Original subtitles

Previously on Once Upon a Time...

So you were just gonna abandon this baby here?

The only way I can escape this prison

is by leaving someone in my bloodline

to take my place.

Is that what you're looking for?

After everything that's happened,

I might just believe anything.

This is the M.E. 's report on Nick.

A lawyer turned serial killer was stabbed through the heart

one time, from the inside. And the question is,

what the hell is going on in this town?

Jacinda, according to that, Lucy's been right.

I am her father.

Soon, we'll find our sisters.

And then the Coven of the Eight will be joined.

It'll be dark soon. Perhaps we should turn around.

Yarrow, please.

Just trust me.

Want to show you something beautiful.

What if they see us? We should go.

- Gothel, we don't belong... - Look at them.

Have you ever seen anything like it?

I want to touch the fabric.

Want to know what it feels like.

To what end?

It'll never be ours. That's their world.

You sound just like mother.

If you don't wanna be here, go home without me.

- You'll be in so much trouble. - I don't care.

Hello?

I'm so sorry.

- I shouldn't be here. - Wait!

What was that?

It was magic, wasn't it?

It was harmless. I swear.

Please don't be angry.

Please don't tell anybody.

Why would we be angry?

We've never met anyone with magic before.

It's incredible!

Well, most people are frightened.

We're not most people.

We think it's wonderful.

Maybe someday you can teach us?

Yes, yes! I'd be delighted to teach you magic.

It seems we found a new sister today.

- Me? - Oh, yes.

But we should find you something decent to wear.

Tomorrow, Lord Adriel's hosting a party.

He throws the most elegant affairs.

You must come.

Oh. Just what I need today,

a visit from a weirdo cult leader.

You're here to see Rogers and Weaver?

Actually, I'm here to see you.

- Me? - Yes, you.

You're going to help me because I need someone

in your position.

Sorry, lady, not interested.

You sure about that?

Because it seems to me you're very interested.

It seems to me you can't say no.

What do you need?

My sisters are asleep.

And I need your help to wake them up.

Time has come for the coven to return.

Now that we're alone, we should talk.

This is real.

No. See, it's not.

'Cause you can't be Lucy's father

because you and I, we never...

- Well... - Maybe...

You ever been to Cabo?

I know, I know, I... I would've remembered.

But still, somehow this happened.

Okay? So there's gotta be some sort of...

Okay.

Now, what if...

Lucy is right?

What if my crazy book is real?

You really think you're Lucy's father

and somehow I magically forgot about it?

When I met you...

in Hyperion Heights...

- I loved you immediately. - Henry.

No. I can say it.

Love at first sight.

But maybe it's because it wasn't actually

love at first sight. Maybe everything I felt

was because we already loved each other.

- You really believe... - Yes.

I think I do.

If I'm Cinderella, then where's my blue dress?

- My glass slipper? - Ah.

My sanity for even having this conversation.

Well, I don't know about the rest...

but...

look...

It's your slipper. Or part of it. We found these.

- It's just broken glass. - Maybe.

Maybe not.

Here... take this.

Does that do anything? Will you...

do that for me? Will you...

open your mind?

Just try.

Sabine's texting me.

Drew bailed on work. I gotta get to the truck.

- She needs me to man the fryer. - Hey. Hey.

Are you leaving for Sabine or...

because I freaked you out?

Maybe a little of both.

Can you please let me outta here?

I don't belong here.

The last guy that got locked up inside this place ended up dead.

Excellent, well, I'm glad you're up to speed,

because that's exactly what I wanted to discuss.

I took your suggestion.

And looked at Nick Branson's M.E. report

and it doesn't make any sense. It says he was stabbed.

- From the inside. - I told you Samdi was powerful.

Now, you see, I'm gonna need you to be more descriptive

- than that. How did he do this? - He used magic.

Magic.

So that's your story?

- Magic is real, Detective. - Magic is a fairy tale.

Yes, it is. It's not from this land,

a land without magic.

But there are shreds of it that have made their way over.

