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The Best Episodes of Once Upon a Time Season 1

Every episode of Once Upon a Time Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Once Upon a Time Season 1!

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 22 - A Land Without Magic
    8.9/10(3069 votes)

    S1:E22

    Emma and Regina team together in order to find a way to save Henry's life. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Prince Charming attempts to escape from the Evil Queen's clutches in order to reunite with Snow White who, unbeknownst to him, has already taken a bite of the Queen's poison apple.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  2. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 12 - Skin Deep
    8.7/10(3169 votes)

    S1:E12

    After Mr. Gold's house is robbed, Emma keeps a close eye on him when it looks like he wants to track down the criminal and dole out some vigilante justice as payback, and Valentine's Day finds Mary Margaret, Ruby and Ashley having a girls' night out. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Belle agrees to a fateful deal to give up her freedom in order to save her town from the horrors of the Ogre war.

    Director:Milan Cheylov
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  3. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 7 - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
    8.6/10(3103 votes)

    S1:E7

    One of the town's residents begins to remember their fairytale past, and Storybrooke mourns the loss of one of their own. Meanwhile, in the fairytale world that was, the Evil Queen attempts to find a heartless assassin to murder Snow White.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  4. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 15 - Red-Handed
    8.5/10(2600 votes)

    S1:E15

    After Ruby quits Granny's diner and with her self-esteem at an all-time low, Emma hires her as an assistant in order to help Ruby discover what it is in life that she's good at; and Emma continues questioning David about the disappearance - and possible murder - of Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Red Riding Hood yearns to run away with her true love. But she, along with her fellow townspeople, are virtual prisoners when a bloodthirsty wolf continues on its relentless killing spree.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  5. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 17 - Hat Trick
    8.5/10(2699 votes)

    S1:E17

    While searching for a missing Mary Margaret, Emma is kidnapped by a man whose affinity for hats has him teetering on the edge of madness. Meanwhile, viewers will be transported outside of the fairytale land that was for the first time when the Evil Queen persuades a skillful man of magic to come work for her one last time and travel to Wonderland in order to help steal something from the Queen of Hearts.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writer:David H. Goodman

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  6. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 18 - The Stable Boy
    8.5/10(2541 votes)

    S1:E18

    Emma continues her exhaustive search for evidence that will prove Mary Margaret's innocence in the murder of David's wife, Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was and before evil blackened her soul, Regina must choose between betraying her mother, Cora, and marrying for true love, or betrothing royalty and living a regal - but loveless - life; and the event that caused the Evil Queen to loathe Snow White is revealed.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  7. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 21 - An Apple Red as Blood
    8.4/10(2382 votes)

    S1:E21

    Henry pleads with Emma to stay in Storybrooke and continue her quest as the savior of the fairytale dwellers, and Regina concocts a plan that could rid her of Emma forever. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, Snow White enlists the aid of her fellow fairytale cohorts to attack the Evil Queen and save Prince Charming's life.

    Director:Milan Cheylov
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Jane Espenson

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  8. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 20 - The Stranger
    8.3/10(2293 votes)

    S1:E20

    August tells Emma how to beat Regina and how she can get custody of Henry, while Regina hatches a plot to seduce David now that Mary Margaret is back at work. In the fairy-tale world, a plan to save Snow White and Prince Charming’s daughter unfolds and is agreed to by Geppetto, who has his own child’s safety in mind.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg

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  9. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 8 - Desperate Souls
    8.2/10(2730 votes)

    S1:E8

    Regina and Mr. Gold play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs for a coveted Storybrooke public office against Sidney. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Rumplestiltskin tries to track down the ultimate power source in order to help his son avert the horrors of a meaningless war.

    Director:Michael Waxman
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  10. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.1/10(4515 votes)

    S1:E1

    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.

    Director:Mark Mylod
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  11. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 10 - 7:15 A.M.
    8.1/10(2604 votes)

    S1:E10

    Mary Margaret and David continue to grapple with their unrequited love, and Emma and Regina grow suspicious over a mysterious new stranger in town. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Snow White yearns to ease her breaking heart as Prince Charming’s wedding to King Midas’s daughter approaches.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 16 - Heart of Darkness
    8.1/10(2337 votes)

    S1:E16

    Mary Margaret hires Mr. Gold as her attorney when Emma is forced to arrest her for the suspected murder of David’s wife, Kathryn. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, Prince Charming sets out to stop a determined and unhinged Snow White, whose memory is still clouded by Rumplestiltskin’s potion, from assassinating the Evil Queen.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg

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  13. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 19 - The Return
    8.1/10(2316 votes)

    S1:E19

    Mr. Gold attempts to uncover the true identity of August, Emma confronts Regina about her involvement in Kathryn's disappearance, and David tries to apologize and reconcile with Mary Margaret. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Rumplestiltskin agrees to comply and do whatever it takes if his son can find a way for him to safely give up his powers and turn back into the loving man he used to be.

