When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.
Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.
Did feel that "Fall" was a slight let down after the brilliant two parter "Smash the Mirror". Still found it a very good episode and am on the positive side of the mixed critical reception the episode has.
Personally thought that "Fall" had moments where it felt padded and like a couple of characters and situations were added for filler purposes. Particularly the character of Blackbeard and the connections, which did feel stretched.
"Fall" also tried to make Hans seem a dangerous character. Didn't find that believable here, it did feel forced, lack tension and like they were trying too hard, that Hans was not an interesting character before and still isn't doesn't help (find him dull actually). Felt too that it took up too much of the episode while underusing and delaying Anna getting to Storybrooke (which was far more investable emotionally).
However, the 'Frozen' arc has a lot of heart and genuine conflict. There is a reunion that is incredibly touching and a joy to see. Elsa already is proving to be an interesting character and true to the Elsa in 'Frozen', Anna similarly has grown. Most of the other subplots intrigue and have emotion too, Regina/Robin Hood and Gold/Hook particularly.
Really enjoyed the development and dialogue for Regina, Gold and Snow White, very true to character and continue to be among the show's most interesting characters.
Credit is due for the character and plot progression, not feeling over-stuffed despite such a lot going on, providing tension and emotion. There is a nice fun twist concerning the wishing star.
All the acting is strong, particularly from Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin, Georgina Haig, Robert Carlyle and Colin O'Donaghue. Elizabeth Lail and Sean Maguire are also good. Only Tyler Jacob Moore's bland Hans disappoints.
Furthermore, "Fall" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable theme tune.
Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.
All in all, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.
Did feel that "Fall" was a slight let down after the brilliant two parter "Smash the Mirror". Still found it a very good episode and am on the positive side of the mixed critical reception the episode has.
Personally thought that "Fall" had moments where it felt padded and like a couple of characters and situations were added for filler purposes. Particularly the character of Blackbeard and the connections, which did feel stretched.
"Fall" also tried to make Hans seem a dangerous character. Didn't find that believable here, it did feel forced, lack tension and like they were trying too hard, that Hans was not an interesting character before and still isn't doesn't help (find him dull actually). Felt too that it took up too much of the episode while underusing and delaying Anna getting to Storybrooke (which was far more investable emotionally).
However, the 'Frozen' arc has a lot of heart and genuine conflict. There is a reunion that is incredibly touching and a joy to see. Elsa already is proving to be an interesting character and true to the Elsa in 'Frozen', Anna similarly has grown. Most of the other subplots intrigue and have emotion too, Regina/Robin Hood and Gold/Hook particularly.
Really enjoyed the development and dialogue for Regina, Gold and Snow White, very true to character and continue to be among the show's most interesting characters.
Credit is due for the character and plot progression, not feeling over-stuffed despite such a lot going on, providing tension and emotion. There is a nice fun twist concerning the wishing star.
All the acting is strong, particularly from Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin, Georgina Haig, Robert Carlyle and Colin O'Donaghue. Elizabeth Lail and Sean Maguire are also good. Only Tyler Jacob Moore's bland Hans disappoints.
Furthermore, "Fall" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable theme tune.
Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.
All in all, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
