Emma Swan is taken to a strange town by her son Henry, who she gave up for adoption years ago, and who tells her of a curse cast by the Evil Queen.

Regina tries to get Emma out of Henry's life and out of the town of Storybrooke, while flashbacks detail information about the Evil Queen's curse.

At Henry's urging, Emma convinces Mary Margaret to pay a visit to a comatose man in the hospital and read to him from the storybook. Meanwhile, the flashbacks show how Snow White and the Prince Charming first met.

Emma tries to help a young pregnant woman escape from the clutches of Mr. Gold, as flashbacks show when Cinderella made a regrettable deal with Rumplestiltskin.

As Graham makes Emma a deputy, a mysterious sinkhole appears at the edge of town and Henry's life is placed in danger, while flashbacks show Jiminy Cricket's yearning to leave the family business.

Graham starts to remember details about his life before Storybrooke, while flashbacks show when the Evil Queen sent an assassin to kill Snow White.

Gold and Regina play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs against Sidney for Sheriff, as flashbacks show Rumplestiltskin desperately try to find a way to save his son from being enlisted into war.

Emma tries to save two children from foster care by trying to find their birth father, as flashbacks show the Evil Queen coercing Hansel and Gretel into stealing an important artifact from a blind witch.

Mary Margaret and David struggle with their feelings for each other, while Emma and Regina become suspicious of a mysterious arrival in Storybrooke.

A dejected Sidney asks Emma for help uncovering evidence that could expose Regina's corruption, while Mary Margaret and David start seeing each other in secret.

Emma suspects Gold is planning vigilante justice when his house is robbed, as flashbacks show when Belle made a deal with Rumplestiltskin.

David finally agrees to tell Kathryn about his relationship with Mary Margaret, as flashbacks show Charming helping Princess Abigail with a dangerous mission.

Emma investigates Kathryn's sudden disappearance and Mary Margaret and Leroy help the Nuns sell candles at the Miner's Day festival, as flashbacks show when Grumpy fell in love with a fairy.

David faces questions about Kathryn's disappearance and Emma gives Ruby a job as her assistant, as flashbacks show Red Riding Hood attempt to kill a wolf preying on her village.

Mary Margaret hires Gold as her attorney when she is arrested for the suspected murder of Kathryn, while flashbacks show Charming try to find Snow, whose memory is clouded by Rumplestiltskin's potion.

During her search for Mary Margaret, Emma finds herself trapped in the home of a strange man, as flashbacks show the Mad Hatter helping the Evil Queen in exchange for his daughter's safety.

Emma continues to search for evidence that will prove Mary Margaret's innocence, as flashbacks reveal the reason behind the Evil Queen's hatred for Snow White.

Regina's plan for Mary Margaret is thwarted following Kathryn's sudden re-appearance and Gold becomes wary of August, as flashbacks show what happened to Baelfire after Rumplestiltskin became the Dark One.

August's real identity is revealed as his condition worsens. Regina tries to seduce David to spite Mary Margaret.

Regina works with Jefferson on a plan to get rid of Emma, as flashbacks show Snow attempt to reunite with Charming after he is kidnapped by the Evil Queen.

Emma and Regina are forced to work together in order to save Henry's life, while flashbacks show Charming's mission to save Snow's life after escaping from the Evil Queen.