Episode Report Card 118 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT PANdemic
By Cindy McLennan | Season 3 | Episode 4 | Aired on 10.20.2013
Enchanted Past. Baelfire is drawing, when Rumpy returns to their hovel and presents Bae with a knife he can use to sharpen his (drawing) coal. Instead of being overjoyed, Baelfire looks slightly nauseated as he examines the knife and wonders from which tortured victim Papa stole it. When Rumpy asks the boy what would make him happy, Bae answers, "Leaving this place. I'm tired of staying in this hovel all the time." Rumpy offers to build his son a castle, but Bae just wants to be allowed to go outside and have some friends. Rumpy says that because he has so many enemies, he fears for Bae's safety. Bae says, "Maybe what you're really worried about, is -- if I leave, I might never come back." Just like Mama. Rumpy insists he's worried about Bae's safety and says home is the best place for him. In a softer voice he adds, "I don't know what I'd do, if I ever lost you." Oh, you need to catch up on my recaps, Rump.
Presently, in Neverland, Rumpy makes and applies some warpaint on the righthand side of his face. He dips three fingers in the paint and drags them from mid-forehead, over his eyelid (which make ms worry he'll get the paint in his eye, which makes me cringe and squint) and down his cheek. Oh, Rumpy, you don't need to look any crazier.
Illusion Belle appears and comments that Rumpy has always felt more comfortable behind a mask. He says she is the only one who could ever see past to monster to man beneath. He's putting it back on now, because it's the only way he can save Henry. Belle reminds him of the "Undoing" prophecy, but I'm so frigging frustrated that Rumpy and Belle (illusion or not) haven't offered various interpretations of "undoing" that I can barely cover this scene. When Rumpy suggests Belle isn't confident he can do what needs to be done, she reminds him that he his centuries of craven self-interest is the nasty habit he's never overcome. Rumpy says the difference is that now he has nothing to live for. Belle asks, "What about me," but he points out that she's not real. When he said goodbye to her, she should have let go of him. He believes that even if he were able to return to her, eventually she would leave him, because she can see him for what he really is. "You think you see a good man, but in time, you'd see the monster. My son is dead. The only way I can redeem myself is by saving his son and giving my life."
Over at Camp Operation Henry, Emma's created a makeshift map of Pan's compound using sticks and stones. As she presents their strategy, she has to reference Tinker Bell, but can only get out an, "...according to um..." The Fairy offers, "Tinker Bell." Emma says, "Yeah, I know. It's still weird to say." Tinker Bell assures her, "Tink is fine." Emma says, "Not sure that's any better," and then goes on to point out sentry positions, and the best point of entry. Regina is confident they can handle any Lost Boys and their pointy sticks. To beat us over the head with Charming's self-made conundrum, Tink clarifies that it's not the sticks they have to worry about, but the poison in which they're dipped. Hook raises a brow in Charming's direction. Snow says they already know about Dreamshade, but Tink wants to stress the danger. The whole conversation is making Charming squirm, so he rises and interrupts it by asking when they can set out on their mission.