Once Upon a Time

:

Season 4
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 23, 2011
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 91 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 91
  3. Negative: 11 out of 91
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. gmonster320
    May 17, 2015
    9
    Season 4 brought us "Frozen" in the first part of the season and the "Queens of Darkness" in the second. I'll admit I was skeptical when I first heard about the "Frozen" segment but they won me over. "Frozen" also brought us Elizabeth Mitchell as Ingrid (ie the Snow Queen). She's one of my favorites so I enjoy everything she does. "Queens of Darkness" brought back Malificent (who had aSeason 4 brought us "Frozen" in the first part of the season and the "Queens of Darkness" in the second. I'll admit I was skeptical when I first heard about the "Frozen" segment but they won me over. "Frozen" also brought us Elizabeth Mitchell as Ingrid (ie the Snow Queen). She's one of my favorites so I enjoy everything she does. "Queens of Darkness" brought back Malificent (who had a great story). I hope she becomes a season regular. The stories of Ursula and Cruella seemed to be fillers though. The finale brought Operation Mongoose (which was the quest for Regina to find the Author to get her happy ending) to a conclusion. It also gave the actors a chance to switch roles with Snow White becoming the Evil Queen and Regina becoming Snow White. Rumple was a knight known as the "Light One". It looked like the actors had a lot of fun. Regina (Lana Parrilla) continues to be excellent in everything she does (be she good, evil or somewhere in between). It was nice that the writers via the Author acknowledged that she is the most complex, layered character on "Once Upon A Time". Without going into much detail, we witnessed some interesting character developments for Regina, Emma, Henry, Robin, Hook, Rumple, Belle, Zelena and the Charmings. We again see Emma and Regina sacrificing themselves for Henry and each other. Yes I refuse to stop shipping Swan Queen. Next year we're off to Camelot. What perils will the Dark One whip up along the way?… Expand
  2. shaquita2012
    Dec 14, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this have been a very good first half so far . they did good with frozen how they react in this show . am pround of the writter keep up the good work.And i think the secound is going to do great i can feel now while am talking about right now .… Expand
  3. solidspectr
    Sep 28, 2014
    8
    It's still not a perfect show. But with the new season, also takes pride of place "most favorite show."
    CGI has become much better. But 'chroma key' also terrible. Despite all this looks nice.
    New characters "Frozen" (Anna and Elsa), look great. Actress cute, pretty and well play a role.
  4. TheQuietGamer
    Jan 27, 2018
    8
    Another season that's split into two halves, each sporting a different plot arc. The first of which brings characters from Frozen into the mix. A decision that proves to be more than just a way to cash in on one of the most popular animated movies ever created. The Frozen crossover is easily the best story the show has told up to this point. One that does justice to the movie and alsoAnother season that's split into two halves, each sporting a different plot arc. The first of which brings characters from Frozen into the mix. A decision that proves to be more than just a way to cash in on one of the most popular animated movies ever created. The Frozen crossover is easily the best story the show has told up to this point. One that does justice to the movie and also reinvigorated my enthusiasm in Once Upon a Time. Then the second half of the season happened...

    The second set of eleven episodes repeats the same sins of season 3's second-half. Namely, the writing takes a nosedive. There's another interesting premise that gets brought down by sloppy, even lazy plotting. Characters make nonsensical decisions and it drags it's feet like you would not believe. It's all just set up for the last two episodes. Which are actually pretty darn fantastic. Right before the season concludes, we get to see some vastly improved special effects and one heck of a cliffhanger for season 5. We even get some nice payoffs for the crap we had to put up with in the previous nine episodes.

