Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: N/A | 118 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT PANoply
By Cindy McLennan | Season 3 | Episode 7 | Aired on 11.10.2013
Dark Hollow is more of a set-up episode than a pay-off episode. Fresh off last week's confessions, Emma, Hook and Neal have to work together to trap Pan's shadow. It will serve as their way off Neverland. There's tension of the triangular kind because Hook chooses to be honest with Neal about kissing Emma. Both Colin O'Donoghue and Michael Raymond-James bring great physicality to their roles. Even when they're not tussling, their stances and gestures bring to life their rivalry.
Meanwhile, Snow and Charming set off to find Tinker Bell and tell her Neal has a way off Neverland, but Snow is so angry with Charming from keeping his poisoning and cure-with-restrictions from her that I'm tempted to call her call her Frost Bite.
When Ariel gets to Storybrooke, the dwarfs -- most of whom are enjoying the peace and quiet with the royals out of town -- bring her to Belle. Belle didn't get the cloaking spell around Storybrooke before John and Michael Darling found their way to Storybrooke, though, so the ladies have to contend with them. The Darling boys are there to thwart Belle and Ariel because they need to save Wendy's life. Wendy, of course, is the occupant of the other cage back on Neverland. Belle assures them that Team Operation Cobra Rescue will save Wendy, too.
"Ariel" left me with such a high that I've decided to refrain from grading "Dark Hollow" until I submit the recap. I can't yet tell if this episode also sends me soaring over the moon, or if I'm still there because of last week's. I have to watch it a few more times, so I'm off to do that right now. If there are any veterans (or their families) reading this, thank you so much for your service.
I'll be back with the recap, ASAP. In the meantime, please grade the episode up top, and then join us on the boards, where we might have lit Neal on fire to attract Pan's Shadow.