7:15 A.M.

“If you learn from your suffering, and really come to understand the lesson you were taught, you might be able to help someone else who's now in the phase you may have just completed. Maybe that's what it's all about after all...” - Anonymous

** All photos posted here are chosen for a reason **

It's important to remember while we learn about the special people of Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest, that their wonderful story and journey is serving a purpose.


First off- Yes indeed, Damon Lindelof made another appearance last night. He was your trusty meteorologist! Again, this is totally LOSTastic! A great constant to LOST and tie to the "Island".

The Box
There sure was a big to-do made about this box. Could there be more to the box? The literal box, which looks more like a suitcase but is called a box, does contain a typewriter, but is that all?  What is that typewriter for? There is no doubt that things are written out for part of this journey and certain people are written into the story, but since Emma is changing things should those new things need to be written into the text?
Plus there was another important box in the episode- it contained a Crown.

The Stranger
Does Emma know this stranger? I found their conversation at Granny's a bit...mysterious/suspicious.
Who is this writer whom is so inspired by Storybrooke?  He seems to know "that place" and likes it enough for inspiration. Is he inspired by the residents' misery and feelings of being lost or the evil goings on with Regina and Mr. Gold?  Maybe he's inspired by its quaint old fashioned facade or Ruby's short shorts.
Has he been there before or has he always been there?  Is he the author of Mary Margaret's and Henry's fairy tale book or not?  Is he there to re-write some text or is he just a big bad wolf?  Maybe he's there to help fix things. Is he there to help Mary Margaret forget about John Doe/David? Does he mean something to Regina and Henry?  Why are Henry and Regina so curious about this man? And is it a coincidence that a storm is coming just as the stranger decides to be seen in Storybrooke? 
I'm noting that Emma was one person we saw preparing for the storm.

Destiny
John Doe/David is a very confused man because he doesn't know who he is. In Storybrooke he is John Doe/David and in Fairy Tale Land he is the shepherd, who has taken the place of his dead twin brother, James. This guy literally isn't himself and is torn between living two lives. He is not living who he truly is.

Mary Margaret/Snow White and David/Prince Charming will have to find their way to one another and no one ever said it would be easy.  But the two lovebirds must be on the same wavelength because they both show up at the diner at 7:15 AM because each knows the other will be there.  And even when they both decide to let go of their feelings and not see each other, destiny brings them together.

Destiny still may lead Mary/Snow to her Prince Charming, but if it doesn't, she would need to learn how to move on from that lost love so she can be open to a new love.

We are the causes of our own suffering
Mary Margaret/Snow White and Grumpy are seen wallowing in their pain and grief and are trapped by their own inability to let go of it. This is a lesson that needs to be learned. They need to realize they are the ones giving that negative pain power over themselves. Later in the episode we see a very happy and compassionate Grumpy. Was he able to get some clarity and let go of the things that cause his suffering? He must have been given a key.

King George and Rumpelstiltskin have some pretty intense thoughts on Love. They see it as a disease and not a gift.
King Midas sent James a "gift".
Rumpelstiltskin gives Snow a gift- the gift of never knowing the pain that love caused. But it is also takes away the joy of knowing what that love gave you. All of those emotions affect your heart in some way and are important contributors to the person you become. Which brings me back to the "Island"- is that so wrong?

Looping back to the "Island" Tapestry
Erasing feelings and emotions was an issue that was addressed on the "Island". On ONCE the "cloudy water potion" provided by Rumpelstiltskin seems to have same effect as detonating the Hydrogen Bomb Jack wanted to blow up in season 5 of LOST was supposed to have.
In the episode Follow the Leader, Jack wanted to detonate the "Jughead" so the crash never happened and all of them wouldn't have met and gone through those things. He wanted to spare them that pain. But in turn they all wouldn't have met, known, taught and loved each other. Juliet also mentions her pain of loving and losing in the episode The Incident.

All of the things we experience in life- the good and the bad, the pain, struggles and the triumphs, make us who we are, and that's the truth. 
In the episode The Little Prince, John Locke gives Sawyer that pearl of wisdom on their walk through the jungle when they actually get to see an outsider's view (like watching a replay of your life in on a movie screen) of a previous John "Island" event.  Sawyer wonders if Locke could have done those moments over again and spared himself the pain, would he. Locke tells him he needed that pain to get him where he is.

