Once Upon a Time

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 23, 2011
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 522 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 420 out of 522
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 522
  3. Negative: 57 out of 522
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  1. sassielassie
    Mar 29, 2016
    1
    I thought this show started out great !! Mmm, maybe too great of an idea that was too difficult to keep up ??
    IMO, it's gone way down from where it started - I binge watched the first season on Netflix because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next but, these last couple seasons, especially the last one are so lame. The whole Dark Emma sequence is hard to take seriously,    I thought this show started out great !! Mmm, maybe too great of an idea that was too difficult to keep up ??
    IMO, it's gone way down from where it started - I binge watched the first season on Netflix because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next but, these last couple seasons, especially the last one are so lame. The whole Dark Emma sequence is hard to take seriously, especially when her family is behind her out of character Hook obsession.
    I think the writers are doing the actors and their fans a huge disservice. I came to admire Jennifer Morrison in her Emma character, but that has changed dramatically.    … Expand
  2. SheilaDundee
    Apr 8, 2015
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show started with an interesting concept and was heavily promoted as a modern, feminist fairy tale. The only thing modern about it is the plumbing. Even the technology used by the characters is 35 years out of date. It's feminist in the sense that randomly female characters declare themselves independent and rescue themselves from dungeons, but it becomes ever increasingly romance obsessed as well as employs old, sexist cliche tropes like No Means Yes. The quality of acting seriously declines over the seasons as they cast bad actors and the good ones seem less than enthusiastic about their roles.

    So far as reimagining fairy tales goes, after the first season, they don't. Instead they create entirely original characters whom they give infamous names, trading on the fan base for that character to prop up ever falling ratings for an original work that's truly uninspired. Between retroactive continuity, lazy, sloppy writing and a determination to make the characters fit the plot rather than the other way around, the story becomes incredibly convoluted, absurd and difficult to care about. At times it results in truly bizarre, and even rather gross, behavior by characters or story lines. At one point, they have Snow White tell the Evil Queen that sleeping with another woman's husband is nothing to be ashamed of without a hint of irony. By 4B, it's as if they're determined to make all the characters as unlikable as possible other than Hook, the most obvious Gary Stu I've ever seen.

    For purely mindless entertainment, it's fine, but if you can't help but notice continuity errors, this is definitely not the show for you.    … Expand
  3. Tactical69
    Jun 1, 2016
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While it started well, this became one of the worst shows I've ever seen. Bad writing, editing, directing, sound production and CGI is joined by new characters played by bad actors in cringe-inducing stories. Captain Hook, played by a mediocre actor at best, is a Creator's Pet to whom no rule applies, and the writers obsession with him derails everything with the potential to be genuinely entertaining and interesting. The mass destruction of the lead, who wasn't the strongest character to start with, in Dark Swan was agonizing to witness. By the end of the first half of season five, I not only stopped watching, I wished I'd never watched it in the first place.

    I feel like I'm both dumber and more cynical for having seen this.    … Expand
  4. SGSJason
    May 9, 2016
    5
    Once Upon A Time is a fairy tale version of the show Heroes. Both shows started with a really cool concept that they were unable to sustain after the first season. Both ended up trapping their characters in narrative stasis by retreading the same character arcs every season. Both had a hard core following that continued to watch in the vain hope that the show could reclaim the magicOnce Upon A Time is a fairy tale version of the show Heroes. Both shows started with a really cool concept that they were unable to sustain after the first season. Both ended up trapping their characters in narrative stasis by retreading the same character arcs every season. Both had a hard core following that continued to watch in the vain hope that the show could reclaim the magic because they liked the characters/actors. The only difference is the soapy elements of Once has allowed it to run for more seasons than Heroes.… Expand
  5. B2BigAl
    Apr 23, 2017
    0
    This is one of the worst shows I have ever watched. I mean, it is shockingly bad. The writing and dialog are absolutely some of the laziest, cringe inducing garbage I have ever had the displeasure of suffering through. This is the pinnacle of awful network television trash, and the fact it's rated so highly makes me seriously question my faith in human intelligence.

