'Once Upon A Time' recap: Episode 10: '7:15 A.M.'

The episode begins on a rainy day in Storybrooke. Henry approaches The Stranger [played by Eion Bailey] as he’s fixing his motorcycle in front of his house. Henry asks him what he’s doing in Storybrooke. He replies, “Just visiting.” Henry then asks about the contents of box on The Stranger’s motorcycle. He replies that it contains, “Something I need to do what I came here for.” Henry reminds him that he said he was “just visiting.” The Stranger replies as he revs up his motorcycle, “Doesn’t mean I don’t have something to do.” Then, Regina comes outside, sees Henry talking to The Stranger and calls out to Henry. The Stranger then tells Henry that he better get off to school because a storm is approaching. He rides away before Regina approaches Henry and asks who The Stranger was.

Shoot to Mary-Margaret’s place as Emma is listening to the local weather forecast on the radio. Suddenly, Mary-Margaret bursts into the room, rushing to put on her galoshes and saying she can’t believe she overslept. Emma tries to calm her down telling her that’s only 7:10 and that she has plenty of time to get to the school. But, Mary-Margaret replies as she runs out the door that she has to be there by 7:15 because she’s helping the kids with their science projects for the science fair. Emma assures Mary-Margaret that if she’s five minutes late the kids “will live.” Mary-Margaret’s reply as she shuts the door, “But, we’re making a volcano.”

Shoot to Mary-Margaret instead hurrying to the diner. She sits down at a table and fixes her hair. She looks at the clock and pretends to be reading when David walks in. He sees her, then goes over to the counter where Ruby serves him two cups of coffee to go, one with cream and sugar and one black. He then walks over to Mary-Margaret’s table and says hello. She acts surprised to see him. He tells her that he better get to work at the animal shelter or he’ll be late. She asks him how working there is going. He replies, “Well, the apes haven’t taken over yet.” Mary-Margaret laughs. “At least not on my watch,” he adds. They both laugh then there’s an awkward silence as they stare at each other. Then, David says goodbye and leaves the diner.

Shoot to David giving one of the coffees to his wife, Kathryn, in their car and kissing her.

Shoot back inside the diner as Emma appears and asks Mary-Margaret, “So, this is making a volcano?” Mary-Margaret tries to make up something but Emma cuts her off saying she understands. Then, Mary-Margaret explains that David comes to the diner every morning at 7:15 to get coffee. Emma adds, “For him and his wife.” Mary-Margaret tells Emma she knows that but she still likes to come and see him. Emma’s reply, “So, you’re a stalker.” Mary-Margaret denies she is and then says, “Maybe a little bit” then recounts that David usually spends “his mornings with Kathryn, gets to work at the animal shelter around 7:30 and gets home around 5.” Emma replies, “Is that all?” Mary-Margaret then adds, “They usually then go out for Chinese food.” She admits to Emma that she can’t get David “out of her head.” Emma says she understands. “Love’s the worst. I wish there was a magic cure,” says Mary-Margaret.

Shoot to the fairy tale world as Snow is about to kill a bird. It flies away and she about to kill the next moving thing, except it turns out to be Red Riding Hood (Ruby.) Snow tells Red that she wasn’t expecting to see for a month. Red tells her it’s been a month and comments on how well Snow seems to be taking to the “solitude.” Snow replies that she likes it. Red then hands her a basket filled with fruit. Snow thanks Red and asks her how things are “in the world.” Red then asks Snow to ask her what she really wants to know. Snow nods and Red replies, “The wedding is happening. Prince James is marrying Midas’ daughter in two days time.” Snow looks sad. Red then asks Snow if she’s okay. She replies, “I thought the longer I was out here the easier it would be to forget him except all I do is think about him.” Red says she’s sorry and Snow replies that she “wishes there was some way to get him out of my head.” Red gives her a funny look and Snow asks her if there is a way. Red says that there isn’t but Snow reminds her that “I helped you when no one else would” and asks Red what she knows. Red tells Snow, “There are whispers.” Red then tells Snow of a man “who can grant the most unholiest of requests.” Snow asks who the man is.