The sooner you accept that,

the more likely that you're gonna survive.

Why do you think Nick was killing all those women anyway?

- He was targeting a cult. - Not a cult. A coven.

He was hunting down witches.

There's no such thing.

And there's no way a man can be stabbed from the inside.

Believe whatever you like, Detective.

But there is a war brewing. And no one in this city is safe.

I've done as you asked.

I've woken them.

At last.

My sisters, it's so good to see you again.

Now it's time to reclaim what was once ours.

That is enough masquerading for one day, Daughter.

Darling, you can yearn to be something else,

but you can't deny what you truly are.

A Tree Nymph like all of us.

- Be proud. - Yes, Mother.

I hear you've been with the humans.

Yarrow.

Humans are mercurial creatures. Conflicted and irrational.

But the ones I met today are different.

They're not afraid of magic.

You are not human.

No matter how drawn you are to them.

Darling, you are of eternal nature.

Like all of our kind.

- Raised in the stead... - Steadiness of seasons.

I know, I know it all, Mother. I've heard it all.

What is before you is a great honor.

The mantle of "Mother" will be yours.

But I want freedom.

Well, when I pass the mantle on to you,

you will be Mother of all of the magic in the land.

That is freedom.

Then why does it feel like a prison?

Because you cannot exist

both with your family and with the humans.

- So, I do have a choice? - Well, of course.

But you are my daughter...

and I know you'll be wise.

You'll realize that the only choice

is to follow your duties.

To follow nature.

Your girl's lovely, Tilly.

- How do you know my name? - I know more than your name.

Bully for you. And I know who you are too.

You're part of that cult and I want you out of my sight.

- I just wanna talk. - Why the hell

would I wanna talk to you?

Because I'm your mother.

No. It's not possible.

My mother left years ago.

So, either you're a liar or a monster.

Because what kind of woman abandons her child?

I know I was selfish...

and it's no excuse, but the world was...

It was cruel to me.

And I became cruel, too.

But I want to change.

Maybe if you could forgive me...

maybe you'd find peace.

You'd get back what I took from you.

You'd feel wanted.

I already am wanted.

Already have people who care for me.

Let me guess... Roni's not returning your calls?

How did you get past Monique?

I broke into your apartment, charming Monique was nothing.

I shouldn't have underestimated you.

And how do you know Roni isn't returning my calls?

Weaver stole the magic you gave her to cure Henry.

And until she can find a way to save him,

she's not dealing with anything else.

Double-crossed by her oldest friend, was she?

Yeah, that's why I'm here.

If you had magic to give her once,

there must be more. There has to be.

That piece of magic,

like all such things in this land,

was terribly difficult to come by.

Imagine you're the hero and save Henry.

Roni'd be real grateful, right?

More so than if I told her how you wouldn't help.

Quite the blackmailer, aren't you?

All right, I'll see what I can do.

But I'm going to need your assistance.

What do I need to do?

Find something that came over in the curse,

a symbol of Henry and Jacinda's love.

If you do...

we might be able to glean some magic from it.

I can do that. I'll figure something out.

Good. Because you're not the only one

who wants this curse broken.

A storm of witches is brewing...

and if we're going to survive, I'm going to need magic.

All of us will.

- Hey. What's wrong? - This.

This woman is what's wrong.

She just told me she's my mother.

It seems crazy, right?

I mean, she's not that much older than me.

There's something about her.

Right?

This seems crazy, but there's something about her.

You're not the only one looking into crazy right now.

I'm investigating an impossible crime.

It shares one thing with your non-delusion-delusion.

- Eloise Gardener. - So, you believe me?

Well, I've learned never to doubt you.

Whatever's going on here, no matter how crazy...

we'll figure it out. Together.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Enjoying yourself?

More than I ever dreamed.

Good, and it's about to get better.

I've been telling my friends all about you.

You said you'd teach us magic, yes?

- Mm-hmm. - Come on, Isla.

She can't do magic in front of everyone.

Of course not, silly. But I have the perfect place.

Oh, please, say you will. Can't you show us just a little?