    5000 characters    This is one of the worst shows I have ever watched. I mean, it is shockingly bad. The writing and dialog are absolutely some of the laziest, cringe inducing garbage I have ever had the displeasure of suffering through. This is the pinnacle of awful network television trash, and the fact it's rated so highly makes me seriously question my faith in human intelligence.

    5000 characters isn't even close to enough text for me to outline all the idiocies in this series, so I won't even try (wouldn't want to give away any spoilers to the masochists who would subject themselves to this mental torture!). The writers have written themselves into a corner so many times and then bailed themselves out with the most comical and flimsy of plot devices, it's flat out embarrassing. I can't count how many times someone has "died", only to be resurrected in the very next episode by some ridiculous means that the writers just pulled out of their rears. The plot has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese and there seem to be no consequences or repurcussions for anything that transpires. The characters are some of the most unlikable group of vapid idiots you'll ever be subjected to, and the liberties they've taken with the canon of the storybook characters is simply disgraceful. I can't believe Disney didn't shut this crap down in pre-production to protect their IP's. Don't even get me started on the absolutely godawful CGI and special effects, they look like something out of a B-rated sci-fi channel original movie from the 90's.

    There is nothing redeeming about this pile of garbage, save for the fact that it has Robert Carlyle and Giancarlo Esposito, and I'm genuinely embarrassed for them to have to participated in this dumpster fire of a show. You may be asking yourself, why in the world would I have continued to watch this mind-numbingly horrible piece of entertainment if I hate it so much. That's simple, it's like a Trainwreck you can't look away from. I can't count how many times I've burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all. I kept tuning in to see how the writers would manage to top their last act of utter laziness, stupidity and incompetence, and on that point, they have never ceased to amaze me. These are the only reason I give this show a 1 insead of a 0 rating. It is a primer on just how bad a show can be, and should be required viewing for all film students and script writers on what NOT to do.

