Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: N/A | 2181 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Fairy Tales Can Come True
By Cindy McLennan | Season 1 | Episode 1 | Aired on 2011.10.23
Storybrooke, Maine, Seaside Park, Day: Emma has the Once Upon A Time book with her, when she finds Henry on a castle-shaped play structure at a nearby park. She hands it to him and tells him he left it in the car. They look across at the clock tower and Emma comments that it still hasn't moved. Henry: "I was hoping that when I brought you back -- things would change here -- that the final battle would begin. Emma says she's not fighting any battles, but Henry insists this is her destiny. When she tells him to cut it with the book crap, he says, "You don't have to be hostile. I know you like me. I can tell. You're just pushing me away because I make you feel guilty. It's okay. I know why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance."
Emma fights back the tears as she asks how he knows that. Henry says, "It's the same reason Snow White gave you away." Emma tells him she's a real person, not a book character. "And I'm no savior. You were right about one thing, though. I wanted you to have your best chance, but it's not with me. Come on, let's go." Henry pleads with Emma not to take him back. He begs her to stay, just for a week and tells her how badly life sucks living with Regina. Emma: "You want to know what sucking is -- being left abandoned on the side of a freeway. My parents didn't even bother to drop me off at a hospital. I ended up in the foster system, and I had a family until I was three, but then they had their own kids, so they sent me back. Look, your mom is trying her best. I know it's hard and I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you, but at least she wants you."
Henry talks to Emma the way a tolerant parent addresses a clueless child who refuses to face facts. "Your parents didn't leave you on the side of the freeway. That's just where you came through. [...] The wardrobe -- when you went through the wardrobe, you appeared in the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse." Emma smiles through her tears and patronizes him. "Sure they were. Come on, Henry." He takes her hand and they head off.