Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A- | 283 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Happy Birthday
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 15 | Aired on 2013.03.03
Sidebar. I've read a lot of criticism of this scene -- that certainly by wee Snow's age, she would have already learned this lesson. As a parent of three adolescents, I beg to differ. All three of my kids were practically perfect until they were about this age. This is exactly when that royal attitude exerts itself (even among peasants). Squelch it, Eva. Squelch it dead!
Since the Palace is hosting a big ball on Snow's birthday, she's laboring under the assumption that it's to honor her, but Eva sets the child straight. "No. It's for you to honor them, by showing them you will be a kind and benevolent leader when that time comes." Taking the tiara, Eva says, "When you are crowned with this, on your birthday, it will be a symbol that you will always hold goodness in your heart, and rule justly. Now do you understand?" Snow, to her credit, does.
Appropriately chagrinned, Snow takes the tiara from her mother, gives Johanna a sheepish look then stands before the mirror. When she says the tiara is beautiful, Eva cautions, "And it's heavier than it looks." Before Snow can even try on the tiara, Eva gasps and doubles over. Johanna catches her. When Eva insists she fine, Johanna pshaws that and seats the Queen in a handy chair, then heads off to get the doctor. We flash forward to...
Storybrooke. Mary Margaret's Hovel. Lost in thought and surely memories, Snow is looking at herself in the mirror when she notices that David is cooking pancakes. She reminds him they had a deal. The thing is, girlfriend doesn't like her birthday, and I feel her. Spying a present on the table, Snow again gives David the stink eye, but he insists it isn't from him. He found it on the doorstep that morning. When Snow opens the gift before opening the accompanying card, I expect a flashback to the Enchanted Forest, in which Queen Eva rolls over in her grave, and am...gravely disappointed.
Anyhow, Snow's tiara is in the box. When her Royal Rudeness finally gets around to opening the card, she sees it is from Johanna. They didn't realize she'd been brought over. David offers some lame exposition about why they're just now figuring out that Johanna is in Storybrooke, but it's not worth our time. Snow tells David she has to go. He grabs her arms and wishes her a happy birthday. Kissing him, Snow thanks him for understanding and reminds him that he has to get to work. David wishes this day made her happier. Snow says, "I know, but we both know it can't." Okay, I was determined to leave all my birthday issues in the recaplet, but allow me this small...