Once Upon A Time...What?

[UniqueScreenname]

This show just started and the goal is to modernize fairy tales and put a new spin to them. I can't figure out whether I love it or hate it. While I have always liked to see different versions of the stories that shaped my childhood, the show almost seems to be falling flat to me. Any opinions?

[Stellazira]

It's definitely different. I'm not sure what to think though. The kid is trying so hard to be helpful... yet he doesn't listen half the time.

So far it's keeping my attention, although the show's going to have to do a bit more explaining as to what's going on if it wants me to keep watching.

If you haven't seen it and think you might be interested, I'd say try it out for a few episodes.

[UniqueScreenname]

Yeah, I agree. What's really killing me is how they aren't explaining the timing.

Spoiler:

So, if this curse happened 28 years ago, why don't they remember anything from all those years? I mean, they have all stayed the same ages, so do their memories erase every year or what? Why don't they notice they aren't getting any older?

If they don't explain that soon, it will drive me insane.

[clockworkmonk]

I can look over those things, but mainly because I was sold on the show when I realized that Robert Carlyle was playing Rumpelstiltskin, and already love that character.

[Angua]

Yeah, I agree. What's really killing me is how they aren't explaining the timing.

Spoiler:

So, if this curse happened 28 years ago, why don't they remember anything from all those years? I mean, they have all stayed the same ages, so do their memories erase every year or what? Why don't they notice they aren't getting any older?

If they don't explain that soon, it will drive me insane.

They did explain it:

Spoiler:

They all seem to live in a fog, and don't really think about their lives or pasts for long enough to realise that something is up.

I'm quite enjoying this series to be honest - I like the female lead not being a) being defined by a man (though I guess Henry is a boy) and b) not being obsessed by the fact that she doesn't have a love interest.

[UniqueScreenname]

Yeah, I agree. What's really killing me is how they aren't explaining the timing.

Spoiler:

So, if this curse happened 28 years ago, why don't they remember anything from all those years? I mean, they have all stayed the same ages, so do their memories erase every year or what? Why don't they notice they aren't getting any older?

If they don't explain that soon, it will drive me insane.

They did explain it:

Spoiler:

They all seem to live in a fog, and don't really think about their lives or pasts for long enough to realise that something is up.

I'm quite enjoying this series to be honest - I like the female lead not being a) being defined by a man (though I guess Henry is a boy) and b) not being obsessed by the fact that she doesn't have a love interest.

Huh, I'm surprised they don't act more Stepford-y then.

[eaglewings51]

I started watching this show a couple weeks ago and I really like it so far. It's interesting and I love their take on the fairy tales: (not sure if this is spoilerish or not but I figure I'll stay on the safe side)

Spoiler:

expanding the back stories and how all the characters are interconnected and know each other.

I look forward to future episodes.

[meridian]

I'm rather annoyed at the pace, but I'm also assuming that if they let go of the vice grip they have on slowness, the entire thing would wrap up in an episode or two.

Spoiler:

But yes, the haze, the fog they all live in and have no concept of the passage of time - the fact that time does not pass for them, indicated in the first episode by the fact that the clock tower doesn't tick until Emma shows up, it makes sense. It's a little hard to justify with the child's existence in the world. How did they raise baby Henry without anyone really noticing that time doesn't pass, all the other children don't get older, and they weren't getting older either? Exactly how long was poor Cinderella actually pregnant?

Oh, Yeah. It's all magic. Okay.

I am kind of wondering if Emma will have to make out with everyone now. That could get awkward.

Anyway! I'm watching and I'm enjoying, mostly.

[interactiveagency]

I totally agree on the pace of the show. It's annoyingly slow AND I don't know where they go after this season....

I mean "so we broke the curse what now"?

Do you have the story shift back to fairy tale universe? That's really all I can think of since dragging this out for more than two seasons TOPS in our world will kill the show.

But you never know with Hollywood, they seem to make a living doing stupid things with great shows.

Anyone have thoughts on what happens next season?

[Angua]

They don't necessarily have to have a second season. I think it would be quite nice if we got some more miniseries type things - you have a nice story, then a resolution. Writers and director move on to something else.

