Once Upon a Time --- Season 1 Opinions

[ashkiryn]

Alright, now that I've seen everything season 1 has to offer, it's time for me to record my thoughts. Format is from all of my other show reviews. Spoilers below the cut, as always. :)

Overall, I liked the show, but I found that quite a few elements troubled me. Plus, all the focus on Snow White characters just tires me. :/



Favorite Episode: I'm going to go with the fourth episode, "The Price of Gold". I was actually quite taken with Cinderella/Ashley, and this episode was the first with such a clever entwining of two stories, in this case those of Cinderella and Rumplestiltskin. Emma also had some awesome lines, and in general I preferred seeing the backstories of the more...minor characters, over the main Snow White storyline.

My other favorites were "What Happened to Frederick" and "Dreamy", though I also loved the backstories to Red Riding Hood and the Magic Mirror, and the twists the show gave them.

Favorite Female Character: Currently, I can't decide between Princess Abigail/Kathryn Nolan or Belle...and maybe with Regina coming in after them. Just...Abigail completely defied my expectations of her, and turned out to be completely awesome. And Belle...well, it seems all versions of Belle are destined to be amazing. Just....it takes some serious skill to be so brave, no-nonsense, and completely herself in the presence of someone like Rumplestiltskin; poor man never stood a chance to not fall in love with her. And Regina is just the perfect mixture of elegant evil-fabulous and being completely heart-breaking and sympathetic. But Regina frustrates me because....well, evil only ever turns in upon itself, and the more she lashes out, the more pain she just causes herself in the end.

Least Favorite Female Character: Cora is obviously the worst, but I also really did not like the Blue Fairy during the "Dreamy" episode. And I just can't help the fact that Snow White irritates me on principle.

[Oh, and my Maleficent, what the fuck did they do to you?! Also, fuck the show seriously for killing her.]

Favorite Male Character: Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, because he's evil-fab all the way, and when he isn't....crap, but he can really tug on my heartstrings. I almost cried when he thought that he had his son back (and fuck you for that dirty trick, Pinocchio. And you wonder why you're turning back into wood?!). And then his conflicting feelings for Belle and his desire to get to our world to get his son back....ugh, he seriously makes my heart bleed. And the rest of the time, he makes me laugh.

Special mention goes to Prince Thomas, because...his support of Cinderella in the face of her deal with Rumple....well, that really is love, and something special. I had to hand it to the guy for that.

Least Favorite Male Character: Obviously King George is a dick, and my Special Mention goes to King Leopold, because seriously fuck him for his double standards. But this spot ultimately belongs to Henry Mills, because he causes me unholy frustration. The kid is a budding sociopath in his own right. I mean...fucking stealing his teacher's credit card, having no respect for any authority (not even Emma's), skipping school, lying and manipulating people, running away apparently often....goddamn it he frustrates me. The worst part of it all though is that all of this behavior is justified by the fact that the Curse is real---and that just doesn't sit right with me. Honestly, my biggest qualm with the show in general is that the Curse/Fairy Tale World seems to invalidate so much of 'our' world, and....I really don't think it should, at least not to the degree that it seems to do so (at least, to me). From what I've seen of season 2 (three episodes..."Broken", "The Doctor", and "Tallahassee"), it's like nothing of the lives they've lived on Earth matter to them, except for Regina and her love for Henry. And...damn it, it should, or at least cause them some identity confusion or something.

But anyway, back on topic....I can't like Henry Mills because so much of his behavior is truly terrifying, and just because there's some magic and fairy tale characters, it's all treated like it's okay when it's really, really not.

Favorite Scene Ever: Emma and Regina working together to save Henry in the last episode. See, this is why fighting is stupid and why they shouldn't be doing it---not only do loved ones get hurt, but it's all so much more efficient when everyone's working together as a team. Runner up would be Leroy smashing out the lights to get people to buy candles.

Favorite Pairing: I really can't help but love Emma/Regina, and I just keep thinking that the obvious solution to their custody problem of Henry is for them to both be his mom and that they should just get married and get sex out of it or something. I'm also very fond of Ella/Thomas. But 'Swan Queen' is probably where it's going to be at for me. Just...I wish they could just forget the storybook/Curse thing, and just...get a fresh start. MOVE THE FUCK ON FROM YOUR LIFE'S TRAGEDIES, PEOPLE. Sheesh.