Shoot to Snow rowing a boat on a very foggy evening. She comes upon Rumplestiltskin who asks her how much she wants for the boat. She tell him the boat isn’t for sale. He replies, “Of course it is dearie. No one comes to see me without making a deal.” They row to land and Rumplestiltskin says to Snow, “You really are the fairest of them all, aren’t you?” Snow then tells him that she needs “a cure.” Rumplestiltskin asks Snow what ails her. Her reply, “A broken heart.” “The most painful of afflictions,” Rumplestiltskin replies. He tells her that if she wants him to make the object of her love, love her back, he cannot. She tells him that isn’t what she wants and they can’t be together. Rumplestiltskin then says, “Well, that I can help you with.” Rumplestiltskin then plucks a lock of Snow’s hair, then takes a cup, fills it with the water from the lake and waives his hand. Snow then asks, “If I drink that, I’ll no longer love him?” Rumplestiltskin replies, “Drink this, and the next time you see the object of your affection, you won’t even remember who he is. Love is the most powerful magic. The cure must be…extreme.” “Extreme sounds like an understatement,” Snow retorts. Rumplestiltskin then tells Snow not to doubt herself. “Love makes us sick. Haunts our dreams. Destroys our day. Love has killed more than any disease. This cure is a gift.” Snow then asks Rumplestiltskin, “What’s your price?” Rumplestiltskin says all he asks is a lock of her hair, which he already has. He then asks if they have a deal. Snow agrees and Rumplestiltskin gives her the cup and tells Snow, “To drink it in good health.” He then disappears into the fog.

Shoot to Mary-Margaret literally bumping into Kathryn at the local drug store. Mary-Margaret apologizes to Kathryn for bumping into her and proceeds to pick up the items she dropped, one of which is a pregnancy test. Mary-Margaret pauses for a second then wishes Kathryn good luck. Kathryn thanks her and she walks away. Regina appears, having witnessed the exchange between Mary-Margaret and Kathryn and says to Mary-Margaret, “I trust you’ll be discreet. They’re lives are they’re business, not yours.” Regina then walks away leaving Mary-Margaret looking sad.

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as James (David) is watching a feast in the castle’s main dining room. King George [played by Alan Dale] asks James if he’s enjoying the party since it is in his honor. He then presents James with a crown. King George tells James that it’s a gift from Midas, who wishes him to wear it when he marries his daughter. King George adds that once James marries Midas’ daughter, “they’re prosperity will allow them to feed the kingdom for eternity.” He then order James to show some “enthusiasm.” “Enthusiasm wasn’t part of the deal,” James barks back at King George. He then adds, “The wedding is in two days and I’ve honored your wishes.” King George then tells James that he “wants your heart not just your honor.” James tells King George that his heart will belong to Abigail (Kathryn) and begins to walk away when King James replies, “You think I’m a fool, don’t you? Your heart can’t belong to Abigail when it’s held by another woman.” King George then asks James who she is. James replies, “I met her on a journey. We haven’t seen each other since but she’s stayed with me.” King George order James to “forget her.” James replies, “You say that as if it’s so easy.” “Nobility is not meant to be easy. The power we yield over other mens’ lives. Do you think that comes at no cost?” King George angrily spouts. James replies that he didn’t ask for his current station. King George angrily replies, “No, you were chosen. Plucked from poverty, wanting for nothing. Be grateful for that.” “It wasn’t charity father,” James retorts sarcastically. “It was the only way to save YOUR kingdom.” King George then warns David to “watch himself,” to honor the choice he made and there is too much at stake. He then tells David to do “whatever it takes to get that woman out of your head. Because nothing is gonna stop this wedding.” King George then leaves James alone. James then begins a letter to Snow, attaches to a dove and lets it fly away whispering, “Find her.”

Shoot to Mary-Margaret walking along a gravel path. She hears a dove nearby and sees it’s stuck. She frees the bird and takes to Dr. Thatcher [played by Kwesi Ameyaw,] a veterinarian at the animal shelter in Storybrooke. David is there when Dr. Thatcher tells her the bird was dehydrated but it should be fine now that he’s given it some fluids. He then tells Mary-Margaret that the bird is a “North Atlantic dove. It’s a migratory species very unique among American doves. They tend to form very monogamous bonds meaning...” “If I don’t get her back to her flock, she’ll be alone forever,” Mary-Margaret replies. David stares at Mary-Margaret as Dr. Thatcher puts the dove in a cage, tells her that finding the bird’s flock is a long shot, that she’ll heal but won’t be happy in Storybrooke. Mary-Margaret tells the doctor that she’s going to try to find the bird’s flock and thanks him for his help. David begs Mary-Margaret not to go out looking for the bird’s flock because of the coming storm. She tells him the storm is coming the following day and “if I wait she could be lost forever. All alone. No one deserves that.” She moves to leave and David offers to drive her. She tells him that she doesn’t need his help and leaves the shelter.

