Once Upon A Time is definitely a much more ambitious show this year. While I didn’t adore this episode, it was still a solid and satisfying hour.
I do have an issue with the dialogue though. All the “true love” and “good always wins” lines are starting to make my ears bleed. The show treats magic much too seriously and it could stand to be a more comedic (a la Charmed). It’s hard not to laugh when they’re so seriously debating magic beans and portals.
I have to mention how uneven Lana Parilla is as an actress. She’s absolutely horrible in the fairytale world with her forced “evil” line readings and melodramatic acting. However in Storybrooke, she’s phenomenal and probably my favorite character at the moment. She’s truly morphed into the show’s anti-heroine and truth be told she’s ten times more compelling than boring old Emma. More Storybrooke Regina please. And if we never see the fairytale world again, I don’t think I would care. The CGI is much too horrendous there anyway.
Storybrooke Snippets
– Epic moment with Cora launching a force-field and shielding herself and Hook from the curse.
– Cool squid ink escape. The effect was subtle and well done.
– Great double fight scene with Hook & Cora vs the women. From the fireballs to the sword fights, this is the second week in a row we get an ambitious action sequence. The editing and staging did feel a tad sloppy and choppy, but I’m glad they tried.
-I’m intrigued by Emma’s new “powers”. Is she a witch or something else entirely?
– It’s sad to see Regina so alone.
– Awesome ending with Cora and Hook approaching Storybrooke on the boat. Can’t wait for the worlds to collide.
Fairytale Favorites
Cora: I’m the Queen of Hearts. Do you really think I’d be so careless as to keep my heart where everyone else does?
Emma: I’m the savior and I’m not doing much saving am I?
Conclusion
An exciting mid-season finale that capably sets the stage for the second half of the season.
Nad Rating
B+
OK, so I guess I disagree about Lana Parilla. I think her theatricality makes her “Old Regina” much more fun and entertaining, and it fits in with the show so well. As for the cheesy lines, for me they're all part of Once's thing, aren't they? This is a show about fairy tales, which are cheesy by nature, so I think you just have to learn to deal with them!
Great review Nadim. Sorry for not following all your stuff as much as I used to, lots to do and all that. 🙂