Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A | 6 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT Feed Your Head
By Cindy McLennan | Season 1 | Episode 17 | Aired on 03.25.2012
Jefferson asks how much the rabbit is. Gypsied-Up Regina (GUR) says it costs one silver. Jefferson only has eight coppers. GUR says, "Oh, you are good father. Your last coppers for your leeeetle girl's happiness." When Jefferson hands her the money and thanks her, GUR says, "Oh, I deeeeed not say I accept. Alas, I cannot take less than one silver. It's zee economy." She snatches the rabbit back from Grace. "You understand." Grace is no self-entitled brat. She lives up to her name and cheerfully consoles her father as she assures him she doesn't need it. When Jefferson tries to barter with GUR, Grace insists they leave because other people are waiting in line. Humiliated, Jefferson leads Grace away.
GUR hobbles to the back of her cart and stops in front of a conveniently placed mirror. Genie-Sidney-Magic Mirror Man appears and chides her for being cruel. "You could have at least let the girl have her toy." Through the magic of clunky CGI, GUR's face morphs sort of into Regina's. Speaking in her regular voice now, Regina cackles, "Where's the fun in that?" She morphs back into GUR and we jump back to...
Storybrooke, Jefferson's Mansion. When Emma comes to, she is bound and gagged. Seeing the teacup still lying on the carpet, she thinks quick, pushes a pillow on top of it, then stomps on it with her boots. Kicking the pillow out of the way, she hops down to the floor, picks up one of the larger shards, and frees her hands first. She then removes the scarf gag and removes the duct tape from her ankles. She tries to escape out a window but they're all stuck. Noticing a telescope in the room, she peeks in it. It is trained right on her office. Emma slowly opens a door and spies Jefferson in a room across the hall, honing the blades of a big pair of scissors. We return to...
Enchanted Forest, Jefferson's Cottage, Day. He's just finished making Grace a stuffed white rabbit. Of course it isn't as commercially perfect as the one on GUR's cart, but it has such homespun charm that it's not hard to believe Grace when she says she loves it. Stupid Jefferson -- when a daddy makes a gift like that for his little girl, she's going to love it forever and explain to her husband on her wedding night that the bunny gets to stay in the bed. It's the best gift ever, but you can't let yourself see that because you let Regina manipulate you. Tsk tsk.
Grace begins her little tea party and talks to her other stuffed animal, Mr. Tortoise. Jefferson's not playing around, this time. He tells her he needs her to go to the neighbors for the rest of the day. Grace knows his errand must have to do with the Queen's visit, and warns her father not to do whatever it is the Queen wants him to do. He says he must, because he wants Grace to have everything she needs. Grace reminds her Papa that all she needs is him and begs him to stay. He picks her up and carries her across the room in such an awkward way that it takes me out of the scene. She looks like a ragdoll, right? Anyhow, when he puts her down, Grace makes Jefferson promise he'll come back. He says, "Of course." She adds, "For our tea party. Promise?" Jefferson says, "I promise. I won't miss it for the world." Well goodbye, Jefferson. I guess you won't be seeing Grace again. He kisses her forehead and pulls up her hood as he encourages her out the door, where she is warmly greeted by a neighbor woman. Once Jefferson is alone, he opens a trunk and takes out a hatbox. The camera zooms in on, before we jump back to...