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Manhattan
Season 2, Episode 14
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Airdate February 17, 2013
Written by Edward Kitsis
Adam Horowitz
Directed by Dean White
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Manhattan is the 14th episode of the second season of the American ABC fantasy/drama television series Once Upon a Time, and the show's 36th episode overall, which aired on February 17, 2013.

It was co-written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, while being directed by Dean White.

In this episode, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), Henry (Jared S. Gilmore), and Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle) arrive in Manhattan to find his son Baelfire (Michael Raymond-James), only to have Emma regret the trip after past memories come back to haunt her. Meanwhile, in the Enchanted Forest, a young Rumpelstiltskin is to fight in the Ogre Wars, but is then hesitant after a seer (Shannon Lucio) reveals his fate.

The episode was received positively by critics, with most praising Robert Carlyle's role as Rumpelstiltskin during the flashback. The episode also saw an increase in ratings from the previous episode, with 7.50 million viewers watching, garnering an 18-49 rating of 2.4.

View the Manhattan Gallery.[]

Plot[]

Opening Sequence[]

The skyline of New York City appears in the forest.

In the Characters' Past[]

Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) is drafted into the Ogres War. Milah (Rachel Shelley) is alarmed, but Rumplestiltskin is eager to free himself of his father's legacy of cowardice. Milah exhorts him to fight honorably, and hopes they'll start a family when he returns. At the front, he is assigned to guard a prisoner, which proves to be a young girl who has deformed eye sockets but functioning eyes on her hands; she is a Seer, able to see the past and future. She demonstrates her knowledge of Rumplestiltskin's earlier life, then informs him that Milah is pregnant with a son, but that Rumplestiltskin's actions the next day will leave the child fatherless. He doesn't believe her, but she says he will once the army rides cows into battle. That night, another soldier describes their wounded comrades as lucky, because they'll be sent home. The men are then ordered to ride into battle, on leather saddles termed "cows." Rumplestiltskin panics and, believing he is destined to die in battle the next day, crushes his own leg with a hammer. Rumplestiltskin returns home to find Milah cradling their son, Baelfire. She is aghast to see confirmation of the rumor that he took the cowardly action of wounding himself to escape the battle, and she denounces him. He didn't want to leave his son fatherless as his own father did by abandoning him, but Milah says that to be Rumplestiltskin's son is a worse fate, and it would have been better if he had died. Milah angrily leaves, and Rumplestiltskin promises to never leave Baelfire.

Years later, after Baelfire has left the Enchanted Forest, Rumplestiltskin tracks down the now-adult Seer (Shannon Lucio) and criticizes her for omitting the details of his destiny. He then attacks her and demands to know how to find his son. She says that he will find him after many years and that it will require a powerful curse that will be both cast and broken by others. When he demands to know more, she asks him to take on the "burden" of her prophetic powers. He agrees, but is overcome by a multitude of visions, while the Seer is left dying. She tells him that, with time, he will learn to understand. As she dies, she informs him that he'll be led to his son by a boy who will also be his undoing. Rumplestiltskin states his intention to kill that boy.

New York City[]

In New York City, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), Henry (Jared S. Gilmore), and Mr. Gold arrive at an apartment building that Gold's magic identified as Baelfire's location. Emma rings the only buzzer that lacks an occupant's name, claiming to be delivering a package; someone immediately flees the building via the fire escape. Gold demands that Emma fulfill her favor by bringing Baelfire to talk to him, so she gives chase and, upon tackling him, is shocked to recognize Baelfire as her former lover, Neal Cassidy (Michael Raymond-James). They argue over her bringing Rumplestiltskin to New York and Neal abandoning Emma years earlier, and Neal ultimately agrees to continue the conversation only if Emma will join him at a bar. There, Neal explains that he didn't originally know her identity but was informed of it by August Booth; it is revealed that what August showed him was a typewritten statement identifying him as Baelfire. Emma finds their coincidental meeting to be inexplicable, but Neal suggests that it was fate and that something good may have come from their relationship; Emma denies it. When he notices that she still wears the keychain he gave her, she returns it to him and says it's only a reminder not to trust anyone. She tells him she intends to uphold her deal with Gold, but he asks that she lie that she was unable to catch him, as this will end all contact between them. Emma calls Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) to explain the situation; Baelfire/Neal is Henry's father. Mary Margaret says that Henry deserves to know the truth, but Emma wants to protect Henry; Mary Margaret suggests that she is trying to protect herself. Mary Margaret then tells David (Josh Dallas) about Emma's discovery, and they discuss how everyone in their family might be affected by it.

