"Dreamy" is the 14th episode of the American fairy tale/drama television series ''
Once Upon a Time
"Once upon a time" is a stock phrase used to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales and folk tales. It has been used in some form since at least 1380 in storytelling in the English language and has started many narrative ...
'', which aired in the United States on
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting
* Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
on March 4, 2012.
The series takes place in the fictional seaside town of Storybrooke, Maine, in which the residents are actually characters from various fairy tales that were transported to the "real world" town by a powerful curse. This episode centers on Leroy and his fairytale counterpart, "Dreamy", one of Snow White's seven dwarfs.
It was co-written by
Adam Horowitz
Adam Horowitz (born December 4, 1971) is an American screenwriter and producer. He is best known for co-creating the ABC fairy tale drama series ''Once Upon a Time'' with his writing partner, Edward Kitsis.
Early life
Horowitz was born in Ne ...
and
Edward Kitsis
Edward Lawrence Kitsis (born February 4, 1971) is an American screenwriter and television producer, best known for his work with his writing partner Adam Horowitz on the popular ABC drama series '' Lost'' and ''Once Upon a Time''.
Early life a ...
, while being directed by
David Solomon David Solomon may refer to:
* David Solomon (artist) (born 1976), American artist and painter
* David Solomon (TV producer), American television director and producer
* David Solomon (writer), Australian educator, scholar and writer
* David Solomo ...
.
Plot
Opening sequence
The seven dwarves are shown walking in a line in the forest.
In the characters' past
In the Enchanted Forest, a clumsy fairy, Nova (
Amy Acker
Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. She is best known for starring as Winifred Burkle and Illyria (Angel), Illyria on the supernatural drama series ''Angel (1999 TV series), Angel'' (2001–2004), as Kelly Peyton on ...
), dreams of becoming a fairy godmother and escaping her day job: fairy dust carrier. When she begins her trip, a bit of dust falls onto the egg of a dwarf. As a result, the dwarf is born early, and seems different from his brothers. He is given a magic ax that names him Dreamy (
Lee Arenberg
Lee Arenberg (born July 18, 1962) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Pintel, one of Captain Barbossa's crew, in the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' franchise. He also had a recurring role as the dwarf Grumpy in the television ...
). His seven brothers are Stealthy (Geoff Gustafson), Doc, Dopey, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, and Bashful. A year later, Nova is still collecting fairy dust made in the mines of the dwarves, when Dreamy recognizes her. He claims to have seen her in his dreams right before he hatched. After Nova accidentally places a bag of fairy dust on a conveyor leading to an
incinerator
Incineration is a list of solid waste treatment technologies, waste treatment process that involves the combustion of substances contained in waste materials. Industrial plants for waste incineration are commonly referred to as waste-to-ene ...
, Dreamy saves it and becomes her "hero." Nova mentions that she is going to watch the fireflies hoping Dreamy will get that it is an invitation for him but he doesn't.
Even though he is told dwarves don't love (that's why they don't have any female dwarves), he is convinced by Belle (
Emilie de Ravin
Emilie de Ravin (; born 27 December 1981) is an Australian actress. She first gained recognition for playing Tess Harding on The WB's science fiction television series ''Roswell (TV series), Roswell'' (2000–2002). She went on to portray Clai ...
) in a bar that he should meet with Nova. Dreamy really is in love, and Nova falls for him too. Together they make plans to run away and see the world, but this plan is thwarted when the Blue Fairy (
Keegan Connor Tracy
Keegan Connor Tracy (born December 3, 1971) is a Canadian actress, author and director. She is best known for her roles as Audrey Malone in the Showtime comedy-drama series '' Beggars and Choosers'' (1999–2000), the Blue Fairy in the ABC fa ...
) shows up. She convinces Dreamy that the best thing for Nova would be if she didn't date Dreamy anymore. She explains that if Dreamy and Nova go off together, "it will not end well" and Nova will lose her wings. In the interest of saving Nova's dream and her wings, Dreamy is forced to leave her. He returns to the mine heartbroken, proclaiming, "Where's my ax?" Welcomed back by the Dwarves, but still distraught over having to end his relation with Nova, he strikes the rock in rage, breaking his ax. He is given a new one which renames him Grumpy, due to his rage from his breakup with Nova.
In Storybrooke
Storybrooke is celebrating the Miner's Festival and Mary Margaret (
Ginnifer Goodwin
Ginnifer Goodwin (born Jennifer Michelle Goodwin on May 22, 1978) is an American actress. She starred as Margene Heffman in the HBO drama series ''Big Love'' (2006–2011), Mary Margaret Blanchard, Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard in the Am ...