[Angua]

Thread bump for latest episode -

Spoiler:

That was one of the saddest valentine episodes I have ever seen. I liked it though - it's nice that they didn't take the obvious sappy love story route.

[clockworkmonk]

i enjoyed it. I'm beginning to realize how thrilled I am that this show has access to the names/particular versions of the stories from the Disney Catalog. like in the last episode,

Spoiler:

with the chipped cup, driving home if it wasn't completely clear from the girl named Belle and Gaston.

[AvatarIII]

They don't necessarily have to have a second season. I think it would be quite nice if we got some more miniseries type things - you have a nice story, then a resolution. Writers and director move on to something else.

If that was the aim, they'd have to make it better than 10th kingdom, is that even possible?

[UniqueScreenname]

Spoiler:

I have a feeling we will never see Belle again, and they were only solving another puzzle for us. I really doubt they'll actually put her into the show.

[Sprocket]

I want the evil queen on Once Upon A Time to be more sympathetic. I thought they were going to develop her a bit in that regard but they really never did.
Also there should be more villains in Storybrooke. They're all supposed to be there.
It's really annoying just watch her have to hurt people and stuff all the time for what seems like no good reason, and I liked it better when

Spoiler:

it seemed like she was under her own spell more

, like it would give her a chance to grow.

Spoiler:

Also I'm still annoyed they killed the hottest guy on the show off so early.

No one else is really my cuppa. They're all too Eddie Bauer.

Spoiler:

I have a feeling we will never see Belle again, and they were only solving another puzzle for us. I really doubt they'll actually put her into the show.

That doesn't make any sense. Of course they will. They wouldn't have set it up otherwise. Everything they've done so far has been quite purposeful. Though what was she doing

Spoiler:

drinking with the dwarves?

[UniqueScreenname]

You really think Prince Charming is Eddie Bauer-ish? I don't see it. (shrugs)

I really thought they would develop the queen more also. I wish they would develop lots of stuff more. In due time, I suppose.

[MiB24601]

I was always wondering what Snow did to the Queen that led to the series of events seen in Once Upon a Time. I was always concerned that it would never live up to the revenge the Queen carried out. But, now we know.

Spoiler:

And I was right, it doesn't match the level of revenge we see. Granted, losing the man she loved and being forced to marry the king to take care of his daughter does seem like she would want revenge but it was all the Queen's mother's fault. The Queen should be taking it out on her, not the 8 year old who should have kept her mouth shut but was tricked by the Queen's mother. (I really need to learn character's names)

[flicky1991]

I loved season 1, and I'm really glad there'll be a second season! I haven't been this captivated by the mythology of a show since the first season of Heroes. (Then again, that show went downhill fast...)

Spoiler:

And I was right, it doesn't match the level of revenge we see. Granted, losing the man she loved and being forced to marry the king to take care of his daughter does seem like she would want revenge but it was all the Queen's mother's fault. The Queen should be taking it out on her, not the 8 year old who should have kept her mouth shut but was tricked by the Queen's mother. (I really need to learn character's names)

Spoiler:

Keep in mind that the fairytale world follows fairytale logic - Regina was a villain because she was a villain, and anything could start that off. You might say she was destined to be evil, since that's the role in the story she's required to fulfil.

[UniqueScreenname]

Yeah, that would have been an annoying cliffhanger to end the show on. I look forward to it coming back.

[sugarhyped]

I really enjoyed the season opener.

...so I am guessing we finally got a shot of Rumples kid in the open, but who sent him the postcard?

I appreciated that Henry finally showed Regina a little bit of caring. He's always been my least favorite character, that being among the reasons.

[Angua]

Spoiler:

I think Pinocchio sent him the postcard - after all, he must have met Rumpel's son at some point.

It will be interesting to see where they go from here, I'm not really sure what more they can do in Storybrooke.