I must mention Charles Widmore/King George, as he is a reoccurring character in both of these stories. On LOST in the episode Live Together, Die Alone, Charles Widmore interfered with Desmond's letters getting to Penny and forced Desmond stay away from her; enabling her to have a new life. In ONCE King George plays a very similar role with the Prince and Snow White's love. Charles Widmore even had a goal to get the "Island" back from Ben Linus; claiming he was its rightful owner. Widmore is also said to have been involved of the staging of the Oceanic plane crash.

For me, another fun bit of LOST in this episode is when Mary Margaret asked "Whose cabin is this?"  How many LOST fans responded with- "Duh, Jacob's, you ass!"  Well, that was my response.
And I kind of got a kick out of Snow White trying to climb out of her cage ala Kate climbing out of the cage in season 3. 

Things to Note...Questions to Ask...
๑ How much bigger do they have to make an Apollo Bar before one realizes one's supposed to pay attention to it?
๑ Possible Hanso Foundation- DHARMA Initiative connection. There, I said it.
๑ Wolf in sheep's clothing- Big Bad Wolf
๑ Snow White lost track of a month while in the forest
๑ Red Riding Hood provides food/provisions for Snow while she's on her own in the forest trying to work things out
๑ In The Thing You Loved Most- Evil Queen takes locks of hair from the ones with the darkest souls
๑ 108
๑ 23
๑ 8 became 7
๑ Time
๑ Head/mind
๑ Remember. Forget. Amnesia
๑ Sleep. Wake Up. Sleeping gas.
๑ Crown. Diamond
๑ Arrow. Swan
๑ Pregnancy- potential birth
๑ Death
๑ Cabin
๑ Volcano
๑ Learning. Tests
๑ Reflection. Mirror
๑ Jail. Cell Caged
๑ Birds. Flock. Flying/flight
๑ Sickness. Cure

Vocabulary and Research...
๑ The Mysterious Island (L'Île mystérieuse, 1874) By Jules Verne. Throughout their stay on the island, the group has to overcome bad weather, and eventually adopts and domesticates an orangutan, Jupiter, abbreviated to Jup (or Joop, in Jordan Stump's translation).

✔ Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale
★  Widmore
★  Apollo Bar
★  108
★  23
★  8
★  Time
★  Arrow. Swan
★  Head/Mind
★  Remember. Forget. Amnesia
★  Sleep. Wake Up. Sleeping gas.
★  Crown
★  Cabin
★  Volcano
★  Pregnancy- potential birth
★  Death
★  Jail. Cell Caged
★  Learning. Tests
★ A gift is also known as a blessing or boon {Boone}
★  Drinking something that contains "Magic" or "Power"
★  In the episode Par Avion Claire uses the migratory birds to deliver a message/get them off the "Island"
★  In the episode White Rabbit Jack falls over a cliff and hangs on; Locke lends him a helping hand
★  Jack is stalking Sarah in A Tale of Two Cities and the time on his pager is 7:15
★  Jack talks to Sarah about their failing relationship and relief of her not being pregnant in The Hunting Party, and his constant need to fix things
★ In One of Them Ben gives a story that is very similar to that of The Mysterious Island. And The Hanso Foundation has an Orangutan named Joop; The LOST Experience
★  Sickness. Cure
      BY THE WAY...The Island Cures What Ails You! Just Sayin'!

Enough of my rambling...Here is your episode recap! Enjoy!

Storm clouds roll in and thunder is heard. The stranger on the motorcycle is working on his bike right in front of the Mayor's mansion.  A large suitcase/box is strapped to the back of the motorcycle.  Henry walks over and outright asks the man fixing his bike, what he's doing in Storybrooke. {Henry's reflection in the chrome} The stranger says "Just visiting."
Henry also asks "What's that?
The Stranger - "A box."
Henry- "What's inside it?"
The Stranger- "Just something I need to do what I came here for."
Henry thought he was just visiting.
The Stranger- "Doesn't mean I don't have something to do."  He starts up his bike and tells Henry he better get to school. "Looks like a storm's coming."
Regina hurries over to Henry as the stranger drives off asking who that was. Henry just shrugs his shoulders.

