Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B | 387 USERS: B YOU GRADE IT Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 8 | Aired on 2012.11.25
So, Regina and Charming nix putting Henry again in harm's way. Rumpy takes issue with Charming's tone, then informs him that since they're facing Cora, if the Storybrookers don't help, Snow and Emma will soon be dead. "Then, a true monster will be on her way to Storybrooke." Regina points out that with Aurora gone, there's no sense in sending Henry back, since there's no one to receive their message. Charming knows his bride, though. He knows she can reach the Fiery Room of Dreams and he knows she will. He asks Rumpy to put him under the Sleeping Curse. Rumpy explains there's a danger Charming may never wake. Charming assumes that once he's under, Snow can kiss him and free him from the curse. Regina's side-eyed look makes me think she knows that's not going to work, but the camera doesn't dwell on her, so I could be reading into it. Anyhow, Charming insists. He's spent far too long apart from his family. Put him under. He wants to bring his girls home. Commercial.
Neverland. For the record, I'm having a hell of a time keeping my typing straight where Neverland versus the Netherworld is concerned. If, perchance, I've typed Netherland or Netherlands in this recap, rest assured I'm not talking about Holland. I either mean Peter Pan's place, or the Fiery Room of Dreams. Please substitute whatever makes the most sense. Thank you. So...
Neverland. Hook wakes Aurora, who is naturally frightened. When he frees her from her shackles, Aurora accuses him of perpetrating a pirate's ruse. Hook explains that Cora has denied him passage to Storybrooke and his vengeance, so he's firing a warning shot across the Mother Of All Evil's bow by denying her the compass. He doesn't like being double-crossed. When he encourages Aurora to leave, she thanks him. As she's on her way out, Hook grabs Aurora's arms and asks her to deliver a message to Emma. "Tell her that the deal still stands. If she provides me passage back to her realm, I swear I will help her find that dust that opens the portal." When Aurora is all, "Really?" Hook says if it hurts Cora, of course that's what he wants to do. I believe him despite knowing better, as does Aurora.
Forest. Team Princess slashes their way through heavy brush on yet another interminable trek. When Snow tells Emma bout the Netherworld, Emma is disturbed to hear that while under the curse, her little boy was lost and drifting in this dark world in which one is doomed to think of loved ones who will never again be seen. Emma blames herself for Henry ever falling victim to it because the poisoned apple tart was meant for her. Henry only ate it in an effort to make Emma believe she's the savior. Snow says there's no sense playing the blame game. If she hadn't told Cora about Regina's true love, and Cora hadn't killed him, Regina never would have cast the curse. Emma decides to keep playing the blame game, but now she'll blame Regina. We flash sideways to...