Once Upon A Time is a TV series about fairy tales. I found the series on Netflix and just thought, well let's give it a try. I was a bit afraid that I wouldn't like it. I usually don't like to watch fairy tale kind of movies or series. But because some people recommended the series to me, I decided to start watching. At the very beginning of the series, we see Emma, a woman of 28 years old. One day a kid is in her house and claims to be her child. She drives him home. He lives in a small town called Storybrooke. Her goal is to bring him home and return to her home as quick as possible. But it doesn't turn out like that. Emma sticks around in Storybrooke for a while. Her child, Henry, claims that everyone in the town is actually a fairy tale character. All of them have been transported to the real world by a curse. None of them can remember who they really are. And Henry tells Emma she's the only one who can save them. She's the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. And Henry's adoptive mom is the Evil Queen...
How about the actors?
Oh, this is really great! There are so many characters in this series! It's unbelievable. You see every fairy tale passing by. So that means a lot of characters. Like: A lot! And in this series, it also means a great cast. And a recognizable cast. I recognized so many actors! I love it.
Let's start with Emma (Jennifer Morrison). I know Jennifer mainly for playing Dr. Allison Cameron on the TV series House M.D. The next familiar face was Ginnifer Goodwin who plays Mary Margaret/ Snow White. I saw her recently in He's Just Not That Into You. She plays such a different type of girl there, I really had to get used to her being Snow White. But now I think she's great!
And I won't stop. Have you watched Lost or the Hills Have Eyes (2006)? Then you might recognize Emilie de Ravin as Belle. I was happy to see Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Revolution) as Sydney Glass/ Magic Mirror. And Sonequa Martin-Green (Sasha in the Walking Dead) plays the role of Tamara. Oh and for fans of Charmed: You can also see Rose McGowan as a young Cora (Cora is the mother of the evil queen). I was also pleased to see Ernie Hudson as Poseidon. And Elizabeth Mitchell plays the Snow Queen!
But it's not only familiar faces that do well. I've also 'discovered' some other awesome actors and actresses. Most of them are already quite well known. But I didn't know them (very well) before watching Once Upon a Time. I'm very impressed by 'evil queen' Lana Parrilla. I didn't know her yet. But you might have seen her in Miami Medical, Swingtown or 24. I also think Robert Carlyle is doing an awesome job. He plays Mr. Gold/ Rumplestiltskin. He plays a major role and I love it!
Who will like this?
Once Upon a Time is an adventure/ Fantasy/ Romance series according to IMDB. I thin that's correct. But I'd like to add that there's also some action to it. What I mean is: A lot is happening. It's not like there are sword fights all the time. But there are many story lines and a lot is happening. In season 1 series shows the present: Emma who goes to Storybrooke and gets to know Henry. And the series also show the past: Who was everyone as a fairy tale character. It's nice to see the fairy tales as well. I think the series is nice for people who like the fairy tale side but also for people who are a bit more into the drama/ action part. I usually don't really watch anything fairy tale related. But I love it because it's a combination of the real world and the fairytale world. It's nice how the story develops.
How many seasons?
The sixth season aired in 2016.
My opinion
I totally LOVED season 1. I really got hooked. Great characters. And I love the story lines about the present and past. It's so much fun to discover who is whom in the fairy tale. [Spoiler alert!!] I loved the next seasons as well. But they are a bit different. the series changes a bit when both worlds meet each other. I didn't like the beginning of season 3 a lot. I'm not a big fan of the Peter Pan story line. I didn't like the (literal) darkness. And I missed Storybrooke and missed the variety in story lines a bit. However, I would recommend this to everyone. It's a great watch! After the Peter Pan part, it got interesting for me again. I like the story lines with Ariel and Robin Hood. But I had to get used to Zelena. In general I love the relation between the 'real people' and the fairy tale characters. And it was lovely to see the character traits of the fairy tale characters in the 'real people'. I also think the story line with Henry's moms is very well done. Regina/ the Evil Queen is such an interesting character!
Rate
Imdb: 7,9
Mine: 8
Who's your favorite character from Once Upon A Time? Or, if you don't watch it: Who's your favorite fairy tale character? If you would be a fairy tale character, who would you be?
Write a comment
FS Page (Thursday, 16 February 2017 16:43)
Thanks for sharing this. This certainly looks like my kind of series. An assemblage of so many legendary characters seems so exciting. Thanks for the suggestion.
Eugenia (Friday, 17 February 2017 19:26)
I don't like watching fairy tale related movies, but this TV series inspires me a lot to start watching Once upon a time! The plot is very interesting! As you mentioned this is a perfect combination of the real world and the fairy tales. And I love Rose McGowan from Charmed, so it will be great to see her as a young Cora!
Irma (Friday, 17 February 2017 20:35)
It sounds interesting to me. Generally, I love fairy tales, as well as fairly tale related cartoons, so I think this TV series would be an excellent choice! I will definitely put it on my must-watch list. The cast seems great, and this part is a huge plus. Thank you for the recommendation!