[UniqueScreenname]

Spoiler:

I thought it was genius to send them back to the old kingdom. This series had a bit of a one-season feel to it, and they took it to a place where they can build another season out of it that wasn't too contrived. I must say though, I'm a big fan of seeing interactions intended for the characters, and endlessly separating main characters as a try at drama and suspense just irritates me. You could have given them a week together at least.

I don't like that Regina has her powers back simply because nobody else does, but I suppose that will keep her from getting killed, and therefore keep her in the show.

[Xeio]

This show is like fairy tale fanfic porn (except it's not on HBO, so there isn't as much of the porn part). I KEEP WATCHING IT. I'M NOT SURE WHY.

[headprogrammingczar]

This show is like fairy tale fanfic porn (except it's not on HBO, so there isn't as much of the porn part). I KEEP WATCHING IT. I'M NOT SURE WHY.

I can think of a few reasons...

[ArgonV]

So do they have the right to Disney films or what?

Spoiler:

Belle's chipped cup, sleeping beauty definitely called Aurora, Smee's red hat, the entire inclusion of Mulan...

[Xeio]

Disney would have difficulty claiming ownership of any of the stories, given the fact that they're all borrowed from existing sources. Granted, there are of course nods to the Disney versions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hua_Mulan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast

[Ubik]

It also helps that the show is made by Disney-owned company.

[Adam H]

Just finished watching the first season on netflix; I sped through it in about a week. Really enjoyed it! Well, at least the first half... The overall story arc IMO wasn't actually very good, and towards the end it felt like they were just trying to wrap things up. But the characters are amazing. Several episodes made me cry, and I never cry...

Spoiler:

The Jiminy Cricket one, where he's saying, "I wish, I wish, I wish", I thought he was angry at his parents and was wishing to leave them. But then the fairy comes and says "I know, but I can't bring back the boy's parents." The tears floweth!

Rumplestiltskin and Belle also made me openly weep... But hahaha, when he was throwing the tea set against the wall I was thinking "Noooo! Don't kill Chip!!!" I'm glad he didn't.

Hansel and Gretel was really good, too. I'm a sucker for adoption stories.

Snow/Charming's backstories were good at first but got a bit overdone by the end. They rescued each other soooo many times... it all starts to blend together...

So now that you know what I like, should I bother starting on season 2?

[Angua]

I think so. I like season 2 so far.

[Xeio]

Spoiler:

Rumplestiltskin and Belle also made me openly weep... But hahaha, when he was throwing the tea set against the wall I was thinking "Noooo! Don't kill Chip!!!" I'm glad he didn't.

Spoiler:

<_<

[Sprocket]

I'm ok with Bay being

Spoiler:

a lost boy

, but if turns out he's

Spoiler:

Peter Pan

, I'm gonna be kind of annoyed.

[Sprocket]

The problem with this show is, they make almost everyone too sympathetic not to be redeemed, but I dont think they can redeem everyone. But I'm SUPER bored and frustrated with the idea that Regina has to keep being the bad guy.

[PracticalM]

They really need to switch it so that Gold goes back to being a bad guy. I was sort of hoping Cora and Gold would die together but that would end the Gold reuniting with his son arc.

I was good to see the early days of Storybrook and how dull that was for Regina.

[Xeio]

Spoiler:

So, Regina is good-ish again?

Taking bets on how long till she decides to murder everyone again.

Seriously, if they do this, I will hate the writers.

At some point you have to put a stop to it though, right? "Well, now you've murdered 4000 people, we were ok with 3,999, but this is just too many, you can't have good inside you anymore, you're too full of murder".

[UniqueScreenname]

It's more about their good rather than her bad.

Notes:

Spoiler:

I'll suppose at some point they'll explain why they have a picture of a boy hundreds of years (our time) before he exists.

Also, I'm somewhat irritated by their setup of the time. They said that time goes faster in Neverland than in the regular world. If that was the case, if Baelfire came out of Neverland in the 80s, he'd be super old. Time would have to go slower in Neverland for him to be a normal age still.

[Angua]

Spoiler:

I think the thing about being in Neverland is that you don't age. Which is why Hook went there when Rumpel said it would take him more than a lifetime to figure out how. So time may be faster than in our world, but you don't get any older.