Once Upon a Time: "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" Review

Note: Full spoilers for the episode follow.

Sheriff Graham is starting to remember his fairytale life. One drunken kiss with Emma sets off a series of flashbacks that lead him to his untimely death. As many people suspected, Graham's true identity is the Huntsman. He was sent by the Evil Queen to kill Snow White, but he has too much heart and can't commit the deed. As punishment, the Evil Queen cuts out his heart so he can't feel anymore.

It comes back to him in pieces. We see little clues first – he's throwing darts at a dartboard featuring a deer in the diner. Then he starts seeing a wolf around Storybrooke. He also sees Snow White in his memories and asks Mary Margaret if they knew each other before. He questions points no one else in Storybrooke seems to wonder about, like the fact that they don't know how long they've been there. I've been waiting for someone to sit up and pay attention.

It's a pity he and Mary Margaret won't have any more screen time because they're electric together. In fact, Jamie Dorner is magnetic in every scene. He even shares a great scene with Henry, asking about Henry's book and which character he is.

I liked his fairytale story the best. The Huntsman was raised by wolves and has a wolf companion. We get to see him in action, tracking and hunting in the forest. He's compassionate and good; you can't help but feel overwhelming pity for him when the Evil Queen finds and manipulates him. Neither version of Graham deserves his fate.

Her domination over him in the fairytale world extended to this one. It never made sense to me that he was sleeping with Regina. Her controlling him in some way was the only explanation, and it turns out she was. When he tries to leave her -- in both worlds -- all she has to do is squeeze his heart. She's still storing her disgusting collection of hearts in Storybrooke. Proving she is evil beyond question, she crushes his heart to dust once she knows she can't have him.

This episode made me weep, but that's not why it's important. Graham is the first character to remember his past life. He's the first character to even open up to the possibility. Also key is how Emma was indirectly responsible.

I think Graham's death will be a catalyst. Hopefully, it will make the other residents of Storybrooke start asking questions. If nothing else, Graham's actions have to make it obvious to Emma that Henry is far from delusional. He's on the right path. Once Emma fully believes in the existence of the fairytale world, I bet she'll turn Storybrooke on its head.

• More Television Reviews
• Latest Television News, Reviews, and Videos