I actually really enjoyed the episode in its entirety, including the ending. I really felt something when the ending happened and though I really liked the character, and the actor playing him (yum), I appreciate that they actually really got me to care, and care within pretty much one episode.
They keep going back and forth and back and forth with episodes for me as far as quality goes. I wish they would just bite the bullet and make the grown up show you know they want to, and not try to appeal to all ages. Go dark, go sexy, it's on the verge and people want to see it.
I think one of the reasons that the mayor and the little boy are annoying is because they are the exposition tools. Ditto Emma. What made her so nice in this episode was she was in the show as a character, not to forward plot points. I hope they start doing that more with the mayor and the kid. Because as much as I actually do like both actors, they aren't being given a lot to do.
Also, more Mr. Gold please, like maybe a real story involving him, not just him appearing now and then to be creepy and give cryptic messages.