Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B+ | 944 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Bibbidi Bobbidi Botch
By Cindy McLennan | Season 1 | Episode 4 | Aired on 2011.11.13
Hospital Waiting Room: Henry points out that Emma is different. "You're the only one who can leave Storybrooke." She points out that he left to find her. Henry reminds her he wasn't leaving permanently. He's just a kid. What else would he do but come home. "You're the savior. You can do whatever you want. You can go." He obviously took to heart Emma's conversation with Ashley. The doctor comes out and announces Ashley has given birth to a six pound baby girl. Gold shows up and thanks Emma for getting him back his "merchandise."
Enchanted Forest: Team Princess loads Rumpy into a cart. Ella confesses how afraid she was that she'd have to return to her terrible life without Thomas. He tells her as long as he's alive, she will never go back to that life. They kiss. He asks how their little "Alexandra" is as he caresses her belly. Suddenly, Ella goes into labor. She feels dizzy. Thomas tells her to sit and runs off to get her some water. He finds a well a ways off. As he's raising the bucket, there's a noise in the woods. We cut to Ella whose discomfort has passed. She calls out to Thomas to tell him it's okay, but he doesn't answer. There's a whoosh. Ella calls out for her Prince again, but there's no response. When she gets to the well, all she finds is his cape.
Back at the wagon, Ella asks Rumpy what he's done to Thomas. Rumpy denies involvement. "I have no idea, dearie, but I did warn you, all magic comes with it a price. It looks like someone has just paid. Charming tells her not to listen -- that they'll find Thomas. Rumpy: "No you won't. Until that debt is paid -- until that baby is mine, you're never going to see him again. In this world or the next, Cinderella, I will have that baby!" Commercial.
Storybrooke: Emma confronts Gold about not telling him why she was searching for Ashley. He tells her he thought it would be more effective if she found out on her own. "After seeing Ashley's hard life, I thought it would make sense -- to you. I mean if anyone can understand the reasons behind giving up a baby, I assumed it would be you." Emma tells Gold he's not getting this kid. He threatens to involve the police, which will land the baby in the system. He'll press charges if he must. Emma says his contract will never hold up in court. Gold says he'll let Ashley out of the deal if Emma will promise to do him a (non-specified) favor in the future. I don't love that Emma agrees to such a wide open arrangement, but she doesn't yet understand that the Enchanted Forest is the REAL world, so she doesn't understand the power behind striking a deal. Also, the story this week involves Emma's personal growth, so putting Ashley's needs before her own does make sense. I just can't buy that believer and fairy-tale-expert Henry doesn't object as Emma agrees to Gold's terms. I wish he hadn't witnessed it, because it seems so out of character for him not to interject, here. Anyhow, so yeah, Emma agrees to Gold's terms.