Once Upon a Time

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

Season 1, Episode 11, Aired 1/29/12

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Episode Summary

While Sydney seeks out Emma's help against Regina, Mary Margaret and David continue their clandestine meetings. Meanwhile, in the fairytale world, Snow's father King Leopold receives three wishes from a Genie, who warns him to be careful what he wishes for.

8.1

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Cast & Crew

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Ginnifer Goodwin

Snow White/Mary Margaret Blanchard

9.0
Jennifer Morrison

Emma Swan

9.1
Lana Parrilla

Evil Queen/Regina Mills

8.2

Fan Episode Reviews (6)

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Very Predictable indeed..

8.0

"Great"

By LafaniaFonros, Feb 08, 2012 Report Abuse

I have to agree with everyone else that this episode was predictable. I knew that Regina would come out victorious and that Sidney would never betray her, but i like the fact that Emma can not hang out with Henry anymore so in a way this will be an obstacle for both Emma and Henry. I also have to agree with the fact that Regina is getting soft as the villain, the only evil thing she did to me was her killing her own father. I need her to go back to that in order for me to believe her as the evil queen.moreless
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Great but predictable

8.0

"Great"

By GeraldC7, Feb 02, 2012 Report Abuse

This episode was quite an improvement over the last one. I liked Sidney 's backstory, even though it was predictable. Here are some of my thoughts and questions:
- Henry is still annoying as hell and I want his character to die
- How ungrateful was the Genie- he killed the King that helped him!
- Didn't Emma say that she had the power to always know when you were lying? Or is she just tricking Sidney and Regina?
-So what did Regina mean when she said she was trapped like the tree? Do you think she was being honest or was that part of her playing the Genie as well?
-If the king knew he couldn't love Regina why was he so intent on keeping her?
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Disappointing Episode

5.5

"Mediocre"

By OrsonWright, Feb 01, 2012 Report Abuse

There were a few good elements in this one, but overall, it was a little frustrating to watch, especially the Storybrooke parts.

It was obvious from the start that Regina was going to win in the end. Even if she did steal $50,000, the city council would support her no matter what since they're her puppets. It was frustrating to watch Emma falling right into Regina's trap and compromising her principles. This was made even worse by the ending "twist" that Sydney was still following Regina's orders, which means Emma will be duped for episodes to come. It was never convincing that Sydney had a "falling out" with Regina considering he was the Magic Mirror. I was also disappointed that David has still not separated with Katherine but is sneaking around seeing Mary Margaret.

The backstory of the Magic Mirror was clever, that he was actually the Genie of the lamp. However, it was difficult to believe that the Genie would betray the King so easily and be willing to kill for Regina. The King's reaction to Regina thinking of another man and being so insensitive at the banquet didn't mesh with him kindly freeing the Genie. I

Overall, it just didn't feel like a very well-crafted episode. It was fine the first time around, but unlike some of the others, I don't feel the urge to rewatch any parts of this one.
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Still great, but weakest of the season so far

8.0

"Great"

By Geordiegirl1967, Jan 31, 2012 Report Abuse

I enjoyed this ep, but it wasn't as satisfying as most OUAT eps. I think it was because both the present day and fairy tale world stories were a bit weak and depressing.

My biggest problem was with the fairytale world story. I just didn't buy it. The Genie was freed after a lifetime of imprisonment by the King who is, apparently, the nicest man in the world - totally unselfish, kind, generous, and trusting. The king invited him into his home, but within minutes, and at a single glance, we are meant to believe that the Genie has fallen head over heels in love with his friend and benefactor's wife. Even in the land of make-believe this instance of love at first sight didn't ring true.

Then after one conversation she appears to love him back, and that he buys that? Then at a word from Regina, he is suddenly prepared to betray and murder the man who gave him his freedom? Then he uses his wish despite everything he knows, from granting hundreds of wishes that turned bad and - shocker - it turns bad for him too. Might have helped if it wasn't the most stupidly worded wish ever. He was played and corrupted completely by Regina, but in a way and a timeframe that didn't feel credible at all/

In the real world the story was better, but kind of depressing. I don't find the 'evil wins because it will stoop to methods good people won't' message very uplifting. Emma's humiliation was hard to watch. Finding out Sydney was betraying her was predictable, but still sad.

Overall though I gave it an 8. I love this show and a mediocre OUAT ep is still better than most other shows.moreless
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Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

9.0

"Superb"

By TrueTvWatcher, Jan 30, 2012 Report Abuse

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree was a pretty great episode of Once Upon A Time and I really enjoyed watching this episode because there was a lot of subtle character development as well as surprising plot development. It was great to watch Emma and Sydney in cahoots though in the end we find out the real deal. It was nice to see more background about the Evil Queen along with the origins of Sydney and how he came to be in his position. I look forward to watching the next episode!!!!!!!!!moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Trivia: Behind the opening title, the Genie can be seen.
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- Trivia: It's confirmed that the Evil Queen's name is Regina in the storybook world as well.
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Notes
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- Raphael Sbarge is credited but doesn't appear.
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- Injoke: The Genie's home country of Agrabah, and the bracers as a token of his enslavement, are taken from the Disney movie Aladdin (1992).
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- International Airdates:
  Canada: January 29, 2012 on CTV
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Quotes
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- Leopold: So you wish to be free?
  Genie: More than anything.
  Leopold: Than I know my first wish. I wish you to be free.
  Genie: Can it be? Am I truly free?
  Leopold: You're the genie. You tell me.
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- Genie: In my time, I have granted 1,001 wishes, and I have seen them end poorly 1,001 times. Making a wish comes with a price. And that is why I never... use... this wish.
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- Mary Margaret: We have to stop doing this.
  Dave: We just started doing it.
  Mary Margaret: We have to figure out what we're doing.
  Dave: We will. Tomorrow.
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Allusions
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