) attempts to bank some good will by selling candles made by the nuns. She asks Leroy (Arenberg) to volunteer, but he retorts that she is the only person the town dislikes more than him. His attitude changes after Sister Astrid (Acker) spills glitter on him. When Astrid tells Leroy she accidentally spent all her stipend on helium, he vows to sell all her candles to make up the money the nuns need for rent. Mary Margaret realizes Leroy is in love with Astrid who, as a nun, is unavailable. Leroy reminds her she is no better and the two team up to start selling. Unfortunately, Leroy was quite right about how unpopular they are. Leroy is unable to tell Astrid that he let her down and comes up with a new plan. He offers to sell his boat to Mr. Gold (
Robert Carlyle
Robert Carlyle (born 14 April 1961) is a Scottish actor. His film work includes: '' Trainspotting'' (1996), '' The Full Monty'' (1997), '' Ravenous'' and ''The World Is Not Enough'' (both 1999), '' There's Only One Jimmy Grimble'' (2000), '' ...
) in exchange for forgiving the nuns the rent. Gold declines when he learns it is for the nuns, whom he fiercely dislikes. Astrid finds out none of the candles were sold. Desperate and near defeat, Leroy and Mary Margaret share a drink at Granny's. Leroy has one last idea; he breaks the power transformer for the whole town, causing a blackout. This forces everyone to buy candles and the stock is sold out. Leroy is restored as Astrid's hero. While the word "TRAMP" is still visible on Mary Margaret's truck, the town, including Granny, seems to accept her again.
Meanwhile, Sheriff
Emma Swan
Emma Swan is a Character (arts), fictional character and the protagonist of American Broadcasting Company, ABC's Television program, television series ''Once Upon a Time (TV series), Once Upon a Time''. She is portrayed by Jennifer Morrison as a ...
(
Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Marie Morrison (born April 12, 1979) is an American actress and director. She is most known for her roles as Dr. Allison Cameron in the medical-drama series ''House'' (2004–2012) and Emma Swan in the ABC adventure-fantasy series '' ...
) investigates the disappearance of Kathryn Nolan and the first person she must question is her husband, David (
Josh Dallas
Joshua Paul Dallas (born December 18, 1978) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Prince Charming/David Nolan in the ABC television series ''Once Upon A Time'' and starring as Ben Stone in the NBC/Netflix sci-fi drama series ' ...
). David claims he did not speak to Kathryn the previous day and he presumed she had left for Boston as planned. Sidney Glass (
Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito (; born April 26, 1958) is an American actor and director. He rose to prominence by portraying Gus Fring in the AMC (TV channel), AMC crime drama series ''Breaking Bad'' (2009–2011), a role he reprised in ...
), hoping to get a story and his position at the newspaper back, offers to help Emma. Regina (
Lana Parrilla
Lana Parrilla (born July 15, 1977) is an American actress. She was a regular cast member in the fifth season of the American Broadcasting Company, ABC sitcom ''Spin City'' (2000–2001) and in the fourth season of ''24 (TV series), 24'' (2005), ...
) receives a fax and calls Sidney to inform him she has the phone records. He brings Emma the records that show David did in fact speak to Kathryn the day she vanished. Emma has a hard time believing David lied but Sidney insists the evidence is irrefutable. The episode ends with Emma taking David to the sheriff's station to "tell her everything."
Production

"Dreamy" was co-written by series co-creators
Adam Horowitz
Adam Horowitz (born December 4, 1971) is an American screenwriter and producer. He is best known for co-creating the ABC fairy tale drama series ''Once Upon a Time'' with his writing partner, Edward Kitsis.
Early life
Horowitz was born in Ne ...
and
Edward Kitsis
Edward Lawrence Kitsis (born February 4, 1971) is an American screenwriter and television producer, best known for his work with his writing partner Adam Horowitz on the popular ABC drama series '' Lost'' and ''Once Upon a Time''.
Early life a ...
, while being directed by ''
Dollhouse
A dollhouse or doll's house is a toy house made in miniature. Since the early 20th century dollhouses have primarily been the domain of children, but their collection and crafting is also a hobby for many adults. English-speakers in North Americ ...
'' veteran,
David Solomon David Solomon may refer to:
* David Solomon (artist) (born 1976), American artist and painter
* David Solomon (TV producer), American television director and producer
* David Solomon (writer), Australian educator, scholar and writer
* David Solomo ...
.
Kitsis described the episode as being "in the vein of a
Pixar
Pixar (), doing business as Pixar Animation Studios, is an American animation studio based in Emeryville, California, known for its critically and commercially successful computer-animated feature films. Pixar is a subsidiary of Walt Disney ...
ovie
Ovie is a given name, nickname and surname. It translates to king in the Isoko language of Delta State in southern Nigeria.
Nickname
* Alexander Ovechkin (born 1985), Russian ice hockey player
* Ovie Alston (1905–1989), American jazz trumpete ...