    TL;DR: I hate this show and everything about it. The world is a worse place and my life is poored for having been subjected to this travesty of television. ABC should be should be embarrassed for having ever aired this pile of excrement. May God have mercy on their souls.    … Expand
  6. FilmOnTape
    May 4, 2016
    6
    Confusing and Toothless
    The show is interesting, its a twist on classic fairy tail stories with new over arching plots thrown in. Seeing how stories get combined, different fairy-tale characters turn out to be the same person and how the drama becomes more moral grey then the original Disney story is really interesting to watch. But the main problem with the show is all drama and audience    Confusing and Toothless
    The show is interesting, its a twist on classic fairy tail stories with new over arching plots thrown in. Seeing how stories get combined, different fairy-tale characters turn out to be the same person and how the drama becomes more moral grey then the original Disney story is really interesting to watch. But the main problem with the show is all drama and audience relation is lost when too many big supernatural elements get thrown in. Every season ends with the heroes having to dig deep down and believe in themselves after finding some rare magical thing needed to stop some big supernatural plague that only been briefly explained is really bad. Because this is a retelling of a fairy tale and its already been explained in the show that good-guys always win. The audience can safely assume that the problem will be resolved adding to drama. then because the show is about magical stuff and our heroes digging down within themselves. The audience has no grasp of what they are going thru and the show makes no attempt to make us feel it.    … Expand
  7. brijay
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    Have you ever thought ‘Is it possible that we live in a fairy tale?’ I have not myself, but Do you believe in fairy tales? Well I do! Once Upon A Time is a American television series about fairy tales. The catch to this show is the fairy tale characters think that they are real, but they do not know that they are just characters. These characters have been cursed, do not know that they areHave you ever thought ‘Is it possible that we live in a fairy tale?’ I have not myself, but Do you believe in fairy tales? Well I do! Once Upon A Time is a American television series about fairy tales. The catch to this show is the fairy tale characters think that they are real, but they do not know that they are just characters. These characters have been cursed, do not know that they are fairy tale characters, and live in our reality. This series shows you the past and present, so you can get a better understanding about what is going on. Some key characteristics would be, the fact that all the characters in this show are based from fairy tale stories that were commonly told to us as at a younger age.
    If the viewers watching this show did not know as much as I do, they would need to know the basic concept of the show. By basics I mean a back round of the basic fairy tale stories. For example, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Snow White, the Dwarfs, Prince Charming and the Evil Queen is the most common fairy tale that the viewers would need to know about. Every fairy tale that they put in this show has a twist to it. If you do not know the regular fairy tale story, you definitely would not understand the twist added to it. Another fairy tale story example is Hansel and Gretel. The regular story is basically their stepmother wanted to abandon them, their father was opposed to the plan, but ended up agreeing. Hansel and Gretel was lured in by a witch with candy, cakes and all types of sweets. The witch was going to eat them, but they ended up killing the witch. They made it back to their father safely, with a happy ending. The twist to the story is Hansel and Gretel was given up for adoption, but their father knew nothing about them. They ended up reunited with their father and he kept them.
    Personally, I love this show. It grabbed my attention from the moment I watched season one, episode one. This show is full of action, drama, suspense, and cannot forget the romantic vibes. Let me explain the reasons I feel this strongly about this show. In my opinion, there is not one moment in the show where you would second guess about wanting to stop watching. This show will always have you coming back for more, and I cannot get enough of it. Every time you think you understand what is going on, they change it up and hit you with something new. There is never a dull moment for me watching this show, you never know what expect. One minute you have a fairy tale story you understand with the directors added twists, and then the next minute you have other fairy tales/movie characters you are not familiar with. This show has so much going on that it makes you feel as if you constantly have this need to keep watching to see what is going to happen next. A great example would be the characters Emma and Henry. Emma in this show is Snow White’s daughter, and Henry is Emma’s biological child. Henry is also the Evil Queen’s son by adoption in ‘reality’. First of all in the regular stories of Snow White, she has never had a child, because her happy ending was true loves kiss and getting married. This was my ‘WOW’ moment because it threw me off when I figured out Emma was Snow White and Charming’s daughter, which makes Henry their grandchild. Aside from being Emma’s son, and Snow White and Charming’s grandson, it is a strong possibility that he is also the Evil Queen’s father.
    Once Upon A Time falls in the category of fantasy. At the same time, I think it also falls in the categories of drama, romantic, and action. This show has the its moments where the characters can be so dramatic, that it is so extra for the scene. Then again there are moments where there is so much action, that you would think you are watching an action based television show. Then there are moments you think you have figured the genre out, then here they come being romantic like if you were watching The Fault in Our Stars. Like I mentioned before, this show will keep you wanting more and more.    … Expand
  8. joadha
    Oct 28, 2013
    1
    I'm shocked this is rated so highly. The dialogue is dreadful. The acting sucks, but since the script is so bad, we probably shouldn't place too much blame on them.

    For a show with such an ambitiously conceived setting, everything looks cheap. No exaggeration: the costumes look like they were harvested from a thrift store bin. Also, the special effects are embarrassingly bad. [C'mon    I'm shocked this is rated so highly. The dialogue is dreadful. The acting sucks, but since the script is so bad, we probably shouldn't place too much blame on them.

    For a show with such an ambitiously conceived setting, everything looks cheap. No exaggeration: the costumes look like they were harvested from a thrift store bin. Also, the special effects are embarrassingly bad. [C'mon guys! If you're going to make a fantasy series, and you refuse to pay for good writers, then the least you can do is splurge on good special effects and costume design.]

    It's a shame, because the idea of this show is so appealing. Unfortunately, the idea alone is not enough for me. This series fails in every category of execution.    … Expand
  9. xlogan123
    Jan 23, 2013
    3
    It's not absolutely terrible, but I'd hesitate to call it good.

