In Once Upon a Time, the Evil Queen curses all fairytale characters to live in a fictional town in real-world Maine. There, the characters (except the Queen) are robbed of the memories of their true selves and live an un-aging/endless existence, which the Queen derives amusement from. The town’s only hope is Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, who was transported alone as a baby to the ‘real world’ before the curse was cast. The curse therefore does not apply to her and she is unaware of her true identity. It is prophecised that Emma may be able to break the curse on her 28th birthday (if she comes into contact with the town). 5 years into the curse, Snow White and Prince Charming 'accidentally' wake, and have the means to escape the town and find their daughter (now growing up as an orphan). However, they would likely doom the rest of the town to live under the curse forever. Alternatively, they can put themselves back under the curse.