In Once Upon a Time, fairy tales and the modern world collide. Emma Swan is a bail bonds collector who has been on her own since she was abandoned as a baby. She gave up a son of her own years ago, but he has recently returned - now 10 years old and seeking her help.

At this point everything starts to change. Emma's son tells her that, according to his book of fairy tales, she is actually from an alternate world. In that world she is the missing daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming who was sent away in order to protect her from the curse of the Evil Queen - one that has trapped the other world forever.