Shoot to Emma putting things in the trunk of her police car as Regina approaches. She asks Emma, as sheriff of Storybrooke, to look into The Stranger. Emma tells Regina that she’s aware of The Stranger because she gave him directions to Granny’s Bed & Breakfast. Regina asks Emma what he said. Emma tells her that he just asked for directions. Emma asks Regina who he is. She tells her that doesn’t know, that she’s asked around and no one seems to know but he “seems familiar” and tells Emma that she wants her to find out “who he is, what he wants and what he’s doing here.” Emma tells Regina that “there’s no law against visiting Storybrooke.” Regina replies, “This isn’t about the law. You’re going to do this because I asked you to and you’ll see it’s the right thing to do.” Emma asks why and Regina tells her because The Stranger was in front of her house “taking a particular interest in the one thing we both care about…Henry.” Emma then tells Regina that she “will look into” The Stranger.

Shoot to Mary-Margaret driving in the approaching storm with the dove in a cage in the passenger’s seat.

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as the dove James sent to find Snow, finds her. She reads James’ message saying that he hasn’t stopped thinking about her since they met. He asks her to come see him before his wedding in two days and then they can be together. Snow is thrilled.

Shoot back to Mary-Margaret getting out of her car with the dove in the cage, going in search of its flock, despite the coming storm.

Shoot back to Snow, who in disguise, goes to the castle, saying she has flowers for James from Midas’ kingdom. She’s allowed in but hides when she hears someone is coming. She sees its James and is about to reveal herself when a guard [played by Michasa Armstrong] absconds with her, imprisons her as an intruder and says the King will decide her fate. Snow tries to find a way to escape and meets Grumpy [played by Lee Arenberg] who tells her that there is no way out of their captivity. Snow vows to not give up and will find a way out because of love. Grumpy tells Snow that he is captive because of love as well. He then tells her how he was framed as a thief all because his mind was clouded due to llove. Then, Stealthy [played by Geoff Gustafson] who has knocked out the guards with sleeping gas, comes to rescue Grumpy. Stealthy frees Grumpy and they go to leave Snow until Snow wishes Grumpy luck in winning back his love. Grumpy then turns around and frees Snow.

Shoot back to Mary-Margaret who is in the woods looking for the dove’s flock. She’s distracted by the thunder of the coming storm, slips and end up hanging from a cliff. She starts to slip when suddenly David appears with his hard stretching out to save her. He pulls her to safety then tells her, “You really think I’d let you come out here alone?” He then asks her if she’s okay. She tells him that she’s fine, thanks him then goes to retrieve the caged dove she left behind. David follows after her, asking where she’s going. She yells back that she’s still determined to find the dove’s flock. He tells her came to make sure she wasn’t hurt. Mary-Margaret retrieves the caged dove as it starts to rain as David begs her to give up her search and to come with him out of the storm. She finally agrees and they go and search for shelter from the storm.

Shoot back to Snow, Grumpy and Stealthy trying to find a way out of the castle. Stealthy suggests going through the courtyard but Snow suggests another way. Grumpy tells Snow that he’s going Stealthy’s way and the two leave Snow to fend for herself. Grumpy and Stealthy are caught by a King George and the guard while crossing the courtyard. Stealthy tries to run but is shot dead by the guard. King George asks Grumpy where “the girl” is. Grumpy replies, “What girl?” King George then tells the guard to kill Grumpy. The guard draws his sword but then Snow appears with a fiery torch. She tells King George to let Grumpy go or she will burn the castle down. King George then tells Grumpy, “Be gone dwarf.” Snow tells Grumpy to go as well. Grumpy runs off as King George’s guards take hold of Snow. King George then says, “Snow White, we need to talk.”

