fairy tales a go-go

I stopped watching the fantasy fairy tale mash-up Once Upon a Time pretty early into its second season last fall as I was simply bored. But the kid likes it, so we thought we'd give it a try and watch the first episode of the third season last night. As much as I like Robert Carlyle as Rumpelstiltskin, I have to say that once again, Once Upon a Time failed to thrill. Lots and lots of whining and haranguing, and very little action or magic. That's OK, it's not like I really need to watch another serial-story television show.

During one of the commercial breaks a promo for its spin-off, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, aired. Even more fractured fairytales seemed like way too much of a not-so-great thing when I first heard about the new show, but then I caught a glimpse of Lost's Naveen Andrews. Damn. And apparently Iggy Pop (at least in voice) is also involved. I guess I'm stuck with at least checking out a few of the episodes.

geek worlds collide on once upon a time

Last night's Once Upon A Time, an episode entitled, "Dreamy," featured two actresses from fan favorites Lost and Angel. The fairy tale world and Storybrooke highlighted the story of a dwarf named Dreamy and a very grumpy man named Leroy (Lee Arenberg). Emilie de Ravin, who played Claire on Lost reprised her role as Belle, and dispensed some advice to the lovelorn dwarf, Dreamy. Angel's Fred, Amy Acker, played a fairy who dreamed of becoming a fairy godmother in the fairy tale world. In Storybrooke she was a clumsy nun named Astrid who struck up a friendship with Leroy.

From top: Emilie de Ravin, Lee Arenberg, Amy Acker and Emma Caulfield

Once Upon A Time just keeps getting better and better, serving up twists to favorite fairytale characters and their stories. It is also a visual treat. The fairytale world can look both menacing and magical. Especially gorgeous was a scene set on a hilltop at night when Nova, the fairy, and Dreamy the dwarf, surrounded by fireflies, realized that they cared for one another. But the "real" world of Storybrooke is just as visually impressive. The office of the Evil Queen/Mayor is wonderful, with black and white trees printed on wallpaper, stark furnishings and, of course, a bowl of blood-red apples.

It's fun to see old friends from Buffy and Angel. Just a few episodes back Buffy's Anya, Emma Caulfield played Hansel and Gretel's hungry witch. Could the presence of these Actors by the influence of  show producer Jane Espenson, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame? Whatever the reason, hopefully Once Upon A Time will continue to give viewers an extra bonus by casting these actors in guest roles.

There was one sour note in the episode, which is hopefully just due to keeping Mary Margaret/Snow White in plot trouble. Mary Margaret is being shunned by most of the citizens of Storybrooke, and called a home-wrecker and much worse for her love for David/Prince Charming. It's more than a little sexist that David seems to get off scot-free, at least as far as scandal is concerned. At the end of "Dreamy" it seemed that this medieval attitude may have been showing signs of weakening, but with all of the strong female characters in Once Upon A Time the treatment of Mary Margaret still stuck out like a very unwelcome sore thumb.