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The Best Episodes of Once Upon a Time

Every episode of Once Upon a Time ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Once Upon a Time!

Binge this in 4d 17h•Peaking at 9.1/10

There is a town in Maine where every story book character you've ever known is trapped between two worlds, victims of a powerful curse. Only one knows the truth and only one can break the

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 23 - Operation Mongoose (2)
    9.1/10(15 votes)

    #1 - Operation Mongoose (2)

    S4:E23

    The Author proves to be a formidable wild card and forges an alliance with Gold. Emma, her parents, Hook and Regina scramble to stop them, but when Gold and the Author turn the tables on heroes and villains alike, the prospect of any happy outcome appears worlds away. Henry discovers he has big shoes to fill as he steps up to save his family before the story’s final page is turned. It’s a race to the finish, and everything culminates with a shocking twist that will leave the residents of Storybrooke reeling

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  2. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 11 - Shattered Sight
    8.6/10(18 votes)

    #2 - Shattered Sight

    S4:E11

    As Storybrooke descends into chaos as the Snow Queen's spell takes hold, Emma and Elsa try to trick Regina into destroying the ribbons so that they can attack the Queen. In the past, Ingrid adopts Emma and attempts to show the girl that she's a powerful sorceress.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writers:Scott Nimerfro, Tze Chun

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  3. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 11 - Going Home
    8.5/10(24 votes)

    #3 - Going Home

    S3:E11

    The residents of Storybrooke race to stop Pan from placing another curse on the town.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  4. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 22 - There's No Place Like Home
    8.5/10(17 votes)

    #4 - There's No Place Like Home

    S3:E22

    Hook and Emma try to find their way back to the present and correct the mistakes they made in the past.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  5. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 22 - Operation Mongoose (1)
    8.5/10(15 votes)

    #5 - Operation Mongoose (1)

    S4:E22

    The Author proves to be a formidable wild card and forges an alliance with Gold. Emma, her parents, Hook and Regina scramble to stop them, but when Gold and the Author turn the tables on heroes and villains alike, the prospect of any happy outcome appears worlds away. Henry discovers he has big shoes to fill as he steps up to save his family before the story’s final page is turned. It’s a race to the finish, and everything culminates with a shocking twist that will leave the residents of Storybrooke reeling.

    Director:Romeo Tirone
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  6. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 12 - Skin Deep
    8.4/10(32 votes)

    #6 - Skin Deep

    S1:E12

    After Mr. Gold's house is robbed, Emma keeps a close eye on him when it looks like he wants to track down the criminal and dole out some vigilante justice as payback, and Valentine's Day finds Mary Margaret, Ruby and Ashley having a girls' night out. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Belle agrees to a fateful deal to give up her freedom in order to save her town from the horrors of the Ogre war.

    Director:Milan Cheylov
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Once Upon a Time

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  7. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 2 - White Out
    8.4/10(21 votes)

    #7 - White Out

    S4:E2

    While desperately trying to find her sister Anna, Elsa accidentally traps them both inside an ice cave. Regina secludes herself from the town and Henry. With the townspeople considering Mary Margaret their leader, she faces her first leadership task in trying to re-start a generator and restore the town’s electricity after Elsa freezes and damages the power lines. Anna tries to teach a meek David to fight Bo Peep.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  8. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 4 - The Apprentice
    8.3/10(20 votes)

    #8 - The Apprentice

    S4:E4

    Hook discovers that magic always comes with a price after he makes a deal with Mr. Gold to re-attach his hand so that he can embrace Emma with both hands on their first real date. And back in the fairy tale land of the past, Rumplestiltskin uses Anna to help him acquire a magical box from the sorcerer’s apprentice.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Dana Horgan

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  9. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 5 - Breaking Glass
    8.3/10(19 votes)

    #9 - Breaking Glass

    S4:E5

    Emma tries to convince a reluctant Regina to help her find the Snow Queen, only to discover that Regina is lying to her about Sidney's whereabouts. Meanwhile, David convinces Mary Margaret to go on a date, but the date turns into a hunt when Will escapes his jail cell. In the past, Emma befriends another young orphan who isn't all that she seems.

