Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B+ | 2 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Bibbidi Bobbidi Botch
By Cindy McLennan | Season 1 | Episode 4 | Aired on 11.13.2011
Back at the wagon, Ella asks Rumpy what he's done to Thomas. Rumpy denies involvement. "I have no idea, dearie, but I did warn you, all magic comes with it a price. It looks like someone has just paid. Charming tells her not to listen -- that they'll find Thomas. Rumpy: "No you won't. Until that debt is paid -- until that baby is mine, you're never going to see him again. In this world or the next, Cinderella, I will have that baby!" Commercial.
Storybrooke: Emma confronts Gold about not telling him why she was searching for Ashley. He tells her he thought it would be more effective if she found out on her own. "After seeing Ashley's hard life, I thought it would make sense -- to you. I mean if anyone can understand the reasons behind giving up a baby, I assumed it would be you." Emma tells Gold he's not getting this kid. He threatens to involve the police, which will land the baby in the system. He'll press charges if he must. Emma says his contract will never hold up in court. Gold says he'll let Ashley out of the deal if Emma will promise to do him a (non-specified) favor in the future. I don't love that Emma agrees to such a wide open arrangement, but she doesn't yet understand that the Enchanted Forest is the REAL world, so she doesn't understand the power behind striking a deal. Also, the story this week involves Emma's personal growth, so putting Ashley's needs before her own does make sense. I just can't buy that believer and fairy-tale-expert Henry doesn't object as Emma agrees to Gold's terms. I wish he hadn't witnessed it, because it seems so out of character for him not to interject, here. Anyhow, so yeah, Emma agrees to Gold's terms.
Emma and Henry visit Ashley, who has named her baby Alexandra (even though Ella didn't care for that suggestion, when Thomas made it back in the Enchanted Forest). The new mother cries with relief when Emma tells her she made a deal with Gold and that the baby is now Ashley's to keep. When Emma notices it's almost five, she rushes Henry out. We cut to...
A bedroom: I knew Regina looked too damned good to be going to a Council Meeting. She's getting dressed and talking to her mystery (not really one little bit) lover, who is showering in the adjacent bathroom. As she leaves, she reminds her secret lover that his socks are under the bed.
Emma's car: Emma suggests her code name could be "Pumpkin" in honor of Cinderella. Henry shoots it down, so Emma asks him if he has a better one in mind. He does. Emma: "Well?" Henry: "I'm not sure you're ready yet." Yeah, because it's totally Mommy. When she gets to the Mayoral Mansion, Henry rushes out of the car, but Emma stops him. "Henry, about what you said at the hospital -- about me being able to leave..." Henry says, "Yeah?" Emma smiles at him. "See you tomorrow." His face lights up as he races inside. He just gets in when Regina's car pulls in the drive. As she approaches the house, he races up to his bedroom. Like Cinderella fleeing the ball to beat the clock, our boy loses a shoe on the staircase, because every story needs a memorable detail. He just settles onto his bed and opens up his book when Regina enters his room, yelling about him leaving his shoes lying on the stairs. She then softens her tone. "Someone could get hurt." Henry smiles and nods at her, and we cut to the...