Meanwhile, Henry and Gold wait at the apartment building. Gold thanks Henry for bringing Emma to Storybrooke. Henry hopes that, since he forgave Emma, Baelfire will forgive Gold. Gold says that things don't always happen as expected. Henry asks why he doesn't look into the future, and Gold explains that doing so is complicated and the future is like a puzzle. Emma arrives and claims that Baelfire escaped. Unsatisfied, Gold breaks into Neal's apartment over Emma's objections. When Emma discovers that Neal has kept their dreamcatcher, Gold become suspicious of her interest in it and violently demands to know what she is hiding from him. Neal returns and interrupts the fight, explaining that he did not return for Gold's sake, but because he doesn't want Emma to be punished for breaking her deal. He demands that Gold leave, but it soon becomes clear to Gold that his son and Emma know each other. Henry demands to know what is going on, at which Gold figures out the truth; Neal notes Henry's age and Emma must acknowledge that he is their son, and thus that what she previously told Henry about his father was a lie. Henry runs out onto the fire escape, pursued by Emma. Emma admits that Neal represented a part of her life she wanted to forget, and that her reasons for lying were for her own benefit, not Henry's. Henry compares Emma to Regina, because of their lies, and demands to meet his father.

In the apartment, Neal agrees to discharge Emma's debt to Gold by letting him talk. Gold invites Neal to Storybrooke, where he can magically change him into a teenager again and raise him properly; Neal rejects the idea as "insane." Neal notes that Gold still thinks magic is the solution to every problem. He tells Gold that he can never make up for the trauma he caused; Neal has been haunted by nightmares of his father letting him go, and now he needs to let him go in return. Neal and Emma agree to try to avoid hurting Henry as they did each other. Neal goes to speak to Henry, and they introduce themselves to each other. Gold looks on, unsettled by the knowledge that his own grandson will be his undoing.

In Storybrooke[]

Regina (Lana Parrilla) is upset that Henry has left town with Emma and Gold, but Cora (Barbara Hershey) reassures her that Henry is safe and will return. Captain Hook (Colin O'Donoghue) wants to pursue and kill Gold, who is vulnerable without his magic, but Cora instead asks his help in locating the Dark One's dagger, which will enable them to kill Gold in Storybrooke. Regina visits Belle (Emilie de Ravin) in the hospital; upon determining that Belle doesn't remember anything useful, Regina magically renders her unconscious and levitates the contents of her purse, locating a note with a Dewey decimal number. This leads Regina, Cora, and Hook to a map hidden on a bookshelf in the library. Hook deciphers the map, but Cora then attacks him magically and knocks him unconscious, her use for him at an end. She reveals to Regina that her plan is for them to use the dagger to command Gold to kill Mary Margaret, David, and Emma, leaving Regina blameless in Henry's eyes.

Greg Mendell (Ethan Embry) tells "Her" over the phone that he has been released from the hospital but will remain in Storybrooke; he explains by sending her a video of Regina using magic.

Production[]

"Manhattan" was co-written by series co-creators/executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis and directed by The Shield veteran Dean White.

This episode marks a promotion for previously recurring guest star Colin O'Donoghue (Captain Hook) to series regular.