    Director:Alrick Riley
    Writers:Kalinda Vazquez, Scott Nimerfro

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  10. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 7 - The Snow Queen
    8.3/10(20 votes)

    #10 - The Snow Queen

    S4:E7

    Emma captures the Snow Queen and learns that they are more alike then she can possibly imagine. In arendelle of the past, Ingrid discovers her deadly ice powers and makes a pact with her two sisters to protect and always be there for one another – no matter what.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  11. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 8 - Smash the Mirror (1)
    8.3/10(19 votes)

    #11 - Smash the Mirror (1)

    S4:E8

    Emma’s powers run amok and she turns to Gold for help, Elsa and Anna’s relationship is tested, and the Snow Queen’s agenda is revealed.

    Directors:Ralph Hemecker, Eagle Egilsson
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Jerome Schwartz

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  12. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 9 - Smash the Mirror (2)
    8.3/10(16 votes)

    #12 - Smash the Mirror (2)

    S4:E9

    Emma’s powers run amok and she turns to Gold for help, Elsa and Anna’s relationship is tested, and the Snow Queen’s agenda is revealed.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Jerome Schwartz

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  13. Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 20 - The Song in Your Heart
    8.3/10(10 votes)

    #13 - The Song in Your Heart

    S6:E20

    In flashback, Snow and Charming make a special wish that Emma will be protected. The result of their wish has the whole kingdom bursting into song which infuriates the Evil Queen. Meanwhile in Storybrooke, the Black Fairy announces her plans to unleash another curse on the town while Emma and Hook prepare for their wedding.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Andrew Chambliss

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  14. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 8 - Desperate Souls
    8.2/10(26 votes)

    #14 - Desperate Souls

    S1:E8

    Regina and Mr. Gold play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs for a coveted Storybrooke public office against Sidney. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Rumplestiltskin tries to track down the ultimate power source in order to help his son avert the horrors of a meaningless war.

    Director:Michael Waxman
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  15. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 15 - Quiet Minds
    8.2/10(19 votes)

    #15 - Quiet Minds

    S3:E15

    Neal finds himself back in Storybrooke and yearns for a way to reconnect with his son Henry, whose memories of his father are gone, while also trying to find his own father, Rumplestiltskin, whom he has just learned is alive but missing, and Regina discovers a possible connection with Robin Hood. Meanwhile, in the Fairy Tale Land that was over the past year, agonizing over the death of his father, Neal - with the help of Belle and enchanted candelabra Lumiere - attempts to find a magical solution to bring back Rumplestiltskin from the dead.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Kalinda Vazquez

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  16. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 19 - A Curious Thing
    8.2/10(19 votes)

    #16 - A Curious Thing

    S3:E19

    Zelena threatens to kill Henry if Hook - whose lips have been cursed by the Wicked Witch -- doesn't proceed with kissing Emma, which will drain all of her magical powers away, and things begin to heat up between Regina and Robin Hood. Meanwhile, back in the Fairy Tale Land that was during the past year, Snow and Charming go in search of Glinda, The Good Witch of the South, to see if she can help them defeat Zelena, and the curse that will ultimately send the Fairy Tale characters back to Storybrooke is cast -- but from an unlikely source.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  17. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 21 - Snow Drifts
    8.2/10(18 votes)

    #17 - Snow Drifts

    S3:E21

    While Mary Margaret and David celebrate the naming of their son at a coronation in Granny's Diner, Emma and Hook are pulled into Zelena's time portal and find themselves in the Enchanted Forest of the past. But in their quest to discover a way back, they must be careful not to change anything or risk altering the lives of their friends and family - as well as their very own existence.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Robert Hull

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  18. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 10 - Fall
    8.2/10(18 votes)

    #18 - Fall

    S4:E10

    The Snow Queen attempts to pit Anna and Elsa against each other; with her powers out of control, Emma seeks assistance from Gold; Regina's quest takes a surprising turn.