    The thing I thought was the absolute funniest was how the wicked stepmother gave them worst fate she could imagine, and that was living in a quaint upper-middle class town in Maine. There are a lot of times where the progression of the story just doesn't make sense, and requires a very generous suspension of disbelief.    It's not absolutely terrible, but I'd hesitate to call it good.

    The thing I thought was the absolute funniest was how the wicked stepmother gave them worst fate she could imagine, and that was living in a quaint upper-middle class town in Maine. There are a lot of times where the progression of the story just doesn't make sense, and requires a very generous suspension of disbelief. Other times, the protagonist makes unethical decisions and the show paints it as a "noble" thing to do.

    I could see how people would enjoy this show if they're enamored with the idea of larger-than-life romance, but it falls short in worthwhile content.    … Expand
  10. Oievelina
    Feb 19, 2013
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Okay... where to begin. First of all let's kill a certain cliche that claims all women like this show. I didn't, and that's because I found it pretty boring and poorly written. It's an interesting idea that all the fairytale characters are put in the real world, but it has been done before, so I expected something original. All I got were plot twists that were unreal and characters I didn't find interesting at all. For example the protagonist, Emma, she's supposed to be some kind of detective or people finder or whatever and one day her kid Henry (that she left for adoption after he was born) pops up at her door and says she has to help him. So she finds herself in a small town called Storybrooke (ugh what a lame name) and it's run by a mayor who is really the Evil Queen from Snow White and her curse brought every fairytale creature in there so they could suffer and she could have a happy ending. I don't get it. Where is the suffering or the happy ending. Just a lame town with lame people. And suddenly Emma and Regina(the Queen) start to fight over Henry. Their dialogue is just ridiculous, like in Days of Our Lives or something. Also the huntsman who was supposed to kill Snow but didn't and then the Queen got mad and took his heart so she could make him her bed slave and then he kisses Emma and starts to remember and then the Queen kills him by crushing his heart while him and Emma make out??? I mean what? Why? And why is Red Riding Hood a slutty waitress? The plot is just awkward, there's so many things missing and so many things that need not to be there. It reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean movies or the Hobbit. Too much but at the same time too little. In the series even the costumes remind me of how sentimental it is. What I wanted was the world of forgotten fairy tales. Myths all over the world. What about stories we don't hear often? And there could have been a world more like in Snow White and the Huntsman (even though it wasn't a great movie it was visually awesome, more darker and stranger). Finally, there was only one character in the series that I liked and that was Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold (I'm from Finland so here it's "Tittelintuure"). Mostly I think because he was played by Robert Carlyle who is one of my favorite actors. I'm truly disappointed and hope that the Grimm will be better, starting to watch it now.… Expand
  11. MrsBBaggins
    Dec 26, 2013
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I believe this show has/had a lot of potntial. Unfortunatley though, due to the terrible acting and poor special effects, this show rates below average for me.

    First of all, the casting is somewhat atrocious. Robert Carlysle and Jennifer Morrison's characters are the only ones I can stomach. Snow White, Prince Charming, Henry-everyone else is completely intolerable. Regina is probably the worst villain I've ever seen and don't even get me started on Peter Pan. And all the gushy, mushy 'romantic' 'true love' moments are just purely revolting.
    With bad writing, terrible casting, and even worse acting, this show gets a bad score from me.    … Expand
  12. seventhbeacon
    Nov 23, 2014
    1
    Once upon a time, ABC was in talks with an amazing creator named Bill Willingham, whose comic series "Fables" is a long line of brilliance, mature exploration of character and fairy tale tropes blended into a modern setting. It is hands down one of the best series I have ever read, and it's still going (at least into 2015 when the story comes to a close).

    At some point, those talks    Once upon a time, ABC was in talks with an amazing creator named Bill Willingham, whose comic series "Fables" is a long line of brilliance, mature exploration of character and fairy tale tropes blended into a modern setting. It is hands down one of the best series I have ever read, and it's still going (at least into 2015 when the story comes to a close).

