I've been procrastinating writing this recap. Not because there's anything wrong with the episode. Heavens no. I adored this episode, it was one of my favorites so far and just stuffed with quirky goodness. But the news about Daisies' imminent departure from the airwaves has me so heartbroken that its taken me a while to recover. I've got my box off tissues on standby and I'm ready to go.

In Couer d'Couer, Sad Young Ned isn't sad, for a change. Instead he's being treated to a three-card monte style magic trick by his dear old disappearing dad (who hasn't disappeared yet). It was before Ned learned that he could bring dead things to life, and before Sad Young Ned discovered there was a difference between real magic and tricks, and way before Sad Young Ned was sent to the Horrible School for Unloved Children, the location of his father's final disappearing act. At this point there's adorable little red velvet curtains that close and open as each new scene is unveiled, which is just such a perfectly wonderful theatrical touch that suits this episode so very well. The curtain goes up and Sad Young Ned and Digby are in ghost costumes made of sheets, but the sheets are of course not the plain old garden variety white sheets that you'd expect for a ghost costume, but instead Western themed, with cowboys and little cacti on them. Sad Young Ned peeks through the cut-out holes, in front of his father's new house, looking more dejected than Charlie Brown when he sees that his Dear Old Disappearing Dad has reappeared and is up to his same old tricks with his new twin sons dressed in deliciously perfect devil costumes. Of course new mom is dressed in an Angel costume and appears just briefly in the background. Zoom in on Not-Sad Young Maurice and Ralston (or Mercutio and Ribald if you prefer) who look all blonde and happy while Sad Young Ghost Ned watches on wistfully, until he and Digby eventually can't take it any more.

At the Pie Hole, Nineteen years, 42 weeks, six days, thirteen hours and seven minutes later, Maurice and Ralston have become the magical and aptly named duo Two for the Show, and they've presented their business card to Ned. They aren't magicians, they are illusionists (with spirit fingers!), which certainly impresses one Ms. Olive Snook, who may have loved one Ned, but clearly adores the idea of doubling her pleasure with two mini-versions of him. "Who doesn't love magic?" Chuck asks, inadvertently opening one big ass can of worms. Ned, who suffers from acid reflux at the mere mention of the topic, barely keeps it together and claims that he loves it as much as he loves other popular forms of entertainment like, "monster trucks on ice." Which frankly sounds incredible and I'd so go see it. Olive tells the "little devils" that certain factions of the American public consider magic the devil's work. Then she whispers over her shoulder, "Magically delicious little devils" with all the cougar goodness she can muster under her breath to Chuck. But it's not Chuck. It's Emerson and he's not amused. So she tries again over her other shoulder to actual Chuck this time, who happily agrees with Olive's assessment. The sweetly oblivious twins perform a "pick a pie" trick, which Olive eagerly participates in. They take a slice and create a beautiful julienned cherry treat, and expose that tickets for their upcoming show are hidden beneath the pie. Lots of girlish squealing ensues. Emerson grumps, "Where did I put that rat's ass I could give?" Love it. He's not impressed and goes on about debunking how they "Alacazamed" the tickets into the pie. "Hocus pulled the damned tickets out of his pocket and Pocus slid them under the pie crust as evidenced by the cherry rhubarb crumble on his sleeve." Fine detective work, Mr. Cod. The boys are not dissuaded and tell their newfound friends they'd like to see them open for The Great Hermann at the Conjurer's Castle. He's the big muckety-muck over there, and he took the twins under his wing when their dad "had to leave." Ned's reflux starts acting up and he starts trying to get out of it, but Emerson interrupts. "I'd like to RSVP in the resoundingly affirmative." Wait, what? Wasn't he all about the debunking? He's anxious to expose their "fairy dust deceptions." It's like Brain Teaser, or Where's Waldo. They don't want him heckling, but he's got a trick up his sleeve, in the form of a ticket. The girls will be there loud and applauding. Ned's got no choice in the matter.