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Did you hear what happened? She turned herself into a heinous dragon and laid an egg.

—The Peddler to Snow White and Prince Charming


"Best Laid Plans" is the sixteenth episode of Season Four of ABC's Once Upon a Time. It was written by Kalinda Vazquez & Jane Espenson, and directed by Ron Underwood. It is the eighty-second episode of the series overall, and premiered on March 29, 2015.

Synopsis

Hook tells Emma that her fate is at stake in Gold's plan while Regina leads the villains on a wild goose chase. Henry makes a breakthrough in his search to find the Author, but Mary Margaret and David need a moment to reconsider the best course of action. In a Fairy Tale Land flashback, Snow and Charming search for a way to ensure their child will grow-up to be a hero. When a travelling peddler directs them to visit a kindly old hermit, Snow and Charming are presented with a choice that could secure their child's goodness, but at a price that will haunt them for years to come.[2]

Recap

This section is a detailed recap of this episode. There are major spoilers. Click to expand.
In the Enchanted Forest

In the Enchanted Forest, before the first curse, Snow White and Prince Charming come across a unicorn and touch its horn to see what the future holds for their unborn child. Charming sees a happy baby Emma, but Snow sees a vision of a teenage Emma ripping her heart out and crushing it. Later on, the couple run into a peddler, who tells them that Maleficent has transformed into a dragon and has laid an egg. The merchant then advises the couple to follow a path that leads them to the Apprentice's cottage. The Apprentice tells the Charmings that their child is a blank slate, and either one of their premonitions could come true, but adds that it is possible to banish the darkness from a child, and in order to do that they would have to find another blank slate to contain the darkness. Snow begins to believe that Maleficent's egg is the ideal vessel to take on the darkness, as it will only grow into a heartless dragon anyway.

The Charmings later return to the cave where Maleficent, as a dragon, is guarding her egg. As they attempt to take the egg, Maleficent awakens and pleads with Snow, but the Charmings take the egg anyway (although Snow vows to return it unharmed), and bring it to the Apprentice, who then transfers the darkness from their unborn child with a powerful, irreversible curse. Unfortunately, The Apprentice left out one detail; the creature inside the egg will become the darkest force ever seen. He claims that he has no choice but to open a portal and banish it to where it can do no harm. The egg begins to hatch to reveal a harmless human baby inside, and the Charmings beg the Apprentice to stop the spell to no avail. Cruella and Ursula arrive, furious and intent on rescuing the baby, and are sucked into the portal along with the egg. The Apprentice explains that all three have been sent to a realm where they will not hurt anyone again.

Some time later, the Charmings receive a unicorn-themed mobile for the baby's room. Snow does not want the reminder of what they had done hanging over their child, but Charming believes it is a reminder that they can become the best possible people that they can be, and that the mobile should stay. The couple then vow to never succumb to the darkness again, and to always do the right thing, for the sake of their daughter.

In Storybrooke

August is in a deep sleep at the Fairies' nunnery, having been changed by magic too many times, and Regina is left with no choice but to take a photo of the illustration of the door that was torn from the book. She shows it to Gold, Maleficent, and Cruella, who notice a glare on the image, leading Gold to conclude the page is protected by magic and that the Author is actually hidden inside the page. Maleficent then casts a sleeping spell all over Storybrooke so Gold and the Queens can steal the page; in exchange for her help, she tells Gold to find out what happened to her child after Mary Margaret and David "got rid of it."

Gold and the Queens go to steal the page, only to discover it missing. Henry, who is immune to the curse because a person can only be put under the sleeping spell once, has escaped with the page. He calls Mary Margaret and David, who are also immune to the curse, and tells them he is in the Sorcerer's mansion. David believes that the only way they can keep Emma from going dark is to destroy the page, but that would mean keeping the Author trapped inside the page forever. As Henry waits for his grandparents, he notices a light that begins to shine from the illustration of the door. It shines a light on a desk drawer that Henry opens to reveal a key; as he takes it out, Regina and the Queens arrive. Regina demands that he hand over the page and he complies, unknowingly giving them a fake page forged by Emma. Mary Margaret and David then arrive; at their request, Henry gives them the key and leaves. They plan to toss the page into the fireplace, but Mary Margaret stops David, saying that they cannot destroy everyone's chance of a happy ending, and that heroes should do what is right. The couple decides it is time to tell Emma the truth.