    At some point, those talks fell through. Then, half a year later, ABC announces Once Upon a Time, based on the same basic conceit as the Willingham comic from Vertigo (DC). I'm sad it's not Fables, but I'm excited at the idea.

    Then, I watch it. I tried. I really did. It's so watered down, trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator, with annoying leads (though I liked Jiminy Cricket and I liked Rumpelstiltskin for what they were worth). It had a less-intriguing premise. It was far too soft and Disney-fied. They basically took this amazing mature story and tried to make it have mass appeal to the family audience. Already not what I wanted, but hey, I like a good family show on occasion, so I stuck it out.

    And the writing sucked. The plotting, the dialogue, the generic tropes done with a straight face, bland as could be. The kid is obnoxious. Snow's 'daughter' is obnoxious. Snow is less interesting than a bottle of Ambien (and it's sad, too, I loved the actress in Big Love).

    Jiminy and Rumpel are the only reason this review didn't get a '0'.

    If you want something that's actually good in this vein, go read Fables. Or watch Grimm.    … Expand
  13. ElMa1587
    Mar 25, 2015
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Once Upon a Time presents an interesting concept, but the execution is a complete train wreck. The idea of seeing so many childhood stories rolled up into one monster TV show could have been great, but it seems that Disney bit off more than they could chew. Multiple characters have been introduced only to be forgotten as the story progresses. For a show founded on the idea that everyone is entitled to a happy ending, it seems that unless a character offers something significant to progress the plot they are forgotten. The seven dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hooding, the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella (who had a baby when the show first aired and was never heard from again)- apparently, once a character serves the purpose at hand they are not heard from again until they can contribute (conveniently) to the incredulously transparent plot. Take, for example, Ariel. The last time we heard from her she was off to find Eric, her true love, and live happily ever after. That's what everyone wanted, right? Fast forward to the current season. It seems that in an attempt to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, Captain Hook gets knocked unconscious in a fight and tossed overboard by the morally-torn-but-still-evil sea witch, Ursula. Who will save him? Well, everyone else is preoccupied, and we can't let a main character die, so it looks like its up to the long-lost Ariel to save the day! Where has she been all this time? Why, trapped in a bottle with Captain Hook's ship- not that anyone was at all aware of that until her appearance needed to be explained. It seems that she was released just in time to contribute to the plot for all of five minutes (if that) before disappearing for the rest of the episode. No heart-felt reunion with characters she once knew. Not even a goodbye.
    It is difficult to believe that Once Upon a Time was NOT intended for the now young adult group who grew up watching many of the characters the show has tried to bring together. The concepts are obviously not geared entirely toward the less than 10 crowd (for example, Queen Regina partying with three witches and getting a hangover) but roping in a new, younger audience was likely just icing on the cake. However, Once Upon a Time has taken on the role of a parent-on-the-spot with the audience being the curious child. The writers have assumed a terrible habit of giving brief, vague explanations to make up for laziness and sloppy writing, flip-flopping back and forth between past and present for what seems like convenience sake, and at times even neglecting the now-stagnant relationships between the main cast of characters. Once Upon a Time has started quests and abandoned them time and time again for no other reason than that the current path is the easiest path. The story tries too hard to incorporate as many characters as possible into the show which ultimately results in forced and awkward conversations and relationships, anti-climactic episodes, and unfulfilling endings. Each episode is riddled with questionable events like needing a particular item and always, without fail finding it- oftentimes right in the open- in Rumpelstiltskin's shop. Mixed with the bad graphics and mediocre acting (which can't be blamed entirely on the actors, given the script), this show has no substance or clear plot, and is ultimately not recommended by this reviewer.    … Expand
  14. Sunstreamer
    May 17, 2014
    3
    Too be honest, although this show seems to bring in good reviews, it is a mainstream fanfiction displayed on television. Not to dis fanfiction but there's a reason it's not simply fiction, it typically amateuristic and gives training wheels to those not too serious or just starting out, it should not be put on television. It's fairly unoriginal and crams nostalgic characters into modernToo be honest, although this show seems to bring in good reviews, it is a mainstream fanfiction displayed on television. Not to dis fanfiction but there's a reason it's not simply fiction, it typically amateuristic and gives training wheels to those not too serious or just starting out, it should not be put on television. It's fairly unoriginal and crams nostalgic characters into modern ordeals to attract fairytale fanatics. In the latest episode, a new character has been put in from a very recent film, I'd imagine it would butcher the original film and creating a backstory for this character as the show does would be an insult to the original writers considering this movie came out so recently. Overall, it's entertaining to some but should not be considered a "serious" show.… Expand