Emma has the weather channel on while she has breakfast. The meteorologist, Bill, is reporting that the Doppler shows it's going to be a soggy one.  Mary Margaret is frantic because she overslept and has to be at school by 7:15 because they're having a science fair and she's helping the kids with their project before school; they're making a volcano. Mary Margaret hurries off. Except Mary Margaret isn't running off to school, she ran off to Granny's Diner. She sets herself up at a table, checks her reflection in her spoon and waits.

7:15 on the dot the door opens and John Doe/David enters. Mary Margaret makes like she's casually reading a book; The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne.  John Doe/David pays for his two cups of coffee from Ruby while Mary looks longingly at him.  John Doe/David stops by her table to say good morning, but doesn't linger as he doesn't want to be late for work.{At the Animal Shelter.} They joke about the apes not having taken over on his watch.  He leaves and Mary watches him kiss Kathryn on the cheek.
Emma walks in asking Mary Margaret "This is making a volcano?"  Mary Margaret comes clean about coming there every morning at 7:15 to see John Doe/David; getting coffee for him and his wife.
Emma- "So, you're a stalker?"
Mary Margaret confesses that she's not following him; only knows about his morning routine and that he gets home around 5. Oh, and Thursday's they pick up Chinese for dinner.
Mary Margaret - "I can't get him out of my head."
Emma suggests that maybe the first step is not showing up there tomorrow.  Mary feels that "love's the worst" and wishes there was a magic cure.

Snow White, the hunter, is about to spear a turkey when a noise makes it fly away. It's Red Riding Hood. Snow wasn't expecting her for a month, to which Red reveals "It's been a month".  {She lost track of a whole entire month?!}
Red- "You're really taking well to the solitude, aren't ya?"
Snow- "It's fine. It's exactly what I wanted. To be out here- away."
Red agrees. She gives Snow a basket filled with food.  Snow asks "So...how are things back in the world?"  Red prompts her to ask the question she really wants the answer to and shares that the wedding is happening. "Prince James is marrying King Midas' daughter...In two days time."
Snow thought that the longer she was out there it would become easier to forget him; instead all she does is think about him. "I wish there was a way to get him out of my head."  Red has a silent thought and Snow asks what she knows about a way to accomplish this feat.
Snow- "Come on, I helped you when no one else would. What do you know?"
Red- "Well...There are whispers...whispers of a man who can achieve even the most unholy of requests.  A man who can do what you want."
Snow- "Who is this man?"

In the foggy dark night, Snow makes her way to a dock lit by one lantern.  Rumpelstiltskin magically appears in her boat asking "How much for this?"  He's impressed with exquisite craftsmanship. Snow tells him it's not for sale.
Rumpelstiltskin-"Of course it is, Dearie. No one comes to see me without a deal in mind." He's been looking forward to meeting her. He touches her face and says "Wow. You really are the fairest of them all, aren't you? What can I do for you?"
Snow- "I need a cure."
Rumpelstiltskin- "What ails you, doll?"
Snow- "A broken heart."
Rumpelstiltskin- "Ah, the most painful of afflictions."  He informs her that he can't make him/Prince love her. Snow tells him that's not the problem, "We can't be together".
Rumpelstiltskin- "Well, that- I can help you with."  He fills up a little glass vile with the water that becomes cloudy. Snow asks "That'll do it?"
Rumpelstiltskin- "Not yet! No two loves are exactly alike. We must make this...personal."  He pulls strands of hair from her head and appears to put one in the bottle.
Snow- "So, if I drink that I'll no longer love him."
Rumpelstiltskin- "The next time you see the object of your grief...you won't even remember who he is."
Snow- "I won't remember him?"
Rumpelstiltskin- "Love is the most powerful magic, the cure must be... extreme."
Snow feels "extreme" sounds like an understatement.
Rumpelstiltskin- "Don't doubt yourself now, Dearie! Love makes us sick. Haunts our dreams, destroys our day. Love...has killed more than any disease. This cure is a gift."
Snow- "What's your price?"
Rumpelstiltskin- "These'll do." {The couple of hairs from her head.} Snow wonders what he needs of her hair.
Rumpelstiltskin- "What do you need of it now, it's been plucked from your head? Do we have a deal?"
Snow grabs the bottle from him, sealing their accord. He tells her to drink it in good health and then walks away disappearing into the fog.