"
Horowitz and Kitsis later revealed that "we got a little bit of a chill because, to actually sit down and say this is how they got their names, was really cool for us as writers."
Amy Acker was cast in December 2011 as Grumpy's love interest. Kitsis "intended for Nova "to help tell the story of how Grumpy became Grumpy."
[
]
Reception
Ratings
The episode first aired on March 4, 2012. The episode's ratings and viewership increased from the one that aired the previous week. It had an 18-49 rating of 3.4/9 and was watched by 10.67 million viewers. It was also first in its timeslot beating ''The Amazing Race
''The Amazing Race'' is an adventure reality competition franchise in which teams of two people race around the world in competition with other teams. ''The Amazing Race'' is split into legs, with teams tasked to deduce clues, navigate themselv ...
'' on CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...
, ''The Simpsons
''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is a Satire (film and television), satirical depiction of American life ...
'' on Fox
Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull; upright, triangular ears; a pointed, slightly upturned snout; and a long, bushy tail ("brush").
Twelve species ...
and a repeat of ''The Celebrity Apprentice
''The Celebrity Apprentice'' is an American television reality competition series. It is a variation of '' The Apprentice'' series hosted by real estate developer Donald Trump from 2008 to 2015, and actor and former California Governor Arnold Sc ...
'' on NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...
.
In Canada, the episode finished in sixteenth place for the week with an estimated 1.44 million viewers, a slight decrease from the 1.497 million of the previous episode.
Reviews
The episode was met with mixed reviews.
Lily Sparks of '' TV.com'' gave the episode a negative review and wrote, "Okay, I'm about to hit you with some truth: last night's episode of 'Once Upon a Time,' 'Dreamy,' was the worst this show had ever been. The opening was a siege of nightmarish information, including the revelations that there are no dwarf women and the permanently old dwarf men reproduce asexually by hatching out of eggs FULLY CLOTHED. And the horrible romance! Grumpy and Nova the 'clumsy fairy' were seriously bizarre characters, they both talked like six year olds and now I feel like I've condescended to six year olds, because even six year olds aren't this simplistic and idiotic.
Hillary Busis of ''Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American online magazine, digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, ...
'' complained, "I think the writers of 'Once' have seen Disney's version of ''Aida
''Aida'' (or ''Aïda'', ) is a tragic opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni. Set in the Old Kingdom of Egypt, it was commissioned by Cairo's Khedivial Opera House and had its première there on 24 De ...
'' one too many times. On this show, every story's a love story ... 'Once' has dipped into the 'star-crossed lovers' well a few times too many."
Oliver Sava of ''The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was created in ...
'' gave the episode a "B" and said, "'Once Upon A Time' has gone from exceedingly mediocre to downright serviceable in the second half of the season, but it remains a problematic series, struggling to balance its two different worlds. Last episode heightened the emotional stakes in Storybrooke to contrast with the swashbuckling fairyback, but 'Dreamy' goes back to the more obvious storytelling of the season’s early episodes, hammering its theme like a high-budget children’s show. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and if this show wanted to be live-action Disney mash-up that would be fine, but unfortunately, it has this whole missing person/potential murder subplot that brings it into more mature territory."Once Upon a Time: Dreamy
/ref>
Cast
Starring
*Ginnifer Goodwin
Ginnifer Goodwin (born Jennifer Michelle Goodwin on May 22, 1978) is an American actress. She starred as Margene Heffman in the HBO drama series ''Big Love'' (2006–2011), Mary Margaret Blanchard, Snow White / Mary Margaret Blanchard in the Am ...
as Mary Margaret Blanchard
*Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Marie Morrison (born April 12, 1979) is an American actress and director. She is most known for her roles as Dr. Allison Cameron in the medical-drama series ''House'' (2004–2012) and Emma Swan in the ABC adventure-fantasy series '' ...
as Emma Swan
Emma Swan is a Character (arts), fictional character and the protagonist of American Broadcasting Company, ABC's Television program, television series ''Once Upon a Time (TV series), Once Upon a Time''. She is portrayed by Jennifer Morrison as a ...
*Lana Parrilla
Lana Parrilla (born July 15, 1977) is an American actress. She was a regular cast member in the fifth season of the American Broadcasting Company, ABC sitcom ''Spin City'' (2000–2001) and in the fourth season of ''24 (TV series), 24'' (2005), ...
as Regina Mills
*Josh Dallas
Joshua Paul Dallas (born December 18, 1978) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Prince Charming/David Nolan in the ABC television series ''Once Upon A Time'' and starring as Ben Stone in the NBC/Netflix sci-fi drama series ' ...
as David Nolan David Nolan may refer to:
* David Nolan (politician) (1943–2010), co-founder of the United States Libertarian Party
* David Nolan (American author) (born 1946), American author
* David Nolan (British author) (born 1964), British author of ''I ...
