Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A | 187 USERS: A YOU GRADE IT PANgs
By Cindy McLennan | Season 3 | Episode 6 | Aired on 11.03.2013
Neverland. As the men prepare to set off on Operation Douchefire Recovery, Snow reminds them they'll need a good cover story. They say that's already done, but when Emma walks up and asks where they're going, Charming says, "To get water," while Hook is saying, "Firewood." Snow, bless her, blurts out: "Neal's alive." Emma reels. Awkward silence abounds. Commercial.
Over his fire, Rumpy closes his eyes and raises his hands. He's interrupted by Pan who reminds him it's not possible to see the future in a place where time stands still. Rumpy says while he can't see the future, he can make one happen. Peter laughs at the threat, and points out he's made Rumpy his favorite breakfast -- eggs in a basket. If Pan isn't Rumpy's father, the writers sure want me to think he is. I know my speculation sounds ridiculous to most people, but Pan lives in a place with magical healing water, and Neverland runs on belief. Maybe he abandoned Rumpy because he was running away from adulthood, ended up in Neverland and [magic whatever] he became a boy again. Now that he's a boy again, he's younger than he was when he sired Rumpy, and that's why, if Rumpy kills Pan, he too will die -- because they are in a place outside of time. If Pan is killed before he spawns Rumpy, then there's no Rumpy. Maybe. Of course, if that's the case, would that mean Rumpy never existed, hence no Neal and Henry, or is this "Whatever happened, happened" scenario, a la Lost? Wow, I haven't had a nosebleed like this in three or four years.
Pan needles Rumpy about losing his son again, and being unable to get to his grandson. As they go back and forth, Rumpy notes that by killing Pan, all their troubles end. Pan laughs. "We both know that's not going to happen, because the only way to do that is for you to die, too." He encourages Rumpy to leave the island. Even if he could save his son and grandson, they'll never be able to forgive him for all the bad things he's done. When Rumpy says Pan doesn't know that, Pan asks, "Have you forgiven your father?" Do you see what I mean? Pan says the silver lining is that Rumpy has Belle waiting for him. He can make a new start with Belle. "She looks fertile. Maybe a new child? You and I both know that's the only future for you, assuming you want to live." He tells Rumpy to enjoy the eggs, and leaves him stewing. We cut back to...