BINGE WORTHY

There are many reason why I love Netflix so much, binge watching is just one of those attributes. Something I watch for is how often a show updates their season on Netflix. Much to my surprise, Once Upon A Time updated and I was able to catch up to the finale of season three just in time for season four to start later this month. Not only am I a renewed "Oncer" I'm a believer in the show again. However, I will say the wait was worth it. One of the reasons I have such a hard time watching the show on it's network time, is because of the commercials. Maybe it's just this age and we've become spoiled to such pleasures as Netflix and not having the cumbersome commercials to nag us. Even when we try to watch on-demand through our cable providers, there are commercials. So, I threw down my remote and proclaimed: no more. This is why I am a true believer in the powers of Netflix. That being said, catching up from where I had previously left off took me a solid two days! And who knew Captain Hook was so swoon worthy!?! 

There are far too many plot points to try to tell you all about them. If you have Netflix I would highly suggest you check the show out. What I do love about this show are their constant reminders of renewed hope and second chances; they seem to be hidden plots within themselves. Constantly, they are showing us how life can get complicated but, we can't lose hope. If you don't like fairy tales than this might be harder for you to grasp and enjoy. I grew up watching Disney movies, so when they make those references I thoroughly enjoy them. However, the one aspect I could do without is "the Savior" jargon. Couldn't they come up with a better hero's title than that? Apparently not. In season three they wavered from Emma being the sole "savior" to Regina having the ability too; encouraging that we all have the power within us. I'll include a link below if you want to read my other postings about Once Upon A Time about the beginning characters and plots.

I'm excited yet I have some apprehension about this season. Have rating slumped that they feel they need to ride the Frozen bandwagon? I just hope people aren't tired of Frozen that they'll still tune in and watch. Hopefully the writers know what they're doing and can get it right. So far they have bewildered the viewers with mind-boggling assaults. Not so much in a bad way; those that we know from tales before to be good, turn out to be bad etc. I love the twists and turns and especially the romance sizzling between the main protagonist Emma Swan and Captain Killian "Hook" Jones. It is almost enough to renew this ladies belief in romance!

The plots definitely thicken! In a strange twist within the last two seasons the trip to Neverland turned out to - once again - reunite family. Peter Pan turned out to be Rumpelstiltskin's horrid father. Pan was quite wicked and through his lackeys kidnapped Henry, Emma Swans "The Saviors" son. The family (Prince Charming, Snow White, Regina, Emma, Rumpelstiltskin and Captain Hook) ride on the Jolly Roger through a portal opened by the last magic bean, in an attempt to get to Neverland. Meanwhile, Neil (Henry's father) had been shot and fell through a similar portal; leaving everyone to believe he was dead. However, he was found in the Enchanted Forest shore lines and made his way to save those that he loves.

Neil reaches Neverland where he had lived once before and knows a lot of tips and tricks to help the crew on the quest to rescue Henry (and themselves). The only thing is, right at the end, Pan switched bodies with Henry. The reason no body knew this right away is because Pan's body was trapped in Pandora's Box (which was really Henry). However, Emma knew something was off and through her determination they figure out that Pan is actually in Henry's body but, they're too late. Pan already enacted a curse and the only escape was for Regina to work her magic. All but Emma and Henry would return to the Enchanted Forest while they would return to New York with wiped memories.

Season 3 starts off with Emma and Henry's perceived life in New York being normal. She's even been seeing a (what we believe to be) a charming man. She's stopped in her tracks though when he purposes and Emma being the stubborn woman that she is, can't make the choice. It could also be her super power telling her something was off. Henry was all for it and it wasn't until Killian Jones arrived at her door step that she thought she would marry her boyfriend of 8 months. Captain Hook convinces her to drink a potion where she will regain her memories from the previous year.

