Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A- | 288 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT For Whom The Belle Tolls
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 11 | Aired on 2013.01.13
On her own, Belle and her magnificent cleavage hike to the top of a hill. Looking out at the valley below, Belle says, "I'm coming back, Rumple." Regina appears and purrs, "Isn't that sweet? Still fighting for true love, even to the bitter end." When Belle asks Regina how she found her, Regina says, "You really should be nicer to your traveling companions." Yeah, I mean hey, they didn't rape you. They just kicked you out of the wagon in the middle of nowhere and later waterboarded you in a well. What gall. What nerve. Be a good, compliant girl, Belle, and be nice to the menfolk. Gag. Belle realizes Blowhard and Claude (a hunter whose name I failed to mention) are with Regina. Regina orders her guards to take Belle to the tower. Belle struggles against the guard, but resistance, she is futile in all the realms. Belle insists she can save Rumpy and break his curse. Regina says Bell has already tried and failed. "That monster's beyond saving. I'm sparing you a lifetime of pain and misery. Now locked in the wagon, Belle warns Regina she can't keep the apart forever. "I'll fight for him. I'll never stop fighting for him." We flash forward to the...
Storybrooke Town Line. Belle is holding Bae's shawl. Rumpy pours the remaining potion on it and tosses the bottle aside. Any moment, I expect a Native American to appear with a tear rolling down his cheek. When I make the mistake of saying so at home, the kids (of course) do not get the reference, but Scott laughs.
Belle puts the shawl around Rumpy's neck. When he crosses the line, magic washes over him, but he's okay. He remembers himself, Belle, Bae and everything. There's more touching talk between them, but I'm still not in the mood. Rumpy says he so wishes she was coming with him. That's as dumb as it was at the top of the hour, particularly since he then said that he had to make his journey on his own. Belle says it doesn't matter. Rumpy will find Bae, and she'll be there waiting when he returns. At that, Rumpy leans in to kiss her, but Hook appears out of nowhere and shoots Belle then whispers, "I wouldn't count on it."
Belle falls across the town line and into Rumpy's arms. The amnesia spell washes over her. Rumpy calls out her name, but Belle cries, "Who is Belle?" Rumpy looks down in horror at the blood on his hands. Enjoy your metaphor. Still brandishing the weapon, Hook assures Rumpy that Belle will live. "She'll just have no idea who you are."