  15. soylinda21
    Oct 12, 2014
    2
    Generic is probably the word that best describes this series. It was extremely painful for me to sit through all 22 episodes. I'm having a hard time believing some of the critics called this show "clever" or "smart" because it is anything but smart. I wanted to like this show as I'm a huge fan of The Wolf Among Us, a video game with a similar premise. However, the show proved to have justGeneric is probably the word that best describes this series. It was extremely painful for me to sit through all 22 episodes. I'm having a hard time believing some of the critics called this show "clever" or "smart" because it is anything but smart. I wanted to like this show as I'm a huge fan of The Wolf Among Us, a video game with a similar premise. However, the show proved to have just far too many problems:
    - The story often lacks logic, and the characters make unintelligent decisions all the time.
    - The show is too inconsistent. There are few episodes that have some fresh stories, and the majority of others that are totally unoriginal and thus unbelievably boring.
    - The characters are comically one-dimensional, and the acting often feels extremely soapy.
    - Production values are horrifically low. Everything looks ridiculously cheap, and the CGI is just horrible.
    - The Storybrooke events are too slow-paced. The finale was a good payoff, but why couldn't they just speed things up before?    … Expand
  16. SwarleyStinson
    May 16, 2012
    5
    I was expecting this to be more of a MOTW format with each week there being a fairy tale character that needs help to get back to the fairy-tale world. Instead it is a continuous story set in the real world. The story is quite good at first, but the problem is that is all just too lightweight, there is no real sense of threat or importance to anything that happens. The fairy-taleI was expecting this to be more of a MOTW format with each week there being a fairy tale character that needs help to get back to the fairy-tale world. Instead it is a continuous story set in the real world. The story is quite good at first, but the problem is that is all just too lightweight, there is no real sense of threat or importance to anything that happens. The fairy-tale characters are trapped in the real world but they are not in any danger, they don't even know they are from another world. They all have jobs, houses, friends; you could even say they have better lives than before since fairy tales are set in medieval times. Also, the evil queen sent them all to the real world as a PUNISHMENT, so why did she choose to COME WITH THEM? Once the story has established itself, the show becomes a lot more like a soap in which the characters just happen to be fairy-tale characters and the plots are boring. The element of fantasy is mostly gone and its more trivial human life drama.… Expand
  17. lundbf
    May 20, 2012
    3
    Robert Carlyle is wonderful... the best acting performance on the show. What turns me off is the use of a trite acting vocabulary by Jennifer Morrison. She has moments when it seems she wants to show depth, and then, "yuck," another little unconvincing move or facial expression that feels hollow and unconvincing. The same kind of cheap "Disney school of bad acting" that permeates otherRobert Carlyle is wonderful... the best acting performance on the show. What turns me off is the use of a trite acting vocabulary by Jennifer Morrison. She has moments when it seems she wants to show depth, and then, "yuck," another little unconvincing move or facial expression that feels hollow and unconvincing. The same kind of cheap "Disney school of bad acting" that permeates other shows like Terra Nova, and just about all of Disney's TV shows. Come production staff. I know you can see it because you shorten many of the shots on Morrison's face at times. Give her some coaching if you want to invite the audience to really get into the story.… Expand
  18. ShelleyMarrissa
    Jun 16, 2012
    3
    I wanted to give this show a fair shot but after five episodes I wonder if I must be watching a different show than everyone else. The characters are well thought and the casting is okay, but the show is so very dull. Not a lot happens at all, I was expecting more of a drama than a soap. Interesting concept, but too boring for me. The comparisons with Grimm need to stop too, they are worlds apart.
  19. Enchantedsloth
    Dec 7, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. At first, this show was okay. The plot was a little bland, but I could stomach it. But, during season two, it started going downhill, really quickly. The plot twists became completely obvious, the main character was reduced from a hard ass, amazing character who did what she needed to and wanted to, to a character who kinda just acted on Snow and Charming's whim, and went against her gut. The acting is mediocre, except for Lana Parrilla and Robert Carlyle, who are the only reasons I stayed with the show for so long. I am also a female, so lets drop the stereotype that this show is just for women and children.

