AnnaBeth Crittenden, Campus Carrier Assistant Entertainment Editor
Sunday was the winter premiere of “Once Upon a Time” (“OUAT”) after a winter hiatus starting in December. The show’s main premise revolves around a group of fairytale characters who are living in a land without magic called Storybrooke, Maine. The group has lived through several curses and villains throughout the course of the show. The original villain, the Evil Queen (Regina), has even become almost completely redeemed while her original counterpart, Rumpelstiltskin (Mr. Gold), continuously shifts from good to evil as he attempts to gain his own personal happiness and ultimate power.
Now, to be completely honest, “OUAT” is my favorite show that is currently on the air. I love the evil quips from Regina and Mr. Gold, I love the handsome actors with accents, I love the strong ongoing plot lines and I love the romance.
 |
| Photo courtesy of ABC |
However, I can recognize that there are definite flaws in the show, which probably all stem from either the terrible computer generated imagery (CGI) or the producers’ surprise that their show is still popular and on the air.
After the first two seasons, in which there were definite plot points that carried through the entire season, the show fell into a pattern: new villain introduced, new villain defeated, hiatus, new villain introduced, new villain defeated, hiatus, repeat. In season three it was Peter Pan and the Wicked Witch of the West. In season four, it was Elsa and the Snow Queen.
However, the producers changed their pattern with the spring premiere of season four. Instead of introducing one new villain, they decided to introduce three new villains: Maleficent, Cruella de Vil and Ursula. All three are working with Mr. Gold in order to ultimately gain their happy endings.
In the winter finale that aired on Dec. 14, Mr. Gold had stolen Captain Hook’s heart and was using it to control Hook’s actions. Hook, under Gold’s control, used a hat that trapped magic to capture the Blue Fairy and her friends so Mr. Gold could have enough magic to release his dagger’s control over him.
Once Belle found out about her lover’s schemes, she pushed Mr. Gold over the town line, thoroughly banning him from Storybrooke.
In the season premiere, the town has seemed to settle in to their own happy routine after Mr. Gold’s was banished. Emma Swan and Captain Hook, who got together at the end of the winter season, are dating and seem to be in the honeymoon phase of their relationship.
Regina has taken back her position as mayor (finally as the previous season fell flat as she got rid of her position of power in order to work on becoming a better person). Belle continues to work at the library. Snow White and Prince Charming raise their child as Snow goes back into the workforce. And Mr. Gold’s shop sits closed on the corner.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gold has been living with Ursula in New York as he attempts to find a way to return to Storybrooke. He promises Ursula her own happy ending in return for his lodging—which, strangely, she accepts without complaint.
However, when the two meet up with Cruella de Vil (also living in New York for reasons not explained in the plot), Ursula and Cruella remember their distrust for Mr. Gold, stemmed from when they used to live in the Enchanted Forest. Through flashbacks, the audience understands that Mr. Gold used the same empty promise of happy endings in order to get these women (and Maleficent) to help him steal a curse.
However, once the curse was stolen, Mr. Gold left the women on the dangerous island to die at the hands of Chernobog, a demon that feeds on the souls of the ones with the most evil. I was excited to see Chernobog in the show because he is widely known as the most evil of all Disney villains, which I thought would make an interesting dynamic to the show.
In Storybrooke, Chernobog has gotten loose from his prison and Emma and Regina attempt to save the town from the monster. While they are contemplating their options, they receive a phone call from Mr. Gold’s cell phone. However, when they answer the call, Ursula and Cruella de Vil begin speaking their wishes on getting into Storybrooke (as a result of previous curses, those who are not currently within the town lines cannot see nor enter Storybrooke).
They tell Regina and Emma that they got rid of Mr. Gold and they can tell the women how to get rid of Chernobog in return for their entrance. Regina hesitantly agrees.Emma and Regina, with the advice of Cruella de Vil and Ursula, throw Chernobog over the town line, into a land without magic.
Since he is a being of magic, he automatically ceases to exist, thus eliminating his threat. Yes, Disney’s most evil villain was defeated in less than 30 minutes of the show. I was a little bitter.
Regina then tosses a magical scroll over the town line that will allow Ursula and Cruella de Vil to enter the town.
However, what Storybrooke does not know, is that later that night, Ursula and Cruella de Vil sneak back out to the town line and throw out the scroll. Moments later Mr. Gold enters his home once more. The three stand blatantly in the middle of the street as several cars pass by and plot their happy endings at the expense of those in Storybrooke.
Mr. Gold also mentions bringing back Maleficent, who was killed off in season one. However, he slyly dodged the plot hole by mentioning that Maleficent was not completely dead.
He also does not mention that the new Maleficent has completely changed actresses, accents, and costumes in order to match Maleficent’s character from Angelina Jolie’s new movie.
Overall, this episode was pretty weak for “OUAT,” yet it managed to set up several important plot points that will help the show along until their spring finale. However, there were several plot holes that accompanied these story lines.
Much of this show depends on the audience basically accepting whatever the producers and screenwriters throw into the script, because if viewers contemplate the show too much then the plot lines generally unravel.
I’m definitely not saying that this show is terrible, or urging viewers to stay away from the new season. Negativity aside, the season will most likely be strong as the plot, however quickly it was set up, has room for growth.
If I had to be completely honest, this show probably should have ended two years ago. I feel like this show has a forced plot with each introduced character becoming more stagnant and unimportant.
However, the old characters and the subplots that have threads remaining from the first season constantly hold this show together.
Also, the relationships in “OUAT” have grown so much since the show began and laughable dialogue and CGI aside, the dynamics these characters share might be enough to help this show stay on its feet.
I’m sure there will be several twists and turns on the way during the season for viewers to enjoy. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and I encourage everyone who is looking to add some magic to their Sunday nights to tune in as well.
Once Upon a Time airs at 8 p.m. on Sunday nights on ABC.