Ep 21. America

Once Upon a Time is a American fantasy drama that has a loyal following. For season 1 episode 21, titled America, we find Emma Swan and Mary Margaret visiting Mr. Gold's cabin on a mission to track down The Stranger, who has been revealing secrets about the town's inhabitants. Meanwhile, in the Enchanted Forest, a young Geppetto yearns for a way to make his father, the woodcutter, proud of him.

As the episode opens, we see Emma and Mary Margaret sneaking around Mr. Gold's cabin, searching for clues to The Stranger's whereabouts. They find a box containing August's typewriter, but are interrupted by Mr. Gold who arrives home unexpectedly. Emma and Mary Margaret act quickly to cover up their snooping actions, but Gold begins to suspect that they are up to something. He warns them to stay out of his way and leave August alone, but it's clear that his motivations are not entirely selfless.

The action then shifts to the Enchanted Forest, where we see a young Geppetto (played by young actor Tony Amendola) struggling to win the approval of his father, the woodcutter. His father is disappointed that Geppetto is not muscular and handy like him, and instead spends his days lost in his own imagination. Geppetto's one passion is carving wooden figures, and he longs for a way to make his father see the beauty in his work.

In present-day Storybrooke, tempers are flaring as Regina discovers that Emma and Mary Margaret have broken into her office, looking for evidence to clear Henry's name. She orders Emma to leave town and never return, threatening to expose her as a convicted criminal if she doesn't comply. Emma refuses to be cowed by Regina's threats, and vows to clear Henry's name and protect him from harm.

Back in the Enchanted Forest, Geppetto sets off on a mission to prove his worth to his father. He comes across a magical tree, which he carves into a beautiful puppet that can dance and sing. His joy is short-lived, however, when the Blue Fairy reveals that the price of his wish for his father's pride is steep: the puppet must become a real boy.

As the episode unfolds, we see how Geppetto's wish has consequences both in the past and in the present. Meanwhile, Emma and Mary Margaret are racing against time to find the evidence they need to prove that Henry is not responsible for the fire that destroyed Regina's apple crop. With Mr. Gold, Regina, and The Stranger all watching their every move, the tension is high and the stakes are even higher.

In the end, America is an action-packed episode that brings several storylines to a head. We see how a young Geppetto's wish sets in motion events that will affect him and those around him for years to come. We also see Emma and Mary Margaret's determination in the face of danger, as they work to uncover the truth about Henry's innocence. Fans of the show will be on the edge of their seats throughout this episode, as they watch their favorite characters grapple with the complexities of their past and present lives.