Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B- | 49 USERS: D+ YOU GRADE IT (Re)Born In The U.S.A.
By Cindy McLennan | Season 2 | Episode 17 | Aired on 03.17.2013
I can't help but wonder if Gold isn't playing both ends against the middle here. He's saying all the right things and saying them convincingly enough to cover his arse where Neal is concerned, yet he knows Henry will be his "undoing." As we've discussed before, "undoing" can mean a lot of things, and in Gold's case, not all of those things are bad, but he's a coward -- a coward who knows Regina. He knows she's unlikely to listen to him. He knows she's recalcitrant enough; that telling her to abandon vengeance may just further fuel her desire for it. It's possible he's trying to sow the idea that Regina needs to give up Henry to get what she truly wants. Trust no one, is what I'm saying. Commercial.
Present. Snow's hovel. Snow White is lying in bed. She won't eat, talk or join the living, so Henry asks what's wrong with her. Emma says Snow is a little sick, but Henry knows she's lying and says so. After exchanging looks and glances with David, Emma admits to Henry that Snow was "partially" responsible for Cora's death. Henry insists Snow White wouldn't hurt anyone. It's time for some straight talk with this kid, but it's not going to happen because Gold knocks at the door and announces that Regina is out for vengeance. He's not inclined to help them, but David insists upon it. "Aside from us being family now, Mary Margaret saved your life. Now you owe her a debt and you always pay your debts, don't you? You're going to help us stop Regina." We flash back to...
1983. Granny's Dinner. Kurt and Owen are sitting at the counter when Regina enters and announces the child is sitting in her seat. As a kid, Owen is best suited to explain the laws of our world to this former queen: he got there first. You snooze, you lose, Regina. Regina seems to get it, so she changes the subject and tells Kurt his car should be fixed by the end of the week. Kurt seems surprised, since the mechanic told him it would take two weeks to get parts. I missed the writing credits at the opening, but I didn't miss the damage to the car. The roof and hood were somewhat dented. That's a dent-pulling job, my friends. It's not a wait for weird parts situation.
During the course of conversation, Regina wonders where the guys are from. Kurt: "New Jersey, home of the Boss." Hee. I love how clueless Regina is, here. Kurt thanks her "Mayorness" for expediting their repairs. He and Owen are on their way out, when Owen stops and takes the gimp lanyard he made out of his pocket, and gives it to Regina. "It's a gift for letting me sit in your seat." Touched, Regina says, "For me?" She stares at it in wonder, until we cut to...