With her memories restored Captain Hook tells Emma of the present danger in Storybrook. Know that she knows her family is in danger, she packs up Henry (who doesn't have those returned memories) and they leave for Storybrook, Maine. Once they arrive it's heartbreaking when Henry doesn't know the people he so desperately has fought for; especially Regina. In a twist however, during their time in Neverland we learnt of Regina and Tinker Bell's past and how Tink showed Regina a true love to pursue (that would bring her happiness) - Robin Hood (because of his lion tattoo on his inner forearm). The town pulls together to find out who enacted the curse and why. 

Enter The Wicked Witch and Oz or as she's known as Zelena. What is her ulterior motive? Revenge. She wants what her little sister Regina has, that she feels she was neglected of and that she should have had. Zelena has been able to break through the barriers of time travel and wants to go back in time to make things right for her. This endangers all the other inhabitants as this could change many fates. Zelena begins by collecting Prince Charmings Courage, Regina's heart, Rumpelstiltskin's brain and the last ingredient - Snow White's baby. Once she has all of her ingredients she opens a portal and is about to change time when the hero's ban together to stop Zelena's attempts.

We learn that only white magic can stop Zelena and who has the best white magic? Emma. However, The Wicked Witch knows this and slams Captain Hook between a rock and a hard place. When he professes his love for Emma she curses his lips, that if he should kiss her he will drain her of her powers. Of course, Killian being the hero that he wants to be for Emma and her family, he doesn't. Zelena then continues to twist the knife in Killian's back by drowning him, forcing Emma to place her lips upon his to save his life, draining her of her magic and ability to stop her. What really ticked me off about this was that Emma was upset with Killian over his choices when he did the right thing. 

When the heroes are facing Zelena in her finest hour (after opening the time portal), Regina switches her dark magic to that of love (white magic) and is able to knock Zelena down and get her pendant that she wore (which Glenda explained housed her powers). Regina locked up the pendant in her tomb while Zelena was locked up in Storybrook's jail cell. She didn't last too long though after Rumpelstiltskin visits her, after she tortured him and used his knife for her bidding, he stabbed her turning her into stone that crumbled to the ground and disappeared. However, this initiated her pendant in Regina's vault and unbeknownst to the residence of Storybrook, the time portal was opened once more.

Emma and Captain hook are sucked into the time portal and go on quite the quest to save the preservation of her parents meeting and falling in love. Through this time however her and Captain Hook have a new found love which I enjoyed watching! Emma also rescued someone and brought her back with them once she was able to reopen the time portal (using a magic wand that Rumplestiltskin lent them). When they are all reunited back at Granny's, she introduces the woman she brought back: Maid Marion (Robin Hood's wife and mother to his son). Regina's livid because she finally let her guard down and fell in love with Robin, they were happy. Through her anger she tells Emma that she's just like her mother (naive heroism) and warns Emma that she hopes she didn't bring anything else back with her...

Links

Once Upon A Time ABC Go

Wait Watch Wonder - Once Upon A Time previous posts 

Once Upon A Time on IMDb.com

Storybrook Website

Once Upon A Time on Facebook

Once Upon A Time on Twitter

Once Upon A Fan (blog)

Once Upon a TIme

Once Upon a Time, ABC

March 20, 2013

The Evil Queen - Regina

Who watched the epic episode where it was hashed one will die? My money had been on Cora and I was right. With the new discovery that Rumpelstiltskin is actually Henry’s grandfather, I knew he wouldn't be the one who perished. This gives Regina the renewed evilness in revenge for Snow White (Mary Margaret) who, with the instructions from Mr. Gold (Rumpelstiltskin), used dark magic against Cora (meanwhile, tricking Regina to assist in her own mother’s demise). On a side note: I think Rose McGowan did a fabulous job in the backstory of Cora, the Miller’s Daughter.

