What happened?

To get caught up, here’s a recap of events that led us to where we are now.

Nov. 5: Word of the deal surfaces. Gov. Andrew Cuomo jokes that he would change his name to “Amazon Cuomo” to bring the company here.

Nov. 12: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweets about her opposition to the plan.

Nov. 13 An official deal is announced. The company, owned by Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, would get nearly $3 billion in public subsidies to expand here. Plus a helipad.

Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio make it sound as if no other real government approval was needed.

Critics mobilize.

Nov. 14: An image of Mr. Bezos laughing as he holds bags of money in a flying helicopter appears on the front page of The New York Post. The headline is “Queens Ransom.”