    Director:Paul A. Edwards
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  14. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 3 - Snow Falls
    8.0/10(3184 votes)

    S1:E3

    At Henry's urging, Emma convinces Mary Margaret to pay a visit to a comatose John Doe in the hospital and to read to him from the storybook. But Mary Margaret is stunned at the outcome of her visit. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world, Prince Charming meets Snow White for the first time in a most unexpected way.

    Director:Dean White
    Writer:Liz Tigelaar

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  15. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 2 - The Thing You Love Most
    7.9/10(3361 votes)

    S1:E2

    Regina does everything in her power to force Emma out of Storybrooke and out of her and Henry's lives forever. Meanwhile, the chilling circumstances of how the Evil Queen released the curse upon the fairytale world is revealed.

    Director:Greg Beeman
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  16. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 4 - The Price of Gold
    7.8/10(2982 votes)

    S1:E4

    Emma tries to help a young pregnant woman escape from the clutches of Mr. Gold. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Cinderella makes a regrettable deal with Rumplestiltskin.

    Director:David Solomon
    Writer:David H. Goodman

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  17. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 5 - That Still Small Voice
    7.8/10(2803 votes)

    S1:E5

    As Sheriff Graham deputizes Emma, the ground shakes and a giant sinkhole mysteriously appears at the edge of town. But a curious Henry’s life is placed in danger when he decides to explore the innards of the sinkhole to see if its contents can link the inhabitants of Storybrooke to the fairytale world. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world, Jiminy Cricket yearns to leave the family business and transform into the person he wants to be.

    Director:Paul A. Edwards
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  18. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 9 - True North
    7.8/10(2617 votes)

    S1:E9

    Feeling their pain from having lived through the same experience, Emma desperately tries to help two homeless children find their birth father before they’re separated and put into the foster care system. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, the Evil Queen coerces Hansel and Gretel into stealing an important artifact from a blind witch.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Liz Tigelaar

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  19. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 11 - Fruit of the Poisonous Tree
    7.8/10(2493 votes)

    S1:E11

    A dejected Sidney enlists the aid of Emma to help uncover evidence that could expose Mayor Regina as the corrupt person she really is to the townspeople of Storybrooke. Mary Margaret and David continue their secret rendezvous while trying to figure out a way to unleash their forbidden love. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, King Leopold, who is the father of Snow White and married to the Evil Queen, stumbles upon a magic lamp and is granted three wishes by a Genie - who warns the king to be careful what he wishes for.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg

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  20. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 14 - Dreamy
    7.8/10(2495 votes)

    S1:E14

    Unlikely allies Mary Margaret and Leroy team together for a good cause to help the Storybrooke nuns sell their candles during the town's Miner's Day festival. But Leroy makes a promise to a nun, Astrid, that he may not be able to keep; and Emma looks into the mysterious disappearance of David's wife, Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Grumpy finds forbidden love with beautiful but clumsy fairy Nova.

    Director:David Solomon
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  21. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 6 - The Shepherd
    7.7/10(2697 votes)

    S1:E6

    David - aka John Doe - must choose between staying with Kathryn or leaving her to be with Mary Margaret, with whom he's fallen deeply, and inexplicably, in love; and Emma catches Sheriff Graham in a lie. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Prince Charming is about to encounter a life-changing event that will forever alter his destiny.

    Directors:Victor Nelli, Jr.
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Ian B. Goldberg

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  22. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 13 - What Happened to Frederick
    7.7/10(2412 votes)

    S1:E13

    With their love for each other growing stronger, David finally agrees to tell Kathryn about his relationship with Mary Margaret and put an end to his loveless marriage. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, while runaway groom Prince Charming searches for Snow White, he agrees to aid Abigail on a dangerous mission to recover something precious that was lost to her.

    Director:Dean White
    Writer:David H. Goodman

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"A Land Without Magic" is the best rated episode of Once Upon a Time season 1. It scored 8.9/10 from 3,069 votes. Directed by Dean White and written by Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, it aired on May 13, 2012. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Skin Deep".