Rumpelstiltskin - Mr. Gold

Some things that are irritating me about the story plots: Henry is mad at his mother for not telling him the truth about his father. I get this, but I don’t particularly like how he keeps bringing this up. He needs to get over it and understand that some choices aren't black and white, his mother did the best that she could, and she made the choice not to tell him for his own safety.  Snow White’s moping was sad; I understand that she did something that maybe wasn't the right choice. Again, it was the best choice she could make at the time with the knowledge she was given. No one is perfect; she did what she had to for her family. She needs to get over it too, it was going to be either Cora destroying (everything) her family, or she would have to get rid of Cora. It wasn't an easy choice, obviously, but she did what she had to do. If Regina holds this over Snow White’s head (especially since she’s seen the dark spot in her heart) it will be tedious.

Ethan Embry - Outsider

I probably need to re-watch a couple of the episodes because I can’t recall what happened to Captain Hook. The last I can remember he was left in New York after they went for Rumpelstiltskin son (who is also Henry’s father). That is something I do look forward to exploring more; the relationship between Henry, his biological mother, and biological father. I want to know more back story in Emma & Bane’s history and was their more to the story. 

Snow White - Mary Margaret

I did like the back story of Ethan Embry’s character. Before the Evil Queen (Regina) used magic to create Storybrook, a father and son were camping in the woods. After the magic storm that changed Fairy tale Land’s fates, the father and son explore the new town.  They meet Regina, the town mayor, and are invited to her house for dinner. Things go horribly wrong when Regina wants to keep the boy. The father sacrifices himself (who is taken into custody) so that his son could run to safety. The back story emphasis on the key chain that the father gave to his son and in one of the last scenes we see Ethan Embry’s character start his car and then it is revealed that the key chain is the one that the father bestowed to the son. He’s there searching for his father and hopefully he’ll learn of his father’s fate.

What did you think of the last episode? Do you think Snow made the right choice going to Regina?

Until next time or the next… dream

K.E.Nowinsky

Once Upon A Time: One Will Die

Once Upon a Time: ABC
March 10, 2013
The ads for this weeks episode are everywhere. "Once Will Die" is the promise, the question is - which one? Last week we were left with Rumpelstiltskin that had been stabbed by Captain Hook. Here they highlight the Evil Queen (Regina), Mr. Gould (Rumpelstiltskin), the Queen of Hearts (Cora), Prince Charming, Snow White, and Emma. If I were to bet, my money would be on Cora. The Queen of Hearts is also Regina's (the Evil Queens) mother. It has helped us to understand Regina's back story as to why she is so wicked. However, she keeps teetering - is she good or is she bad? Does she have what it takes to be just and righteous? The one thing that keeps her anchored toward good is Henry, who is her adopted son. Emma is the biological mother to Henry. Both Regina and Emma have had a natural plight because of Henry and the situation.

Cora, or the Queen of Hearts, has the wicked urge to become 'The Dark One' (which is Rumpelstiltskin's power). She is manipulating Regina (her daughter) to believe if she (Cora) has all this power that she can finally have Henry. They achieved one step closer last week when they obtained Rumpelstiltskin's dagger (that will kill him so Cora can absorb his powers). Cora being 'The Dark One' would scare me more than Mr. Gould having the power.

Something that keeps popping up that I wish they would clear up. If Emma is Prince Charming and Snow Whites daughter, then is she Emma Charming or Emma Snow? I would love to see her embrace her 'fairy tale' background and become this awesome Disney princess warrior or something. I also look forward to seeing Henry's progression, considering he is a prince too. Rumpelstiltskin is Henry's grandfather and as much as he can be bad, I think he does good too (in his own way). I really enjoy his character and would be really sad if he dies.
Until next time or the next... dream
K.E.Nowinsky

Oncers: Dagger Drama

Once Upon a Time, ABC
"Dagger Drama"
March 7, 2013
Since this past Sunday's dramatic episode of Once Upon a Time, I have had time to think about the complexities within the different relationships.  **Spoiler** If you haven't seen last weeks episode then don't read any further. Finding out that Snow's mother was actually poisoned by the Queen of Hearts. On top of that Rumpelstiltskin is Henry's grandfather? How much more complex can it get?
So, it has been advertised that this weekend's episode that someone in Storybrook "will die."  I also saw a preview of Cora (Queen of Hearts) as a younger woman played by Rose McGowan. It should be an interesting episode.

