.)

Emma: I'm not avoiding you. I'm just... Dealing with stuff. We have a crisis right now.

Hook: There is always a crisis. Perhaps you should consider living your life during them. Otherwise, you might miss it.

Leroy: We're under att*ck! We're under att*ck!

Emma: Okay, Leroy, what is it?

Leroy: We were just driving home, and some thing blasted me with magic. The whole van's iced over. We woke up in a meat locker. Who's got that kind of magic?

Emma: Maybe the person who made that.

[ Arendelle - Past ]

(Elsa is hiding into the woods. Anna gets to her.)

Anna: Elsa. Elsa.

Elsa: Please. I want to be alone.

Elsa: You have a sister. You're never gonna be alone... Other than when I'm not around. But even then, I'll be there in spirit. But that doesn't matter because I'm here now and you're not alone. And you know what I mean? And it's a nice thing. What was in the diary? You can tell me anything.

Elsa: Turns out our parents didn't go off on some diplomatic mission like everyone thought. That was just a cover.

Anna: For what?

Elsa: Read it.

Anna: "I wish I didn't have to hide the truth from our children, but the truth would be too painful. What we've seen from Elsa is terrifying, and it has to be stopped."

Elsa: They were scared of me. That's why they left... because they thought I was a monster.

(No, no. I-I-I won't believe it. I refuse to believe it.)

Elsa: It's all right there.

Anna: Is it? Because it doesn't say where they were going or what they were doing. It could be a misunderstanding.

Elsa: Anna, because of me, they left. Because of me, they can't walk you down the aisle tomorrow. I'm so sorry.

Anna: You don't have to be. It's not your fault. You're not a monster. I don't think so, this whole kingdom doesn't think so, and for sure, our parents didn't think so. And I will prove it. This diary is only part of the story.

Elsa: How do you know that?

Anna: Because... Instinct? Okay. Right. That's not enough. But there are more answers out there about what happened to them... I know it. And I know who can help us find them.

Elsa: Who?

Anna: My future in-laws.

[ Storybrooke ]

(Emma and Hook are following the ice tracks in the street to a warehouse. Elsa is hiding and because she is afraid she makes a big snowman to defend her.)

Hook: All right, that's a new one.

[ Arendelle - Past ]

(Anna and Elsa get to the Trolls)

Elsa: We shouldn't be here.

Anna: Oh, they're practically family.

Elsa: I meant you need to be planning your wedding.

Anna: It's tomorrow. If there's still planning to do, I've horribly miscalculated.

Elsa: You need to rest. It's a special day. You should enjoy it.

Anna: I can't if my sister's upset. Grand Pabbie? I know you're here. Why aren't you showing yourself? Grand Pabbie?

(Grand Pabbie rolls to Anna and Elsa.)

Grand Pabbie: Oh, it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.

Anna: And when have we ever been traditional?

Grand Pabbie: What's wrong? Something happen? You have second thoughts? He won't smell like that forever.

Anna: No. No. This isn't about Kristoff. It's about our parents. What were they really doing on that voyage?

Grand Pabbie: I'm sorry. I don't know.

Elsa: Thank you. Come on. Let's go.

Grand Pabbie: Wait. I may not know what they were doing, but I know where they were going. Days before their journey, your parents stopped by to say they were not going to the northern Isles. And they had a few questions about a land called Misthaven.

Elsa: What did they want there?

Grand Pabbie: They never said. They, like many of us, had their secrets. Oh, I need my beauty sleep.

Anna: We have an answer.

Elsa: No, we have more questions.

Anna: We have one answer and more questions. That's a start. We have to go to Misthaven.

Elsa: No, I can't just... Leave. I'm still queen. I can't abandon the kingdom.

Anna: You're just making excuses.

Elsa: Have you forgotten your last dalliance... Hans? He and his 12 angry brothers are out there waiting to pounce at the first moment of weakness.

Anna: Okay, good excuses, but still... Let me go alone. Give me two weeks. Misthaven is a short journey. Two weeks, and I'll be right back.

Elsa: That's just what mother and father said.

[ Storybrooke ]

(The snowman is threatening Emma and Hook.)

Emma: We don't want to pick a fight.

Hook: Swan...

Emma: I just want to see what it wants.

(The snowman blows away Emma. She falls on Hook. Her g*n sh**t the snowman. It att*cks. Emma and Hook run away. The snowman follows them.)