Gold visits a sleeping Belle at the pawn shop and explains that the reason he is searching for the Author and wants to change the destiny of the villains is so the world can be safe and free of all evil. He mysteriously claims that his magic has racked up so much debt, that it is about to catch up to him and punish him for what he has done (as he talks to her, he is seen rubbing his chest where his heart is). He vows to come back to her, then steps outside to meet up with Regina, Cruella and Maleficent. He has noticed the forgery and is onto Regina's deception, so Maleficent places her under the sleeping curse. Since their deal has fallen through, Gold decides not tell Maleficent about what happened to her child, saying that the pain would become worse if she knew the truth, but she begs him to tell her and he complies, as he shows Maleficent a vision that 30 years earlier a man had adopted the baby, whom he named Lilly. It is then revealed that it is the same girl with the star on her wrist who befriended young Emma.

Later, Mary Margaret finally comes clean to Emma; Emma is disappointed and leaves angrily. Hook chases after Emma to tell her August has awoken, and they return to see August ask about the key, which could help Emma learn more about her past. August reveals that there was more than just one author, and the person who was trapped inside the book was the most current Author, who eventually began manipulating the stories for his own twisted enjoyment. After he went too far and manipulated the Apprentice so that he would banish Maleficent's child for him, the Sorcerer and the Apprentice condemned him to life in the book. Despite the warning, Emma is determined to meet the author. As Emma opens the door with the key, a person emerges, revealed to be the same peddler who encountered Emma's parents back in the Enchanted Forest. He escapes before he can answer Emma's questions, and when she chases him out into the street, where he mysteriously disappears.

This episode summary is adapted from Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).


Cast[2]

Starring

Guest Starring

Co-Starring

Uncredited

  • Unknown baby as Emma
  • Unknown baby as Lily


Trivia

Title

  • The title card features a running unicorn.[3]
  • The title of this episode was announced by Adam Horowitz via his Twitter account on January 14, 2015.[4]
  • Kalinda Vazquez came up with the title of this episode, which is an egg-based pun.[5]
    • The title is taken from the saying "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry," which is adapted from the poem "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns: "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley" (meaning "The best-laid schemes of mice and men / Go oft awry").

Production Notes

  • When Hook sees the sleeping spell approach, the pawnshop is visible through the window, on the other side of the street.[8]
  • However, after leaving the apartment, David and Mary Margaret are shown to be walking away from the white picket fence next to the post office and across Main Street in the direction of Storybrooke Country Bread. Additionally, Mr. Gold, Cruella, Maleficent and Regina are also shown leaving the apartment from the picket fence.[9] This fence is located at the other end of Main Street from the pawnshop, a couple blocks down from Granny's Diner.

Event Chronology

Episode Connections

  • The title card is the same as the episode "The Thing You Love Most."
  • Prince Charming and Snow White first learned about their child's potential for darkness in "Unforgiven."
  • In her vision, Snow White sees the Idyllic Garden from inside the Vault of the Dark One from "The Broken Kingdom."
  • Maleficent's pregnancy was first established in "Unforgiven."
  • Regina and Emma discovered the Author is trapped inside the door illustration in "Poor Unfortunate Soul."
  • August was rescued during "Poor Unfortunate Soul."
  • Mother Superior notes August's body has been changed many times by magic. As a wooden puppet, he became human in "The Stranger," began turning back into wood during the flashbacks of "Selfless, Brave and True" and became a human boy later in the same episode, and was restored to his adult self in "Enter the Dragon." Additionally, he was forced to ingest a magic lie detector in "Poor Unfortunate Soul" that caused his nose to grow every time he lied.
  • Regina began her undercover mission in "Enter the Dragon," and she was sent by the villains to retrieve the door illustration in "Poor Unfortunate Soul."
  • Ursula told Hook about the villains' plans for Emma in "Poor Unfortunate Soul."
  • Emma recalls showing Hook the video of herself and Lily in "Breaking Glass."
  • Maleficent first cast a sleeping spell to affect multiple people at the same time during "Unforgiven."
  • The reason why Cruella is unable to kill Emma is revealed in "Sympathy for the De Vil."
  • Maleficent mentions Ursula leaving in "Poor Unfortunate Soul."
  • Mary Margaret feels guilty about lying to Emma ever since Cruella and Ursula arrived. Cruella and Ursula came to Storybrooke in "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and Mary Margaret and David lied to Emma in "Unforgiven."
  • Snow White, Henry and David were all affected by the sleeping curse at different intervals. Snow White and Henry were cursed in "An Apple Red as Blood" and David was afflicted during "Into the Deep."
  • After arriving in the Land Without Magic, Cruella and Ursula use the dragon egg to keep themselves from aging. Cruella leaves the baby in the woods to die as explained in "Sympathy for the De Vil."
  • The fate of Maleficent's child, when she has grown to be a teenager, is explored in "Breaking Glass" and "Lily."
  • Mary Margaret remembers giving Henry the storybook to inspire hope in him, which transpired in "Going Home." She also recounts telling Regina the secret about Maleficent's child in "Unforgiven."
  • STORYBOOK CONTENT: The meaning behind the mysterious storybook page with the door is explained in this episode. The page first appeared in "Unforgiven."
  • Emma sensed her parents were lying to her about something in "Unforgiven."
  • Emma eventually forgives her parents in "Mother."
  • The unicorn mobile first appeared in "Pilot."
  • Mr. Gold mentions having something that will make Regina do his bidding. This secret is revealed in "Heart of Gold."
  • Maleficent is stunned to learn that her daughter is still alive. The reason why Maleficent believed her daughter to be dead is revealed in "Sympathy for the De Vil."
  • Maleficent's daughter is found in "Lily." Mother and daughter are reunited in "Mother."