Least Favorite Pairing: I'm really not liking the anvils of Emma/Hook ship-teasing, and wasn't that fond of Emma/Graham either. Can we say...totally fucking cliche and heterosexist? In the first, with the only guy in a group full of girls, so of course our main heroine falls in love with him? And in the latter, basically he was the only available and sexy guy, so who else could be our heroine's love interest, because of course she has to have one? Just...fucking ugh. I know I like Emma/Regina, but I also know that it's never going to be made canon, and honestly, I don't want Emma to end up with anybody. But she probably will anyway. *sighs*

Favorite Friendship: *grumbles* Grumpy&Snow White / Leroy&Mary Margaret, Emma&Mary Margaret, Leroy&Sister Astrid, and The Seven Dwarfs&Dreamy.

[The above grumbling was partly because I hate choosing, and partly because of a still-grudging acceptance of Snow White's presence. *sighs* Honestly, I'm trying to keep my instinctual dislike of her to the minimum, but...well.]

Favorite Fight Scene: Charming fighting while holding a baby Emma was pretty cool, even I have to admit that. But really, my favorite moment was probably Red Riding Hood holding off Charming's pursuers with her wolf form.

Fairy Tale Land or Storybrooke? I prefer the Fairy Tale Land when it's not focused on the Snow/Charming romance, and on the whole, I liked their Storybrooke personas more. Except that Storybrooke then comes with Henry time....*headdesk* I have many conflicting feelings, as you can see. XD

Favorite Character of the Week: Cinderella/Ashley pretty much counts here, especially as she's only had two appearances on the show. And Belle too, really. Nova/Sister Astrid was very endearing as well.

Least Favorite Character of the Week: Gepetto, for being a rather selfish dick (because honestly, it really, really wasn't in Pinocchio's best interests to be forced into being the 'guide' of Emma. Oh yeah, having a fucking seven year old taking care of an hours-old infant, nothing's going to go wrong with this plan at all. :/), and King Leopold, for being a dick with double standards (what? It's okay for you not to love Regina, but not for her to not love you? Because seriously fuck you for that).

Favorite Location: Mr. Gold's pawnshop. It's so fucking fascinating. And Mary Margaret's got a pretty epic apartment, as well.

Favorite Funny Scene: Rumplestiltskin, whenever he's doing his little insane giggle. Always cracks me up. XD

Favorite Romantic Scene: Rumplestiltskin/Gold, in the last episode of season 1, and how when Belle tells him that she remembers everything, they just share this really sweet hug as they declare their love for each other. In the midst of a bunch of passionate kissing from Snow/Charming, their hug is just so much more poignant and respectful and amazing. Awwwwwww. ^^

Comments

[scorpiofire.livejournal.com]

I've just recently gotten into Once Upon a Time, after renting then watching the first season. It definitely has me hooked, that's for sure. I'm happy to have read this post and reading your opinion on the first season.

I can see why it's difficult for you to like Snow White in any fandom, given how she's so bland in the fairy tale and especially the Disney version. I happen to like her on this show, but then again, Princess Aurora is probably the princess I like the least. Tied with Cinderella probably, although I think Ella/Ashley on the show is just adorable. It's hard not to like her, that's for sure.

Hm...Favorite female character for me has to be either Emma or Belle. Regina is such a good villain, which I appreciate, so she ranks pretty high, too.

Yay, Mr. Gold/Rumple! XD Seeing a commercial for the show that featured him made me interested in the show in the first place. He sure as heck hasn't disappointed so far. Yeah, he can be crappy at times (frustrating, I know), but he definitely tugs at the heartstrings. I consider him and Belle to be my OTP on the show, I really adore their relationship. And hugs are more romantic than kisses sometimes. Yes, Rumple's giggle is great, I full-heartedly agree (his reaction to being called beast in Skin Deep, also hilarious). And his passive-aggressive conversations with Regina can be really funny. He gets the best one-liners. And yeah, I know, the pawn shop is probably my favorite Storybrooke location too, now that I think about it.

I could go on all day about this character. Naturally, he's my fave, too. No wonder he's one of the most popular characters on the show. XD

When Pinocchio pulled that trick on him, I was pretty pissed myself. That just sucks, especially since that was a fairly emotional episode. I almost cried too before that "liar reveal." I will admit to being a little smug an episode later when Pinocchio tells Mr. Gold his plan and to "trust him", with Mr. Gold producing a lovely snarky retort. XDD

Ughhhhhh, Maleficent on the show, don't get me started! She looked like a Real Housewife of New Jersey, honestly! I was excited when she got into her dragon form, but even that didn't satisfy me because of that MASSIVE character butchering. I was yelling at the TV when she was featured in the pilot. Yeah, you and me both. Regina is more the real Maleficent than that FRAUD could ever be.

I'm a bit conflicted on Snow/Charming. On the one hand, I like them together. On the other...eh. But, yeah, the Storybrooke personas are more realistic, and I probably like them better because of it. Can't make up my mind, really. Rumbelle beats all for me, personally.

