Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A | 4 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Mother Knows Best
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 3 | Aired on 10.14.2012
Enchanted Present. Snow tells Emma that Lancelot was one of the most noble knights she ever knew. Mulan berates herself for being so blind as to not realize it was Cora, all along. Emma reminds her that shapeshifting is pretty tricksy as tricks go. Mulan frets about what they'll tell the other survivors, back on the island. Snow says, "The truth -- that Lancelot was cut down by a terrible villain. He died an honorable death." Mulan says, "Cora is still out there. We need to find her. We need to defend what's left of the kingdom." Aurora: "Who's going to lead us -- you?" Mulan turns toward Snow. "No. Her." Snow is speechless for a moment. She's honored, but reminds them she and Emma still need to find a way back to Storybrooke. Mulan pledges to help them and enlists Aurora's cooperation. Aurora says, "Yes. Perhaps it will help me channel my anger." Mulan starts out of the room. "Come." Aurora follows.
Emma and Snow hang back, for a moment. Emma apologizes for burning the wardrobe, but Snow understands. "You had to put Henry first." Getting in touch with her Charming roots, Emma's eyes fill up as she looks at her mother, as if for the first time. Her voice choked, she says, "I was angry at you for so long -- wondering how you could choose to let me grow up without you. Just seeing all this -- you gave up everything for me, and you're still doing it. Sorry. I'm not good at this. I guess I'm just...I'm not used to someone putting me first." I'm not sure that "you gave up everything" line makes a lot of sense, but it's still effective.
Snow goes to her and takes Emma in her arms. "Oh. Well get used to it." Emma ugly-cries. Her mascara flows from her eyes. She squeezes Snow tight before pulling away. When Snow wipes away her daughter's tears, Emma laughs awkwardly and walks out. Like Lot's wife, Snow turns back to survey the nursery one last time. In her mind's eye, she sees it in its former glory. She imagines her baby's laughter -- laughter she never heard. Poor Snow weeps for what could never be, then takes her leave. My heart breaks, but I don't have time to wallow because Cora returns and scoops up ashes from the remains of the once magical wardrobe. A small fire seems to burn within the vial. Cora smiles. Dun dun dun!
Storybrooke and self-plagiarism. Henry sits in Emma's VW Bug and watches as Jefferson finally musters up the courage to approach Grace. Okay, so Jefferson looks more than a little creepy stalking a bus full of school children, but once he calls out Grace's name, it gets better. She turns, cries, "Papa" and rushes into his embrace. May I please have a tissue? Poor little Henry looks on, his happiness for them on makes his own loneliness more acute. But...YES! It's Charming to the rescue, again. Charming tells Henry he can't get Snow and Emma back without his grandson's help, so he's bought some play swords, so he can teach Henry how to fence. Oh heck, please pass the whole box of tissues. Across the way, King George Charles Widmore watches the man who refused to be his son training his grandson in the fine arts of heroic princery. Hurrah!