Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A- | 4 USERS: A YOU GRADE IT The Unstable Girl
By Cindy McLennan | Season 1 | Episode 18 | Aired on 04.01.2012
Leopold tells Regina that he should be bowing to her. There is no way to repay her for saving Snow's life. He says it's an honor to meet her and bows before her. Cora prompts Regina to respond that the honor is hers. Leopold tells Regina she is lucky to have a mother who looks out for her. Cora smiles at the compliment. While I was writing the recaplet, I was so blown away by Bailee Madison as young Snow that I failed to give Barbara Hershey's performance the attention it deserves. She is a perfect fit as Cora.
The King tells Regina that while Snow has many things a mother isn't one of them. They lost her years ago. Since then, he's scoured the land looking for a wife but has been unable to find one with sincere interest in his daughter -- until now. He nods to the servant standing behind him. The servant is holding a pillow that bears a giant engagement ring. Regina's eyes pop open. She looks uncertainly to her mother, then turns her attention back to Leopold, who gets down on one knee and asks Regina if she'll marry him. Cora answers for her daughter. "Yes."
Night. A tearful Regina yells for Daniel as she runs to the barn. When she finds him, she throws herself into his arms. He holds her for a moment then pulls back to look at her. She asks him to marry him. At first, he thinks she's told her mother about their love but she explains about King Leopold's proposal and that Cora accepted it. She says the only way out is to run. Daniel generously points out that she'll be giving up so much. Life with a stable boy is a far cry from living as a queen. Being queen means nothing to Regina. All she cares about is him. Daniel says if they're to marry, they should do "this" properly. He removes a brass ring from his saddle slides it on her finger and says, "Here." Regina smiles through her tears and they kiss. They're interrupted by Snow, who throws her saddle on the ground.
Regina: Snow, dear, what are you doing?
Snow (visibly upset): You said to get back on the horse... What are you doing with him?
Regina says she can explain but heart-broken Snow runs off. Regina chases after the child calling her name. She finally catches up when Snow falls. Regina rushes to the crying girl's side and asks if she's okay. Snow says she isn't. She doesn't understand how Regina could be kissing that man in the stable, since she's supposed to marry Snow's daddy and be her new mommy. Bailee Madison isn't just mimicking Ginny Goodwin. She is channeling her. Talk about magic.