Why not?

I've always dreamed of being special like you.

Do you think I can be?

'Course.

Magic's not as mysterious as people think.

It's all around us, if you know where to look.

Even here, in a place like this?

Especially in a place like this.

I'll show you.

You don't have to do this, Gothel.

No, it's fine.

These plants could use a little magic.

People forget that they're alive,

just like they are.

And probably even more so

because nothing from the earth...

ever truly dies. You see that...

is the secret to magic.

The roots are right there...

just waiting to be reborn.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

It is.

Such a pity.

What are you doing?

Did you really think putting on a ball gown made you one of us?

What's under that dress? Scales?

Stop it!

You lied?

You are an abomination.

Or maybe you just need a bath.

No! No! No! No!

Aw. That...

That's a much better look on you, Gothel.

Now you can grow your roots in some other land,

far away from us.

Because whatever thing you are, you don't belong in our world.

Seraphina.

Let's go.

You're Margot, right? Tilly's friend.

Yeah.

- Sorry, do I know you? - Probably not,

but I feel like I know you. I'm a close relation of Tilly's.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

Well, any friend of Tilly's gets a drink on the house.

Do you wanna try something from the new "Wanderlust Menu?"

It's inspired by all the best drinks

- I had on my travels. - Ah. Impressive list.

Oh.

- Is that an Indian drink I see? - It is.

And it's made with real rose petals.

It'll blow your mind.

Such a beautiful country.

They... they have these sprightly trees

called Arunachal hopea.

They went extinct nearly 20 years ago,

people thought they'd make good fence posts.

- That's terrible. - But that's what people do,

they destroy things. I've been a gardener my whole life,

and I can honestly say there's no greater pest

than humanity.

You don't remember this, but we've met before.

Such an insipid human you were. Not the least bit helpful.

This time...

I have a feeling you're going to give me exactly what I need.

Ow. What the hell?

But are you sure that you wanna drag Henry

into our Eloise Gardener problem?

Well, yeah, he solved the Candy Killer case,

and he wrote a book about magic.

He's gotta know something about witches.

Yeah... but what if he thinks that we...

- Crazy? - Yeah.

Welcome to my world.

Hey.

What's up?

Can we come in?

Kind of in the middle of somethin' right now.

Is it urgent?

I mean, you're not, like, on the run, are you?

Not today. But I did find out my mother

might be Eloise Gardener, and she's either a witch

or a cult leader. Or both, I suppose.

And that Nick guy? He was killed by voodoo magic.

In other words, yes. It is rather urgent.

Right. Ah.

Yeah, okay.

Wow. Guess we're not the only ones who are crazy.

Yeah, I was thinkin'...

maybe my book is real.

There are just too many odd things

in Hyperion Heights to keep ignoring.

I once saw a photo of Roni and me at eight

that can't be explained.

I've got, uh...

this swan key chain, okay? Weaver's tea cup,

it's an exact copy, down to the placement of the chip,

as the one on page 147 in my book.

Real or not, we still don't have any answers

as to what Eloise's plan is.

Yeah, one question. If Eloise really is a witch,

why isn't she using magic?

Because in a land without it,

she probably doesn't have enough.

In my book, the bigger the spell,

the bigger the magic needed to cast it.

So whatever source of magic

this coven's trying to get its hands on,

if we can keep them from it...

then we can probably stop 'em.

Whatever their plan is.

Yep.

That coven thing you were lookin' at.

Just got a lead that might connect.

Group of shady women were spotted

entering the Hyperion Theater.

- Hope that helps. - Oh, to get a real, concrete

lead today, you've got no idea. Thanks.

I just got a tip on Eloise. It has to be followed up.

I'll tag along. Your logic and my ill-logic

might crack this thing open.

You okay? I can take you home if you like.

What if Eloise Gardener is home?

I always wanted a mom.

But she doesn't strike me as the tuck-me-into-bed type.

Look, just because biology says someone is a mother,

doesn't make them one.

And whatever the truth is, Til, I'll help you figure it out.