Ruth I. (Saturday, 18 February 2017 00:32)
This is my kind of movie/series, I am sure I will enjoy this. But haven't watched it yet because I have no Netflix :( I am starting to think of getting a Netflix subscription because of this. My favorite fairy tale charter is Rapunzel :)
Erin (Saturday, 18 February 2017 08:25)
I only watched series 1 of this (had no idea that there were six series!) I really love twisted fairy tales, they are one of my favorite things to read and to write, but I also read about the Peter Pan storyline in the upcoming series and wasn't keen, so I didn't keep watching. Maybe I need to just skip that season and get to some of the later ones, as long as it wouldn't be too confusing.
Sophie (Monday, 20 February 2017 22:42)
I remember first watching and falling in love with this series. Thank you for reminding me to get back into it!
Elle (Monday, 20 February 2017 22:52)
My favorite Disney character was always Belle. We're both book nerds so I could totally relate to her. Not only that, but she saw Beast for who he truly was and didn't judge a book by the cover.
Lisa Sell (Monday, 20 February 2017 23:03)
I really got into Once Upon a Time and was binging on it. I found series 3 was getting ploddy and I gave up. Maybe I need to give it another try as I really liked series 1 and 2.
Jolina (Monday, 20 February 2017 23:21)
I was a HUGE fan of this show. But I think I dropped off tail-end of season 2 or somewhere season 3. I dunno, they just lost my interest. Shame. The show's on Netflix now; perhaps I should give it another shot!
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms (Tuesday, 21 February 2017 04:54)
I really liked the first season of this show, but my husband and I kind of trailed off during the second or third season. I really need to pick it back up again and catch up!
ROBERT LEE | Amazing Life Daily (Tuesday, 21 February 2017 08:29)
At first, I was thinking, how could a series feature a lot of characters? It would be hard to build up the character and of course, from a business POV, that would be a great thing, like potential spin-offs in the future. And then, as you mentioned, there is a lot of thing happening at the same time.
But once I saw it was on the sixth season, that is when my curiosity was piqued. No series reach the 6th season if it is not worth watching, right?
Amber (Tuesday, 21 February 2017 15:17)
I would love to be Belle in a fairytale. I watch this series on and off . . . I love the twist to classic fairytales.
Joanna (Tuesday, 21 February 2017 15:45)
i absolutely LOVE Once Upon a Time! I have seen all series and I am still waiting for Netflix to release new episodes. It can't end like that! My favorite character is actually Rumpelstiltskin, I believe he makes a brilliant role and he manages to bring the entire series to life. You don't know when to feel sorry or when to hate him! I also love Belle, her character grows with the series and becomes strong and powerful without loosing its innocence. I don't really like how Snow White plays her role, I think she is too fade for character.
Michelle (Tuesday, 21 February 2017 17:37)
I haven't seen an episode of Once Upon A Time but I already knew about this series way back then because of Jennifer Morisson! My husband and I have been watching House M.D., that's why we know her as an actress. I have been intending to watch this series but I keep on forgetting to do so. One of my colleagues was raving about how good this series is that's why my curiosity grew a lot bigger than before. I hope time permits that I will be able to do binge watching again and this will definitely be on the top 5 of to-watch list!
Chessica Mirasol (Tuesday, 21 February 2017 18:35)
I've always loved Netflix shows, but I never really checked this one out! Thanks for sharing a detailed review on this. I might just give this a try!
Jill (Wednesday, 22 February 2017 00:17)
This is also recommended to me by a lot of friends 3-4 years ago. I just didn't have the time to watch it. I already have a lot of series dumped in my laptop, waiting to be watched by me. It's nice to know that you love it too!
theresa (Wednesday, 22 February 2017 02:19)
I don't know about this. I must be living under a rock. Though recommending this is great as I can explore new films. However, i am not a fan of series if it's not Korean-related.
Teresa (Wednesday, 22 February 2017 03:25)
I love fairy tales. I grew up reading fairy tale books. :) I would probably love this series. I should ask my husband to look this up for me. :)
KT Nielsen (Wednesday, 22 February 2017 15:57)
Oh wow! Thank you so much for sharing this review. I have been looking for new shows to watch on Netflix as well so I can take advantage of what I am paying for. I started to watch Santa Clarita Diet last week but I got a bit bored although it was funny. I'll probably rewatch it for good measure. I'll keep Once Upon A Time in my to-watch list.
Louisa (Wednesday, 22 February 2017 17:30)
I started watching this and got into about 6 episodes but lost interest. I love the idea of a fairy tale in the modern world. I guess I just wasn't connecting with the characters. I loved Ginnifer Goodwin in He's Just Not into You.
Bhusha (Wednesday, 22 February 2017 19:51)
I might like it too. Though I'm not much of a fairy tale person, I like to watch cartoons and such shows once in a while. Its definitely the best stress buster!
Claire Santiago (Thursday, 23 February 2017 18:01)
At my age, I still love fairy tales and happy endings. Films/series with that kind of topic is very light and really entertaining. I hope it is also good for the kids because I usually watch with them...
Nicole - Little Miss Sparkle (Friday, 24 February 2017 17:49)
Oh how cool, I really like Sonequa Martin-Green. Can't wait to check it out!
Ana Rose | Roads and Pages (Thursday, 02 March 2017 13:03)
I do love fairy tales. I think that movie will captures my interest. I was intrigued that in that movie, Snowhite has a child. Haha! I only know that Snowhite and his prince charming get married but after that no more. This is an interesting post to read. :)