    This show had so much potential, but Adam and Eddy are afraid to take risks and can't even make a decent plot twist to save their lives. They've centered the entire show off of two romances; one with Emma and Hook, the other with Regina and Robin, both romances abusive and destructive. You have Robin, who drops Regina like a hot potato when his wife was brought back to life, only to say that he kinda sorta wants to be with Regina again. And manages to woo her by getting in her personal space and trying to act 'sexy', when I know that if a man were to do that in real life, it would be more creepy than charming. And you have Hook who locked Emma up in a cell for Cora to kill, yet everyone seems to forget about that, not to mention, he's just overall creepy and also forced himself on Emma throughout season two and three. And even Neal, who left her high and dry to have a baby in a jail cell. But you have young girls who see this and expect it to be what a real relationship should be like, when these are red flags...

    Overall, this show is stereotypical and overdone. The only good things about it are Parrilla and Carlyle. Case closed.    … Expand
  20. Bossuk
    Jul 13, 2012
    3
    After watching a fair few episodes I've decided to not bother watching this again. The writers have realised they need to create 22 episodes so instead of actually telling stories they just give you enough with the inevitable cliffhangers that force you to come back to see what happens. The word Soap opera is appropriate.
    The main antagonist, the Queen(Regina) is just a shallow one sided    After watching a fair few episodes I've decided to not bother watching this again. The writers have realised they need to create 22 episodes so instead of actually telling stories they just give you enough with the inevitable cliffhangers that force you to come back to see what happens. The word Soap opera is appropriate.
    The main antagonist, the Queen(Regina) is just a shallow one sided disney style evil character that we are expected to accept without any real insight into the hows and whys of her obvious anger at everything.
    Robert Carlysles **** character is about the only saving grace in the whole show and the only character with any real depth. The rest you can pretty much take or leave. Its a shame as the story had potential but the writers just don't have the talent to make 22 episodes of interesting content. Maybe if they had made it 10 or 12 episodes they could actually have made it work.
    The telling of the Enchanted forest stories is not bad, with some interesting twists on the stories we know, but anything to do with Storybrooke is just static.    … Expand
  21. Jbiscan
    Sep 28, 2014
    0
    Worst show I have ever seen. Disney is ruining every movie they ever made with this stupid show with a bad storyline. I can't even watch one episode. The animation is poor and the show is so bad it's comcial.
  22. Viktor1109
    Oct 26, 2011
    3
    There are some decent ideas here, but you have to wade through some mediocre acting and truly awful writing. Even some of the CGI is surprisingly bad. What was with the fairy godmother character floating around in one scene? She was lit incorrectly to fit in with the main scene. Just not well done.

    I was truly curious about some of the big questions in this story, but the overall vehicle    There are some decent ideas here, but you have to wade through some mediocre acting and truly awful writing. Even some of the CGI is surprisingly bad. What was with the fairy godmother character floating around in one scene? She was lit incorrectly to fit in with the main scene. Just not well done.

