Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B+ | 116 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT PANdora's Box
By Cindy McLennan | Season 3 | Episode 10 | Aired on 12.08.2013
Panry's still at his booth, flipping through Henry's book, when Neal approaches Emma in the middle of the diner. He asks if they can make time to talk. Emma asks if that's not what they're doing. Neal looks around as if to point out they're in the middle of a party, glances at Panry, then smiles at Emma, because he knows he needs to earn it. "Yeah, I thought maybe just the two of us." Emma cringes as she asks if he's trying to ask her on a date. Neal says, "You know, when you put it like that..."
Emma interrupts. "Neal, I don't know..." Neal says, "Listen, Henry's back, and he's safe. We all are." Neal backs up a little, and starts talking with his hands. "Okay look, I'll make it -- I'll make it easier for you. Tomorrow, I'm going to be hungry, right around lunch time." Emma blinks and her face relaxes into a smile. Neal continues: "And so I'm going to come here," he turns and gestures toward Panry. "...And I'm going to sit in that booth, and you're welcome to join me." He keeps his tone light as he adds, "...And if not? I'll quit bugging you." To prove his point, he walks off, to give Emma her space.
I'm not on your team, Neal, but that was extremely good form. You're wise not to squander the time and opportunity Hook has given you. When you realized Emma felt pressured, you took the pressure off, without giving up on her. Keep it up, and you might just change my mind about you and the Lady Swan. Okay, I just made myself think of Hook, so probably not. Still, I'm trying to be fair. Tell the writers that if they want us to take you as a serious contender for Emma's affections, they need to script it such that you make sure people (especially your son and Emma's parents) understand your part in Emma imprisonment. Also, you need to acknowledge you were just engaged to Tamara. I don't need you to mourn her. You thought you were in love with her, but she was using you, and everything she gave you was a lie. You also have to offer us something, so that we can trust you never stopped loving Emma. I don't know what that something is, but it better be good. Also, it wouldn't hurt if Charming got to punch you in the nose, and if you took that graciously, as way less than you have coming to you. Emotional payoff: I demand it.
Snow and Charming walk up behind Emma. Some people on the boards think they've been listening. I'm not so sure that's true, but I suppose they might have overheard some of it. Emma tells them, "Don't say it." Snow asks, "Say what?" Emma doesn't want to hear she owes Neal a date. Snow says, "You don't. You owe it to yourself." Emma says she can't think about herself after what Henry just endured. When she walks off, Charming asks Snow, "Now who does she remind me of?" Snow grins. We flash back to the...