Ep 21. An Apple Red as Blood

Emma Swan is a young woman who turns 28 years old on her birthday, but unexpectedly she is visited by a ten-year-old boy named Henry who claims to be the son that she gave up for adoption ten years prior. She is initially skeptical but reluctantly agrees to return him to his hometown of Storybrooke, Maine. When they arrive, Emma meets Henry's adoptive mother, Regina Mills, who is the mayor of the town and seems to have a personal vendetta against Emma. As she begins to unravel the mysteries of the town and its residents, Emma discovers that they are all characters from classic fairy tales, but they have been cursed by the Evil Queen, who has sent them to this world where they are stuck without their memories. Emma realizes that she is the only one who can break the curse and restore their memories, but it soon becomes apparent that she is not welcome in town and is seen as a threat by all the residents. In episode 21 of season 1, titled "An Apple Red as Blood," Emma uncovers unsettling truths as she tries to root out the person responsible for framing Mary Margaret for the murder of Kathryn. Meanwhile, Henry realizes that he is desperate for Emma's help and turns to his neighbor August for assistance in convincing her to stay in Storybrooke permanently.

As the episode opens, Emma is continuing her investigation into Katherine's disappearance. She tries to convince Sheriff Graham to help her uncover any leads or clues that could lead to her whereabouts, but he is hesitant to work with her due to his complicated past with Regina. However, they soon learn that a human heart has appeared on Main Street in a box, and Emma deduces that the Evil Queen is responsible. While suspecting that Mary Margaret is responsible for Katherine's death, she starts investigating her involvement to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, Regina is very pleased to see Emma digging around for evidence because she is leading her right where she wants her. She is convinced that if Emma solves the case, she will leave town and never return, which is precisely what Regina wants. Not wanting to lose the progress that she has made towards breaking the curse, Regina takes matters into her own hands and tries to affect the outcome of Emma's investigation.

In other events, August, a mysterious man whom Henry has befriended, attempts to convince Emma to stay in Storybrooke permanently. He reveals himself to have intimate knowledge of the town's secrets and shares with Emma how important it is for her to break the curse. Henry pleads with Emma not to abandon him, as he always does when he has gotten close to someone who he wants to help him break the curse.

From the very beginning, "An Apple Red as Blood" builds suspense and anticipation for the final few episodes of the season, as we begin to see various storylines converge. Emma makes significant strides towards uncovering Regina's treachery, while also getting closer to uncovering the identity of the true killer. Meanwhile, Henry and August focus on convincing Emma to stay in town permanently, hoping that she can save them all from the curse. With so many revelations in store, it's easy to see why Once Upon a Time has won over audiences worldwide and has become one of the most beloved shows of all time.