*This does not really contain any spoilers.
If you are not watching Once Upon a Time already, you probably should be, dearie. It is probably one of the best shows on television, yet despite this, most people I know have never seen it. In some cases, they have never even heard of it. The show is now in its second season. Once Upon A Time is just getting better and better with each episode. Shocked, I decided to write this article because honestly, non-viewers are missing out on the greatest invention since, well, Disney.
Here are the reasons why you should be tuning in each Sunday night (or Monday online) to watch Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, the Evil Queen, Prince Charming, Red Riding Hood, and the rest of the cast.
The Story Line
Essentially, Emma, a woman in her late 20s, is approached one night by the son that she gave up 10 years ago. Having finally found her, Henry pleads with her to return with him to save the people of Storybrooke, Maine. Henry claims that they are actually fairy tale characters caught in an evil curse placed on them by his adoptive mother, the Evil Queen. However, most of the characters do not remember who they are in the Fairytale realm and are stuck in the real world with completely different identities. Henry also tells Emma that she is actually the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and is the one who can save them all.
Reluctant at first to believe him, Emma takes him back to Storybrooke setting off a chain of events that leave viewers coming back each week waiting in anticipation to find out what will happen next. The series intertwines scenes from Storybrooke and the fairytale realm setting up the battle between good and evil.
Actors and Actresses include Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parilla, Josh Dallas, Jared Gilmore, and Robert Carlyle.
It’s Disney
We all watched the same Disney movies over and over again. We love movies like Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin, and Mulan. Even though we are in college, we still love watching them. Once takes all of the movies and characters we love from the movies weaving them all together to create a magical, wonderful world of Disney.
TGIS (or TGIM if you use a computer)
While some people wait in anticipation of the weekend, I have a tendency to wait for the beginning of the week. (Unless, there is a new episode of Grimm, but that is a whole different article…) Once Upon a Time gives a reason to be excited for the beginning of the week, rather than just dreading it.
Costumes
With oppulent, elegant costumes, it is pretty easy to become jealous of the characters in Once Upon a Time. From the elegance of Snow White to the romantic clothes of Red Riding Hood to the Bob Mackie-esque costumes of the Evil Queen, the costumes are absolutely beautiful in the Fairytale realm. In the real world, the costumes are slightly more our world, but still show that the girls of fashionable.
Location
Both of the worlds are picturesque, although the fairytale world is slightly more so. (Okay, a little more than slightly…) The fairytale world is like the most gorgeous fairytale images have literally jumped off the page and into your television set or computer. The castles are magical with their twisting spirals and architectural detail. The forest is awe-inspiring with its towering trees and mysterious air. The other locations are just as beautiful. Storybrooke is also pretty, although it does contain an eerie air. Although filmed in Canada, it portrays Maine very nicely epitomizing the small towns found through out New England. (where i am)
The Girls
Watching some Disney movies makes you wonder whether the girls could actually save themselves and not always be the damsel in distress. Once Upon A Time proves this construction wrong. Snow White can wield a sword and shoot an arrow with ease, Red Riding Hood uses her abilities and strength, and Emma uses her street smarts to fight against evil. Even, the Evil Queen is not someone to be messed with. All of the girls in Once are kick-a**! While they do want true love, they do not let it define who they are.
The Guys
The guys of Once Upon a Time are amazing. Yes, they are highly attractive, but they are also the types of guys that you want to meet in real life. Prince Charming is a kind gentleman, Sheriff Graham is am intriguing person, and August is mysterious, but caring. The men from Once are not the simple characters found in the original stories, but rather, they are more complicated and colorful making them even more lovely. They work together with the women to fight for what they believe in.
True Love
In numerous Disney movies, true love conquers all. This is continued in Once, but is expanded to include all types of love. Love between parent and child, between friends, and between partners exists in the TV show. It transcends all difficulties, even overcoming the curse placed upon the inhabitants of Storybrooke. The true love in Once is the kind that we experience or want to experience and love to watch each week as it unfolds.
The Cliff Hangers
I am not quite sure how they do it, but each week, the writers of Once Upon a Time manage to make me go through withdrawals having to wait an entire week before a new episode. Each episode has a cliffhanger ending making you wanting more. The previews for the following episode do not help either because the people of Once give you just enough information to hook you, but not to give everything away.
The Possibility of Interdimensional Travel
Haven’t you ever wanted the possiblity of meeting your favorite fairytale characters? Although the show is fiction (probably), it opens the idea of different worlds in which different people and different lands exist. The world of magic is within our reach. All we need to do is just find the right portal.
Once Upon a Time is a wonderful television show blending magic, myth, and reality into a seamless blend. It’s everything that you loved about Disney growing up and more. If you don’t believe me, dearie, see for yourself. Once Upon A Time is a Disney show for adults making all our dreams come true.
Once Upon a Time airs on ABC Sundays at 8 pm. The first season is available on Netflix and recent episodes can be viewed 1 day after airing on nbc.com and hulu.com.
Photo Sources:
http://ll.static.abc.com/c/shows/onceuponatime/slideshow/keyart/OnceUponATime_1213_624x351.jpg