Hm.

If Henry's curse theory is correct...

lots of people are right next to the truth

and they don't even know it.

It's cruel, really,

to be so close to happiness and kept so far away from it.

What made you so nostalgic, Luce?

Just after everything that's happened.

Nick not being who he seemed.

It's nice to remember who we are.

- Aw! - What's "BL" stand for?

It's 'Before Lucy.' Trust me, there's nothing in there

you're gonna care about.

What's this really about?

Truth is, I'm not looking for things to help me forget

about Nick being my dad.

I'm looking for things that say Henry Mills is.

I know it seems impossible,

but you once drove me to a boat and told me to believe in you,

that we could run away together, and I did.

Now I'm asking you to do the same.

Believe with me this is possible.

Concert tickets.

Hopper! My stuffed frog.

Old T-shirt from...

Granny's.

It's from a diner where Henry grew up.

Bet he took it with him to the Enchanted Forest.

What's this?

I... I've never seen that.

It's the glass slipper.

I knew it! You're Cinderella.

Look, I know these can be a bit boring.

Oh, no. It's exciting.

I get to do nothing with someone for a change!

I am a bit hungry though.

Aw, thank you. Even better.

For everything.

For caring for me today, for letting me live with you.

Don't know how I got to be so lucky for you to be so nice

to a strange... stranger like me.

There she is.

- You wait right here. - I'm staying nowhere.

Yarrow!

Yarrow!

Mother!

Yarrow! Where are you?

It's too late.

Humans came...

they destroyed this grove.

Each swing of their axe, each touch of their torch...

took the spirits of your sisters one by one.

Everything you said about the humans was right.

And I failed you.

No.

No. My darling, you haven't failed me yet.

Nature has taken its course...

and now you are the Mother.

And you hold...

a very powerful seed of magic within you.

They'll pay.

- Every one of them will pay. - No.

Instead, you find a place to grow anew.

That is your responsibility now.

Remember what you were destined to blossom into...

my daughter.

All Mothers know...

that only goodness can bear sweet fruit.

Mother? Mother?

Mother?

Mother!

What're you doing out here, mate? Is something wrong?

Nothing's wrong. In fact, it's all going as planned.

Hey! Where're you taking her?

To a place where the truth will finally be revealed.

I swear, Eloise,

I won't let my badge stop me from killing you

- if you hurt that girl. - Calling me Eloise?

My name is Mother Gothel...

and don't worry, Detective,

Tilly's not the one I'm going to hurt.

No!

Oh. You're back.

I think you've gotten some mud on your dress.

Why'd you do it?

Because they were an abomination. Like you.

My mother told me never to forget my roots.

And thanks to you...

I never will.

Nor will I forget the humans that murdered them.

You...

- No. - ...killed my family!

No. No, please. Please, no, please.

You...

I'm like you.

But you are braver than I could ever be.

I hid who I was, because I was afraid

they would've come for me.

You don't have to be scared anymore.

Join me.

Join me.

You'll never be afraid again.

The guards are coming.

We should go.

No. I will not run or hide...

entertain this human stain again.

They must all be made to pay!

You've been on to things for a long time, Detective.

Questioning. Investigating.

Pondering the persistent parade of the impossible.

You can rest easy...

because you're right.

We are witches.

At least you don't have to worry about a cult.

You disgrace your badge.

- Let us go! - Oh, no, my child.

You're not going anywhere.

Not till after you help us cast our spell.

- Hey. It'll be all right, Tilly. - I really don't like it here.

That's because you haven't accepted who you are yet.

I am truly sorry I never saw it sooner...

how special you are.

Had I known you were like us...

things would've been... very different for you.

Your mother has a gift for finding special people...

outcasts, exiles.

I was the first she recruited to her coven.

A coven that'll soon be behind bars!

Don't listen to him.

We're your family, and family help each other.

Like you helped my father?

You killed him.

Your father's right in front of you.

That's right.

The love you feel is real, you just don't remember it.

You were born from both sides of the looking glass.