Shoot back to Mary-Margaret, David and the dove finding shelter from the storm in an abandoned cabin. David starts a fire so they can dry off. David tries to give Mary-Margaret his coat but she back away. He tells her that he’s only trying to help and asks her what’s wrong. She tells him that she still has feelings for him and that she goes to the diner every morning at 7:15 just to see him. She continues saying, “I don’t know why because it just makes me miserable because every time I see you it reminds me that you chose Kathryn instead of me. And that’s why I didn’t want you to come to the woods with me. Because being around you Is just…too painful.” David replies that the reason he goes to the diner every morning at 7:15 is “to see you.” They stare at each other and move closer to each other then they almost kiss but Mary-Margaret pulls away at the last second telling a stunned David that Kathryn thinks she might be pregnant.

Shoot to Emma coming into the diner out of the storm and finding The Stranger sitting at a booth. She tells him that they need to talk. He asks her why. Her response, “Because you’re suspicious.” He asks her how he’s “suspicious” when he’s just sitting there drinking coffee and jokes, “Who know what kind of hell I would have raised had I ordered a donut.’ She asks why he was talking to Henry. He tells her that he came up to him asking questions. Emma asks The Stranger what he was doing outside of Henry’s house. He tells her that his motorcycle broke down. Emma then asks him what’s inside his “mysterious box.” He replies, “It’s frustrating not knowing, right?” She asks him to tell him and he asks if its illegal to carry around a box. Emma tells him that of course its not illegal. Then, The Stranger tells Emma, “I’m going to make you wait. I’m going to make you wait a long time. Letting you watch me carry it around to strange and mysterious places and with each passing moment the mystery will become even more tantalizing. Your imagination will enflame but so will your frustration. Never knowing, only guessing what could possibly be inside that box. Or…you could let me buy you a drink sometime and I’ll tell you right now.” Emma agrees to let The Stranger buy her a drink. He then gets up, gets the box, opens it and reveals that a typewriter is inside. “You’re a writer?” Emma asks. The Stranger replies, “I find this place provides…inspiration, don’t you?” The Stranger closes the box then gets up and sets down some money on the table to pay for his coffee as Emma asks him, “So, you’ve been here before?” The Stranger replies, ‘I didn’t say that” and moves to leave. Before he goes, Emma yells after him, “What about that drink?” The Stranger replies, “I said ‘sometime’” then he leaves the diner with the box.

Shoot back to Mary-Margaret and David at the abandoned cabin. Mary-Margaret is surprised that David didn’t know that Kathryn might be pregnant. She says, “So, you weren’t trying?” David replies, “Not as far as I know.” Suddenly, Mary-Margaret notices that the rain outside has stopped and she rushes to grab the caged dove and return to searching for its flock. David follows after her trying to convince that he knew nothing about Kathryn wanting to have a baby but Mary-Margaret tells him to be quiet as she listens to the sounds of the woods. Mary-Margaret sees the dove’s flock and is delighted that they didn’t leave. David says that they must have waited for the storm to clear. Mary-Margaret then releases the dove from the cage and she and David watch it return to its flock. As they watch, David grabs a hold of Mary-Margaret’s hand. She tells him, “It’s too painful” and takes her hand away. David replies, “It doesn’t have to be. We don’t know if Kathryn is pregnant.” Mary-Margaret tells David that it doesn’t matter because he chose her. David says, “I know. But, I still have feelings for you.” Mary-Margaret replies, “You can’t have both.” David responds, “But I do have both. I know it doesn’t make sense but its like I have these two conflicting lives. Memories and feelings for her and real feelings for you.” Mary-Margaret replies, “Who’s to say which is real.” David tells her that he can’t get her out of his head. Mary-Margaret says she knows and that she can’t get him out of hers but “we’re going to have to. We’re just going to have to forget about each other.” Mary-Margaret then walks away leaving David alone in the woods.