Reception[]

Ratings[]

This episode posted a 2.4/6 among 18-49s with 7.50 million viewers tuning in, reversing a decline from the last two outings. The episode placed second in its timeslot behind the twenty-second season of The Amazing Race, and placed third for the night, behind The Amazing Race and Family Guy.

Reviews[]

The episode was received positively by most critics.

Entertainment Weekly critic Hilary Busis gave it a good review: "'Manhattan' may not have been Once's most gripping episode, but it was one of its deeper installments -- as is generally the case when Rump takes center stage."

The Huffington Post's Laura Prudom liked the episode: "Despite many of us predicting the outcome of the hour, 'Manhattan' proved to be a surprisingly gripping episode of Once Upon a Time, mostly because of the intriguing family dynamics at play. Emma was understandably paranoid that her relationship with Neal was all part of some larger scheme set in motion by Rumple, while Neal was in no great rush to reunite with his father after Rumple abandoned him to a land without magic, to grow up lost and alone in our world just as Emma did." She also praised the Seer's part in the episode, saying, "[She] was an interesting addition to the mythology, and a welcome reminder to Rumple that all magic comes with a price, for him just as much as for anyone else. It was a creepy and effective character design, and it will be interesting to see how her prophecy about Henry plays out in the coming weeks."

Amy Ratcliffe of IGN also gave the Seer's appearance a positive review, saying, "It was neat to see more pieces of the puzzle come together through the Seer...[but] the worst part of it all is Rumple could go after Henry now because of the Seer's words. Before this episode I didn't think he'd be willing to go back to such a dark place, but since he's been rejected by Baelfire? It's time to worry about Henry."

Oliver Sava of The A.V. Club gave it a C : "This show has gotten very good at repeating itself, so anyone who wants to jump right in this week should have no problem because everyone makes it excessively clear how they feel, why they feel that way, and the events that transpired to make them feel that way. That’s great for catching people up, but when it happens week after week it becomes laborious, especially when the motivations don’t make very much sense when spoken aloud." He also believe that the scenes featuring Regina were becoming less than impressive: "Regina was showing so much promise at the start of this season, but as is usually the case, magic shows up to throw her off course."

Trivia[]

  • First episode to add Colin O'Donoghue as a series regular. He will maintain this title for the remainder of the series.

Goofs[]

  • In the last two shots when we see Emma having a phone call with Snow a person carrying a purple shopping bag is walking towards Emma, stepping outside the crowd both times from about the same distance.

Quotes[]