    Director:Mario Van Peebles
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  19. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 12 - Heroes and Villains
    8.2/10(18 votes)

    #19 - Heroes and Villains

    S4:E12

    In the aftermath of the Snow Queen’s spell, our heroes try to pick up the pieces and Regina has to make a difficult choice. Hook’s fate hangs in the balance as Gold’s quest for power threatens everything he holds dear. And, in the Enchanted Forest flashback, an intrusion during Belle's stay at Rumplestiltskin's dark castle will wreak havoc in both the past and the future.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  20. Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 22 - The Final Battle (2)
    8.2/10(11 votes)

    #20 - The Final Battle (2)

    S6:E22

    Emma regains her memory but discovers that the Black Fairy has set the perfect trap for her. Meanwhile, the Evil Queen makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her former kingdom, and Gold is forced to choose between Good and Evil.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  21. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 22 - A Land Without Magic
    8.1/10(23 votes)

    #21 - A Land Without Magic

    S1:E22

    Emma and Regina team together in order to find a way to save Henry's life. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Prince Charming attempts to escape from the Evil Queen's clutches in order to reunite with Snow White who, unbeknownst to him, has already taken a bite of the Queen's poison apple.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  22. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 16 - It's Not Easy Being Green
    8.1/10(18 votes)

    #22 - It's Not Easy Being Green

    S3:E16

    With Rumplestiltskin as her slave, Zelena challenges Regina to a fight to the death and shocks the Evil queen with the reveal of their familial connection, and the town lays Neal to rest. Meanwhile, back in the past in the land of Oz, a jealous Zelena asks the Wizard to send her to Fairy Tale Land after discovering that she has a sister, Regina, and that Rumplestiltskin is training her to become a powerful force to be reckoned with.

    Director:Mario Van Peebles
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 1 - A Tale of Two Sisters
    8.1/10(22 votes)

    #23 - A Tale of Two Sisters

    S4:E1

    A scared and confused Elsa from Arendelle finds herself in Storybrooke and creates a powerful snow monster for protection. Regina wonders if her relationship with Robin Hood has been completely quashed now that Marian's back in the picture. Elsa's sister wants to complete their parent's fateful journey and discover if their quest may have held the secret to containing Elsa's out of control ice powers.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  24. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 16 - Poor Unfortunate Soul
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    #24 - Poor Unfortunate Soul

    S4:E16

    Hook leverages his complicated history with Ursula to find out what she knows about Gold’s endgame. Gold and the Queens of Darkness torture August for information about the Author as Emma, Mary Margaret and David race to find them. Regina grows concerned for Robin Hood’s safety while she struggles to maintain her cover with the villains. In a Fairy Tale Land flashback, when a restless young Ursula enlists Hook’s help to run away from home, she soon learns it isn’t wise to trust a pirate.

    Director:Steve Pearlman
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Dana Horgan

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  25. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 19 - Sympathy for the De Vil
    8.1/10(15 votes)

    #25 - Sympathy for the De Vil

    S4:E19

    In fictional 1920s England, viewers meet a young Cruella, whose oppressive mother uses her Dalmatians to terrorize her daughter. Cruella is confined to her mother’s attic until a mysterious stranger arrives and empowers her to challenge her captor. In Storybrooke, Regina gains leverage to keep Gold from interfering with her plan to rescue Robin, but her trip to New York takes the backseat when she and Emma learn that Cruella has kidnapped Henry.

    Director:Romeo Tirone
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Jerome Schwartz

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Best Episodes Summary

"Operation Mongoose (2)" is the best rated episode of "Once Upon a Time". It scored 9.1/10 based on 15 votes. Directed by Ralph Hemecker and written by Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, it aired on 5/10/2015. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Shattered Sight".