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
RECAP: We open with a segment of scenes from prior episodes (which I will from now on call the Previouslies -- it's a Buffy thing). Queenie cast a curse and blah blah blah. We get a clip of Regina, in her Storybrooke home, looking at her mirror, as the narrator says, "Only one knows the truth," so I guess that means Regina remembers life in the Enchanted Forest, and knows exactly what's going on.
Enchanted Forest, Night: We open on a very Disney World shot of fireworks over a distant castle. Ella's step-sisters depart for the royal ball leaving their cinder-covered abuse victim home alone, cleaning. Her African-Forestian fairy godmother appears. "Do not despair, dear. You will attend that ball." She explains to Ella (whom she calls "Cinderella") that she's her fairy godmother and is there to change her life. Godmommy holds up her wand and tells Ella, "This wand has the power to take you to your ball, to your prince and to your..." And then POOF... she goes up in flames. Her wand drops to the ground and is retrieved by Rumpelstiltskin, who says, "I got what I wanted." He then tells Ella not to be frightened. Ella: "You just killed my fairy godmother. She was trying to help me." Now, whether or not Rumpy killed Godmommy or not, Ella thinks he did and that makes her coming choices all the more abominable to me. Rumpy says the fairy godmother's wand is pure evil, and that he has done her a favor, because all magic comes with a price. He cautions her to go back to her life and be grateful she has a life to which she can go back. When she protests -- saying her life is wretched, Rumpy challenges her to change it and taunts that she can't handle the magic.
Ella says she will do "anything to get out of here." Rumpy's eyes light up at that. Ella: "Do you know how to use that wand, Mister..." Rumpy bows and says, "Rumpelstiltskin." And WHAT? He just out and out told his name? That's his big secret. Oh well, I guess by the time Cinderella's story happens, his secret identity has already been outed by the Miller's Daughter-turned-Queen (who you just know has to be our Queenie, since Queenie's Storybrooke name is Reginal Mills). Anyhow, Rumpy manipulates Ella into entering an agreement with him, so that she can attend the ball, but she will owe him a favor. "Something, precious." (It's very Gollum, and I love it.) Ella says she has nothing, but Rumpy assure her she will, because her wish will bring her more riches beyond belief. Ella says she doesn't care about wishes. "Just get me out of here." Rumpy tells her his needs are small (AS BABIES ALWAY ARE, DON'T DO IT, ELLA) and has her sign on the dotted line of a contract so long she doesn't even bother to read it. Sigh. He magics up her beautiful blue ball gown and her glass slippers -- glass, because "...every story needs a memorable detail." He tells her to have a good time, "But be sure to watch the clock." We cut to...