Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B+ | 116 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT PANdora's Box
By Cindy McLennan | Season 3 | Episode 10 | Aired on 12.08.2013
Seated at the counter, Hook furrows his brow, as watches the scene unfold. Neal approaches and snarks that he doesn't think Granny serves rum. I don't know about that, Neal. Once Upon A Time, I'm pretty sure Mary Margaret and Whale were pounding shots of whiskey, and maybe Sidney got snookered there, too.
Hook assures Neal that he's not there to pursue "the Lady Swan." When Neal doubts him, Hook says, "I made a decision when it comes to Emma. I'm gonna back off. [...] for the sake of the boy -- let his parents have a fair shot, without a devilishly handsome pirate standing in the way." When Neal asks if he's serious, Hook nods. "Yeah, I am devilishly handsome." Yeah you are, but it is your charm that has the fandom swooning, Killian. Okay, and the eyeliner. Neal gives a cheerful, "Thanks man." Hook: "Oh, don't thank me, yet. You see, I'm in this for the long haul. You've already walked out on Emma, once. I'm not so sure she'll let you back in. Are you?"
Neal's chagrinned expression is a better, more honest answer than words could ever provide. He slides off the stool and we cut to Blue who is talking and laughing with Grumpy and Happy. Shouldn't being around Blue make Grumpy even grumpier, still? Wouldn't it be nice to have Amy Acker's Astrid return for just one episode? When Grumpy and Astrid met up in Storybrooke, they were still under the curse and had no memory of their history. Someday, Show, I hope you give us some satisfaction on this front. I know Grumpy is a secondary character, but just barely. He's generally the voice of the Dwarfs. He is one of Snow's best friends. His story shouldn't just dangle forever.
Regina and Tink enter the party and approach Blue, who greets Tink with gasp. "Green!" Regina snarls, "Her name is Tinker Bell. [...] Give her her wings back." Blue snits that she doesn't take orders from Regina. Regina tries to reason with her. Yes, that's right. I just said that Regina tries to reason with an irrational, magical woman. "She helped us. She's earned it. She even got Pixie Dust to work again." When Blue wants to see proof, Tink shows her the vial, and stammers that she only got it to work, briefly. She can't produce on command. Blue sneers. "Well then there's your problem. [...] You don't believe in yourself anymore. How can I believe in you, if you can't even do that?" When Blue brushes past her, Tink looks at Regina and says, "I need a drink."