David Nolan: So, Rumplestiltskin is Henry's grandfather?
Mary Margaret Blanchard: Apparently.
David Nolan: But *I'm* his grandfather.
Mary Margaret Blanchard: You can have more than one.
David Nolan: So, his... step-grandmother is Regina, the Evil Queen?
Mary Margaret Blanchard: Actually, his step-great-grandmother. And she's also his adoptive mother.
David Nolan: [sighs] It's a good thing we don't have Thanksgiving in our land, 'cause that dinner would suck.
[Emma rings a doorbell]
Emma Swan: UPS package for 407.
[the connection on the other end is cut]
Henry Mills: Maybe you should've said 'FedEx'.
[last lines]
Seer: You will be reunited with your son. And it will come in a most unexpected way.
Rumplestiltskin: [as the Dark One] How?
Seer: A boy... a young boy will lead you to him. But beware, Rumplestiltskin, for that boy is more than he appears. He will lead you to what you seek; but there will be a price. The boy... will be your undoing.
Rumplestiltskin: [as the Dark One] Then I'll just have to kill him.
Neal Cassady: You have no idea what I've lived with. You're so worried about you. You know what I've dealt with? Every night, for more years than you could know, the last thing I see before I sleep is the image of you, you and me, over that pit, your hand... wrapped around mine. And then you open your grip. And as I fall away, all I can see is your face. Choosing all... this... crap over me. Letting me go. Now it's my turn. Now I'm lettin' you go.
Henry Mills: Why are you so nervous? When I found my mom, I was excited.
Mr. Gold: Because I have the benefit of a little more... life experience. I know that things don't always happen... the way we want them to.
Henry Mills: Sure, but... in the book, it says that you could see the future. Why can't you just look and see what's gonna happen?
Mr. Gold: Well, that ability is... complicated. I didn't always have it. And then, when I did... well... it's maybe not the gift one would expect. Seeing the inevitable... can be a terrible price.
Henry Mills: But you wouldn't have to worry about stuff. You'd just know.
Mr. Gold: But that's the great trap. The future... is like a puzzle, with missing pieces - difficult to read, and never, never what you think.
Emma Swan: Doesn't matter now. I'm over it. And you.
Neal Cassady: Why do you wear the, uh... key chain I got you?
[Emma stops short to think this over, then pulls the chain off and hands it back to Neal]
Emma Swan: To remind myself never to trust someone again.
Neal Cassady: [to Emma] You know, there's not a ton about my father that I remember that doesn't suck. But he used to tell me that there are no coincidences. Everything that happens, happens by design, and there's nothing we can do about it; forces greater than us conspire to make it happen. Fate, destiny, whatever you wanna called it, the point is... maybe we met for a reason. Maybe something good came from us being together.
Mr. Gold: There's no greater pain than regret.
Neal Cassady: Try abandonment.
Henry Mills: You know, I forgave her. Emma. For giving me up. She thought it was the best for me then; that's why she did it. I'm sure your son'll forgive you, too.
Mr. Gold: Alas, the circumstances surrounding our separation weren't quite so noble.
Henry Mills: But... you're here now. And you want him back, right?
Mr. Gold: More than anything.
Henry Mills: Then that's all that matters.
Henry Mills: So... you're my dad.
Neal Cassady: Yeah.
Henry Mills: I'm Henry.
Neal Cassady: It's nice to meet you, Henry. Sorry I took so long.
Emma Swan: This is the right place?
Mr. Gold: Yes, it is.
Emma Swan: Let me guess. He's not expecting you.
[Gold is silent]
Emma Swan: Well, who doesn't love a surprise?
Rumplestiltskin: I left the front to be with you. You and... Baelfire.
Milah: You left because you were afraid! You became what everyone thought you were, a coward, just like your father!
Rumplestiltskin: I'm nothing like my father. He tried to abandon me! I will never, ever do that to my son! That's why I did this. For him. A-all for the boy. To save him from the same fate I suffered, growing up without a father.
Milah: You sentence him to a fate much worse. Growing up as your son.
Rumplestiltskin: What... but what... what else could I do?
Milah: You could have fought, Rumple. You could have died!