Shoot back to King George saying to Snow, “So, you’re the one.” Snow starts to tell him she doesn’t know what he’s talking about but he cuts her off saying that he knows “everything. You poisoned his heart, now his marriage and with that all the kingdom all because of your…feelings.” King George tells Snow. Snow replies, “I wish feelings can be helped but they can’t.” King George replies. “Of course they can. Love is a disease and like all diseases it can be vanquished one of two ways. A cure or death. Do you know where your beloved is right now? He’s right down that hallway packing for his new life.” He then tells Snow that she’s going to walk down that hallway, “sneak in, tell him you received his letter and that you DON’T love him. It will break his heart but it will cure him.” Snow replies, “Or you’ll kill me.” King George replies, “Oh no. I’ll kill him. Killing you will just make him love you more and the marriage and the kingdom would ultimately crumble. But, if he were to die at an assassin’s hand, he would die a martyr. Midas would forgive the dead and the merger would be complete.” Snow replies, “You would do that to your own son?” King George replies, “He is NOT my son.”

Shoot to Snow going to James’ chamber and shows herself. He is overjoyed to see her, runs and embraces her. But, then Snow tells him, “Us. It can’t happen.” James replies, “What? Of course it can. You’re here. We can go, we can be together. We can leave all this. I know there are costs but they can’t hurt us. Now that I know you love me too.” Snow responds coldly, “I don’t...love you.” James is shocked as Snow continues saying, “You said I would always be in your heart and that is too cruel a fate. Go live your life without me because there’s no place for us together. Go fill your heart with love for someone else. For someone who can love you the way I never have. The way I never will.” James is heartbroken as Snow walks away crying.

Shoot to David at home with Kathryn asking her if she has anything she wants to tell him. Kathryn replies, “I feel like ever since you’ve come home, you’re here but you’re not…here. Now you say you’re trying and I know you’ve been through a lot but…” David tries to interrupt but Kathryn asks him to let her finish. “I know it’s been hard on you but it’s also been hard on me,” she continues. “I want a family with you someday, children. I thought I was pregnant but when the test came back negative, at first I was upset but then I was relieved. We’re not ready. If I was pregnant now, it would be a disaster. I want to fix this, I want to fix us.” David replies, “Me too.” Kathryn says, “Do you?” Kathryn then asks David if he will go with her to marriage counseling. “Will you give us your best shot?” Kathryn asks David. He replies as he sits down next to her, “Yeah. You and I should be in love and I want to make it work.” Kathryn smiles then tells David, “Its 7:10, you should go if you want to get your coffee before work.” David replies, “No” and asks Kathryn to go out for breakfast instead.

Shoot to Snow back in the woods. Grumpy and some other dwarfs find her and he asks her if she’s okay. “Not even close,” she replies. “You didn’t find him?” Grumpy asks. Snow replies, “Worse… I lost him.” Grumpy then tells Snow to come with him. She asks where he’s taking her. His response, “Home. We all lost someone today.” Another dwarf then says, “Now we are seven.” Grumpy then tells Snow, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you so you’re coming home with us. We’re going to protect you.” Snow replies, “The only thing that needed protecting is destroyed…my heart.” Grumpy tells Snow that “it will get better.” Snow agrees and goes to drink what Rumplestiltskin gave her but Grumpy stops her. She asks him why when he knows the pain of lost love and that it can be erased. Grumpy replies, “I don’t want it erased. As wretched as it is, I need my pain. It makes me who I am. It makes me Grumpy. Look around Snow, you’re not alone anymore. I promise you, that’s all the cure you need. If the pain’s too much you can always drink it but for today….put it away.” Snow puts the drink away and goes with Grumpy and the other dwarfs.

Shoot to Emma sitting down to breakfast with Mary-Margaret. Emma looks at the clock, which says 7:15. Emma puts her hand over Mary-Margaret’s.

Shoot back to the fairy tale world as James is riding his horse fast through the woods screaming Snow’s name. He dismounts still calling her name when Red appears. She tells him that Snow is gone and never came back after she went to find him. James then tells Red that he will find Snow. “I will always find her,” he tells Red as he gets back on his horse and rides away.

Shoot to Grumpy telling Snow that James left Abigail and isn’t getting married. She replies, “Who?” Grumpy, the other dwarfs and we see the empty glass Rumplestiltskin gave Snow.

Shoot to the diner as Ruby is giving Mary-Margaret a cup of coffee to go. Suddenly, David appears then runs out of the diner. Mary-Margaret follows. She catches up with him and they tell each other how they’re both trying to NOT see each other but obviously can’t avoid it. David then tells Mary-Margaret that Kathryn ISN’T pregnant. Then, they kiss as Regina watches from a nearby car looking very displeased.