Pfft, I didn't like the implied Emma/Graham either. If he hadn't been written so blandly for the vast majority of his time on the show, I might have liked him. Maybe.

I haven't watched season two yet at all, but I don't like the casting of Hook, I must say. And the eyeliner?!? Come on, is he trying to appeal to Hot Topic? I thought he looked like someone straight off The Tudors...turns out the actor who plays him was on The Tudors. Go figure. I'm loyal to the Jason Isaacs portrayal in terms of live-action, and that's going to stay that way, looks like. I'm not a fan of villains who are pretty boys to OUAT Hook's extent. Not a good first impression.

I actually like Henry all right. Definitely not as much as in the pilot now, maybe because of the reasons you stated. I also feel the writers gave up on writing him in a likable way after the first couple of episodes. Snow/Charming shipping might have had something to do with it. I don't know. I was too busy either anticipating Fairy Tale Land scenes, Regina scenes (because those are fairly interesting), Mr. Gold/Rumple scenes, or (best of all) Mr. Gold/Regina scenes because I enjoy their interactions so much! The tension, that's what it is.

Not a huge fan of the Kings on the show either. Sidney also kind of rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. Ugh, Cora is just beyond awful.

OK, well, that's enough rambling from me.

[ashkiryn.livejournal.com]

I actually do like the show a lot, if only because I love how fleshed out everything is, and my favorite parts are definitely all of the side characters. The only thing that really stops it from being the most fantastically amazing kickass show ever is the amount of focus on Snow, Charming, and Henry. Also the blatant heterosexism. *headdesk* Even so, I look forward to when season 2 is released on Netflix, so that I can actually watch it in its entirety.

Yes, it's a real challenge. I just....I try to tone down my instinctive dislike of her, and remind myself that it's not fair to hate her just because...but then when she does anything at all I feel like hissing at her even more because them attempting to make her a more well-rounded character affronts me because it feels like they're trying too hard to make me like her and are forcing her on me, and I just....ARGH. And what's truly weird is that I don't mind Mary Margaret at all! In fact, I love Mary Margaret without her memories, she's adorable and I want to hug her. But then there's Snow White in flashback, and even though technically they're the same fucking person, I'm back to hating her again.

Although I think this is complicated by the fact that I personally believe that they AREN'T truly the same person. It's like the less literal version of the phenomenon that's all over the place in KH, you know, with Sora/Roxas and Kairi/Namine. You get what I'm saying? I just believe that memories and our own personal experiences are what creates our individuality, and so really Mary Margaret and Snow White aren't the same person, because they both have completely different life experiences. And now that at the end of season 1 everyone has their memories back of their other selves, it's like the Nobodies merging back into their Somebodies, and it'll be interesting to me to see how that's worked out and balanced. Which I hope is better than my impressions of season 2 have been. *sighs*

Anyway, yeah, I just have a personal bias against Snow White. And I've actually come to really enjoy Cinderella (thanks to my shipping her with Terra in KH XD), and I don't mind Aurora all that much. What saddens me about her is that I just think there's a lot of wasted potential in her character. Kind of like with Kairi, really.

I'm really interested to see Regina's redemption arc in season 2. I'm stupidly partial to those. :P Also, Rumple/Gold is going to be having a fascinating arc as well, from the little I've glimpsed.

I think that hug gets to me because it's just so damn respectful, you know? He's not presuming or forcing anything on her, but he still conveys so much emotion with that hug that he couldn't ever put into words, so he's still at least letting her know where he stands, but he can also give her space to process....ugh, I love it so much. I just really like romance that's not traditional, you know? :) And yeah, if it wasn't for Swan Queen, they'd be my OTP too.

Lol, that's my other biggest disappointment in the show. I mean, you don't even have to focus on her or anything, but fuck, you didn't have to completely RUIN her either. I mean, especially with Cora apparently becoming the Bigger Bad in season 2...I just think that it's a big waste that they just didn't have that be Maleficent, and have her being, I don't know, Regina's big influential lesbian lover who taught her everything, you know? They could even have kept what we saw of Cora in season 1 and her murdering Regina's stable boy and still have had Maleficent be the real Big Bad, you know? But noooooo, they had to kill her and stupid shit like that. :/ Yeah, I was NOT PLEASED at all. (And killing my Phillip on top of that was just cruel. *pouts*)

I like Sidney if only because his Fairy Tale backstory is amazing and highly fascinating to me. I just...the way the Genie and Magic Mirror ended up twisted and combined like that is extremely clever and a good illustration about what I love about the writing on the show.

It's nice to hear from you! :)