Biblical

Disney

Lost

Fairy Tales and Folklore

Popular Culture

  • August states that the job of the Author "goes back eons from the man who watched shadows dance across cave walls and developed an entire philosophy." This is a reference to the Greek philosopher Plato, and his Allegory of the Cave.
  • When August lists the previous Authors, he mentions "playwrights who tell tales in poetry." This is a reference to William Shakespeare, who used iambic pentameter in his plays and sonnets.

Props Notes


As they trudged back toward their castle,
the [three illegible words] a [illegible word] of
[illegible word] in the middle of the road. But the
princess, [two illegible words] with a [illegible word] of regret
and shame, could not be burdened by
such a cursory thing, and walked right through it. "There
was no way we could have known. The Apprentice hid
the truth from us," the prince tried once again to assure
her. Inside, he felt as she did, but pangs of helplessness
at the sight of his love so forlorn compelled him to comfort her
She was about to reply when a bluebird settled on a
branch up ahead. The princess averted her gaze. She
imagined its whispers of judgment in her ear echoing her
own disappointment in her actions and was relieved when
the bird flew off rather than perch on her shoulder. She
had thought before that she had known true depths of
sorrow with the heinousness of the evil queen's betrayal of
her family. But in that moment the princess knew that
the greatest betrayal of all is that of a hero to have [illegible word] from
[illegible word]

  • HERALDRY: Prince Charming's royal crest is printed on the label on the bottle of brandy that the prince gives to the Author.[23]

Costume Notes

  • USE IT AGAIN: Emma continues to wear the jacket as the story continues in the next episode, "Heart of Gold."[31]
  • USE IT AGAIN: Maleficent wears the same coat in "Mother."[36]

Filming Locations

  • The Overlynn Mansion has also doubled as locations for other productions:[53]