It's both his and mine and you know it's true.

I only want to help you

figure out which side you belong on.

Leave humanity behind.

Join your sisters and I'll be the mother you always wanted.

Whatever you might be...

you're no mother to me.

If you won't help cast the spell for me,

perhaps you'll do it to save your father.

I'm so sorry.

I didn't know.

This was the last refuge of magic in this realm.

Everyone I loved was here.

All I did was pay back the wound the humans left here tonight.

That you did.

- How many are dead? - All of them.

I wiped the land clean.

May the gods forgive.

There's nothing to forgive. It's not even permanent.

Some slimy lump will flop ashore

and crawl towards humanity again.

And as is their way...

it'll be worse.

I shudder at the thought of what destructive civilization

they'll create next.

This time they'll do it alone in the cold world...

because now they've created something

that's never been before.

A land without magic.

They'll be alone?

Where will we be?

This will take us to another realm.

We'll find others like us

and when the time is right, and we're strong enough...

we will return.

But you said the humans would come back, too.

We'll cleanse the land once more and reclaim our homes.

I'm sorry, Mother.

I didn't understand what there was to lose.

I won't forget my roots.

I know exactly where to come to regrow them.

Let's go, Seraphina.

I remember this.

This is it.

Another scrap of magic left behind.

How little mankind's left...

just tatters and rags.

But it's time to change that.

Humans...

Even when they're beautiful, they're poison.

- What are you doing? - Taking another tatter of magic.

And amusingly, I'm also making a point.

I can either take a little bit of blood...

or these witches here can take the whole lot.

So, I ask you again, do you want to help me,

or do you want to watch him die?

Don't do it, Tilly.

There you go.

And when you see the beauty

of what we're going to bring back,

you won't mind the cost at all.

We have everything we need.

Let's begin.

Well...

you are a resourceful girl.

So, what do we do next?

We tape it up and she puts it on?

That's a charming old story, but not the one we're telling.

Our purpose isn't to save a romance.

We're here to save a man's life.

That looks like fire.

That is the poison in your father's body.

If we can pull it out...

he won't be harmed when the curse is broken.

If this works,

go right away to your parents and get them to break the curse.

It will finally be safe to do so.

And if Gothel is bringing what I think she's bringing...

we'll all need to be whole and awake.

Yes!

What the hell?

Ah.

- Hello? - Henry, we found it.

We found the slipper.

The glass just... fit together.

Henry, the shoe is real.

I wish I could show you, but Lucy ran off

with it somewhere.

But I think this is good news, right?

With the possible exception of Lucy

running with broken glass, yes.

Yes, I think this is very good news.

It can't be real.

Can it?

And did we find each other in some other world?

- In a fairy tale. - Well...

I happen to know a lot about that fairy tale...

and...

there is one crucial element still missing.

Wait.

I'm not her yet.

I have a lifetime of memories of Jacinda...

a struggling single mom

who never thought she'd have romance

in her life again.

And that Jacinda...

wants to kiss this Henry.

Is that okay?

That... is more than okay.

Yes!

I don't remember anything from the other life.

Did you kiss?

- Yes. - Lucy.

There was no magical thing, no... no pulse.

The curse didn't break.

It didn't work.

I don't understand.

Hold out your hands.

Old love. The blood of your father.

New love. Blood from the woman

with whom you wish to spend your life.

What, Margot? What do you know about...

Hush.

Love betrayed.

The key to the grove which should've been

my daughter's birthright.

So, what's supposed to happen?

- Am I meant to... - Please don't do this, Tilly.

I'm just one life.

If I truly am your father, then...

I'm asking you as a father...

don't do this.

I feel that it's true.

You are my father.

But that's why I have to do this.

I can't be responsible for killing you.

Nature's witches, words unheard...

our wishes worthless...

worse than dirt.

Until we learned what we were worth,

to turn our hurt into your burns.

Our purest urges now emerge, old for nursery...

dark for church.

Close the circle...

purge the Earth.

Hold on to your mother's hand, dear.

I'm your family.