    So season 4 isn't all bad. It's just disappointing to see the show take a big step forward with the Frozen stuff, only to take end up taking a bigger step back before concluding. It's no worse than what has already come before though. So it's still worth sticking with. Provided you are actually enjoying the show that is.    … Expand
  5. jacob4
    Jan 10, 2015
    10
    An amazing fantasy show that adds an interesting "mature" twist to all the iconic creatures and characters we know, like Disney characters, fairytales, nursery rhymes, Greek mythology, and famous story books. It has great casting for each interesting character, fun and crazy storyline twists/mash-ups/parodies, and just plane epic. Who knew that combining fairytales with the modern worldAn amazing fantasy show that adds an interesting "mature" twist to all the iconic creatures and characters we know, like Disney characters, fairytales, nursery rhymes, Greek mythology, and famous story books. It has great casting for each interesting character, fun and crazy storyline twists/mash-ups/parodies, and just plane epic. Who knew that combining fairytales with the modern world could be a genius idea? Only the executive producers of Lost (Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis) could nail the idea to perfection. A family friendly show that's fun for the whole family, all ages, and no matter who you are.… Expand
  6. OpinionatedGuy
    May 13, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. After a very strong third season, the fourth season felt underwhelming to me. It’s sad to say this because as the season progressed, Once Upon a Time no longer became a favorite TV show of mine. It’s still watchable for me but this show felt oddly different from before.

    The fourth season’s first arc which added Frozen characters to the show was actually executed very well. Sure, it’s obviously added because of the Frozen hype train that Disney never gets tired of doing. I liked how this extends the movie a bit and the actors who played the Frozen characters did an excellent job recapturing the characters without any noticeable change in their tone or mannerisms. I question how this is important to the main characters until Emma had something to do with the arc which felt really out of place for a bit. I enjoyed the addition of Frozen into the show but I really don’t see the point of it really.

    The fourth season’s second arc which features Maleficent, Ursula and Cruella De Vil as villains had great potential that was wasted for Mr. Gold’s character development. However, this arc adds more importance than the previous arc which is good. The subplot for Regina getting her happy ending feels satisfying and adds more complexity to Regina as a character. The subplot that Mary Margaret and David did something horrible in the past proves that good and bad is not black and white and it feels satisfying. The plot twist that Zelena is still alive is fascinating and I liked how the show didn’t really kill her just yet. I like this arc better than the Frozen one. However, this arc would have been much better if the villains were not sidelined for Mr. Gold’s character development.

    This season is an underwhelming mixed bag for me. However, after seeing the season finale and the way the second arc developed some of the characters, I need to see the next season. Luckily I wasn’t forced to watch it. I hope the next season is much better but I am going to lower my expectations.    … Expand
  7. walkthisway
    Aug 8, 2015
    9
    Enjoyable show with gorgeous sets and costuming and the actors and actresses are fun to look at as well. It doesn't always add up but it beats most of the garbage passing for entertainment these days.
  8. manningn15
    Oct 15, 2018
    9
    This season was still great but I thought it was odd with them adding the Frozen characters but it was actually nice with the Frozen characters. I loved the Frozen storyline I it was well written. I loved the snow queen and all of the new villains. The visual effects continue to get more spectacular. The cast have stupendous performances especially Lana Parrilla, Jennifer Morrison,This season was still great but I thought it was odd with them adding the Frozen characters but it was actually nice with the Frozen characters. I loved the Frozen storyline I it was well written. I loved the snow queen and all of the new villains. The visual effects continue to get more spectacular. The cast have stupendous performances especially Lana Parrilla, Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Colin O'Donoghue, Elizabeth Mitchell, Rebecca Mader, Emilie De Ravin, Robert Carlyle, Jared S. Gilmore, and Joshua Dallas.… Expand
  9. Lucas565
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Uma das melhores séries que eu já assisti eu recomendo ela é maravilhosa mesmo

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Patrick Gomez
    Sep 29, 2014
    75
    The highlight of the show remains newlywed actress Lana Parrilla, who continues to pepper her Evil Queen with just the right amount of realism to make her deliciously wicked deeds seem justified, but Frozen is just the thing that has gotten Once really moving.
    Read full review
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Sep 26, 2014
    70
    The “Frozen” crossover is indeed a bit of a blast, and the visual effects are especially good.
    Read full review