once upon a time recapping: the shepherd

The episode opens with David finally returning home from the hospital. Kathryn (apparently I’ve been spelling it wrong) asks if he remembers anything, such as an ugly windmill that used to be in the yard, but he’s still blank. Inside, David’s clearly overwhelmed by all the people at his homecoming party, but Dr. Whale says anything might trigger his memory.


Henry and Emma are by the stairs. Henry explains the reason David can’t remember anything is that the curse hasn’t worked on him yet, filling him with false memories. David interrupts to say hi, but he’s really just looking for Ms. Blanchard, who didn’t show. In the kitchen, Kathryn whines to Regina that it’s like she’s lost David twice, but the mayor tells her she still has a chance. Kathryn says it’s nice to have a friend, and Regina agrees.

David shows up at Ms. Blanchard’s. He worries that his feelings are one-sided, but she counters that he’s married and it should be no-sided. He wants to choose her, but she says their connection is because she rescued him, nothing more.

In the Enchanted Forest, Charming is facing down a brute. He is flung to the ground, but before his opponent can finish him, he springs up and stabs him in the chest. Charming has passed the test. King Midas needs a dragon vanquished, and King George (Charming’s father) needs gold. They leave to discuss the details. As Charming turns to his men to make a heroic speech, his not-quite-dead opponent suddenly stabs him through the chest.

Despite his son’s death, King George still needs a dragon slayer. Rumpelstiltskin appears and reprimands him for not being more careful with the son he provided. King George wants his son back; Rumpelstiltskin wants the Fairy Godmother’s wand. They deal. Turns out the baby he provided has a twin brother, a shepherd who is the real Charming we know and love.

Ms. Blanchard is scrubbing the crap out of some dishes when Emma walks in. Over a drink, Emma tells her if she thinks being with David is wrong, then it’s wrong, and to let him go. Meanwhile, David is looking at old pictures. Kathryn kisses him, but he pulls away, saying it isn’t right.

Once Upon a Time, Shepherd Charming

A floppy-haired Charming is locking up his sheep when his mother returns from the market with a marriage offer that could save their farm. Charming argues he will marry for love, not money, and they’ll save the farm another way. Rumpelstiltskin appears at that moment with his offer – play the part of the dragon slayer and his mother will never want for anything again.

Ms. Blanchard is at the diner when Dr. Whale smarmily apologizes for their disastrous date and asks for another chance, despite her obvious disinterest. Regina then walks in and accuses her of being a home wrecker, since David has left Kathryn. Ms. Blanchard says she had nothing to do with it, and Regina warns her to keep it that way.

A newly prince-like Charming and his knights go to slay the dragon. The knights order him to stay back while they do the work, but it goes horribly wrong. Charming picks up a sword and tricks the dragon into getting stuck in a narrow crevasse, where he chops off its head.

Once Upon a Time, Blanchard and David

David visits Ms. Blanchard at the school before class. She pleads with him to leave her alone, as she is trying to do the right thing. He argues that it’s wrong to stay with Kathryn and pretend to have feelings, when he truly loves her. He gives Ms. Blanchard the choice – he’ll be at the toll bridge at 8, waiting for her decision.

At the station, Graham uses doughnuts to bribe Emma into working the night shift, claiming he has to work at the animal shelter, though I think we all know where he’s really going. A flustered Ms. Blanchard storms in, wondering what to do about David. Emma tells her it’s pretty apparent he’s made a choice, and to meet him.

Charming and King George present the dragonhead to Midas. In addition to gold, he wants to offer Charming his daughter’s hand in marriage to unite the kingdoms. The snooty Princess Abigail (Kathryn) walks in. Charming tries to refuse, but King George warns him if doesn’t accept his farm will be destroyed.

David is on his way to meet Ms. Blanchard when he runs into Regina. She tries to convince him to change his mind, and then points him in the direction of the bridge. On the way, he gets lost again, and stops into Mr. Gold’s shop for directions. As he’s leaving, he spots the windmill from his house and starts to remember.

Charming stops by the farm to tell his mother about the marriage and say goodbye, as Midas must never learn who really he is. She urges him to run away, but he refuses. She gives him her wedding ring, promising that true love will follow it.

Ms. Blanchard is twirling that same ring on her finger when David arrives at the bridge. He remembers his past. Despite his feelings for her, he feels he needs to honor his past with Kathryn. Ms. Blanchard is crushed.

Emma is on patrol when she spots someone sneaking out of the mayor’s house. She knocks him down with her nightstick, and it’s of course a disheveled-looking Graham. She is disgusted and hurt, and tells him she won’t be working anymore nights.

David returns to Kathryn’s. He’s willing to try again.

Charming and Abigail prepare to start their new life together. As their carriage travels towards the palace, we leave them where ”Snow Falls” begins.

Once Upon a Time, Dr. Whale and Blanchard

A tearful Ms. Blanchard is at the diner. Dr. Whale walks in and asks what’s wrong. Ms. Blanchard wants to know how to stop being caught in situations when she already knows the outcome, he tells her to do the unexpected. He offers to buy her a drink. She says she’ll take two.

What we know so far:

What little progress David and Ms. Blanchard made has been crushed, thanks to what looks like clever plotting between Regina and Mr. Gold. Emma and Graham’s budding interest has also been crushed, which makes me sad. On the Enchanted Forest side of things, it appears Charming was being set up as some sort of High King. There is a lot of ambiguity about the political system there, and I really want that to be cleared up sometime soon – there are far too many princes, kings, and queens being thrown at us without a means of fitting it together. The only one that seemed to have any real power was (is?) Rumpelstiltskin.

Next week, Graham starts to remember his past, and someone dies.

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2 thoughts on “once upon a time recapping: the shepherd

  1. […] full with fending off King George’s men. During an attack, they split up. Charming heads to his mother’s cabin, but Snow is captured by the disgraced Lancelot and brought to King George, who curses her with […]

  2. […] Charming if the “all the lands” still exist. His answer is a punch in the face (for the time Whale slept with Snow) and yes, which is why he’s trying to get back. Meanwhile, Regina is seeking help from Dr. Hopper […]

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