There is a Town in Maine...

Recently I've been searching for television shows to watch because the fall/spring seasons are almost over and God knows there are never enough summer shows to keep one going. So, I decided to finally venture into some of the news shows that were introduced in the fall of 2011. When I start I new show, I find it easier to allow many episodes to build and then watch, because once I begin; I will be hooked week in, week out. There have been a few shows I tried that simply didn't work out, namely; Ringer, New Girl (unless I'm really bored), Playboy Club (cancelled after 3 episodes)... so I decided to keep to my usual! In the last 2 weeks however, I ventured into new territory again- first with Revenge which I have already shared my thoughts on and Now with "Once Upon A Time." I am only 12 episodes into this show, but boy oh boy, it is a beauty! I mean, you shouldn't expect anything less from Lost Alum executive Producers, but this show certainly surprised me and was much more than what I gave it credit for from the previews.

I will do my best to avoid Spoilers, We all Hate Those, and since I still have several episodes to watch myself; everything I know now could be meaningless anyway. Let me start by saying that the Plot for this series is just too damn creative and imaginative. It has given perspective to some Disney classics, and completely twisted the stories of others to make them dark and perhaps even more human. What is a fairy-tale without a Happy Ending? This show continuously asks this question; all the while giving audience hope that there might in fact be a happy ending after all this. However, as a new fan, i find myself asking what the happy ending in this scenario would be? Several stories are intertwined, particularly those of several fairy-tales.. and as much as I have a few thoughts on what one of the happy endings would be, its difficult thinking of one that encompasses all the characters, particularly when I'm not sure who all the Bad and all the Good Characters are!! Disney made it real easy; Once Upon a Time creators are much more clever in creating an alluring mystery that makes you recall your favorite  bedtime stories whilst appreciating a whole new version of the story. Some of the things that have been thought of are simply pure genius and you cant help but feel roped-in, into this story.

A useful skill that the writers of this show utilise is exploiting the brain's need for completion. Like LOST with the flashbacks, and the desire for the audience to understand the characters motives and emotions.. The audience of Once Upon A Time are given two worlds; and as we get to know our characters in the Real World, we want to make a connection and know their stories in the previous world, and that intrigue and curiosity drives our interest in the show, at least for me. The characters are well thought out, most with interesting stories, others not so much ( they can't all be a home-run, even LOST wasn't that good), however the acting for the show is better than Most.. exaggerated at times, but they can get away with it because its telling the stories of Fairy-Tales!!


Most people will know Jennifer Morrison(House M.D), Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love, He's Not that Into You) and perhaps Robert Carlyle(Formula 51, 28 weeks later, The Full Monty).. but most of the cast is relatively unknown. I would mainly just like to speak about Lana Parilla ( who I've only seen on 24 as Sarah Gavin in 24-but didn't really prove to be anything more than a standard actress). In Once Upon A Time, Lana Parilla really impresses me as the Evil Queen/Madame Mayor of Storybrooke. The role of a villainous character is often much tougher to portray, and it is often not done well. She does an excellent job in this show for being manipulative,bossy, bitchy and just outright mean that you cant help but hate her or more accurately love to hate her- she gives you every reason too and when you think she may have gentle motives in one scenario or another as most tend to, she screws you as much as she screwed the character in the show. Her performance is pretty damn good on this show and is definitely worth watching!

Now that I am Half-way through the season I am eager to catch-up with the show because it is that interesting. Trust me Ladies and Gents, This one- you will not be sorry! This is the creativity we need in Hollywood instead of the thousand NYPD cop shows being constantly re-created. 


Review of Show 8.5/10.


A special thanks to Tish Gumbs who urged me to watch this show earlier than I intended too.