This week in television began with the return of Once Upon a Time on Sunday, featuring memories restored, memories lost, and mysterious to be solved. Another triumphant return from hiatus came to us courtesy of Sunday’s episode of The Good Wife, and Monday featured the end of a very controversial (and confrontational) season of The Bachelor. Tuesday’s New Girl brought Nick and Jess into the realm of power couples (at least in Nick’s mind), and Brooklyn Nine-Nine allowed Boyle and Jake’s friendship to take center stage. On Wednesday’s Nashville, both Maddie and Juliette acted recklessly, which will surely have major consequences for the rest of the season. Thursday featured a Parks and Recreation episode that highlighted Ben and Leslie’s wonderful, supportive marriage; a Suits episode that raised the tension between Louis and Mike to a new level; and a Scandal episode with a cliffhanger that still has me guessing. 

Upon its return from its midseason hiatus, Once Upon a Time stepped right back into its place as the provider of some of my favorite television moments each week. While “New York City Serenade” had plenty of contenders for the best of the best, my favorite was the moment when Snow convinced Regina to put her heart back.These two mothers bonding over the loss of their children was something that I was happy to see the show address. They have such a complicated relationship, but they’re the only people who can truly understand what the other is going through without Emma and Henry.

I also loved the way Snow was written in this scene. She had the strength that I’ve always admired in her character—a quiet but ever-present strength that comes from hope and an open heart. Snow has learned from experience that closing yourself off to feeling any emotion doesn’t solve anything; vulnerability is scary, but it’s the only way true love is possible. I loved the sense of genuine but subtle bonding between these women, and I hope that this scene is a sign of things to come.

What was the best thing you saw on TV this week?