Once Upon a Time

OUAT hits 100 episodes, even though most thought it wouldn’t last a season, because it’s crazy enough to work.

Shows with female leads or co-leads now have a strong presence on network television, as representations of women in lead roles has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. The complexity and multi-dimensionality of these roles varies greatly, however, and on more than a few network shows, female leads continue to be idealized …

The first half of season three of Once Upon a Time was very shaky. Most of it left us agitated, frustrated, and downright bored. However after the very long hiatus, the writers came back rejuvenated and fighting fresh and the first handful of episodes back have been packed with the magic that Once featured in its first season. Episodes 16 and 17 are no different. Both of them have us biting our fingers in suspense and laughing out loud.

Just when we think that Once Upon a Time has forgotten about our beloved Belle, the writers hit us with an episode like “Quiet Minds”. While Belle does not have much of a role in the present day storyline, it is nice to see her and Neal popping up in the past.

Emilie de Ravin has always been a nice addition to the cast and she knows how to hold her own against the big gun characters. She proved that when she first debuted back in the first season of Once Upon a Time. It’s clear that she is glad to be given something to do here and that something just happens to be teaming up with Neal- the two of them are convinced that Rumplestiltskin can be resurrected and they are determined to do just that. Pairing de Ravin with Michael Raymond-James is brilliant on the writers’ part. Like Josh Dallas’ storyline last week, it’s a chance to spend time with characters we never get to see up front and center.

Every now and then, Once Upon a Time treats us to a delightfully fear-filled episode. Usually these episodes happen around Halloween, when we are all in the mood for a good scare. However with “The Tower”, the writers decided that Halloween was coming in March this year.

Are we back in season one of Once Upon a Time? Because that’s what “Witch Hunt” feels like. The magic is there. The suspense is palpable. Plot twists loom around every corner and even humor is present and accounted for.

After an almost three month hiatus, Once Upon A Time returns with a wicked vengeance. We pick up a year after the last events, in which Regina had sent everyone back to the Enchanted Forest and given Emma and Henry a new life.

Once Upon a Time wastes no time as it starts out this week; the writers are clearly ready to get the winter finale up and going and an uneasy feeling sets in our stomach as the episode gets out of the gate.

If Once Upon a Time was a roller coaster, then “The New Neverland” would be the very top of the hill, right before we are let off the drop. The writers craft the episode as a slow set up for the winter finale. Unfortunately, while the acting is spot on and the writing is exceptional in part of the episode, certain elements leave a disappointed taste in the audience’s mouth.

There is no time for any slow pacing this week as Once Upon a Time quickly straps us in and shoots out of the gate. Right from the start, “Save Henry” shows potential to be the best episode of season three.

Aside from a quick visit into the past Enchanted Forest, the episode mostly deals with the group saving Henry and Pan’s doings on Neverland. The backstory is a nice little treat; it shows us how Regina came to adopt Henry and the early years of their life together. This is exciting for two reasons. One, we get to see Storybrooke once again. After visiting it briefly a few episodes ago, it’s great to be back with everyone there. The second reason is that Lana Parrilla gets to be front and center once again. Parrilla has always been a main staple on the show and to see her stuck on the backburner for most of season three has been a disappointment. This week we finally get to see her shine. She plays Regina with absolute ease, showing occasional vulnerability as well as her more wicked side.

Once Upon a Time continues to pick up steam with this week’s “Think Lovely Thoughts”. It has suspense, drama, and a little comedy, all things that caused us to fall in love with Once back in the very beginning. “Think Lovely Thoughts” definitely maneuvers its way into the Once Hall of Fame and the writers prove to us, once again, that they still have some dandy little tricks up their sleeves.

What do Belle, the Blue Fairy, Jiminy Cricket, and the seven dwarfs have in common? This week’s opening of Once Upon a Time. The first few moments of “Dark Hollow” not only excite, they almost make us forget the horrific pacing that has plagued this season.

From the title, it is evident that this week’s Once Upon a Time episode focuses on a certain mermaid. Unsurprisingly, the past Enchanted Forest storyline focuses on Ariel, a mermaid whose story has become quite well known over the years.

“Good Form”, this week’s episode of Once Upon a Time, is all about Hook. The present day storyline as well as the past story arc have to do with one central person, and that is none other than our dear old captain himself.

Once Upon A Time, Season 3, Episode 4: “Nasty Habits” Written by David H. Goodman &  Robert Hull Directed by David Boyd Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC This week Once Upon a Time pulls us in with a punch, literally. Neal breaks away from the lost boy that kidnapped him and the storyline …

Once Upon A Time, Season 3, Episode 3: “Quite a Common Fairy” Written by Jane Espenson Directed by Alex Zakrzewski Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC The third episode of Once Upon a Time season three kicks off with another glimpse into the show’s very intriguing and yet creepy take on Peter Pan, before …

Once Upon a Time welcomes us back to Neverland this week and once again the writers kick the episode off in a very interesting, yet dark, way. We are greeted to Rumplestiltskin cutting off his shadow and then sending it on a very important mission concerning the dagger. Props need to be given to the CGI department for this scene. They manage to freak us out with mere shadows and Rumple’s flying off with the dagger, fiery eyes blazing, sends shivers down our backs.

At the close of the second season, the writers of Once Upon a Time set our heroes (and villains) up for a nice journey to Neverland. We know, given how everything was described last season, that Neverland isn’t going to be what we grew up with and with this premiere, we are proven right. In a much more dramatic introduction than we’re used to, the third season of Once Upon a Time gets off to an intense start with the killing of Tamara and Greg mere minutes after they arrive in Neverland.

The destruction of Storybrooke, by Greg and Tamara, was the main focus of the episode. Everyone was on top of their scenes tonight. We found ourselves being pulled into the television set and rooting for everyone. Even the most unlikely of heroes stepped up and fought to help in their own way including, Regina, Rumplestiltskin and Hook.

Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 21: “Second Star to the Right” Written by Andrew Chambliss & Ian Goldberg Directed by Ralph Hemecker Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC Action? Check. Nail-biting suspense? Check. Cringe worthy moments? Check. Heart filled scenes? Check. The next to last episode in the second season of Once …

Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 20: “The Evil Queen” Written by Jane Espenson & Christine Boylan Directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC Hold on to your seats! This week’s Once Upon a Time shot out of a cannon, with full force. Props need to be given strongly to …

Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 19: “Lacey” Written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz Directed by Milan Cheylov Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC  Once Upon a Time returned after a four week hiatus and the train shot out of the station within the first few minutes. The opening scene was intense …

One of the exiting things in the episode was seeing Snow finally getting out of her bed, in which caused her to find August living alone out in the woods. And gave August a stern heart to heart talking to, like we know Snow is capable over. The only thing here is that maybe Snow should listen to her own advice! After several whining moments in the past week’s episode it was nice to see the writers actually make Snow getting out of her slump and attempting to move on.