Last weekend it was 'dagger drama' - Cora wants the dagger for herself, Regina wants Henry.  Rumpelstiltskin, Emma, Henry and Bane are in New York. To his surprise Mr. Gould (Rumpelstiltskin) is stabbed by Captain Hook. Emma was able to knock him out - and as far as we know he is still locked up down in the buildings basement.  Mr. Gould is touched that his estranged son is concerned about the stabbing, which they quickly learn is also poisoned.  They need magic - and fast.
Henry is still mad at his biological mother (Emma) for lying to him all these years about his father. He is showing minimal retaliation from this betrayal by submerging himself in his new father's world.  There still seems to be much more to the Emma and Bane relationship, that I am sure we will learn soon enough.
Back to Cora (Queen of Hearts), she wants the knife to call upon "The Dark One" a.k.a Rumpelstiltskin, a.k.a Mr. Gould. Cora's objective is to kill Mr. Gould to obtain the powers for herself.  Regina (Evil Queen) is game as long as she gets her step-son Henry in the deal.
What I didn't particularly like about last weeks episode was how in a memory Snow has about her mother and the morals she instilled. Snow's mother tells her that the choice she made pertaining to the candle and saving her life showed strength (when Snow thought it showed weakness.) Fast forward to Prince Charming and Snow finding the dagger, purple smoke bellows to reveal the deadly duo of Cora and Regina. They sacrifice someone that was close to Snow to get her to give the dagger.

The problem I have with this is that Snow was brought up to understand the weight of her decisions. She shouldn't have given the dagger to Cora - Snow should have realized her friend was going to perish either way. Cut to Snow sobbing on Prince Charmings shoulder.
What's going to happen next?  We'll have to wait for now.  Luckily, Sunday is not that far away.
Until next time or the next... dream
K.E.Nowinsky

Oncers

"Once Upon A Time"

retrieved from Google Search

March 1, 2013

Today (because I am still procrastinating) I thought I would talk about another show that I like to watch, Once Upon A Time, on ABC.  If you are not familiar with the show, it follows a dual reality.  There is the fairytale land and then Sunny Brook, which outsiders are not supposed to be able to enter.  The main characters are Snow White (Mary Margaret), Prince Charming, Emma (daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming), and the Evil Queen (Regina).  Long story short – Emma was brought to Story Brook in order to break a spell. Who brought Emma to the spell bound town? Her own son that she had given up for adoption, by the way, was adopted by Regina (The Evil Queen).  Another important main character is Mr. Gould (Rumpelstiltskin) who has his deals everywhere. 

There are so many fairytales woven into the story line that I couldn’t possibly do it justice here.  However, season two has introduced us to more characters, which are quickly becoming a modern family.  The last episode we discovered Henry’s (Emma’s son, and Snow White and Prince Charming’s grandson) father is Rumpelstiltskin’s son – which (hold on to your hats) would make Henry his grandson.  One big happy family!  Add in distant relatives as Regina was Henry’s mother for a while (adopted mother) and now Regina’s wicked mother (The Queen of Hearts) is in the picture and causing chaos as well.  We also learned in the last episode of Rumpelstiltskin’s prophecy that was told to him, that Henry could be his undoing… *dramatic “dunn-dunn-DUN!”*

"Once Upon A Time" - (Magic is Coming)

retrieved from Google Search

March 1, 2013

We know that fairytales are not reality.  I like how the show incorporates the different realms, how fairytales are real.  We each live our lives and it adds to our own personal fairytale.  I read a great quote on Facebook the other day, “…today is the first page of your 365 page novella.”  We each have our own experiences and stories to tell.

Until next time, or the next… dream.

~ K.E.Nowinsky

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