When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.
For me, "The Stranger" is one of the best episodes of Season 1. There is very little wrong with it, but to me the way Regina tries to spite Mary Margaret (or at least that seemed to be the reason, it was not as clear as it could have been) seemed somewhat extreme, even for her that was cruel. Emma is also far too stubborn here and it's getting tired.
Actually totally understood Henry's hate towards Regina and what he says to her is what we are thinking too. Really loved Henry's chemistry with Jennifer Morrison's Emma and Jared Gilmore does a very good job here.
The twist involving August's real identity was clever and not frustrating at all. This time, it's Pinocchio who gets the back-story, fairy tale flashback treatment and his story getting turned on its head. It's also one of the more imaginative, twisty and compelling ones of the first season from personal opinion. How it integrates with the Storybrooke parallel is handled beautifully too.
Meanwhile the other subplots are just as well done, liked what was done with Geppetto (a less kind treatment of the character to usual) and with Snow White and the Blue Fairy. Baby Emma is adorable. Regina is in full on bitchy mode without being too pantomimic.
Visually "The Stranger" is a very handsomely mounted episode, settings and costumes that are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. The effects are also above average, not exceptional but not bad. It is photographed beautifully and there is some make-up that suited the characters perfectly. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.
Regarding the writing, "The Stranger" shows that it really has come on a long way. There is far less corn and instead the humour, emotional and tense elements and the balance between them are getting stronger. The story is absorbing.
Lana Parrilla and Eion Bailey are the high points of the cast with the meatiest material. Ginnifer Goodwin continues to charm, Jennifer Morrison is growing as Emma all the time despite the character's stubbornness and Jared Gilmore shines in his scenes with Morrison and Parrilla.
In summation, great episode and one of Season 1's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
For me, "The Stranger" is one of the best episodes of Season 1. There is very little wrong with it, but to me the way Regina tries to spite Mary Margaret (or at least that seemed to be the reason, it was not as clear as it could have been) seemed somewhat extreme, even for her that was cruel. Emma is also far too stubborn here and it's getting tired.
Actually totally understood Henry's hate towards Regina and what he says to her is what we are thinking too. Really loved Henry's chemistry with Jennifer Morrison's Emma and Jared Gilmore does a very good job here.
The twist involving August's real identity was clever and not frustrating at all. This time, it's Pinocchio who gets the back-story, fairy tale flashback treatment and his story getting turned on its head. It's also one of the more imaginative, twisty and compelling ones of the first season from personal opinion. How it integrates with the Storybrooke parallel is handled beautifully too.
Meanwhile the other subplots are just as well done, liked what was done with Geppetto (a less kind treatment of the character to usual) and with Snow White and the Blue Fairy. Baby Emma is adorable. Regina is in full on bitchy mode without being too pantomimic.
Visually "The Stranger" is a very handsomely mounted episode, settings and costumes that are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. The effects are also above average, not exceptional but not bad. It is photographed beautifully and there is some make-up that suited the characters perfectly. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.
Regarding the writing, "The Stranger" shows that it really has come on a long way. There is far less corn and instead the humour, emotional and tense elements and the balance between them are getting stronger. The story is absorbing.
Lana Parrilla and Eion Bailey are the high points of the cast with the meatiest material. Ginnifer Goodwin continues to charm, Jennifer Morrison is growing as Emma all the time despite the character's stubbornness and Jared Gilmore shines in his scenes with Morrison and Parrilla.
In summation, great episode and one of Season 1's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