    I was truly curious about some of the big questions in this story, but the overall vehicle is so clumsily done that I just can't give this show any more time.    … Expand
  23. Melb13
    Oct 25, 2011
    10
    I loved the concept of the show its different from what's on television at the moment and it makes you want to watch it and the cast does a fantastic job! I can not wait to continue watching the show and see how the storyline develops.
  24. shipwreck58
    Dec 30, 2011
    9
    I came into this show a little late, catching up on Hulu right now. Its pretty good. I enjoy that its a pleasant mix of the fairy tale world and RL. It avoids the vanity of going heavy on CGI to do the fairy tale stuff. It has the feel of Lost-Lite which is fine. Pretty solid acting, especially from the woman playing the Wicked Queen/Mayor. Once I get caught up I am putting it on theI came into this show a little late, catching up on Hulu right now. Its pretty good. I enjoy that its a pleasant mix of the fairy tale world and RL. It avoids the vanity of going heavy on CGI to do the fairy tale stuff. It has the feel of Lost-Lite which is fine. Pretty solid acting, especially from the woman playing the Wicked Queen/Mayor. Once I get caught up I am putting it on the regular viewing list. Good job ABC.… Expand
  25. Murchaidh
    Oct 13, 2012
    10
    Absolutely love this show. One of the few I hate to miss. And as Dessy states; although I also like Grimm, this show is far superior and much more entertaining. To each his own, I guess.
  26. jarjoura
    Dec 29, 2011
    3
    I would have preferred that this show keep the angle that this is all in the boys head avoiding his dreary life. The evil queen is such a baffling cartoon without any depth. Or maybe she is just a bad actress?! I wished the writers would have allowed her to express real attempt at wanting to be the best mother to her adopted son. Instead the show is now asking the audience to suspend allI would have preferred that this show keep the angle that this is all in the boys head avoiding his dreary life. The evil queen is such a baffling cartoon without any depth. Or maybe she is just a bad actress?! I wished the writers would have allowed her to express real attempt at wanting to be the best mother to her adopted son. Instead the show is now asking the audience to suspend all belief that the town somehow wants to get back to fairytale land, or someplace else?!… Expand
  27. iamacritic
    Nov 5, 2011
    10
    Some people may not have a sense of imagination or fun, but this show is a way to escape from the bad economy or your family issues etc. Once Upon a Time is a creative, imaginative, interesting show. It keeps you on your toes for the entire week, waiting for the next episode. The story line is is "out-of-the-box" and the acting is well done. I am addicted.
  28. Gaby1983
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    Original, well acted, beautifully shot and directed. This has to be one of the best new shows on TV. The creators of ¨Lost¨proved once again that they can grab our attention hopefully they keep a hold on it.
  29. heyitsmegrif4
    Apr 1, 2012
    8
    Despite its plot issues. Once Upon a Time is a creative, entertaining visually beautiful, fantastically acted ,piece of art. Once Upon a Time is soon to be one of the best shows on television.
  30. horacep3000
    Dec 5, 2011
    10
    This is one of the new shows this season that is actually really good. When I first saw commercials, I wasn't sure how it would turn out. Now I see its clever, compelling storytelling as a work of art. The show reminds me of lost, as it was created by a few of its producers. It lives in the present and the past, which keeps me so intrigued. I hope this show is here to last.
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Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Best TV Season of 2011
7
#7 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011
15
#15 Most Shared TV Season of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    Oct 28, 2011
    40
    The series, fueling itself with folklore, proceeds as if no characterization is required.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Oct 24, 2011
    50
    The show is a bold idea, and there's hope for the modern-world portions, but it doesn't quite know what it is (or maybe it does, but the audience won't).
    Read full review
  3. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Rick Porter
    Oct 24, 2011
    60
    No other new show this fall is attempting to tell a bigger story, and we're hoping the rough patches smooth out and it fulfills the potential that's there in its very strong cast and premise.
    Read full review
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