Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B | 351 USERS: B- YOU GRADE IT The Drama Queen
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 20 | Aired on 2013.04.28
Granny's Diner. As Tamara picks up a takeout order from the counter, Emma enters the diner. She definitely notices Tamara when she's opening the door, so I like to think Emma plans what comes next: she doesn't see (or "doesn't see") Tamara and crashes right into her. Tamara's purse spills and both women apologize. Emma makes small talk as she crouches and helps Tamara pick up her things -- among them a cheat sheet that matches Storybrooke identities to their fairy tale counterparts. The list includes Mary Margaret/Snow, David/Charming, Regina/Queen, Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin (sic), Archie/Jiminy Cricket, Mother Superior/Blue Fairy and Marco/Geppetto. Emma hands the list back to Tamara, and asks how she's doing accepting the fact of Storybrooke. The two commiserate about their unreal reality and then Emma grows more serious. "If the world found out about this place, do you know what that would mean for Henry or for Neal?" Tamara says, "Look, Emma. You don't have to worry. You can trust me." Tamara smiles at Emma, and Emma returns the favor, but her face is tight enough that it's clear her precarious "superpower" has decided to kick in. We cut to...
Snow's Hovel. Emma tells Snow that "Tamara" is the "She" August was trying to warn them about. To back up her claim, Emma mentions the Fairy Tale Identity List, and that she could tell Tamara was lying when she assured Emma she could trust her. Speaking for a jaded audience, Snow reminds Emma that her superpower is hardly reliable, particularly when she's emotional. Snow's motherly condescension is perfect here, maybe even more so because in this instance, she's wrong. Emma says, "For the last time, I don't have feelings for Neal. That was over a decade ago. I'm over it." I don't think that's entirely true, but I do think Emma doesn't know what to make of her feelings for Neal, so she's using her ability to wall herself off for the greater good. Snow looks around to ensure they're alone, then whispers, "Well, that may be, but if you tell Henry that you think his dad's fiancée may be up to something, then Henry's going to think there's a chance his parents could get back together. So keep it to yourself, please, until you know something more."