Leroy: Evil snowman!! Run!!

(In the warehouse, Elsa picks up a newspaper.)

(In the street.)

Emma: I think the noise is scaring it. It's headed for the forest.

(In Regina's vault.)

Regina: Her name is Marian. Thanks to Emma, she's back and recapturing that... Happy ending this book gave her.

Sydney: The book gave it to her?

Regina: It's powerful. It's more than just a book. What happens inside it appears immutable. But I'm stronger. We're going to change things.

Sydney: How?

Regina: She needs to be removed.

Sydney: Ah, that's where I come into this... Your murderous arm. I knew there was a reason that you kept me in that prison for all those years, waiting till I could be of service. I knew you hadn't forgot about me.

Regina: Right.

Sydney: How do you want me to k*ll her?

Regina: I don't want you to do anything of the sort. If she shows up dead, how long do you think it would take before someone figured out I put you up to it? This requires a more elegant touch. I have to undo Emma's mistake. I have to go back in time before Emma arrived and k*ll Marian before she can be saved.

Sydney: What I don't get is my purpose in all this?

Regina: Well, as queen, I sentenced many to death, captured many prisoners.

Sydney: You don't remember this Marian.

Regina: Well, she's awfully vanilla. Can you blame me? I need you to show me the exact moment I captured her so I know when to travel back to.

Sydney: But how am I supposed to do that? In this world, I'm no longer the mirror with...

(Regina puts Sydney back inside the mirror.)

Regina: Now you are.

Sydney: No!! No!! No!!

Regina: Relax. It's just temporary.

Sydney: No!!

Regina: Now help me.

Sydney: Yes, your majesty.

Regina: Mirror, mirror on the wall, show me who I want to k*ll most of all.

[ Enchanted Forest - Past ]

(Marian is questioned by the Queen.)

Marian: Your majesty, no!

Regina: Where is Snow White? She thinks silence is bravery, not stupidity. She dies tomorrow. Hurry her along. The stench of peasant is overwhelming.

Marian: I feel sorry for you.

Regina: Do you?

Marian: If you had a family of your own, if you had love, you'd know you shouldn't do this. You wouldn't have to be so cruel.

Regina: Don't you tell me what I do or don't understand. I know who I am and what I want. And right now... It's your head on a spike.

Marian: You're a monster! You're a monster!

[ Storybrooke ]

(Regina's vault.)

Sydney: Was that what you were looking for?

Regina: Exactly.

(The people of Storybrooke are running away from the snowman. Elsa takes her chance to go to Mr Gold's shop.)

Leroy: There's a monster on the loose! A monster!

[ Arendelle - Past ]

(Elsa is in the stable, she is looking for Anna.)

Elsa: Kristoff. Where's Anna? Don't be coy. Answer me.

Kristoff: Easy, Sven. She can't help being bossy.

Elsa: I'm not bossy, I'm the queen.

Kristoff: Isn't that the queen's job, bossing people around?

Elsa: Don't change the subject, Kristoff. Where's Anna?

Kristoff: Isn't she in the palace?

Elsa: If she were, would I be here?

Kristoff: Uh, u-um... She had some... Errands to run. Um, we need more... Frosting... For the cake. Yeah, she was concerned we weren't' gonna have enough. I tried to tell her it'd be fine, but what could I do? Brides perfectionists.

Elsa: Frosting... There is no frosting.

Kristoff: Exactly. She's taking care of that.

Elsa: No, I mean that's a lie. Talk, reindeer man. What is going on here?

Kristoff: Wedding details. I'm just making sure...

Elsa: That she wasn't followed. You're trying to delay me.

Kristoff: Do you want to see the floral arrangements?

Elsa: Where did she go, Kristoff? Misthaven?

Kristoff: Okay, yes, But she's doing it for you.

Elsa: When?

Kristoff: She booked passage on a ship that's set to leave... Well, any moment now. Look, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to lie. I was just trying to help. Shh. Sven, I'm trying to apologize here, okay? All right, all right, Sven, I'm going. Elsa, wait!

[ Storybrooke ]

(Emma, Hook and David are running into the woods towards Robin's Hook camp.)

Robin: What is it?

David: Some kind of... Snow monster.

Robin: No monster shall cross our path. We'll give you our assist...

Hook: It's getting closer. It's coming from the north.

(The snowman arrives.)

Little John: There!

