Once Upon a Time quotes

So, how do you do a Hansel hunt? You stake out the lederhosen stores? Dust for gingerbread? Look for breadcrumbs?

So how does it feel to finally be chosen before Regina?

I was so tired of being Hansel. You know, carrying his scars. So I picked a new name. Jack was simple. Jack had no past. And then when we slayed all those giants and you decided I was Jack the Giant Killer. And suddenly I... I was a hero.

She was never with you. And now she's gonna be the one who stops you.

Tilly

What? No. I can't fight her. She's a monster. She's too strong.

[Approaches them] Not half as strong as you, Alice.

Tilly

Papa, please.

I know you're afraid.

Tilly

You're hurting yourself. You're– You're growing weak.

No, I'm finally growing strong. You make me stronger.

Yet every step you take, your heart grows weaker.

You can do this. I'm here with you. [Takes Tilly's hand]

[Takes Tilly's other hand] And so am I.

Don't be a fool. Join your mother and defend your home.

Tilly

You are not my mother. You wanna ruin me the way the world ruined you, but I'm not like you. I'm not an outcast. I'm not an orphan or a street rat or some crazy girl who's lost her way. You chose hate, but I choose love.

Tilly

I'm sorry your life twisted into something you never meant it to. I promise I will do better. For everyone. [Grows flowers on the tree]

Henry

[Voiceover as Regina reads his personal essay] Dear Mom, this is the personal essay I wanted to send, but couldn't. It's titled "Once Upon a Time." And it's the story of us. Sometimes, you have to leave home. And you've been there for so long, you don't know who or what you'll be outside of it, but then you realize every experience, every trial, every moment has shaped you. And you take that place with you no matter where you go next. I'm lucky. I have an incredible home. You won't find it on a map, but in it, you will find magic. You find love, hope, and something to believe in. You'll find a family that fights for one another, who never gives up on each other. And even when they're separated by curse or distance or time, they find each other. They always find each other. I wish the world could know the story of my family, how it was all true, how every moment of it happened. And you may think this is just a story, but that's the thing about stories. They're more than words. They live inside of us. They make us who we are. And as long as someone believes that, there will always be magic.

That's what I thought. You're a shadow of your former self. It's sad. Trying to get back to your beloved has made you the worst version of you. [Gets stabbed in the back by Wish Realm Rumplestiltskin]

Peter Pan? What happened to you? What happened to this land?

My son happened. He never forgives, and he never forgets. Guess neither of us grew up.

Henry

Your son took my family. I need to know where they are.

Your guess is as good as mine. But I recommend you abandon all hope of finding them and leave. Because while good things come into my son's castle– they never come out.

Henry! Where'd they go?

I reunited Henry and the others with his family. Bound to be quite the reunion.

Then why am I still here?

[Stands up] Because we're finally back to what I'm getting out of this. I watched you crush my grandparents' hearts and take away my mom. And that story still needs its ending.

Our spirit's gonna break long before that glass.

We should try another area. There must be a weak spot.

There's that unshakable determination, however misguided. That's the reason why I kept you as a partner, Detective. That and your good heart.

Well, seeing as we're allowing certain death to bring up secret truths, I do have to ask you– given the amount of power that you once held, how come you never used it to destroy me?

Because you were the closest thing I ever had to a friend.

You knew I wouldn't listen to you, so why did you come here?!

I had to.

No, you didn't! What do you want from me?!

I just want you to know that you weren't alone. Because I know what that's like, too.

You deserve to be alone, and that's how you're going to die.

I know you think I'm a villain whose life isn't worth saving, but yours means everything to me– All versions of it. So if this is how I have to go out– Showing you that there are people in the world that love you, no matter what you do– Oh, then– that's a worthy end for me.

Oh, Henry. [Hugs Wish Realm Henry]

You are the Dark One. As was I. And I know all our little secrets. Becoming the Dark One was the act of a coward, but I'm no longer that man. You are. And that weak coward will not be the Rumplestiltskin the world remembers.

So what's your plan then? Talk me to death?

Oh, my plan is– to do whatever it takes.

Tilly

No, the line of the Guardians is gone. You'll never be with Belle!

I know that. But I also know you don't do the right thing for a reward, you do it because it's right. Now I've been selfish for too long. I've been living on stolen time. Now I will finally face the unknown.

[While dissolving into dust] No more Rumple?

[After being crowned "The Good Queen"] I thought my story came to an end a long time ago. And then, new people came into my life. People who gave me a second chance. I can't wait to see what's in store for me next. Well, for everyone. I refuse to believe there won't be more adventures, more love, more family. And yes, there will be more loss. Because that's just a part of life. And in the end, we can get past it all. With hope.