Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A+ | 379 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT PANic And PANcakes
By Cindy McLennan | Season 3 | Episode 11 | Aired on 12.15.2013
Back on the road out of a town which no longer exists, Henry turns to Emma and smiles. We flash back to...
Phoenix, 11 years ago. The doctor holds baby Henry and tells Emma she can change her mind. As she listens to her son's cries, Emma turns to face him. "Wait. Let me hold him." Emma takes the baby in her arms and into her heart. It is not real, and yet it is. Now they too are both. As Emma delights in her newborn, the baby coos. We flash forward to the...
Present. Emma looks at her big boy, sitting in the passenger seat. We cut to a final shot of the town line. It vanishes. Fade to black. We flash forward to...
One year later. New York City. Emma's alarm sounds at 8:15AM. Charley's Girl plays as Emma scrambles some eggs and makes pancakes. Meanwhile, Henry waters some plants which immediately make me nervous, because they look like the potted verge that surrounded us in Neverland. Their apartment is huge and gorgeous. As Henry sits down to breakfast, Emma sets down their cups of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream. Henry and I both say, "Mom, you forgot something." Emma says, "Right. Cinnamon." When she gives it to him, Henry sprinkles some on his cocoa. There's a quick cut, so I can't tell if Emma puts any cinnamon on her cocoa or not. Still, mother and son clink their mugs and drink up.
Their happy, quiet, normal breakfast is interrupted by a insistent knock on door. Henry asks if someone is coming over. Emma says, "No." As the knocking turns to banging, Emma tells Henry to wait there. She shuts off the radio and opens the door. On the other side of it waits Hook. I feel bad for the SwanThief fans, because that use of "Charley's Girl" was a cruel bait and switch. For those of us still dealing with our Lost PTSD, I'll note Emma's apartment number is 311. "Going Home" is season 3, episode 11.
As Emma takes in the appearance of this stranger with an obvious leather fetish, Hook's eyes sparkle with delight. He whispers, "Swan." As he walks toward her, he adds, "At last." Don't cue up the Etta James just yet, Hook. Emma holds up a hand. "Whoa. Do I know you?" Hook says, "Look, I need your help. Something's happened. Something terrible. Your family is in trouble."
Emma's voice is stern. "My family's right here. Who are you?" Hook says, "An old friend. Look, I know you can't remember me, but I can make you." Putting his hand behind her head, he pulls her toward him and kisses her. Emma immediately knees him in the groin and pushes him back. Hook stumbles backward until he hits the wall, groaning all the way. Emma asks him what the hell he's doing. Hook: "A long shot. I had to try. I was hoping you felt as I did." Don't take it so hard, Hook. Charming wasn't able to restore Snow's memories with a kiss, and Gold wasn't able to restore Belle's. Emma threatens to call the cops. Hook persists. "Look, I know this seems crazy, but you have to listen to me. You have to remem.." Emma slams the door in his face.