Emma: No, no, no! Don't sh**t!

Hook: It only att*cks when it feels threatened. p*stol, sword... Hook, my cunning wit... I don't think we have what it takes.

David: Emma does.

Emma: What?

Hook: Your magic, love.

Emma: Right.

Hook: You can do this.

(Emma sh**t the snow man with light magic.)

Emma: Take that, frosty.

(The snowman become more threatening)

Emma: Really?

(The snowman defeats Emma, David, Hook and Robin. Marian takes an arrow and sh**t it. The snowman att*cks and she collapses. Regina comes.)

Marian: Please... Help me. Please.

(Regina disappears.)

Marian: No.

(Regina destroys the snowman.)

Marian: You saved me.

(They wake up.)

Robin: Marian! Regina. Are you all right?

Marian: Yes. Maybe you're not a monster.

Regina: Maybe I'm not. Welcome to Storybrooke, Marian.

Emma: Regina, we've been trying to find you. We need to talk about...

(Regina disappears.)

(Emma makes a snowball and cast it away. Hook comes to talk to her.)

Hook: So, crisis averted.

Emma: Now you want to go home and see what's on Netflix?

Hook: I don't know what that is, but sure.

Emma: Killian, someone created that... Snowman. This isn't over.

Hook: It never is. All the more reason to enjoy the quiet moments, and right now... We have a quiet moment.

Emma: I know. I just got to do something.

Hook: Right. Of course. Go ahead. Don't tell me you're not avoiding me anymore because I'm actually quite perceptive, and this... This is avoiding me.

Emma: No, I know. I am. I just feel... Right now, I just feel too guilty.

Hook: Over Regina?

Emma: She lost someone she really cares for because of me.

Hook: No, there's more to this than just Regina, isn't there?

(Emma kisses Hook.)

Emma: Be patient.

Hook: I have all the time in the world. Unless... Another monster appears and kills me.

(Emma is outside Regina's office. She tries to open the door but it's closed.)

Emma: Regina. I know you're in there. I can see the light's on. I know this is all... Complicated, but you can have happiness. I know it doesn't seem like it, but you just have to fight. Okay, if you won't, I will. Henry brought me to Storybrooke to bring back the happy endings. My job's not done until I do that for everyone, including you.

(Emma leaves.)

(Regina takes Henry's book.)

Regina: Mirror. Mirror? Sidney!

Sidney: Y-yes, your majesty. What can I do for you?

Regina: You can help me change fate.

Sidney: I can probably tell you if you're wearing too much eye makeup, but change fate? That is beyond my powers of reflection.

Regina: Your powers and mine together shall do it. This book is why I'm suffering, not Marian. Every story in it has one thing in common... The villains never get the happy ending, and it's always been right. I thought not being the villain would change things, but this book, these stories... Only see me one way.

Sidney: So, what's your plan?

Regina: Find the writer. We must find out who wrote this cursed Tome and then force them to give me what I deserve. It's time to change the book. It's time for villains to get their happy endings.

(Belle is sleeping. Mr Gold takes his dagger and uses it on a box. A magic hat appears.)

(Elsa enters in Mr Gold's shop. She sees the necklace that she gave Anna.)

[ Arendelle - Past ]

(Elsa is on the dock. Kristoff follows her.)

Kristoff: Elsa! Wait! It's too late.

Elsa: We have to go after her.

Kristoff: No.

Elsa: Are you really saying "no" to your queen?

Kristoff: I'm saying no to my future sister. In-law. For good reason. We both love Anna. We both know her. She will be fine.

Elsa: She didn't have to do this alone.

Kristoff: Yes, she did. You told Anna and you're right... You're the queen. We all remember well what happened the last time you left.

Elsa: Why didn't you go with her?

Kristoff: She didn't want me to. She thought I was needed here.

Elsa: For what?

Kristoff: She didn't want you to be alone. She'll be fine. I believe in her. You should too. Because she doesn't give up on the people she loves. And she always succeeds.

Elsa: She also sometimes acts before she thinks. This place could be dangerous. What do we even know about this... Misthaven? How have I never heard of it?

Kristoff: You might know it better by what the inhabitants call it.

Elsa: What's that?

Kristoff: The Enchanted Forest.

(Anna is on a boat to the Enchanted Forest.)

[ Storybrooke ]

(In Mr Gold's shop.)

Elsa: Don't worry, Anna. I will find you.
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