After the pilot episode kept me hooked, I gave the second episode a shot and it's the same as the pilot. The story is very solid and introduces the backstory to how the huntsman first met Snow White. The characters are still very likable enough and the acting is still strong. The scenery and visuals are beautiful, the costumes still amaze me, the music score remains enchanting while keeping an atmospheric tone to it, and the direction is solid. However, it does have the same problems as the previous episode such as the dialog, which was alright, but still have it's clichéd moments, and some moments where it's a bit cheesy. Overall, same issues as the pilot, but still delivers! :) 8/10
4 Reviews
The Evil Queen's curse
TheLittleSongbird12 November 2017
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.
After a very promising, if slightly patchy in a couple of areas, pilot, the promising standard continues with 'Once Upon a Time's' second ever episode "The Thing You Love Most". The same problems with "Pilot" still stand, but the quality has certainly not gone down. The writing and acting did get better later, which again is understandable as a lot of shows don't fully settle straight away and have elements that get much stronger later. Mostly neither are not bad at all but occasionally the writing is still a touch cheesy and the acting does try too hard or doesn't look entirely comfortable.
However, "The Thing You Love Most" is a very handsomely mounted episode, with settings and costumes that are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully and there were some make-up that suited the characters perfectly and pretty good effects work. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.
Much of the writing is humorous and engaging and the story establishes the concept and intertwines and mirrors the real and fantasy worlds very well. That is an asset that is stronger here, and it is less clichéd. The characters are interesting and showing promising signs of development, Regina/The Evil Queen in particular.
Not all the acting is great as said, but there are certainly strong performances here. The acting honours going to Lana Parilla, a consistent acting highlight, and to Robert Carlyle, with Rumpelstiltskin and the character's contribution being one of the episode's best assets.
In summation, very strong and promising continuation. 8/10 Bethany Cox
After a very promising, if slightly patchy in a couple of areas, pilot, the promising standard continues with 'Once Upon a Time's' second ever episode "The Thing You Love Most". The same problems with "Pilot" still stand, but the quality has certainly not gone down. The writing and acting did get better later, which again is understandable as a lot of shows don't fully settle straight away and have elements that get much stronger later. Mostly neither are not bad at all but occasionally the writing is still a touch cheesy and the acting does try too hard or doesn't look entirely comfortable.
However, "The Thing You Love Most" is a very handsomely mounted episode, with settings and costumes that are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully and there were some make-up that suited the characters perfectly and pretty good effects work. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.
Much of the writing is humorous and engaging and the story establishes the concept and intertwines and mirrors the real and fantasy worlds very well. That is an asset that is stronger here, and it is less clichéd. The characters are interesting and showing promising signs of development, Regina/The Evil Queen in particular.
Not all the acting is great as said, but there are certainly strong performances here. The acting honours going to Lana Parilla, a consistent acting highlight, and to Robert Carlyle, with Rumpelstiltskin and the character's contribution being one of the episode's best assets.
In summation, very strong and promising continuation. 8/10 Bethany Cox
The One With The Evil Queen...
taylorkingston25 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed this episode. It's a good continuation to the Series Premiere, but sadly, it's not one of my all-time favorite episodes, from the series, or this season.
In the real world: Regina is still trying to get rid of Henry's birth-Mother, Emma, but it's not working very well. Emma is determined to stay in Storybrooke, to connect to Henry.
In the fairytale world: We learn more information, and in more detail, about the Evil Queen's curse, and why she really must have it completed successfully.
Overall, I give this episode a 6 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Good.
In the real world: Regina is still trying to get rid of Henry's birth-Mother, Emma, but it's not working very well. Emma is determined to stay in Storybrooke, to connect to Henry.
In the fairytale world: We learn more information, and in more detail, about the Evil Queen's curse, and why she really must have it completed successfully.
Overall, I give this episode a 6 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Good.
The Real Housewives of Storybrooke
rwk22 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
We're stuck somewhere down in the depths between Desperate Housewives and a somewhat decent made for TV SyFy channel movie (yes, they exist). I found myself doing other things whenever the plot shifted to Maine. It was just too melodramatic without any good reason to endure, both for me and for the lead actress. Why stay in this town where everyone is trying to get rid of you? For a kid you just met a few days ago who might be your son, or might be just nuts? After the first episode I figured she'd opt for a paternity test at least but as this show progressed it just made less and less sense why she would endure this at all, certainly not without a more compelling reason than a runaway's fairy tale. She's a bail bondsman with inside knowledge of the legal network underbelly and she has yet to even crack a computer to Google this town, or try any outside research at all for that matter.
Even in the fantasy realm it was a little thick. When a group brainstorm session of the dark side Elrond Council of Twelve meets to discuss evil payback and the key focus is trying to talk the queen out of it... suddenly they seem more slightly miffed rather than evil. And they can't avoid a moving tree? These guys aren't that tough, or evil, or even smart. They're melodramatic to a fault though.
There were moments, to be sure. Rumplestiltskin on either side is entertaining. The set-up between he and the queen was good. The sheriff continues to interest me. If only there were some logic thrown in here to tie it together somehow. They've planted a great seed but just aren't cultivating it properly yet.
Even in the fantasy realm it was a little thick. When a group brainstorm session of the dark side Elrond Council of Twelve meets to discuss evil payback and the key focus is trying to talk the queen out of it... suddenly they seem more slightly miffed rather than evil. And they can't avoid a moving tree? These guys aren't that tough, or evil, or even smart. They're melodramatic to a fault though.
There were moments, to be sure. Rumplestiltskin on either side is entertaining. The set-up between he and the queen was good. The sheriff continues to interest me. If only there were some logic thrown in here to tie it together somehow. They've planted a great seed but just aren't cultivating it properly yet.
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