*Eion Bailey
Eion Francis Hamilton Bailey ( ; born June 8, 1976) is an American actor.
He stars as Jim Matthews in the MGM+ horror series ''From''. He played Pvt. David Kenyon Webster in the HBO miniseries '' Band of Brothers'' and appeared in the films ...
(credit only)
*Jared S. Gilmore
Jared Scott Gilmore (born May 30, 2000) is an American actor and Twitch streamer. He is best known for his role in the series ''Once Upon a Time'' as Henry Mills.
Early life
Jared Scott Gilmore was born on May 30, 2000, in San Diego, Californi ...
(credit only)
*Raphael Sbarge
Raphael Sbarge (born February 12, 1964) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Jake Straka on ''The Guardian'' (2001–04), Jiminy Cricket / Dr. Archibald Hopper on ''Once Upon a Time'' (2011–18) and Inspe ...
(credit only)
*Robert Carlyle
Robert Carlyle (born 14 April 1961) is a Scottish actor. His film work includes: '' Trainspotting'' (1996), '' The Full Monty'' (1997), '' Ravenous'' and ''The World Is Not Enough'' (both 1999), '' There's Only One Jimmy Grimble'' (2000), '' ...
as Mr. Gold
Guest Starring
*Amy Acker
Amy Louise Acker (born December 5, 1976) is an American actress. She is best known for starring as Winifred Burkle and Illyria (Angel), Illyria on the supernatural drama series ''Angel (1999 TV series), Angel'' (2001–2004), as Kelly Peyton on ...
as Nova/Astrid
*Lee Arenberg
Lee Arenberg (born July 18, 1962) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Pintel, one of Captain Barbossa's crew, in the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' franchise. He also had a recurring role as the dwarf Grumpy in the television ...
as Dreamy/Leroy
*Emilie de Ravin
Emilie de Ravin (; born 27 December 1981) is an Australian actress. She first gained recognition for playing Tess Harding on The WB's science fiction television series ''Roswell (TV series), Roswell'' (2000–2002). She went on to portray Clai ...
as Belle
*Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito (; born April 26, 1958) is an American actor and director. He rose to prominence by portraying Gus Fring in the AMC (TV channel), AMC crime drama series ''Breaking Bad'' (2009–2011), a role he reprised in ...
as Sidney Glass
*Beverley Elliott as Granny
*Geoff Gustafson as Stealthy
*Meghan Ory
Meghan Ory (born August 20, 1982) is a Canadian-American television and film actress. She is best known for her role as Red Riding Hood /Ruby on the ABC fantasy series ''Once Upon a Time'' and also starred in the short-lived CBS drama ''Intelli ...
as Ruby
*Keegan Connor Tracy
Keegan Connor Tracy (born December 3, 1971) is a Canadian actress, author and director. She is best known for her roles as Audrey Malone in the Showtime comedy-drama series '' Beggars and Choosers'' (1999–2000), the Blue Fairy in the ABC fa ...
as Blue Fairy
The Fairy with Turquoise Hair (), often simply referred to as the Blue Fairy (), is a fictional character in the 1883 Italian book ''The Adventures of Pinocchio'' by Carlo Collodi, repeatedly appearing at critical moments in Pinocchio's wanderings ...
/Mother Superior
Co-Starring
*Paul Chevreau as Skinny Man
*Michael Coleman as Happy
Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that encompasses a range of positive feelings, from contentment to intense joy. It is often associated with positive life experiences, such as achieving goals, spending time with loved ones, ...
*Richard Ian Cox as Watchy
*Faustino di Bauda as Sleepy/Walter
* David-Paul Grove as Doc
DOC, Doc, doc or DoC may refer to:
People and characters
* Doc, an abbreviation of doctor
* Doc (nickname)
* Doc (mascot), the Towson University mascot
Persons
* The D.O.C., American rapper (born 1968)
* Doc Gallows (born 1983), ring nam ...
*Jeffrey Kaiser as Dopey
*Gabe Khouth
Gabriel Forest Khouth (November 22, 1972 – July 23, 2019) was a Canadian voice and television actor who worked for Ocean Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Early life
Khouth was born in North Vancouver. His younger brother is voice actor ...
as Sneezy/Mr. Clark
*Ken Kramer as Bossy
*Mig Macario as Bashful
*Elizabeth McCarthy as Wife/Rotund Wife
*Michael Rinaldi as Helper Dwarf
Uncredited
*Unknown as Floyd
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dreamy
2012 American television episodes
Once Upon a Time season 1 episodes
Television episodes directed by David Solomon (TV producer)
Television episodes written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz