Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A | 523 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Mother Knows Best
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 3 | Aired on 2012.10.14
Enchanted Present. Snow tells Emma that Lancelot was one of the most noble knights she ever knew. Mulan berates herself for being so blind as to not realize it was Cora, all along. Emma reminds her that shapeshifting is pretty tricksy as tricks go. Mulan frets about what they'll tell the other survivors, back on the island. Snow says, "The truth -- that Lancelot was cut down by a terrible villain. He died an honorable death." Mulan says, "Cora is still out there. We need to find her. We need to defend what's left of the kingdom." Aurora: "Who's going to lead us -- you?" Mulan turns toward Snow. "No. Her." Snow is speechless for a moment. She's honored, but reminds them she and Emma still need to find a way back to Storybrooke. Mulan pledges to help them and enlists Aurora's cooperation. Aurora says, "Yes. Perhaps it will help me channel my anger." Mulan starts out of the room. "Come." Aurora follows.
Emma and Snow hang back, for a moment. Emma apologizes for burning the wardrobe, but Snow understands. "You had to put Henry first." Getting in touch with her Charming roots, Emma's eyes fill up as she looks at her mother, as if for the first time. Her voice choked, she says, "I was angry at you for so long -- wondering how you could choose to let me grow up without you. Just seeing all this -- you gave up everything for me, and you're still doing it. Sorry. I'm not good at this. I guess I'm just...I'm not used to someone putting me first." I'm not sure that "you gave up everything" line makes a lot of sense, but it's still effective.