Goofs

International Titles


Videos

References

  1. Sunday Final Ratings: 'Madam Secretary', 'The Good Wife' & '60 Minutes' Adjusted Down. TV by the Numbers (March 31, 2015). "Once Upon A Time (...) 5.48"
  2. 2.0 2.1 LISTINGS: ONCE UPON A TIME. The Futon Critic. "Air Date: Sunday, March 29, 2015. Time Slot: 8:00 PM-9:00 PM EST on ABC. Episode Title: (#416) "Best Laid Plans""
  3. File:416Title.png
  4. Adam Horowitz (@AdamHorowitzLA) on X, formerly Twitter: Here's another #OnceUponATime #titlespoiler -- hope to see ya March 1st! (January 14, 2015). (backup link) (archive screenshot)
  5. Jane Espenson (@JaneEspenson) on X, formerly Twitter: Who noticed that the Once episode title "Best Laid Plans" is an egg pun? @KalindaVazquez thought it up! (March 29, 2015). (backup link; the user's account and the original post have been deleted) (archive screenshot)
  6. File:416InfiniteForest.png
  7. File:109InfiniteForest.png
  8. File:416EmmaLook.png
  9. File:416FollowHer.png
  10. Jane Espenson (@JaneEspenson) on X, formerly Twitter: @Love4LeaM no. no. Someone controlled the apprentice, not them. They are very much responsible. (March 29, 2015). (backup link; the user's account and the original post have been deleted) (archive screenshot)
  11. File:4x16 - Best Laid Plans - Promo
  12. File:416StealingTheEgg.png
  13. File:416HePassedOut.png
    File:416AuthorRevealed.png
  14. File:416EnteringTheCave.png
  15. File:416SnowWhitesEye.png
  16. File:416CharmingsEye.png
  17. Unicorn. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on October 13, 2021. "The unicorn appeared in early Mesopotamian artworks, and it also was referred to in the ancient myths of India and China. (…) As a biblical animal, the unicorn was interpreted allegorically in the early Christian church. One of the earliest such interpretations appears in the ancient Greek bestiary known as the Physiologus, which states that the unicorn is a strong, fierce animal that can be caught only if a virgin maiden is placed before it. The unicorn leaps into the virgin's lap, and she suckles it and leads it to the king's palace. Medieval writers thus likened the unicorn to Christ, who raised up a horn of salvation for mankind and dwelt in the womb of the Virgin Mary. (…) Many fine representations of the hunt of the unicorn survive in medieval art, not only in Europe but also in the Islamic world and in China."
  18. File:416MustBePunished.png
  19. File:219TakingWand.png
  20. File:301FindsCrystalBall.png
  21. File:303WhatElse.png
  22. File:416TheEdge.png
    File:416AuthorImprisoned.png
  23. File:416ReachThis.png
  24. File:416LookAtYou.png
  25. File:621RightBeforeWe.png
  26. File:622DestructionStops.png
  27. File:416YoureSoBeautiful.png
  28. File:505VioletEntersDiner.png
    File:505WhenYouDisappeared.png
  29. File:416ThenGiveThemThis.png
    File:416AuthorRevealed.png
  30. Oscar de la Renta Diamond Quilted Cardigan. Coolspotters. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved on October 27, 2018.
  31. File:417Searching.png
  32. File:416TellYouThis.png
    File:416ItStillMatters.png
  33. Cindee Short-Sleeve Lace Peplum Top. BCBGMAXAZRIA. Retrieved on October 27, 2018.
  34. File:416OurDeal.png
  35. Babaton BRYAN WOOL COAT. Pradux. Retrieved on October 27, 2018.
  36. File:420ThankYou2.png
  37. Gittins, Susan (January 15, 2015). SHOOT: ONCE UPON A TIME Cheats on UBC's Cecil Green Park House with Burnaby's OverLynn Mansion. Hollywood North Buzz.
  38. File:321Car.png
    Photo of Overlynn Mansion. MovieMaps. Retrieved on September 22, 2018.
    Overlynn Mansion – 1909. Carpet Cleaning Stocton. Retrieved on September 22, 2018. (Notice the identical carport and the windows above it.)
  39. 39.00 39.01 39.02 39.03 39.04 39.05 39.06 39.07 39.08 39.09 39.10 Movies Filmed at Cecil Green Park House. MovieMaps. Retrieved on October 27, 2018.
  40. Screenshot from Fringe: "The Bishop Revival"
  41. Screenshot from Psych: "Deez Nups"
  42. Screenshot from Backstrom: "Dragon Slayer"
  43. Screenshot from Backstrom: "Corkscrewed"
  44. Screenshot from iZombie: "Pilot"
  45. Screenshot from The Flash: "Rogue Time"
  46. Screenshot from The Flash: "All Doll'd Up"
  47. Screenshot from Legends of Tomorrow: "Pilot, Part 2"
  48. Screenshot from Arrow: "Blood Debts"
  49. Screenshot from The X-Files: "My Struggle III"
  50. Screenshot from Lucifer: "#TeamLucifer"
  51. Screenshot from Riverdale: "Chapter One: The River's Edge"
  52. Screenshot from Fifty Shades Freed
  53. Movies Filmed at Overlynn Mansion. MovieMaps. Retrieved on September 22, 2018.
  54. It (1990). Then & Now Movie Locations. (Section "Derry Inn - 401 N. Esmond Ave. Burnaby, BC V5C, Canada.")
  55. Screenshot from Psych: "Dis-Lodged"
  56. Screenshot from Arrow: "Versus Zoom"
  57. Screenshot from The Magicians: "The Writing Room"
  58. Screenshot 2 from The Magicians: "The Writing Room"
  59. Screenshot from Arrow: "Vigilante"
  60. Screenshot from iZombie: "Zombie Bro"
  61. Screenshot from Legends of Tomorrow: "The Justice Society of America"
  62. Screenshot from Timeless: "Party at Castle Varlar"
  63. File:416FollowHer.png
  64. Google Maps photo of Steveston General Store from January 2016