Mary Margaret is shopping. She picks up a flashlight, batteries and a Big-Ass Apollo Bar. {Next to Granola} The forecast can be heard about the nasty footage coming in from the Mid-Atlantic.

Mary Margaret and Kathryn literally walk right into each other, causing the ladies goodies to fall out of their baskets. {In front of the Epsom Salts} Of course Regina is right there; with a Fantastic Four comic book!  Mary apologizes, as she clearly wasn't looking.  Kathryn hands Mary her Apollo Bar and Mary hands Kathryn her pregnancy test and wishes her good luck.  Kathryn walks away and Regina takes that opportunity to say to Mary "I trust you'll be discrete. Their lives are their business- not yours."

James stares out into the night from the castle balcony.  The music from the feast in James' honor can be heard.  King George enters bearing a box; a gift from King Midas.  He thought this might rouse James from his chamber.  It is a crown.   James remarks that you could feed the Kingdom for an entire winter with that crown.  King Midas' gift is for James to wear at the wedding.  King George knows once that is done their new prosperity will allow them to feed the Kingdom for all eternity.  James has no enthusiasm about this deal. The wedding's in two days and James has honored his wishes.
King George- "But I want your heart, not just your honor."
James- "My heart shall belong to Abigail."
King George is no fool, as he knows James' heart is held by another woman.  He asks who "she" is.
James- "I met her on a journey. We haven't seen each other since but...she's stayed with me."
King George- "Forget her."
James- "You speak as if it's so easy."
King George- "Nobility was not meant to be easy. All this wealth, the power we hold over other men's lives, do you think that comes at no cost?"
James- "I asked for none of it."
King- "You were chosen to be my son- plucked from poverty, wanting for nothing. Be thankful for that."
James wasn't charity; it was the only way to save the Kingdom.
King- "Watch yourself, Boy. This is a choice you made, a role you have taken, honor it. There is too much at stake. Do whatever it takes to get that woman out of your head. Because nothing's gonna stop this wedding."

James composes a letter to Snow; using a green feather quill pen. He sends the message attached to a carrier pigeon/dove/mourning dove off into the forest and tells it to "Find her".

Mary Margaret is walking through the woods and hears the cooing of a bird.  The bird is trapped in some chicken wire, so she runs it off to the Storybrooke Pet Shelter where John Doe/David just happens to work.
Dr. Thatcher shares the good news about the bird "No broken bones. She was just a little dehydrated but, I got her some fluids, she should be just fine" and the bad news is "This is a North Atlantic Dove it's a migratory species, very unique among American Doves. They tend to form strong monogamous bonds; meaning if she's not returned to her flock she'll be alone forever. Mary would like to try to return the bird, which the doctor thinks is a long shot, the alternative is- "She'll heal but she won't be happy here".  Mary will take her chances.  John Doe/David warns her of the strong storm approaching and she shouldn't go out there.  Mary comments that the storm is coming tomorrow and that if she waits "She could be lost forever. Completely alone. No one deserves that."  David offers to drive her, but she doesn't need his help.

Emma is prepping for the storm. Regina comes by and turns off the radio broadcast about the 50 mph winds and suggestions of your best bet being to stay in the house.  Regina wants Emma to look into something; someone new is in town. Emma's aware of him as she gave him directions to Granny's the other night.  Regina is very curious that Emma talked to him. "What did he say?"
Emma- "He asked for directions. What's the big deal? Who is he?"
Regina doesn't know and no one else seems to know anything. "There's something about him...something familiar."
Emma- "He must be one of the untold millions you cursed."
Regina looks at her like she doesn't know anything about a curse. "What?"
Emma- "Oh, you know...the curse. Henry's whole thing."   {Regina doesn't even acknowledge Henry's fairy tale issue!}  Regina ignores Emma's reply and just wants her to find out who he is, what he wants and what he's doing there. Emma tells her there's no law against visiting Storybrooke.
Regina- "This isn't about the law, Miss Swan...You're gonna do this because I asked you to. And because you'll see it's the right thing to do."  And because he was in front of Regina's house taking particular interest in the one thing both women happen to care about- Henry.  Emma will look into him.