Rumplestiltskin: Oh, it's all right, Bae. It's all right. Your Papa is here. And I promise... I will never... ever leave you.
Young Seer: [to Rumplestiltskin] There is no escaping it. You will have a son, and your actions *will* leave him fatherless.
Henry Mills: [Looking at the apartment directory] No Baelfire.
Emma Swan: Yeah, that probably wouldn't fly as an alias.
[to Gold]
Emma Swan: Your magic globe didn't give you an apartment number?
Emma Swan: [Gold is breaking into Neal's apartment] You could get arrested.
Mr. Gold: Then my son will have to testify against me, and we will be reunited.
Seer: I've been expecting you.
Rumplestiltskin: Then you know exactly why I came here.
Seer: What I foretold during the ogres war has finally come to pass.
Rumplestiltskin: Well, in a manner of speaking. I, uh, hobbled myself on the battlefield, was branded a coward. My wife ran away and left me. Then my son was called to the front. Oh! Then I became The Dark One; *then* Bae left me. So, yes, my actions on the battlefield left my son fatherless. But it would've been nice to know about all that pesky detail.
[in the Enchanted Forest, Rumplestiltskin aka the Dark One is trying to take over the seer's ability]
Rumplestiltskin: [as the Dark One] I can't... see... anything. It's too much. It's nothing but a jumble.
Seer: The future is a puzzle, with many pieces to be sorted. In time you will learn to separate what can be from what will be.
Rumplestiltskin: Speak of what you know of my wife.
Young Seer: She's already with child.
Rumplestiltskin: I'm to be a father?
Young Seer: Your wife will bear you a son, but your actions on the battlefield tomorrow will leave him fatherless.
Rumplestiltskin: I'm gonna die? No, no, no. You you must tell me how I can stop that happening.
Young Seer: You can't.
Rumplestiltskin: Then I'm done helping you.
Young Seer: For now. Someday you'll help me again.
Episodes
Season 1
PilotThe Thing You Love MostSnow FallsThe Price of GoldThat Still Small VoiceThe ShepherdThe Heart Is a Lonely HunterDesperate SoulsTrue North7:15 A.M.Fruit of the Poisonous TreeSkin DeepWhat Happened to FrederickDreamyRed-HandedHeart of DarknessHat TrickThe Stable BoyThe ReturnThe StrangerAn Apple Red as BloodA Land Without Magic
Season 2
BrokenWe Are BothLady of the LakeThe CrocodileThe DoctorTallahasseeChild of the MoonInto the DeepQueen of HeartsThe Cricket GameThe OutsiderIn the Name of the BrotherTinyManhattanThe Queen Is DeadThe Miller's DaughterWelcome to StorybrookeSelfless, Brave and TrueLaceyThe Evil QueenSecond Star to the RightAnd Straight On 'til Morning
Season 3
The Heart of the Truest BelieverLost GirlQuite a Common FairyNasty HabitsGood FormAriel (Episode)Dark HollowThink Lovely ThoughtsSave HenryThe New NeverlandGoing HomeNew York City SerenadeWitch HuntThe TowerQuiet MindsIt's Not Easy Being GreenThe Jolly RogerBleeding ThroughA Curious ThingKansasSnow DriftsThere's No Place Like Home
Season 4
A Tale of Two SistersWhite OutRocky RoadThe ApprenticeBreaking GlassFamily BusinessThe Snow QueenSmash the MirrorFallShattered SightHeroes and VillainsDarkness on the Edge of TownUnforgivenEnter the DragonPoor Unfortunate SoulBest Laid PlansHeart of GoldSympathy for the De VilLilyMotherOperation Mongoose
Season 5
The Dark SwanThe PriceSiege PerilousThe Broken KingdomDreamcatcherThe Bear and the BowNimueBirthThe Bear KingBroken HeartSwan SongSouls of the DepartedLabor of LoveDevil's DueThe Brothers JonesOur DecayHer Handsome HeroRuby SlippersSistersFirebirdLast RitesOnly YouAn Untold Story
Season 6
The SaviorA Bitter DraughtThe Other ShoeStrange CaseStreet RatsDark WatersHeartlessI'll Be Your MirrorChangelingsWish You Were HereTougher Than the RestMurder Most FoulIll-Boding PatternsPage 23A Wondrous PlaceMother's Little HelperAwakeWhere Bluebirds FlyThe Black FairyThe Song in Your HeartThe Final Battle
Season 7
Hyperion HeightsA Pirate's LifeThe Garden of Forking PathsBeautyGreenbacksWake Up CallEloise GardenerPretty in BlueOne Little TearThe Eighth WitchSecret GardenA Taste of the HeightsKnightfallThe Girl in the TowerSisterhoodBreadcrumbsChosenThe GuardianFlower ChildIs This Henry Mills?HomecomingLeaving Storybrooke
Wonderland
Down the Rabbit HoleTrust MeForget Me NotThe SerpentHeart of StoneWho's AliceBad BloodHomeNothing to FearDirty Little SecretsHeart of the MatterTo Catch a ThiefAnd They Lived...
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