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Season 1 – Once Upon a Time

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Once Upon a Time Oct 2011 Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
"Once Upon a Time" tells the story of a new world, one in which fairy-tale legends and modern life collide. Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) is comfortable in her life as a bail bonds collector when Henry -- the child she gave up a decade earlier -- suddenly shows up. He is convinced that she is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, who sent her away before the Evil Queen could cast a spell, freezing the fairytale world in time and bringing them to present-day Storybrooke, Maine. After taking Henry home, Emma decides to stay in the town to keep an eye on him, and she discovers he may not be wrong after all.
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Once Upon a Time — Season 1

Once Upon a Time — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Charming and fantastical, Once Upon a Time is tonally uneven but derives strength from an outstanding cast and handsome visuals.

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Critics Reviews

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Kelly Lawler USA Today 11/10/2021
The entire ride is a lot of fun, with a great, appealing cast and plenty of nostalgia. Go to Full Review Avital Norman Nathman Bitch Media 01/09/2021
The show still gives me a bit of hope that fresh, creative takes on the classics are possible. Go to Full Review Ken Tucker Entertainment Weekly 10/31/2011
C
In Once Upon a Time, the setup is exhaustive and exhausting. Go to Full Review Jessica Johnson Time Out Chicago 07/02/2018
Once Upon a Time bring some new life to the drama series, even if spinning several seasons of television out of this concept seems like it will be quite a challenge. Go to Full Review Megan Basham WORLD 06/25/2018
Older viewers are likely to find themselves drawn into the drama of the small town where everyone winds up after the wicked queen banishes them to a place where "there are no happy endings." Namely, Maine. Go to Full Review Michelle Tauber People Magazine 04/05/2018
The cast would do well to have more fun (whistle while you work, people!), but the layered storytelling has its charms. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Daisy T @Daisy76 Mar 12 Such a fun show! I wish they would bring it back with same main characters, they really brought the stories to life. Must see show! See more Alia T @Arima Jan 21 I love OUAT and I'm always watching it. It's great. See more Aiden B @aidenb002 Jan 5 Im shocked to see that season two is rated higher than one. Don’t get me wrong, I love the second season, but the first one is brilliant and perfect in every way. See more Mario M @RT21354647 12/08/2023 loveeee the first season 1 henryyy was sooo cute and tiny See more Aj B @AJ2525 06/27/2023 A fun season of twists turns, and it set's up one of my favorite series I've ever watched. See more Pablo @RT77613710 06/17/2023 Season One is simply magical, the way they approach fairy tales and give attention to the relationship between Mother and Son (Emma and Henry) and face several obstacles ahead. See more Read all reviews
Once Upon a Time — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Ginnifer Goodwin

Snow White

Jennifer Morrison

Emma Swan

Robert Carlyle

Rumplestiltskin

Lana Parrilla

Evil Queen

Jared Gilmore

Henry

Josh Dallas

Prince Charming

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 23, 2011 Pilot Emma's life turns upside down when she is visited by Henry, the 10-year-old child she long ago gave up for adoption; Emma brings Henry back to his foster mother in a strange town called Storybrooke. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 30, 2011 The Thing You Love Most Regina tries to push Emma out of Storybrooke and Henry's life; information about the evil queen's curse comes out. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 6, 2011 Snow Falls Emma talks Mary Margaret into reading to an unidentified coma patient in the hospital; Prince Charming and Snow White meet for the first time. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 13, 2011 The Price of Gold Emma tries to help a pregnant woman get away from Mr. Gold; Cinderella makes a deal with Rumplestiltskin. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 27, 2011 That Still Small Voice Sheriff Graham makes Emma a deputy; a sinkhole appears at the edge of town; in fairytale world, Jiminy wants to leave the family business. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 4, 2011 The Shepherd David must choose between Kathryn and Mary Margaret, with whom he has fallen deeply in love; Sheriff Graham is caught in a lie; Prince Charming's destiny alters. Details Episode 7 Aired Dec 11, 2011 The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter One of Storybrooke's residents starts to remember fairytale life; the town mourns a death; the queen tries to find an assassin to kill Snow White. Details Episode 8 Aired Jan 8, 2012 Desperate Souls Emma runs for public office, leading Regina and Mr. Gold to indulge in dirty politics; Rumplestiltskin searches for a power source to help his son avoid war. Details Episode 9 Aired Jan 15, 2012 True North Emma tries to save two children from the foster system by finding their birth father; the evil queen has Hansel and Gretel steal an artifact from a blind witch. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 22, 2012 7:15 A.M. David and Mary Margaret continue to struggle with their feelings; a mysterious stranger in town makes Regina and Emma suspicious; Prince Charming's wedding approaches. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 29, 2012 Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Sidney asks Emma for help uncovering evidence that could expose Regina's corrupt ways; David and Mary Margaret continue to meet secretly; King Leopold (Richard Schiff) is granted three wishes. Details Episode 12 Aired Feb 12, 2012 Skin Deep When Mr. Gold's house is robbed, Emma suspects he is planning to have vigilante justice; Ruby, Mary Margaret and Ashley (Jessy Schram) plan a night out on Valentine's Day; Belle (Emilie de Ravin) makes a deal with Rumplestiltskin. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 19, 2012 What Happened to Frederick David decides to tell Kathryn about his relationship with Mary Margaret; as Prince Charming searches for Snow White, he agrees to help Abigail with a dangerous mission. Details Episode 14 Aired Mar 4, 2012 Dreamy Mary Margaret and Leroy join forces to help nuns sell candles at the Miner's Day festival; Emma investigates the disappearance of David's wife; Grumpy falls in love with a fairy. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 11, 2012 Red-Handed Emma gives Ruby a job as her assistant; David faces questions about Kathryn's disappearance; Red Riding Hood yearns to run off with her love but is prevented by a dangerous situation. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 18, 2012 Heart of Darkness After Emma is forced to arrest Mary Margaret for the murder of David's wife, Mary Margaret hires Mr. Gold as her attorney; Snow White continues to be affected by Rumplestiltskin's potion. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 25, 2012 Hat Trick During her search for Mary Margaret, Emma is kidnapped by a mad man with an affinity for hats; the evil queen hires a man of magic. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 1, 2012 The Stable Boy Emma keeps searching for evidence to prove Mary Margaret's innocence in Kathryn's murder; the root of the evil queen's disdain for Snow White is revealed. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 22, 2012 The Return Mr. Gold tries to expose August's true identity; Regina is confronted about her involvement in Kathryn's disappearance; David hopes to reconcile with Mary Margaret. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 29, 2012 The Stranger August takes Emma on a journey that will show her how to beat Regina and possibly attain custody of Henry; Regina tries to seduce David. Details Episode 21 Aired May 6, 2012 An Apple Red as Blood As Henry begs Emma to stay in Storybrooke, Regina works on a plot that could rid her of Emma permanently; Snow White asks her cohorts to help save Prince Charming and defeat the evil queen. Details Episode 22 Aired May 13, 2012 A Land Without Magic Emma and Regina work together to save Henry's life; Prince Charming tries to escape from the Evil Queen and reunite with Snow White. Details

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Once Upon a Time — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Dean White, Milan Cheylov, Paul Edwards, David Solomon, Ron Underwood, Greg Beeman, David Barrett, Bryan Spicer, Ralph Hemecker
Executive Producer
Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Steve Pearlman
Screenwriter
Edward Kitsis, Jane Espenson, David H. Goodman, Andrew Chambliss, Liz Tigelaar, Adam Horowitz, Ian Goldberg, Daniel Thomsen
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG (S|V)
Genre
Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 23, 2011