Mary Margaret drives through the woods with her bird in a cage as the storms brews. {That bird looks like a N.Y.C. Pigeon. lol}

Snow White contemplates over her cloudy amnesia inducing potion bottle as a bird lands and is perched on her right hand. Snow reads the message it carried for her.

"Dearest Snow,
I have not heard from you since our meeting and can only assume you found the happiness you so desired. But I must let you know not a day goes by that I have not thought of you. In two days time I am to be married. Come to me before then.  Come to me and show me you feel the same and we can be together forever.  And if you don't I will have my answer.

Mary Margaret approaches a ROAD CLOSED sign and decides the flock can't be much further and they'll just have to beat the storm. "They're waiting for you."  {The birds are waiting for this bird?} Mary Margaret pulls up her hood...

... Snow White pulls up her hood and pretends to be a flower delivery person from the Kingdom of Midas.  Everyone is preparing for King George's journey tomorrow. She's not on the list, but the director of operations directs her to the top if the North East Spire, but take the service stairwell- the guards will toss you over the walls.
She ditches her basket of flowers and hooded cape and makes way with her precious note. She hears a door open, drops the note and hides from James.  Someone covers her mouth and carries her away.
Snow is thrown into a cell although she's claiming to be a Royal Emissary. Of course the guard holding James' note knows she isn't. "The King will decide your fate."  She tries to climb and find a way out of the cage but falls. Whistling Hi Ho- Hi Ho- It's Off To Work We go is Grumpy, residing in the neighboring cell.  He's already tried it all/getting out, "Steal gets stronger as we grow weaker".  Well, determined Snow isn't giving up and carries on her escape quest. He tells her to "Give it time. Grumpy."  Snow replies that she's not grumpy; she's focused.  His name is Grumpy and he's telling her there's no way out.
"Well, I'm Snow and I'm telling and I'll find one."  While she's exploring a way out she goes on to mention "There's someone out there for me. Someone I love very much and will not lose him!"
Grumpy- "Love, huh? Good luck with that."  That's why he's stuck in that hole. He had it bad for one who was a beautiful as a fairy; but he lost her. He was desperate to get her back so he worked the diamond mines and then traded all his wages to the foreman a diamond to propose but he got swindled. "It was a stolen rock and I took the blame. I'm no thief, but they think I am."  He should've known better but he wasn't thinking clearly because of Love. "And now here I am trapped with no way out."  A distant voice claims to know a way out.  Its Stealthy come there stealthing his way to help Grumpy with the keys. "Are you ready to go home?"  Doc whipped up a sleeping gas knocking everyone out cold; the rest are waiting with transport. Stealthy asks "Who's that?" and thinks Snow White is pretty.
Grumpy- "No one."
Snow White wishes him luck, "I hope you get your love back".
Grumpy seems to have grown a soft spot for her- "Son of a..."  He sets her free.

As the winds continue to kick up Mary Margaret can hear the flock. She puts the cage down and notes the huge obstacle. A thunderclap startles her, causing her to lose her footing and she falls over a cliff. She hangs on for her life!

A hand reaches over the cliff to rescue her- It's John Doe/David.  There was no way he was going to let her go out there alone.  Mary Margaret takes off up the hillside because she's focused on finding the flock; David went there to get her before she got hurt. 
David- "We have to go! Doing this on foot is not the best plan!" The rain is coming down.  David saw that the gate was closed and it's too late, "We have to go."  Mary Margaret's priority is the bird but David feels it's not safe. They run off.

The three escapees make their way through the mine.  Stealthy thinks the best way out is the courtyard, while Snow thinks it's the stairs and safer if they climb over the curtain wall. "Trust me. Hiding from Royals is my life."  But stealthy knows the courtyard is clear now and won't be for much longer. Grumpy decides to head off with Stealthy where in the courtyard they are caught by a guard and King George. Stealthy is shot in the heart with a Light and Dark feathered arrow.  As they're about to execute Grumpy the King asks where the girl is. Grumpy simply says "What girl?"
Snow shows up with a torch. "Looking for me?"  She demands they let Grumpy go or this place'll burn.  The angry King sends the dwarf away and tells his prisoner that they need to talk.

