Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B- | 51 USERS: D+ YOU GRADE IT (Re)Born In The U.S.A.
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 17 | Aired on 03.17.2013
As the Flynns walk Storybrooke's main drag, Kurt rambles about how there was nothing here the day before. It's like the whole town dropped out of nowhere. The guys are looking up at the Storybrooke Library clock tower, which is stuck at 8:15, when the best thing ever happens: A Storybrooke Sheriff's cruiser pulls up behind them, and who should get out of it but Sheriff Graham? He asks them if they need help, then introduces himself and says, "Welcome to Storybrooke." Title card! I just want to stay here, in this moment, when Graham is alive, well, and as appealing as ever. May I? May I please?
We open on Regina's eyes. A helpful chyron tells us we're in Storybrooke, 1983. Regina sits up in bed and looks around for a moment -- eyes wide with wonder. Rising, she heads to the window and looks out at her brand new town. "I did it. I won." She opens her closet, which contains way too much black, grey and taupe for 1983. I know Regina wouldn't be a neon gal, but her trademark purple would not be out of place. She takes a black shift from the rack, then heads to her mirror and holds it up in front of her, and smiles. Really? I'd already be regretting the curse if I suffered such a wardrobe downgrade. It's a perfectly lovely dress, but talk about your comedowns. I'm a little disappointed too because Show, if you plop a flamboyant queen in the middle of 1983, there should be sequins and shoulder pads, and way bigger hair.
After a time-cut, Regina walks through town. On her way she sees Gold walking down the other side of the street. He passes Marco (Geppetto), who is up on a ladder, fixing the sign over Neighbor's Five & Dime. As she approaches the diner, she hears Ruby arguing with Granny. Ruby is back in her tacky hooker-wear, which includes red short-shorts, and strappy black heels worn over white ankle sox. Ruby is angry that Granny has put her on the early shift. Granny says, "It's not my fault you stayed out all night. When I put 'over-easy' on the menu, I was talking about the eggs." Aw, while I feel the season has suffered from a dearth of Ruby and Granny, I didn't realize how much I missed Cursed Ruby and Granny's bickering. Regina stifles her smile as she walks by. Next she passes Archie and Pongo. Archie wishes "Madame Mayor" a good morning. Regina's voice is dreamy as she says, "'Morning, Crick... Dr. Hopper." Archie smiles. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" Regina chuckles. "Yes! Yes it is."
Mary Margaret Blanchard addresses her class, teaching a lesson we first heard in the pilot, so allow me to more or less plagiarize myself. She's holding a beautiful blue bird... as she lectures her class about the purpose of the birdhouses they are building. "What you're making is a home, not a cage. A bird is free. It will do what it will. This is for them, not us. They're loyal creatures." At the open window, she sets her bird free, and it flies 'til it lands on its blue house. The children are enchanted. Ms. Blanchard continues. "If you love them and they love you, they will always find you." She looks so sad as she stares off into the ether. The bell brings her back to the present.