Henry (Jared S. Gilmore) tells Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) that his amnesia is keeping the curse out, which is why the fake memories have not set in.

While en route later that evening, David becomes lost and is given false directions from Regina, leading him to Mr. Gold's (Robert Carlyle) Pawn Shop.

As his mother (Gabrielle Rose) arrives home from the market, she mentions the prospect of an arranged marriage, but the shepherd is not prepared to marry for the sake of a dowry, even though the farm is in trouble.

But just as the shepherd is about to turn down the offer, King George pulls him aside and whispers in his ear that he is to accept the deal or he will kill him and his mother and take away their land.

[2] In August 2011, TVLine reported that Lost actor Alan Dale would be playing the father of Prince Charming for one episode, with the potential for him to return for more.

"[3] In addition to Dale, the episode featured guest actors David Anders as Dr. Whale, Anastasia Griffith as Abigail/Kathryn Nolan, Gabrielle Rose as Ruth, and Alex Zahara as King Midas.

Club and Cindy McLennan of Television Without Pity also observed two other similarities: that Dale was placing an evil father, and the repeated use of the word "shepherd".

It ranked third in its timeslot, being beaten by Football Night In America on NBC and The Amazing Race on CBS but ahead of The Simpsons on the Fox network.

He thought Charming's fight with the dragon was a "well done sequence" and praised Goodwin and Carlyle's performances, though at times he felt the latter actor delved into campiness.

[15] In an article from Zap2It, reviewer Andrea Reiher noted that the episode made "us love Josh Dallas and Ginnifer Goodwin even more, which we didn't think was possible," and also praised the characterization of its female friendships.

"[17] Consequently, Prudom found it "heartbreaking to see Mary Margaret wrestling with the morality of stealing a married man from his wife," especially when he gains back his memories as David.

[17] Teresa Jusino of Tor.com found Charming's backstory fascinating, writing that he "is a wonderful character not just because of the way he’s written, but because of Dallas’ grounded performance... his best work so far.

"[8] Jusino also praised the writing of the female characters, opining that "Mary Margaret, Emma, and Regina offer very different versions of what a woman can be, and while we might individually prefer one or the other, they are all complex and realistic.