The rain is pouring down on Mary Margaret, John Doe/David and the caged bird when David points them in the direction of a cabin. The drenched trio break into the cabin.  Jon Doe/David starts a fire so Mary can get dry.
Mary Margaret- "Whose cabin is this?"  {I know, I can't resist! JACOB'S!}  David thinks that because she's room-mates with the sheriff it's OK for them to be in there. {Well, they fuckin' broke in!}  He tries to cover her shoulders with a blanket but she pushes it away.  He asks "What's going on with you today?"
Mary Margaret confesses she still has feelings for him and that's why she goes to Granny's every morning at 7:15. "It's To see you. And I don't know why because it just makes me miserable because every time I see you it just 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 too...it's too painful."
David gives a little chuckle and reveals that is why he goes to Granny's at 7:15 "To see you."  David goes in for a kiss but Mary stops him. She wonders how he can do this; she knows about Kathryn thinking she's pregnant. This is a surprise to him.


Emma enters Granny's diner from the cold pouring rain. She notes the stranger sitting in a booth with one lit white candle and a cup of coffee.  As she approaches him from behind she tells him "I/We need to talk."  And without even turning around to see her he asks "Why?" {He seems like he was expecting her.}
Emma- "Because...You're suspicious."
Stranger- "Sitting here? Out in the open, drinking coffee? I wonder what kind of hell I'd raised had I ordered a doughnut?
Emma- "You were talking to Henry."
Stranger- "You mean the little kid who came up to me asking me questions? Is that unusual for him being curious and precocious?"
Emma- "What were you doing outside his house?"
Stranger- "My bike broke down...It happens."
Emma- "Your mysterious box, what's  in it?"
Stranger- "It's awfully frustrating not knowing isn't it?"
Emma- "Just tell me."
Stranger- Why? Is it illegal to carry around a box in these parts?"
Emma- "No. Of course it's not."
Stranger- "You really wanna know what's inside it, don't you?"
Emma- "No. Well, maybe."  {Uh, yeah, you just asked him!} Emma sits in the booth with him.
Stranger- "I'm gonna make you wait. You're gonna have to wait a long time, and watch me carry it around hauling it to strange and mysterious places. ..and with each passing moment the mystery will become more tantalizing. Your imagination will inflame,  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- "You wanna buy me a drink?"
Stranger- "Yes."
Emma- "OK. A drink it is."
The stranger places the case on the table and opens its latches revealing an old typewriter.

Emma- "Really?
Stranger- "I'm a writer.
Emma- "That's why you're here.
Stranger- "I find this place provides...inspiration. Don't you?"  He closes up the box
Emma- "Wait. Have you been here before?"
Stranger- "I didn't say that." He throws cash on the table and walks away. Emma asks "What about that drink?"
Stranger- "I said- 'Sometime'."  He walks out a back way.

Back at the cabin Mary Margaret realizes David didn't know. "And you two aren't trying?"
David- "Not as far as I know. Mary Margaret, you have to believe me, I..."
Mary- "Shhhh"   She notices the rain stopped "I have to get her out!"
David keeps following after her so they can talk but Mary keeps on Shhhh-ing him.  "Listen"- The flock didn't leave; they must have been waiting for the storm to clear. Mary holds the bird telling her "Time to join your friends. You can do it".  The bird flies away and joins the flock. The duo is happy. David reaches to hold her hand but Mary tells him no, it's too painful. He tells her it doesn't have to be. Mary feels it doesn't matter if Kathryn's pregnant; he chose her. David confesses he still has feelings for Mary Margaret.
Mary - "You can't have both.
David- "But I do have both. I mean, I know, I know it doesn't make sense. It's like I have these two conflicting lives. Memories of feelings for her... and real feelings for you."
Mary- "Who's to say which is real?"
David- "I can't get you out of my head."
Mary- "Me too. But, we're going to have to, We're just going to have to forget each other."  Mary walks away.

King George is touching Snow White's face. He know she's the one; he knows everything. "You poisoned his heart, now his marriage. And with that, the entire Kingdom all because of your feelings."
Snow wishes feeling could be helped, but they can't.
The King feels they can. "Love is a disease. And like all diseases it can be vanquished in one of two ways...A cure or death."  He shares that her beloved is down the hall packing for his new life and he's going to make sure the Prince knows she's here. "You're gonna sneak in, and tell him you received his letter. You're gonna tell him why you're here- because you don't love him. It will break his heart. And that will cure him."
Snow- "Or you'll kill me."
King George- "Oh, no. I'll Kill him! Killing you would 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- even laud the death and the merger would be complete."
Snow- "You would do that to your own son."
King George- "He is not my son."

Snow goes in to see Prince James and says she got his letter. The Prince feels he got his answer because she came to see him; as per the instructions of his letter.  They hug each other tightly. She stops him from attempting to kiss her, telling him to wait. "Us...it can't happen."  James feels it can; after all she showed up there! He knows there are costs, but he's planned for everything and they can't hurt them. "And now that I know you love me too"  Snow interjects with "I don't."  She apologizes. "You said I would always be in your heart and that is too cruel a fate. Go live your life. Live it without me, because there is no place for us together. Fill your heart with love for someone else. Someone who will love you the way I never have- the way I never will."  Both are crying. Snow hands him back the note and leaves, broken hearted.

Kathryn shares with John Doe/David that she feels since he's come home "You're here, but you're not... here. I know you say you're trying, and I know you've been through a lot but..."   She knows it's been hard on him but it's been hard on her as well. She wants a family with him someday; she wants children. "I'll be honest. I thought I was pregnant. And 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 wanna fix this, I wanna fix us!"  David agrees with everything she's saying.  Kathryn suggests they seek help from Dr. Hopper as it will give them their best shot.  David also agrees to that.
David- "Look, you and I... I know we're supp... I know we should be in love...and I wanna make that work."
Kathryn- "It's 7:10." He should get going if he wants his coffee before work. David suggests they go downstairs and have breakfast instead. He kisses her on the cheek, but isn't enthused about it.

Sad Snow White is crying as she walks through the forest, leaving the castle and James behind her.  Grumpy and the dwarfs meet up with her. Snow confesses she's not even close to being OK. She's experiencing something worse than finding her love- "I lost him".  Grumpy, who isn't so grumpy, takes her hand, "Come on".
Snow- "Where are you taking me?"
Grumpy-"Home. We all lost someone today."  They were 8, now they're Seven.
Grumpy says he wouldn't be there if it wasn't for her, so they're taking her home and they're going to protect her.  Snow feels the only thing that needed protecting is destroyed... her heart.  Encouraging Grumpy tells her it will get better. Snow agrees and takes out the potion she got from Rumpelstiltskin. "This will take all of my feelings, all of my pain and destroy them."  Grumpy stops her.  She doesn't understand that because he, as one who lost love, should understand how she feels.
Snow- "What if your pain could be erased?"
Grumpy-  "I don't want my pain 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 doesn't drink it and walks home with her new family/flock.

Emma drinks her orange juice and sits down for her cereal while Mary sits spinning her ring round and round while staring at the time on the clock- 7:15.  Compassionate Emma takes her hand.

Prince James rides on horseback through the forest calling out for Snow White. {Note the cabin} Red tells him that Snow's gone; she never came back after she went to find him.
Prince James- "Then I'll find her. I will always find her."
This pleases Red.

Excited Grumpy hurries into the Dwarf dwelling to tell Snow the buzz! The Royal Wedding is off! He left her!  "You're Prince Charming isn't gettin' married."
Spaced out Snow White responds with "Who?"  The potion bottle is empty!

The clock in Granny's diner shows 7:45. Mary Margaret is getting her coffee from Ruby when in walks John Doe/David. He is stunned to see her, panics and runs out. Mary Margaret runs after him "What are you doing?!" They're both trying not to see each other. Apparently they can't stop trying to see each other! David reveals Kathryn isn't pregnant. They kiss!  Of course this is witnessed by Regina, watching from her car. {Stalking perhaps}