Fruit of the Poisonous Tree 

A dejected Sidney asks Emma for help uncovering evidence that could expose Regina's corruption, while Mary Margaret and David start seeing each other in secret.

Director:

Bryan Spicer

Writers:

Edward Kitsis (created by), Adam Horowitz (created by)

Stars:

Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Ginnifer Goodwin	...	Mary Margaret Blanchard / Snow White
Jennifer Morrison	...	Emma Swan
Lana Parrilla	...	Regina Mills / Evil Queen
Josh Dallas	...	David Nolan
Jared Gilmore	...	Henry Mills (as Jared S. Gilmore)
Raphael Sbarge	...	Dr. Archie Hopper (credit only)
Robert Carlyle	...	Mr. Gold
Eion Bailey	...	The Stranger
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Sidney Glass / The Genie / Magic Mirror
Tony Perez	...	Prince Henry
Richard Schiff	...	King Leopold

Storyline

A dejected Sidney enlists the aid of Emma to help uncover evidence that could expose Mayor Regina as the corrupt person she really is to the townspeople of Storybrooke; and Mary Margaret and David continue their secret rendezvous while trying to figure out a way to unleash their unrequited love. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, King Leopold, who is the father of Snow White and married to the Evil Queen, stumbles upon a magic lamp and is granted three wishes by a Genie - who warns the king to be careful what he wishes for.

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Plot Keywords:

genie | corruption | magic | genie's bottle | betrayal | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 2012 (USA)

Filming Locations:

John H. McDonald House, New Westminster, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kitsis/Horowitz,ABC Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

The object/animal/person in the forest in the opening title scene is the Genie appearing in a cloud of smoke from within the lamp.

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Goofs

When King Leopold frees the Genie, a zipper is visible at the collar of his robe.

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Quotes

Evil Queen: No matter how hard I try to please the king... he will never love me the way he loved his first wife. I'm trapped by the memory of the life they used to share.
Genie: I know about being trapped, more than anyone. Maybe this will lift your spirits.
[he gives her a mirror]
Genie: So you... can see yourself... the way I see you.
Evil Queen: And how do you see me?
Genie: As the fairest in all the land.

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Crazy Credits

The opening sequence gives a hint to the episodes main story line by showing a character or event happening in the dark forest underneath the title.

User Reviews

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree is another good, albeit flawed, episode

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree does a serviceable job giving Giancarlo Esposito three character roles. Sidney Glass in the real world, and the Genie and Magic Mirror in the Enchanted Forest. His performance is beyond fantastic. His emotions and his motives for working with the Evil Queen are superb and his line delivery is spot-on. The rest of the acting is still good, the visuals are even more gorgeous, the music continues to be atmospheric, and the pacing is very brisk.

However, I do have two problems. The script is very mediocre. The idea of the Genie falling in love with another man's wife had some potential, but it seemed a bit rushed. Also, the story didn't feel developed enough. On the other hand, we do see Regina having some real emotion and motivation to what made her the Evil Queen in the first place which particularly with his relationship with Sidney Glass and it makes sense.

Overall, Fruit of the Poisonous Tree is pretty flawed, but it's still a good episode in the first season.